Page 6 - WM Donald Newsletter - Edition Four

The experience of 40 yearsIn 2015, W M Donald completely redeveloped its web presence. Willie Donald was ‘interviewed’ as part of the process to develop a timeline of the company’s development - www.wmdonald.co.uk/our-vision/timeline-our-journeyThese are some of Willie’s key observations from forty years in the business.THE OPPORTUNITY‘I saw people making a living on sites even though they didn’t work long hours and often took ages to finish a job. I thought that if I worked hard, aimed to do jobs ‘right first time’, and embraced the latest ways of working, there was a good opportunity out there.’THE BEST THINGWillie and Elaine get married - January 1997The best thing I ever did was starting up on my own. Sure there is pressure and occasional sleepless nights, but there is pressure in any job.THE BALANCE OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCEW M Donald’s first office – August 1977I am proud of the loyalty and commitment of the W M Donald workforce. We have many employees who have been with us twenty years or more.I also recognise, however, the importance of the energy and skills of the younger generation. It is this mixture of youth and experience which is the engine of our future growth. The average age of our workforce remains below 40 years of age.Sea OutfallTHE SEAI loved working on sea outfalls. The sea waits for no man. You have to get in, do the work, and get out.THE ENERGYWe’ve always been willing to embrace new work opportunities and innovation. They stretch and energise the company. In my experience if teams have the right equipment and clear direction they love to rise to a challenge.THE BANK MANAGERDuring one of our first major projects the client went bust. This was a harsh but enduring business lesson. By the time W M Donald Ltd was formed I knew we were doing well because the bank manager was coming to see us rather than the other way round!THE INVESTMENTIf you want to prosper as a business you have to be ready to embrace and invest for new workstreams. A sustainable capital replacement programme is fundamental to long-term success in civil engineering.THE RECESSION AND LOYALTY2007 was a record year for us, so the impact of the recession in 2008 was magnified somewhat. There was great uncertainty. I can honestly say it was the only time over the 40 years of the company’s history when I didn’t know the way things were going to go.I’m proud there were no redundancies. From the very start our core principles have been loyalty, hard work and honesty.THE ENGINEW M Donald is a family firm. The working environment I’ve heard described as ‘couthy’. This isn’t a negative. We derive great energy and benefit from the cohesion and loyalty this generates, particularly from the teams on site. They are the engine that powers W M Donald’s success.The artist’s impression of the new officesTHE SUCCESSLike many people in the North East of Scotland, I prefer to keep myself to myself, to just get on with the job without any fuss. However, projects like PrimeFour, Elsick and Countesswells have raised the public profile of W M Donald. It has taken some getting used to, and it’s still something that feels uncomfortable from time to time, but it is a sign that the business continues to develop and grow.625th Anniversary – August 2002