Cumnock firm to build fire engines for Iraq

An Ayrshire company insists their huge deal to build fire engines for the Iraqi Government will be a big boost for the local area.

Emergency One - based in Cumnock - will develop 31 fire and rescue vehicles to help tackle frequent blazes which break out in the Middle Eastern country during the summer.

It’s part of Iraq’s biggest-ever investment into its emergency services following a deal brokered by the UK government.

Issued by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency, a $31 million loan allows Iraq’s Ministry of Interior to purchase 62 British-made fire-fighting vehicles

Emergency One, the UK’s leading manufacturer of fire and rescue vehicles, supplies over 90 per cent of the UK’s fire and rescue services.

And, speaking exclusively to Clyde 1 Ayrshire, International Business Manager Malcolm Eltridge admits this is a milestone moment for the local economy.

He said: “In terms of the locality of Ayrshire, this is very important because it is about Scottish engineering and Ayrshire engineering, and the fact that it is being seen globally now, not just in the UK, as something that works extremely well and extremely robustly, for, what are vital, life-saving vehicles and equipment.

“These will all be built in our manufacturing plant in Cumnock and shipped from there.”

Emergency One started in Ayrshire over 30 years ago and now supply vehicles to places like the United States and New Zealand, a growing portfolio they now add Iraq too.

The firm also confirmed the new deal has helped secure the long-term future of many jobs.

The UK Government’s Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeil believes this is a seismic moment for the area.

She said: “Crucially, it will secure jobs in Ayrshire, I wish the company every success as they complete this contract that will make really important improvements to Iraq’s emergency services.”

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