CHRISTMAS has come early for staff at a protective coatings firm as it became the latest Scottish company to become employee owned.

Chemco International will now be 100% owned by its 24 employees.

Founder Manny Khorasani said: “I knew that employee ownership was exactly what I was looking for – it would provide the security that we wanted and, most importantly, would allow the employees, who have all played a key role in the growth of Chemco, to have a real say in its future.”