Glasgow food distribution firm Lomond Fine Foods is launching a cake-making venture in a bid to increase its sales.

The privately owned family-run firm produces chilled, ambient and frozen goods for the foodservice sector in Scotland and the north east.

It had problems getting a steady supply of quality cakes, said owner Sam Henderson: “The quality kept fluctuating and the cakes weren’t innovative enough, so we decided to do it ourselves. In the three weeks since we launched our products at a trade show we have doubled turnover. Once we’re completely happy, we will start shipping to wholesalers in the south of England.”

Lomond Fine Foods is still producing most of its popular recipes, such as carrot and chocolate fudge cake, but has also introduced new recipes such as a Caramel Swurly – a toffee and chocolate cake, topped with chunks of Curly Wurly – and plans to launch more new products in the coming year. Tray cakes are ambient and the round cakes are frozen.

The firm has now increased its factory space by 2,500sq ft, bringing its total capacity to 22,000sq ft and six new members of staff have been recruited, including a master baker.

The cake division is predicting a turnover of £500,000 in its first year of operation, with £1m forecast for its second.