Aquaculture company Gael Force Group, headquartered at INVERNESS, is poised to implement ambitious growth plans with support from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Originally established in 1983 by Stewart Graham in Stornoway as a manufacturer of creels, the company now employs over 200 people based in Scotland, England and Canada and is focused on expanding into global markets, all by increasing local jobs and opportunities in their home country. area.
Key to these plans is a multi-million pound investment in aquaculture research and development to improve fish health, reduce predation, and create a greener, more carbon-friendly way of producing farmed fish.
To enable the necessary investments, the Royal Bank of Scotland has offered a flexible support program including working capital loans to enable a multi-faceted approach to growth.
Group CFO Robert Foster said: âFor almost 40 years we have been committed to partnering with our customers, whether they are an established salmon farmer or the local fishing community that work hard. So we know the importance of lasting relationships and trust.
âThis is something we have in common with the team at Royal Bank of Scotland. They understand our vision and shared feeling for sustainable growth, and we believe this is the start of a successful and lasting partnership. “
Barry Fraser, Director of Relations at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: âAs a company and partner of COP26, Royal Bank of Scotland places great importance on sustainability – and the growth plans set out by Gael Force Group have strengthened our willingness to support them on this journey.
âThe company has grown steadily since its inception in 1983, and we look forward to working with the management team to help implement their strategy in the years to come. “
The company also led an initiative and made significant charitable donations of seed money and resources to develop plans for a premier drop-in center in the group’s former hometown of Stornoway for commemorate the Iolaire tragedy of 1919.
It is hoped that the Solar Center will act as a catalyst for the city’s regeneration plan and port development, a key economic driver for the island community at large.