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Jobs for Renfrewshire
25/08/2010
Global technology firm Hewlett-Packard (HP) is to create 700 new jobs at its Renfrewshire base, it was announced today.
HP plans to increase its Erskine workforce by creating an IT service hub and will receive up to £7 million of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) support from Scottish Enterprise.
Recognised as the world's largest technology company, HP has a portfolio covering printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. Workers at the Erskine site focus on supply chain, telephone and web sales, marketing and customer support. The new investment will establish Erskine as a hub for developing and delivering IT services to UK clients.
This announcement removes local uncertainty over the future of the site following the announcement in 2009 that manufacturing at Erskine would be transferred to the Czech Republic.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"This Government continues to work hard to attract new jobs and investment to Scotland and I am delighted that Hewlett-Packard is creating more than 700 jobs at its Renfrewshire base.
"This announcement is testament to Scotland's strong reputation for excellence in IT and customer services. HP's decision to make this investment at Erskine reflects the quality of Scotland's skilled workforce to perform and deliver success.
"The Scottish Government, Scottish Development International (SDI) and Scottish Enterprise work hard to promote Scotland as a key location to live, work and do business, and these 700 new jobs highlight our strengths as a first class destination for technology."
Marc Waters, head of Strategy & Integration at HP, UK&Ireland said:
"Our clients look to HP to support their business goals by offering innovative, secure, and highly available services. HP has a strong heritage in Scotland and I am delighted to confirm our investment to develop the Erskine site as a hub for delivering industry leading technology services."
Interim Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, David Smith, said:
"SDI, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has worked closely with Hewlett-Packard over the last twelve months, to attract and secure this new investment at the company's Renfrewshire base.
This is fantastic news for Renfrewshire, and HP's ongoing commitment to Scotland shows that the country continues to be an attractive location for international investors, thanks to the skills of our people, a competitive-cost base and a well-developed business infrastructure.
"RSA funding is one of the key tools we can use to encourage both indigenous and foreign companies to invest in Scotland, and is part of the wider package of business support available from SDI and Scottish Enterprise.
"We look forward to working closely with the team at HP to help them realise their ambitious plans for growth in Scotland."