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Minister visits Aviemore site

On Friday the 24th February, Peter Peacock, the Labour Party’s Scottish Minister for Education and Youth Training, and Maureen MacMillan, Chairperson of the Oil & Gas Committee, visited Hydrasun's Manufacturing facility in Aviemore.

Hydrasun’s Aviemore Plant employs approximately 40 people and in addition to producing a range of standard high pressure fittings and adaptors, tailored solutions to specific customer requirements are also produced in both standard and exotic materials. This includes specialist items manufactured to order as well as quick turnaround production of small batch non standard items.

Mr. Bob McAlpine, Chief Operating Officer and Robin Rigby, Plant Manager, led the site tour where the two Scottish Members of Parliament (MSP’s) were introduced to the workforce and given an overview of the facilities and the measures Hydrasun has put in place to sustain high productivity in the future.

Over the past 12 months the plant has experienced a period of high demand in line with the increase in oil and gas industry activity and in line with this Hydrasun has invested significantly in new plant and equipment to continue to meet customer needs.

Whilst this investment of £150,000 in 3 new axis CNC turning machines has led to increased capacity and as a consequence improved lead times for customers Hydrasun has also focussed heavily on the on the recruitment and training of highly competent engineers and currently has a large percentage of the workforce studying at Inverness College on block and / or day release.

Speaking with Brian Minard, Jamie Stewart & David Robertson, three of Hydrasun’s apprentices who are currently studying engineering based SVQ qualifications, the Ministers learnt how their educational studies helped them develop their skills and better understand Hydrasun’s manufacturing process. Commenting on Hydrasun’s continued commitment to training Bob McAlpine stated that "The workforce in Aviemore played a major role in making 2005 a very successful year for the Hydrasun Group. We will continue to support their efforts and appreciate the contribution they make".

Both the Peter Peacock and Maureen Macmillan hoped that Hydrasun’s achievements would encourage other manufacturing companies to invest and expand in the Highlands. In a post event summary Deirdre Steven, Constituency Manager to the MSPs reflected on the success of the day:

I was just telling my colleagues that, in all the years I have been in this job, the visit to Hydrasun was definitely my favourite! What a happy and kindly workforce- everyone was so easy to talk to as well as being enthusiastic about their respective roles in the firm. What a super group of apprentices too -I didn't catch the name of the boy who very patiently explained to me the processes he undertakes to make the fine holes in connecting valves, he also showed me your tracking system in the event of something going wrong further down the line.- I was fascinated with his work and what a good ambassador he is for your firm.

To you all I big thank you. Peter and Maureen were very impressed and have spoken to Allan Wilson the Depute Minister about your work in Aviemore. It is important to have a mix of quality industries in any area and Hydrasun is a shining example of what can be achieved. If we can be of assistance at any time please do not hesitate to call.

Kind regards to all

Deirdre Steven

Constituency Manager to Maureen Macmillan and Peter Peacock. Members of the Scottish Parliament for Highlands and Islands