ALLOA-based paper producer Weir Paper Products has collected an Award

for Training by Employers.

Over the last two years the company has achieved a 4.4% increase in

production, a reduction of #50,000 on maintenance costs, and a reduction

of 11.5% on the levels of broke, or wasted, paper.

These improvements are largely the result of a heavy investment in

training. Managing director Mr Mike Duckett said: ''Our training success

has given us a more highly-skilled workforce with a higher degree of

motivation and commitment and we are now far more confident about

involving employees in the business.''

Weir Paper embarked on a programme of training and improvements five

years ago after its acquisition by the Pratt Group of Australia from

Gestetner.