Argyll marine firm scales up with new high tech survey vessel
The project by Oban based Tritonia Scientific Limited will support four jobs and is forecast to increase the company’s turnover by more than £1m within three years.
Make your life easier with a MyHIE account. It’ll save you time, help you find and organise content based on your needs and interests.
HIE has contracted local firm, John Brown (Strone) Ltd (JBS) for the fit-out work at the Fairmile Building in Sandbank Business Park.
Sandbank is the main commercial focus in Cowal outside Dunoon town centre and HIE has invested in developing the site over several years.
There is fresh interest in the location, with the sale of some plots on the development land opposite the Fairmile Building now progressing.
HIE’s agents Graham and Sibbald, have already received enquiries about the new offices.
Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said they are looking forward to increasing business activity and local employment opportunities on this well-established out of town location. She added:
“We have brought forward new offices in The Fairmile Building as part of fresh strategy to support local businesses as they react to changes forced on us all by the pandemic.
“The Fairmile can now offer smaller office accommodation, appropriate to changing needs of some businesses as they adopt new ways of working to meet new challenges.
“As a place to work, this is a bright and airy building with good connectivity. It is situated at the edge of Sandbank Business Park, just out of town, but still handy for local businesses. With changing rooms, a shower and a bike shed, it is also suitable for those wishing to cycle to work or exercise at lunchtime.”
Elaine Brown of JBS said;
“JBS is delighted to be involved in creating fantastic modern workspaces for our town. It has been a pleasure to work with HIE and their team again and we hope the facility will be popular and bring opportunities for our community.”
The Fairmile Building was opened by HIE in 2017 and over the last few years has become a busy workplace for staff at BC Technologies and Tillhill Forestry. It is also a temporary home to Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd as the firm awaits completion of its own new building.
The new workspaces will be known as The Robertson Rooms, in recognition of the proud heritage of the nearby former boat building yard.
The small office units are of varying sizes between 70.5m2 and 102.5m2. Each opens off the large foyer break-out area, themed to showcase the historic vessels built during Alexander Robertson’s Yard’s heyday.
The project by Oban based Tritonia Scientific Limited will support four jobs and is forecast to increase the company’s turnover by more than £1m within three years.
HIE has appointed Benbecula company D Macdonald (Building Contractors) Ltd to create seven new units at Eabhal. Business Park
Gow’s Lybster Limited is installing Migatronic CoWelders that will significantly improve productivity and ensure consistent high-quality workmanship.
A £1.3m contract has been awarded for the refurbishment of a building on Enterprise Park Forres to create the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM).
The project is forecast to generate more than £340,000 turnover in the next three years and create three jobs within five years.
Underwater ecological survey company Ocean Ecology is developing the state-of-the-art lab in its existing facilities at the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) near Oban.
The funding can help cover the costs of equipment, new technology or fixtures and fittings, or to construct, adapt or upgrade business premises or other infrastructure.
The improvements will enable the company to continue its growth through increased capacity and efficiencies in production.
People interested in developing and applying their ideas on the use of technology to start or grow a business can attend in person or online.
The HIE funding will help meet the costs of plant and equipment and help lever in significant private sector investment to the project.
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.