WORKERS at the Norbord wood processing plants in Inverness and Stirling have been praised for their vital role in providing much needed materials during the COVID-19 response. 

The plants at Dalcross and Cowie have 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.

All these temporary hospitals have been built in order to treat patients with COVID-19.

Thanking the staff for their efforts, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The forestry and wood processing sector in Scotland is playing a vital role during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Key products such as pallets, packaging, biomass fuel and other wood-based construction materials are all helping to keep the country running.

“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.”

At the Norbord plants, only critical people remain on site to continue key operations. All social distancing guidelines are being observed along with safe working practices. Where this is not possible, the operations have ceased.

Steve Roebuck of Norbord Europe 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.”

Stuart Goodall, chief executive of Confor 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.”

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Thanks – and stay safe.