THE First Minister has officially opened a new £15 million flint furnace at an Ayrshire firm, boosting clear glass bottle production for the Scottish drinks industry and securing 225 jobs.
World-leading glass packaging firm Ardagh Group, in Irvine, has revealed its new plant uses the latest environmentally efficient technology, together with the state-of-the-art inspection equipment, making it one of the most advanced in Europe.
The company made the £15m investment, with the help of a grant from Scottish Enterprise’s Aid for Environmental Protection Scheme, to speed up production, improve quality and secure a future for their highly skilled workforce.
Ardagh Group produces over 35 billion glass and metal containers a year for food, beverages, spirits and pharmaceuticals for a number of key markets in Europe, North America and around the world.
The new P5 green furnace will allow the group to increase annual production to 330 million bottles a year whilst also reducing energy consumption and raw materials.
The group have stated the furnace and equipment investment at the Irvine plant would reduce its annual C02 emissions by approximately 2,400 tonnes a year, “despite the increased output”.
Nicola Sturgeon told The National she was delighted to be invited to open the new furnace and praised the firm for joining the Scottish Business Pledge to give their workers the living wage.
She added: “This is evidence of the company’s continued investment in its Irvine site, which is something to be commended. I also welcome the news that Ardagh has made a commitment to the Scottish Business Pledge, making them one of first companies in the spirits supply chain to do so. The Scottish Government will continue to work with Ardagh to ensure the continued success and growth of the business.”
The firm began production in 1920 trading as Portland Glass and bosses say the new flint furnace for clear glass production will give them the edge over competitors. The group says its Irvine plant is now one of the most advanced and efficient bottle producers in Europe.
Graeme Shepherd, Ardagh Group director of operations said: “I was very pleased to welcome the First Minister to this important manufacturing centre in this, her home town, as well as the many colleagues, customers, suppliers and supporters, who have made it possible for our plant to continually thrive and provide such an important service to the drinks industry here in Scotland.
“The Irvine plant is well regarded within the Ardagh Group for the quality of our output, the calibre of our management and workforce and the professionalism of our customer service, supported by on-going investment in technology and systems.”
Rhona Allison, Scottish Enterprise company growth support director, said: “Our support to Ardagh demonstrates that by tailoring financial support to an individual company’s needs we can help generate investment into existing facilities and, in this case, increase environmental efficiencies that improve overall plant performance and benefit the Scotch whisky and spirits industries.”
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