Highland MSP Congratulates Far North Kitchen Firm

24th August 2015

Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, David Stewart has congratulated Caithness kitchen manufacturer Ashley Ann following its announced expansion plans over the next two years, lodging a motion in the Scottish Parliament.

The Caithness based firm, which has its manufacturing site in Wick, which alone employees over 100 people, has announced major plans to expand the site over the next two years with over £1million being invested in the factory. The expansion will see the addition of a biomass heating scheme, a factory staff canteen and a large despatch store by the spring of 2016.

Ashley Ann, who are predicting an annual turnover of around £20 million after the expansion, have also committed to becoming Living Wage employers. The firm are one of the largest private employers in Caithness, outwith the Dounreay nuclear site.

Congratulating the firm, Highland MSP David Stewart said:"Ashley Ann are a true Caithness success story and deserve congratulations and recognition for the continued growth and local expansion of the firms manufacturing facilities. I visited the manufacturing site in Wick in 2013 and saw the skill and craftsmanship that goes into the high quality kitchens produced by Stephen Bremer and his team there, this expansion will not only bolster the firms reputation but help boost the local economy as well.

Continuing Mr Stewart said: "The fact that Ashley Ann are not only expanding the business, but also committing to become living wage employers is great news for the workforce. I am a huge supporter of the living wage and to see one of the largest private employers in Caithness take the lead by paying its staff the living wage, I hope this will set an example and other local private employers will follow suit and deliver decent pay for a decent days work."