The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Mattress staff can put huge contract to bed
Business: Workers return to four-day week after order win
Aberdeen mattress maker Glencraft will be able to return to a four-day working week after securing a massive contract to supply beds for student accommodation.
As a social enterprise trading charity, the firm provides career opportunities for disadvantaged and visually-impaired people, who make up 80% of the workforce.
In 2016 the shop floor team was forced to cut its hours following a reduction in orders.
But the latest contract to supply mattresses for the student accommodation flats at Pittodrie Street and Caledon Garthdee from Robertson, alongside a host of other Aberdeen-based contract wins, means the company can add another day to its working week.
Graham McWilliam, managing director at Glencraft said: “This order from Robertson, to supply 818 mattresses for their student accommodation flats development on Pittodrie Street and Caledon Garthdee is a significant contract for our business.
“Aberdeen’s business community is very effective when it comes to partnerships and collaborative working and we’re very pleased that we’ve been selected by Robertson to fulfil this contract.
“The shop floor team had to reduce its hours to three days a week back in January 2016, which was a business decision we did not take lightly.
“However, this contract certainly helps towards moving the team back on to a full-time working week.
“Glencraft are one of only two companies within our sector in the UK to have a Royal Warrant to HM The Queen and it’s testament
“Helps towards moving the team back to a full-time working week”
to the quality we produce.”
In 2009 the factory closed its doors threatening the jobs of more than 50 blind and disabled workers.
But it was resurrected in April 2010 following a rescue package assembled by the energy company PSN.
It was also able to regain its cherished royal warrant to continue to supply beds to the Queen at Balmoral.
In summer 2015 Glencraft moved into a new, 21,000sq ft, purpose-built factory on the Lang Stracht to allow for a more streamlined manufacturing process and an upgraded working environment.