Salmon firm’s six-boat boost for Arran
IN another boost for the Scottish boatbuilding industry, a leading salmon producer has announced a six-figure contract for six new vessels.
The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) has ordered the new workboats from Kiscadale Engineering/Arran Workboats, a family run business based on Arran.
The boats will be delivered to SSC sites across the Outer Hebrides, from Lewis to Mull, between April and September this year.
Over the past two years, SSC has taken delivery of nine boats from Arran Workboats, located on the island’s Whiting Bay.
These vessels are now central to the company’s fleet and are used for tasks such as transportation around the sites.
The Isle of Arran has played a long-term role in SSC’s operations and its Lamlash Bay site, one of the first fish farms in Scotland, was established more than 30 years ago.
SSC employs 600 people across 60 sites on the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides and the company is committed to supporting local suppliers and investing in Arran and the other rural communities in which they are based.
Kiscadale Engineering, historically a general plastic and stainless steel fabricator, has evolved in recent years to become a leading marine fabricator on Arran.
Run by husband and wife team Iain and Sandra Monteith, it provides secure employment on the island.
Craig Anderson, chief executive of the SSC, said: ‘The Scottish Salmon Company has a long history with Kiscadale Engineering, having first worked with them over 30 years ago.
‘We are committed to using local suppliers from the communities in which we live and work wherever possible.
‘Kiscadale Engineering is a quality local business who will supply us with best in class equipment, and our close working relationship allows us to work together to design improvements in the vessels and incorporate new technology.’
Ian Monteith said:‘Multiple orders like this help secure employment and provide training for local young people - this contract has allowed us to create one new role and also supports four workers who are under 30.
‘SSC demand a very high standard for their boats and we have a well trained workforce dedicated to building the best boats of their class.
‘Manufacturing businesses like this help the local economy in many ways.With the logistics of island trading we are fortunate to work with Arran Haulage who bring in our raw materials and deliver the completed boats all over Scotland.
‘The cycle is completed by Arran Haulage delivering 100 per cent of our plastic waste to the state-of-the-art recycling centre at Inchinan.
‘We are delighted to be awarded this second contract for the SSC and appreciate their policy of supporting local businesses.’