Industrial automation and control systems are being used at a new industrial unit that has been established in Scotland by Braehead (SFO Enterprises) Ltd.Situated in Bothwell Park Industrial Estate, the shellfish processing facility is to employ more than 60 people and it was recently opened by Scottish government minister Richard Lochhead, the Bellshill Speaker reports.
Industrial automation and control systems will help ready langoustine for being sold to consumer.
Among the equipment being used at the site is state-of-the-art washing, grading, sorting, freezing and packing machinery.
Commenting on the decision to open the facility, SFO chairman James Buchan said: “There is a growing demand for our whole and tailed langoustine and our flexible approach means we can supply any quantity required by the customer.”
He added: “There is a lot of bad news generated about fishing and seafood processing at present, but we have a good news story that confirms our faith in a profitable future for these industries.
“Our new factory will employ 60-plus people in an area of high unemployment and offer good quality jobs.
“We are happy to provide small quantities to local chefs and fishmongers provided they collect, but most of our produce is exported to France, Spain and Italy.”
Mr Lochhead went on to claim that the factory is a good example of the seafood industry investing for a profitable future.
Additionally, the businessman suggested that ventures such as this one undertaken by his company help draw attention to the high quality langoustine available in Scottish waters.
There are many experts around the UK who believe the country needs to put more money into developing manufacturing in order to protect itself from financial strife akin to that seen during the credit crunch.
At present, the economy is too reliant on financial services, they allege.