STIRLING: Superglass Insulation was very pleased to welcome Gordon Banks, member of parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire and Shadow Scotland Office Minister, to its manufacturing plant in Stirling last week (24 Sept) where he met with key members of the senior management team who accompanied him on a tour of the site.
Operations director, John Ivinson and sales and marketing director, Allan During were on hand to show Mr Banks firsthand the progress being made at the plant as Superglass prepares to install the latest technology in the first of its production lines as part of the major capital investment programme being carried out this year.
As both a local MP and having an extensive background in the manufacturing and construction industry Superglass felt it was important to invite Mr Banks to visit the plant to demonstrate the commitment of the management team in transforming the manufacturing capability of Superglass and safe guarding many local jobs. John Ivinson and Allan Durning were also eager to discuss ongoing industry issues and to get his support in backing the independent manufacturer as a key part of the building trade in the UK.
Mr Banks’ career of 40 years has included employment with Costain Construction in Stirling and as chief buyer for Barratt Homes, as well as setting up his own building supply business in Fife in the late 1980s of which is still a director of today.
Allan Durning, sales and marketing director at Superglass commented, ‘We were pleased to welcome Gordon Banks, a prominent MP in our area, to Superglass to exhibit the ongoing work and product innovation taking place as part of our capital investment programme. As one of the few independent manufacturers left in the UK construction industry we feel it is important to maintain our links with the UK parliament to work with them to highlight and tackle the issues the sector is currently facing.”
Following his visit to Superglass MP Gordon Banks said, ‘I feel very strongly that independent manufacturing businesses like Superglass are integral to the construction industry, offering a continuity of supply, competition against multi-national businesses and vibrancy in the marketplace. Having a long history in the sector and an understanding of the pressures faced by independent businesses, I was very encouraged by my meeting with the management team of Superglass and excited to hear about the investment being made at the plant to enable them to compete more effectively in the marketplace.
“There is currently a huge retrofit requirement in the UK housing stock and I’ve been disappointed to hear concerns being voiced by the sector that not enough is being done to support current initiatives, such as CERT, as the UK strives to meet agreed carbon reduction targets. Both the UK and Scottish Governments have a huge responsibility to the construction industry, as a key driver for growth for the British economy, to support it in delivering energy efficiency measures to cut down on household fuel consumption, saving consumers money and protect or create jobs as a result of increased activity in the manufacturing sector.”
