A leading family-owned dairy business has today reported its highest-ever turnover of £24.8 million, an 11% year-on-year increase, alongside a 3% rise in profits for the financial year ending May 2025.
This robust commercial performance from Mackie’s of Scotland has been driven predominantly by continued UK sales growth, resulting from growing distribution and increasing brand awareness.
The record financial results mark another milestone for the company, reflecting its strong market position and continued commitment to long-term sustainability despite ongoing cost pressures in the dairy sector.
In the financial year to May 2025, the brand’s products landed on 2,110 more retail store shelves, with increases in Tesco (+11%), Sainsburys (+20%), Morrisons (+54%) and ASDA (+17%), most notably across the company’s Traditional, Raspberry Ripple and Honeycomb flavours.
Stuart Common, Managing Director of Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “These results come down to sticking to what we believe in and not cutting corners. We’ve always taken a long-term view, whether that’s how we make our ice cream, how we look after the farm, or how we invest in the business and our staff.
“We’re proud to be growing, but just as proud that we’ve done it by focusing on quality, doing things properly and making products people genuinely love.”
Adding to Mackie’s success was a strong marketing push around the company’s ‘Full Cream Ahead’ marketing campaign which drove home Mackie’s high cream content and quality while raising brand awareness. As a result, shopping purchases grew by 8% in targeted areas, compared to a 3% in those without the marketing drive.
Over the 24/5 financial year, Mackie’s won more than 300,000 new buyers across the UK compared to the previous year and was purchased by more than a quarter of households in Scotland (KantarWorldpanel).
The company remains fully committed to reinvestment in its facilities and operations. In the 24/25 financial year alone, major investments have included a new voluntary milking machine for Mackie’s growing herd of cows, and an upgrade to its tub production machinery to ensure the highest standard of creamy products – all reinforcing the company’s future growth trajectory.
Substantial additional investments will continue to be made in the current financial year 2025/26, strengthening the company’s product quality, animal welfare, sustainability and production capacity.
The company has also maintained a strong international presence, with 10% of revenue generated from international markets, particularly in Taiwan, South Korea and China.
Mackie’s continues to diversify its export strategy with plans to grow its presence in markets where it has already proven popular with consumers and is also targeting additional markets where its products’ high cream content and quality taste profile matches with consumer demand.
Throughout the 2024 and 2025 financial years, cost pressures remained high. Cream prices between June 2024 and May 2025 averaged 37% higher than in the preceding financial year.
Alongside other cost increases, this sustained inflation in Mackie’s main ingredient explains the muted increase to profits despite strong sales growth, and underlines the ongoing pressures and unpredictability faced by dairy producers.
Stuart added: “We’re realistic about the challenges ahead but remain intent on offering a product that embodies affordable luxury. We’re also conscious that costs are still high and that households are under pressure, so we’re keeping a close eye on how the market is changing.
“That’s why our focus is on building a business that’s resilient and adaptable, without losing what makes Mackie’s, Mackie’s – which is great tasting ice cream, made in Scotland, with care, for customers here at home and further afield.”
With the 2025 summer season marked by higher-than-usual sunshine compared with 2024, and driving increased consumer demand for Mackie’s ice cream products, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
As part of its ongoing commitment to its employees and community, Mackie’s remains a Real Living Wage employer and continues to invest in upskilling its staff and maintaining open dialogue with its various teams.
Most recently Mackie’s of Scotland was named Employer Brand of the Year, awarded by the Marketing Society of Scotland. The award celebrates organisations that understand the power of a strong employer brand and that communicates its values, culture, and purpose in ways that inspire both existing employees and future talent.
Stuart said: “At Mackie’s, we believe that the company does best when our people feel heard and valued. For the last few years, we’ve been focused on getting better at communication throughout the business. When people understand the bigger picture – not just their own tasks – they feel more connected to the company and more engaged in their work. We’ve made good progress on this and we’re going to keep improving.”
Mackie’s is committed to balancing short-term growth with long-term sustainability, continuing to invest in its people, operations, and communities while maintaining its commitment to environmental responsibility.
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Executive Chairman Maitland (Mac) Mackie extended his thanks to the team on the back of a great financial year saying: “Our family has been proudly making high-quality ice cream for close to four decades.
“Since that first scoop in 1986 right through to 2026, we’re incredibly proud that Mackie’s of Scotland has become a firm family favourite, and continues to appeal to more and more ice cream lovers across the UK.”
