A precision engineering firm in Easter Ross aims to double the size of its workforce over four years after receiving a £210,000 grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The Shandwick Supply Company (SSC) aims to boost its staff number to 23 and expand its facilities as part of a wider £650,000 investment.
HIE said the firm has a “good long term client base with a high level of repeat business”. In particular it will enhance the company’s capacity to take on “large component machining for clients across the energy sector”, it added.
The investment comes after nearby Global Energy Group revealed a deal to support the development of SSE’s £2.6billion Beatrice windfarm in the Moray Firth.
Fergus Ewing, rural economy minister, said: “This is excellent news for Shandwick and for Easter Ross. Shandwick is a valuable local employer of skilled jobs with innovation at the heart of its future growth plans. This level of investment by the company demonstrates real commitment to the area and its workforce and will put it in good stead to service expanding global markets in future. The public sector investment by HIE in this development will accelerate the company’s growth and bring forward the opportunities for the company and for its current and future workforce. I very much welcome that.”
Susan Addison, HIE’s head of business growth in the area, said: “Energy is one of our priority growth sectors. Shandwick has grown steadily over the years and is in an ideal position to meet the increasing demands of the industry. Quality jobs, such as those supported by the firm, help attract more people to the area and contribute to the local economy.”
David McLaughlin, SCC managing director, said: “With demand for our services continuing to grow we reached a pinch point through lack of workshop space. Our site had room to expand, but despite being in good financial shape, we could not achieve the funding level required to make the ambitious plan work.
“We approached HIE, who liked our plan, and very quickly and professionally got us the extra funding to allow the plan to proceed.
“Extending our computer controlled capacity for heavy machining and adding the new EDM (electrical discharge machining) processes is a major step forward. However the most critical factor is having a highly trained and motivated workforce.
“We are investing heavily in training and have a good balance of experienced personnel working with trainees. These are high tech jobs requiring real skill and commitment with good rewards.”
The facility at Evanton covers an area of 5400 sq ft and is one of the few workshops in the area with a heated floor, essential for the hi-tech machines.
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