Tunnock to build fourth teacake plant as sales grow

The maker of Tunnock's teacakes is to build a fourth manufacturing plant amid growing demand for its sweet treats.

Tunnock is ramping up production of its famous teacakes. Picture: Robert Perry

The expansion plans came as Uddingston-based Thomas Tunnock posted sales of £53 million for the year to the end of February, an increase of 3.5 per cent on the figure of £51.3m recorded for the previous year.

“Following continued investment, a fourth teacake manufacturing plant has just been commissioned and with planning permission recently received for a factory extension, the company continues to invest in the local community and beyond,” said the firm, led by managing director Boyd Tunnock.

Accounts just filed at Companies House show the biscuit maker’s pre-tax profits were broadly flat at just under £7.2m. A dividend of £1m was paid for the second year running.

Writing in the annual report, directors said the company – which employs more than 500 people – continues to invest in new plant, with capital expenditure of almost £6.3m during the year, more than double the previous year’s investment of £3m.

“This is essential to maintain our position at the forefront of the market,” said family-owned Tunnock, which traces its roots back to 1890.

Earlier this year, Tunnock dismissed a furore surrounding a marketing campaign as a “storm in a teacake”. It said that a London Underground advert promoting the famous treat as “the Great British Tea Cake” was simply a nod to hit BBC show the Great British Bake Off.

But the move angered some Scots, who said it was a rejection of the firm’s Scottish roots.

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