FIMM Potatoes Secures Funding to Boost Sorting Capacity

A Scottish potato business has invested in new technology, including an automatic spud sorter with the help of a GBP1m funding deal. According to Insider.co.uk, FIMM Potatoes, based in Muthill, Perthshire supplies table and seed potatoes to the customers across the UK, Europe, North Africa and Middle East and has used the HSBC finance facility to buy the latest optical potato grader which will help increase throughput by up to 100%.The new equipment will also reduce repetitive manual labor for FIMM’s 10-strong team, allowing them to focus on other tasks as the business looks to grow.

Mike McDiarmid, director at FIMM Potatoes, said: “It is an important time for the sector and the new optical grader will modernize our equipment and help to safeguard the business."

John Robertson, agriculture director for East of Scotland at HSBC, added: “FIMM demonstrated a clear strategy for improving and growing its operations. We were delighted to help with the purchase of the new grader which will have a hugely positive impact on the business and its customers.”

The finance was part of HSBC UK’s national SME Fund. Some GBP650m of the fund is earmarked for Scottish businesses. Last month another Perthshire potato producer Branston launched a recruitment drive for more staff after demand exceeded their capacity.