Entier builds its international business with £6.45m investment

Scotland’s largest privately-owned catering firm Entier has secured £6.45m from investment firm Business Growth Fund as it bids to expand its operations in overseas markets.

The Aberdeen-headquartered caterer, set up to deliver catering to the oil and gas industry, already works in 38 remote locations in 23 countries around the world and is planning further growth after a 13 per cent increase in revenues in 2016 to £44.9m. Pre-tax profits also rose by 72 per cent to £1.5m despite the industry down turn in the price of oil and gas.

Entier also caters for the events industry, specialising in corporate events, weddings and private functions; the mainstay of its business, however, ensures more than 4,500 people on oil and gas rigs and other remote installations around the world are served meals each day by the company’s 760 staff.

Chief executive Peter Bruce founded Entier in 2008 after running similar services for catering giant Compass, with Aberdeen businessman Mike Reilly, former proprietor of the Olive Tree Restaurant in Aberdeen’s west end.

Bruce said: “I’ve said in the past that I want to grow Entier into a £100m company and, with the backing of BGF, I believe we could do far better than that.

“While the price of oil and gas remains low, offshore operators are keeping a keen eye on cost, which presents opportunities for companies like Entier because we are big enough to deliver large contracts, but small enough to work with clients to offer bespoke services on their offshore installations.”

Entier has developed the Fresh chain of cafés situated across Aberdeen as well as providing catering and hospitality services in 20 client offices including Stork, Helix and Archer.

The company also recently acquired Wilde Thyme, the Perthshire-based catering firm, which runs the restaurants at Glamis Castle in Angus and the Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, home to the Famous Grouse whisky brand.

Wilde Thyme caterer of choice at various venues including the new Barn @ Bara Castle in Aberdeenshire & Carlowrie, Cluny and Drumlanrig castles. Wilde Thyme are the only hospitality company that can cover all of the National Trust Sites in Scotland.

Mike Sibson, head of BGF’s Aberdeen office, said: “We are most impressed by the way in which Peter Bruce and his team have differentiated themselves from their rivals. They provide a bespoke service and build strong relationships with their clients, and the customer feedback is outstanding.