Angus fish merchant RR. Spink & Sons has secured its first supermarket supply deal in more than 300 years of trading.
The group, which has its production base at Kirkton Industrial Estate in Arbroath, has landed a contract to supply 30 Sainsbury’s superstores across Scotland with its smoked salmon and rainbow trout products.
The deal – which is worth an initial £60,000 – represents a milestone for the group’s retail business which has concentrated on high end food halls and luxury delis.
Stockists include Selfridges, Valvona & Crolla and The House of Bruar and the group holds a Royal Warrant as fishmonger to The Queen.
“We are delighted to see our hot smoked salmon and rainbow trout products in Sainsbury’s stors across Scotland,” sales manager Danny Cairney said.
“RR. Spink & Sons has over 300 years of experience in crafting smoked fish and we believe in using the highest quality of sustainable Scottish salmon and trout in all our products.”
The new retail relationship follows a significant year of investment for the firm.
The group has upgraded and extended its large production facility at Arbroath and increased its workforce there by 60.
The facility now employs 190 staff, making it one of the town’s largest private sector employers alongside fellow food producer Mackays and contact centre group Journeycall.
Despite the modernisation programme, the company still uses many of the techniques that it did in the 1700s, including its method of curing and hand finishing the fish.