In the heart of Scotland, innovative strides are being made that will echo globally, while local businesses undergo significant transformations. Dundee-based Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) has taken a monumental step in the vertical farming sector by shipping its first major consignment of specialist parts to the United Arab Emirates. This shipment marks the beginning of the construction of the world’s first GigaFarm at Dubai Food Tech Valley, a project spearheaded by ReFarm Global (ReFarmTM) on a sprawling 900,000 sq ft plot. The initiative is a bold move to bolster food security in the region.
The shipment includes 800 individual trays, a crucial component of IGS’s indoor growing system. These patented trays are designed to fit within the company’s 12-metre-high vertical farming towers, offering advanced climate control for optimal crop growth. The project, which broke ground in November last year, is a testament to the growing importance of vertical farming in addressing global food security challenges.
Meanwhile, in the architectural realm, Crawford Architecture, a Montrose-based firm, has undergone a significant transition. After nearly four decades in business, founder John Crawford is retiring, and the firm has switched to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This move ensures a seamless succession plan and allows the firm, known for its work on local projects like the Montrose Playhouse and Project Montrose, to continue its legacy.
In the waste management sector, Perthshire-based Binn Group has expanded its footprint by acquiring R Finnie Skip Hire, a long-established business in Inverness. This acquisition strengthens Binn Group’s presence in the north of Scotland and the Highlands, increasing its workforce by 17 to 140 employees. Fiona Labrum, who has managed the Shore Road depot for 22 years, will relocate to Inverness to take on the role of site manager. Binn Group plans to invest significantly in its new Highland base, with expectations of creating additional jobs as the site develops.
Lastly, in the accountancy sector, BK Plus continues its expansion in Scotland with the acquisition of four more practices. The firm, which entered the Scottish market with the acquisition of Cornerstone Accountancy in Glasgow and FourM in Dundee, has now added Walton Kilgour in Perthshire, Ian MacFarlane in Falkirk, JC Wallace in Glasgow, and Bird Simpson in Dundee to its portfolio. These acquisitions underscore the firm’s commitment to growth and its expanding presence in the Scottish market.
