Jarvie Plant gears up for building growth

Plant hire business Jarvie Plant Group has outlined a multi-million-pound investment as it gears up to cope with increased demand from Scotland’s construction sector.

Jarvie has made a large investment in equipment. Picture: Contributed

The firm, which is based in Grangemouth and was founded by John Jarvie senior in 1960, said it had invested heavily in the last 12 months, with almost £15 million ploughed into new plant, accommodation, vehicles and staff recruitment.

Staff numbers have grown by 15 to about 150, and there has been a double-digit rise in turnover to £15m. The firm has acquired land for two new depots, in Aberdeen and Dundee.

While recent reports regarding the state of Scotland’s construction sector have been mixed, the group remains upbeat, highlighting strong activity levels in the country’s two biggest cities.

Business development ­director David Jarvie said: “We’ve noticed an upsurge across various market sectors in particular civils and house building which has been particularly competitive.

“Glasgow in particular has been a busy area due to the huge number of commercial developments and housing projects around the city, including areas like Newton Mearns.”

Recent investments include a fleet of more than 50 new machines from JCB at a cost of £2.75m to support, in part, the renewal of a five-year preferred supplier agreement with the City of Edinburgh Council.

The firm also played a key part in the recently completed Borders Railway, where it supplied the accommodation complexes in three locations as well as heavy compaction equipment and mobile tower lights.