Building Briefs – January 15th

• Falkirk roofing firm wins public sector contract

The organisation provided training about how the public sector operates, crucial policies and information required when submitting tender documents and raised awareness of both organisations amongst public sector buyers.

Rooftec Scotland provides a variety of roof construction services including full commercial and domestic roof installations. After taking advantage of Business Gateway’s expert procurement help, Rooftec was successful in winning a key public sector contract with Kingdom Housing Association worth over £270,000.

Lorraine Taylor, business adviser at Business Gateway Falkirk, said: “Our aim was to support both companies with the public procurement application process. After engaging with Business Gateway’s expert procurement help, ABC Ambulance Services and Rooftec Scotland submitted robust Public Contract Scotland applications which led to successful outcomes in both cases.

“It is fantastic to see how Business Gateway’s support has helped both businesses to grow and develop their respective operations, as well as raising their profiles in the public sector and increasing overall employment.”

Mark Cattanach, director of Rooftec Scotland, said: “Our Business Gateway adviser has really helped us to understand the Public Contracts Scotland system, which can be quite daunting when submitted your first tenders.

“The result of working with Business Gateway has seen us win a substantial public sector contract which will provide work for the business for several months. In addition to our current order book, this has resulted in a major recruitment campaign to help us keep up with demand.”

• Scottish Government launches £6m small business climate change fund

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today launched a new £6 million fund to support projects helping small and medium-sized business (SMEs) take advantage of the global transition to a low carbon economy.

The initiative is the latest in the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle climate change.

The First Minister said: “Scotland is at the forefront of worldwide efforts to tackle climate change and our companies have a huge role to play in helping us achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

“Innovative technological solutions are going to be needed and our announcement today will help SMEs across Scotland take advantage of these new market opportunities.”

• Plan to create new £1m accommodation at Aberdeen community

A community for people with learning difficulties in Aberdeen is spending £1.1 million on building new accommodation.

Newton Dee Camphill Community is home for up to 93 adults with varying special needs, letting them live semi-independently.

An almost self-sustaining place, those with learning difficulties get the chance to do work and have opportunities for personal development.

On location there are two farms, metal and wood workshops, a cafe and a bakery.

Now it has applied for a building warrant to change an out-of-date former store into residential accommodation for 10 people.

The new development will be completely accessible and environmentally-friendly.

• Steel price rise boost for Dundee stockholder

Dundee steel stockholder Brown & Tawse almost doubled its profits last year as the commodity price rose.

The company, which was established in 1881, specialises in a range of added value services including sawing, drilling, plasma and laser-cutting as well as shotblasting and painting.

Newly filed company accounts show revenues for the year ending March 31 rose by 6.3% to £18.8 million.

Pre-tax profits for the company, which employs more than 60 staff in Dundee, increased from £630,000 in 2018 to £1.2m last year.

Managing director Ian Harding, who led a management buyout with three senior managers in 1997, said the company had outperformed many of its peers in the sector.

• Plan to transform derelict Cowie site

New community facilities for Cowie – combining the village’s library and community centre – are planned for a derelict building on Main Street.

The Stirling Council proposals include a library, group rooms for social clubs, a makers space for craft activities, business space for local start-ups, a kitchen and offices.

The site which sits between a hairdressers and a convenience store is currently occupied by a burnt-out building which has been lying derelict for several years.

• Imtech Scotland donates emergency defibrillator to Ogilvie Construction site

Imtech Scotland has donated an emergency defibrillator to Ogilvie Construction’s Minerva Street site, where Imtech is delivering the Mechanical and Electrical package.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This lifesaving piece of equipment will be available on site during the construction phase of the Minerva Street Development in Glasgow and will then be donated to the local community once the development is completed.

The defibrillator was handed over to Ogilvie’s project manager Alasdair Wells by Imtech’s project manager Ian Fannen and Emma Fradgley, Imtech’s business development manager.