The expansion of an Orkney bakery is set to provide a jobs boost for Stromness and will help the company to improve its efficiency and expand its product range.

Tods of Orkney, which has premises in Kirkwall and Stromness, is upgrading its Stromness premises with financial assistance from Orkney Enterprise.

The Local Enterprise Company has awarded the business a funding package totalling £80,300 to help meet the project costs.

The redevelopment of the Stromness site, which over the last few years has become too small, includes the construction of a new packaging and despatch area, new conveyer lines, the upgrade of an oven and the oven area, and the installation of a
new low level vehicle loading bay.  The work will create more space, allowing the business to plan further growth and product development with the maximum of efficiency.

Tods of Orkney employs approximately 50 full-time equivalent staff in the county, with around 27 jobs based in Stromness.  As a result of this development, it is hoped that a number of new jobs will be created.

Manufacturers of 'Stockans' and 'Gardens' oatcake ranges, as well as many other bakery products, Tods exports the majority of its Orkney-made products to the mainland, providing produce to a number of leading supermarket chains as well as many wholesale, retail and catering outlets. The company has its headquarters in Edinburgh and also has manufacturing premises in Aberdeenshire.

Commenting on the development in Stromness, production manager Eddie Wight said: "I am delighted to be working with Orkney Enterprise on this new project.  In the food industry we are very conscious of the need to compete most efficiently in a market that is ever more demanding in the high standards it sets.

"A combination of the use of a skilled local labour force and the completion of this development project, will ensure that Tods will be able to continue its long tradition of manufacturing and developing top quality products here in Stromness, for many years to come." 

Michael Reid, a development manager at Orkney Enterprise said: "The expansion of Tods of Orkney is great news for Stromness, with three valuable new jobs being created as a result of this investment.

"The food and drink industry is a key economic driver for Orkney and we are pleased to be helping the continued growth of this long-established business."