The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Workers hailed for ‘keeping lights on’
AMoray power plant chief has praised his workforce for helping to “keep the lights on” during lockdown.
Rothes CoRDe is fuelled by wet draff (a by-product from 17 local distilleries) which is then mixed with wood chips to generate enough renewable energy to power 7,000 homes.
Despite ever- changing Covid-19 regulations, the firm has adjusted to keep working, with the introduction of measures to keep staff safe.
Managing director Frank Burns said the plant’s workforce have been “great” in the coronavirus uncertainty and upheaval.
“Businesses and society have just had to adjust during the pandemic,” he said.
“We are an electricity generator connected to the National Grid so, as an essential business, we kept going all the way through lockdown.
“We have been constantly adapting our working practices to ensure everything is in line with the regulations.
“There was a bit of a rush at first with meeting the guidance but from then on we have kept on track and adapted time and again to keep running as normally as possible.
“Our supply chain was a bit disrupted but we managed to maintain our business at 90% of what is normal.
“Our people have been all great and have been healthy and safe, that’s the main thing.
“We put in extra safeguards like plastic screens, hand sanitiser and PPE for the guys when they have to interact with other people.
“When I speak to the members of staff they are quite grateful to be able to come to work.”
Meanwhile, whisky still-maker and fabrication group Forsyths has picked up most of its contracts again.
Chairman Richard Forsyth said the firm’s offices and workshops had been “dramatically” changed to be in line with Covid-19 guidelines.
“We started 2020 with quite a good order book and thankfully most of our contracts have come back after three months off due to lockdown, meaning we have been quite busy during the pandemic,” he said.
“We had to adapt workplaces quite dramatically, introducing partitions virtually everywhere in workshops and offices.”
Moray Lord Lieutenant Major General Seymour Mon rosa id he was “impressed” when he visited both businesses.