Forget whisky and shortbread, Scotland should also be known for making world-class hi-fi

Linn Products has been crafting its range of turntables, amplifiers, speakers and nowadays digital streamers from its base near Glasgow for 50 years. The privately-owned firm, whose products have an enviable global reputation among well-heeled audiophiles, generated sales of more than £22 million last year as the business invested some £3m in a bid to keep it at the forefront of audio innovation.

And now much younger brand Fyne Audio has made a bold commitment to its Scottish roots by opening a new factory close to Glasgow that will allow it to double its UK production capacity.

Since its founding in 2017, the loudspeaker designer and manufacturer has grown its market presence and gained numerous awards and positive reviews for its product line-up. Its flagship models are hand crafted within its own workshops and head office, while its more affordable speakers have been built in China, to exacting standards, overseen by the company.

The firm’s newly opened site in the Bellshill area spans nearly 50,000 square feet with more than 20,000 square feet of working space, including dedicated warehousing, manufacturing and engineering facilities - with room to expand further. The move represents a substantial investment and brings many of the company’s loudspeaker production processes under a single roof, from design and engineering to assembly and testing, allowing for greater efficiency and control over quality, bosses said.

Managing director Anji Sosna, who worked for venerable speaker brand Tannoy for about 20 years, alongside several other members of the team that went on to found Fyne Audio, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil our new factory, which represents the culmination of years of hard work and a considerable financial investment. This expansion allows us to not only meet the growing global demand for our products but also reinforces our position as a leading manufacturer of British-made hi-fi.

“The increased capacity will enable us to produce considerably more units from our premium UK-made loudspeaker series, providing better service to our 45 distributors worldwide, as well as ensuring quicker delivery times for our customers.”

The new factory includes a bespoke demonstration facility where dealers and visitors can experience the firm’s premium loudspeakers in action. The facility also houses a deep cryogenic treatment chamber and expanded workstations.

The company has plans to install 400 solar panels on the factory roof, further enhancing its sustainability efforts by generating enough electricity to power the entire operation and beyond.

“By bringing everything under one roof in the UK, we’re improving not only efficiency but also the overall quality and control of the entire production process,” added Sosna.

As part of its expansion, Fyne Audio is creating more jobs in the area, offering opportunities in engineering, manufacturing and logistics.

Since its launch, the firm has developed its premium loudspeaker ranges around its innovative point-source “IsoFlare” driver technology. It holds several technical patents in audio engineering, including for its BassTrax porting system.

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