Coffee roaster Matthew Algie has made a multi-million-pound investment in its Glasgow headquarters that will allow the 150-year-old firm to roast over 2,500 tonnes of coffee annually.
The project, which has been supported by Scottish Enterprise, includes the introduction of a new green bean handling and blending system, upgraded automation, new conveying systems, and state-of-the-art packaging lines.
As well creating 38 new jobs, the move also bolsters the firm’s new sustainability strategy, which will see the entire business become net zero by 2035.
A new green storage area means hessian sacks can be replaced with larger one-tonne transportation bags that deliver a 90% manual handling reduction, as well as increased coffee container capacity. Shipping coffee in bulk containers from coffee producing countries to UK ports will increase capacity by 11%, and onward delivery to the Glasgow site will see a 25% capacity increase which will cut costs and carbon emissions.
Paul Chadderton, Matthew Algie’s managing director, said the move would futureproof the business.
He added: “Equally important however is how these improvements will help supercharge our efforts to reach net zero, as by 2035 our operations in the UK and Ireland will be carbon neutral or better, with our entire value supply chain net zero by 2040.”
