Biscuit maker Tunnock’s passes £60 million sales milestone
Biscuit baron Sir Boyd Tunnock enjoys his day out at the Base.
By Bill Heaney
If it’s really true that the Navy gets the gravy and the Army gets the beans, then Faslane-based submariners get something far tastier than either – caramel wafers, tea cakes and delicious snowballs.
Sir Boyd Tunnock, the multi-millionaire boss of the biscuit makers is a big friend of the Royal Navy – and all the Armed Forces.
Sir Boyd has had a great deal to celebrate recently, including a knighthood from the Queen and the Armed Forces Covenant, which he was presented with at HM Naval Base Clyde.
Commodore Bob Anstey, who signed the covenant on behalf of the Royal Navy, said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome Sir Boyd to the Clyde for his signing of the Armed Forces Covenant today.
“Sir Boyd is well known by the Submarine Service and we have all enjoyed his iconic teacakes and wafers over the years. We look forward to continuing our close relationships with him and his team.
“As a keen sailor and supporter of maritime activities, Sir Boyd is a welcome addition to the ever-growing Armed Forces Community.”
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Not only are they treated fairly by Sir Boyd’s company, they are treated very well indeed. Their caring standards take the biscuit.
Sir Boyd said: “Tunnock’s has a long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces and the values and standards I learned in the Army are principles that I use to run the business to this day.
“I was very proud to reaffirm our support by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and I would have no hesitation in encouraging other defence-friendly employers to do the same.”
The nation’s favourite teacake has a special place in the Submarine Service.
For decades it has been a favourite for the Scots-based submariners, eaten during “Four o ’Clockers” – snack-time during a patrol, where a teacake or caramel wafer is the treat of choice.
Fit and healthy Sir Boyd, who is 86, has plenty to smile about this weather, including the fact that the Navy took him for a spin round the Gareloch.
The maker of Tunnock’s teacakes and caramel wafers has passed £60m in annual sales for the first time.
A spokesman for Uddingston-based Thomas Tunnock said turnover rose by 5.7% to £61.4m in the year to 23 February.
Pre-tax profit was more than £5.7m, up from £4m the previous year.
Accounts filed with Companies House showed the biscuit producer continued to invest in new plant, with capital expenditure of about £9.7m during the year.
Tunnock’s said investment was “essential to maintain our position at the forefront of the market”.
During the year, the company’s new factory extension became operational, boosting the number of biscuits manufactured to an astonishing 525 million.