Economic uncertainty has been a byword for industry in the UK ever since the crash.
The construction sector was widely seen as being on its knees, and recovery from the 2007/8 financial crisis is still very much in its infancy in many areas.
Yet in the north-east of Scotland, certainty is what we all work to.
Our economy stands strong, momentum continues to build and significant financial investment is being made in every sector.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are the focus of some of the largest capital investment projects in the construction industry in Scotland.
Perhaps the most important of these, the Aberdeen bypass, is due to start this year and the commencement of work in earnest on that vital strategic route will enable even greater input from the private sector – as well as creating thousands of new jobs.
The region’s ability to attract capital investment, while others struggle, is built on an unquenchable appetite for property – commercial or residential.
The continued success of the energy sector and its supply chain, as well as the hugely diverse regional economy it supports, mean both markets are in near-continuous short supply.
Since 2010, Dandara has made the region a priority, establishing our Scottish headquarters in Aberdeen and making a significant investment in land for both residential and commercial property development in key areas of the city and shire.
We are an award-winning premium developer, currently with property worth in excess of £50million under construction.
In the past month, we have broken ground at three strategic sites in the region.
The Point, a flagship 80,000 square feet office development in Aberdeen city centre worth in the region of £20million, City South – the premium 40-acre office park near Portlethen – and a 70,000sq ft office and industrial development for major oilfield service company Schlumberger at North Badentoy are all being delivered.
At The Point launch event for the commercial property sector earlier in June, I outlined the importance of skilled people to our industry and to our business in delivering the projects we have in our portfolio.
Skills shortages have been a major focus of the energy sector for over a decade.
For the construction industry, ensuring traditional trades continue to flourish to support the massive mobilisation of stone, aggregate, steel, glass and modern materials going into the new builds in the north-east is of equal importance.
To deliver projects of this scale requires the retention of a large and talented core staff base, and we operate on an all-employee model to ensure the company’s ongoing capability and strength.
As construction commences we have dedicated teams in place, capable of bringing each project to completion within the challenging time-frames and exacting standards expected by the market.
The business of profitable, high-standard civil, mechanical and electrical engineering are areas where the north-east of Scotland continues to excel.
With the support of the oil and gas and renewables sectors, as well as commercial property investors and speculators, there is decades’ more success to come.
Gavin Wyley is managing director in Aberdeen for property developer Dandara