VMG gets a pizza the supermarket action to create 25 jobs in Glasgow

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 17/11/2012 00:00

Pizza maker VMG Foods expects to create 25 jobs and more than double its turnover after securing deals with retailers Asda and Nisa.

The Glasgow-based firm said its newly-launched “pizza fingers”, which will be sold under its Mr Moretti brand, will soon be joined by similar own-label products in other retail chains.

It predicted that the orders will see its annual turnover rise from its current level of around £2.5 million to £6m, and grow its headcount from 40 to 65.

Managing director Cameron Brown said: “A crucial element to our success has been working closely with local companies in the development of these pizzas.”

Design agency VisualizeThis has developed the packaging, which will be produced by fellow Glasgow firm Kinpac, while Carr’s Flour Hutchisons in Kirkcaldy helped to develop the pizza base recipe.

Scottish Enterprise and Royal Bank of Scotland provided financial support for the product expansion, and RBS’s managing director of commercial banking, Graham Galloway, said: “It’s great to see VMG’s management team reaping the rewards of all their hard work. The fact that the company’s success will both preserve and create jobs is an additional bonus.”

VMG has also produced a frozen gluten-free pizza range for Middlesex-based specialist food group Triano Brands.

Brown said: “We thrive on developing the difficult products which the large-scale producers tend to shy away from. Gluten-free fits this strategy perfectly and the strong growth in this sector is a welcome bonus.”