Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Co celebrates Kings’ Award for Enterprise for providing employment to veterans.

RBLI’s Scottish social enterprise Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Co has celebrated its Kings’ Award for Enterprise with customers and supporters.

The team was presented this week with the award, a written Royal Grant of Approval and a commemorative crystal by the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Colonel Peter McCarthy.

The award recognises our work over five years to provide jobs to disadvantaged veterans and to actively promote disability employment in Scotland.

At the factory in Bishopton near Glasgow, veterans and people with disabilities manufacture road, rail, and commercial signage for Scotland’s infrastructure as well as public and private bodies.

We manufacture for employers such as Bear Scotland, Scottish Canals, Forestry and Land Scotland, NHS Scotland, National Highways, and Amey, delivering a turnover of £1.8 million a year.

At the award-giving event, customers pledged further investments to SBMC with Bear Scotland to spend £1 million with SBMC and Scottish Canals pledging £250,000.

James Smith, a sign maker at SBMC, said: “I served in the Armed Forces when I was injured in 2010. I lost my legs and had to recover from that. I married, had a couple of kids, and was a stay-at-home father for five years.

“I was struggling with getting back to work and not wanting to embarrass myself. I heard about the job at SBMC and started on a temporary contract.

“It’s a great place to work, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and done things I didn’t think I could do with the injuries I have. I’m looking forward to working here for many years.”

Robert Lappin, assistant director at SBMC, said: “It’s an incredible honour to have been awarded The King’s Award for Excellence in the Promoting Opportunities category.

“We are passionate about making a social impact and the recognition by His Majesty is a massive boost for everyone at SBMC, as it highlights our commitment to provide employment to veterans and people with disabilities.

“SBMC would be nothing without its people, customers and the donors and foundations who understand our work.”