HIE Network Welcomes Contract Boost For Caithness
27th March 2002
The news that AGM Batteries in Thurso is to be involved in supplying high-tech batteries for a multi-million pound military radio system has been warmly welcomed by the north's development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The announcement secures the 120 jobs at the plant, and provides real potential for future expansion.
The HIE Network, through Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE), was instrumental in bringing the AGM Battery plant to Thurso 3 years ago and the plant's success is a tremendous boost to the area.
CASE chief executive Carroll Buxton said: "We were delighted to bring AGM Batteries to Thurso - and we're looking forward to working closely with them in future - this order demonstrates the huge potential that exists for the technologically-advanced batteries which are being produced there.
"This underlines the ability of Caithness, and the whole of the Highlands and Islands, to sustain this kind of high-tech manufacturing business through a combination of a skilled workforce and attractive locations.
"It also highlights the benefits to be gained from commercial exploitation of research work being carried out in the area. The technology behind the batteries being produced in Thurso was developed by AEA Technology and is now sustaining valuable jobs and development - a success which we and the HIE Network will try to encourage elsewhere."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Cairngorm will benefit from more than £20 million to make it a year-round attraction, generating significant economic benefits for the local area and Scotland's tourism sector. Funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), more than £16 million of the investment will be used to support reinstatement of Scotland's only funicular railway and bring it back into service during winter 2021-22.
Renewable energy industry groups in Scotland and Germany are joining forces to boost the production of both offshore wind energy and green hydrogen. The north of Scotland's offshore wind cluster organisation, DeepWind, has today (Wednesday 23 September 2020) signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its German counterpart, WAB.
A project to create accommodation facilities at Kishorn dry dock in Wester Ross has secured investment of up to £94,675 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Having on-site accommodation will enhance the dock's capacity and help it attract more high-end contracts in offshore renewables and oil and gas decommissioning.
£2 million for locally-led green recovery. Island communities will benefit from a £2 million programme of locally-led green projects designed to help support their economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A free programme to help businesses accelerate their growth has opened for new applications, with a virtual taster session arranged for 24 September 2020. Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Pathfinder Accelerator programme provides fast-track training and mentoring and will be delivered completely online.
The online news hound "The Ferret has published a story today that the space hubs being proposed for Sutherland and Shetland will be used to launch spy satellites. The arms industry is preparing to use two spaceports planned for Scotland to launch military spy satellites, an investigation by The Ferret can reveal.
The Nouster Boat Store is situated on Papa Westray (known locally as Papay) and will become home for a new arts residency programme and the Bothy Museum, which is currently located at Holland Farm on the island. Papay Development Trust has been awarded £31,458 funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help it acquire and develop the Grade B Listed building.
Unlocking the potential of the Highlands and Islands will be a key factor in Scotland's recovery, writes Alistair Dodds, Chair of HIE. Nothing focuses the mind more than a crisis.
Cairngorm Estate owner, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), has responded positively to a request from stakeholders to extend the deadline, which was originally to be 31 August. Deadline extended to 15 September.
Businesses that meet the criteria will be eligible for both grants and a holistic business review with bespoke support based on their individual needs. Carroll Buxton, deputy chief executive of HIE, said: "Hotels are at the heart of our tourism sector, which is central to our regional economy and a vital source of rural employment.
