Dean's of Huntly lands £4.9m debt package to fuel export push
What's the deal? Dean's of HuntlyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Scottish shortbread and biscuit maker, has secured a £4.9 million debt package from Bank of ScotlandDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The funding will expand production capacity, develop customer relationships, and manage cash flow as exports rise.
Why now? The bakery reports growing international demand, particularly in Australia, China, Japan, the US, and Europe. This year also marks its 50th anniversary and its acquisition of Duncan's of DeesideDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the endgame? Dean's wants to meet overseas demand while remaining a family-owned business and creating jobs in Aberdeenshire. Founded in 1975 by Helen Dean — who began baking shortbread to raise funds for the Huntly Pipe Band — it moved to a purpose-built bakery in 1992 and later opened Scotland's first visitor attraction dedicated to shortbread.
In their words: "Exports are a hugely important part of our business and represent one of our biggest opportunities for future growth," said managing director Bill Dean. He added that the support "will help us meet that demand while continuing to invest in our business and create jobs here in Aberdeenshire."
The signal: The deal shows how established regional food brands are turning to debt financing to scale exports rather than dilute ownership. For a 50-year-old family business, it is a marked step up in ambition — betting that Scotland's reputation for food and drink can carry a kitchen-born recipe into global markets.
Read more: The Herald
Image credit: Eljay
