The wettest summer for 100 years dampened demand for ice cream and hit sales at Mackie’s last year.
The famous Rothienorman ice cream business said sales fell 15% due to the dismal summer of 2012, which led to a 11% slump in turnover to £10.3million, according to accounts filed at Companies House.
At the time, the price of cream rose 40% in the year to the end of May 2013.
“The summer of 2012 was the wettest for 100 years which suppressed ice cream sales with volumes down by 15% to the previous year,” the directors’ report stated.
“Our forecast was to maintain sales at the same level of the preceding year but as a result of summer weather, and in spite of some growth from new and existing customers at the end of the financial year, turnover fell 11%.
“Input costs of ingredients increased during the year with cream increasing 40% in the period making it difficult to promote our products profitably.
“Production efficiencies and accurate stock planning enabled manufacturing costs to be controlled in line with sales volume and helped cushion the impact of ingredient cost increases.”
Nevertheless, pre-tax profits rose 65% to £594,745 in the year.
The figure was boosted by an investment return of £250,000. This is thought to refer to the sale of part of its stake in its crisps joint venture with the Perthshire farming family behind Taylors Food Group.
Its share of sales of the Mackie’s branded crisps fell to £28,662 in 2013, from £120,329 the previous year.
While the weather hit sales in the UK, sales of Mackie’s ice cream in the Far East rose almost 50% to £97,608. The statement said the hotter summer of 2013 has boosted sales and coincided with a TV marketing campaign.
“In the next 12 months, the company plans to build on being Scotland’s favourite ice cream and continue to explore new products and markets with the brand,” the statement added.
Mackie’s, whose chairman is Dr Maitland Mackie, is now run by his three children, managing director Maitland “Mac” Mackie, marketing director Karin Hayhow and new products and markets director, Kirstin McNutt.
The accounts noted that company director Dr Halldis Mackie, Dr Mackie’s wife, passed away earlier this month.