At the recent meeting of Laurencekirk and District Inner Wheel, members were joined by partners and friends for an entertaining and informative talk by Louise Shankley of local firm Macphie of Glenbervie.
A graduate in business and marketing from Robert Gordon University, Louise is employed as a Corporate, Social Responsibility and Engagement Executive at Macphie UK. She proceeded to promote the highly successful family run local company by providing an insight to the daily running of the firm.
Macphie has been re- credited in 2017 with B Corporation certificate. This certification is awarded to companies who are committed to hitting social and environmental goals alongside financial ones. In a statement, the chairman Alastair Macphie said that supporting the local community has been at the heart of the business for the last 90 years.
Through embracing sustainability, Macphie produce 50% of their energy with the generation of electricity from two wind turbines onsite and use locally produced woodchips to generate steam in their biomass boiler which provides steam for their UHT products.
Showing commitment to the local community Macphie provide 1% of their annual profit to local clubs. Most recently Louise informed us that they have supported Johnshaven Primary school with gardening equipment, Stonehaven Sea Cadets, Lego Club Drumlithie, Laurencekirk Gala and sponsored St Cyrus 10k.
Employees at Macphie are encouraged to thrive and are encouraged to take two days paid leave to volunteer at local projects or charities close to their hearts. The Employee Trust holds 12% of the company and is made up of past and present employees as well as members of the Macphie family.
Other methods of involving their employees are by encouraging them to be part of a three-monthly employee forum. Regular newsletters, school partnerships with Mackie Academy, Mearns Academy and Uddingston Grammar and the opportunity for apprenticeships all ensure Macphie is a great employer, often being described as a “family of families”.
President Frances Wallace gave the vote of thanks, whilst reminding members that the Annual Charity Bazaar will be held at the Masonic Hall Laurencekirk on Saturday 7th March from 10- 11.30am.
Find out more about Laurencekirk and District Inner Wheel here.
