This county’s economy comprises businesses in industries such as biotech and life sciences, logistics and distribution, food and drink, electronics and software, retail and engineering and construction. Companies with a presence in West Lothian include Mitsubishi Electric; Touch Bionics, which is responsible for the world’s first powered prosthetic hand; and Calnex Solutions, a global leader in telecom synchronisation technology. Gore, the manufacturer of Gore-Tex, a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane, has a facility in Livingston, West Lothian’s largest town.
There are numerous ways to make money running a business. Franchising is a way of running your own business, but with the training and support of an established national - or even international - company. There are hundreds of business opportunities that are classified as franchises operating in dozens of market sectors. Franchisors give full initial and ongoing training, so you don’t necessarily need any experience of the market you wish to enter. In addition, the success rate of franchises is many times greater than independent start-up businesses.