UBC Group call Isles Contractors' Summit
Contractors’ Summit: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
The chief executive officers and directors of seven Western Isles based building contractors met last week in the Cabarfeidh Hotel to discuss the impact that the economic slowdown is having on the islands.
Those represented at the meeting employ over four hundred people in the islands and are currently training eighty apprentices.
The conclusion was stark: the current lack of new public sector contracts is impacting on the viability of all the island-based contractors. Some have already reduced their workforce, and in all likelihood the rate and scale of the redundancies will increase unless there is swift improvement in the level of work available.
All agreed that they wish to meet as soon as possible with Comhairle nan Eilean leader, councilor Angus Campbell, and Angus Lamont the chief executive of the Hebridean Housing Partnership so that they can brief them on the challenges facing the construction industry in the islands, and discuss ways to improve the prospects of all concerned.
The contractors’ also agreed to co-operate and pool their resources to maximise the contribution that local firms can make when large contracts are let. This is another issue that will be discussed with the Comhairle and HHP and other agencies.
The chief executive of the UBC Group, James Pedrana, said “All of the companies represented need clarity about the prospects and timescales of future work. The contractors on the islands are resolute in their belief that through working innovatively with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Western Isles Health Board, the Hebridean Housing Partnership and Scottish Water that projects can be brought forward quickly to fruition. There should be a willingness and urgency from all parties, public and private, to explore every avenue in the earliest procurement of projects to sustain valuable jobs and skills within the local economy”.
The companies listed below were all represented at the Cabarfeidh Hotel meeting:
For further details contact: Alasdair Morrison 07786336128
UBC Group Ltd alasdair.morrison@ubcltd.co.uk
Alex Murray Construction alex@alexmurrayconstruction.c.uk
ADM Construction admconst@btconnect.com
CalMax Construction calummaclean@btinternet.com cal.calmax@btinternet.com
John Murray & Co Ronald@johnmurray.demon.co.uk
Lewis Builders Ltd info@lewisbuilders.com
Neil Mackay & Co nmkandco@hotmail.com
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