JOSEPH ROBERTSON

In the early days Joseph Robertson was a fish merchant and primary processor taking fish from the Aberdeen market and preparing it for other local markets and establishments in North East Scotland. Later the company branched out into the rest of the UK supplying markets as far away as London. But it was the Frozen Foodservice sector which was to provide the bedrock on which the company was able to set foundations for its future. Initially concentrating on Scotland, we developed our foodservice credentials through the many independant wholesalers who service catering establishments throughout Scotland in both the cost sector (schools, hospitals etc) and the commercial sectors (pubs, hotels, restaurants etc.). In order to service the rest of the UK foodservice market, we have been fortunate enough to develop a strategic relationship and work closely with the Brakes Group, one of Europe's leading foodservice industry providers and together we have majored on the development of their Own Label range. Innovation and quality have been the bywords in the development of products for Brakes and we continue to provide Brakes and their clients with exceptional seafood solutions. Joseph Robertson has recently developed a new range of interests in the retail, multiple frozen & chilled markets in the UK. Starting in earnest in 1999 the company moved boldly into the retail sector and bought the intellectual property rights to the Swankie Scottish Fish Brand which was originally founded in Arbroath, Scotland in the late 1960's. Swankies has always been well distributed throughout the major multiple retailers in Scotland and can today be found in ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury's, The Co-operative Group, Morrison's and a number of Spar and neighbourhood stores in the Scottish region. A truly local Scottish brand the company has continued to ensure only the finest quality Scottish produce is sourced and manufactured in Aberdeen. Since our initial move into the branded retail sector we now have interests in the multiple frozen & chilled markets in the UK through the development of retailer owned Private Label ranges. We are now a leading supplier to The Co-operative Group where our own sustainability and ethical trading policies compliment fully those of this most ethically and sustainably minded food retailer. In both the retail and foodservice spheres raw materials play a critical part in our business - species such as Scottish Haddock & Whiting are sourced only from trawlers signed up to the Responsible Fishing Scheme - Salmon comes from Scottish farms or MSC approved fisheries - none Scottish Haddock & Cod is sourced from Norwegian & Icelandic waters but caught using line and hook methods friendly to the marine environment and finally of course Freedom Foods monitored and controlled by the RSPCA for maximum welfare. At Joseph Robertson we are rightly proud to be associated with leading companies such as The Co-operative Group and Brakes Group where our NPD team works closely with both to provide high quality and truly innovative products. In other protein areas we have been equally successful particularly in utilising the technology we use in the manufacture of fishcakes to provide a range of other products - Crispbakes made using Corned Beef, Minced Beef, Cheese & Onion, Cheese & Bacon and Chicken & Broccoli and manufactured under the Morrison's Brand give us our first move into areas other than fish.