3D jobs boost for economy

The company will create 250 jobs at its Dundee plant

Scotland's economy has been given a boost with the news that a Canadian company is to create 250 jobs at a £7m digital imaging centre.

The complex, which will be built in Dundee, is to specialise in 3D digital scanning.

Tied to the University of Dundee, Arius3D will also work with the University of Abertay.

The company specialises in digitally scanning objects for educational, industrial, entertainment and medical purposes.

Iain Gray: "Worldwide reputation"

David Breukelman, Arius3D president, said Dundee was an attractive choice for the company.

"We believe that our state-of-the-art 3D technology leads the field in providing extremely high resolution, true-colour digital images, a service that is unavailable from any other laser scanning system on the market," he said.

"Dundee's international reputation for innovation and expertise in a range of fields, from computer gaming and digital animation to medical education and research, made it a highly attractive option when it came to choosing the site for our new innovation centre."

The project was clinched for Scotland by various different bodies and organisations.

Scottish Development International, and the joint Scottish Executive-Scottish Enterprise agency, worked with Dundee Inward Investment Partnership of Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council.

Enterprise minister Iain Gray echoed the sentiments expressed by the company and said he hoped Dundee could lead the way in technological advance.

"This is excellent news for Dundee and an acknowledgement of the worldwide reputation of Dundee's universities as leading edge players in technology and science research," he said.

"I wish both Arius3D and the universities every success."