A specialist Fife food business is celebrating after being asked to create a new line of snacking dips for flourishing discount supermarket chain Aldi.
Leven-based DipNation has secured an £180,000 deal to supply the German chain’s Scottish stores with the five-product own-brand range in a move which will help the family firm continue its impressive growth trajectory.
It follows a successful trial of the firm’s wares in stores last year.
DipNation managing director Jeremy Williams said the supermarket’s dedication to working with Scottish suppliers was a major attraction for the small producer.
“As a company we take great pride in the quality of our products, and it’s rewarding to know Aldi customers will benefit from this,” he said.
“We look forward to growing our relationship with Aldi in 2014 and beyond.”
DipNation was established in 2009 by Mr Williams, his wife Juliet and her brother Patrick Gilmour, who were inspired by the variety and range of dips available overseas and bored by the choice in the UK.
All its products are manufactured by Mr Gilmour, a classically-trained chef, at the DipNation kitchen near Lundin Links.
The niche food company has grown year-on-year, and now supplies delicatessens, food halls and a growing number of retailers nationwide with its ever-expanding range.
The Aldi deal comes as a fresh boost to the small firm after last year’s tie-up between Kirkcaldy-based wholesaler Fife Creamery and Scotmid promised wider distribution of its products across the latter’s 194-store estate.
Plans for this year include the launch of a range of ambient products, including hot, sweet chilli and smoky bean and chipotle salsas.
Aldi’s managing director for Scotland, Richard Holloway said: “We trialled Dip Nation in our stores last year and the products flew off the shelves.”
The supermarket says its commitment to local sourcing means it stocks more than 200 Scottish lines and supports more than 60 independent food and drink producers, guaranteeing a product range which is at least 25% Scottish.
It is celebrating its own successes after market share figures this week revealed more and more shoppers are deserting the major supermarket chains for low-cost alternatives.
Research firm Kantor Worldpanel said sales at Aldi rose by more than 35% during the 12 weeks to the end of March, but slipped at the ‘big four’ of Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.