Gain from Spain

CUMBERNAULD is beating the recession in spectacular fashion after a multinational firm announced it is bringing 200 new jobs to town.

Spanish company FECSA. has now moved into an 8000 square foot factory in Westfield Industrial Estate - in what is the multinational's first investment into UK-based premises.

Some 40 staff will be recruited in the first instance and the firm hopes to be operational by August.

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They will manufacture high quality high tech garments for the military,

police and other government agencies. These include safety suits, rucksacks, bullet proof vests, sleeping bags and waterproof garments.

The company plans to expand its operation in the near future, possibly in a vacant site next door and become a UK leader in its field. Its order book is truly international - clients include the French air force, the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the German and Belgian armies plus the Colombian police force to name but a few. The firm's corporate clients include Audi/Volkswagen, Royal Mail and BP.

On Friday, VIP guests were given a tour of the plant where the company's wares were out on display. Two company directors from Spain, Emilio Loren Blasco and Carlos de Cos Blanco who are both fluent English speakers jetted in from Madrid for the event.

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The factory's managing director is a man who will be familiar to many in Cumbernauld's manufacturing scene - former Thistle Garments boss Jim Hunter.

A delighted Mr Hunter said: "It is a vote of confidence in the Scottish economy that a multinational company planned to locate a new facility here during the recession and it has ambitious plans to take advantage of the recovery.

"FECSA has recently secured a 137 million Euro contract to supply the Spanish army and our new factory will allow us to expand our market.

The relative strength of the UK economy makes manufacturing investment in the UK an attractive and profitable proposition for both supplier and customer alike."

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Mr Hunter was headhunted by his two Spanish colleagues after they met at a MoD trade fair. He made them wait for two days before discussing that prospect but is glad he did.

"Emilio and Carlos are fantastic. I love working with them. They welcomed me into the company not with a handshake but a hug - brilliant!" said Mr Hunter.

"And it is fabulous to be back in Cumbernauld. We've got a great workforce here - great people. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else."

The Scottish Government's Finance Minister John Swinney welcomed the move.

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Mr Swinney said: "This is great news both for the local economy and for the Scottish economy as whole. It emphasises the underlying strengths of the Scottish economy and that this country has the kind of business environment and work-force that makes it a really attractive place to invest. It also reflects the hard work done by this Government and its agencies, like Scottish Enterprise, to put in place and deliver a comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan that encourages inward investment through tools like RSA.

"That is no doubt a tribute both to the staff and operation already in place in Cumbernauld," said Mr Swinney.

The launch event was also attended by Gregg McClymont, Scottish Labour candidate who said: "I was impressed by the range of specialist clothing FECSA manu-factures and I am pleased they have chosen Cumbernauld for their UK base.

"I am sure the Cumbernauld workforce will do them proud," he added.

FACTFILE

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THE factory was funded by a 280,000 EURO (246,000) investment, followed by a further 300,000 Euros (265,000) This will be invested by FECSA with a 100,000 (113,000 Euro) RSA Grant from Scottish Enterprise over a two year period.

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