£250k boost for new whisky distillery in Caithness
The HIE funding will help meet the costs of plant and equipment and help lever in significant private sector investment to the project.
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Thurso based Envision Engineering & Design’s expert team provides product and engineering design services to clients in many industrial sectors from nuclear, oil & gas, hydro and renewables.
With an increasing number of clients requiring the company’s services, the team required to move to a larger building.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supported Envision with a £13,000 grant to set up at The Cottage on Davidsons Lane.
The company bought the premises after previously being owned by Pentland Housing and was empty for many years.
Since purchasing new 3D laser scanning equipment with support from HIE, the business has won many contracts for the energy industry and continues to increase its turnover.
Twenty-four year old engineering graduate, Gaius Bews was hired to help further grow its services.
Gaius was recruited following a year-long appointment at Envision through the ScotGrad graduate placement programme which is supported and part-funded by HIE.
During his placement, Gaius was tasked with researching the use of 3D laser scanning technology to help reach new customers. The equipment helps to carry out time-saving accurate site surveys to produce new designs for plant and equipment.
Company director Stuart Anderson, said: “Our new premises represents a major milestone as we further expand our team. Investment in state-of-the-art equipment and an increasing client base is fueling our expansion. The additional space in the new building will allow us to continue to grow and recruit further over the coming years.
“We were delighted to take Gaius on following his placement and is a most welcome addition to the team at Envision. He has really proved himself, bringing fresh ideas, new skills, and up-to-date market knowledge to the business, focusing on projects to improve efficiency, identifying new markets and developing new services.
Gaius said: “It’s a fantastic company, and having worked with the team over the past year, it’s clear to see its growth and ambition in a short space of time. Envision is a forward-thinking company, always looking at what could be done better and developing new projects as well as investing in new technology.”
Claire Wilson at HIE’s area team in Thurso, said: “This exciting expansion by an ambitious and driven local company is great news and contributes to the wider Caithness’s economy. We have been closely involved with the business since its inception and we are delighted to be able to help Envision in its ambitious plans to expand. The new premises allows the business to create additional space for new staff while creating a new tech-enabled room and overall improved working facilities
Envision Engineering was also the first in the region to successfully complete our ‘Cyber Strong’ programme which offers their highly experienced team additional opportunities and demonstrates their commitment to online protection for their wide range of clients.”
Ends.
The HIE funding will help meet the costs of plant and equipment and help lever in significant private sector investment to the project.
As a result of HIE’s support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.
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