logo
Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow shipyard BAE win very good news

Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow shipyard BAE win very good news

So it was heartening to learn the yard, which provides such crucial employment in Inverclyde, had won a significant contract.
Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd last week announced that it had signed a contract with BAE Systems to fabricate three structural components for 'Ship 4 HMS Birmingham', the fourth frigate being built as part of the Type 26 programme.
Graeme Thomson, the recently appointed chief executive of Ferguson Marine, made some important points around the award of the work.
In particular, he declared it 'proves the ability of our skilled workforce to secure new business'.
This is indeed an important aspect of this contract for Ferguson Marine.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, when I interviewed her last month, highlighted the importance of restoring confidence in Ferguson Marine for it to 'succeed and survive', declaring then that the latest delays in delivering the Glen Rosa ferry 'don't help with the public narrative'.
Ms Forbes added that she had 'full confidence in the ability of the yard to submit quality tenders' for future work.
Ferguson Marine's winning of the contract from BAE Systems is hopefully a strong signal that such confidence is justified.
Read more
Ms Forbes also said last month: 'I would like to think that all parties in the Scottish Parliament want to see Ferguson Marine succeed and survive, which is why we need to build confidence, not knock it.'
Hopefully, the work secured from BAE Systems will help bolster general confidence in Ferguson Marine as it bids for other contracts.
Mr Thomson also described the contract for the work on HMS Birmingham as an 'important opportunity to grow the skill of the younger members of our workforce, to win future commercial contracts in this and related markets'.
This is another crucial point, in the context of the longer-term future of Ferguson Marine.
It was also encouraging to hear BAE Systems, which has engaged Ferguson Marine previously to build two units on the Type 26 programme, describe its relationship with the Port Glasgow yard as 'productive'.
This positive tone came from Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems' naval ships business, who also described Ferguson Marine as 'a key supplier of structural steelwork on the Clyde'.
And his comments are particularly heartening because they are based on the work Ferguson Marine has done for BAE Systems already, with Mr Lister highlighting the fact the Port Glasgow yard has built two units for the Type 26 programme.
This surely highlights the quality of work the yard can produce. This is a very significant positive in the context of all the noise around the Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox contract and given the importance of Ferguson Marine securing new work so, as Ms Forbes puts it, the yard can 'succeed and survive'.
Read more
The Port Glasgow yard, owned by the Scottish Government since late 2019, said the latest BAE Systems contract 'marks an important development for Ferguson Marine, the last remaining commercial shipyard in Scotland and the only shipbuilder left on the lower Clyde', as it 'seeks to secure new work'.
It declared that it 'is expected that steel cutting will commence imminently as the shipyard stands ready to commence manufacturing'.
Ferguson Marine observed the Type 26 programme being delivered by BAE Systems will provide the Royal Navy with 'the most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability available'.
It observed construction is under way for the first five of eight Type 26 frigates, with the ships at various stages of build.
Each ship consists of nearly 60 structural units which are integrated at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard before entering the water and moving to the Scotstoun shipyard for systems testing and commissioning, Ferguson Marine noted.
Mr Thomson said: 'This contract is a significant step for Ferguson Marine and will enable us to play a role in enhancing the UK's world-class maritime capability. In recent years Ferguson Marine has been working with BAE Systems and, as the last commercial shipbuilder on the Clyde, we are uniquely positioned to act as an extension of the important work happening under the Type 26 programme.
'As we seek to add to our book of orders, this proves the ability of our skilled workforce to secure new business. We are committed to expanding our experience.'
It emerged last summer, well before Mr Thomson's arrival, that Ferguson Marine was in 'advanced negotiations' about doing further work for BAE Systems on the Type 26 programme.
BAE Systems said last July: 'BAE Systems has a good working relationship with Ferguson Marine…We are in advanced negotiations with the company regarding further strengthening our partnership, the placement of additional work subject to agreement of terms and its continued involvement in the programme.'
It was great to hear last week this deal had now been sealed.
Mr Lister said last week: 'This award strengthens our relationship and their continued involvement in the programme.'
Ferguson Marine meanwhile declared it is committed to continuing to develop its workforce and 'maintaining Clyde-built skills' through its apprenticeship programme while 'progressing the delivery of Glen Rosa and planning to deploy £14.2 million in capital investment from the Scottish Government to make vital infrastructure and equipment upgrades, modernising the yard and making it future fit'.
The BAE Systems contract is a very positive development on this journey.
Hopefully, Ferguson Marine can now build on this momentum.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Edinburgh law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn hikes profits
Edinburgh law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn hikes profits

The Herald Scotland

time40 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Edinburgh law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn hikes profits

The results reveal a 10% increase in turnover to £78.3 million, which helped net profits surge by 20% to £36.1m in the year ending April 30. According to the firm, the performance reflected its 'sustained momentum and sharp focus on its strategic priorities'. The update comes in the wake of strong results reported by fellow Scottish law firms Harper Macleod, Brodies, and Complete Clarity and Simplicity Legal in recent weeks. Shepherd and Wedderburn managing partner Andrew Blain said: 'I am pleased we have delivered another year of strong growth. Our performance reflects the strength of our client relationships and our investment in key sectors and practice areas, including clean energy, real estate and infrastructure, financial services, technology and life sciences and private wealth. Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Scotch whisky chief pays price as global turmoil hits industry Major business survey reveals 'standout' view on 'Scottish visa' Shares dive in Scotch whisky firm as 'volatile' conditions sweep across sector 'The quality of the talent we have attracted to join us over the last year has deepened our expertise in a number of strategically important areas helping us to secure mandates from existing and new clients. We are grateful to our clients for continuing to place their trust in us. 'Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in talent and solutions to amplify our support to clients as they navigate complex market landscapes.' Shepherd and Wedderburn, which has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow, [[Edinburgh]], London and Dublin, revealed that it advised on a number of high-profile corporate deals over the period. It acted for AviAlliance on its £1.53 billion acquisition of AGS Airports, owner of [[Aberdeen]], Glasgow, and Southampton airports, and for Scottish National Investment Bank on its investments into Subsea Micropiles, iGii, ForEV, and Orbex. It advised Canadian Solar, a battery energy storage systems supplier and contractor, on the Coalburn 1 Battery Storage Project, a 500 megawatt site in South Lanarkshire, and acted on behalf of British Land on the acquisitions of Queens Drive Retail Park in Kilmarnock and Inshes Retail Park, Inverness. The firm appointed five new partners over the period, including Craig Whelton in planning, Claire MacLean in real estate and infrastructure, and Graham Young in project finance. Tricia Walker and Andrew Knight were appointed partners in the employment team, Shepherd and Wedderburn also promoted Gavin Charlton to partner in the employee shares incentives team, and Pamela Binnie (real estate and infrastructure) and Roddy Forgie (media and technology) to legal director. Mr Blain added: 'We remain focused on our strategic priorities and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to support our clients in an ever-evolving market.' The firm noted that it received two accolades, top employer of the year in the medium business category (250 to 1,000 employees) and the prize for best diversity and inclusion dynamic in the workplace, at The Herald Top Employer Awards.

Tories slam SNP over A96 dualling - as repair bill revealed
Tories slam SNP over A96 dualling - as repair bill revealed

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Tories slam SNP over A96 dualling - as repair bill revealed

Repairs totalled £14.9m in 2023/24, £11.8m in 2022/23 and £13.4m in 2021/22; up from £7.7 in 2020/21. The Scottish Government had announced plans to upgrade the A96 in 2016, promising to convert the 102 mile road into a dual carriageway by 2030. However, the £3b commitment was rowed back last year, as Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop blamed austerity from the UK Government and a lengthy review of the project for delays. Douglas Lumsden has criticised the delay. (Image: Conor McAuley) North East Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden has slammed the government over the 'eye-watering' figures, which he said demonstrated that the A96 'is not fit for the 21st century'. Mr Lumsden added: 'After decades of neglect by the SNP, it's no surprise that repair costs are soaring each year as the road falls into a state of disrepair. 'This is the tragic reality of the dangers the road poses, yet the transport minister continues to kick the prospect of fully dualling the road into the long grass, despite the SNP's promise 14 years ago. Mr Lumsden went on to call on Ms Hyslop to 'stop this nonsense" and 'commit to the full upgrade, once and for all, before parliament resumes. 'The Scottish Government's failure to properly improve the A96 betrays local communities, undermines the North East's future connectivity and endangers lives,' he said. 'Rather than spending endless sums patching up the A96, the SNP must prioritise dualling the road as a matter of urgency.' In a Transport Scotland statement, a spokesperson said the nation's motorway and trunk road network was the Scottish Government's 'single biggest asset' - and that £714m was set to be spent in 2025/26, despite a decrease in capital project funding from the UK Government. The spokesperson added: 'We have continued to invest in the maintenance of all trunk roads, including the A96, in order to ensure the continued safe and effective operation of the network that road users rely upon. These costs also include repairs and recovery from storm damage, which are on the increase. Read more: Why does everyone seem to hate Maggie Chapman? 'Long overdue': Scottish young people weigh in on lowering of voting age Smoked salmon, Irn-Bru bhajis and micro herbs: What's on the menu at Bute House? 'Our current favoured position is to fully dual the A96 and we are already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including a Nairn Bypass, having acquired the land for the scheme earlier this year. "We continue to progress the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering this scheme and thereafter a timetable for progress can then be set in line with available budgets." The spokesperson noted that the [[Scottish Government]] had agreed to carry out a review of the A96 corridor as part of the Bute House Agreement, as their erstwhile partners in government, the Scottish Greens, were opposed to the road's dualling. An ensuing consultation received more than 1,400 responses from communities and businesses along the A96. 76% of respondents were 'dissatisfied' or 'very dissatisfied' with the draft outcomes of Transport Scotland's review, which recommended that the road not be dualled in its entirety. 'Any decision on the way ahead for the A96 corridor will need to take into consideration the UK Government's recent Spending Review and its impact on Scottish Budgets,' the spokesperson said, 'as well as the forthcoming update to the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan, expected later this year.' Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing left the SNP in part over the dualling delays. (Image: PA) Longtime Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing left the [[SNP]] earlier this year in a row over the government's lack of progress in dualling the road. He will stand as an independent candidate in 2026. Writing in the [[Inverness]] Courier in March, he said: 'It's not good enough that both governments have these great plans and ambitions for renewables, mostly to be delivered in the north and north east, but they do not match them with commensurate investment in our transport and public services. 'We here are expected to do the work, to create the development, and the impacts of pylons and turbines, but are not to get the assistance to upgrade our roads, schools, GP practices, Raigmore, or indeed the rail services about which we are getting many more complaints of late. 'Now, near on £100 million has been, or will shortly be, spent on the A96 and not one inch of tarmac laid.'

Scottish cauliflower crisps to hit shelves at 50 Tesco stores
Scottish cauliflower crisps to hit shelves at 50 Tesco stores

The National

timean hour ago

  • The National

Scottish cauliflower crisps to hit shelves at 50 Tesco stores

Growers Garden, established in 2019 and based in Fife, is now selling its new cauliflower crisps in more than 50 Tesco stores. The snack comes in three flavours: Black Pepper & Lime, Mango Chilli, and Smoky Chorizo. The company works with farmers across the east of Scotland to transform surplus and "wonky" vegetables into healthy, veggie snacks. READ MORE: Award-winning restaurant to be taken over by leading hospitality firm With the aim to reduce food waste and ensure more Scottish homegrown produce, the co-operative started as a collective of 16 farming families who have been growing vegetables for over four generations in the east of Scotland. It now includes growers from Perthshire and the Borders too. Tesco said the product was "a brilliant example of Scottish innovation". Marion MacCormick, chairperson at Growers Garden, said the company was "delighted," adding: "Our cooperative of Fife farmers came together with a shared aim to reduce waste by turning leftover or misshapen vegetables into something delicious and healthy, adding value to their leftover fresh produce, which is also supplied to Tesco UK-wide. 'The new flavours offer something a little different, and we're thrilled that Tesco shoppers across Scotland are already getting behind the concept since the range hit shelves this month.' Barry O'Donnell, buying manager for Tesco in Scotland, said: 'One of the best parts of my job is supporting local suppliers and helping bring their fantastic products to shelves across the country. "Growers Garden is a brilliant example of Scottish innovation. By working hand-in-hand with local farmers, they've created a tasty and nutritious snack that taps into what customers are really looking for - healthier, exciting alternatives to traditional crisps.' The snack can already be found in some Sainsbury's and Morrisons stores.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store