Shinty star’s firm hits £2m mark

It supplies commercial heavy duty laundry equipment to lighthouse boats, coastguard vessels and fishing boats.

The firm is now the country’s largest independent operator in the sector – with other contracts to supply hotels, care homes, housing agencies, health boards and local authorities when on dry land.

Mr Thain said: “I worked in the North Sea for five years but was missing my shinty so I gave up the job to go home. My father advised me that Aviemore was expanding and it was the right time to go into the electrical business.

“That was 17 years ago and it proved the right decision, not least for my shinty as Iwent on to finish with 12 Camanachd Cup winners medals.

“Wenowhave a fleet of 11 vehicles and we continued to grow throughout the recession because of the niche nature of our activity. Turnover has gone through the £ 2million barrier, which I couldn’t have dreamed of when I started up.”

The firm also employs ex-Kingussie player Scott Falconer as a sales and marketing manager.

Mr Thain said: “It’s about providing quality machines with a quality service and guaranteed swift response.

“If a Norwegian trawler comes into port at Mallaig or Invergordon, we have to give them a fast and successful service.

“Whether it’s a care home or a nuclear sub, our attention to detail and rapid response is the same.”

Mr Thain, 42, made several appearances for Kingussie last season and has scored five goals for their second team in the new campaign.

GAME ON: Kingussie's Kevin Thain quit his offshore job to play more shinty – and built up a lucrative business in the process