Scottish-based Maclean’s Highland Bakery looks set to continue its turnover growth thanks to a wealth of international business.

The family-run bakery in Forres, Morayshire, is due to hire 15 new employees, who will join the company’s existing 130-strong workforce, and has reported a rise in turnover by more than £3m, which is expected to increase in the next three years.

The firm, which was established in 1978 and is now under the control of siblings Lewis Maclean, Ronald Maclean and Carol Shewan, is looking to invest around £365,000 in machinery, marketing and new product lines in a bid to grow its current international client base, which includes Australia, USA and China.

Maclean’s will also be receiving £95,000 from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of the move.

Mandy Holmes, development manager at HIE, said: "The company is innovative and ambitious in its approach to providing products to a range of customers nationally and internationally. Our role is to continue to help develop the company and provide quality jobs in Moray. We are working closely with them looking at all aspects of their work which help them grow, from manufacturing, to product development, to marketing and distribution.

"HIE’s investment will allow the company to keep up with the high level of demand for existing produce and to develop a new range of premium goods, as well as to create quality jobs in the area."

Former Scottish Bakers’ president, Lewis Maclean, co-owner of Maclean’s and a World Scotch Pie Champion, said: "The new machinery, brand development and trade fair attendance are all part of our growth plan which will allow the company to expand as new opportunities arise, a key element of this is increasing our export sales and developing new premium products. This expansion in activity will put us in a great position to explore further new markets as well as introduce some new additions to our range."

Maclean’s operates five retail outlets in Forres, Nairn and Grantown, as well as a biscuit manufacturing facility, and has recently expanded into the gift and premium food markets.

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