The Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) said it has helped 13 bakeries to add £1.9m of value to their bottom lines since it was set up five years ago.

The organisation, run by economic development agency Scottish Enterprise, provides direct and practical support to Scotland’s SME manufacturers to improve productivity and generate cost savings. Among the bakery firms it has helped is MacLean’s Highland Bakery, which received support from SMAS while it worked towards BRC accreditation.

Overall, SMAS said it has worked on 111 projects with food and drink firms, generating over £12m of productivity benefits.

Crawford Gillies, chairman of Scottish Enterprise, said: "With UK manufacturing slowing in September, now is the time for manufacturers to seek more efficiencies and productivity."