UNCERTAINTY FOR 130 WORKERS AT THREATENED WIND TURBINE FACTORY

acknowledgements to Martin Empson CCCTU


UNCERTAINTY FOR 130 WORKERS AT THREATENED WIND TURBINE FACTORY
By Lucinda Cameron, Press Association Scotland


A company which makes wind turbine parts has gone into administration.


Skykon Campbeltown suffered when its Denmark-based parent company Skykon suspended payments to creditors in October.


Around 130 people work at Skykon’s factory in Machrihanish, Argyll.


Colin Dempster and Andrew Davison of Ernst & Young are the appointed administrators.


Mr Davison said: “We are currently reviewing the facility’s financial position and order book with a view to assessing its immediate trading prospects.


“Some initial expressions of interest have been made and all options will be explored to find a future for the site.”


Danish firm Skykon bought the plant, which makes towers for wind farms, from Vestas in 2009.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Scottish Development International and HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) are working with the administrators and their various stakeholders to achieve a positive outcome, and every effort is being made to secure the viability of the asset and long term, low carbon jobs for the area.”


Douglas Cowan, Argyll and The Islands area manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “HIE and our partners have been working hard to avoid this outcome for Campbeltown.
“We will now do all we can to assist the administrator to identify and negotiate with a new operator.


“Investment in this site over the past 10 years has created a great asset for Argyll and I have no doubt it will attract international interest from potential tenants.”
Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute Alan Reid said he had been in contact with the administrators as well as Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Alex Salmond after the announcement.


Mr Reid said: “The Scottish Government must do all that it can to ensure that the Machrihanish factory resumes production as quickly as possible and that a buyer is found to give the factory a secure future.


“As well as the many jobs that are at stake, the towers being made there are important to help meet our renewable energy targets.


“Without this factory, future employment prospects for people in Kintyre would be grim. Everything possible must be done to keep the factory going.”
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