Construction National

Superglass receives Westminster support for capital investment

Scottish manufacturing was on the Shadow Cabinet’s agenda when Alex McLeod, CEO of Superglass Insulation, one of the few independent manufacturers in the UK construction industry, welcomed Labour Members of Parliament, Iain Wright and Gordon Banks to the company’s plant in Stirling. Andrew Warren, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) also accompanied the group on the visit. 

Iain Wright MP, Shadow Minister for Competitiveness & Enterprise at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with responsibility for low carbon economy, manufacturing, construction sectors, and Gordon Banks, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire and Shadow Scotland Office Minister, showed their support for the capital investment programme which Superglass is progressing to transform the company’s production capabilities.

Alex McLeod was very keen to highlight the different aspects of the extensive project that are taking the company to the next level in terms of technology, efficiencies and cost savings being created. He said, “We were pleased that Iain Wright and Gordon Banks were able to come to Stirling to see firsthand what we have achieved so far and the processes we are putting in place to deliver higher specification products and value to the market place in the face of adverse economic and trading challenges. 

“We are committed to the UK and Scottish Government’s obligation to transform the UK’s ageing housing stock into energy efficient homes and the country’s transition to a greener economy in order to meet our overall legislated carbon emission reduction targets.

“We appreciate both Iain and Gordon’s support in backing an independent manufacturer as a key part of the building trade in the UK.”

Following his visit to Superglass MP Iain Wright said, “It’s very important that we retain this sort of manufacturing industry in the UK. At a time of dramatically rising energy bills and acute difficulties in the construction sector, the insulation market is vital towards providing warmer homes as well as providing a boost to the beleaguered supply chain for the building trade. The substantial investment programme undertaken by management will hopefully help them to improve competitiveness and efficiency, win additional orders overseas and retain staff.”

MP Gordon Banks who knows the business and industry well said, “Having already visited Superglass in September of last year, I was able to see a improvement in the facility which is proof that the investment programme is working. It is vital for the area that Superglass receives all the support it can to make the transformation it is undertaking as it is an important employer. Within the construction sector it is vital that independent and Scottish manufacturers are able to develop their businesses to allow real competition in the market place. Construction businesses in Scotland have been hard hit in this current economic downturn and the skills, experience and commitment of the management and workforce at Superglass deserves success.”

Andrew Warren of ACE, who 25 years ago was a director of the company which then owned the plant, said, “This entire site has changed out of recognition. Everyone we met seemed committed to ensuring that it emerges Phoenix-like from what has obviously been a very transformational period. I can honestly say that there has been a complete renaissance, both in atmosphere and ethos, which I found very impressive.”