WIREDGOV

New Stirling factory will supply nurses’ uniforms.

26 people made redundant as a result of the UK Government’s closure of the Remploy factories have been given new jobs at the Haven PTS Ltd factory in Stirling, Scottish Government Ministers announced today.

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Alex Neil and Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing officially launched the new business, which has been set up by Rehab Group, and met with employees.

The Ministers also raised concerns over DWP consultation which could lead to the removal of Workchoice funding which supports people into supported employment.

The factory will support public and private customers, including supply of nurses’ uniforms for the Scottish NHS. The three-year contract from Scotland’s health service is worth up to £1.5 million per annum, and will supply up to 150,000 tunics and 100,000 pairs of trousers for NHS workers across Scotland each year.

The Haven PTS textile manufacturing facility is a brand new supported business and has created 26 jobs for people with disabilities who had previously been made redundant by Remploy.

Ministers also launched the Government’s new ‘Supported Businesses’ directory, which showcases the range of capabilities of supported businesses in Scotland.

This includes the Sign Factory in Falkirk, which provides specialist sign services and employs around 23 people, most of whom are disabled, and Dundee-based Dovetail Enterprises, which produces a range of furniture, beds, and mattresses, and employs 55 employees, 36 of whom have a disability.

Speaking at the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Health Alex Neil said: “I am delighted that nurses uniforms for the NHS across Scotland will now be provided by Haven PTS Ltd, and that this work has enabled the company to take on so many former Remploy employees.

“This work, which is worth up to £1.5 million per annum, will enable Haven to provide up to 150,000 tunics and 100,000 pairs of trousers for NHS workers across Scotland each year, while providing sustainable jobs for many workers and helping to stimulate the local economy.”

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said:

“Since April 2012 I have been working very hard to mitigate the effects of the UK Government closure of Remploy factories in Scotland. I chaired the Remploy Stakeholders Group which sought to explore any possible future employment opportunities for affected Remploy employees, and I am delighted that our hard work has resulted in Haven PTS Ltd being able to take on 26 members of staff.

“Throughout the process to sell or close the Remploy businesses, I visited the factories, and indeed I came here to Stirling and saw for myself the high level of skills and experience the workforce have in the manufacture of high quality workwear.

“Without these new opportunities with Haven PTS Ltd, all of the Remploy staff would have been left unemployed and struggled to find new jobs. DWP claimed most would find alternative employment, but as of December last year, less than half of the 250 or so staff made redundant have failed to enter new employment.

“The Scottish Government is determined to safeguard these jobs from Westminster cuts, and will fight to protect the strong supported business sector that exists in Scotland.”

Welcoming the publication of the Supported Businesses directory, Mr Ewing added: “This new updated directory showcases the extensive range of high quality goods and services available from the Scottish Supported Business Sector which is already supplying competitively into both public and private markets, including the new Haven factory.”

Notes to editors

Staff at Haven Protective Technology Solutions have a wealth of experience for designing and producing highly complex products and garments including protective work wear, including life jackets, CBRN suits, and nurses uniforms.

The PCS Team are continually looking for new products and markets which complement the existing business, The business is currently testing a range of work wear for the North Sea Oil and Gas and flood prevention industries as well as producing some high-end fashion garments. The site operates full ISO 9001 accreditation and has highly experienced trained staff in all areas of the business.

The Directory of businesses can be found at - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement/buyer-information/SupportedBusinessScotland