Glasgow-based confectioner Aldomak implemented the hive plan in association with Motherwell-based bee expert, Plan Bee, which helps organisations enhance sustainability through a managed bee hive service.
The hives will not produce honey for food production in the factory due to strict regulations, but honey harvested will be sold through Plan Bee.
Aldomak will be joining other food and drink companies that have set up similar bee hive schemes, including Highland Spring Water and Glengoyne distillery.
Bee hive schemes
Established in 1932, Aldomak manufacturers traditional hand-made Scottish confectionery such as Snowballs, macaroon bars, fudge and ice cream from its 929m2 factory in Giffnock.
Dario Riccomini, md of Aldomak, said: “Bees are responsible for pollinating around 70% of UK crops. Initially we have around 80,000 bees and we are hoping that the colonies might grow to some 400,000, depending on the weather.
“Our company is already successful, but this initiative is not about profit. We take very seriously the concept of corporate social responsibility and we want to take practical steps in that direction.”
The bee hives are part of the manufacturer’s environmental initiatives, which include: sourcing ingredients from local suppliers, plans to produce its own electricity from solar panels and turbines and producing its own gas from food waste.
‘Truly carbon zero’
Riccomini added: “We want to be a truly zero carbon company and leave as light a footprint on the planet as we possibly can.”
According to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT), bees and insects are estimated to contribute more than £400M a year to the UK economy and €14.2bn a year to the EU economy through their pollination of commercial crops such as tomatoes and apples.
“If bumblebee and other insect pollinator declines continue, the extremely high cost of pollinating these plants by other means could significantly increase the cost of fruit and vegetables,” said the BCT.
Meanwhile, research that links neonicotinoid seed treated oilseed rape crops with the long-term population decline of wild bee species has further raised concerns about insecticide use, scientists have suggested.