Gow's Lybster Limited, a family-run engineering fabrication firm, is investing in a project to improve productivity, grow business turnover, and create new jobs.

The company has been working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop its growth plans and has recently secured two major new contracts from outside the region. With funding from HIE, Gow's Lybster will install two new high-tech welding machines, known as "cobots". These machines will significantly improve productivity and ensure consistent high-quality workmanship.

The company will train existing employees on the use of the cobots and continue to recruit apprentices to maintain a supply of skilled welders. Over the next three years, the increased production capacity is expected to create four new full-time jobs, boost annual turnover by £1 million, and attract more large-scale fabrication contracts.

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Hilary Budge senior development manager with HIE's Caithness and Sutherland team said: "Gow's Lybster has been around for nearly twenty years and is an important part of the local economy, with specialist expertise in technology and advanced engineering. The company has done well to compete successfully for major contracts from outwith the area.

"This project will see the latest technology brought into the firm, improving productivity and quality, thereby strengthening its position to bid competitively for more large-scale contracts. The investment will help attract new talent, develop the engineering sector and diversify the local economy, which in turn will help benefit community resilience.

"I'm very pleased we've been able to support the project and look forward to continuing to work with the company."

Wullie Robertson, managing director of Gow's Lybster Limited, said:

"The introduction of new technologies along with the upskilling of our existing workforce and the recruitment of further apprentices will secure the company's future manufacturing capability and capacity.

"The investment will allow us to secure further contracts from across the UK and to bring the manufacturing operations to Caithness. We very much welcome and appreciate HIE's involvement in our success over the past 20 years."