North-east craft baking company presented with parliamentary motion
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin recently visited Murdoch Allan in Hatton to present it with a parliamentary motion she raised to celebrate the 20 years since they took over the old Simmers factory.
The former Simmers factory was earmarked for closure by United Biscuits but Murdoch Allan and Son stepped in and took it over, which represented a significant expansion for the business.
Ms Martin visited the Hatton shop along with Councillor Stephen Smith and spoke with managing director Paul Allan, who shared news of the firm's product expansion as it has now launched craft gin and vodka which are distilled from scratch on-site.
Murdoch Allan and Son director Paul Allan said:“It was a pleasure to see Gillian Martin once again and a real honour for the company and the staff to be recognised in this way by the Scottish Parliament.
“From a situation 20 years ago where Hatton was about to lose a major employer, I was proud that Murdoch Allan and Son was able to step in and ensure that over a century of excellence would continue as it does to this day with quality products made by our dedicated workforce.
“I look forward to many more years of success from our base in Hatton.”
Local councillor Stephen Smith said: “I’m delighted for Paul, Katrina and the team at Hatton to be honoured in this way.
"Murdoch Allan and Son has gone from strength to strength over the past 20 years since it saved the former Simmers factory from closure.
“Through my job at the time, I played a small part in the process of getting United Biscuits to sell the factory to a competitor when the company had earmarked the site as land for housing and it’s great that the baking tradition in Hatton continues.”
Ms Martin said: “Murdoch Allan is a thriving family-run Aberdeenshire business producing top quality bread, cakes, pastries and craft spirits, and I was delighted to lodge a motion in parliament to congratulate Murdoch Allan on its 20th anniversary of operating from the Hatton site.
“The anniversary of the old Simmers factory takeover is well worthy of a parliamentary motion, as the ambitious move prevented what would have been a devastating blow to the community if the factory had shut and Murdoch Allan has continued to grow and serve the community ever since.”
