Politicians have voiced their concerns over the axing of 75 jobs at an South Ayrshire firm.
Medical products wholesaler Guardian Surgical announced the closure of their facilities in Girvan and Ayr in 2022 with 75 jobs lost over the next four months.
A spokesperson for the company, who produce single-use surgical drapes, gowns and tray wraps, said the ‘extremely tough decision’ was made due to a loss of key customers, ‘supply-chain obstacles and a general reduction in routine surgical procedures’.
News of the closure reached First Minister’s Question Time as Elena Whitham, the SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, voiced her concerns.
She said: “I am sure the First Minister will share my disappointment and deep concern at the announcement by Rocialle Healthcare that their Guardian facility in Girvan, in my constituency, will close in 2022 with the loss of 75 jobs over the next four months.
“I would be grateful to the First Minister for her advice on what the Scottish Government can do to support the very skilled workforce and very fragile rural economy which will be hugely impacted by this closure decision.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon replied she was “concerned” to learn of the closure and advised that business minister Ivan McKee “has spoken to the company to explore available options for the sites and its workers.”
She added: “Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with the company to discuss alternatives to closure.
“Obviously the individuals affected are our immediate priority and we’ve already provided information on support available for affected employees through the PACE initiative.”
South Scotland Tory MSP Sharon Dowey said now is the time for the Scottish Government to “step up and do what they can” to support those affected.
“Guardian is a profitable local company with a talented workforce and great reputation so it’s really sad to hear that they will be halting operations,” she said.
“It’s pretty clear that the loss of Guardian is going to be a major blow to the economy in Girvan.
“It seems odd that Guardian have spent so long investing in the workforce here but will now leave, especially as they expanded the site a few years ago.
“Now’s the time for the Scottish Government to step up and do what they can do to support people in the town who have lost their jobs.
“I’ll be writing to the finance minister to ask what assistance she’ll be providing those affected by the closure.”
Girvan councillor and leader of South Ayrshire Council, Peter Henderson, said he shared “everybody’s disappointment” in the decision.
He said: “For Girvan it’s a real blow. It’ll have a major effect on the town. The majority of the workforce is based in Girvan. No job loss is a good thing.
“We don’t want to lose jobs, we want to increase the opportunities and workforce for the Girvan area.
“We need to retain the skills. It’s a specialised area of field. We would like to maintain that presence, not just for Girvan but for Scotland as well.”
Mr Henderson is hopeful a similar outcome could be sought to Guardian Surgical’s troubles in 2017, which saw South Ayrshire Council team up with agencies to save job cuts.
Mr Henderson added: “The council, Scottish Enterprise and the government all intervened to maintain the workforce in 2017 so we’re working on that just now.
“We managed it before in 2017 and I’ve got fingers crossed [for the same outcome] but I can’t make any promises until we get through the negotiations.”
Girvan councillor Ian Fitzsimmons said he was “shocked” to hear of the news.
He added: “It is a blow for Girvan and the surrounding area, the loss of so many jobs. That factory has been at Grangestone Estate since the estate was opened. I hope the company will reprieve the two sites.”
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