THREE new high quality jobs are to be created by a Shetland based manufacturer with a track record in renewable energy technology.
Shetland Composites presently employs five staff, and has just received planning permission for a new 540 square metre workshop at the Staney Hill Industrial Estate, in Lerwick, twice the size of its current premises at Greenhead.
The company’s attempts to expand are being backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise who have pledged £115,940 towards the £425,000 project. Shetland Islands Council will contribute £96,560.
The business began trading ten years ago and the majority of its work in the early years involved producing wind and wave devices out of glass reinforced plastic, primarily for universities and academic research institutions.
Over the years the company has maintained this work and diversified its product range into new and more commercial markets.
Shetland Composites is now a leader in the research, development and manufacturing of wave and tidal prototype devices, fish hatchery tanks, navigation lights/buoys, and storage containers/waste solutions.
HIE has been working with the company’s managing director Fred Gibson to realise his aspiration to grow the business enough to meet increasing demand for their large range of products.
HIE account manager Andrew White said: “Shetland Composites are an ambitious business with plans to expand their work and take on more staff.
“They are undertaking innovative projects which would benefit from the new workshop, allowing a production line to be set up for tanks, casings and turbine masts.
“It will also give them the capacity to bid for and deliver larger contracts in order to grow their company.”
The company’s premises will include space to engage in more research and development.
Mr Gibson said: “The new building will more than double our current capacity and will be more suited to high-end manufacturing.
“This will enable us to work towards business improvement standards and quality accreditations that are much sought after in our industry, as well as increasing our productivity.”
The SIC’s vice convener Josie Simpson added that the company was a “real success story” for Shetland.
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