Stirlingshire-based James Jones & Sons Ltd is seeking planning permission to expand its I-beam facility at Forres. If approved, the proposals would see production capacity more than treble and the workforce increase from 15 to more than 40 over the next three years.
According to general manager Brian Robertson, the project would make the plant more efficient, less dependent on overseas suppliers and more able to meet growing UK demand for I-beams.
The £1m-plus plans include a major extension to the factory’s fabrication area where I-beams are produced in 12m lengths, the addition of two storage buildings and extra office space. Installation of a finger-jointing production line is key to the proposal given that jointing assemblies are currently bought from Scandinavia.
A decision from Moray Council is anticipated within weeks. If approved, James Jones hopes to complete the expansion by the end of this year, although the go-ahead for the project also depends on receiving financial assistance. An application for funding has been made to Highlands and Islands Enterprise ‘due to the innovative nature of the finger-jointing operation’.
James Jones launched the I-beam production facility three years ago with a staff of seven. Customers include some of the UK’s leading housebuilders.
