30-04-2025
Coatbridge MP Frank McNally praises steel fabricating firm Cairnhill Structures Ltd for its support for Ukraine
Coatbridge's MP has praised a steel fabricating firm in the town for its support for Ukraine during a visit to its base. Cairnhill Structures Ltd "warmly welcomed" Frank McNally MP to the Sun Works site, which has played a pivotal part of Coatbridge's industrial landscape for decades, manufacturing munitions for the World Wars. The site has been operated for more than 40 years by the local company and, in more recent times, become one of the leading firms in a range of sectors, including nuclear, renewables, oil and gas and transport infrastructure. The visit comes after Mr McNally addressed the House of Commons last month, raising the successes of the resettlement of Ukrainians in Coatbridge. Cairnhill Structures Ltd has aligned with these efforts, employing a number of Ukrainians at their site, as well as taking on projects which will support the reconstruction of Ukraine. As part of reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, Cairnhill Structures Ltd, in association with the UK Government, are building two new bridges to replace Makarov and Vishgorod bridges in Kyiv, which were destroyed by Russian forces in the early days of the conflict. Chief executive Neil Watson and director Steven Hendry offered a tour of the site to Mr McNally, where he was able to see many of Cairnhill Structures Ltd's 200 workers and some of the firm's new heavy plant in operation. Mr McNally also welcomed the opportunity to discuss challenges relating to aging workforces, cuts to further education, and the need to greatly increase apprenticeships in trades such as welding and fabricating. Mr McNally told Lanarkshire Live : "It was a real privilege to meet Neil and Steven from Cairnhill Structures Ltd at the Sun Works site in Coatbridge. 'Cairnhill Structures Ltd is clearly a world-class company, working on some of the largest-scale projects in a number of critical sectors. 'They are also a growing and outward-facing company, following a number of acquisitions, that is a real asset to the Coatbridge area and its local economy. 'No company is immune to challenging market conditions, and I welcomed the opportunity, as I have with other manufacturers I have visited in the constituency since my election, to discuss some of the challenges the company has faced in areas like skills and apprenticeships. 'The work that the company is currently engaged on will help Ukraine rebuild its country following the war - it is just one example of how the Coatbridge community has did their bit to support Ukraine and Ukrainians.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
