Scotland's Economy

Rautomead

January 18, 2012 by John Swinney MSP No Comments | Category Exports

On the day new statistics were published showing a rise in manufacturing exports, I visited Rautomead inDundee – a great example of a Scottish firm that is performing well in international markets.

Managing Director Brian Frame and Chairman Sir Michael Nairn gave me a tour of their offices and factory, which makes equipment for non-ferrous metals and alloys and exports them to more than 40 countries, includingJapan, Thailand, China and Germany.

In 2010 the company increased staffing levels from 36 to 50 employees, an increase of almost 40 per cent. And these growth plans have been – and continue to be – supported by our enterprise agencies.

The new figures today show that Scottish GDP grew by 0.5 per cent – the strongest since the second quarter of 2010 – and manufactured exports grew by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2011 (July-September). And while I welcome these figures, they do show that a need for further sustained activity to support economic recovery. That is why we urge the Westminster government to follow the Scottish example, embrace a ‘Plan MacB’ approach for the UK economy, and work with the three devolved administrations through a Jobs Summit to agree an immediate programme of employment creation.

Tags: employment, GDP, manufacturing

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