The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Panel firm creates new jobs
AFife manufacturer has revealed ambitious plans to double its workforce over the next two years as part of a major investment.
Sips Eco Panels, based in Glenrothes, is Scotland’s largest structural insulated panel (SIPS) home manufacturer, designing and constructing homes for developers, contractors, local authorities and self-builders.
The firm also provides energy-efficient structures for schools and healthcare facilities across the UK.
It employs 40 staff and has seen shareholders plough £960,000 into the business over the last 18 months.
It has also received additional assistance from Business Loans Scotland and grant funding through the Regional Selective Assistance Fund.
Now Sips Eco Panels has confirmed its intention to invest a further £1 million.
This will be spent on additional capital equipment and facility expansion, creating jobs and supporting Scotland’s pressing need for lowcarbon, high-quality, affordable homes.
Pat Queen, managing director of Sips Eco Panels, said: “The business is growing.
“Our continued investment in facility expansion and state-of-theart equipment is ensuring we meet the rapidly increasing demand to tackle the housing crisis effectively.
“As local authorities and developers know, the need for affordable, energy-efficient housing has never been greater.
“As a result, we are securing more and more business across the UK.
“We currently employ 40 staff and in line with our continued investment strategy, that figure will double over the next two years, whilst turnover will more than double in that time.
“We were proud to be recognised as the Best Sips Supplier in the UK last year by our industry and continue to build on our solid foundations.”
The investment comes as a result of the government’s legally binding climate target for Scotland to be net zero by 2045.
A growing demand for affordable homes in Scotland means developers, local authorities and housing trusts must put increased emphasis on speed of build, energy efficiency and the environmental impact of new housing schemes.