It’s amazing to think that right here in Monikie, Angus, we have a company that’s the sole source and producer of Angus sandstone in the world! That’s Denfind Stone, and they are passionate about keeping the legacy alive of a natural product that’s been used in countless structures across the UK and beyond.

Denfind Stone had a vision. After investing in state-of-the-art machinery to make sure they had plenty of sandstone, they wanted to expand their paving business and introduce Angus sandstone to new markets in England and even Europe. This wasn’t just about growing; it was about ensuring the longevity of the business and creating new jobs right here in Angus.

Angus Council’s SME Start & Grow Grant enabled Denfind Stone to do something really significant and attend Marmomac, the largest stone show in Europe, held in Italy. This was a huge opportunity to meet with suppliers, connect with potential distributors, and open doors to entirely new markets.

Denfind also got to work on some key marketing materials, developing a new e-brochure so they could instantly share information with potential customers, and giving their website a fantastic upgrade to reflect their rebrand as “Angus Sandstone.”

Alison Binnie, co-owner of Denfind Stone, found the grant process remarkably smooth. She said: “The grant process was an easy one with queries answered quickly and thoroughly – one of the better grant application processes I’ve been involved with. It has been very beneficial to our business, encouraging us to do a number of things that we may not have been able to do otherwise.”

Their new website now acts as a professional “shop window” that perfectly matches their new brand: “Denfind, the home of Angus Sandstone.” They’re hoping this will become a strong selling point, not just in Scotland but far and wide. And with all the new contacts made at Marmomac and their refreshed branding, they’re predicting a 15% growth from future sales over the next few years.

The Angus Council SME Start & Grow Business Grants were funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Grants were delivered by Angus Council’s Invest in Angus team, supported by Business Gateway.