Continued investment creates new jobs

Blairs Windows will introduce a new PVCU production line, which will supplement the existing range of timber window and external door sets.

All products will be manufactured in its 120,000ft2 unit in Greenock.

The Blairs brand was founded in 1913, and PVCU will be new to the manufacturing facilities in Greenock but will increase overall group capacity when combined with the long-standing PVCU production facilities of Merlin Network at Dalgety Bay, Fife.

Alex Gray, managing director of the Saveheat Group, said: “PVCU will be new at Greenock but the group has a wealth of experience to draw on. We already supply PVCU to businesses in the west of Scotland and further afield and this investment is just the next logical step. We have big plans for the group.”

Merlin Network’s expertise is in the window and conservatory sectors, while Blairs Aluminium Systems offers a full range of aluminium glazing systems. Saveheat Glass is a leading manufacturer of insulating glass units, whereas Blairs Timber Windows has traditionally provided high quality bespoke windows and external doorsets.

A large portion of the £1 million investment will be in machinery. This will be supplied through a collaboration with The Saw Centre and Stuga; new ZX3 and ZX5 machining centres have been ordered along with automated machinery.

Colin Torley, group sales and operations director, said: “2018 was a fantastic year for our four companies and with Merlin Network returning record performances for the last two years, we felt that we needed to expend the PVCU side further. Investment and expansion is also planned for the timber, aluminium and glazing companies later in 2019, including a new timber plant.”

Already employing 150 staff across its manufacturing locations in the central belt of Scotland, this expansion will provide up to 20 new job opportunities for the area.