View from the Chamber

LOCHABER Chamber of Commerce represents businesses throughout the area with a focus on encouraging economic growth, job creation and promoting Lochaber as a great place to live, work, study and visit.

Earlier this month, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s premium members were treated to an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes at one of our area’s biggest employers when we held our regular Business Forum meeting at the Liberty British Aluminium’s Lochaber Smelter in Fort William.

After a wide-ranging discussion at the Business Forum meeting, the Premium Members group were taken on a short but fascinating tour of the site under the watchful eye of Brian King, managing director of Lochaber operations for Liberty and its sister GFG Alliance Company, SIMEC.

The aluminium smelter is a key part of the modern fabric of Lochaber – the huge pipes leading down the hill into the plant have become an iconic part of the Fort William landscape and the work that the smelter has provided has been a major driver for economic growth in the area.

While we watched the ongoing operations and visited the vast powerhouse built in 1929, we also heard about the ambitious plans for the future of the plant. The company plans to extend the business on site to include the manufacture of car wheels and other advanced auto-components.

This represents a huge investment which Liberty estimates will generate approximately 600 direct and indirect jobs. At Lochaber Chamber of Commerce we’ll be working hard to ensure that businesses can maximise the opportunities that this will bring across all sectors.

At the Chamber, we’re committed to helping our members achieve their business goals. If you’d like to join our thriving Chamber of Commerce or if you’re an existing member and you’d like to upgrade to premium membership, give us a call on 01397 705 765.