Murdoch Allan expands to Dundee with bakery acquisition

Murdoch Allan has marked the first expansion outside of its Aberdeenshire base with the acquisition of Teviotdale Bakery in Dundee.

The move was described as a “significant step forward” for the family-owned craft bakery firm, which supplies a range of sweet and savoury baked goods to most of Scotland’s supermarkets as well as to its own six outlets.

Teviotdale Bakery has been owned by Graham Cuthbert and his family since 1978, producing a range of traditional bread rolls per week for independent shops around Dundee. Current production capacity is around 100,000 rolls per week and turnover is said to be in excess of £1m, with the deal made for an undisclosed sum.

The bakery is to be rebranded as Murdoch Allan and is expected to play a key role in the company’s growth ambitions, supporting production of the main factory almost 100 miles away in Hatton village. In addition, Murdoch Allan intends to introduce its range of craft bakery products to Teviotdale customers in Dundee.

“We have huge respect for the team at Teviotdale Bakery and we are excited to expand our family business to offer Scotland the highest quality bakery goods,” said Murdoch Allan managing director Paul Allan, who runs the business with his wife Katrina.

“We know ourselves that employees become an extended part of the family in businesses like ours. That is why we are pleased that this acquisition will retain the jobs of nine members of staff and we will also be creating 10 new job opportunities as part of our expansion plans.

“We are grateful to Teviotdale’s customers for their patience and will be working with them to ensure they receive an excellent experience from everyone at Murdoch Allan,” added the MD.

Last June, the company secured a £1m contract to expand its product listings at Asda stores across Scotland – it also supplies Aldi, Co-op Local, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s locations with the likes of Aberdeen Butteries, morning rolls, tattie scones, muffins, Scotch crumpets, Scotch pancakes, tarts, yum yums, and shortbread rounds.

Established in 1991 by baker Murdoch Allan, the business has grown from its original shop in Fraserburgh to add five more across Scotland’s northeast including in Turriff, Hatton, Peterhead, Mintlaw, and Aberdeen, with a total workforce of around 150 staff currently employed.