A Fife factory’s £8.5 million expansion plans have been given a seal of approval by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott.
Soaring porridge sales have prompted the Quaker Oats factory to lodge plans for the major development at its site just outside Cupar. The plant has been producing Scott’s Porage Oats since 1947 and the multi-million-pound investment should secure its future for decades.
“This is a massive investment and is obviously extremely welcome,” Mr Scott told The Courier during a tour of the factory on Monday. “Given the current economic climate, any development that secures the future of jobs is enormously important.
“I was very interested to come along and learn more about the investment.”
Quaker intends to build a flaking mill and new warehouse at the plant. However, while the investment is likely to secure the factory’s future, it is understood it will not lead to the creation of any jobs.
Nevertheless, the development is particularly welcome as it comes just days after Robert Wiseman Dairy warned almost 70 jobs were under threat at its plant just a few hundreds yards from the Quaker mill.
Mr Scott said, “As politicians we have a responsibility to talk about the difficult things that are going on but also to highlight positive stories for the economy. New money being invested here is good for the workforce, good for suppliers and good for north-east Fife.”
Local MSP Iain Smith said, “It helps to secure the long-term future of the plant as a major employer. This kind of development is vital to the area and is extremely welcome.”
A spokesman for PepsiCo, Quaker’s parent company, said the £8.5 million would help to meet rocketing demand.
“We have seen sales of our Quaker oat products soar over the last few years,” he said. “For instance, in November last year our factory in Fife produced a staggering 1.43 million cartons of oats, as well as 2805 tonnes of Quaker’s Oat So Simple.
“We are now looking to increase capacity at our Cupar factory so that we can continue to provide our consumers with the oats they demand.”
The Fife mill produces oat products for the UK, Europe and the Middle East.