MP visits Superglass

Insulation manufacturer Superglass Insulation has shown Gordon Banks, MP round its manufacturing plant in Stirling.

Operations director, John Ivinson and sales and marketing director, Allan Durningshowed Banks, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire and Shadow Scotland Office Minister, the progress being made at the plant. Superglass is installing the latest technology in its production lines as part of a major capital investment programme being carried out this year.

Banks’ career of 40 years has included employment with Costain Construction in Stirling and Chief Buyer for Barratt Homes, as well as setting up his own building supply business in Fife in the late 1980s of which he is still a director today.

He said: “I feel very strongly that independent manufacturing businesses like Superglass are integral to the construction industry, offering a continuity of supply, competition against multi-national businesses and vibrancy in the marketplace.

“Having a long history in the sector and an understanding of the pressures faced by independent businesses, I was very encouraged by my meeting with the management team of Superglass and excited to hear about the investment being made at the plant to enable them to compete more effectively in the marketplace.

“There is currently a huge retrofit requirement in the UK housing stock and I’ve been disappointed to hear concerns being voiced by the sector that not enough is being done to support current initiatives, such as CERT, as the UK strives to meet agreed carbon reduction targets.

“Both the UK and Scottish Governments have a huge responsibility to the construction industry, as a key driver for growth for the British economy, to support it in delivering energy efficiency measures to cut down on household fuel consumption, saving consumers money and protect or create jobs as a result of increased activity in the manufacturing sector.”

Durning said: “We were pleased to welcome Gordon Banks, a prominent MP in our area, to Superglass to exhibit the ongoing work and product innovation taking place as part of our capital investment programme. As one of the few independent manufacturers left in the UK construction industry we feel it is important to maintain our links with the UK parliament to work with them to highlight and tackle the issues the sector is currently facing.”