Bank visit to bagpipe supplier strikes the right note

18th November 2014

Ayrshire business figures received a unique insight into one of the world’s most leading bagpipe suppliers at an event hosted by Clydesdale Bank.

The session, held at the premises of McCallum Bagpipes on Tuesday 11 November, included a tour of the company’s 10,000 sq ft factory in Kilmarnock, and the opportunity to learn about its precision manufactured bagpipes and accessories. The event was organised by Clydesdale Bank as part of its third Business Week.

Clydesdale Bank customer McCallum Bagpipes was founded in 1998 by renowned pipers Stuart McCallum and Kenny MacLeod, who first met when they were both members of the Glasgow Skye Association Pipe Band. The business now employs 34 staff and manufactures 40 sets of bagpipes every week, along with smallpipes, chanters and other piping products.

Mark Wilson, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Ayr, said: “McCallum Bagpipes is one of the best known and most advanced bagpipe manufacturers in the world.

“We’re delighted they agreed to share their growth journey and their experience of producing traditional products with modern technology. Their dedication to quality and their excellent customer service have also given much food for thought.

“We’d like to thank everyone who came to the event and to the team at McCallum Bagpipes for supporting Business Week.”

Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week was held from November 10-14 to help businesses invest, connect and network where it matters most.

Business Week has seen more than 250 customer-focused events staged at the Bank’s UK-wide network of Business and Private Banking Centres, including several across Ayrshire. Among the events staged locally were a guide to succession planning and a wine tasting evening at Ayrshire wine merchants, Corney and Barrow.

Across the UK, businesses were invited to meet with some of the UK’s leading financial experts to discuss their most pressing commercial issues such as; planning and securing finance for growth, improving profitability and succession planning.

Research* commissioned by Clydesdale Bank as part of Business Week suggested that Scottish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are ready to invest nearly £5.3bn into the economy over the next 12 months. According to the research, 82% of Scotland’s 326,000** SMEs are ready to invest, with each small business spending on average 5% of turnover. Key areas such as new equipment, staff training and increased marketing are at the top of their shopping lists.

*Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 802 UK adults aged 18+ from 9th-17th October 2014. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. www.opinium.co.uk

**Department for Business Innovation and Skills SME population figures