Business in brief: Campbells | Craneware

FOOD processor Campbells Prime Meat has won a £400,000 contract to supply fresh haddock and salmon to German supermarket chain Aldi.

The Linlithgow-based firm has invested £90,000 in packaging equipment to fulfil the deal, which covers the discount chain’s stores north of the Border.

Steven Walker, director at Campbells, said: “As well as our plans to supply cod to Aldi, we are also looking into the possibility of adding coley, hake, ling and pollack to the range making it easy for consumers to enjoy fresh fish from around Scotland.”

Software bosses earn share options

Craneware chief executive Keith Neilson was yesterday handed share options worth more than £200,000 after the Edinburgh-based hospital billing software maker reported a 4 per cent rise in full-year profits on Tuesday.

Finance chief Craig Preston received options worth £192,000, but both executives will have to wait three years before they can cash them in.

Craneware unveiled plans on Tuesday to expand its head office in the Scottish capital, recruiting a further 20 software developers to add to its team of about 80 already in the city.

Black cab company restarts production

London Taxi Company (LTC) has restarted production of its famous black cabs, six months after the business was saved by Chinese car maker Geely.

Former owner Manganese Bronze fell into administration in October, with about a third of its 300-strong workforce losing their jobs. Geely bought Manganese for £11 million in February, safeguarding the remaining jobs and keeping production in Coventry.

Volvo owner Geely plans to invest £150m in LTC over the next five years and expects to produce almost 2,000 TX4 vehicles in its first year.

Snoozebox beds in at Nigg energy park

Portable hotel operator Snoozebox has won a contract to supply an accommodation unit for oil workers at the Nigg energy park in the Highlands.

The company, which announced a rise in half-year losses to £5.1 million on Tuesday, said the 80-room facility for Global Energy Group opens on Saturday and will be in place until April, with an option to extend the deal.

Executive chairman David Morrison said: “The relationship marks Snoozebox’s entry into this dynamic sector and provides the potential for further growth.”