Texas' FMC Technology Expands Presence in Scotland

BOSTON and BELLSHILL, Scotland, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC Technology, a Houston, TX based oil and gas services and manufacturing firm, is expanding its Scottish operations in Bellshill and Dunfermline and creating 240 new jobs, Scotland's Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing announced today.

On a visit to the company's base in Bellshill, south east of Glasgow, the Minister welcomed FMC Technology's plans to create 240 research, development and manufacturing posts and congratulated staff for playing their part in securing this new inward investment to Scotland.

FMC Technology's plans to create 170 jobs at the site in Bellshill, and another 70 jobs at their Dunfermline operation, are being supported with 2.5 million pounds sterling (approximately $3.6 million dollars) of Regional Selective Assistance through Scottish Enterprise.  This announcement will increase its total Scottish workforce to almost 1,000. The company has approximately 12,500 employees across the world and operates in 16 countries.

Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International have worked with the company to assist with its growth plans and their ongoing input, especially with research and development and helped FMC open their Bellshill facility in 2008. FMC Technology has also developed strong links with Glasgow Caledonian University and the expansion will capitalize on the relationship.

"We are delighted by FMC Technology's expansion of Scottish operations and recognize the investment as a demonstration of Scotland's leadership and capabilities in the offshore market," said Danny Cusick, President of North America for SDI. "Choosing where to locate or expand operations is a hugely important decision for any company and today's news is a testament of the successful longterm relationship between Scottish Development International and FMC technologies here in North America."

"We are delighted to formally announce the creation of 240 high-value positions. Our development of technical capability and talent in Scotland is a result of our continuing relationship with the Scottish Government via Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International," said John Gremp, President and CEO of FMC Technologies. "We now look to our partners in industry and academia to continue to supply talent not only to our Scottish-based operations, but to our operations globally."

"This Government is working hard to increase sustainable economic growth across Scotland, and that is why I am delighted that FMC Technology are expanding their operations in Scotland and creating 240 new high value jobs," said Enterprise Minister Mr. Ewing. "FMC Technology's decision to expand its Scottish operation is testament to the quality and skills of our workforce in engineering and manufacturing.  It's also down to hard work by our partners at Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International who have built-up an understanding of this business and provided the most relevant support to help the company grow. We support the oil and gas industries and we back this up with a strong research sector.  The relationship between FMC Technology and Glasgow Caledonian University is good example of this and it will deliver long term benefits for the Scottish economy."

"FMC Technologies' already operates an ambitious Modern Apprenticeship program across a range of levels and disciplines. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) will continue to work closely with them to ensure training provision is co-ordinated to match the needs of its exciting expansion plans. We will also be encouraging the company's proposals to develop a comprehensive internal skills development program to support ongoing workforce development," said Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland. "Earlier this year SDS led on the publication of Scotland's strategic Energy Skills Investment Plan and supported the recently announced Energy College Partnership. These important developments will be vital to supporting investment and the longer term strategies of energy-related businesses such as FMC Technologies."

About Scottish Development International

Scottish Development International (SDI) works to attract inward investment and knowledge to Scotland in order to help the economy grow. SDI also works to help Scottish companies do more business overseas and to promote Scotland as a good place to live, work and do business. It is jointly operated by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. Its work is guided by the global connections theme of the Scottish Government's Smart Successful Scotland strategy for economic development in Scotland. For more information, visit http://www.sdi.co.uk/.

For more information regarding Scottish Development International contact
Kathleen Tepfer (617) 692 7362 or visit our website at www.sdi.co.uk

SOURCE Scottish Development International