Subsea cable manufacturing company XLCC is establishing a base at The Halo Enterprise and Innovation Centre Kilmarnock. 

XLCC will build the UK’s first high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable factory at nearby Hunterston, creating 1,200 jobs, including 300 in Kilmarnock.

The company has already established its training academy in Irvine, working with Ayrshire College.

At The Halo, the partners are also exploring the creation of a Green Economy Sustainability Centre which will include a Green Accelerator and an Education Hub for SME businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Halo regeneration project is set within the former 28-acre Johnnie Walker bottling plant.

Marie Macklin, founder and executive chair of The Halo, said: “XLCC and Halo Kilmarnock have a successful track record of working together since 2023 when XLCC chose Halo as the base for its apprentices before moving to its training factory in Irvine in 2024.

“This initiative puts us at the forefront of driving new, just transition opportunities for the former industrial heartlands of Ayrshire. I look forward to working with XLCC and our key stakeholders, including private sector partners, Scottish Enterprise, East Ayrshire Council, the UK and Scottish Governments, to deliver for all in our communities at pace.”

XLCC CEO, Ian Douglas, said:  “XLCC is delighted to be teaming up with HALO to establish its Sales and Project Delivery Headquarters at The HALO Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Kilmarnock.”