MATHER WELCOMES DEAL THAT SAFEGUARDS SKYKON JOBS

.Jim Mather, MSP Argyll & Bute has warmly welcomed the announcement that
a deal has been negotiated that will, in the short term, save threatened
employment at the wind turbine Skykon factory at Machrihanish in
Kintyre.

Jim Mather said:

"I am delighted to learn that after a great deal of negotiating and
discussion within a remarkably short timescale that the Administrator
from Ernst & Young has come forward with a proposal involving the
engineering company Siemens, who have an outstanding order for 30 wind
turbine towers presently at Skykon, that should enable the 130 staff to
return to work to complete this order that is destined to be installed
at the Clyde wind farm at Abington in South Lanarkshire. This resumption
of work at Machrihanish is an encouraging move for staff as it will
ensure that they will receive outstanding wages and will enable them
once again to contribute to securing the long term future of the site
and its vital potential for the area.

The present arrangement covers the work on 30 towers for which steel is
already in situ at the factory and is based on satisfactory performance.
A further 30 towers are required for the same project which have not
been included in the present agreement.

This is a clear demonstration of the ability and goodwill from the
Scottish Government, SDI, HIE and the local council and local
representatives to work closely with the involved parties towards a
solution.

The long term future of the facility is not yet resolved. The company
remains in administration and a buyer is still being sought to secure
the future of the Machrihanish factory. That work is ongoing. "