Angus jam-maker Mackays acquired by Canadian family business

Angus jam manufacturer Mackays has been acquired by a Canadian family firm after a “significant” investment.

The Arbroath-based business was owned by the Grant family for more than 25 years.

However, Mackays has secured a “major” investment from the Mitchell family, who run a number of businesses in their native Canada.

Mitchells Foods is headquartered in Toronto and led by Bruce Mitchell, alongside his sons Scott and Andrew.

They have purchased a majority stake in the Angus business.

The Mitchell family owns and manages eight businesses in the food processing and distribution, agriculture, packaging, and technology industries in Canada, the US and Mexico.

They are long-term builders of businesses and have owned a few of their companies for many decades.

Martin Grant, who will remain as managing director at Mackays, said: “We are really thrilled to have the Mitchell family on board. They are committed to our long-term success.

“They understand our business, manufacturing processes, the heritage of our products and investing in family businesses.

“Building on the successes of the company, this investment will enable the company to look to the future.”

Mr Grant believes the investment can take Mackays “to the next level”.

He said he hopes it helps grow the company into a “more significant brand, not just in Scotland, but around the world”.

Hopes for a ‘bright future’ for Mackays

Newly published accounts for Mackays confirm the Mitchell family has purchased a majority stake.

The company said: “In the past, the board believed the enduring nature of customer relationships and the absolute quality of the products manufactured, coupled with a long-term programme of capital investment, would enable the company to meet the challenges of the current economic environment.

“A lack of capital emerged during the year and investment had to be sought from outside sources.”

Mr Grant’s statement confirmed the business has been acquired by Permian Industries, a company run by the Mitchell family.

He added: “The introduction of fresh funding from them has reduced borrowings greatly and provided working capital resources so that the company can now look forward to a bright future.”

Sales up at major Angus employer Mackays

The accounts for the year to December 2022 show an increase in revenue. That is despite ongoing pandemic-related challenges.

Sales at Mackays rose to £18.7 million over the reporting period, up from £17m the year before.

However, pre-tax losses increased to £442,165, from £258,714 in 2021.

In his strategic report, Mr Grant said: “The Covid-19 pandemic continued to cast a shadow over all businesses, large and small, and the company did not escape the long-term effects.

“This led to continuing uncertainty, due to the ongoing and developing impact of the pandemic.

“The company then had to deal with the inflationary bubble that arose coupled with the cost-of-living crisis. Pricing of both sales and purchases became extremely difficult.”

Mr Grant said the prices of materials also rocketed.

He added this had an impact on the performance of the business, which employs more than 100 staff.

“The effect of the rising prices imposed on the company had totally unforeseen adverse effects,” he said.

“It made raw materials more difficult to access and much more expensive.

“The overall cost rose by 8.94%, against 3.68% last year.”

Mr Grant said the Mackays brands, which also include Mrs Bridges, were “continuing to develop in home and international markets”.

New products are in the pipeline, with development “well advanced”, he added.