COMMENT

Bosses at an offshore engineering firm at risk of entering administration say they remain hopeful a solution can be reached to secure the future of the business and its workforce.

Burntisland Fabrications Limited (Bifab) has a workforce of almost 1,400 people across three sites in Fife and on the Western Isles.

The company said it was facing a “critical cash position” linked to ongoing contracts and has filed a notice of its intention to appoint administrators. Unions have raised fears over potential job losses, saying any loss of employment would be a blow for the Scottish economy.

Bifab managing director Martin Adam said: “We are very disappointed that we have found ourselves in the current position which has arisen as a result of a challenging situation in respect of our ongoing contracts which have been providing much-needed employment locally in Scotland.

“We are seeking a rapid solution with our key stakeholders and the Scottish Executive to our current cash flow position and are hopeful that this can be achieved quickly to secure the future of the business and the 1,400-strong workforce.”

The company describes itself

“I’m very clear closure of those yards and the sacking of those workers is not an option”

GARY SMITH