The site was acquired as Mackie’s of Scotland looks to reduce the number of food miles its ice cream travels during production. The move also forms part of a reinforced commitment to the north-east Scottish economy.
Based in Rothienorman, rural Aberdeenshire, Mackie’s says the new facility will mark “the next evolution” in its 40-year history.
The Kintore facility will enable the brand to scale capacity and strengthen its links to local, rural communities across the county.
According to Mackie’s, the investment addresses long-standing logistical challenges within the business. Previously, products destined for Scottish customers were required to travel significantly longer routes through third-party distribution networks.
“This is an exciting move that strengthens our foundations and gives us greater control over how we get our products to customers efficiently and, importantly, sustainably, from right here in Aberdeenshire,” said Mackie’s managing director Stuart Common.
“This investment is a clear signal of intent and about building a business with the capacity to keep growing, reach more customers and do so in a way that stays true to our green values.
“By bringing more of our distribution under our control here in the north-east, we can do more locally, keep skills and expertise in the region, and significantly reduce the distance our products travel – something that really matters to us both commercially and from a sustainability point of view.”
The new facility will also help it store and dispatch products closer to home, cutting journey distances by “hundreds of miles” and driving both “efficiency and sustainability”.
The business recently reported its highest-ever turnover of £24.8 million, representing an 11% year-on-year increase, alongside a 3% rise in profits for the financial year ending May 2025.
Mackie’s attributes this growth to its expanded UK distribution and increased brand awareness, with its products now available across major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda.
Executive chairman Maitland Mackie added: “This is a really pivotal moment in our history. After 40 years of building this business as a family, this is an important and exciting next step for us.
“This investment is a physical demonstration of how we’re backing the business, supporting the area we call home, and making sure we’re in a strong position for the next generation.”
