Scottish Business Briefing - Friday 22 February, 2013
ECONOMICS
‘Worst year since 2001’ for Scots property deals
SCOTTISH property investors suffered a torrid year in 2012 as the value of transactions hit rock bottom, according to a report published yesterday. Last year was the weakest since 2001 in terms of investment transactions, with the total value of deals north of the Border reaching just £1 billion, down 15 per cent year-on-year, according to property agency CBRE. (Scotsman)
ENERGY & UTILITIES
BP will have a base at Aberdeen harbour for at least another decade after agreeing a £25million deal with the port authority. The firm’s commitment to the facility came in a contract extension with Aberdeen Harbour Board (AHB). (Press & Journal)
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Hide AdEDINBURGH-based Carbon Masters, which advises clients on measuring and managing emissions, predicts it will achieve total international sales of £3.5 million over a five-year period as it undertakes work in South America and India and eyes a move into the US. (Herald)
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
ONE of Scotland’s last family-owned whisky distilleries has been put up for sale, with industry sources suggesting a buyer has been found. Loch Lomond Distillery, owned by drinks industry veteran Sandy Bulloch, has hired investment bank HSBC to sell his business, according to two sources. (Scotsman)
Scottish barley growers were yesterday given assurance by Diageo, the biggest buyer of grain in the country, that – where possible – it would be buying from within Scotland. But it was obvious from what Andy Roberts told members of the Scottish Agronomy co-operative that producing sufficient whisky for a growing world market was paramount in his company’s plans. (Scotsman)
WEST Lothian-based Paterson Arran hiked its share of the branded shortbread market in Great Britain further last year – accounting for more than £4 of every £10 spent by consumers in the category. Paterson Arran, which employs about 130 people at its Livingston bakery and headquarters, and around 20 staff at Lamlash, on the Isle of Arran, highlighted research published by consumer sector specialist Kantar Worldpanel. (Scotsman)