Page 2 - WM Donald Newsletter - Edition Six

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At a time when both recent performance and future prospects are positive, it is sad to have to report that a much-loved colleague, Allan Smith, passed away on 27th March. Allan received a lung transplant several years ago but had struggled over the past eighteen months with rejection episodes. I paid Allan a visit a couple of weeks before he died and he was looking well. Sadly, his health deteriorated rapidly after that. Allan was only 56 when he died, a stark reminder to us all to make each day count.
Although the economy in the North East has proved more resilient than many expected, the construction industry remains highly competitive. As a result, we have lost several longstanding and respected contracting firms over the past twelve months. Consequently, I have worked closely with our commercial team to implement systems and procedures that give us a far greater understanding and control of our costs. These systems provide our managers with accurate and timely information and allow us to budget more effectively and with greater accountability. My aim is to make W M Donald more cost conscious whilst maintaining our reputation for engineering quality and ‘getting the job done’.
Well done to Eilidh and all others who contributed to achieving our WIRS (Water Industry Regulation Scheme) accreditation in April. Whilst it is unlikely that work on water mains and connections is ever going to account for more than a small element of turnover it is good to be able to offer it as ‘part of the package’. Davie Muir has joined us to manage our utilities works.
Our new Health and Safety Adviser, Fraser Morrison, has already had a major positive impact on site activities. I recognise how reassuring it is to our clients to know that we have all the necessary safety systems in place and are proactive in ensuring they are implemented.
We currently have a healthy order book across all areas of the business. We will soon be starting work on a Barratt Homes development at Monifieth, near Dundee. I believe we now have the workforce, systems and management resource to compete effectively across a broader geographical area.
Finally, by the time this newsletter goes to print we will have started on the foundations of our operations centre alongside the new workshop, store and stockyard. As ever these are exciting and interesting times!
Willie
Willie’s Welcome
W M Donald returns to its roots
In its early years, W M Donald developed a reputation for constructing sea outfalls. As wastewater treatment changed over the years, the demand for wastewater outfalls diminished and then disappeared.
However, W M Donald is returning to its roots having been appointed by Dragados to construct a salt water intake and outfall in Nigg Harbour. The intake and outfall will be used by a United Fish Industries processing plant located near the harbour.
The project is challenging from both a civil engineering and a safety perspective. It requires the excavation of an 8m deep trench in the beach to accommodate a 400mm diameter ductile iron pipeline. The trench is within the bay’s tidal range and will require extensive shoring and pumping. The outlet will only be visible at low tide.
Hot off the press!
W M Donald returns to Countesswells
W M Donald have been awarded the infrastructure roads, sewers and associated plotworks for 128 units by Barratt Homes North East.
This site forms part of the Counteswells Development and links into the major infrastructure works constructed last year by W M Donald as shown in the attached schematic.
Work will be starting as this newsletter goes to press.