DuBye expands into Highlands with £4m plant hire base

PLANT hire firm DuBye yesterday unveiled a £4 million investment in its newly-acquired premises in Inverness – a move that is expected to bring 25 jobs to the Highland capital.

The firm has taken over the former Tulloch Homes timber frame factory on the city's Longman industrial estate, which is currently being fitted out to be operational by the end of the month.

Tulloch Homes has also signed a deal under which DuBye will supply it with plant throughout Scotland. DuBye has also taken over GE Capital Plant Hire's operations in Inverness, with nine staff transferring to the new outfit.

Inverness will become DuBye's corporate headquarters, linking to the firm's existing premises in Elgin, Tomintoul and Turriff.

Managing director Nick Mellor said: "Winning the Tulloch contract and acquiring the GE assets is an ideal launch pad. We see enormous potential in Inverness, serving the Highlands, and the new premises are one of the largest of any plant hire firm north of the Border."

The company moved into plant hire 12 months ago and bought Elgin-based Derek Munro Plant Sales in February. Following an initial investment of 750,000, more than 3m has been pumped in to the Elgin site.

The firm is also involved in marine equipment supply and property development.