This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Hundreds of new jobs for Ayrshire
18/10/2006
Goodrich Corporation Aerostructures division has announced hundreds of new jobs as it expands its aircraft component maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Prestwick.
First Minister Jack McConnell met senior Goodrich staff at the division's California facility during his visit to the United States. It follows closely on a visit to the company's facility at Prestwick International Aerospace Park last month where he took part in a ground breaking ceremony.
The extended facility will employ more than 500 people and double in size from 120,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet.
The latest expansion has been backed with £1.8 million from Scottish Ministers under the Regional Selective Assistance scheme.
Welcoming the announcement, the First Minister said,
"I know from speaking to senior management here in San Diego that Goodrich really value the skills of their Scottish workforce. I visited Goodrich in Scotland last month to discuss their plans and I am delighted to be meeting them in the US on the day the extent of their expansion plans are made public. Their decision is great news for Ayrshire and a real tribute to the skills of the current staff.
"It demonstrates that major global companies see Scotland as a good place to do business and are willing to invest for the long term. Scotland has the right business environment, and people with the right skills, to attract more and more companies to locate and expand here. That's the message I am promoting during my current visit to the US. And it's a message that will be given even greater emphasis by Goodrich's expansion in Prestwick."