Oil and gas firm opens Bellshill base

A new subsea product centre for oil and gas services firm FMC Technologies has been opened today by Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing in North Lanarkshire.

It follows the company’s announcement last year that they are creating 240 research and development and manufacturing posts in Scotland, bringing their total workforce here to almost a thousand employees.

The centre in Bellshill will accommodate 170 of the new jobs created with the support of 2.5 million pounds of Regional Selective Assistance through Scottish Enterprise. The other 70 jobs are based in Dunfermline.

Enterprise Minister Mr Ewing said:

"This Government is working hard to build sustainable economic growth and that is why I am delighted that FMC Technologies have made this further commitment to Scotland.

"Their decision is testament to the quality and skills of the local workforce. Our energy sector boasts strong engineering and manufacturing skills in offshore operations and this is globally recognised across the oil and gas industry.

“Scotland’s success in securing these new jobs and the site is also down to the 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.

“We are a country blessed with rich natural resources and the Scottish Government is determined that we should take advantage of that wealth. Oil and gas and Scotland have enjoyed a very productive relationship over the years and we still have an exciting future. By working in partnership with companies like FMC we can make the most of this for years to come.”

David Currie, Director, Subsea Operations, FMC Technologies said:

“The opening of our new Subsea Product Centre in Bellshill is the next step in our commitment to developing technical capability and talent for the offshore oil and gas industry.

“Our continuing relationship with the Scottish Government via Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International, and alongside our partners in industry and academia, will ensure FMC and our customers continue to benefit from Scotland’s skilled workforce.”

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, which works closely with FMC Technologies in Scotland said:

“FMC Technologies’ innovation and ambition make it exactly the kind of company we need to see more of in Scotland if we are to see strong economic recovery and future growth. Despite the obstacles of the world-wide recession, the company has gone from strength-to-strength, and we are delighted that Scotland is playing a key role in this.

“We need more of our companies – both inward investors and home grown enterprises – to take a similar look at how they can invest in their growth if we are to transform Scotland's economy, and create more jobs and prosperity.”