The newsletter of Leiths (Scotland) Ltd

Produced for our Employees, Customers and Colleagues.

Issue 4, Spring 2015

Leiths NEWS

New Aquisitionfor the Group

page 3

Restructure of PrecastDivisionLeiths are delighted to announce thepromotion of Roy Thomson

Lawrie Demolition ProjectSuccessRobertson Construction‘s Waterloo Quaypremises demolition

page 4

Built on Quality

A New Year for Surfacing 100% pass rate in CITB Safety Awareness and Construction Skills CertificationScheme

www.leiths-group.co.uk

page 6 page 10

This latest issue of Leiths News highlights a numberof areas where we are both strengthening andconsolidating the business.

David Steel joins us as the new Managing Directorfor the Construction and Surfacing Division andbrings with him a wealth of experience andunderstanding of construction contracts. Welcometo the Team.

The acquisition of the Longside RMX plant fromBreedon consolidates our position in the Grampianregion and we continue to invest in state ofthe art processing plants to improve ouroperating efficiency – and there is more tocome!!

We are constantly seeking to expand thereserves at our quarries and our recentplanning success at Blackhills Quarrywill ensure a long and profitablefuture for this key operation.

During 2015, we will continue toseek out opportunities for businessgrowth by organic investment andacquisitions.

It should be another busy year !!

Ian Leith

In this issueNew Aquisition for the Group –Longside Concrete Plant, Peterhead p3

New MD for the Construction andSurfacing Division p3

Expansion of our Fleet p4

Successful Project Completion forLawrie Demolition p4

Markon Hitex Texband Study p5

Montrose Precast Pumps up the Volume p5

Making an Entrance at Markon p6

A New Year for Surfacing p6

Stone Age Dig at Blackhills Quarry p7

Inverness Skate Park p7

M&M Provide Road Safety Equipmentfor School p8

Health & Safety and Environmental Update p8

Technical Department – Laying MarshallAsphalt in Winter p9

Promotion for Roy Thomson p10

Praise for Donald Maclean p10

M&M Road Surfacing Staff Completetheir SVQ Assessments p10

Lawrie Site Supervisor Award p10

Neil Anderson – Fellow of the Institueof Asphalt p10

Hayley Cruickshank Returns toMontrose Precast p11

New Concrete Production Supervisor –Paul Maley p11

Competition p11

Welcome toLeiths NEWS

Messagefrom the Chairman

Built on Quality

Get in Touch!Leiths News is published for employees, customers andcolleagues of the Leiths Group and its associated companies.

Leiths News will be published on a regular basis but we canonly do this through the contributions of articles and featuresfrom our employees. If you have any comments, ideas forstories, or pictures for future issues, please get in touch.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Leiths News and thanks toeveryone who has contributed so far.

Caroline Anderson, EditorT: +44 (0)1224 293260 E: canderson@leiths-group.co.ukwww.leiths-group.co.uk

A new Liebherr Concrete Plant has beeninstalled at Loch-Hills and a new Asphalt Planthas been ordered for Mid Lairgs – more detailsto follow in the next issue of Leiths NEWS !

STOPPRESS

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 3

Longside joins Leiths RMX network

NEW MD FOR THE CONSTRUCTIONAND SURFACING DIVISION

IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, LEITHSACQUIRED A READY-MIXEDCONCRETE PLANT FROMBREEDON (SCOTLAND).

Previous to May 2013, the Longside planthad been operated by Aggregate Industriesand was one of the assets purchased byBreedon when they acquired all Al'sScottish mainland business north of theCentral Belt.

The plant, which lies 3 miles due west ofPeterhead, is well placed to service theGrampian area and complements ourexisting plant network at Loch Hills,Blackhills and Parkmore.

Gary Quirie, who has been batchingconcrete at the plant for four years, hasjoined the Leiths Team and is busy helpingto re-establish Longsides' position in themarket. He has an SVQ Level 2 in Plant andProcessing Operations.

Gary, who describes himself as very mucha family man, lives locally with his wifeBarbara, and they have three children.

In his spare time, Gary likes to don hiscamouflage gear and go paintballing.

Having gained a degree in Civil andStructural Engineering whilst studying atthe University of Aberdeen, David began hiscareer with Balfour Beatty Construction,one of the largest contractors in the UK, asa Graduate Engineer working on a wide

range of projects throughout the UK,including Roads/Bridges, Petro-Chemicals,Water and Power Stations.

After 11 years with Balfour Beatty, Davidjoined Robertson Construction, initially as aSenior Project Manager and latterly asConstruction Manager for the North East ofScotland, and has been involved in manyconstruction sectors including health,education and commercial.

Following nearly ten years with RobertsonConstruction, David returned to BalfourBeatty Construction as Operations Directorfor the Scotland North Delivery Unit andwas responsible for construction projectsNorth of Dundee.

With over twenty years experience in theindustry David has worked as far North asInverness, as far West as Skye and as farSouth as Aylesbury and has also been

involved in some well known locallandmarks such as Angus Schools, St FergusGas Terminal, Maritime Museum,Emergency Care Centre(ARI), His Majesty’sTheatre, Peterhead Power Station and theNigg Waste Water project.

David currently chairs the GrampianConstruction Training Group and lives in thePortlethen area with his wife, Gillian andtwo children. His hobbies are 5-a-sidefootball, fine food and the gym, but notnecessarily in that order!

The Construction and Surfacing Division isan important part of Leiths, with greatpotential in current markets. We areconfident that the combination of theexisting skills held within the Division andDavid’s leadership will lead to anincreasingly successful future for thebusiness.

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT DAVID STEEL HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOROUR CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACING DIVISION TO HEAD UP THE TEAM GOING FORWARD.

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 4

Expansion of our FleetWE HAVE STARTED 2015 WITH MOREINVESTMENT IN ROAD GOING VEHICLES.

A Ross & Sons in Inverness have taken deliveryof two DAF CF 440 8 wheeled steel tippers.These are the first steel tippers to operate fromMid Lairgs Quarry. The Predator Ultimate bodiesare manufactured in Hardox 450 steel, which hasa high wear resistance, despite having a lowweight ratio which allows us to keep ourdelivery capacity as high as possible whiledelivering the rougher quarry materials.

With the continued growth of our

readymix concretebusiness, we havepurchased an additional8 mixer trucks whichnow takes our fleet to28 in number. The 8chassis have beenpurchased from DAF

and we havefitted 6 ofthem withthe triedand tested Leibherr drums.However, we have taken the

opportunity to try the Italian CIFA drums on theremaining 2 trucks.

With increased concrete production comes theneed for more cement. We operate a fleet of 12powder tankers that deliver cement throughoutthe country. With demand high, we have ordered3 new powder tanks from Feldbinder, one ofwhich is likely to replace an older unit. However,2 will be added to the fleet to secure ourcapacity to deliver increased volumes.

All new vehicles have the latest enginetechnology fitted for increased fuel efficiencyand are compliant with the latest EU emissiontargets. We take great pride in our fleetappearance and the professionalism of ourdrivers that carry our name throughout thecountry.

A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT COMPLETION FOR LAWRIE DEMOLITIONHorizons House Development, Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen

Lawrie Demolition were recently sub-contracted by Robertson Construction todemolish the former office facilty atWaterloo Quay.

The building was a 3 storey traditional granitebuild with a timber pitched roof and timbermid floors. The client had requested that thegranite facade be retained during demolitionworks which required a great deal of skill andorganisation to work around.

During the initial stages of demolition,additional asbestos was found behind some

wall panelling on the 3rd floor which wasnotifiable to the HSE and required a statutory14 day notification period which put thecompletion date and subsequent construction

programme in jeopardy. Lawrie worked withthe main contractor to accelerate theprogramme which would now include thelaying of a piling mat and access for the pilingcontractor as demolition continued. Thematerials for the mat were produced byLawrie from rubble generated from previouscontracts and brought from Leiths BlackhillsQuarry.

Lawrie worked tirelessly, and with the supportof Leiths transport and quarry facilities, wereable to demolish the building and lay thepiling mat successfully and on time bringingthe overall programme back on track.

The past decade has seen growing public concern around the deterioratingcondition of our roads through open cracks, joints, seams and potholes asroads authorities continue to battle with reduced budgets and everincreasing costs.

Working with a few of our local authority partners and Hitex International,Markon has successfully trialled the Hitex Texband joint repair system toprevent further deterioration of carriageways, which lead to potholes andother defects.

Hitex Texband is a fill and overband system for road crack repair. Followingsuccessful trials, this unique system was subsequently incorporated intothe BBA Crack Sealing Certification Sector in 2012, and has since becomethe most popular method for repairing seams, cracks and joints in highwaysin the United Kingdom.

We have helped our partners extend the life of existing surfaces, helpedprotect against damage to vehicles and, in one case, allowed an authorityto install safety critical road markings and studs that would not previouslyhave been possible without major remedial surfacing works.

The A759 from Gatehead to Troon in South Ayrshire is a rural road busywith HGV traffic from a quarry and industrial areas along the route. TheAyrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) had a need to refresh the road markings androad studs along the route but the condition of much of the carriagewaysurface, particularly longitudinal joints, rendered it unsuitable for the longterm performance of markings and studs.

Working with ARA, Markon installed approximately 800 linear metres ofHitex Texband in July2014 and installed theroad markings andstuds shortly after. Aninspection of the roadin February 2015confirms the continuedperformance ofTexband and adelighted Jim Webb ofthe ARA is now lookingto use the product onother problem sitesaround Ayrshire.

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 5

A WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD NETWORK IS ESSENTIAL TOLOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

Markon HitexTexband Study

As well as supplying the precast plant, the new unit will be able to onceagain service the collect market in the local area. The mixer will be ableto deliver a number of mix strengths from pre configured recipes,including various admixtures, and has an on board ticket printer to recordthe volumes produced.

The new system has been designed to improve safety, health andenvironmental conditions at the site. The new system has a 33m3 silo,complete with a WAM silo safety system that feeds the mixer by screwto the batching hopper, which is equipped with a dust filter. Sand andaggregates are loaded into the hoppers using the existing mini telescopicloading shovel, eliminating manual handling in the manufacturingprocess.

Site housekeeping and water usage has been improved by theconstruction of a dedicated washout and water recycling system whichwill replace the skips that have been used historically. A submersiblepump will enable settled wash out water to be re-used.

Civils works to the silo base and settling ponds were carried out by Leithsin-house Construction & Surfacing division, with steelwork beingfabricated in the new fabrication shop at Leiths Rigifa headquarters.

Montrose PrecastPumps up theVolumeIN DECEMBER OF 2014, MONTROSE PRECAST TOOKDELIVERY OF A VOLUMETRIC CONCRETE MIXER FROMARMCON CEMENTECH. THISRECONDITIONED UNITREPLACES THE OLD PANMIXER SYSTEM.

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 6

TOWARDS THE END OF 2014, MARKONAPPLIED SOME FINISHING TOUCHESTO THE FAÇADE OF THEIR NEWCUMBERNAULD HEAD OFFICETHROUGH THE APPLICATION OF SOMECORPORATE BRANDED SPECIALISTSURFACING.

The Resin BONDED Aggregate system (right),applied by Markon’s Specialist SurfacingDivision, utilised pigmented red bauxite to spellout the company name in the corporate fontagainst a background of buff coloured Chinesebauxite aggregate.

In the past, this form of surfacing has typicallybeen applied as either an anti-skid or singlecolour decorative surface. As this applicationdemonstrates, it can also be successfully usedas a functional form of corporate branding.

Where very high levels of slip resistance arenot a requirement, or where a greater varietyof aggregate colour is required, the alternativeResin BOUND Aggregate system can be usedwhich allows different aggregate types to beblended with the resin prior to application.Such a system was applied by Markon at the

entrance to Belhaven Park in Wishaw where buffand silver blends of Resin Bound Aggregate wereapplied around inset polished stone letters (left).The large variety of aggregate types and sizeswhich can be used in Resin Bound Aggregatesystems, coupled with the ability to varyblend ratios, creates a vast range ofpossibilities in colour and appearance of thefinished surface.

Whichever system is selected, each one offers anovel and eye-catching method of identifyingyour company offices or premises.

Making an Entrance!

All site based operatives and many office staff including personnel fromthe Technical and Transport departments have now been issued with theircertificates and CSCS Cards.

In order to maintain this progress, and to encourage our teams to keepHealth and Safety awareness at the forefront of their daily tasks, we heldtwo full days of additional training on our return from the festive break.Our teams were involved in banksman training, face-fit testing for masksand also undertook workshops on quality, workmanship and health, safetyand welfare on site.

As part of the Quality section of training, a number of quality relatedproblems which can occur during works were discussed. These qualityshortcomings included poor material quality, weather conditions,communication, management, workmanship and work practices. A healthydebate was held between all participants of the workshops including

operatives, foremen, supervisorsand management to discussthese short-comings and whatwe, as a team, can do to ensurethey do not occur and rectifythem should they occur on anyLeiths site.

The Construction and Surfacing Division of Leiths are now in the enviableposition of having all on-site operatives holding a valid CSCS card and arealso all fully competent vehicle marshalls.

The next phase of training, including the Construction Plant CompetenceScheme (CPCS) and NVQ certifications, has now begun and we hope to beable to report further success in the next edition of Leiths News.

Leiths Construction and Surfacing team with their CITBSafety Awareness Certificates. From L to R: Graham Wilson,Gary Robertson, Gordon Joiner.

From L to R: Scott Reid, John Dodds, Jim Reid, Ian Hodgins,Trevor Small, Mark Sutherland, Colin Mathers and John Wattwith their one day Health and Safety Awareness Certificates.

A NEW YEAR FOR SURFACINGLeiths Construction and Surfacing Division have started 2015 with an excellent 100% pass rate in theCITB Safety Awareness and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) courses which wereundertaken towards the end of last year.

PLANNING PERMISSION WAS RECENTLY GRANTED TOEXPAND THE EXTRACTION AREA AT BLACKHILLSQUARRY IN COVE. ONE OF THE PLANNINGCONDITIONS REQUIRED THAT AN ARCHAEOLOGICALSURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN OVER THE DEVELOPMENTAREA BEFORE QUARRYING COMMENCED.

The survey required excavation of 7% of the surface of the site. Leithsappointed local archaeologists Charlie and Hillary Murray of MurrayArchaeological Services from Methlick to undertake the survey. Onemile of 2m wide trenches was excavated during the survey.

The planning condition was applied because of Neolithic fragmentshaving recently been found in the nearby ‘Aberdeen Gateway’ site.These fragments were found where there were pockets of deeptopsoil and there was a chance that similar material would bepresent at Blackhills.

At Blackhills the results from all the trenches were very similar,finding thin topsoil and no archaeological material.

Extraction can now commence in the new area of the quarry asplanned.

Midlairgs concrete plant have just completed the supply ofshotcrete to the newly completed Inverness Skate Park andBMX track, which was redeveloped with help from a£250,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Located in the Bught Park, the Skate Park is a major new leisure facility,built at a cost of £455,000 and is one of the best in Scotland with the parkcovering an area of 1200 square metres.

The main contractor, Concreate Skate Parks, specialise in the design andconstruction of concrete skate parks across the UK. As long term skate parkusers themselves, it was extremely important for Concreate Skate Parks tofind a ready-mix supplier that could supply a quality and consistentconcrete to form the most innovative and creative skate park terrain. Leithsworked closely with them to develop a range of concrete mixes withdifferent setting times that could be used depending on ambienttemperature and weather conditions.

The Skate Park, which opened in December, has more than 10 features,with a huge bowl that has three grindable surfaces and ends in a nine footpool bowl. The tail of the Nessie head is part of a 50 metre jump section,and there is a fully ride-able coloured thistle as part of the extensive streetsection.

The staff at Midlairgs have yet to try out this new facility but will be eagerto do so once the fine weather is here!

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 7

Inverness Skate Park

Stone Age Digat BlackhillsQuarry!

CORPORATE / GROUP NEWS Issue 4 | Page 8

ESOS (the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme)is a mandatory energy assessment scheme fororganisations in the UK.

Organisations that qualify for ESOS must carryout ESOS assessments every 4 years. Theseassessments are audits of the energy used bytheir buildings, industrial processes andtransport to identify cost-effective energysaving measures.

Prior to ESOS, we have been looking at theimplementation of ISO 50001 (the energy

management standard) as we recognise thepositive benefits of this energy managementscheme.

The group is currently being registered with BSIto ISO 50001 which meets the requirements ofthe ESOS scheme.

We would ask and encourage individualsto input ideas on making energy savings.Please contact David Bremner, Leiths H&SDirector.

The Leiths Integrated Management SystemHandbook has been under review for thelast few months with new safety andenvironmental legislation in place. Theexisting handbook needed freshening up toreflect these changes.

The new booklet will be issued this year toall personnel and new employees.

You are probably already familiar with the current hazard symbols that appear on some chemical labels. These will change from 2015 with thesymbols below right being affixed to chemicals and substances supplied:

These older symbols will beaccepted on existing products butwill be phased out in favour of thenew symbols by 2017 – if you haveany questions about this subjectspeak to the HSEQ department.

These symbols identify the potential hazards that could be realisedwhen using the substance. There will also be two new symbols for longterm health hazards and gas under pressure.

Changes to the Chemical and Substance Symbols

IMS HANDBOOKREVIEW

HARMFUL/IRRITANT

TOXIC HARMFULTO

ENVIRONMENT

CORROSIVE

EXPLOSIVE

OXIDISING

FLAMMABLE

HARMFUL/IRRITANT

TOXIC HARMFULTO

ENVIRONMENT

CORROSIVE

EXPLOSIVE LONG TERMHAZARD

GAS UNDERPRESSURE

OXIDISING

FLAMMABLE

Alistair McGowan, Managing Director for M&MRoad Surfacing Ltd, donated unused trafficequipment to the school's provision for childrenwith autism, for learning and playtime. Itemsincluding traffic cones, barriers, road signs,reflective vests and hard hats were gratefullyreceived by teacher Amy Richmond.

Amy had mentioned to Alistair about the pupil'srecent project in road safety in which theylearned life skills including road safety whencrossing. She has incorporated the gifts into thecurriculum and playtime. Amy said: "Before, atbreak times they could play on their own withthe limited resources we had. But since we gotthe road equipment they have been workingtogether in groups and it has helped develop

their creative play and imagination which can bea barrier and challenging for children withautism."

The 18 lucky pupils who benefit from the itemsrange from primary 1 to primary 7, and theyhave already set up circuits around theplayground resembling roads and barricaded offareas of the playground - such as where theteachers stand!

Alistair visited the school for the first time sincehe donated the equipment and said: "It'sabsolutely fantastic to see how they are usingall the equipment. You can see the difference ithas made". He also added that he has orderedsandbags due to popular demand from thechildren.

Councillor Bob Constable, Cabinet Member forEducation, said: "This is a fantastic example ofa local company supporting the community inpartnership with the council. Well done toeveryone involved."

M&M provide road safetyplay equipment to School

BURNBRAE PRIMARY SCHOOL ISDELIGHTED WITH A GIFT OF ROAD SAFETYPLAY EQUIPMENT FOR PUPILS.

Teacher, AmyRichmond andpupils from theSchool withAlistairMcGowan, MDof M&M RoadSurfacing Ltd

ESOS & ISO 50001

HEALTH & SAFETY

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT Issue 4 | Page 9

IT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO DESIGN AND LAY A MARSHALL MIX INOPTIMUM CONDITIONS. WHEN THE CLIENT REQUIRES THAT THE WORK ISDONE IN WINTER, WITH NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY, THE TASKBECOMES A CHALLENGE.

Laying Marshall Asphalt in Winter !

• Rolling proceeded immediately onlaying the material, initial rollingstarted at temperatures >140oC fora minimum of four passes. The PTRrolling was carried out within therange of 70-100oC and finalpolishing within the range 50 –100oC. The mix performed wellunder the rollers without any unduedisplacement or transverse crackingand closed up under the PTR toprovide a tight surface.

• The Nuclear Density Gauge hadbeen correlated with the mix on anoffsite trial and NDG measurementstaken at time of laying indicatedthat compaction at the joints and inthe mat had been achieved. Echelonpaving was carried out to ensurethat joint compaction was achieved.

The mix design using granite aggregates and all compliance testing was carried out by Leith’s technical team. Blackhillsquarry supplied the material and met very tight compliance limits. A vital part of the operation was planing by Markon andLeiths bitumen spray tanker. The client was very pleased with the product and service offered to them by Leiths andcomplimented the team accordingly.

Airports now make extensive use of de-icing fluidswhich can attack a susceptible surface and causedurability problems. To overcome this and resist anyattack, a Polymer Modified Bitumen can be specified.

The design team at Aberdeen Airport decided toproceed on the basis of using a Marshall mix with aPolymer Modified Bitumen. The main contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick, and Leiths, the material supplier, had aconcern regarding the supply of material given the timeof year (December) and because it was a nightshiftoperation. Nynas, the bitumen supplier, offered a X4PMB and were also prepared to supply the productwith a warm mix additive. A warm mix additive reducesthe surface tension of the bitumen allowing the mix tobe more workable and compactable at lowertemperatures. Under normal supply conditions the useof the additive permits a lower mixing and compactiontemperature to the order of 30oC. Given thecircumstances of this supply, Leiths decided tomanufacture at normal temperatures of 170oC and takethe benefit of the additive by increasing the workingwindow in the low ambient temperature conditions.

Site trials were carried out and the following temperature categories wereestablished:

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT Issue 3 | Page 11LEITHS’ PEOPLE Issue 4 | Page 10

Donald Maclean(Leiths HGV Driver)

Receives Welcome Praise

It is always great to hear positive feedbackfrom the public regarding our staff.

Earlier this year, David Mallan, Quarry Managerat Lugton, received a call from a Ms EilishWheelan from Fort William. She had called tosay that she had followed one of Leith’s powdertankers from Crianlarich all the way down LochLomond side to Luss.

At that point, David recalls: “I’m sorry to saythat when I normally get one of the ‘I wasfollowing one of your vehicle’s’ phone calls Ifully expected the worst!”

However, Ms Wheelan had called to say that shehad never before seen such exemplary drivingfrom an HGV driver. In her opinion, the driverwas skilful, courteous and a true gentleman ofthe road. She said that he had negotiated theroad works and the twists and turns of the lochside like a true professional and was extremelyaware of everything around him, so much sothat she was happy to follow him as it gave herconfidence on that difficult stretch of road.

The driver concerned was Donald McLeantravelling from Fort William to Ayr with a loadof animal feed. On behalf of Leiths, we wouldlike to say a big “well done”.

RECENT CHANGES WITHIN THE GROUPHAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TORESTRUCTURE OUR PRECAST DIVISION.

Roy Thomson will now head up theoperations at both our Montrose andLochton Precast factories.

Roy left school in 1982 and started workas a dairyman at a local Dairy. Six monthslater he started as a Precast labourer withGeorge Stephen Precast. Three years on hewas promoted to Factory Foreman. TheCompany was sold in 1992 to ChurchillHomes and went under the new name ofBedrock Precast. It was at this point Roytook up his first Managers role. Alwayskeen to push himself further, Roy leftBedrock in 2000 to take up the position ofProduction Manager at Doric Precastwhere he was responsible for 38 men andall factory production. Three years laterRoy decided to take a career change andstarted work for Stewart Milne at theirTimber Systems factory in Westhill.However, it wasn’t long before Roy gotthat burning desire to return to the tradehe excelled at and joined Leiths in 2005 asour Precast Manager in Montrose.

Roy lives inMaryculter with hiswife Romy, 5 yearold daughter Renéeand 4 year old sonRudi. Roy designedand built his ownhouse back in 1999which is situated ona farm next door tohis parents.

At the age of 10 Roy took to the bagpipesand played for the 47th Culter boysBrigade Pipe Band becoming WorldChampions in 1982 in the Novice JuvenileGrade. He was Pipe Major for 5 years andled that band to become EuropeanChampions after teaching them fromscratch.

In his spare time Roy teaches beginners atCeroc which is a stylish dance sometimesreferred to as Modern Jive.

Roy is a season ticket holder at AberdeenFootball Club and is happiest spendingtime with his wife and kids.

We wish Roy well in his new role.

Montrose Precast specialise in the manufacture of quality architectural cast stoneproducts including sills, lintels, quoins, pillar caps etc. Lochton Precast is a leadingmanufacturer of high quality finished stairs and landings which are supplied to projectsthroughout Scotland.

Promotion for Roy Thomson

M&M ROAD SURFACING STAFF COMPLETE SVQ ASSESSMENTSNineteen members of M&M’s staff commencedtheir SVQ Assessments in April 2014 inconjunction with the company Edutrain.

Edutrain carried out the assessments andassisted candidates throughout the courses.

Twelve candidates were assessed at SVQ Level2 for Construction Operations and CivilEngineering Services in either Road Building (forSurfacing Operatives) or Highway Maintenance(for Civils/Preparatory Operatives). This coursealso included an Information andCommunication Technology City and Guildsassessment and Certificate.

Five candidates were assessed at SVQ Level 3 forOccupational Works Supervision in Construction.

Finally, 2 candidates were assessed at SVQ Level4; Alan Burns M&M’s Contracts Manager onConstruction Site Management, HighwayMaintenance & Repair and Craig Cowan,Assistant Quantity Surveyor on Surveying inConstruction Contract Operations.

All 19 candidates passed their assessments bymid January 2015.

Congratulations to all 19 staff on completingand passing their assessments.

LAWRIE SITESUPERVISOR WINSH&S AWARDLeiths are very pleased to announce that JayKarpinski, Site Supervisor on the LawrieDemolition Liberty House Site, has recentlywon an award from Robertson Constructionfor health and safety test activities.

Robertsons’ gave this award to all their sub-contractors at the Liberty and Ardent HouseSites and Jay’s picture is now up on the wallat the Ardent House Site Office.

NEIL ANDERSON – Fellowof the Institute of AsphaltIn recognition of papers presented and servicesrendered, Neil Anderson, Leiths Technical Director, hasbeen recently elected a Fellow of the Institute ofAsphalt Technology.

Neil has been employed in the construction industry ina technical and quality related role for a period inexcess of 47 years.

Well done Neil!

Pictured: Alistair McGowan (M&M’s, ManagingDirector) presenting Alan Burns & Craig Cowanwith their Certificates.

LEITHS’ PEOPLE Issue 4 | Page 11

PAUL RECENTLY JOINED LEITHS AS OUR CONCRETE PRODUCTION SUPERVISOROVERSEEING OUR CONCRETE BATCHING OPERATIONS ACROSS THE COMPANY ANDSUPPORTING OUR CONCRETE PLANT OPERATORS, AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW ANDDEVELOP THIS PART OF THE BUSINESS.

Paul has over 20 years concrete product experience, working with Marshalls who are one of thelargest suppliers of hard landscaping concrete products in the UK. Paul started work withMarshalls in 1993 operating a single mould hydraulic press which produced commercialroad kerbs and concrete edging, working on this operation for 5 years, until he waspromoted to shift supervisor in the Flag and Kerb Department.

To further his knowledge in concrete products, Paul moved departments and for 7years was production supervisor on the secondary process precast department.This is where Paul oversaw the finishing of the decorative landscapingproducts where the concrete would be tooled or exposed so that itresembled natural stone.

Paul left Marshalls briefly and was a Projects Co-ordinator for anindustrial waste cleaning company, however, returned to Marshallsas a Health & Safety Co-ordinator and latterly ProductionSupervisor.

Paul and his wife Elaine are from Denny and they have twogrown up children, Eleisha, who is 24 years old and Jordanwho is 21 years old. Paul’s hobbies include cycling andwatching Jordan play football for Kilysyth Juniors when hisshift pattern allows.

Paul is relishing the challenges ahead in what is going tobe another busy year for our Ready-Mix Concrete Plants.

New Concrete Production Supervisor

Paul Maley

Following the birth of her son, Flynn,Hayley Cruickshank, AdministrativeAssistant at Montrose Precast, tookmaternity leave and is soon to return towork. Here she tells us about her excitingyear. “I started with Leiths on 29 August 2011 andalthough I didn’t really know an awful lot aboutthe industry (especially precast!) I reallyenjoyed learning about it in my role asAdministrative Assistant. It took a little while tofigure everything out, especially as sometimesthere were two or three names used for thesame item! But after a little while I feltcomfortable with what I was dealing with andgot to know the regular customers.In January 2014 my partner and I were able tobuy our first property which would become ourfamily home. We were very proud to be able todo this mostly because I was pregnant with ourfirst child and we wanted to provide a safe, cosyand happy home for our new addition. Our Son, Flynn Joseph Stoker, was born on 12June 2014 at 11.31pm weighing 8 pounds and10 and a half ounces. When I first went off on maternity leave, I was39 weeks pregnant, and ended up waitinganother 3 weeks for our little boy to make anappearance! Those weeks dragged on for what

felt like months, however, the months since hewas born have flown by in a flash! Flynn is now a healthy, happy 8 month old littleboy. He loves his sleep and his food and isgenerally very content. I’m looking forward to coming back to worknow, as although it has been brilliant being ableto watch our baby grow into a little boy, it willbe nice to return to work and enjoy some adultcompany rather than speaking baby talk allday! I’m looking forward to getting back in tothe routine of work and excited to see all thechanges at the Montrose Precast that I’ve beenkept well informed of while I’ve been away!Especially the new mixer and all the newcontracts Roy and Kayleigh have won!But before I return to work, I'll be gettingmarried! My partner and I have been togetherfor over 6 years so we are extremely happy tobecome husband and wife, so when I return towork, I will be Mrs Hayley Stoker.I feel very happy and lucky to be a part of theLeiths group as so many people made me feelso welcome when I first started and I havemade a lot of friends while being a part of thecompany. I’m looking forward to seeing andspeaking to them all again on a regular basisand meeting new colleagues that have joinedwhilst I've been away.”

Hayley Cruickshankreturns toMontrose Precast(following Maternity Leave)

COMPETITIONTo be in with a chance of winning£100.00 can you answer the followingquestion correctly:

Leiths have recently acquired a newReady-Mixed Concrete Plant atLongside, Peterhead (see our featureon page 3). How many ConcretePlants do Leiths now own?

Please list them all by name.

Entrants should send their answers,including name, place of work and contactdetails to: Caroline Andersoncanderson@leiths-group.co.ukThe closing date is Thursday, 30 April 2015and the winner will be featured in the nextedition of Leiths News. Good Luck!

COMPETITIONWINNER – ISSUE 3Thanks to everyone who entered the last LeithsNews Competition in edition 3. The competition gave employees an opportunityto win a £100.00 voucher by forwarding ideas onhow to improve the health and wellbeing ofeveryone at work, following the ‘Fit in 14’ Scottishgovernment initiative. The winner was Amanda Ross, Purchase LedgerAssistant based at Rigifa who has compiled alist of useful and quick “workplace desk exercises”for staff to try in their own time. The word exercise comes from the Latin exercere,meaning to keep busy or at work.But what the typical adult does at work is sit in adesk chair for eight hours, plus a sitting-downcommute both ways and an evening spent in frontof the TV. This is a recipe for ruin. Sitting all dayincreases our risk for obesity and puts us at risk forback pain, poor posture, leg cramps, tense musclesand sheer boredom.

Here’s something you cando about it!

Exercise is simply the act of keeping your bodybusy, using your muscles and bones while yourheart keeps pumping. According to a survey by theNational Centre for Chronic Disease Preventionand Health Promotion, nearly 50% of adults in theUK admit that they don’t t get the physical exercisethey need.But there are exercises you can do right at yourdesk to help you improve your body’s flexibility andstrength with nothing but a few minutes and yourdesk chair.Just remember to check with a doctor beforestarting any exercise regime or if you have anyconcerns. If you are interested in receiving a copy ofMandy’s exercise sheet, please contact Mandy(aross@leiths-group.co.uk) or CarolineAnderson (canderson@leiths-group.co.uk)

LeithsLeiths (Scotland) LtdRigifa, Cove, AberdeenAberdeenshire AB12 3LR

Tel: 01224 876333Fax: 01224 876332

MarkonAntonine House 6-10 Dunnswood RoadWardpark South, CumbernauldGlasgow G67 3EN

Tel: 01236 875134Fax: 01236 875525

JossJoss (Aberdeen) LtdParkhill, DyceAberdeen AB21 7AT

Tel: 01224 774422Fax: 01224 772444

RossA Ross & Sons LtdDaviotInvernessInverness-shire IV2 6XN

Tel: 01463 772255Fax: 01463 772321

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Lawrie DemolitionRigifa, CoveAberdeenAberdeenshire AB12 3LR

Tel: 01224 876333Fax: 01224 876332

M&M Road Surfacing9A Bankhead MedwaySighthill Industrial EstateEdinburgh EH11 4BY

Tel: 0131 6244466Fax: 0131 6244467

Rigifa, CoveAberdeen AB12 3LRT: 01224 876333F: 01224 876332

www.leiths-group.co.uk Built on Quality

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Group Resources

Leiths News is published for employees, customers and colleagues of theLeiths Group and its associated companies by Leiths Scotland Ltd, Rigifa,Cove, Aberdeen, AB12 3LR.

If you have any stories for the next issues of Leiths News, please sendthem to: canderson@leiths-group.co.uk

1. Highland LimeTorlundyFort WilliamInverness-shire, PH33 6SQT: 01397 702227F: 01397 702308SERVICES (See Key)

2. Torrin QuarryLeiths (Scotland) LtdBroadfordIsle of Skye, IV49 9BAT: 01471 822265F: 01471 822266SERVICES (See Key)

3. Kishorn QuarryNr StrathcarronRoss-shireIV54 8XFUnited KingdomT. 01471 822265F. 01471 822266SERVICES (See Key)

4. Achilty QuarryLeithsContin, StrathpefferRoss-shire, IV14 9EGT: 01997 421122F: 01997 421145SERVICES (See Key)

5. Mid Lairgs QuarryA Ross & Sons LtdDaviot, InvernessInverness-shire, IV2 6XNT: 01463 772211F: 01463 772321SERVICES (See Key)

6. New Forres QuarryLeiths (Scotland) LtdRaffordForresMoray, IV36 2RQT: 01309 671188F: 01309 671100SERVICES (See Key)

7. Bluehills QuarryLeiths (Scotland) LtdCraigellachieMoray, AB55 4BWT: 03301 190627F: 01340 820890SERVICES (See Key)

8. Parkmore QuarryLeiths (Scotland) LtdDufftown, KeithMoray, AB55 4DLT: 01340 820200F: 01340 820890SERVICES (See Key)

9. Longside Concrete PlantFaichfieldLongsidePeterhead, AB42 3EDT: 01779 821466F: 01779 821354SERVICES (See Key)

10. Loch Hills QuarryJoss (Aberdeen) LtdParkhill, DyceAberdeen, AB21 7ATT: 01224 774422F: 01224 772444SERVICES (See Key)

11. North Lasts QuarryLeiths (Scotland) LtdPeterculter, AberdeenAberdeenshire, AB14 0PET: 01224 732690F: 01224 876332SERVICES (See Key)

12. Nether Park QuarryJoss (Aberdeen) LtdDrumoak, BanchoryKincardineshire, AB31 5ADT: 01224 774422F: 01224 772444SERVICES (See Key)

13. Lochton Precast ConcreteLeiths (Scotland) LtdSlug Road, Durris, DufftownBanchory, AB31 6DDT: 01330 844444F: 01330 844417SERVICES (See Key)

14. Blackhills QuarryCove, AberdeenAberdeenshireAB12 3LRT: 01224 897568F: 01224 897590SERVICES (See Key)

15. Montrose Concrete ProductsLeiths (Scotland) LtdBroomfield Industrial EstateMontrose, DD10 8SYT: 01674 677037T: 01674 672809SERVICES (See Key)

16. Lugton LimeLugtonKilmarnockAyrshire, KA3 4EBT: 01505 850435F: 01505 850590SERVICES (See Key)

17. Markon OfficeMarkonAntonine House, 6-10 Dunnswood RoadWardpark SouthCumbernauldGlasgow, G67 3ENT: 01236 875134F: 01236 875525SERVICES (See Key)

18. M&M Road SurfacingM&M Road Surfacing Ltd9A Bankhead MedwaySighthill Industrial EstateEdinburgh, EH11 4BYT: 0131 6244466F: 0131 6244467SERVICES (See Key)

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