Sir Tom Hunter visited Glasgow’s Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) yesterday and was shown the range of opportunities this state of the art manufacturing facility provides for disabled workers.

RSBi is now one of Europe’s largest assisted workshop facilities, employing 260 workers, of whom more than 50 per cent have a disability. It is operated by City Building, Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company.

During his tour of the factory, Sir Tom Hunter was shown how the latest technology is being used to help staff produce high quality furniture, timber kits for new construction projects and bespoke office solutions to exacting customer standards. He met a variety of workers on the factory floor to hear about RSBi’s unique social ethos and extensive range of products.

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City Building managing director Willie Docherty, said: “At RSBi we place a strong emphasis on empowering the individual to help themselves. Many of our workers have overcome challenges to be part of the RSBi team and help to build a successful manufacturing organisation. That makes them entrepreneurs in their own right.

“We were delighted to welcome Sir Tom Hunter to RSBi because he is a champion of the entrepreneur. Much of the philanthropic work Sir Tom undertakes is about recognising the triumph of the human spirit which is something he has seen for himself at RSBi.”

Sir Tom Hunter said: “I have been very impressed with the workers I have met on my visit to RSBi. They are entrepreneurs in the true sense of the word. They contribute to a successful business and are carrying out a range of skilled jobs.”

Last month Sir Tom Hunter received the Great Scot Award at an STV awards ceremony in London for his tireless work helping others. The 50-year-old is Scotland’s first home-grown billionaire and in 1988 set up The Hunter Foundation to support worthwhile projects.

RSBi has had a presence in Glasgow for more than 200 years. The business has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of the marketplace and currently specialises in manufacturing a wide range of products for a broad customer base across the public, private and third sectors. It works closely with a range of organisations including Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, and employs a number of disabled ex-servicemen at its facility in Glasgow.

(GK)