A Fife business has expanding its Glenrothes factory and taking on an additional 50 staff as it adapted to the challenges of Covid-19.
Outdoor clothing producer Keela has expanded its facilities in Southfield by 10,000 sq ft as it adapted its business model to meet demands for NHS gowns.
Sales director Sam Fernando said: “The investment has been significant but it has been a wonderful experience.
“Whilst there was an element of risk involved, we needed to be bold and provide a long-term solution to social distancing to ensure we could continue to manufacture our outdoor clothing, as well as produce gowns for the NHS.
“It wasn’t an easy task to purchase, refurbish and create new manufacturing facilities during lockdown, but the team stepped up.”
Keela’s high specification performance gear is used by professionals, the military, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The business success story emerged as Fife Business Week launched its online programme for November.
Fife’s major business event programme will run from November 2 to 6 and offer a broad range of seminars and webinars, covering important issues facing the local economy.
It is the 11th year the week has run, having launched during the last recession.
Michael Longstaff, chairman of Fife Economy Partnership, said: “Our businesses are facing challenging times as they and local economies try to find their feet and start to create opportunities in the new “normal” following the pandemic. We are now entering a recession for the first time in 11 years, the same age as Fife Business Week.
“We hope our comprehensive week of online events will give businesses inspiration for the future and give them a platform to network.”
Mr Longstaff, who is the chief executive of major Fife employer Smith Anderson, said the events would offer vital skills as businesses adapt to a change in trading conditions.
“Many of our events address e-commerce trading, new supply chains and markets, digital connectivity and adapting to agile business models, all vital for future business,” he said.
“The Fife Economy Partnership is keen to ensure that Fife Business Week offers a comprehensive range of digital events that will allow new and established businesses to access the wide range of public and private sector support agencies, business experts and entrepreneurs.
“I would encourage all businesses to engage in this week of events, more than ever this year, to inspire them to move their businesses forward with confidence to meet the unprecedented demands of Covid-19.”
Fife Business Week is hosted by Fife Council’s economic development team and Business Gateway.
