Scottish firm Nisha acquires Millar Confectionery and plans new factory

The company also said it was looking to expand Millar brands, such as Millar Pan Drops, Millar Chocolate Eclairs, and Millar Chocolate Limes beyond Scotland and move into markets throughout the UK.

Nisha acquired Millar from the administrators of former Highland Toffee makers McCowan's in a deal that included machinery used to manufacture Milar brands.

The deal comes soon after McCowan's Wham and Highland Toffee brands were sold to Tangerine Confectionery for an undisclosed sum.

Sunny Pahuja managing director at Nisha told ConfectioneryNews.com: “It is a fantastic opportunity for us to add an iconic brand to our portfolio, and we are already looking at the opportunity to expand the variety of lines, adding other varieties appropriate to Millar's customers.”​

“We were very sad to hear when New McCowan’s went into receivership in October, but it was a great opportunity for us to bring one of Scotland’s leading confectionery brands into our portfolio.”​

He said that Nisha had been performing well in both snacks and confectionery, but did not provide sales information.

“The Millar acquisition will help to strengthen our portfolio, and will help to open some new customers for other Nisha Enterprises' products and vice versa,” ​he said.

“Millar is an iconic brand in Scotland, but was not fully exploited south of the border, for example Tesco only listed the product in Scottish stores, so there is a great opportunity for us to expand the brand throughout the UK. We're also looking at the export market, particularly for ex-pat Scots,” ​he continued.

Nisha currently manufactures savoury snacks from its facility in West Lothian, Scotland and also acts as a wholesaler of confectionery.

Production at the company’s Livingston site is expected to begin in April 2012. Nisha said it will take on at least 15 to 20 new employees.