VETERANS MINISTER BACKS SBMC IN RECOGNISING “PHENOMENAL POTENTIAL” OF INJURED EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL

Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, which is to help more than 40 of the country’s ex-servicemen and women every year through direct, flexible employment, welcomed Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans Graeme Dey to the Erskine-based factory to meet some of the company’s first hires – many of whom have a physical or mental disability as a result of service. 

 

Mr Dey, who was appointed to the ministerial role in June, said: ““It was a pleasure and privilege to visit SBMC and learn first-hand of the exciting potential of this Social Enterprise.

 

“Whilst many veterans make a successful transition into civilian life at the end of their service others encounter a variety of difficulties including in the area of employment.

 

“Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company offers flexible employment opportunities which furnish veterans with the confidence in their own abilities that they might be lacking and the skills that future employers will be looking for. And beyond that SBMC will work with veterans to secure meaningful jobs at the end of their spell at Bishopton.

 

“In my role as Veterans Minister I am committed to supporting any cause which helps our former service personnel in this and other ways. And I look forward to making a return visit to Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company to see  the growing contribution I am sure it will make in this important area.’’

 

The visit comes after the social enterprise, which will produce rail and road signs, circular economy products, and provide print, mail and fulfillment services, celebrated financial backing of almost £60,000 from the Scottish Government’s Scottish Veterans Fund earlier this year.

 

SBMC, which is set up in partnership with military charity Erskine, will immediately reinvest 100% of its surplus back into the company, offering greater opportunities to Scottish veterans and ensuring that the factory has state-of-the-art industrial equipment.

 

Director of SBMC, Michelle Ferguson, said:“We are immensely grateful to have welcomed the minister to Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and to have received his support in us creating a socially-thriving and commercially successful enterprise for this country’s veterans.  

 

“Since SBMC’s inception, the support from the Scottish Government has been nothing short of outstanding, both via the backing of the Scottish Veterans Fund, through official visits to our factory and the unwavering support that followed.

 

“We already have Scottish veterans in place, working and training in all areas of the company – from business development to the factory floor – and as we continue employ more, we very much look forward with being able to offer organisations from both the private and public sectors the opportunity to support our country’s ex-service personnel.”