240 new jobs for central Scotland

Oil and gas services and manufacturing firm FMC Technologies is expanding its Scottish operations in Bellshill and Dunfermline and creating 240 new jobs, Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing announced today (August 31).

On a visit to the company’s base in Bellshill the Minister welcomed their plans to create 240 research and development and manufacturing posts, and met staff who have played their part in securing this new inward investment to Scotland.

FMC Technologies’ plans to create 170 jobs at the site in Bellshill and another 70 jobs at their Dunfermline operation, are being supported with £2.5 million of Regional Selective Assistance through Scottish Enterprise. This announcement will take their total Scottish workforce to almost a thousand. The company has approximately 12,500 employees across the world and operates in 16 countries.

Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International have worked with the company to assist with its growth plans and their ongoing input, especially with research and development and helped FMC open their Bellshill facility in 2008. FMC Technologies has also developed strong links with Glasgow Caledonian University and this expansion will allow them to build on the relationship.

Enterprise Minister Mr Ewing said: "This Government is working hard to increase sustainable economic growth across Scotland, and that is why I am delighted that FMC Technologies are expanding their operations in Scotland and creating 240 new jobs.

"This decision is testament to the quality and skills of our workforce in engineering and manufacturing. It’s also down to hard work by our partners at Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International who have built-up an understanding of this business and provided the most relevant support to help the company grow.

“Scotland’s experience in subsea engineering, drilling and fabrication has seen many companies become vital players throughout the world. Investment the sector will continue to sustain innovative companies and thousands of jobs for years to come. This is backed this up with a strong Scottish research sector and the relationship between FMC Technology and Glasgow Caledonian University is a good example of this delivering long term benefits for the Scottish economy.”

President and CEO of FMC Technologies, John Gremp said: “We are delighted to formally announce the creation of 240 high-value positions. Our development of technical capability and talent in Scotland is a result of our continuing relationship with the Scottish Government via Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International.

“We now look to our partners in industry and academia to continue to supply talent not only to our Scottish-based operations, but to our operations globally.”

Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Lena Wilson said:"We know there is international demand for technology products for the oil and gas industry. As such, it's vital that we work hard to ensure we create the right conditions for companies like FMC Technologies to succeed in Scotland.

"It's our job to make sure global investors see Scotland as the ideal place to do business, and RSA is one of the key tools we use to do exactly that. Choosing where to locate or expand operations is a hugely important decision for any company and competition with other countries and regions has never been fiercer. But our message is clear - as a nation Scotland has unique strengths and world-class capabilities and is very much open for business. By offering RSA assistance and targeting inward investment opportunities where we have a strong proposition, we can help build a more robust, more globally competitive Scottish economy.

"In addition to this RSA, SE and SDI have worked intensively with FMC Technologies to help them reach their growth goals. Our support has included help to tap into overseas markets and significant assistance with innovation and R&D. We're looking forward to continuing to work with the company in the future to help secure the skills needed to further grow the business."

Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland said: “FMC Technologies' already operates an ambitious Modern Apprenticeship programme across a range of levels and disciplines. SDS will continue to work closely with them to ensure training provision is co-ordinated to match the needs of its exciting expansion plans. We will also be encouraging the company’s proposals to develop a comprehensive internal skills development programme to support ongoing workforce development.

“Earlier this year SDS led on the publication of Scotland's strategic Energy Skills Investment Plan and supported the recently announced Energy College Partnership. These important developments will be vital to supporting investment and the longer term strategies of energy-related businesses such as FMC Technologies.”