Mackays
Mackays is a Scottish preserves manufacturer founded in 1938, producing copper-pan marmalades, jams, curds, and chutneys distributed through UK supermarkets, DTC e-commerce, foodservice, and exports to 80+ countries, serving as the UK's third-largest preserve brand with £17.45m in FY2025 revenue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1938
- HeadquartersArbroath, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mackays does
Mackays Limited is a privately held Scottish preserves manufacturer headquartered in Arbroath, founded in 1938 by the Mackay brothers in Carnoustie and acquired by Paul Grant in 1995. The company manufactures organic marmalades, fruit preserves, curds, and chutneys using traditional steam-heated copper pans with a rolling-boil method — a process anchored by 22 copper pans in an 80,000-square-foot facility opened in 2008. Its product portfolio spans preserves (Scottish raspberry, strawberry, blueberry & blackcurrant, rhubarb & ginger, bramble), marmalades including the historic Dundee Marmalade (dating to 1797), Seville and vintage orange variants, chutneys, and gift hampers.
The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market: distribution through major UK supermarkets accounts for primary retail volume, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce site (mackays.com) serves UK consumers with mainland delivery, an international export operation reaches 80+ countries (approximately 30% of turnover, first seeded by the 1996 Canadian launch), and a foodservice vertical opened via 2021 packaging and manufacturing investments. Pricing is unit-based at £1.50-£2.30 per individual jar, with gift hampers and mini-sets priced up to £16. Mackays is the 3rd largest UK preserve brand and reported FY2025 turnover of £17.45m (up from £17.34m) with pre-tax losses of £656,495, a 46% improvement year-on-year. The company remains under Grant-family ownership, led by Managing Director Martin Grant since 2011.
Mackays firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mackays
- Legal name
- Mackays Limited
- Website
- https://mackays.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1938
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Mackays is a Scottish preserves manufacturer founded in 1938, producing copper-pan marmalades, jams, curds, and chutneys distributed through UK supermarkets, DTC e-commerce, foodservice, and exports to 80+ countries, serving as the UK's third-largest preserve brand with £17.45m in FY2025 revenue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mackays industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Preserves and Marmalades
- NAICS
- Specialty Food Retailers (4452), All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298)
- SIC
- Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Bulk & Pantry Staples Retail (CRAHAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty Food Gift Shops & Hampers (CRAHAGAN)
Keywords
Where Mackays is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arbroath
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Mackays business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct sales of preserves, marmalades, chutneys, and curds through multiple channels including direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail distribution.
- Export Sales: International sales to over 80 countries representing approximately 30% of total turnover.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual preserves and marmalades |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mini gift sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Hampers and Collections |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Pick & Mix |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mackays product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mackays manufactures and sells Scottish preserves, marmalades, chutneys, fruit curds, and gift hampers using traditional copper-pan methods. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via the company's e-commerce site, through major UK supermarkets, and exported to over 80 countries, with a growing foodservice supply channel.
Product overview
Mackays is a Scottish preserves manufacturer offering a diverse portfolio of products across five main categories: Preserves (fruit jams made with Scottish berries), Marmalades (citrus spreads including the historic Dundee Marmalade dating to 1797), Chutneys (savorycondiments made in small batches), Curds (creamy egg and butter spreads), and Gift Hampers (pre-selected and pick-and-mix collections). The products are crafted using traditional methods in copper pans. The company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform where customers can purchase individual jars or curated gift selections.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scottish Preserves (Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry & Blackcurrant, Rhubarb & Ginger, Seedless Bramble, Champagne variants) Fruit jams made with Scottish-grown berries including raspberry, strawberry, blueberry & blackcurrant, rhubarb & ginger, seedless bramble, and luxury variants such as Strawberry Preserve with Champagne. Sold in jars to consumers via UK supermarkets and the Mackays e-commerce site, used as breakfast spreads and baking ingredients.
- Marmalades (Dundee Marmalade, Seville Orange, Vintage, Three Fruit, Sweet Navelina, Orange/Lemon & Ginger, Lime & Lemon, Whisky and Champagne variants, Thick-Cut, Shredless) Citrus-based spreads manufactured in copper pans, including the original Dundee Marmalade first created in 1797. Range covers Seville Orange, Vintage (thick-cut), Three Fruit, Sweet Navelina, Orange/Lemon & Ginger, Lime & Lemon, Orange Marmalade with Whisky, Orange Marmalade with Champagne, Thick-Cut, and Shredless variants. Targeted at breakfast consumers and gift purchasers via UK supermarkets, e-commerce, and export.
- Chutneys (Sweet Beetroot & Red Onion, Caramelised Red Onion, Sundried Tomato & Smoked Chilli, Red Pepper & Smoked Paprika, Chilli Jam)
Quantifiable outcome
- 46% improvement in pre-tax losses year-on-year
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Mackays
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mackays technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Mackays partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Mackays competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wilkin & Sons (Tiptree): Family-owned Essex-based preserve maker famous for Tiptree jams, marmalades, and conserves. The closest direct peer to Mackays in heritage positioning, premium quality, traditional small-batch production, and UK-plus-international distribution model.
- Duerr's: Manchester-based UK preserves and peanut butter manufacturer founded in 1881. Comparable to Mackays as a long-established British preserves brand selling through major UK supermarkets with international distribution.
- Mrs. Darlington's: Award-winning UK family-run preserves, curds, and chutneys producer. Strongly comparable to Mackays on traditional small-batch manufacturing, premium positioning, gift hamper products, and UK supermarket distribution.
- Frank Cooper's: Historic Oxford Marmalade brand now owned by Premier Foods. Directly comparable to Mackays as a traditional British marmalade brand with strong heritage and supermarket distribution.
- Robertson's: Iconic UK marmalade and preserves brand owned by Premier Foods. Direct competitor to Mackays in the UK supermarket marmalade category with similar heritage positioning and mass-market UK distribution.
- Crofter's Organic: North American organic preserves and fruit spreads producer. Comparable to Mackays on specialty/quality positioning, multi-fruit product range, and growing distribution through mainstream retail channels.
Broad incumbents
- Bonne Maman: Premium French preserves brand owned by Andros Group, distributed globally in iconic checkered-lid jars. A larger international incumbent competing with Mackays in UK and export markets on premium preserves.
- Hartley's: Mass-market UK jam brand owned by Hain Celestial. Competes with Mackays in UK preserves but targets broader value-oriented segments rather than Mackays' premium heritage niche.
- Premier Foods: UK-listed food manufacturer and owner of Robertson's and Frank Cooper's preserves/marmalade brands. A broader incumbent whose preserves portfolio directly competes with Mackays in UK retail.
- Hain Celestial Group: Multinational natural and organic food company owning Hartley's and other preserves brands. A broader incumbent whose preserves portfolio competes with Mackays across UK and international retail channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mackays social profiles
Digital presenceMackays financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mackays leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Mackays funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mackays M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mackays
What does Mackays do?
Mackays manufactures and sells Scottish preserves, marmalades, chutneys, fruit curds, and gift hampers using traditional copper-pan methods. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via the company's e-commerce site, through major UK supermarkets, and exported to over 80 countries, with a growing foodservice supply channel.
Is Mackays a public or private company?
Mackays is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Mackays founded?
Mackays was founded in 1938. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Mackays based?
Mackays is headquartered in Arbroath, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Mackays make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are export Sales.
Who are Mackays's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wilkin & Sons (Tiptree), Duerr's, Mrs. Darlington's, Frank Cooper's, Robertson's and Crofter's Organic. Broad incumbents are Bonne Maman, Hartley's, Premier Foods and Hain Celestial Group.
Does Mackays have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mackays.
What industry is Mackays in?
Mackays's product category is Preserves and Marmalades. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAIAG, Online Bulk & Pantry Staples Retail, with a secondary code of CRAHAGAN, Specialty Food Gift Shops & Hampers. Its NAICS code is 4452 and its SIC code is 2033.