A much-needed jobs boost was announced for East Kilbride this week at the College Milton site of Konecranes.
Last year the Finnish firm announced they would be letting 80 members of staff go amidst efforts to “fix the lack of profitability”
Now J & D Pierce have secured an agreement with the firm to purchase their East Kilbride based operation.
That sees them takeover the 300,000 sq ft plant, along with 14 Acres of yard space, and will see the creation of around 100 jobs in the town.
Having negotiated the deal managing director, Derek Pierce, said: “We have purchased the building and land and secured a long-term sub-contract agreement with Konecranes.
“This is a great step forward for us and STRUBEAM, and we hope to create a positive impact in the community in East Kilbride.”
Recruitment will soon take place for both manufacturing and office staff, and it is expected the jobs will all be created by the end of 2021.
Based in the town’s Peel Park industrial estate, Konecranes provided specialist lifting equipment for industries across the world.
In 2014, the Finnish firm centralised their UK machine tool service to the College Milton site, making it a vital arm of the business outside its Castle Donington headquarters.
Despite that investment, last August they announced redundancies here in East Kilbride.
But, with cranes being built in the facility for over 60 years, J & D Pierce say they are “delighted” to continue production to supply and serve their large client base.
Linda Fabiani MSP welcomed the development, saying she was impressed with the vision for the future.
She added: “I have had a long discussion with Derek Pierce and am impressed with the company’s commitment to long-term growth in the business in East Kilbride.
“I have assured Mr Pierce that I will do all I can to help achieve this.”
Graham Simpson MSP added: “This expansion is positive news for the area and will create over 100 new high-skilled manufacturing jobs – it is very welcome in the current climate for this long-standing company.”
