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ICE CREAM FIRM AIMS TO BECOME UK'S GREENEST COMPANY
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LINDSAY MCINTOSH

09:00 - 26 December 2005
A Family-run ice cream firm has revealed it hopes to be running solely on renewable energy by the end of the decade.

Mackie's Ice Cream already has its own wind turbine at its farm at Daviot, near Inverurie, and has plans to erect two more.

Managing director Mac Mackie said the firm wanted to "do its bit for the environment", but was also attracted by the profitability of renewable energy.

He said: "We are investing heavily in our aim to be Britain's greenest company.

"We have an 850kw wind turbine running, producing enough power to supply the whole business intermittently.

"We'd like to develop a bio-gas plant which will produce electricity from the methane. We are also looking at bio-diesel."

The company hopes to be 100% self-sufficient in terms of power within three years.

It is confident of securing planning permission for the additional turbines, as the existing one stands on a hill alongside television masts.

The 19-year-old business exports to Norway and South Korea and hopes to further exploit the Asian market in the near future.

Mr Mackie said: "In Asia, Scottish brands seem to do very well. They see European products as high quality - and Scottish products particularly.

"There is a good awareness because of whisky and cashmere, which are at the top end of things.

"We have been selling there for four years but the volume has not been huge.

"In the next three years, it will expand to 25% of our turnover."

Being family-run enables the business to go in directions such as these, which shareholders of other companies might veto.

Other family members involved include Mr Mackie's sisters Karin Hayhow, marketing director, and Kirstin Mackie, development director.

Their father, Maitland Mackie, is chairman.

Mackie's is in line for a top award for family businesses, organised by Yell.

The publisher of the Yellow Pages is looking for the best business in Scotland, which local people feel deserve recognition.

The five winners will secure a package worth more than £13,000.

To enter or nominate a business, visit www.familybusinessawards.co.uk

Mr Mackie said: "We all grew up on the farm and used to work in the business during school holidays. We were involved in the business from an early age which is an advantage, as you are motivated and want it to work."