Relief as Ferguson reborn bringing ‘shipbuilding here for years to come’
BUSINESS tycoon Jim McColl has pledged to rehire all those who lost their jobs when shipbuilders Ferguson went out of business as he officially took control of the firm.
Mr McColl said that 30 of the 77 employees of the Port Glasgow shipyard made redundant in August had already been given jobs and that up to 50 more will be taken on by November.
Scotland’s last commerci al ship builders was rescued in a deal with Mr McColl’s firm Clyde Blowers Capital and he outlined his plans to diversify the business, to be renamed Ferguson Marine Engineering, during a meeting yesterday.
Plans were unveiled to invest up to £8 million in upgrading the ageing yard’s infrastructure and eventually grow worker numbers to 110 by early next year.
As well as ships, the new firm will build components for the oil and gas industry and machinery in Scotland’s offshore renewables sector.
Mr McColl said that there was a “lot of heritage” attached to the 112-year-old yard, and that he was keen to retain both the brand and the existing workforce.
He said: “I think there’s a great opportunity to rebuild the business here. We expect there to be a healthy demand for ships. A lot of the ships that would be suitable to build in this yard are very old and there’s a great opportunity for new business to come in here.
“There’s going to be a lot of demand and there are very few shipyards left, particularly in the UK. I think there are only two with the capabilities of Ferguson.
“And then there is the workforce here and, the skills that are here. There is a good opportunity for us to do a broader range of work with the skillset we have.”
Originally formed in 1902, Ferguson Shipbuilders is known for engineering and joinery, materials handling, fluids distributions, system hydraulics, power distribution and management and civil engineering.
A group of 30 workers who remained at the yard after it went into administration were told yesterday morning their jobs had been secured.
Mr McColl said that there was a “strong appetite” to buy from the UK and that Ferguson would be able to compete with foreign companies once the right investment was put in place.
He said: “We’re very keen to get in here quickly and upgrade the yard so that we can take on more orders in the future.
“We know we have to put that investment in here and we’ll be on that immediately next week, getting the yard set-up and fit to take the orders and build the type of ships that are necessary to the 21st century.”
The takeover has been welcomed by workers and their representatives, with GMB Union convenor Alex Logan saying: “A few weeks ago we thought we were out of a job. Now Mr McColl has come in and the future is bright. We are looking forward to getting back to work and doing what we do best.”
Blacksmith James Cameron, of Greenock, said : “My grandfather worked here, my dad worked here and I’ve been here for 19 years. Now there is going to be shipbuilding here for years to come.”