We were delighted to welcome Stephen Flynn MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, to our Aberdeen workshop to meet our team, see our traditional manufacturing operation and discuss the future of Scottish manufacturing and the North-east economy.
Mr Flynn toured our Aberdeen workshop, where we continue to handcraft luxury mattresses and divans, combining generations of Scottish craftsmanship with a strong social purpose.
During the visit, Mr Flynn met members of our team and saw first-hand how our mattresses and divans are handcrafted, before discussing our plans for growth and the wider opportunities and challenges facing Scottish manufacturing.
The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the role of social enterprise in creating meaningful employment opportunities for people living with disabilities, while supporting the development and retention of traditional manufacturing skills in Scotland.
Founded in Aberdeen in 1843, Glencraft has been part of the city’s industrial heritage for more than 180 years. While our business has evolved significantly over that time, our mattresses continue to be made by hand in our Aberdeen workshop.
Today, we supply high-quality mattresses to customers across a range of sectors, including hospitality, offshore energy, transportation and retail, as well as international markets. We are also proud to hold a Royal Warrant.
Glencraft CEO, Morven Mackenzie, said: “We were delighted to welcome Stephen to Glencraft, show him around our workshop, and introduce him to our team.
“We had a very positive and open conversation about Glencraft, the North-east economy and the future of Scottish manufacturing, as well as our plans for the business and the opportunities ahead.
“For us, manufacturing is about more than producing a high-quality product. It is about maintaining valuable skills and craftsmanship in Scotland while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people who may face barriers to employment.
“Stephen’s interest in Glencraft and in the contribution that businesses like ours can make to the wider economy was very encouraging. We look forward to continuing the conversation.”
We are now focused on building on our long heritage while growing our commercial activities, developing new markets and strengthening our contribution to the Scottish manufacturing sector.
Our ambition is to demonstrate that traditional manufacturing, commercial growth and social impact can work together to create a sustainable future for a long-established Scottish business.
The visit was an opportunity to highlight the contribution we make to Aberdeen and the wider North-east; not only through manufacturing, but by creating opportunities for people to develop skills, build careers and thrive in the workplace.
