Kirkcaldy bag-maker gets £450,000 boost for expansion

Kirkcaldy paper bag maker Smith Anderson, which includes McDonald’s, Harrod’s, Waitrose and KFC among its clients, has invested in state-of-the-art machinery to increase capacity at its Mitchelston Industrial Estate site as part of a £3 million investment, including the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise.

The company, founded in 1859 with the purchase of Fettykil Paper Mill in Leslie, will create 22 new jobs as part of an investment project, ensuring Smith Anderson remains the market-leading paper bag manufacturer in Europe.

Speaking after a visit to the company on Wednesday, Scottish Government Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn, said: “Not only will this grant support jobs in Fife, it will also allow Smith Anderson to achieve more cost-effective production and increase its capacity.

“It’s crucial we continue to invest in our manufacturing industry and support innovation to grow the economy, which we’re doing through the £65 million National Manufacturing Institute Scotland initiative.”

The machinery investment will also allow the company, which now employs 243 staff, to target new customers, ensuring Smith Anderson meets the constantly increasing demands of its existing clients.

Michael Longstaffe, Smith Anderson’s chief executive officer, said: “After a number of extremely challenging years, during which we continued to invest, we can now celebrate the arrival of this new equipment.I am extremely proud of the company, what we have achieved and how well we have been supported by Scottish Enterprise in this process.”

David Leven, head of high value manufacturing at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We’re committed to delivering investment and jobs into our communities.

“Our funding will help Smith Anderson hone its global competitive advantage by investing in modern and innovative technology and facilities capable of enhancing capacity and productivity.

“Smith Anderson’s investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to deliver new products for today’s emerging markets.”

“The firm has a strong standing in the Fife community and it has once again shown a real commitment to continuing to invest in the area and its people.

“We look forward to continuing our productive working relationship with the company.”