Manufacturer hopes to create hundreds of new Dundee jobs with move
Textile business Wilkie announced it was moving from Kirriemuir and Forfar
Last updated 10th Jan 2025
Hundreds of jobs could be coming to Dundee after textile business Wilkie announced it was moving to the area.
It acquired a majority shareholding of Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) after partnering with Scottish Enterprise and hopes to boost its workforce in Tayside to 600.
The move will also deliver an estimated £50 million investment in infrastructure, technology and development.
Wilkie says the decision to relocate from Kirriemuir and Forfar was not taken lightly and that the current factory no longer meets the demands of modern manufacturing.
Hamish Rowan, CEO, Wilkie said: “The world-class infrastructure at MSIP provides a strong foundation for Wilkie to honour its proud legacy while embarking on an exciting new chapter of innovation and growth.
“This strategic decision reflects Wilkie’s commitment to seizing the immense opportunities presented in the global technical textiles market.
“While deeply rooted in its heritage and long-standing ties to Kirriemuir, the decision to relocate to Dundee was emotional and not taken lightly.
“This move marks the beginning of a new era, creating a home for Wilkie for the next 150 years and empowering the team to realise Wilkie's ambitious and sustainable growth plans for the future.
“With MSIP and a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, we are looking forward to welcoming and supporting other related and exciting businesses to the Parc in the near future.”
The announcement comes six years after the closure of the Michelin Tyre Factory in Dundee, where Wilkie’s site will be.
The manufacturer says it offers a purpose-built, modern layout capable of housing advanced technologies.
It also added it hopes to use the Innovation Parc’s wind turbines and connection to the MVV Waste to Energy plant to maximise the site’s renewable energy sources.
Commenting on Wilkie's plans to invest at MSIP, Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said: “This investment in Dundee from Wilkie and the hundreds of jobs that they hope to create at the former Michelin site will be transformational for the local economy.
“There has been a huge amount of work to secure a positive future for the site and create local jobs since the tyre factory closed.
“Those efforts from the team at MSIP, Michelin, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council are now paying off.
“This significant investment from Wilkie is a vote of confidence in the city that will help to support further investment at MSIP, as the Parc goes from strength to strength.
“MSIP has huge potential to deliver job opportunities for local people for many years to come and I’m excited to see these plans move forward.”
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