Glasgow engineering contractor targeting 100-strong headcount with new HQ

A Glasgow-based civil engineering contractor is looking to build up a 100-strong workforce as it competes for larger contracts.

John McGeady, which provides civil engineering, road surfacing and plant hire services across Scotland, has grown staffing numbers to around 60 over the past few years. It now has several recruits in the pipeline and is targeting a headcount of around 100 over the next three to five years, while also looking to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities it offers.

The firm has just acquired its headquarters on the back of £1.5 million of funding support from Bank of Scotland. It had previously been a tenant at its base on the city’s South Street for two years.

John McGeady provides civil engineering, road surfacing and plant hire services across Scotland.

The acquisition of the HQ comes after a period of significant growth for the business. Since 2018, when managing director Tom Crumlish took over the company from the McGeady family, annual turnover has risen from around £900,000 to more than £20m in its most recent accounts, with revenues forecast to jump to approximately £30m this year.

That growth has been driven by investment in the company’s workforce and capabilities, enabling it to broaden the services it provides and compete for larger contracts. While projects three to five years ago were typically worth around £150,000, the business can now take on individual contracts of up to £4m.

Bosses said owning the South Street site would give the business greater long-term security and flexibility as it continues to increase its capacity. The firm - founded by John McGeady in 1982 - is already considering further investment at the site, including expanding its office space and developing a recycling facility and training centre.

Crumlish said: “We’ve grown significantly over the past few years, but the ambition has always been to build the business without losing the family values and close-knit culture that have helped us get this far.

“Buying the South Street site gives us the confidence to think longer term. It gives us more control over how we develop the business and creates the space to invest in our people and future opportunities.”