Workers at the Inverness Norbord wood processing plant have been praised for their role in providing much-needed materials during the Covid-19 response.
The plant at Dalcross has provided wood-based construction materials to the Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow, London Nightingale Hospital and other emergency hospitals in Swansea Bay, Maidstone and Exeter that treat covid-19 patients.
Rural Economy and Tourism Secretary Fergus Ewing has thanked staff for their efforts in the fight with the virus.
Mr Ewing said: “The forestry and wood processing sector in Scotland is playing a vital role during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are facing unprecedented and very difficult times and any worker who is contributing in the national cause deserves recognition and thanks.
“At Norbord, a greatly reduced workforce has managed to keep critical operations going in order to supply construction material for these important emergency hospitals.
“I would like to thank the staff for their valiant efforts at a time when the country is pulling together to tackle this COVID-19 emergency.”
Only critical people remain at the site to continue key operations with social distancing in place along with other safe working practices.
Norbord Europe’s Steve Roebuck said: “We are proud of our staff and really pleased to help in providing essential material in the construction of the emergency hospitals and key operations in the wood supply chain.
“The health and safety of our workforce is the key priority and all social distancing measures observed.”
Chief executive of Confor, Stuart Goodall added: “Scotland’s forestry and wood processing industry is seeking to do its bit to help in the fight against Covid-19.
“In this time of national emergency, all parts of the sector are keen to provide what assistance we can and welcome Scottish Government’s support to help us do that.”