Scottish Enterprise chairman visits a company of scale

Scottish Enterprise’s chairman Crawford Gillies, is to visit Lanarkshire-based engineering company, Motherwell Bridge today (7 June), where he will meet its newly appointed Chief Executive, Russell Ward, and hear first hand his ambitious plans to drive the company out of the recession.

The company is already working intensively with Scottish Enterprise through its companies of scale programme, which offers tailored support to help companies achieve significant growth, and has helped increase its pipeline of enquiries by over 100% since September 2009.

Russell Ward, chief executive of Motherwell Bridge said “With over 100 years of steel, fabrication and industrial process solution experience, we pride ourselves in being an innovative and progressive, world class organisation with a strong leadership culture.

“We have been working closely with Scottish Enterprise since 2007, focussing on two key areas - developing our large tanks in targeted overseas markets as well as diversifying our material handling services to maximise the opportunities that exist in the renewable energy markets in the UK. 

“The support has consisted of carrying out a review of the company and developing an action plan, expert advice on the renewable energy sector including identifying what opportunities exist and introducing us to key companies and local authorities, as well as specialist companies of scale support.   

“The support really has been invaluable and I look forward to continuing to work with Scottish Enterprise in the future.”

Crawford Gillies, chairman of Scottish Enterprise said “Scotland needs more companies like Motherwell Bridge if it is to compete in the global economy. 

“The benefits it can make to the Scottish economy are substantial and if we are to increase our productivity levels to those of the top performing economies in Europe, it is estimated we need another 68 companies with a turnover of more than £100 million.

“We need to concentrate our efforts on those companies which will have the biggest impact on the Scottish economy, and Motherwell Bridge is exactly the sort of company we want to be working with.

“The company has demonstrated real global ambition and, despite the recent challenging trading conditions, has taken advantage of new opportunities to realise its full potential.”