Food firm’s progressive employee scheme marks 40th year

AN INDUSTRY-LEADING ingredients manufacturer is celebrating the fourth decade of its unique Employee Trust scheme which not only supports current staff but its retirees too.

Since its move from Glasgow to Glenbervie in 1973, Macphie Ltd’s Employee Trust has commissioned several initiatives to the benefit of its workforce.  

The firm’s Employee Trust owns 12% of Macphie’s shareholding and is made up of Trustees who decide how the finances can be used to better the lives of employees – both retirees and present.

Head of Marketing and Communications at Macphie and member of the Employee Trust, Anna Massie, said: “The dedication and commitment of our staff across the company is reflected in their work – and this deserves more than just praise.

“We try to support current and retired employees in any way we can, from payments to our retired employees, which we put in place over winter when fuel costs tend to be high, to making contributions to funeral costs.

“Our Trustees stay connected with our retired employees by visiting them annually or making calls to those further afield and we keep everyone up-to-date with a quarterly newsletter which contains business updates and news from our Macphie family.

“Our commitment to creating and filling industry jobs is one of our missions, so students and budding industry professionals are another top priority. We currently fund a student bursary for children or grandchildren of our employees, meaning students with links to Macphie who are struggling to cope with university costs can apply for support from the Employee Trust.

“The Trust also funds a scholarship programme with Abertay University. Most recently, we welcomed Dundee-local, Jamie McDonald as part of the scholarship, who has since secured a role as a Product Designer with Macphie and received a financial contribution towards his studies from the Trust.

“As well as this, Macphie recently hosted seven students in their final year at Mearns Academy, Mackie Academy and Portlethen Academy for seven weeks as part of a foundation apprenticeship supported by the Trust - giving pupils a rare opportunity to concoct and simulate the commercial development of new dessert sauces.

 “We know how important it is for staff to have a good work-life balance and contributing to staff events such as summer BBQs and kid’s Christmas parties helps bring that balance into our offices and factories.

“The Trust also funds our leisure subsidy scheme which allows employees to claim money back on activities they enjoy doing in their spare time. Allowances can go towards everything from gym or club memberships to fishing equipment, cooking classes or theatre tickets and over £60,000 has been paid out through this scheme since it was launched in 2018.

“Reaching the 40^th year of this Trust proves how beneficial the initiative has been so far and it’s one that we will certainly continue and even improve in the coming years.”

Macphie has been in operation for over 90 years, having been established in 1928. After the move to Glenbervie in the 70s, community has been at the forefront of Macphie’s efforts.

This is reflected not only by the Employee Trust but also through extensive charitable work, with the firm recently pledging to donate £50,000 to charities and community groups across Scotland, all of which the firm credits for its successful growth over the last couple of decades.

Anna continued: “We as a company owe a lot to the local communities that have supported us since our move.

“The Employee Trust is one of the ways we can express this gratitude and establish Macphie’s values as a company. Our mission is to achieve a growth that provides more jobs in the local area and be a powerful force for good.”

Macphie’s charitable work and Employee Trust are part of a larger commitment towards its corporate social responsibility goals which also includes a focus on sustainability initiatives.

It was among Scotland’s first businesses to achieve B Corp status in 2015, having successfully evidenced an unwaveringly high standard of social and environmental performance.

The company’s vision is to be the go-to partner for food brands around the world, turning ideas and creativity into practical solutions.

To find out more about Macphie, please visit https://www.macphie.com/