Stoddarts Further Processing

Name of organisation/business:

AK Stoddart Ltd

Funding:

Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation scheme: £132,778.33

Scottish Rural Development Programme priority:

Enhancing the rural economy

        Contact details: 
Jenny McKerr
jenny.mckerr@aks-scotland.co.uk

Website:

Stoddarts

Location

Broxburn

What are the aims of your project?

AK Stoddart Ltd built a new Further Processing factory in 2011 to enable the business to add more value to beef products to enhance profitability. The aim of the EU funding was to invest in machinery to gain efficiencies required to secure new business and to promote new product development.

How did your project achieve these aims?

Production processes were analysed internally to establish efficiencies and potential for automation. The food processing machinery market was researched to establish the most suitable equipment to fulfil customer requirements and sourced. The Further Processing factory efficiency improved allowing the business to competitively secure new business.

Who was involved?

Neil Stoddart had ultimate responsibility for the project with John Craig, Operations Director managing the project team of external contractors and senior managers (Jenny McKerr, General Manager and Carol Milne Technical Manager).

How was the project funded?

The European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development and the Agricultural Processing, Marketing and Cooperation grants supported AK Stoddart Limited with a grant of £132,778 in connection with the cost of purchase and installation of a range of processing equipment. The remaining costs were funded by capital expenditure from the business.

Where did you go for help and advice?

Scottish Enterprise.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

The project created eight new jobs and enabled Further Processing to become competitive in the marketplace to win new business. This has opened up the retail market, which takes us now to retail fresh beef. All of which underpins the long term security of the business and protects 240 jobs.

And the biggest challenge?

Developing engineers skill/mind-set in line with new technology was challenging. We overcame this by involving the engineers closely with the selection of equipment and machinery manufacturers trained the engineers directly.