Latest news with #XLCC
The Herald Scotland
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
We should learn a lesson from America's can-do attitude
But rather than looking at the alleged injustices of one high-profile incident, as the Orgreave Inquiry will do, it is surely just as important to explore the wider social and economic injustices inflicted by the decline of mining and other traditional industries. The most recent State of the Coalfields report from Sheffield University, which explores the condition of former mining communities across the UK, concludes that in Scotland these areas 'still display acute social and economic disadvantage'. It is something which Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee has also touched on in its inquiry into industrial transition across Scotland. Read More: All of which underlines the necessity of sustainable reindustrialisation, the kind which rather than delivering here today-gone tomorrow employment, instead brings good jobs, skilled work and properly rewarding pay. These things should not be too much to expect. But for those who have fallen through the cracks in society in the years since the decline of older heavy industry, it has often felt that way. Now, with Scotland and the rest of the UK well placed to drive forward the industries of the future, a new era of opportunity is before us. That is why I'm delighted that we are on the verge of securing no fewer than 1,200 jobs for Ayrshire, in a development that promises to lock in growth, opportunity and community wealth for the long term. The UK-based undersea cable manufacturer XLCC is poised to deliver 900 manufacturing-related jobs at Hunterston, making the area a key hub for European and global development of technology which will help power the next generation of renewable energy projects at home and abroad. With global demand for high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables rapidly outpacing supply, the company aims to build the world's biggest and most advanced HVDC manufacturing facility here in Scotland. It is hard to overstate the importance and significance of this project. For years we have been told that Scotland, with its huge green energy potential, is on the verge of a new industrial revolution which can provide the jobs and energy security we so badly need. Too often however, it has felt like we have been waiting and waiting for that long-heralded promise to become a reality. That is why the XLCC project is so vital, and so exciting. In addition to the jobs at Hunterston, 300 additional jobs are expected to be created in Kilmarnock , with the multi-award winning HALO enterprise and low carbon innovation centre identified as the preferred location. I have developed HALO over many years in the 28-acre site of the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant in the town. These posts, including project delivery and sales teams, will drive and support the manufacturing facility at Hunterston. The XLCC development has been in the pipeline since 2020, and like HALO will only be delivered through partnership between the private sector, unions, local authorities and both the Scottish and UK Governments, all working at pace to ensure this massive opportunity is secured. There are two other points worth making in relation to this promised jobs windfall for Ayrshire. Firstly, I would urge both the Scottish and UK Governments to do more to speed up the pace of investment in regeneration and reindustrialisation, including the easing of planning laws to make such development easier. Checks and balances, along with due process, are important when it comes to planning. But too often we are forced to wait too long to turn potential into reality. And delays are one reason we see valuable jobs going to other countries instead of being created here. That links directly to the second point, which is just how important it is for the manufacturing bases for the industries that will power the rest of this century to be based in this country. Scotland may have an abundance of natural resources when it comes to our energy potential. We are blessed with huge advantages when to green power, in addition to the oil and gas which is still an important part of our energy mix. But that only counts for so much if the infrastructure and industrial gain required to exploit those resources is outsourced to other nations. The arrival of XLCC in Scotland will be a powerful counter to the notion that we have to look elsewhere for energy manufacturing. And, as Scotland and [[Ayr]]shire witnessed during the visit of US President Donald Trump, we could do worse than take a leaf from the playbook of America's can-do attitude to business, enterprise and opportunity. We have the resources, and we have the skill – we just need the political will to ensure potential becomes reality. Dr Marie Macklin CBE is a leading Scottish businesswoman and investor.
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Firm commits to delivering 1,200 jobs at former coal terminal
The agreement will underpin the company's plans to produce specialised subsea high voltage cables capable of transporting electricity generated by offshore wind farms in the UK and abroad. Executives and union leaders met in Glasgow to finalise the agreement as GMB, one of the biggest unions across the UK energy sector, urged UK and Scottish ministers to help accelerate the development. GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said the ground-breaking agreement shows how the voice of workers and their communities can be harnessed to help create new jobs in green energy. A future look at the HDVC manufacturing site at Hunterston (Image: XLCC) She said: 'Too many workers believe the transition to renewables is being done to them, not with them. 'That must change and this agreement shows how. The voice of workers must shape industrial strategy and energy policies if our country is ever to turn talk into jobs. 'Only genuine and effective cooperation between industry, unions, and governments can help deliver the transformation needed in our manufacturing supply chains. 'We share the ambition of XLCC to create good, unionised jobs in Ayrshire and hope innovative agreements like this can be a template to help secure a new industrial future.' READ MORE: GMB said the UK Government's promise to create 650,000 new high-quality jobs will rest on harnessing the combined strength of industry and workers, and urged governments on both sides of the border to support the proposed cable plant at Hunterston. The agreement details how the business and union will work together to campaign for the development while building industry-leading industrial relations. The agreement is intended to pave the way to a full recognition agreement with collective bargaining as the workforce grows. XLCC chief executive Ian Douglas said: "This agreement is a significant step forward as we work to establish a new UK-based supply chain for HVDC subsea cable manufacturing. 'Our investment at Hunterston will create up to 1,200 skilled jobs and place Ayrshire at the heart of the UK's energy transition. This is a truly transformative opportunity for community and country. 'We're proud to be working in partnership with GMB to ensure these jobs offer long-term, high-quality opportunities in a growing global industry.'
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Landmark agreement to help create 1200 manufacturing jobs
A trade union has forged the landmark agreement with a subsea cable company to help create up to 1,200 energy manufacturing jobs in Ayrshire. GMB Scotland signed the voluntary recognition agreement with XLCC on Tuesday as it backed the company's plans to transform the site of a former coal terminal at Hunterston. Executives and union leaders met in Glasgow to finalise the agreement as GMB, one of the biggest unions across the UK energy sector, urged UK and Scottish ministers to help accelerate the development. Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said the agreement 'shows how the voice of workers and their communities can be harnessed to help create new jobs in green energy'. She said: 'Too many workers believe the transition to renewables is being done to them not with them. 'That must change and this agreement shows how. The voice of workers must shape industrial strategy and energy policies if our country is ever to turn talk into jobs. 'Only genuine and effective cooperation between industry, unions, and governments can help deliver the transformation needed in our manufacturing supply chains. 'We share the ambition of XLCC to create good, unionised jobs in Ayrshire and hope innovative agreements like this can be a template to help secure a new industrial future.' GMB said the UK Government's promise to create 650,000 new high-quality jobs will rest on harnessing the combined strength of industry and workers, and urged governments on both sides of the border to support the proposed cable plant at Hunterston. The agreement 'details how the business and union will work together to campaign for the development while building industry-leading industrial relations', the union said. The agreement is intended to pave the way to a full recognition agreement with collective bargaining as the workforce grows. Ian Douglas, XLCC chief executive, said: "This agreement is a significant step forward as we work to establish a new UK-based supply chain for HVDC subsea cable manufacturing. 'Our investment at Hunterston will create up to 1,200 skilled jobs and place Ayrshire at the heart of the UK's energy transition. This is a truly transformative opportunity for community and country. 'We're proud to be working in partnership with GMB to ensure these jobs offer long-term, high-quality opportunities in a growing global industry.' New rooftop restaurant and bar to launch A new rooftop restaurant is set to open in the heart of Glasgow this summer – bringing Mexican-American flavours, cocktails and panoramic views of the city skyline. SíSí Rooftop is located at the top of the eighth storey of The Social Hub Glasgow in the newly developed Candleriggs Square in the Merchant City. It will offer a "lively yet laid-back space to enjoy small plates, innovative drinks, a carefully curated wine list, and live music". The venue offers 160 covers in total, with 100 inside the restaurant and 60 on an open-air terrace. 'Historic convergence' of crypto and golf at Trump Aberdeen The Scottish Championship to be held at Donald Trump's course in Aberdeenshire has a new name following the first-ever crypto sponsorship deal to be signed by the DP World Tour.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Council leader wants to press UK Government on green energy infrastructure support
East Ayrshire Council Leader Douglas Reid will table a motion that cites Kilmarnock project as example. East Ayrshire Council will press the UK Government on the level of support it will provide to help the transition to net zero, if a motion to council is approved. SNP Council Leader, Councillor Douglas Reid, says that it is vital that the Labour Government provides clarity on the issue, emphasising the need to back companies to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place. He cited an agreement between HALO Kilmarnock and the subsea cabling manufacturer XLCC that could see the latter set up a headquarters in the HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre, along with more than 300 jobs. His motion states: 'XLCC plan to bring 1200 new jobs to Ayrshire with the UK's first high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable factory in Hunterston and this partnership will result in more than 300 high-quality jobs being brought to Kilmarnock.' This would cover a wide range of professional disciplines including finance, sales, marketing, HR, skills development, digital and cyber security, design, engineering and project management, he added. Cllr Reid's motion continues: 'An investment of this magnitude will boost the economy and be a catalyst for regenerating the engineering sector both locally and regionally. 'This agreement in principle is to be welcomed as it will increase energy resilience within the UK while supporting our communities with high quality jobs. 'However, I am aware that clarification is required from the UK Government on proposals to deliver the green investment strategy and how they will support UK companies to develop and fund major infrastructure projects in the short term prior to worldwide contracts being realised over the next five years which will support the Just Transition towards Net Zero. 'I would therefore propose that the Council write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to request an early meeting to clarify the UK Government's proposals to progress the delivery of this project at pace.'
