The IBM Corporation's presence in Greenock, Scotland, dates back over 40 years. With a current turnover in excess of #2billion (pounds GB), IBM in Greenock is the company's key high-volume manufacturing site in Europe. It is also one of Scotland's largest exporters, with more than two and a half million system units shipped abroad last year. In 1997, the site was awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for outstanding export achievements, providing important recognition of the role the Greenock site plays in the UK economy. Since it began manufacturing in 1951, the site - like the PC market - has evolved considerably.

Originally based in an old Greenock torpedo factory, it manufactured electric typewriters. In 1954, it relocated to Spango Valley, where its 600-strong workforce produced sorters, card punchers and verifiers. By the '60s, the site was assembling, building and testing computers. It was the following decade - with the production of high volume, low-cost monitors and terminals - that saw IBM Greenock develop the skills necessary to meet the market demands that have since changed the site beyond recognition.

Since the launch in 1984 of the IBM Personal Computer, it has remained one of the world's market leaders. While responsible for the manufacture of the full range of IBM's personal computers for customers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the site manufactures and distributes PCs, ThinkPads and Netfinity Servers to IBM dealers and customers in over seventy five countries. Greenock's role in the industry has grown far beyond its original manufacturing remit.

The site now invests heavily in software, hardware and technical support. In January 1998, Scottish Secretary of State, Donald Dewar, formally opened the new, world-class Server Manufacturing Facility. In simple terms, the Server is responsible for running many applications simultaneously and, due to its complexity, many opportunities for highly skilled manufacturing jobs will and have been created. "Investment reinforces our commitment to both the Server market and to Greenock," explained Site Director Charlie Morrison. "The capacity increase afforded by the new facility strengthens our ability to deliver state-of-the-art server products that help our customers run their business. It's good news for both our customers and the location."