A major PPE supplier has announced expansion plans that will result in the creation of “hundreds of new jobs” for Dumfries and Galloway.
Globus Group is set to create a centre of excellence for PPE in Heathhall with hopes it will lead to the company becoming the largest personal protection equipment manufacturer in Europe.
A company spokesman said: “The expansion will create hundreds of new jobs in the region on top of the hundreds already created by the building of the Lochside factory.”
Bosses outlined the plans to Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson when he visited sites at Lochside Industrial Estate and its new base at Heathhall.
Globus Group, which is headquarted in Manchester and also has factories in Germany and Italy, bought Alpha Solway around 10 years ago with the Dumfries plant primarily making face masks and visors for NHS Scotland.
The factory is also responsible for making respirators and protective clothing.
Steven Binnie, director at Alpha Solway, said: “We are proud that by setting up the factory in Dumfries we not only created hundreds of jobs but also produced millions of masks for the
NHS.
“Our plans are now to create a centre of excellence for PPE in Dumfries, creating new products, generating new jobs and developing a more sustainable PPE system.”
Mr Carson said: “The story Alpha Solway has to tell is quite incredible, particularly in the way they stepped up to the mark and from a standing start went on to produce millions of facemasks for the Scottish and UK NHS.
“They have quite literally been life-savers.
“It is all very exciting and I am thrilled that they have chosen to expand their operations locally.”
