ENTREPRENEUR Magnus Houston is targeting further growth of his Coast and Glen seafood and game and his Fishbox businesses with the purchase of a factory in Muir of Ord, outside Inverness.
Mr Houston, founder and owner of both businesses, said their combined workforce would rise from 24 to 32 as a result of the expansion.
The new factory is in addition to his existing industrial premises at Walker Road in Inverness, with Mr Houston noting it would provide him with extra capacity to increase Fishbox’s customer base.
Coast and Glen supplies foodservice customers throughout the Highlands and Islands. It supplies Michelin-starred restaurants around the UK.
Fishbox targets the consumer market, enabling customers to have a regular box of mixed fresh fish delivered the next day, UK-wide.
Mr Houston, who flagged the support provided by law firm Morisons in the deal, put the combined turnover of his businesses in the year to March at £1.4 million. Turnover had been projected to rise to £2.1m in the current financial year, although Mr Houston noted this forecast could be exceeded with the purchase of the factory, which is expected to open in about four weeks’ time.
He said: “We have bought this to expand the business [and] create new jobs.”
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