Highlands & Islands Leading Environmentally-Positive Firms Announced

30th November 2004

Companies go through to Scotland-wide final of VIBES awards next week

The Highlands and Islands most environmentally-positive companies have been announced by judges of Scotland's leading environmental awards for businesses.

Global provider of total subsea solutions, Wick-based Subsea 7, has won the Highlands and Islands large company category, salmon farming specialist Loch Duart, based in Scourie, has won the Highlands and Islands medium-sized company category while Shetland-based recycling project Enviroglass came top in the Highlands and Islands category for small companies.

All three companies – along with three each from the East, West and South of Scotland – go through to the final next Tuesday 7 December at the Hub in Edinburgh where Scotland's most environmentally-astute businesses will be announced at the fifth annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.

VIBES recognises and rewards the efforts of Scottish businesses to become more efficient and competitive through improving environmental performance and benefiting a company's bottom line.

Gillian Bruce, VIBES chair and judge said: "These companies have been recognised for their commitment to the environment and for demonstrating how implementing environmental initiatives at work can not only benefit the environment but also impact positively on their bottom line."

Nick Joy, Managing Director of Scourie-based Loch Duart commented: "We are delighted to hear that Loch Duart has been recognised for its commitment to the environment. All of us have worked hard to achieve this. We are lucky to have such dedicated staff and customers, who appreciate what we do and are willing to pay for it. Loch Duart Limited sells in 16 countries now and this demonstrates that environmentally friendly food production is appreciated everywhere.

"We are looking forward to the event on 7 December and – whether we win a national award or not – would urge all Scottish companies, whatever their size, to take part in VIBES next year."