Little recognition has been given to Scotland's success at winning an international contest to host a cutting-edge operation which aims to transform the way companies run major projects around the world and is expected to create about 200 jobs at an iconic site near Glasgow. The groundbreaking inward investment by French company Altran is to be on the former Black & White whisky site at Steppes, near Glasgow and is to be marked by a landmark high-rise called Buchanan Tower, after the producer which produced the blend.
The Herald's business editor Ian McConnell says there were many locations considered including Germany, Singapore and India for what is going to be called a 'project factory' but is in essence a hi-tech hub. The Centre will employ innovative software to help manage major projects for companies around the globe.
Steve Boyle, chief executive of the Altran CIS division highlighted the part Jack Perry and officials at SET had played in securing the project in the face of international competition. "They have played a very smart game here," said Boyle of SE, "They have just got us on the hook to think about Scotland and they've never really let us off the hook."
Altran will receive nearly £250,000 of regional selective assistance funding from the Scottish government over three years. Altra CIS's investment amounts to more than £2m. John Swinney is expected to join Altran executives for the official launch of the operation at Steppes this week.
It is not often I give credit to Scottish Enterprise but it is due here, so well done. If Altran's plans come to fruition this could be a well deserved boost to the Scottish economy a few years down the line.
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10 comments:
My Mum used to work in the bank in Stepps, and her brother was the Sales Director at Black & White (and stood as an SNP candidate long time ago).
The site is a horrible eyesore now, and a testament to Scotland's industrial decline - hope something comes of this...
It could well do polaris. Ian McConnell usually prepares his homework before he writes such articles.
I haven't been through Steppes for years owing to the motorway. Always seems a little depressing that wee bit.
Good news for the people of Stepps, so much inward investment comes into Glasgow and the satalight towns loose out, hope this is the start of a new trend and all areas are treated as equals.
BTW went camping in Stepps once and woke up in the morning only to find one tent peg.
Oh Spook what a lovely story first thing in the morning to make me smile!
I do hope this transpires to be the beginning of 'higher end' jobs because that's the direction we ought to be taking now.
O/T
There's a hilarious video over at Guido's
I'll go and look immediately. Thanks Vronsky.
Morning off, today, Subrosa?
Afternoon Oldrightie. Hospital appointment this morning. Have you missed me? ;)
Of course we missed you. Hope all is well?
It's just an female problem of gravity Oldrightie I hope but then that means I have my feet more firmly on Scottish ground doesn't it. :)
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