 | 'The by-election was more about Scottish Executive issues than Westminster ones. Labour at Holyrood was a negative issue for us and they are not immune from criticism. Retreating into neo-nationalism is not the answer.' Ian Davidson, Labour MP for Glasgow South West. |  |
Up to 70 jobs are to be lost at an electronics manufacturing plant.
Sinclar, the Scottish-based global electronics manufacturer, is making the cut backs at its Dunfermline plant where 400 people are employed.
The company, which has 1,200 employees in Scotland and 2,200 worldwide, says it has come under increasing pressure from customers to shift production to low-cost economies overseas.
A spokesman said: "The redundancies in Dunfermline are regrettable and come as a direct result of having to compete in a global marketplace where manufacturing costs simply do not operate on a level planning field."
The Simclar Group, Scotland's largest family-owned manufacturing concern, was founded by chairman Sam Russell in 1976.
The group, with plants in Mexico, China and the United States, is currently involved in a successful diversification strategy and expects global sales this year to top $400m.
The spokesman added: "The company is Scottish headquartered and proud of it. We intend to remain so."
Last month, computer printer firm Lexmark announced it was closing its manufacturing plant in Rosyth Fife, with the loss of 700 jobs.
The Lexmark blow came at the start of a fierce Westminster by-election battle for the Dunfermline and West Fife seat which was won by the Liberal Democrats on Friday.
Lib Dem candidate Willie Rennie overcame an 11,000 Labour majority to win the seat by 1,800 votes.
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