In its 12th year, The Trades Awards brings together Construction businesses of all sizes and disciplines to celebrate north east Scotland’s best and brightest. Hosted by Aberdeen-based marketing agency, Mearns & Gill, the event seeks to ‘shine a spotlight on the remarkable people, projects, and companies working across the region’.

Finalists will come together for the awards ceremony on Friday 1st November 2024 at Ardoe House in Aberdeen.

KR is shortlisted for the Sustainability in Construction category and the Rising Star award for team member Caitlin Bremner.

The steel and cladding construction and engineering firm said it recognises the critical role it plays in shaping the built environment, and its impact on the planet. Accredited to PAS2060 and ISO14001, its commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in operations, from procurement to construction on site.

Waste is tracked and measured to identify reductions yearly. Actions rolled out across the carbon neutral business include the installation of solar PV panels and EV charging points at its headquarters in Aberdeenshire, replacement of existing florescent lighting, using recyclable and reusable packaging, installation of a rainwater harvesting system, and a wormery for food waste.

In 2022, following a project with Zero Waste Scotland, and growing concerns at the amount of cladding waste reaching landfill, KR Group founded KRBon Reduction - a programme dedicated to repurposing used cladding panels. The panels are stripped of their outer membrane, and the thermoset plastic foam is re-used as floor, wall and roof insulation. Other uses have included insulating the refrigeration section of boats.

The environmental benefits gained from this project include diverting cladding and construction waste from landfill and negating the need for raw material to create new. Over five years, 202,500m2 of panels will be diverted from landfill, with Co2eq saving of 7,736 tonnes.

KRBon has since developed to include additional repurposed materials. Recently, KR Group made links with RGU to conduct R&D on recycle routes for failed safety harnesses and nets. The results were encouraging, with progress being made in sourcing machinery for further development.

Ellen Delph, KRBon project manager, said: “We are delighted to reach the finals of The Trades Awards for Sustainability in Construction. At KR Group, it’s important to us that we run the business with integrity, and strive to do what’s best for our community, locally and globally. The team are proud of what we’ve achieved so far with our environmental goals, and will continue to work towards improvements, year on year.”

KR Group’s operations coordinator, Caitlin Bremner, is also in the running for the Rising Star accolade at The Trades Awards.

Caitlin joined the KR Group team in 2021 after leaving school and embarked on a Modern Apprenticeship in Business Administration. Embracing every learning opportunity given, she completed her apprenticeship, and continued to excel in her role with the company, developing a keen interest in Operations and QHSE.

KR Group business director, Nicola Fraser, said: “Caitlin holds a high level of autonomy and trust in her position and is keen to progress in the industry. Her knowledge of terminology and commercial aspects is commendable, and she has earned respect from her office and site peers. It is fantastic to see such shining talent in construction; someone who is passionate about the industry and seeks ways to overcome barriers.”

Caitlin added: “I feel like it hasn’t sunk in yet, that I’ve been nominated for this award. If you know me, one of my biggest struggles is believing in myself. I’m so grateful that KR Group can see the potential I have. I’m looking forward to awards night and celebrating with the other finalists and winners.”

See a full list of finalists here.