Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond today visited Fraserburgh's largest employer, Macrae, to mark completion of the first phase of a £2 million investment programme to upgrade its fish processing factory. Also visiting the Macrae plant was SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.Macrae Fraserburgh, part of The Seafood Company, has a core staff of 550 and employs up to 800 staff during peak season, contributing more than £9 million to the local economy.
The company has now finished the £1 million refurbishment to its smoked fish facilities with a new kiln built on site and the addition of new loading bays. A further £1 million of upgrades to the site will be made over the next two years.
Speaking in Fraserburgh, Alex Salmond said:
"Macrae Fraserburgh has a vital role within the local economy. The company's continued growth, investment and employment in Fraserburgh brings significant benefits to the North-east economy. It is the area's largest employer and contributes more than £9 million to the Scottish economy.
"The £2 million upgrade of the factory will provide better facilities for the 800 staff working at the seafood factory and enable even greater outturn of produce.
"The Fraserburgh factory produces 3.4 million packs of fish, largely salmon, every month. I am particularly impressed to hear that 2.6 million salmon are processed each year, 99 per cent of which comes from Scotland. If these were laid end to end it would span 1,250 miles, proving the global reach of the Fraserburgh company!
"Macrae is a key player in Scotland's food industry and a great contributor to our economy. I wish the company and its staff the very best in its improved site."
SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:
"Macraes are a valued local employer as well as a highly-regarded company. The local Fraserburgh economy benefits enormously from the company's presence here, as does the Scottish fishing industry, from which the company buys £43 million-worth of fish annually.
"I was delighted to be able to visit the company today and to hear at first hand details of this Fraserburgh success story."