A highland social enterprise that has made beds for royalty for nearly two centuries has signed a major two-year agreement with City Building Glasgow
Aberdeen-based social enterprise Glencraft, which has been handcrafted mattresses since 1843, has secured a two-year agreement to supply 190 spring units a week to City Building Glasgow. The contract was won through the Scottish Government’s Supported Business Framework.
Having supplied mattresses to four generations of the royal family, Glencraft is not only well-known for its supply of high-quality beds and mattresses, but also for its social impacts in employing blind and partially-sighted workers. Glencraft currently has about 45 members of staff, around 80% of whom are disabled or come from a disadvantaged background.
Glencraft currently has about 45 members of staff, around 80% of whom are disabled or come from a disadvantaged background
Glencraft’s business growth, since re-launching its workshop six years ago, has been supported by investment of £230,000 from Social Investment Scotland.
Graham McWilliam, managing director of Glencraft, said: “Winning this contract is a great boon for Glencraft. We handcraft our mattresses and spring units to ensure they are of the highest quality made by our loyal and dedicated team. This two year contract will provide the business with stability and allow us to hopefully win further work with other organisations looking to collaborate with social enterprises.”
Lesley Quinn, head of client management and communications at City Building Glasgow said: “We are thrilled to be working with Glencraft to provide 190 spring units per week to our business. Their spring units will be used by our manufacturing division at City Building, Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBI). Where possible we look to work with social enterprises and supported businesses, as part of our high standards for responsible business practice and Glencraft are a quality business making a quality product.”
Alastair Davis, chief executive, Social Investment Scotland said: “Glencraft has rightly earned its reputation for providing high-quality products so it’s gratifying to see them winning major contracts such as this with City Building Glasgow. We’ve worked with Glencraft for over six years to help build the business and maximise its social impacts within the local community. By winning more business, Glencraft can continue to grow, which will mean taking on more staff who might struggle to find employment elsewhere.”
