Doosan Babcock to create nearly 400 jobs with new Process Engineering Centre in Renfrew

Doosan Babcock, a leading UK provider of engineering, manufacturing, construction and asset management services, is announcing the creation of almost 400 jobs as it invests £4.5m in the launch of a new Process Engineering Centre.

The launch has been boosted by Scottish Enterprise, which is providing a further £1.5m Regional Selective Assistance to support the opening of the Centre at Doosan Babcock’s Renfrew site in Western Scotland.

The new department will draw on all elements of Doosan Babcock’s business to deliver a complete service that is tailored to companies operating in process industries such as oil and gas, refining, petrochemicals, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This service will range from concept design through to the construction and handover of new production facilities, as well as the repair, overhaul and upgrade of existing plants. This ‘start to finish’ capability will be rolled out firstly to customers in the UK and then internationally, presenting significant growth opportunities in regions, such as the Middle East.

The opening of this Centre is the first step in Doosan Babcock’s plans to almost triple the size of its process business over the coming five years. The development will create 266 jobs in Renfrew and 114 at other sites within the UK and internationally by 2018, including engineers, and project management and professional services personnel.

Andy Hunt, CEO of Doosan Babcock said:

“The opening of this Centre is fantastic news for Scotland and for Doosan Babcock as we seek to grow our process business, creating new roles for British engineers. The process sector can be a highly complex area to operate in but, thanks to this investment, Doosan Babcock will have the skill set and specialist knowledge to offer customers an integrated engineering and construction service that is unparalleled.”

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise concluded:

“Doosan has ambitious plans for expanding its process business on the world stage and it is testament to our key capabilities and skills that Scotland has been selected as the location for such a pivotal part of the company’s global growth plans.

“The company’s decision to locate this new service here is an excellent example of how the support that we and our partners can offer is helping bring new investment into Scotland. We know that is well recognised internationally, with foreign direct investment into Scotland currently at its highest level for fifteen years.”

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:

"I welcome this news which brings jobs and investment to Renfrew that will support the surrounding area for years to come.

"This is another sign of confidence in Scotland as a great place to do business and a great place to invest. As evidenced in today's GDP data, our economy continues to grow with this year seeing the fastest annual growth in over three years.

"Employment has reached a new record in Scotland and this announcement underlines the significant job creation opportunities that continue to take root as recovery in Scotland gathers momentum."