Founding a new construction group was never going to be easy – but to do it in 2022, just after the most devastating pandemic in living memory, posed unique challenges for Gareth Edwards and Andrew Rae. However, with over five decades of combined industry expertise and a clear vision for the future, they turned these challenges into an opportunity to establish The Glencairn Group as a trusted name in Scotland’s construction sector.

The founding directors brought a wealth of industry knowledge, gained from senior leadership roles within reputable PLCs in the construction sector. Their shared commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions laid the foundation for The Glencairn Group, which offers capabilities across residential, commercial, and industrial construction, along with renewable energy solutions.

Identifying a gap in the market for a small to medium-sized contractor capable of delivering social and affordable housing, they set out to bridge this gap while maintaining a diverse portfolio of projects. Glencairn had to adapt quickly, acquiring its own land and focusing on contracting to stimulate cash flow. Initial successes included delivering a £1.2 million commercial warehouse in Glasgow and various refurbishment projects. Recently, the company completed a £0.5m factory extension at Deeside Timberframe’s facility at Throsk in the Stirling Council area, handed over last month.

Deeside Timberframe is now well-positioned to enhance its production capacity and meet growing demand for sustainable solutions. Supporting these sustainability goals, Glencairn’s energy division, Distrikt Energy Limited, installed a 110kW solar panel system, enabling greener, more efficient operations at the facility.

The group is also working on a £2m residential project in Bothwell, set for completion in July, alongside a number of smaller refurbishment projects. “These projects showcase our ability to deliver quality across various sectors,” says Mr Edwards.

“As you can see, we’ve had to adapt quickly to ensure stability and growth,” he continues. “Our inclusion in the second generation of the Scotland Excel New Build Residential Construction framework underscores our capability to deliver high-quality housing solutions, gaining the trust of councils and housing associations across Scotland.”

“There are 32 local authorities in Scotland that can now use us as a procurement route to deliver social and affordable housing. The positive result is that we’ve already acquired a couple of tenders as part of this framework,” he adds.

The group is navigating the planning process for two key sites: one for 36 units in West Calder, West Lothian, for private sale, and another in Falkirk, where heads of terms have been agreed for 24 units. Additionally, the group is preparing to commence five houses in the Clyde Valley in Q2 2025 and is exploring new private development opportunities.

“We’ve engaged with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and local authorities about land-led deals. This is in addition to our contracting arm, which delivers commercial warehouses, bespoke self-builds, and refurbishments - creating a varied and robust offering,” says Mr Edwards.

Sustainability is at the core of The Glencairn Group’s values. Distrikt Energy Limited brings more than 20 years of expertise in solar PV, heat pumps, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and energy consultancy services across commercial and domestic markets. That part of the group is headed up by Steven Porch, who held leadership positions with several companies, including Mears Scotland Ltd as operations director and Mitie Property Services Ltd as regional manager. “Recognising a market gap driven by evolving building regulations prioritising sustainability, we expanded significantly,” explains Mr Edwards.

“We began with small-scale renewable projects, such as PV panels and battery storage, but quickly progressed to large-scale systems, including a 500kW commercial installation currently underway. We’ve also engaged in Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) and ground-source heat pump projects.”

Over the past 12 months, the group has collaborated with Scottish Power Renewables on solar farms, large civil projects, and enabling works. “While our activities are diverse, we bring deep expertise to every project we undertake. Adaptability is key, allowing us to respond to market demands effectively,” he adds.

Mr Edwards highlights that the cost of building an affordable home in Scotland has surged to over £190,000. “While the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme covers 55% of the cost through grants, the remaining 45% must be sourced by Local Authorities and RSLs through borrowing and other means. This financial strain, coupled with inflation and rising material costs, creates significant challenges in delivering affordable housing at scale. Despite these hurdles, we remain committed to playing a role in addressing Scotland’s housing crisis,” he states.

“The temporary reduction of £196m in the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme budget spooked the sector, heightening competition for public contracts and creating uncertainty for smaller contractors like Glencairn, who heavily rely on these opportunities. While this reduction has since been reversed, it highlighted the fragility of funding and the need for contractors to remain agile in navigating such challenges,” Mr Edwards notes.

“Supply chain disruptions caused by Brexit, global pandemic and conflict have escalated material costs and delayed projects, affecting cash flow and margins. However, our strong supplier relationships have helped mitigate some of these risks,” he adds. “We continue to focus on innovative solutions and efficient project management to maintain stability.”

“Build-to-Rent properties and retrofitting projects offer significant opportunities for growth,” Mr Edwards continues. “By aligning with Scotland’s Housing to 2040 strategy, we are well-placed to contribute to the country’s sustainability goals while meeting evolving market demands.”

“We believe that tackling these challenges requires collective efforts between contractors, housing associations, and the government, and Glencairn is committed to playing a proactive role in these discussions,” he concludes.

“From our foundation during one of the most challenging periods for the sector to gaining visibility and trust across Scotland, The Glencairn Group remains committed to delivering value, innovation, and quality across all projects. By focusing on adaptability and collaboration, we have positioned ourselves as capable and experienced contributors to Scotland’s construction future.”

As a group, we’ve worked tirelessly to achieve certifications and accreditations that reflect our commitment. These include ISO certifications for Quality Management (9001), Environmental Management (14001), and Occupational Health and Safety (45001), as well as Constructionline Gold, SSIPs, Living Wage accreditation, MCS, NAPIT, UKAS, and HIES. These achievements highlight our dedication to industry-leading standards and our focus on delivering sustainable, high-quality solutions.

Housing, commercial developments, and renewables remain core focuses for the group, and Mr Edwards sees significant opportunities in these areas. He highlights growing demand for commercial projects and the pivotal role renewables play in the company’s portfolio. “We have an excellent supply chain that delivers for us. This year alone, we’ve completed three commercial projects and are actively procuring another, while continuing to expand our capabilities in sustainable energy solutions.”

“Maintaining strong cash flow and profitability is paramount as we balance growth with careful project selection. As a young company, we’re gaining visibility and are ready to take on bigger projects. Above all, we’re versatile and possess the commercial awareness needed to ensure the viability of every project we undertake, delivering certainty on time, quality, and cost.”