Scottish Plant

Plant hirers cut jobs

Plant hirers are slashing jobs as they struggle to cope with rising costs.

A new survey by the Construction Plant-Hire Association has found that 43% expect to recruit fewer apprentices, 46% have already reduced hiring and more than a quarter have introduced recruitment freezes.

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Labour tax rises blamed as Scottish construction firms prepare to cut jobs Nearly half of construction machinery hire firms expect to cut entry-level jobs as tax rises and soaring costs threaten apprenticeships and housing…

Stevens goes big on Cat dozers

Stevens Equipment Rental Ltd (SER) has invested in Caterpillar D7 dozers for the first time and the new arrivals are now working on “a major earthmoving project” in Scotland.

The D7s arrived following the company’s recent acquisition of Cat’s D5 and D6 models and are said to be a direct response to demand for machines with greater capacity on large-scale muckshifting jobs.

Mark Need, sales manager for the north of England & Scotland, said: “Our customers are taking on bigger and more ambitious projects and told us they needed a heavier duty dozer in our fleet. We listened, and we’ve delivered a machine that meets that need perfectly.”

SER also recently took delivery from dealer Finning UK & Ireland of the first Cat 352 as part of a larger Caterpillar excavator order.

DOUGLAS ANDERSON 1956-2026

Very sad to hear of the sudden death of Douglas Anderson, joint managing director of Glasgow-based GAP Group.

Announcing his passing, the firm described him as a true visionary in the world of hire. “His leadership and passion have enabled GAP to be the success it is today.”

A former president of the Scottish Plant Owners Association, Douglas (70), joined GAP, founded by his late father Gordon, in the 1970s. He and his brother Iain guided the business for several decades into a huge plant and tool hire operation with almost 200 depots across the UK.

Mike Travers of Scottish Plant recalls: “I enjoyed Douglas’ company at various plant industry functions. He was engaging and had a wonderful dry sense of humour.

“I believe I was the only journalist to have interviewed three generations of the Anderson dynasty – founder Gordon, Douglas and then Mark – all of whom became presidents of the SPOA. Each was generous with his time and always keen to improve the stature and professionalism of the Scottish plant hire industry.”