Esh Border Construction to build up Scottish arm

BUILDING firm Esh Border Construction has stressed that its Livingston base will be a “strategic linchpin” for Scottish growth after booking solid full-year results.

Simon Phillips heads Esh Constructions operations in the Borders. Picture: Sandy Young

The company is the Scottish arm of Cumbria-based Esh Group, which yesterday posted a 43 per cent hike in turnover to £277 million. It said the acquisition of Border Construction, now rebranded Esh Border Construction, contributed some £20m of the increase in sales.

The firm, which also has an office in Earlston in the Borders, has been boosted by a “strong” pipeline of business wins, with the new West Lothian operation allowing it to push further into the Central Belt.

Esh was recently named as the appointed contractor on Historic Scotland’s £8.9m Engine Shed project in Stirling and completed work on a refurbished clubhouse for Gullane Golf Club as it prepared to host the Scottish Open.

Simon Phillips heads Esh Constructions operations in the Borders. Picture: Sandy Young

Regional managing director of Esh Border, Simon Phillips, said: “We now employ over 1,200 people across all of our operations with close to 100 staff in Scotland, making up a significant part of the business.”

Esh Group’s profit before tax rose to £9.5m from £3.2m a year earlier.