UP to 20 jobs are to be created at a Scottish windows manufacturer as it invests £1 million in its Inverclyde facility.
Blairs Windows, based in Greenock, said it is to introduce a new PVCu window production line which will improve the company’s competitiveness and supplement its existing range of timber windows and doors.
The investment marks the latest step in the transformation of the historic brand, founded in 1913, since it was rescued by McGill's buses owners Sandy and James Easdale in 2011.
It has secured contract wins for Victorian buildings in the Olympic Park in London and high-profile tenders including windows for the Black Watch museum at Balhousie Castle in Perth, the Anchor Line building in Glasgow’s St Vincent Street, Dunlop House in East Ayrshire and the legislative building in Ontario, Canada.
Above: Contracts include Dunlop House, East Ayrshire
The new employees will take Blairs’ staff number to more than 80.
Alex Gray, Blairs' managing director, said: "This is a real sign of confidence in our product, our suppliers and most importantly, our employees."
The outlay is the latest investment from the Easdales in Inverclyde, following the recent purchases of Cappielow Trade Park and the former Misco warehouse in deals totalling almost £5m.
Sandy Easdale said: "We have real faith in the Blairs workforce and this investment will allow further development in the company and the markets we can cultivate.
"As we said around the time of our recent property purchases, we are intent on investing heavily in our businesses and in Inverclyde and this is more evidence of that commitment."
The development follows the formation of the Saveheat Group in 2017 which includes Blairs Windows, Blairs Aluminium, Merlin Network and Saveheat Glass.
The group reported a turnover of over £16m last year, and it is intended that this new investment will further enhance the group’s growth, taking it up to £20m in the next two years.
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