Esh enjoys turnover increase following expansion

THE Scottish arm of Esh Group has contributed £20 million of turnover to the construction firm’s latest accounts.

The group, based in the north of England, moved into Scotland with the acquisition of Border Construction in April last year.

The deal made an immediate impact to the group’s performance, with the Scottish operation giving Esh access to markets in Scotland and Cumbria. A new office has since been opened in Livingston as the company looks to accelerate growth north of the Border.

The division, which trades as Esh Border Construction, recently completed refurbishment of the clubhouse at Gullane Golf Club in East Lothian ahead of the Scottish Open.

It was recently appointed contractor on Historic Scotland’s £8.9m Engine Shed project in Forthside, Stirling.

Esh Group, whose Scottish business employs nearly 100 staff, announced pre-tax profits of £9.5m in 2014, up from £3.2m in 2013. Turnover leapt by 43 per cent to £277m, the company said.

Group chief executive Brian Manning said: “These financial headlines have underpinned a busy and exciting year for the group in many aspects of its business, with the opening of a new Scottish base in Livingston representing a major strategic lynchpin.

“The acquisition of Border Construction, now rebranded Esh Border Construction, contributed some £20m of the increase in turnover and this now gives Esh Group access to markets in both Scotland and Cumbria.”

Esh Group highlighted a strong pipeline of work at its Scottish operation, which continues to have a major focus on social housing.

Simon Phillips, of Esh Border Construction, said: “To fuel the growth in Scotland we have recently opened an office in Livingston to support our existing Earlston office. The new base extends our coverage in Scotland and has enabled us to deliver projects across the central belt.”