There’s a tough truth in business – if we don’t invest in industry, we risk losing it for good. And right now, parts of central Scotland are facing that very reality.
In just the past few weeks, more than 800 jobs have been placed at risk across two of the region’s most significant employers: Alexander Dennis in Falkirk and the Petroineos site in Grangemouth.
These are cornerstones of the industries which have helped fuel Scotland’s industrial engine for decades, while supporting local families and shaping communities across the area.
At Alexander Dennis alone, up to 400 jobs are now in question as the business looks to move manufacturing to Scarborough.
The company says it’s a matter of survival and has been left no choice but to cut costs and streamline operations if it’s to keep pace with global competition.
The difficult thing to swallow is that it’s actually hard to argue with the numbers. Chinese electric bus manufacturers have expanded their share of the UK market from 10 per cent to 35 per cent in just a few years and are doing so with strong state support.
But what’s happening here also reflects a broader issue with the UK’s industrial strategy – or, more accurately, the lack of one.
As Alexander Dennis has spelled out, the current policy environment doesn’t incentivise building, hiring or staying local.
In fact, there are no real rewards for investing in domestic content, protecting skilled jobs, or maintaining UK-based supply chains.
And that doesn’t just mean bad news for Falkirk – it means bad news for every manufacturing town in the country.
The timing of the job losses couldn’t be worse, as over in neighbouring town Grangemouth, Scotland’s last oil refinery recently shut its doors, taking another 400 jobs with it.
The UK Government has pledged £200 million for the site and says it’s in talks with over 80 potential investors.
While that sounds promising, I can’t help but think the promise of this cash injection, as welcome as it is, is too little too late.
The workforce didn’t need potential, they needed certainty, and it feels as though they have been let down by the people who were pledging to protect them.
What’s more, this situation begs the question: Why does it take closures and crisis to trigger action?
And more so, why aren’t we getting ahead of these situations with proactive support, smart incentives and long-term planning?
This isn’t about nostalgia for our past, great industries. It’s about protecting a future that still has so much potential.
Scotland has an incredible industrial legacy, but it also has world-class talent, adaptable infrastructure and a growing pool of highly skilled workers ready to innovate. What it needs is backing.
If we’re serious about building a greener, fairer economy, we need to recognise that modern manufacturing and energy are part of that picture.
They’re not relics of a bygone era, but the essential foundations of the next one.
That means policy that prioritises resilience and rewards regional investment. It means ensuring that public procurement supports local firms and local jobs.
And it means bringing the private sector, government and communities together to build something sustainable, not just profitable.
We also need to move faster. In today’s global market, delays and indecision can cost jobs just as quickly as economic downturns. Companies can’t wait on good intentions; they need clarity and action.
I’ve always believed in backing ambition, but ambition doesn’t grow in a vacuum. It needs infrastructure, support and the right commercial environment to grow and thrive.
If Scotland brought together its capable workforce and competitive asset base with policy that makes sense, we could absolutely compete with the likes of China.
But the risk now is that we keep reacting to symptoms instead of fixing the system. But the opportunity, if we choose to take it, is a new industrial future rooted in resilience, innovation, and real regional strength.
We owe it to the workers of Falkirk and Grangemouth, and to the generations coming after them, to get this right.
Because when we invest in industry, we’re not just saving jobs – we’re building futures.
Side
Anyone who knows me, or who reads this column regularly, will know I’m Scotland’s biggest fan – especially when it comes to championing our businesses.
So, I was pleased when I heard our country “continues to punch above its weight” when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI).
The accountancy firm EY’s survey has found that Scotland has increased its share of FDI projects in the UK – and is now second only to London.
While Glasgow and Edinburgh have swapped places, with the former now leading the way, it’s fantastic news for the attractiveness of doing business north of the border overall, as Aberdeen also scored strongly.
I’m particularly pleased with Glasgow. The city has shown great growth and recovery after spending five years playing second fiddle to the capital as it looks to be slowly regenerating its image.
With our three biggest cities forging ahead in FDI terms, it can only be positive for the overall investment picture in the country – which is much needed if we are to continue to build a strong economic outlook for the future.
FDI brings new capital injections, fresh ideas and vitality to a nation’s economy which cannot be matched.
Of course, it’s important to focus on the entire country and the industrial struggles some of our towns are facing right now.
That said, hopefully this news gives everyone hope that the outlook can change and Scotland as a whole, not just our big cities, can shine as a great place to do business.
It Made Me Laugh
We’ve all heard of pampered pooches and coddled cats, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this week that people are spending upwards of £100 on birthdays for them.
Research from retailer Moonpig, has revealed that people are spending £121 on average on their pets’ birthdays – totting in at a combined £1.7 billion economic injection. That’s certainly not chicken feed!
Toys and gourmet food were the most popular choices for owners to spoil their animals, while others went to the extreme length of ordering custom portraits of their pets and throwing extravagant parties.
Something tells me it won’t be long before we see dedicated retailers popping up for cat and dog parents looking to put on the paw-ty of the century!
It Made Me Weep
Not that this will come as a surprise to many reading this, but the extent of the troubles facing ScotRail has been laid bare over the past week.
A freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed that over 17,000 services have been cancelled in the last year.
The data also showed that over 300,000 trains didn’t arrive within a minute of their scheduled arrival time – representing 45 per cent of all trains. Nearly 72,000 were late by five or more minutes.
The nationalised rail operator hasn’t had its troubles to seek in recent times. Hopefully this latest bombshell serves as a wake-up call to improve the sub-par service on offer for hard-working Scots.
