10 Dec 1999
Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson today celebrated the success of a Scottish company that is creating jobs in Govan and establishing a global reputation for quality and service in the field of protective metal cladding for the engineering industry.
Officially opening MSPE’s new purpose built Linden Technology Centre in Govan Mr Wilson said:
"I am very happy to perform the opening ceremony for a company which is developing its business throughout the world. It is an example to others to think innovatively and imaginatively about what is possible and what can be done. It has brought new jobs to Govan and has the potential to bring even more.
"This Government has put in place structures to build a stable and strong economy. And on this necessary foundation we need to build a dynamic enterprise culture to give people the incentives and skills to turn new ideas and inventions into wealth-creating businesses, products and services that can be exported throughout the world.
"We are committed to building an enterprise economy and in the Pre-Budget Report the Chancellor set out the programme for the Government to do this. It is right that public funds in Scotland have supported the creation of this new factory in Govan and established a centre of enterprise for this company.
"In the past few years MSPE has taken significant steps to establish a global reputation. I am particularly impressed at the company’s joint venture approach that has been successful in Singapore, China and Brazil, and further work is being done to establish links with other countries, from Dubai to Australia. Such ventures not only anchor hi-tech research and development work in Scotland, they also extend Scotland’s reputation throughout the world as a place of manufacturing excellence.
"Too often we in Scotland are not good at recognising success, even when it is on our doorstep. But across Scotland there are companies like MSPE who are successfully exporting their know-how, research, and products across the globe. The UK Government will continue to encourage and support them to do so."
1.The move of MSPE Ltd to Govan was supported by an offer of Regional Selective Assistance (£330,000) and by Glasgow Development Agency Property Division via a MAP grant of £100,000. The grants secure an additional 17 jobs for MSPE in Govan.
2.The Linden Technology Centre currently employs 23 people, with another 50 employed world-wide and plans for further expansion. The firm is a market leader in developing metallic and ceramic coatings for use on machinery to be used at high temperatures or pressures in the engineering and oil and gas industries.
3.The Govan site has a research and development facility to continue laboratory work done at the company, which has already developed 320 different formulas to address problems such as thermal protection and corrosion in machinery.