New production plant opened

Scotia Double Glazing welcomed Michael Matheson, Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure
and Connectivity to formally open its new Kilmarnock manufacturing plant.

The cabinet secretary led a visiting party from East Ayrshire local authority to cut the ribbon
at the new 50,000ft² facility, which was constructed by the council as part of a project to
develop the Moorfield Park site to meet demand from local businesses.

During his visit, Michael toured the company’s new production site. In relocating from its
original base over five sites in Bonnyton Industrial Estate, Kilmarnock, Scotia has been able
to come together under one roof, securing 183 jobs and creating 20 more. This has
increased its weekly manufacturing capacity from 1,170 units to 1,800 since the move, with
the promise of further new jobs.

Michael said: “I am delighted to officially open the new premises at Moorfield Park which
will create and sustain high quality jobs in Kilmarnock and beyond. In particular, I am
pleased that the business park will be further supported with £12 million of funding through
the Scottish Government’s overall £103 million commitment to the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
The deal will create new jobs, protect existing ones and extend economic opportunity to
communities, families and individuals throughout Ayrshire.”

Robert McKnight, managing director of Scotia Double Glazing, said: “Merging our five
production units from Bonnyton into a new bespoke factory here in Moorfield has allowed
us to improve efficiencies and the quality of our products. We have also made a significant
investment in new machinery which has resulted in increased production, and further
expansion is planned for our Kilmarnock operation.”

Scotia is also currently in the process of commissioning a separate 10,000ft² facility to roll
out a dedicated manufacturing line for its trade products. This will act as a temporary
measure while it plans the second phase of its expansion at Moorfield Park in 2020, again in
conjunction again with East Ayrshire Council.