Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 13 June, 2012
ECONOMICS
Double dose of gloom as output falls and sales dip
Hopes of a quick end to the recession this quarter are fading after the manufacturing sector suffered a shock fall in output during April, while figures out today suggest Scottish shoppers remain reluctant to spend (Scotsman).
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Appeal to tap into potential of Hebrides
Renewable-energy firms across the Highlands and islands have been urged to tap into the industry’s potential in the Hebrides. Representatives of companies like Voith Hydro Wavegen and Aquamarine Power will meet on Lewis next week to discuss the wave and marine-energy opportunities in and around the islands (Scotsman)
Ocean Installer to create 100 jobs in new Aberdeen division
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Hide AdA NORWEGIAN engineering firm is setting up a UK division and creating up to 100 jobs in the Scottish energy sector. Ocean Installer, which also does sub-sea construction, has signed a 10-year lease on a 10,400 square foot building at the Aberdeen Energy Park (Scotsman).
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Profits double and sales hit £3m as drinkers choose Arran
ARRAN Distillery has revealed record results as whisky drinkers in 35 countries develop a taste for one of Scotland’s newest malts. Now in its 16th year of trading, Arran topped £3 million in sales for the first time in 2011, while profits more than doubled to £250,000 Scotsman)
RETAIL
Sainsbury’s sales rise led by its smaller stores
Sainsbury’s has reported a rise in sales in the face of a “challenging market”, led by its smaller convenience stores and online operation (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18420380|BBC|BBC}).
TRANSPORT
Scotland a bright spot for BAA as eurozone crisis hits figures
Airports operator BAA yesterday called on the UK government to build better links with growing economies such as Brazil and China as it blamed the eurozone crisis for a drop in passenger numbers (http://www.scotsman.com/business/transport/scotland-a-bright-spot-for-baa-as-eurozone-crisis-hits-figures-1-2351251|Scotsman|Scotsman}).