KEY SECTORS
ELECTRONICS AND SOFTWARE
West Lothian has an established history of attracting multinational electronic and technology companies. After Livingston expanded rapidly due to a number of major players locating here, the town soon became known as Scotland's Silicon Glen.
Around 80 firms employ 1,645 people within the region, including world-leading companies such as Mitsubishi and Shin-Etsu Handotai, as well as diverse indigenous electronics and optoelectronics sectors, software development and IT services.
West Lothian's strengths in this centre are underpinned by its proximity to nine leading universities, its future sustained by the creation of the five data-driven innovation hubs as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Deal.
Mitsubishi has been producing air conditioning and water heat pump systems in Livingston since 1994. The heat pumps are capturing attention in the renewable heating area as a way to conserve energy. Mitsubishi have also recently relocated their UK research and development to Livingston with aims for it to become the centre of design excellence outside of Japan.
Plexus
Electronic Engineers Plexus offer integrated design, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain solutions to the industry.
Established in 1979 Plexus is a multinational company with over 19,000 staff globally. In 2013 the company moved from Livingston to bigger premises at The Pyramids Business Park, Bathgate.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi was founded in 1921 and today has over 100 years of experience in providing high quality and innovative products to global customers.
Air conditioning production began in Livingston in 1994 and the site is now the largest producer of air source heat pumps in Europe.