Pâté firm passes taste test with Oman deal

A LUXURY Scottish pâté maker has signed its first overseas contract as it prepares to supply expats in the Middle East with a taste of home.

Linlithgow-based Findlater’s Fine Foods will ship its first batch of products to Oman later this month to fulfil an order from MacKenzies Deli, an online business that stocks a range of foods and drinks from around the world.

The Scots firm, which already has a contract with up-market grocery chain Waitrose to supply some of its branches in Scotland and England, employs about 18 staff.

More than 400 delicatessens throughout the UK stock its ranges of meat, fish and vegetarian pâtés, including Peckham’s, Margiotta and Dobbies garden centres.

Managing director, Martin Findlater Henderson, said: “We are very excited to be taking our products abroad for the first time. For a small business like us it is a huge step, but we are prepared as we will ever be and ready to take the plunge.”

Henderson revealed that the contract with MacKenzies Deli was secured following a trade show in London.

He added: “The Middle East – with its large expat community and strong demand for luxury products – is a key market we would like to tap into more over the coming years.

“We’ll definitely be looking to expand our business contacts over there, with the aim of increasing the export side of our business considerably.”

Clydesdale Bank has provided £265,000 of funding to enable the business to expand its production kitchen.

Simon Kerr, managing partner at Clydesdale’s Edinburgh financial solutions centre, said: “Findlater’s is a fine example of a small company that has strong but steady growth ambitions – both at home and overseas.

“The quality of the products has been recognised by the UK Great Taste Awards, where the company has secured top position on four occasions.”

Abbreviated accounts filed at Companies House showed that Findlater’s total assets rose in value to £191,000 in the year to 31 March from £87,000.