Norbord invests further £35m into Inverness factory

26 February 2019

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Wood panel manufacturer Norbord is investing £35m into the second phase of development of its Inverness factory in Scotland – taking overall investment in the past two years to £145m.

Almost a year after a £110m expansion programme to significantly increase capacity, the company will now invest a further £35m in a second wood room, heat plant and a dryer at the Morayhill mill.

The development, due to be completed by 2021, will enable the mill to meet increased consumer demand for OSB across the UK and Europe.

“The plan was always to invest further and we are pleased that the market has enabled us to make this investment much earlier than originally anticipated,” said Alan McMeekin, Norbord Europe MD.

“The £35m investment will increase capacity and will deliver an increased level of support to our strategic customer base.”

The Inverness plant opened more than 30 years ago and was the first OSB mill in Europe. Last year, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the new manufacturing line at the plant following the investment, which was supported by a £12m development grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The Duke of York also recently visited the plant to help commemorate one year of production on the new line.

“This investment is a vote of confidence in our highly loyal Inverness workforce and supply chain, and the significant growth potential within the European OSB industry,” said Jerry Jones, general manager at the Inverness factory.