Independent plant hire businesses Jarvie Plant Group has opted to ignore the downturn in Aberdeen’s economy by making a substantial investment in a new depot.

The firm has opened a purpose built facility on the East Tullos Industrial Estate following a short period of redevelopment.

The works included refurbishing the offices, workshop units and also preparing the yard to accommodate the range of equipment to be maintained out of the depot.

The Grangemouth-based firm, founded by John Jarvie Snr in 1960, acquired the 1.5 acre site on Greenbank Road, in mid-2015. A total of 10 to 15 jobs will be created as part of the project.

“Aberdeen has been suffering with the fall in oil price which has had knock on consequences, but we view it as a city with a strong business undercurrent which will recover,” said Jarvie Plant’s business development director, David Jarvie.

“The extension of our depot network is an exciting development for us and we are confident it will be well received by our target market of house builders, contractors and local authorities,” he added.

The depot becomes the firm’s eighth in Scotland and follows a substantial scaling up of the company’s activities. Over the last 12 months staff numbers across the group have risen to 150 with 15 new jobs created to support the businesses expansion. Turnover in the last financial year has also grown by 15 per cent to £15 million supported by increased capital expenditure in new hire equipment, people and premises.

The company is currently involved in the construction of the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Bypass where it is supplying equipment and machinery to the construction consortium involving Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Galliford Try.

“Our investment in our Aberdeen depot further underlines our commitment to providing our customers with a wide range of plant, vehicles and accommodation for hire,” said Jarvie Plant’s finance director, Stuart Granton.