This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ayrshire bottling factory
23/10/2003
An Ayrshire bottling factory has capitalised on Executive support, Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said today.
Visiting Caledonian Bottlers Ltd in Cumnock, Mr Macdonald said that Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grants had supported its growth every step of the way.
He said:
"I'm very impressed by with the way in which this company has adapted and modernised to changing circumstances, ensuring that its business remains relevant to the modern marketplace.
"Caledonian Bottling is an established business of great importance to the local economy. Two RSA offers creating 26 new jobs and totalling over £120,000 have helped the company to expand its operations and to grow its workforce to 60.
"This project illustrates how our home-grown businesses can benefit from RSA and demonstrates how the right support - allied to commitment, vision and innovation from companies themselves - can really deliver results."
RSA is the main national scheme of financial assistance to industry, helping to create and safeguard jobs and encourage investment in the economically disadvantaged areas of Scotland. From devolution in 1999 to the end August 2003, 100 separate projects in the Ayrshire LEC (local enterprise company) area have received over £21.6 million in RSA payments.
Caledonian Bottlers received an offer of RSA totalling £96,000 in April 1995. The project was to enable the company to relocate from smaller premises at Thistle Industrial Estate, Cumnock to its current premises at Cumnock Business Park, and led to the creation of 19 new jobs and the safeguarding of eight jobs.
Prior to this, the company had received an offer of RSA totalling £25,000 in September 1993. This offer was made towards the installation of a new production line and led to the creation of seven new jobs.