Investment key to being competitive

INNOVATION: Call for Scottish manufacturing firms to keep adapting to the latest technological advances

Growing Scotland’s manufacturing sector has been identified as a key priority for Scottish Enterprise.

The sector employs an estimated 170,000 people in Scotland and accounts for more than half of the country’s exports.

Nick Shields, head of Scottish Enterprise’s Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, noted that Scotland has benefited from industrial revolutions over the last three centuries but added it was essential the country adapts to the latest technological advances to maintain a competitive position.

He said: “Scotland has a thriving manufacturing sector, which accounts for more than 50% of our exports and around 50% of business and enterprise research and development spend.

“Its reputation for innovation and quality is recognised globally.

“As an important contributor to Scotland’s economy, helping to grow the manufacturing sector is a priority for us.

“Working closely with our partners and stakeholders we are focussed on delivering the Scottish Government’s manufacturing action plan to ensure Scotland continues to deliver an efficient, productive and competitive sector in the future.”

Salaries in the manufacturing sector are £4,300 higher than the Scottish average.

Picture: McAteer Photograph. Production at Axis Shield in Dundee, which specialises in proprietary diagnostic testing.

Nick Shields.