The inaugural meeting of the Demolition Contractors’ Association took place in Cumbernauld on Wednesday, bringing together the representatives of 20 specialist demolition contractors from across Scotland.

Set up under the auspices of Scottish construction employers’ trade body the Scottish Building Federation (SBF), the new association will be chaired by JCJ Group director James Caldwell.

The Association estimates that the Scottish demolition industry has a current annual value in the region of £150 million and directly employs around 2,500 Scottish workers.

Key aims of the newly convened Association will include protecting and enhancing the Scottish demolition industry’s image and reputation, promoting continued professionalism within the industry and attracting more suitably skilled Scottish workers to consider a career in demolition. The Association is also committed to providing expert input to ensure relevant UK, Scottish and local government policies reflect the specific needs of the Scottish demolition sector.

Association chair James Caldwell and SBF chief executive, Vaughan Hart, have jointly written to a number of key decision-makers seeking early meetings to discuss the aims of the new association in greater detail.

The launch of the Demolition Contractors’ Association follows recent high profile announcements about the planned mass demolition of high rise buildings, notably a commitment by North Lanarkshire Council to demolish around 4,000 tower block homes to make way for lower rise accommodation over the next two decades.

Commenting on the launch of the Demolition Contractors’ Association, chair James Caldwell said: “There are many popular misconceptions about the demolition sector. In reality, it is a sector that consistently adheres to the highest standards of health and safety and professional practice while also offering excellent long term career prospects.

“With an ongoing drive to modernise Scotland’s building stock and as an integral part of the wider Scottish construction industry, there can be no doubt that the demolition sector will have a crucial role to play in the years ahead in developing a built environment in Scotland that is fit for the future. Set in that context, there has never been a more important time for the Scottish demolition sector to make its voice heard.”

Scottish Building Federation managing director, Vaughan Hart, added: “The Scottish Building Federation is committed to ensuring its organisation and structures reflect the Scottish construction industry in all its diversity. We recognise the specific and increasingly important role the demolition sector of the industry has to play in shaping the future of our built environment.

“I look forward to working closely with James and the other members of the Demolition Contractors Association to help fight the sector’s corner and harness fully the future opportunities for employment and growth Scottish demolition has to offer.”