Oil and gas engineering specialist Plexus Holdings this week posted a big increase in losses after the fallout from the coronavirus crisis took a toll on sales in key markets such as the UK North Sea.

However, chief executive Ben van Bilderbeek said the Aberdeen-based company was well-placed to benefit from the return to growth that he reckons the industry will “undoubtedly” see in 2021.

READ MORE: The prediction appears to reflect confidence that the slump in demand triggered by the coronavirus will prove to be short-lived and that the fundamentals of the market remain strong.

The Herald: The Marloe Watch Company hailed the moveThe Marloe Watch Company hailed the move

Switch to Scotland perfectly timed by luxury watch firm

A watch company business upped sticks from Henley-on-Thames and moved to Scotland because of its political outlook earlier this year, and is now closing in on its long-held ambition to assemble timepieces on these shores.

READ MORE: Marloe Watch Company made headlines when it revealed that Brexit had been a key factor in its decision to relocate to Perth in February, with its directors noting then that a Scottish base “sits better with our values as a pro-Remain organisation”.

The Herald: Antonio Horta-Osorio is changing job.Antonio Horta-Osorio is changing job.

Outgoing Lloyds chief lands big new job in banking

Departing Lloyds Banking Group chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio is set to take over as chairman of investment banking and wealth management heavyweight Credit Suisse in May.

READ MORE: Mr Horta Osorio will stand down as chief executive of Lloyds, which owns Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows, on April 30.

The Herald: The new store welcomed shoppers of all ages.The new store welcomed shoppers of all ages.

Scotland's largest M&S Food store opens

Marks & Spencer hasopened its largest M&S Food store in Scotland, near Edinburgh.

READ MORE: The new 15,000 square foot store in Straiton Retail Park has a large greengrocer-style fresh market, offering an "outstanding range of M&S Select Farms produce, lots of which is locally grown in Scotland", including Inverness-grown rainbow and baby carrots, and Arbroath-grown sweet strawberries.

Omega expects ‘significantly improved’ second half after posting £1.8m loss

Omega Diagnostics has underlined the strength of its business prospects beyond Covid testing kits after posting a £1.8 million loss for the six months to the end of September.

READ MORE: The increase in its pre-tax deficit from £331,000 in the same period a year earlier had been anticipated, with the pandemic hitting sales within the food intolerance business. Revenues from this division fell by 38%, with reductions in most geographic regions but “particularly” in North America and Europe.

Hospitality workers abused by customers amid rules confusion

Staff are being abused by customers who refuse to accept Government guidance on eating and drinking out, industry leaders have said.

READ MORE: The extent of the abuse was laid bare as MSPs on a Holyrood committee heard first-hand the challenges facing Scotland’s hospitality industry as it struggles through coronavirus.

Opinion

Scott Wright: Deserted streets signal bleak midwinter for Scottish shops

Mark Williamson: More upheaval in prospect in banking sector

Kristy Dorsey: Challenges in store as jobless seek work in new industries

And finally ... from the bulletin: Glasgow Dexter family-owned restaurant firm to open in St James Quarter | Scotland's largest M&S food store opens | University spin-out secures £26.6m to treat liver damage

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