Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) – the UK’s largest and one of Europe’s leading assisted manufacturing facilities – will provide bunk beds, mattresses and bedding for the living quarters housing those taking part in the 45th International Children’s Games.
The event takes place at a series of venues across Lanarkshire in August, with up to 1,500 competitors aged 12 to 15 expected to participate. The youngsters will be accompanied by coaches, administrators and delegates from around 80 cities worldwide.
RSBi’s order – won following a competitive tendering process – is for 200 hanging rails, 600 bunk beds, 1,200 mattresses and 1,200 bedding sets.
The furniture will be used to convert classrooms into dormitories during the school summer holidays at the following new-build high schools across Lanarkshire: St Andrew’s in Coatbridge, Holy Cross in Hamilton, and East Kilbride-based St Andrew’s & St Bride’s.
The contract will help to sustain inclusive job opportunities for disabled people, and was awarded under Article 19 of the Public Procurement Directive, which effectively reserves contracts for supported organisations where more than half of the workforce has a disability.
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Lanarkshire also stands to benefit from a successful event and the organising committee is confident of a lasting social legacy for the area. After the games have finished, both local authorities have pledged to make use of the furniture in facilities such as homeless units, ensuring the community will continue to benefit long after the games are over.
Jackie Burns, deputy leader of South Lanarkshire Council and joint chair of the organising committee, said: “This is great news as the benefits will be felt throughout Lanarkshire long after the Games. We will be providing high standard accommodation for the athletes before using it, as part of our Games legacy plan, in facilities that will assist our communities.”
Jim Smith, deputy leader of North Lanarkshire Council and joint chair of the organising committee, said: “We are delighted RSBi successfully won the tender. We want to ensure the athletes and coaches are able to rest and recuperate in comfortable surroundings and I’m confident RSBi will deliver to a very high standard.”
Willie Docherty is managing director of City Building – one of Scotland’s leading construction companies – which operates RSBi. He said: “This contract is a fantastic piece of business for RSBi and provides the opportunity to be involved in the delivery of a prestigious international event.
“It is also an endorsement of the exceptionally high production standards of the RSBi workforce and I would urge more public bodies in Scotland to put the community first and reserve contracts for assisted manufacturing facilities under Article 19.”
He added: “We are very excited by the prospect of contributing to a successful event and a lasting legacy for Lanarkshire by supplying this furniture.”
RSBi employs 260 workers, of whom more than 50 per cent have a disability. It is operated by City Building.
RSBi’s Glasgow facility is a purpose-built, BS EN ISO: 9001 assessed, high-tech manufacturing centre, equipped with the latest automated machinery and a highly-trained and skilled workforce. It is recognised as one of the UK’s leading examples of social enterprise through its commitment to the training and employment of young people from all backgrounds.
Working in partnership with Help for Heroes, Poppy Scotland and Combat Stress. RSBi has ringfenced jobs for returning vulnerable and disabled ex-servicemen and women and now employs six individuals at its Springburn facility in Glasgow.
(GK)
