HIGHLAND GRAIN LIMITED
Farmers Co-operative and Producers of Quality Malting Barley
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Highland Grain
Registered Office:-
Glaikmore
North Kessock
Inverness
IV1 3UD
UK
Tel: +44(0)1463 811435
Fax: +44(0)1463 811618
Highland Grain is an amalgam of two co-operatives, Black Isle Grain Group Ltd, founded in 1977, and Easter Ross Grain Ltd, founded in 1988. All of these businesses were founded through a desire of the local growers to better themselves and to add value to their products. Ownership of the business, which remains totally independent after more than 25 years, has always rested with the members, who have invested in their future, through Highland Grain. These growers have also shown that they are prepared to take responsibility for their product by dealing directly with maltsters and distillers. Much of the investment has been made in fixed plant and equipment but there has also been considerable investment in establishing, and retaining, markets.
Highland Grain was the first business in the UK to have the ability to supply totally farm-assured bulks to its customers, blazing a trail for others to follow. The business was also fairly unique, in agricultural terms, when it established its status as an Investor In People in 1998. Furthermore, quality assurance was extended when the business employed an ISO9000 management system, along with approved status under the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops.
Notable events over the years have been as follows:-
| 1977 |
Black Isle Grain Group formed by 12 local growers |
|
1978 |
Drying and storage plant built for 5400 tonnes |
|
1979 |
Added 1500 tonnes storage |
|
1982 |
Added 3500 tonnes storage |
|
1983 |
Added 2000 tonnes storage |
|
1985 |
Added 300 tonnes storage |
|
1988 |
Easter Ross Grain Ltd formed |
|
1992 |
Merger between BIGG and ERG to form Highland Grain |
|
1993 |
Grain Drying capacity increased by 50% and 7000 tonnes storage added |
|
1994 |
Highland Grain commits to Scottish Quality Cereals Farm Assurance Scheme |
|
1996 |
1st business in the UK to supply single bulks of 100% assured malting barley |
|
1998 |
Recognised as an Investor In People |
|
2000 |
ISO 9000 Management system employed |
|
2000 |
Approved under TASCC scheme |
|
2001 |
Re-recognised as an Investor In People |
|
2004 |
Re-recognition as an Investor In People |
|
2004 |
Expansion plans announced to increase storage capacity by 33% |
|
2005 |
New Grain store erected to hold additional 7000 tonnes |
|
2005 |
New Office and Laboratory added |
|
2005 |
Colour Sorter installed to remove any Ergot infection |
|
2006 |
Scoping Mission to Denmark to study cereals as a biomass fuel |
|
2006 |
Heat Recovery Project Installed - 28% Saving in Fuel Use |
|
2007 |
Re-recognised as an Investor In People |
|
2007 |
30th Harvest at Tore completed successfully - biggest throughput ever |
|
2008 |
Additional grain drying capacity installed - 55% extra capacity |
|
2008 |
30 Year Celebration marked by donations to 5 charities |
|
2008 |
Further expansion plans announced - 11600 tonnes of storage over 5 years |