Latest news with #Ballantine
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Ballantine Castings: Over 40 jobs axed as one of Scotland's last foundries linked to Edinburgh Castle wound up
The foundry had been involved in projects for London's Big Ben clock and Edinburgh Castle. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than 40 jobs have been lost as one of Scotland's last foundries has been wound up and placed in the hands of liquidators after 200 years in business. Ballantine Castings, in Links Road, Bo'ness, presented a petition to Falkirk Sheriff Court on July 25 so the firm could be wound up and an interim liquidator appointed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court subsequently appointed Graeme Bain, of Glasgow-based accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, as liquidator on July 28. Ballantine Castings in Bo'ness played a pivotal role in repairing London's Elizabeth Tower, the home of Big Ben (Picture: Lisa Ferguson, National World) Founded in the early 1820s, the iron foundry became formally established in 1856 and has been in continuous production ever since. The foundry has been owned and run by the Ballantine family for seven generations and has made some of the country's most iconic ironwork – including the famous replica cannons at Edinburgh Castle. Ballantine's website states: 'With a continual investment programme in place, a highly trained and skilled workforce and the adoption of new technologies, we can assure that we will be making high-quality, high integrity architectural, engineering and construction castings for many years to come.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Back in 2021 the foundry played a crucial role in restoring the home of London's world famous Big Ben clock. Workers used traditional methods of cast ironwork to create integral elements of the Elizabeth Tower, which was undergoing a conservation project at that time, and remade more than 400 cast iron tiles for the roof. The intricate decorative shields, which adorn the tower, were also remade in Bo'ness, including the brightly coloured thistle shield that represents Scotland. At the time, Gavin Ballantine, Ballantine Castings director, said: 'Over the years we've been fortunate enough to work on many prestigious projects. however, the works undertaken on the Elizabeth Tower will last long in the memory. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's been an honour to play our part in the restoration of such a complex, iconic national structure.' A few years before it helped restore Big Ben's home, Ballantine Castings was commissioned to cast steel totem poles to illustrate the history of Forth Valley. Selected by the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) to create 11 'markers', the firm's work now helps visitors find unique heritage sites around the Inner Forth estuary. The long-established business blamed an increase in energy costs for its demise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Johnston Carmichael spokesperson said: 'The business, which specialised in supplying the architectural, engineering and construction and drainage sectors, had been increasingly reliant on support from its parent company amid increasing energy costs. "It ceased trading shortly prior to Graeme's appointment. with the unfortunate loss of 44 jobs. 'The provisional liquidator has appointed Hilco Valuation Services to assist in dealing with the disposal of the company's assets. "The company's trading site in Bo'ness will also be subject to a marketing and disposal process in due course.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Graeme Bain added: 'Ballantine Castings is a historic Scottish business with a long track record of supplying metalwork services to a range of large-scale projects across the UK and overseas. 'Our immediate priority is to assist employees, who have been impacted by the business ceasing to trade, in making claims for sums due to them.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
All jobs lost as 200-year-old Scottish foundry enters liquidation
Ballantine Castings, based in Bo'ness, submitted a petition to Falkirk Sherriff Court in late July so a liquidator could be appointed. The court went on to appoint Glasgow-based accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael to manage the liquidation. The 200-year-old firm blamed an increase in energy costs for the closure. Owned and run by the Ballantine family since the early 1820s, the iron foundry, considered to be one of Scotland's last remining, was formally established in 1856. READ MORE: Scotch whisky distillery releases 12,300 bottles of single-malt from rare wine casks Alongside the famous replica cannons at Edinburgh Castle, the firm has also played a major role in the restoration of London's Big Ben clock in 2021. The team used traditional methods of cast ironwork and create integral elements of the Elizabeth Tower, and remade more than 400 cast iron tiles for the roof.
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Wilding pines threat, funding on agenda
The rise of a new villain and a lack of funding are two challenges facing a trust dedicated to removing wilding trees in Northern Southland. The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust hosted a hui in Lumsden last week to discuss the challenges facing the trust. Those attending included Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, district councillors, trust members and Department of Conservation and Environment Southland staff members. The trust was formed in 2006 to deal with the spread of wilding pines in the Mid Dome area. The Mid Dome project area surrounds the Cupola and Mid Dome ranges, and comprises an area of 68,602ha about halfway between Invercargill and Queenstown. Trust chairwoman Ali Ballantine said during the last volunteer day the trust held to remove wilding trees she had been surprised to see how many Douglas fir seedlings were growing. While seeds were being dispersed from existing plantations the problem could get worse as more trees were planted for carbon farming, Ms Ballantine said. There were few rules to hold those planting trees accountable for the spread of seeds that caused the problems, she said. Something needed to be done to stop the planting of species in inappropriate places. "This problem is not going away — it's going to bankrupt us." Environment Southland biosecurity plants team leader Jolie Hazley said she had seen the numbers of wilding Douglas fir trees increase rapidly in the past 10 years. Wilding Douglas fir could be found throughout Northern Southland as wind carried the seed. Some were growing up to 14km from the nearest seeding trees, she said. Trust member Geoffrey Young said if the trees were allowed to keep growing it would lead to a "very real biodiversity loss". The trees could grow at altitudes of up to about 2400m. "You would have virtually no high-altitude tussock country anywhere in the country." Where land was grazed the seedlings would be eaten off but higher up there would be nothing to stop the trees taking over, he said. Ms Ballantine said the trust had made good progress in eliminating Pinus contorta and Pinus mugo but its work was being affected by a cut in funding. If the group had received the same level of government funding as in the past the task would have been completed by 2033, she said. "With a couple of years of inadequate funding, we're on the back foot again." Trust member Richard Bowman said it made economic sense to finish the job now. "A dollar spent today is going to save you $90 50 years down the track because you get on and fix the problem."
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Wilding Douglas fir threat, funding on agenda
The rise of a new villain and a lack of funding are two challenges facing a trust dedicated to removing wilding trees in Northern Southland. The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust hosted a hui in Lumsden on Wednesday to discuss the challenges facing the trust. Those attending included Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, district councillors, trust members and Department of Conservation and Environment Southland staff members. The trust was formed in 2006 to deal with the spread of wilding pines in the Mid Dome area. The Mid Dome project area surrounds the Cupola and Mid Dome ranges, and comprises an area of 68,602ha about halfway between Invercargill and Queenstown. Trust chairwoman Ali Ballantine said during the last volunteer day the trust held to remove wilding trees she had been surprised to see how many Douglas fir seedlings were growing. While seeds were being dispersed from existing plantations the problem could get worse as more trees were planted for carbon farming, Ms Ballantine said. There were few rules to hold those planting trees accountable for the spread of seeds that caused the problems, she said. Something needed to be done to stop the planting of species in inappropriate places. "This problem is not going away— it's going to bankrupt us." Environment Southland biosecurity plants team leader Jolie Hazley said she had seen the numbers of wilding Douglas fir trees increase rapidly in the past 10 years. Wilding Douglas fir could be found throughout Northern Southland as wind carried the seed. Some were growing up to 14km from the nearest seeding trees, she said. Trust member Geoffrey Young said if the trees were allowed to keep growing it would lead to a "very real biodiversity loss". The trees could grow at altitudes of up to about 2400m. "You would have virtually no high-altitude tussock country anywhere in the country." Where land was grazed the seedlings would be eaten off but higher up there would be nothing to stop the trees taking over, he said. Ms Ballantine said the trust had made good progress in eliminating Pinus contorta and Pinus mugo but its work was being affected by a cut in funding. If the group had received the same level of government funding as in the past the task would have been completed by 2033, she said. "With a couple of years of inadequate funding, we're on the back foot again." Trust member Richard Bowman said it made economic sense to finish the job now. "A dollar spent today is going to save you $90 50 years down the track because you get on and fix the problem."
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
UC Business School Celebrates Global Recognition
Press Release – University of Canterbury Ranked #2 in New Zealand for employment outcomes and employer reputation (QS 2025), UC delivers on its promise to produce highly skilled, work-ready graduates. An unwavering commitment to international students has seen the UC Business School shortlisted for a top prize at the UK's 2025 PIEoneer Awards. Hosted by The PIE (Professionals in International Education), a UK-based platform recognised as a global leader in international education news, events and recruitment, the PIEoneer Awards honour innovation and excellence in the international education sector, spotlighting institutions that are shaping the future of education worldwide. In the category of Business School of the Year, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)'s Business School is the only Australasian finalist. 'This global recognition reflects our team's commitment to innovation, international impact and preparing students for a rapidly changing world,' Professor Paul Ballantine, Executive Dean, Business said. 'Being shortlisted alongside top institutions affirms the strength of our mission: we're in the business of making a difference.' Only 1% of business schools worldwide hold the coveted 'triple crown' accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA) and the UC Business School is proudly among them, reinforcing its standing as a leader in delivering quality business education. This latest recognition highlights the school's unwavering commitment to international students – not just attracting them to New Zealand, but ensuring they thrive. UC Business School offers bespoke, dedicated support tailored to the unique needs of its international students, going above and beyond standard services to foster connection, belonging and academic success. 'This recognition celebrates not only the Business School but reflects the University of Canterbury's whole-of-campus commitment to supporting students from around the world,' Professor Ballantine added. Ranked #2 in New Zealand for employment outcomes and employer reputation (QS 2025), UC delivers on its promise to produce highly skilled, work-ready graduates. 92% of UC students are employed or pursuing further study within six months of graduation, while Christchurch was recently ranked among the world's top 100 student cities. Winners of the 2025 PIEoneer Awards will be announced at a ceremony at London's Guildhall on Friday 5 September.
