Amid the Scottish Parliament election campaigning last week, a couple of positive and non-contentious stories stood out on the business and economic front.

Business Editor Ian McConnell analyses these two manufacturing success stories.

While the Scottish Parliament election has probably dominated at least as much of the conversation in the business world as anywhere else north of the Border, there have been plenty of other things going on.

As is natural in the fray of election campaigning, there has been much negativity as various politicians have tried to score points, sometimes spuriously.

So thankfully there has been some positive and non-contentious news on the business and economic front over the last week.

After last Monday’s bank holiday, what was the working week for many got off to a bright start last Tuesday with heartening news from a major Scottish fabrication yard which has had more than its fair share of ups and downs over years and decades.

Spanish state-owned group Navantia, which acquired the yard at Methil in January last year, christened the Seahorse transport barge at the site last Tuesday.

It hailed this as a “significant step forward” for the Methil yard.

And it had some great news on the employment front, in an area in which the labour market has often been difficult for people.

Since Navantia acquired the Methil yard, the headcount at the site has grown from about 180 to 260.

And Navantia revealed last Tuesday it is on a recruitment drive to fill a further 110 roles at Methil.

Included in this is recruitment of 15 apprentices, to join the existing class of 54........

© Herald Scotland