Manufacturing in Scotland

The Scottish Government sent out a clear and strong commitment to manufacturing when they chose Falkirk-based bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis as the venue to launch the paper “Scotland’s economy: the case for independence”. Alexander Dennis produces around half of the UK’s buses, in addition to sending vehicles around the world. It is a high-skilled operation, which employs a number of west Fifers.

Manufacturing is key to a successful and sustainable Scottish economy right now and in the future.  We already have a strong manufacturing sector supporting the prosperous oil, gas and renewable energies industries. These areas are all of great importance to Dunfermline and nearby Rosyth, through, for example, FMC Technologies and Babcock Engineering. Carnegie College, in addition, provides first-class manufacturing and energy training.

In Scotland, we are well placed to develop our expertise in hi-tech design and skilled manufacturing even further. But, quite simply, we must have the economic levers to reach our full potential, free from the dead hand of distant London political control.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.