Gael Force creates 20 jobs on back of biggest order
Gael Force Group will take on around 20 staff and double the capacity of its feed barge production yard at Inverness after securing its biggest-ever order from Marine Harvest Scotland.
The company will supply three SeaMate 400T concrete feed barges, which will also be equipped with Gael Force's SeaFeed Offshore Feeding System which has its official launch at the Aqua Nor trade fair in Trondheim this week.
It is Gael Force's largest ever single order and includes options for Marine Harvest to commission further barge construction. Marine Harvest has bought Gael Force barges in the past and is already using two 400T SeaMates at its Muck and Colonsay sites. Gael Force says these have proven to be extremely effective, with excellent sea keeping characteristics in extreme weather conditions.
Gael Force managing director Stewart Graham said: “In the face of tough competition we are delighted to be favoured with this order from Marine Harvest. We are now building our 80th feed barge for the industry, and have been proud to supply all of the main Scottish salmon producers including many previous barges for Marine Harvest. As a direct consequence of the success of Scottish salmon we have created many new jobs this year and will continue to recruit on the back of this order. We are grateful to Marine Harvest for placing their order and their trust in Gael Force as a leading Scottish fish farming supplier.”
Enabling approach
Graham, who is also co-chair on the salmon industry's Vision 2030 Leadership Group, added: “ It can and should be recognised that when all of the stakeholders in our industry, including producers, planners and regulators, work together then we can grow together.
"It is essential that our regulators take an enabling and proportionate approach to supporting the development of the great Scottish success story that salmon is. There are huge positive benefits to the wider rural economy and its communities and this order is a great example of that positive impact on the Highland economy. We trust that all necessary support will be given to support the further development of our industry in line with our strategy out to 2030”.
Gael Force Group has already increased its workforce by 43 this year. In addition to the 20 new jobs created directly by the order for the barges, the company predicts another 12 will be created in its own supply chain.
