Milestone 70th for William Scott Contracts
Family business excels with ser vice
“Our staff are the lifeblood of our company, which is why we have invested heavily in safety and skills training,”
WILLIAM Scott Contracts, a local third-generation family-owned business, is celebrating 70 years of providing world-class service to its clients.
Established in Port Elizabeth in 1948 by William Scott and his wife, Myra, the business can trace its origins back to a single-roomed office in the back of their house in Cleveland Road, Port Elizabeth.
Since then it has steadily grown into a successful and diversified company, with expertise in painting, roofing, reroofing, waterproofing, asbestos removal, shotblasting, concrete repairs, epoxy flooring and industrial property development, which employs more than 150 employees across its various divisions.
Managing director Cameron Scott, who took over the running of the business from his father, William, said the key to their business was a sense of pride and heritage, dedication to excellence and building long-term relationships with clients.
“Contracting is a service industry, and our relationships with clients and suppliers are very important to us.”
“I still get phone calls for jobs today from people whom my father had done work for many years ago, based on the excellent service he had given them,” he said.
Staying true to the family business ethos, Cameron’s sons – Andrew, Duncan and Justin, as well as daughter Claire – have also joined the business. They are surrounded by dedicated staff who over the years have become part of the family.
“Our staff are the lifeblood of our company, which is why we have invested heavily in safety and skills training,” said Cameron.
“We offer our staff the opportunity to develop their skills further through specialised training in their various areas of expertise, such as industrial spray painting and working at heights.”
“We are also certified asbestos removal contractors, and our staff are highly skilled and certified for the safe removal, handling and proper disposal of asbestos,” he said.
Cameron believes that staying healthy and active is also vital to meet the physical demands of the industry, which could account for the family’s love of sports. Collectively the Scotts have ridden in over 84 Cape Argus cycle tours, and have a passion for cycling, surfing, hockey and paddling.
The company has also invested heavily in technology, including imported aerial lifts, swing scaffolds and fixing brackets to suit any structure.
“The painting and roofing industry is always adapting and changing, and it is vital that as a business we do too.”
“Our years of experience means we are familiar with the harsh South African climate and coastal conditions and know which products are best suited for the job at hand,” Cameron said.
“Over the years we have built strong relationships with suppliers and have an intimate product knowledge, ensuring our clients get the best product for the job, and with cost savings that we can pass on to them,” he said.