WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Shareholder value ‘may be wiped out’ as ATH faces uncertain future
THE future of ATH Resources, which employs more than 300 at its five Scottish open cast mines, was thrown into doubt yesterday after it called in Deloitte to look at options including restructuring or a sale of the business ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/industry/shareholder-value-may-be-wiped-out-as-ath-faces-uncertain-future-1-2577278|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
Energy firm launches innovation support service
A SCOTTISH energy efficiency technology company has started its own innovation support service offering entrepreneurs and inventors assistance and mentoring. Direct Savings, which has its headquarters in Livingston, West Lothian, has launched the initiative to uncover “golden nuggets” of ideas that have not been developed to their full potential ({http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/energy-firm-launches-innovation-support-service.19154784|Herald|Herald}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/energy-and-utilities|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com}
ECONOMICS
Highlands future ‘held back by poor connectivity’
The Highlands and Scotland as a whole are struggling to keep up with advances in technology because of poor broadband connections, according to business leaders. Inverness Chamber of Commerce said international trade was vital for the north’s economic future, but was being held back by the area’s poor connectivity ({http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2967937|P&J|P&J}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/economics|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s economics news from scotsman.com}
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Hall’s owners ‘never had any intention of keeping factory open’
ONE OF the companies which had its bid for the Hall’s plant at Broxburn rejected hit out at its owners last night, saying they had no intention of keeping the factory open. Dutch owners Vion yesterday confirmed they would go ahead with closure plans after rejecting two offers to buy the facility, claiming neither bid had been viable or sustainable ({http://www.scotsman.com/news/hall-s-owners-never-had-any-intention-of-keeping-factory-open-1-2577065|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-and-agriculture|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com}
INDUSTRY
Scottish construction conference looks to build on signs of optimism
A QUARTER of Scottish construction businesses expect to grow over the next year despite the economic downturn, providing a rare ray of sunshine for a battered sector of the economy. However, firms continue to struggle to raise finance and gain access to public procurement processes, according to the first annual Construction Scotland industry survey ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/scottish-construction-conference-looks-to-build-on-signs-of-optimism-1-2577286|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/industry|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com}
TECHNOLOGY
Omega Diagnostics hit by allergy kit delay
Medical testing kit maker Omega Diagnostics said yesterday that delays in preparing one of its products for market had brought its financial expectation for the year into question. The Alva-based firm said its programme to develop an allergy test to be run on an automated system known as IDS-iSYS would require longer to reach a level at which the product could be manufactured consistently ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/omega-diagnostics-hit-by-allergy-kit-delay-1-2576537|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
{http://www.scotsman.com/business/technology|Read all today’s technology news from scotsman.com|Read all today’s technology news from scotsman.com}