Head Office:   

Leiths (Scotland) Ltd

Rigifa                         

Cove                          

Aberdeen

AB12 3LR

Tel  01224 876333

Fax 01224 876332

Quarry Products

IMS

NEW MEMBER OF STAFF - Derek Dunbar

Derek Dunbar - New Measurement Engineer for Leiths

We are pleased to announce that Derek Dunbar joined Leiths recently as a Measurement Engineer. It is a pleasure to welcome Derek back to the Leiths Team as he previously worked for us for 8 years from 2000 to 2008.

Derek will be based at our Head Office at Rigifa, Aberdeen and will be responsible for a selection of Construction and Surfacing contracts in the North East and for Surveying duties for Lawrie Demolition.

ABERDEEN AIRPORT RUNWAY PROJECT

Runway Extension to Improve the Choice of Holiday Destinations

In 2009, Leiths, in conjunction with BAA and our client, started the process of asphalt mix design and supply for the Aberdeen Runway overlay and have just completed the Runway extension. This extension will allow larger aircrafts and payloads to provide passengers with the service to fly to further destinations for both business and pleasure.

Please click on the link to read the full details of this project: 2010v2/News/Aberdeen Airport Runway Project 2011.pdf

PROJECT/WORKS UPDATE

"Leith's excelled themselves"

Leiths have received positive feedback on a number of projects this month.

Steve commended Leiths for completing the project under budget even with the additional work scope incorporated by the Client. Positive working relationships were formed and the Client is pleased with every aspect of this project from inception to completion.

CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENT - Group Acquisition

Charles W Michie Ltd

The Company is pleased to announce that they have reached agreement with Carolyn Michie, Managing Director of Charles W Michie Ltd for the transfer of their haulage business to the Leiths Group as from 30 September 2011.

Simon Russell, Group CEO, said of the acquisition, "Michies are a long established and respected Aberdeen haulage company with extensive experience in both powder tanker and bulk tip haulage. The business will be an excellent fit with our own transport operations in the northeast of Scotland, and we are pleased to welcome the Michie employees who will be transferring over to Leiths."

REFURBISHMENT OF THE A90 NEAR ABERDEEN

Excellent results achieved ahead of new Scottish standard

The Leith's refurbishment of the A90 near Aberdeen, whose skidding resistance results have fed into Transport Scotland's compelling new surfacing standard, has featured use of a range of Nynas premium products.

Please click on the link to read the full article featured in the Modern Asphalts Magazine (Issue No 28): 2010v2/News/Modern Asphalts Article 28.pdf

THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL LIME AT LEITHS

David Mallan, Quarry Manager at our Howie Mineral Site at Lugton Lime Works in Kilmarnock, tells us about agricultural lime activities within the Leiths Group, both historically and current.

Please click on the link to read his article: 2010v2/News/Agricultural Lime Article.pdf

EMPLOYEE UPDATE

Congratulations to our Engineer, Alex Potts, on achieving his HND in Civil Engineering from Dundee College.  Leiths have sponsored Alex through his training for a number of years and are pleased to acknowledge his continued progression and improvement.  Alex works on sites across the North of Scotland.

THE GREEN STREETSCAPE CONSERVATION PROJECT - Aberdeen City Council

The Green Streetscape Conservation Project

Aberdeen’s historic Green and surrounding area are part of the oldest known parts of the city. The Green has developed from its medieval urban origins with both a religious and industrial background to become a mixture today of residential, retail, office developments and a popular place to eat with numerous listed buildings throughout.

With a range of developments in the city centre The Green and surrounding streets were seen as key pedestrian routes linking the main shopping centres. The Townscape Heritage Initiative was set up as a major conservation led programme to tackle the problems of the run down historic buildings and impose the streetscape.

The development of the streetscape scheme encouraged the use of existing granite setts, kerbing and paving slabs augmented by locally selected granite to provide a substantial enhancement to the footways along with strengthened carriageway construction using reclaimed granite setts.

The total area of carriageway within the scheme was 5713 square metres, of which 4430 square metres of the existing granite setts were re-used. Additional to this, the shared surface on Carmelite Street was made up from locally sourced and selected traditional granite setts, mainly from Aberdeen City Council’s granite storage facilities.

The footways mainly consisted of new granite with a range of sizes and colours and amounted to 2146 square metres with an additional 352 square metres of traditional granite slabs laid in Trinity Street and Hadden Street. These granite slabs were reclaimed from the various streets within the scheme.

                 Carmelite Street before                                                              Carmelite Street after

The kerbing within the area was retained where possible utilising both broad and narrow granite kerbs with new kerbs procured for special details such as radii and at specific surface change locations. In total 1343 metres of existing kerbs were retained with 307 metres of new kerbs installed.

NEW APPOINTMENTS - Leiths

We are pleased to announce the permanent appointment of two new members of staff to the Leith's Group:

David Fraser joins as Quarry Manager for Loch Hills and Netherpark.  David has spent a considerable part of his career in sand and gravel operations as well as running asphalt / concrete / milling plants, fixed and mobile crushing operations and landfill sites. His wide range of skills and experience will be a great asset to the company.

Bruce Patterson joins as Quarry Supervisor for Northlasts Quarry.  Bruce has spent the last 16 years in quarry management working latterly as a Quarry Manager for Les Taylors prior to the company’s closure. His hands on approach and previous practical experience will greatly enhance our operational effectiveness.

Corporate Announcement - Disposal of Assets

Sale of Big Ord Ltd to Grafton Merchanting

On 24 January 2011, the Leiths Group completed the sale of the Big Ord assets to Grafton Merchanting GB Ltd, the owners of Buildbase, PDM and Plumbline.

The Grafton Group have a wide network of depots throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK and will be much better placed to develop the Big Ord business going forward.  They will take over the Lochills Depot with immediate effect, trading as PDM Aberdeen. Staff at Big Ord will be transferring to PDM and the Company would like to thank them for their support over the last few years and wish them all the very best for the future.

Corporate Announcement - Group Acquisition

Alexander Ross & Sons (Sand & Gravel) Limited

The Company is pleased to announce that Alexander Ross & Sons (Sand & Gravel) Limited of Inverness has joined the Leiths group, following the acquisition of a significant interest in the business. 

Alexander Ross & Sons own and operate a substantial sand, gravel and hard rock quarry at Midlairgs, Daviot, to the south of Inverness. Roddy and Alan Ross, both Directors of the Company, will continue to head up the business.

Ian Leith, Group Chairman, said of the acquisition: "The acquisition of this interest in Alexander Ross & Sons represents a further step in our objective to invest in strategic mineral operations throughout Scotland.  We look forward to assisting the management and the Team at Alexander Ross in the development of the business, which has an excellent strategic position adjacent to the A9 trunk road.  I would take this opportunity to welcome Roddy, Alan and their Team to the Leiths group, and we look forward to a profitable future for the business."

MPA Health & Safety Best Practice Awards (London)

On 6 October 2010, David Bremner (Leith’s H&S Advisor) and Jeff Elrick (Precast Site Manager at Lochton) attended the MPA Health & Safety Best Practice Awards in London.

Leith’s submission was placed in the top three in their category for ‘Safe Quarry Awards’ which is a great achievement.  Details have been published in the MPA ‘Sharing Good Practice’ Yearbook as well as being placed on the Safe Quarry Website.   

The video submission can be found here.

Well done to all those involved.

SKYE MARBLE SCULPTURE

Leith's recently supplied an artist from Skye with some Skye Marble for a sculpture she was building at the Clan Donald Centre, Armadale Castle, Sleat. 

The Art Project, which includes the sculpture, is to open on Saturday 24^th July at 5pm. 

LEITH'S APPRENTICE COMES OUT ON TOP (PART 2)

Lee McRobb - Runner Up Award for Best Welder & Fabricator at Tullos Training

Following news in March of Lee's success at the Tullos Training BOC-sponsored Annual Apprentice Welding Competition (see below), we are delighted to announce that he has now been awarded the Runner's Up Trophy for Best Welder & Fabricator 2010 at Tullos Training. 

Lee is a first-year Modern Apprentice at Tullos and is on course to achieve qualifications in fabrication and welding engineering.  Well done Lee !

REPAIRS AT GLENLATTERACH RESERVOIR

Glenlatterach Reservoir supported by Leith's (Scotland) Ltd

Glenlatterach reservoir at Birnie, near Elgin, combines with the Spey Abstraction Scheme to supply a major water supply to the residents of Moray. Recently the main outlet pipeline, which was embedded in a hillside, severed due to a landslip and Ross-Shire Engineering were contracted to find a solution.

Having quickly discounted soft engineering solutions, Leith’s were asked to become involved and we were able to supply 160t of Rip Rap and 800t of 200-400mm Gabion Stone to construct a rock terrace strong enough to carry the reconnected water mains. Access to the site was impossible by road and a helicopter was used to transfer stone 1 tonne at a time in an aluminium bath tub.

EDINBURGH FLOWER SHOW 2010

Edinburgh Flower Show 2010

Earlier this month the Leith's Group supplied Skye Marble Rockery Stone to the Dry Stone Walling Association who were doing a feature at the Edinburgh Flower Show at Ingliston Showground. 

As you will see from the photo, the Skye Marble really stands out and the feature earned the association a Bronze Award.

The stone has now been taken to Irskine Hospital in Edinburgh and the Thistle will be rebuilt as a permanent feature.

NEW SUPERVISOR FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACING DIVISION

Grant Ingram - New Supervisor for Construction and Surfacing Division

We are pleased to announce that Grant Ingram joined Leiths on Monday 14^th June 2010 as a Supervisor / Engineer. Grant has joined the Group from university, where he achieved a Degree and a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering.

Grant worked with us in the Construction and Surfacing Division over a number of his holidays from University, so is keen to “get back to work”.  He will be based at our Head Office at Rigifa, Aberdeen and will be responsible for a supervising a selection of Construction and Surfacing contracts in the North East of Scotland. We are glad to welcome Grant back and wish him all the best in his career.

DORNIE QUARRY SUPPLY'S ISLE OF MULL

In Mid May the MV Boisterous loaded 900t of Dornie Quarry Agricultural Lime at Corpach Basin and set sail for Craignure on the Isle of Mull.

The consignment was bound for a collective of 16 farmers on the island and is, by far, the biggest application of lime on to agricultural ground on the Island since the end of liming subsidies over 30 years ago.

The application of lime will sweeten up the in-bye ground and also allow farmers to apply fertiliser to their land. It is also hoped that the lime will tackle bracken and rashes which are appearing in ever increasing numbers. Since the shipment arrived, other Mull farmers are considering a shipment next year and Islanders on Islay and Gigha are also looking to future shipments.

KISHORN SURFACE DRESSING CHIPS IN TORRIDON

Highland Council issued its Annual Framework tender earlier this year and for the first time Kishorn Quarry was included in the Group's submission.

In late April this year the Highland Council TEC Services decided to trial Kishorn Chippings in their West Coast Surface Dressing Programme and in the last few weeks many sections of the A896 Lochcarron to Kinlochewe Road have been treated with Kishorn 10mm and 14mm washed chippings. With an Aggregate Abrasion Value of 3 and a PSV of 60, the Kishorn Stone is the highest quality roadstone available in the Highlands. 

TEC Services are delighted to have successfully completed their initial trials and have praised the quality of the finished surface with the added advantage of the attractive red colour.

LEITHS APPRENTICE COMES OUT ON TOP !

Lee McRobb in BOC-sponsored Annual Apprentice Welding Competition

We are delighted to announce that Lee McRobb, along with Joanna Robertson of Aberdeen City Council, has come out top in the Tullos Training round of the BOC-sponsored Annual Apprentice Welding Competition.

The pair will now go on to compete in the regional competition in Dundee with the winner advancing to compete in the Scottish final at Motherwell in June.  Lee is a first-year Modern Apprentice at Tullos and is on course to achieve qualifications in fabrication and welding engineering.

 January 2010

 LEITHS IN THE COMMUNITY

Young Leiths Engineers, David Rennie and David Pawley, recently assisted the Aberdeen Association of Civil Engineers to promote Civil Engineering to primary school pupils from local Aberdeen schools.

                                                                                                               David Pawley

Schools were invited along and given the task of constructing a cantilever bridge over a span of 4metres. Once completed, the pupils walked successfully across the bridge. A question and answer session was then held into how Civil Engineers affect our everyday lives. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their experience and the two Dave's have even gained some sympathy for teachers!

The AACE thanked Leith's for their assistance with the classes and delivering the bridge back to the depot in Glasgow.

Home | Contacts | Clients

2009 / 2008 NEWS

December 2009

FORETHOUGHT PREVENTS TENSION IN AIRPORT WORKS

Click here to read article.

Click here to read article 2.

July 2009

Leiths (Scotland) Ltd and M & M Road Surfacing Ltd Join Forces

Leiths (Scotland) Ltd and M&M Road Surfacing Ltd are pleased to announce that they have joined forces, with Leiths acquiring a majority shareholding in M&M.  Leiths will acquire the balance of the shareholding over the next 3 years.

The Edinburgh based M&M are a leading surfacing contractor in the central belt of Scotland, and are included as approved contractors for the City of Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, East Lothian Council, West Lothian Council and also for the Borders Region.

The Leiths group of Companies, based in Aberdeen, operates quarries throughout Scotland, and incorporates its own construction and surfacing business with interests in specialist demolition, road planning, road marking, precast concrete, industrial fillers and the supply of industrial drainage products.

Leiths has recently invested in a new £4 million coated stone manufacturing facility at Newtongrange in Edinburgh.  This facility, supported by the experience of M&M, will be well placed to offer the full range of surfacing activities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Alistair McGowan, the founder of M&M, will continue to head up the business, working with the Leiths management team to expand the business.  He commented "The partnership with Leiths will enable M&M to grow and increase the range and scale of contracts it can execute.  The combined strengths of the two companies will ensure that we take maximum advantage of the opportunities that exist in the current challenging market conditions"

 The combined businesses will be capable of undertaking contracts from £500 in value up to £3 million and over.  Simon Russell, the Chief Executive of Leiths stated "The combination of Leiths and M&M marks a further step in the groups strategy to expand into the Central Belt of Scotland, where a significant proportion of Government expenditure will continue to be focussed". 

June 2009

Leiths at Eilean Donan Castle

May 2009

New Standard in Integrated Management System

Leiths have operated an integrated management system since April 2004, the three formal management system standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 have been operated under the IMS 78163 standard.  This standard has now been updated to PAS 99:2006 which is a specification of common management system requirements as a framework for integration.

Leiths believe that the benefits of working to system that complies with PAS 99 include:

          1.  An improved business focus

          2.  Less conflict between systems

          3.  Reduced paperwork and better management efficiencies

          4.  A better and more efficient system of auditing

We are pleased to announce that the transition from our existing IMS to PAS 99 has now been completed and has been assessed by BSI who have recommended certification to PAS 99.  The standard will be identified with the BSI Logo with IMQEH 78163 written under the logo

Integrated Management System Certification

September 2008

 Official Opening of our new Coating Plant and Depot at Newtongrange, nr Edinburgh

David Hamilton, MP for Midlothian, cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony for the new

£4 million depot and coating plant at Newtongrange, nr Edinburgh on the 24^th September 2008.

The plant is capable of mixing the full range of bituminous materials at up to 200 tph. With its hot storage capacity,

 the plant has been designed to give our customers a fast turnaround.  This investment represents another step in the expansion of the Group

August 2008

New Sales Manager at Newtongrange

 We are pleased to announce that Scott Wylie has joined the Group as our new Sales Manager based at Newtongrange.

Scott has a wealth of experience in aggregates, readymixed concrete and blacktop in the Central Belt, and was until recently CEMEX’s Area Sales Representative for Central Scotland.

Scott will be responsible for sales of aggregates, readymixed concrete and blacktop in the Central Belt from our Newtongrange, Edston and Middleton operations. As part of our experienced Team at Newtongrange, Scott will assist with the expansion of our business in this new market area.

I am sure you will join with me in welcoming Scott to the Leiths Group.

Simon Russell

Chief Executive

April 2008

Shell Bitumen Technical Report:

Durability Testing Thin Surfacing click to follow the link

April 2008

New Quarry at Kishorn

Development of a new Quarry at Kishorn.

April 2008

Leiths acquires Howie Minerals Ltd

 We are pleased to announce that yesterday (2^nd April 2008), Leiths acquired Howie Minerals Limited (HML) from the Howie Group.

HML trade as Highland Lime, Lugton Lime and Middleton Lime, operating from sites in Fort William, Lugton (Kilmarnock) and Middleton (Midlothian) respectively.

They are primarily engaged in the production and sale of industrial fillers throughout Scotland, including the limestone filler that Leiths use at their coated stone plants. The Fort William site also produces aggregates into the local market.

Howies have a modern tanker fleet that distributes their manufactured powders and also hauls other customers products.

HML employs about 35 people, all of whom are joining Leiths. The Director/General Manager of HML, John Shaw, is also joining the Group. In common with Joss, Lawrie Demolition and Markon, the business will continue to trade as Howie Minerals Ltd.

The Howie business is a good fit to the Leiths Group , and enlarges the geographic spread of our activities, as well as adding another string of products into our portfolio.

This acquisition represents another step in the expansion of the Leiths Group, which today has a turnover of circa £50 million and employs 480 people throughout Scotland.

Howie Minerals Ltd
Lugton Lime Lugton, Kilmarnock Ayrshire KA3 4EB Tel:- 01505 850435 Fax:- 01505 850590 E-mail: reidhml@btconnect.com Contact: John Shaw	Highland Lime Torlundy Fort William Inverness-shire PH33 6SW Tel:- 01397 702227 Fax:- 01397 702308 E-mail: blaurie@howieminerals.co.uk Contact: Bob Laurie		Middleton Lime Middleton Gorebridge MidLothian EH23 4QP Tel:- 01875 820339 Fax:- 01875 820700 E-mail: w.redpath@btconnect.com Contact: Walter Redpath
Howie Minerals Ltd has quarrying operations near Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fort William, and operates a dedicated fleet of modern bulk powder road tankers.  Each of the three locations produce ground limestone and milled products.  The Highland Lime operation near Fort William produces a full range of quarried materials and is “FEMAS” accredited to produce and supply bulk and bagged quality limestone products for use in animal feed applications.
An example of our Scania Unit and Tipping box combination which delivers aggregates to Concrete Plants, Civil Engineering Contracts     and Construction Sites.	One of our Scania Units and Feldbinder Bulk Powder Tankers which delivers limestone filler      to Asphalt Coating Plants for use in road     surfacing contracts.	An illustration of our Scania Unit and Feldbinder         Bulk Powder Tanker combination delivering        limestone granules to one of our Animal Feed customers.

March 2008

Asphalt Professional Technical Paper

Neil Anderson, our Technical Director, has written a paper about the design and manufacture of high performance bituminous pavement layer from recycled lean mix concrete pavement layer, published in Asphalt Professional.

To read the full paper click here

March 2008

Leith's strengthens it's Ranks

As Leiths Construction and Surfacing Division continues to expand we have been able to strengthen our ranks with the following recruits.

We are pleased to announce that David Rennie joined us on, Monday 31st March, in the roll of PROJECT MANAGER. Dave joins us from Aberdeen City Council where he was Principal Technical Officer in the Roads Department. In his new role Dave will be responsible for the day to day management of our Civil Engineering workload in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Dave has extensive Civil Engineering and Roadworks knowledge and experience.  He will be based in our Head Office at Rigifa, Cove, Aberdeen.

To View Archive news Click Here