The Scotsman

Livingston’s Guthrie looks beyond Covid

- By SCOTT REID

A West Lothian distributo­r of health and safety supplies is hopeful it can grow its workforce post-pandemic after securing coronaviru­s funding.

Livingston’s Guthrie Group, which was founded in 1992, said it had secured £250,000 from Royal Bank of Scotland to secure the long-term future of the business.

The loan has enabled the firm to maintain a steady cashflow and cope with an increased demand as it continues distributi­ng essential supplies of personal protective equipment, hygiene and cleaning products to frontline workers in the NHS, care homes, councils and the food manufactur­ing sector.

The family-run company, which also specialise­s in the procuremen­t and distributi­on of workwear, and catering supplies and packaging, employs 20 staff and is hopeful that the funding will enable it to expand its workforce after the crisis.

Chief executive Cynthia Guthrie said: “Like many other businesses, whilst mindful of a second wave, we are beginning to look past coronaviru­s. As the global health crisis subsides, and with Brexit on the horizon, we are working hard to expand our footprint, not just across Scotland and the UK but on an internatio­nal scale.

“The funding and incredible support from Royal Bank of Scotland has allowed us to cope with increased demand and ensure continuity through the pandemic, and as we look ahead it will enable us to research and source new manufactur­ers as well as to increase the capability of our Cloudstock­ims software.”

 ??  ?? 0 Cynthia Guthrie: working to expand firm’s footprint
0 Cynthia Guthrie: working to expand firm’s footprint

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