Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 11 July, 2012
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
We can’t rule out Hall’s takeover, says Morrisons
SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons has not ruled out a takeover bid for the closure-threatened Hall’s of Broxburn meat factory, where up to 1,700 jobs are at risk (Scotsman)
INDUSTRY
Textiles firm retains profit despite cost increases
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTEXTILES company Macnaughton Holdings has stayed profitable in spite of the high cost of raw materials and falling sales. The Perth business saw sales decline from £3.47 million to £3.38m with many of its export markets, including its largest in the US, flat at best (Herald).
Farmers’ spending offsets building downturn
INCREASED investment by farmers in tractors amid the commodity boom is helping Scot JCB shrug off the effects of the downturn in the housebuilding market, but the recent bad weather has prompted some customers to delay purchases (Herald).
TECHNOLOGY
Work starts on £12.5m life sciences research hub in Dundee
SCOTLAND’S life sciences companies were given a boost yesterday as building work got under way for a centre in Dundee to bring together academics and industrialists, which will initially create 200 research jobs (Scotsman).
TRANSPORT
Eastern delivers on its promise with sales soaring above £300m
EASTERN Holdings, one of Scotland’s biggest car dealerships, selling luxury marques such as Lexus and Mercedes, has seen full-year sales drive through the £300 million mark after taking on further franchises (Scotsman).
Stagecoach pulls out of deal to buy First routes after OFT move
SCOTTISH transport groups Stagecoach and FirstGroup yesterday voiced their dismay at a decision by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to refer a deal worth just £2.8 million to the Competition Commission (Scotsmat).