Clancy is working with social enterprise Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) to support the transportation of wind turbine blades and components across south west Scotland as significant investment is made in developing the country’s wind energy infrastructure.

SBMC – which provides jobs for Armed Forces veterans learning to live with a disability or injury or trying to adapt to civilian life following service – provides engineering, road sign manufacturing and print services for clients across public and private sectors.  

The social enterprise has contracted Clancy Traffic Management to provide Variable Message Signs (VMS) to support its work with current wind energy client Vattenfall, which is transporting turbine components from ports in Ayr and Glasgow inland to South Kyle Wind Farm.

With 64-metre-long blades, these major turbine components are being transported under escort and in convoy. The ability to alter road signs on the route quickly and flexibly with Clancy’s VMS service means the developer can keep local communities and other road users informed of any changes to the delivery schedule.

SBMC, a division of Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), is based in Erskine Veterans Village Estate – a community which provides accommodation and care for veterans in a village environment.  

The work offered by SBMC supports ex-service personnel in developing new skills in a commercial environment and regaining independence and confidence in civilian life. 

Its training centre, approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, helps employees to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) and other formal certifications while they earn a living.

As well as delivering social value in the region, SBMC is working to reduce its own and clients’ environmental impact. It is currently working to develop end-of-life solutions for several of the products that it currently delivers, including innovative recycling options for materials used in the signs industry.

The partnership builds on Clancy’s commitment to supporting members of Armed Forces communities. The business was recognised with a Silver Award from the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021 for its support for veterans, reservists, spouses and cadet volunteers. Clancy guarantees to interview ex-service personnel with transferrable skills and offers special leave policies for serving reservists.

Gary Moore, associate director at Clancy, said: “Decarbonisation is becoming increasingly critical to improving the UK’s energy security and significant work is needed over the coming years to develop and retrofit our infrastructure. The materials for that infrastructure will all need to be transported in a way that minimises risk to safety and cost and Clancy is proud to deliver the Variable Message Signs to help Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company and its client to do just that.

“With the progress and successes we’ve seen as part of our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant over the past three years, we’re excited to be supporting SBMC and the social value which the not-for-profit is delivering in Scotland.”

Robert Lappin, assistant director at Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, said: “People who leave the Armed Forces, whether it’s due to injury, disability or other personal or professional reasons, hold a wealth of transferable skills and qualities.  

“As the construction and manufacturing sectors – and many others – struggle with skills shortages, the quality of our work demonstrates why recruiting from a diverse talent pool and investing in that talent is so important – unlocking an often over-looked, yet experienced and valuable part of the workforce.  

“We’re pleased to be working with Clancy, an organisation which shares that belief in and commitment to the ex-service community.”

Click here to find out more about the work and services provided by Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.