UKTC to Enhance Fire Testing Capabilities with Scottish Enterprise Grant
Portfolio | Jan 29, 2025 | Scottish Enterprise
United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC) is set to significantly expand its fire safety testing capacity thanks to a £835,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise. This investment is part of a wider £2.5 million project aimed at enhancing UKTC's facilities with a state-of-the-art testing furnace. The expansion will also lead to the creation of approximately 20 new jobs, boosting UKTC’s workforce to 38 employees. The initiative forms part of Scottish Enterprise's continued efforts to support business growth and productivity in Scotland. The expansion, expected to be completed next year, underscores UKTC's commitment to fire safety, driven by increased demand in the construction industry following incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire. The project is strategically aligned with the ongoing National Productivity Week, emphasizing investment in productivity-driven growth.
Sectors
- Fire Safety
- Construction
- Productivity and Business Growth
Geography
- Scotland – Scottish Enterprise, a key participant in the article, is a major factor in the Scottish economy, supporting regional growth and productivity.
- United Kingdom – UKTC's operations and services are within the UK, addressing nationwide construction industry needs for fire safety and compliance.
Industry
- Fire Safety – The primary focus of the article is on UKTC's expansion to enhance its fire safety testing capabilities, crucial for the construction industry's product certification.
- Construction – UKTC provides services to the construction industry by testing the fire resistance of building materials, a critical aspect for safety compliance.
- Productivity and Business Growth – Scottish Enterprise's investment focuses on enhancing productivity and economic growth through strategic business expansion projects.
Financials
- £835,000 – Amount of the grant provided by Scottish Enterprise for UKTC's expansion project.
- £2.5 million – Total cost of UKTC's expansion project.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC) | Target Company | Company | A fire safety firm that provides testing and certification services for building materials in the construction industry. |
| Scottish Enterprise | Funding Provider | Company | A public body that supports economic development, productivity, and innovation in Scotland, providing grants and investments to growing businesses. |
| Andrew Hutchison | Head of Technical at UKTC | Person | Responsible for overseeing the technical aspects of the expansion and fire testing services at UKTC. |
| Tom Arthur | Employment and Investment Minister | Person | Government official commenting on Scotland's productivity growth and financial support strategies for businesses. |
| Rhona Allison | Managing Director of Productivity and Business Growth at Scottish Enterprise | Person | Provides insights into how the expansion aligns with Scottish Enterprise's objectives for business growth and innovation. |
| The Productivity Institute | Campaign Organizer | Company | Organizes National Productivity Week, focusing on addressing productivity challenges in businesses. |