In an era when sweets cost less than 6p a quarter, and milk was 4p a pint, Douglas Rae, a banker with £100 and a dream, founded a company to sweeten lives for generations.

Our first big break came with an agency for Daintee Confectionery. Success snowballed, and 3 more salespeople joined the adventure.

Partnering with Kunzle Cakes, sales went from £10K to £200K in just 18 months. With a 12-strong sales team, We were becoming a confectionery powerhouse.

Douglas Rae seized the opportunity to buy Terry’s sister company Fuller’s, negotiating a deal that officially turned Golden Casket from a supplier to a manufacturer. Time to make sweeties!

The Fort Matilda site was transformed into a thriving factory, with equipment moved from York and Terry’s engineers training the Greenock team. Today, the same factory employs over 150 locals, producing a wide range of confectionery.

In 1976, we began manufacturing for Buchanan’s of Scotland, later acquiring its name and recipes under a unique royalty deal with the former owners.

The international connection began with an exclusive agency for Dutch company Gilda BV. Their colourful dragees remain a fan favourite today.

Thus began the “Willy Wonka era,” as Crawford Rae, a self-confessed ‘mechanical geek,’ opened a new manufacturing facility at Fort Matilda.

The Rolls Royce of boiled sweets arrived as we acquired Drysdale & Gibb, bringing their iconic recipes, equipment, and staff to Greenock.

It started with a spark of inspiration. While shaving, Douglas Rae envisioned Millions - chewy, bite-sized sweets with bold flavours that became a global hit.

Golden Casket launched Halfpounders - affordable, pre-priced treats that quickly gained UK fans through a unique franchise network.

Hills of Hawick joined the lineup, a legendary mint sweet with a “secret” ingredient.

We acquired J&A Ferguson, Scotland’s oldest chocolate brand, blending 200 years of heritage with modern innovation as a Golden Casket crown jewel.

New £1 million gum and jellie production plant was installed at Fort Matilda.

Douglas Rae passed the leadership baton to his son, Crawford Rae, who became Managing Director, ensuring the business remained family-driven.

Douglas Rae was awarded the Order of the British Empire which he received at Buckingham Palace from His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge for services to business and the community.

The sad passing of Golden Casket founder Douglas Rae marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through his wife Adrienne and children Alistair, Crawford and Gillian, who continue his vision with dedication.

Always facing the challenges of the future, sustainability has been a focus for years, 350 KW Solar Panel system was installed on the Golden Casket roof.

The company invests £500K upgrading the factory reception, meeting rooms and office accommodations.

Crawford Rae (and his immediate family) concluded a successful share purchase agreement with the other Rae family members, to acquire the full shareholding of Golden Casket and Buchanan’s (Northern Ireland) Ltd, reaffirming their full commitment to the future and for the wellbeing of all staff.