Glasgow-based Ace catches contract as fish firm expands

Edinburgh Salmon Company (Esco) has handed a £170,000 contract to Glasgow’s Ace Refrigeration as it expands its factory to cope with growing demand.

The firm – which despite its name is based at Dingwall in the Highlands – is undertaking the expansion to cope with an increased demand for its smoked, cooked and fresh salmon and trout.

Esco, which has a turnover in excess of £30 million and employs around 300 staff, announced earlier this month that it was being sold to French fish firm Merinvest for an undisclosed sum. The firm said its customers, which include supermarket Asda, would not be affected by the change of ownership.

It is envisaged the move will provide the opportunity for Esco products to be more widely marketed in Europe.

Neither has the move affected its expansion plans, with the factory extension due to be completed in June.

Ace – a specialist in the design, installation, service and maintenance of commercial and light industrial refrigeration and air conditioning units – will begin work on the 1,750 square metre extension next week. The Glasgow business said Esco had chosen its Race energy saving system above competitors from south of the Border.

Shane McKenzie, Ace’s sales director, said: “This deal illustrates our ability to work across a number of sectors, and the seafood production and processing industry is one where we have vast experience having previously worked with Braehead SFO, Inverawe Smokehouse and Scottish Seafarms.

“We are pleased to support Edinburgh Salmon Company with its expansion on the back of increased demand and look forward to undertaking the work and helping to the company with its continued growth.”

The refrigeration and air conditioning specialist will carry out the project alongside Thomson & Partners, a consulting engineering practice based in Edinburgh, and Inverness-based McGregor Construction.

Ace recently provided the Inverclyde Royal Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital with a cooking and freeze production facility, working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and BAM Construction.

Esco, which manufactures a range of salmon products as well as selling fresh fish including trout, has invested £2m in the facility. Once operational, it expects the factory will cope with additional work worth about £15m in turnover.