Thirty years ago on the 25th February 1992, Robert and I set out on our first joint venture together under the banner of RDK Construction Ltd. We are both joiners to trade and had already gained development experience in many sectors within the construction industry.

Over the past three decades along with our other associated companies including RobertRyan we have managed to turnover not far short of one hundred million in residential, leisure and commercial property sales and construction-related contracts. Most of these were done as In house designs/renovations and new build projects in Ayrshire and overseas to Arran and even Majorca (delivered a full off-site flat pack constructed kit home).

We are currently completing the new Spa Resort at the Gailes Hotel and Leisure complex as well as a small development of accessible housing for Cunninghame Housing Association in Saltcoats, then it’s off to build a collection of new individually designed homes as well as some new commercial/leisure projects in the program pipeline.

Robert and I have some 88 years so far between us working within the construction industry and I can assure you every day is a school day when it comes to the red tape and bureaucracy that is laid before us. However, we are not intending hanging up our nail bags yet as we are about to embark on a new off-site manufacturing facility in North Ayrshire as well as continuing to promote land and buildings for all types of suitable development.

Our success as an SME is very much down to the commitment of our direct workforce in terms of the quality of workmanship and our people, as well as the companies and suppliers that have worked and continue to work with us on our journey. Our businesses have also benefited from our association as members of the Scottish Building Federation and Homes for Scotland.

I believe as we come out of the pandemic and learn to live with the consequences of it, there will be many opportunities for construction related businesses out there. We must however not take our eyes off the need to train and educate the very people we require in our industry, to help build the much needed energy efficient new homes and infrastructure that our country needs to grow our economy for the benefit of all.