WOOD panel manufacturer Norbord is to putting a further £35 million into developing its Inverness factory, bringing overall investment in the past two years to £145 million.
Almost a year on from a £110 million expansion programme to increase capacity, Norbord is now investing in a second wood room, heat plant and a dryer at the Morayhill mill.
Due to be completed by 2021, the development aims to allow the mill to meet increased consumer demand for oriented strand board (OSB) across the UK and Europe, Norbord said.
Alan McMeekin, Norbord Europe managing director said, “The plan was always to invest further and we are pleased that the market has enabled us to make this investment much earlier than originally anticipated.
“The £35 million investment will increase capacity and will deliver an increased level of support to our strategic customer base – further enhancing Norbord’s status as the world’s number one OSB producer.”
Jerry Jones, general manager at the Inverness factory added, “This investment is a vote of confidence in our highly loyal Inverness workforce and supply chain, and the significant growth potential within the European OSB industry. I’m very proud to be at the helm of the Inverness factory at this very exciting time.
“The level of investment demonstrates how we’re evolving as a business in response to customer demand and puts Norbord in an even better position to efficiently serve our customers’ growing needs across the UK and in continental Europe.”
Last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the new manufacturing line at the plant following the investment, which was supported by a £12 million development grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. HRH The Duke of York KG also recently visited the plant to help commemorate one year of production on the new line.
