Scotland Expands Vision in Hi-Tech Manufacturing

Scottish life-sciences and chemical companies are calling on the United Kingdom as well as global manufacturers to recognize Scotland as a European base. GBP1 billion have been invested towards the expansion of Scottish manufacturing facilities during the past three years.

The life-sciences sector is seeking to achieve growth and double its turnover to GBP6.3 billion by 2020 while the chemical sector is aiming to increase exports by 50% from GBP3 billion to GBP4.5 billion in the next five years. Major companies in the sector include GSK, BASF Pharma, Johnson Matthey, Exxonmobil and Ineos. Other companies with a significant international presence are Charles River Laboratories, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Millipore Terumo, and ClinTec.

An industry-led strategy was launched in September 2015 in which senior experts from life-sciences and chemical companies set out how Scotland provides the infrastructure, connectivity and academic excellence necessary to sustain a thriving manufacturing base. The plan includes changing perceptions of manufacturing and recognizing that it is a highly skilled, well-paid career choice; commercializing research by translating intellectual properties into opportunities for manufacturing; strengthening the manufacturing base by identifying and filling gaps in the facilities available to support development and growth; highlighting the benefits of “re-shoring” manufacturing to Scotland from overseas and the strength of the supply chain infrastructure; and attracting investment from overseas companies.

The next step for the strategy will see task groups led by industry and managed by Scottish Enterprise. Each group will articulate key priorities and milestones to achieve them.

Source: Scottish Enterprise