Our seaweed company is rooted in Scotland, and we take pride in that heritage. We engage in the local culture, community and conversation of North Uist. Our employees work in an environment where people feel valued, making contributions that enrich our Island home and the bountiful local ecosystem. Meet the people working to make our sustainable seaweed a mainstay of Scotland and those responsible for the Hebrides’ seaweed renaissance:
Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Drivers
My job consists of a bit of everything that’s going on from when the wet seaweed comes into the factory, is dried and leaves production packaged for customers. I’ve been working at the Uist Asco factory since it started and was part of the team that put the boiler and drier together. I work on equipment maintenance, and I also help with the quality control procedures that we follow to make sure our product is the best! I’m a Health and Safety representative and make sure my work colleagues, contractors and visitors are safe while on site. My job is rewarding in many way. Just recently, Uist Asco sent me on a trip to visit the Arramara factory in Ireland. It’s good knowing I’m appreciated for the work I do for the company.
As Uist Asco’s Resource Biologist, it’s my role to coordinate the ongoing assessment of the Ascophyllum nodosum resource available for our sustainable harvest. My tasks change regularly and inspire me on a daily basis. I really enjoy working as part of a great team here at Uist Asco, and it has been truly enjoyable to be involved with this fantastic company for the past two years.
I started my career at Uist Asco as an Assistant Resource Technician. I worked in the plant (covering for Operators taking holidays), harvested seaweed and eventually found my calling as Uist Asco’s Resource Manager. Having been given the opportunity to learn several jobs within the company has certainly broadened my understanding of all the great work we do here and has allowed me to advance my career.
I started working for the parent company Acadian Seaplants as an Engineering Co-op Student. After I graduated, I was given the opportunity to join the company as an Engineer at its land-based seaweed farm and then worked my way through all the other seaweed processing facilities in the company. In 2017 when Acadian purchased Uist Asco, I was offered the opportunity to come across to North Uist and manage the operation. It’s been a really great opportunity to see our team develop so quickly and to help build such a substantial operation here. I am so proud to see the positive impact Uist Asco has on the local community, seaweed resource and economy.