12/08/2016
By John Ross Jr

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, George Adam, has visited Scotland’s oldest commercial producer of traditional Scottish smoked salmon, John Ross Jr (Aberdeen) Ltd, to officially present it with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2016 and open its new factory on Sinclair Road.

The internationally recognised award, which was announced earlier this year and saw company representatives attend Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen in July, was awarded to John Ross Jr for its continual growth in international trade over the last six years.

In addition to presenting John Ross Jr’s Founding Chairman, Andrew Leigh, with the coveted Queen’s Award crystal bowl and scroll to mark the 29-year-old firm’s achievement, Lord Provost also joined the team to officially open the new 12,000 sq. ft. factory extension.

The extension, which increases the size of the factory by four times and is expected to create up to seven new jobs, will support growing international demand for Scottish smoked salmon and is expected to generate further growth for the family-run firm.

On being presented with the award by the Lord Provost, Andrew Leigh comments: “To receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise is an honour and to welcome the Lord Provost, who not only presented the award but also joined the team in opening the new factory, is a privilege. We are thrilled with the amount of recognition we continue to receive and believe that the launch of the new factory extension will help provide the foundations for future international success and contribute towards Scotland’s growing international appeal when it comes to traditionally prepared food products.”

The Lord Provost received a tour of the traditional brick kilns, which remain at the heart of the factory and date back to 1857, before meeting company employees and sampling some of the smokehouse’s award-winning smoked salmon.

The Lord Provost, George Adam, adds: “It has been a real pleasure to meet with a successful local company which plays such a key role in adding value to the Scottish economy.  It’s very reassuring that the demand for Scottish food continues to grow and that the Aberdeen area continues to lead the way in quality and innovation. Businesses such as John Ross Jr are a huge asset, not only on a domestic level but also internationally. As a result, it is only right their achievements are recognised and I was delighted to present the company with this prestigious award on behalf of The Queen.”

Using time-honoured smoking techniques throughout its production process, John Ross Jr has amassed a following from many of the world’s most highly regarded chefs and hotels. It also holds the Royal Warrant, having held the Royal Appointment for Fish Merchant and Curer to Her Majesty The Queen for 29 years.

The company, which was established in 1987, remains wholly owned and managed by the Leigh family.