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3 minute read - 22nd March 2021

Alpha Solway to open new Scottish manufacturing centre

Scottish-based PPE manufacturer Alpha Solway is set to create over 300 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities at a new manufacturing facility, owing to a unique multi-million pound public-private investment partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

The Annan-based company, part of the Globus Group, will begin construction this month after securing funding of £4.8m from SOSE. The new factory will have an overall build cost of £12m, part of Alpha Solway’s total investment of more than £33m in the Dumfries and Galloway region. Globus is to more than match the SOSE funds in a collaboration designed to boost the Scottish economy and cement the long-term future of manufacturing in the region.

The first phase of development on the 15-acre site in Dumfries is scheduled to be fully operational by summer 2021. The development will see the creation of more than 300 new jobs, bringing the total recruited by Globus, since last autumn, to over 1,000 by the end of 2021, making the company the biggest British PPE manufacturer and one of the largest private sector employers in the South of Scotland region.

PPE manufacturer Alpha Solway is set to create over 300 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities at a new facility in Scotland / Picture: Globus Alpha Solway

A second phase to build another PPE plant in Annan will break ground later this year. The public-private partnership investment in the two new facilities represents a vote of confidence in the Scottish economy and recognition of the enduring value and appeal of ‘Made in the UK’ products for healthcare and industry sectors internationally.

Amid the disruption to the global PPE supply chain caused by Coronavirus last year, Globus Group committed to manufacture 75% of its products in the UK. Two facilities were launched by the business in 2020 in Dumfries and Warrington. Last summer, also saw Alpha Solway secure a major contract with the Scottish Government to provide PPE to NHS Scotland throughout the pandemic and beyond.

At full capacity, the Globus Group business will produce one billion medical masks and 300 million FFP respirators per annum.

Alpha Solway director, Steven Binnie, said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to have been awarded this funding by the South of Scotland Enterprise. We are totally committed to the Scottish economy and the South of Scotland communities, so our aims have so much in common with SOSE. It takes real vision and innovative thinking on all sides to develop this kind of public-private partnership which will deliver real long-term benefits for the region and for the NHS workers and others who rely on our products.

“The site will create around 300 sustainable new jobs for the community, driving the local economy forward. The announcement of the new facility has cemented our long-term commitment to having 75% of our products made in the UK – as quickly as we could. Alpha Solway has the expertise, resilience and reliability in respiratory PPE and SOSE has helped to drive forward our expansion plans to create the fast solutions required by the NHS healthcare market.”

Once at full capacity, Alpha Solway will produce one billion medical masks and 300 million FFP respirators per annum / Picture: Globus Alpha Solway

South of Scotland Enterprise was launched on 1 April 2020 as the new economic and community development agency for Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders. Established by the Scottish Government, SOSE’s mission is to drive inclusive growth, increase competitiveness and tackle inequality within the region. It will provide investment, expertise and mentoring, and aims to inspire the region to think bigger, and unlock significant opportunities for all.

Professor Russel Griggs OBE, chair of SOSE, added: “I am delighted we have supported Alpha Solway with this £4.8m financial investment, our largest grant to date. This significant support package demonstrates our commitment to secure the long-term future of manufacturing in the South of Scotland. Our vision is to establish the South of Scotland as a centre of opportunity, innovation and growth.

“The establishment of the new manufacturing hub and a centre of excellence for PPE will not only create and sustain many new jobs in the region, but we hope will inspire the South of Scotland to think bigger and more innovatively. Ultimately, we hope this investment will secure a Scottish-owned base to manufacture PPE for Scotland, UK and international markets.”

Scottish Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, said: “This is tremendous news for the south of Scotland economy, creating 300 new jobs and underlining the important role that the manufacture of vital protective equipment can play in our recovery.

“The Scottish Government acted quickly and decisively to expand and strengthen PPE supplies in a globally challenging market. Excluding the supply of gloves, over 90% of PPE supplied to NHS Scotland is now manufactured in Scotland. This will help to protect us from any global supply issues and ensure our frontline staff continue to have the protection they need.”


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