Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing has today announced £2 million Regional Selective Assistance funding which will help safeguard 187 jobs at Superglass Insulation in Stirling.

He said: "I am delighted that this funding will further secure the jobs of 187 employees, as well as ensure the continued future success of a major company in the Forth Valley area.

"The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are working hard to promote Scotland as an attractive and competitive location to do business.

"Many international businesses have announced major investments in Scotland in recent months, including Avaloq, Dell, Gamesa, Amazon and Doosan Power Systems. These investments are testament to the quality of workforce, skills and infrastructure that we have in Scotland - and with the full financial and economic powers of independence, we could achieve even more."

Alex McLeod, Chief Executive of Superglass said: "I am delighted that we have been successful in obtaining RSA funding. This award reaffirms the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise's commitment to the Scottish manufacturing sector.

"It will, when combined with the support we have received from investors and Clydesdale Bank, enable Superglass to implement a capital investment programme at our Stirling manufacturing plant which will improve our operational efficiency and competitive position, while creating and safeguarding jobs."

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Lena Wilson, chief executive, Scottish Enterprise, said: "Superglass is a company with a real determination to succeed and this RSA award will help make it even more competitive.

"RSA is a key tool we use to help home-grown companies expand and grow in Scotland and to help investors companies locate here. By doing so we can help create more jobs, ultimately boosting the long-term recovery of the Scottish economy.

"As well as RSA, the company has benefited from an integrated package of support from Scottish Enterprise including help with its environmental sustainability and assistance with improving efficiencies and reducing operating costs. We look forward to continuing to work with Superglass to help further realise its ambitious growth plans."

Superglass began manufacturing at its Stirling site in 1987 and is a major supplier of glass wool insulation products for the construction industry, a key product in meeting the government's continuing legislative programme for improved energy efficiency and noise control in buildings.

Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is the main national scheme of financial assistance to industry, and is administered by Scottish Enterprise. The scheme provides discretionary grants to investment projects that will create and safeguard employment in areas designated for regional aid under European Community law. Payment of RSA is made in instalments, typically over several years as job and capital expenditure targets are met.

Over the past year, Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) has supported the creation of more than 7,000 jobs and delivered 234 million pounds of investment into Scotland's economy. Economic growth is key to Scotland's success and we will continue to work with business to capitalise on Scotland's strengths and to secure new investment and jobs.

This is the first full financial year that Scottish Enterprise has been responsible for administering and awarding the grant directly. This means that RSA now forms part of a package of integrated support offered by Scottish Enterprise to companies with the potential to make the biggest difference to Scotland's economic performance.

(GK)