Scottish food and drink firms benefit from £4.6M grant

The latest round of grants, announced by rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing, will enable 15 projects to expand their businesses by supporting new products, extending existing lines and building new facilities.

A number of businesses have used the funding to upgrade the equipment in their factories.

The Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme 2020 and is jointly funded by the Scottish government and the EU.

‘Continuing commitment’​

Speaking ahead of farm business event Agriscot 2017, Ewing said: “This investment of more than £4.6M will benefit farmers, meat packers and bakers across Scotland and further demonstrates my continuing commitment to supporting and growing that contribution.​

“Not only will this funding help to create 90 new jobs, it will help safeguard 820 posts in our rural economy and help our food and drink companies expand their businesses and the products they offer.”​

One company set to benefit from the latest round of funding was Dumfries- and Galloway-based meat processing company Brown Brothers Manufacturing.

It planned to extend its premises and purchase new equipment to make them more competitive, safeguarding 567 full-time posts and creating 50 new jobs.

‘Further economic development’​

Brown Brothers md Alan Hill said working in partnership with local and national government would enable the business to grow more quickly and create further economic development.

“With the support of Food Processing, Manufacturing and Co-Operation grants funding and enabling work by Dumfries and Galloway Council, we will construct a new energy efficient extension to our meat processing facility and install state-of-the-art production equipment,”​ said Hill.

“This will allow us to efficiently increase our throughput capacity and offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ for our customers in fresh, chilled and frozen cooked meats.  This will provide long term job security and job creation.”​ 

Food and drink firms benefitting from the investment include The Start-Up Drinks Lab, Castleton Fruit and potato producer D A Baillie & Sons. See box below for a full list.