MACKIE’S of Scotland emerged as the double winner at a major awards ceremony, landing accolades for its green innovation and the quality of a new popular ice cream flavour.
The family-owned firm was recognised at the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, which saw more than 250 industry professionals descend on The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen to celebrate the 36 companies nominated across 12 categories.
Westertown Farm based Mackie’s secured the Sustainability Award, in recognition for its innovation, reflected most recently by the installation of one of Europe’s most efficient low carbon refrigeration systems, which now enables it to export even more renewable energy to the grid.
It also took home Best New Product (Large Business) for its Strawberry Swirl, which uses fruit from Aberdeenshire’s Castleton Farm, with sauces created in-house by Mackie’s and folded through strawberry ice cream.
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The awards were delivered by Opportunity North East in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, and hosted by broadcaster and musician Dougie Vipond.
Pauline MacLeod, NPD Technologist at Mackie’s, which employs more than 100 people in the north east of Scotland went up to collect the Sustainability award on stage.
She said: “Our all-encompassing sky to scoop ethos means sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do, from our first wind turbine in 2005, to our solar farm 10 years later, and most recently with our incredible new refrigeration system.
“It’s such a privilege to win this award given how enterprising this sector and region is. I’m sure that our late founder, Maitland Mackie MBE, would be incredibly proud that the team is continuing his incredible legacy.
“Personally, it was hugely satisfying and gratifying to see Strawberry Swirl recognised as best new product, after the many months of research and development that went into making the product taste and look its winning best.”
Fellow winners on the night included Amity Fish Company Ltd, Barra Berries, Burnside Brewery, Cabezon Beverage, CocoCaramel, Dean’s of Huntly, Farmlay Eggs, Singularity Sauce Co, Summerhouse Drinks Ltd and Vertegrow.
The awards sought to bring the industry together to celebrate achievements across product and market development, process innovation and business growth, sustainability and people and skills.
Speaking at the awards dinner, Stanley Morrice MBE, Chair of Opportunity North East’s Food, Drink and Agriculture Board, said: “This key sector continues to innovate and grow. That is down to your ambition and drive. You are passionate about your businesses and products, and you are practical and determined. You always look ahead for new opportunities, markets, and customers. You make this famously enterprising region a leader in food and drink manufacturing.”
This summer Mackie’s is launching its biggest ever marketing campaign to drive penetration for the family brand across the UK, which will include advertising across television, digital channels, an on-pack promotion and extensive social media promotion.
Mackie’s is one of the UK’s top ice cream brands, with its 1 litre Traditional tub being the 4th best-selling premium ice cream product in the UK. As the brand grows, Mackie’s has gained a cache of awards in the process, and still produces all its ice cream using fresh milk and cream from the dairy herd on the family farm in north east Scotland.
To find out more about Mackie’s, please visit: www.mackies.co.uk
To view its sustainability map, which illustrates each milestone on the family farm, please visit: https://www.mackies.co.uk/sustainability-map/
