THE first jobs have been created at a new factory in Dumfries that will begin manufacturing a ‘world-first’ recycled construction product later this month.
VASO Global will launch its first production line of structural composite panels at a factory that has been tipped to ‘transform’ housing and construction. Six local recruits have this month joined the VASO manufacturing team, headed up by manufacturing and engineering manager Jim Patterson. In total, 15 jobs have been created so far by VASO Global.
Jim, who has 35 years’ experience leading production operations for global manufacturing giants ICI and DuPont, is preparing the VASO manufacturing plant to go live with the first of three planned production lines.
He said, “VASO is a hugely exciting opportunity. Working with like-minded people on such a fresh challenge which is going to transform the way homes and other buildings are constructed and deliver such a positive outcome for people and communities is a really rewarding experience. To see the new recruits so excited about the product and what it can deliver gives you a real boost. It’s great that we are able to offer these employment opportunities for people to learn these new skills and build their careers and lives.”
Broghan Johnston (29) is among those to have started work at the site as a process operator. He said, “I am really pleased to be here. I have learned so much in my first two weeks. All the team are brilliant to work with. I am interested and excited to see what can be achieved with this amazing product with all the benefits it brings.”
Broghan, who lives in Dumfries with his young family, and has previously had to travel the world for work, says it’s a big boost to the local economy to have an employer like VASO starting up on the doorstep.
“It’s fantastic for Dumfries. I have grown up here and went to school here and having opportunities like this to learn new skills in the green economy in a role with good prospects to develop your career is something you don’t hear a lot of around here. As the company grows, there will be more jobs which is great news for local people.”
Broghan has a strong role model in Jim Patterson, who started his career as an apprentice at ICI in 1991. He worked his way up to deputy site manager at DuPont, responsible for 150 staff, supplying markets across the world including the USA and China with products for use in the likes of touchscreen phones, healthcare, and ID cards.
Jim’s role with VASO has seen him work alongside chief technical officer Simon Parrish to set up the Dumfries factory, commission the production line, and develop workflows designed to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce waste on building sites.
The first VASO panel is due to come off the production line later this month.
VASO Global recently secured more than £5 million in investment to help it tackle the UK’s housing crisis. The funding has been provided by a range of organisations including PXN Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise through a collaboration with Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Innovate UK Loans Limited – a division of UK Research and Innovation, and Eco Group, which will be the delivery partner for the initial VASO Global build projects.
The latest round of financing enables VASO to develop its processes at its manufacturing site in Dumfries, with plans to create up to 70 jobs within the next five years. A VASO demonstration home is also planned to be constructed in September.
