Deal done to save Invergordon building company
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WORKERS made redundant in Invergordon a fortnight ago could be handed back their jobs in a Christmas week buy-out that looks set to secure the future of a stricken company.
Pat Munro (Alness) bought home-builder Carbon Dynamic out of administration this week and bosses are now summoning the 40 staff previously made redundant as part of the administration process.
Pat Munro’s operations manager Mark Bramley told the Ross-shire Journal that his company wants to save as many jobs as possible as part of the takeover.
He said: “We will be reviewing current and future workload as soon as we return following the festive break and we will, of course, be aiming to secure both workload and existing jobs as soon as possible.
“As a result, we would encourage all former employees to get in touch should they be interested in job opportunities.”
Within minutes of the company posting the news on social media, people were saying they had emailed in their CVs or signalled their intention to do so.
One said: “What a relief for all the employees and their families – especially at this time of year. Well done to Pat Munro for taking an interest in the company and especially as it is local. Good luck with your negotiations.”
Another added: “Well done Brian Munro. A good deal done there.”
The award-winning Carbon Dynamic, based at the Cromarty Firth Industrial Park, announced earlier this month it was unable to continue trading due to “challenging conditions and significant cash-flow difficulties”.
As a result, 40 local jobs were made redundant with just two workers kept on.
But on Wednesday joint administrators Blair Nimmo and Geoff Jacobs of KPMG said the business had been sold to Pat Munro, safeguarding the future of the firm.
Carbon Dynamic (Scotland) Limited, a new company, has been set up to facilitate the purchase.
Mr Nimmo said: “It is extremely pleasing to secure the sale of Carbon Dynamic in such a short time-frame, and to buyers who can see the potential in the business and its skilled workforce. The sale has achieved a good outcome for many stakeholders and we hope it will benefit the local area.
“As new owners, Pat Munro has an ambitious vision to build on Carbon Dynamic’s reputation for cutting-edge design and manufacture of eco-friendly modular buildings, re-employing a number of Carbon Dynamic’s former staff and contributing to the diversity of the economy in the Scottish Highlands.”
Brian Munro, managing director of Pat Munro, which is one of the largest privately owned contractors operating in the Highlands, said: “We collaborated [with Carbon Dynamic) in previous successful projects and were very saddened to learn of the financial situation which threatened the future of 42 important local jobs. As such, we are delighted to add Carbon Dynamic (Scotland) Ltd to the Pat Munro Group and we are committed to continuing, and enhancing, their superb progress to date.”
Cromarty Firth SNP councillor Maxine Smith, said: “I am very pleased a local firm with a conscience has bought out Carbon Dynamic. Pat Munro will take good care of it. It’s a relief for those employees who are remaining.”
Fellow councillor, Independent member Carolyn Wilson, said: “The ideas and principles behind Carbon Dynamic were very good and Pat Munro will be able to drive that on. Pat Munro is a very well-organised and well-managed business.”
