Nagel Langdons to expand Macsween Haggis storage and distribution service

13-Jan-2015 - Last updated on 13-Jan-2015 at 11:23 GMT

Related tags Scotland

What was once an occasional meal most commonly eaten to celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, Haggis, the national dish of Scotland, celebrated on January 25 each year is now distributed throughout the UK all year round via Nagel Langdons and into Europe via the Nagel-Group network.

The company, which has been working with Macsween of Edinburgh since 2009k, has now signed an agreement to expand its current storage and distribution service to include contract freezing, tempering and case picking.

Storage of 750 pallets of WIP stock

Malcolm Wilde, general manager, Nagel Langdons told FoodProductionDaily the contract value with Macsween was €350,000 in 2014 and the expansion with the tempering and off-site picking represents an increase of approximately 40% in annual revenue.

Macsween products are listed with all major UK retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Asda, Co-Op, Waitrose, M&S.

“The agreement includes inbound/outbound logistics, contract freezing and storage of 750 pallets of WIP (Work in progress) stock, tempering, case picking, order assembly and dispatch of approximately 250,000 cases of finished product annually,” said Wilde.

“This agreement demonstrates the benefits of out-sourcing order assembly and despatch functions which can free-up space for production and improve productivity for our customers.

“It is often more economical to out-source picking and despatch than to invest capital which could otherwise be utilised to increase production and contribute to growth. And of course flexibility is a point: as a service provider we have the possibility to ensure our resources are continuously in use for one of several logistics projects, so that we minimize the effects of overcapacity.”

'Driving growth in the category'

Macsween is a family owned business founded by the current owners and directors, James and Jo Macsween’s grandfather more than 60 years ago, manufacturing Scotland’s national dish from a purpose built production kitchen in Loanhead near Edinburgh.

“James and Jo have been instrumental in driving growth in the category and attracting a new generation of consumers primarily through New Product Development (NPD) and brand extension,” added Wilde.

“As well as their traditional haggis Macsween manufactures Vegetarian Haggis, Black Pudding and special editions including Wild Boar, Moroccan Spiced Veg and Chilli and Black Pudding.

“They also manufacture branded whisky sauce to accompany their haggis and “burns in a box” which includes traditional haggis and whisky sauce.”

Asked why they had chosen to re-locate their in-house picking and despatch function to Nagel Langdons and what benefits this would bring to their business James Macsween said as its brand had grown, it was keen to work with an experienced logistics company to support its operations.