Seventy jobs will be created in Dunfermline by oil and gas industry giants FMC Technologies.
It is part of an expansion which will also see 170 jobs created at FMC’s site in Bellshill.
The boost is another success story for the skilled west Fife workforce.
It comes hot on the heels of BAE Systems’ manufacturing division at Hillend landing a £20 million contract to develop parts of the radar system on the next generation of the Typhoon combat aircraft and the arrival of the mid-section of a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier at Babcock’s Rosyth yard.
The news of the expansion of the firm, a leading technology provider for the energy industry, was greeted with joy by politicians.
Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty said: “FMC Technologies’ expansion is great news for Dunfermline, coming on top of positive news from Shepherd Offshore and Dunfermline Building Society.
“This is a big vote of confidence in everything Fife has to offer, including our vibrant communities, great transport links and fantastic workforce.”
City of Dunfermline committee chairman Joe Rosiejak said: “I am absolutely delighted to hear about FMC expanding.
“This is a great boost for the economy and the city of Dunfermline.
“The company has a highly skilled workforce, it has good training and great facilities.”‘Industry and academia’The news of the 240 research and development and manufacturing posts came as enterprise minister Fergus Ewing visited the company’s Bellshill base.
FMC Technologies’ plans to expand are being supported with £2.5m of regional selective assistance through Scottish Enterprise.
This news will take FMC’s Scottish workforce to almost 1,000.
It employs 12,500 people in 16 countries.
Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International have worked with FMC and helped to open the Bellshill facility three years ago.
Since then FMC Technologies has also developed strong links with Glasgow Caledonian University.
President and chief executive John Gremp said: “We now look to our partners in industry and academia to continue to supply talent not only to our Scottish-based operations, but to our operations globally.”‘Open for business’Mr Ewing said: “This government is working hard to increase sustainable economic growth across Scotland, and that is why I am delighted that FMC Technologies are expanding their operations in Scotland and creating 240 new jobs.
“Scotland’s experience in subsea engineering, drilling and fabrication has seen many companies become vital players throughout the world.
Scottish Enterprise chief executive Lena Wilson said there is international demand for oil and gas technology, so it is vital that conditions in Scotland are right for companies like FMC Technologies.
She said: “It’s our job to make sure global investors see Scotland as the ideal place to do business, and RSA is one of the key tools we use to do exactly that.
“Our message is clear as a nation Scotland has unique strengths and world-class capabilities and is very much open for business.”
Skills Development Scotland chief executive Damien Yeates said: “FMC Technologies already operates an ambitious modern apprenticeship programme across a range of levels and disciplines.
“SDS will continue to work closely with them to ensure training provision is co-ordinated to match the needs of its exciting expansion plans.”