Dundee-based venison supplier Highland Game has agreed a major deal with two leading supermarkets that will extend the firm’s reach across the UK.
The firm, which has its headquarters at Dryburgh Industrial Estate, has secured increased distribution with retail partners Tesco and Morrisons worth more than £1 million in sales over the next 12 months.
The new deal with Tesco extends Highland Game’s partnership with the retailer in Scotland and will see core products from the company’s range go on sale in stores across England and Wales from this week.
Strong demand has also seen Morrisons significantly increase its orders for Highland Game-branded wild venison products.
Managing director and founder of Highland Game Christian Nissen said: “We’ve had a very clear vision from the start, and that is to make quality venison products easily accessible for the whole nation.
“These new deals with Tesco and Morrisons mean that, for the first time, our venison will be available in almost every UK postcode, from Shetland right down to Land’s End.”
Founded in 1997, the group has a turnover of £13m and is now the largest supplier of wild venison produce in the UK, processing up to 70,000 wild deer a year and employing more than 100 staff.
The majority of the wild venison is sourced within Scotland, with around half coming from the newly formed public body, Forestry and Land Scotland, with the balance coming from more than 200 private estates.
The firm has also changed its packaging to be more environmentally friendly by discarding the use of black plastic, which can be difficult for recycling systems to pick-up, in favour of recyclable silver trays.
Mr Nissen said: “As a small company, we react to change and put new processes in place very quickly.
“Our switch to recyclable silver trays across our whole product range is an exciting example of packaging innovation, which will have a real and lasting impact on the environment.”
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk