This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Galloway investment bears fruit
15/12/2003
Scotland's only yoghurt producer is set to expand its
premises and take on new staff after receiving £411,000
assistance from the Executive.
The investment will help Rowan Glen Dairy Products,
based at Palnure in Wigtownshire, to safeguard 44 jobs and
create 8 new jobs.
Making the announcement at a business breakfast in
Dumfries, Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace said:
"Business growth is at the heart of our economic
strategy. I'm therefore delighted that we are able to
make such a substantial contribution towards the next
chapter in Rowan Glen's success story.
"The company's turnover is forecast to triple to £9
million in the next three years. Their latest phase of
investment - £1 million in total - will allow the company
to capture new market opportunities including potential new
business with Marks and Spencer.
"Rowan Glen's parent company were considering this
project for Northern Ireland - I'm glad we have won it for
Scotland. I know it will bring considerable benefit to
the local economy, in Wigtownshire and throughout Dumfries
and Galloway."
Minister for Environment and Rural Development, Ross
Finnie, said:
"Scotland's dairy industry is widely recognised for the
quality of its produce. Capitalising on that reputation,
and indeed the wider reputation of Scottish farming as a
source of premium produce, is one of the key strands of our
strategy for agriculture.
"We want to see more of the value added through
processing retained in Scotland, and to see producers
moving closer to the market.
"This award recognises Rowan Glen's success in meeting
consumer demand for high value dairy products and
demonstrates the prize to be won by improving links between
producers, processors and consumers."
Later today, Mr Wallace is holding talks with Dumfries
and Galloway Council and chairing a Ministerial Taskforce
for Local Economic Forums.
Funding has been provided through the Lowland Scotland
Agriculture Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme,
administered by the Scottish Executive's Environment and
Rural Affairs Department. This will be used to finance a
new building for packing and cold storage as well as the
purchase of associated plant and equipment for the
production of organic yoghurt, probiotic drinks and sour
cream products.