Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), City Building's manufacturing division, is Europe's largest supported employer and one of the UK's most successful social enterprises.
It was recently awarded a contract worth almost £900,000 to supply kitchens to East Renfrewshire Council through the Scottish Government's Framework for Supported Businesses. City Building's construction division was then awarded an additional contract to fit the kitchens, bringing the total value of the win to almost £1.4m.
It is estimated that RSBi and City Building will deliver in the region of 115 kitchens over the next three years, helping to upgrade East Renfrewshire Council's social housing stock and provide improved living conditions for tenants.
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Based in a specially adapted factory in the Springburn area of Glasgow, more than half of RSBi's 250 staff have a disability. The workforce includes people with sight and hearing loss, wheelchair users, veterans with PTSD and individuals with additional learning needs.
The business, which combines a socially responsible ethos with commercial practices, designs and crafts a range of products including kitchens, bathrooms, office furniture, student accommodation and timber kits for new homes. Its high-quality products are in demand across the UK, with the firm supplying goods and services to leading organisations including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Scottish Enterprise, and the National Registrars of Scotland.
Ben Kerr, RSBi manager, said: "We are extremely proud of our new contract with East Renfrewshire Council, which we achieved with the support of the Scottish Government's Supported Businesses scheme.
"RSBi provides employment for many people who might otherwise struggle to get work, and ensures they have an opportunity to contribute their skills to society, but we are so much more.
"We have found exciting ways to enable people of all abilities to work together as makers, innovators and craftspeople. Buyers come to us for our high standards and quality products, not just because some of our staff are disabled."
Councillor Danny Devlin, housing and maintenance convener at East Renfrewshire Council, added: "We are pleased to continue our work with City Building on this exciting project. We are committed to providing high quality, safe homes for our tenants and these kitchen upgrades will further improve our housing stock. We look forward to the works getting underway in this new year and beyond."
