THE MD of Blackwood Plant Hire has reminded plant and construction professionals that ‘excellent’ help is out there, should they find themselves struggling during the festive months.
The comments from Paul McCormack come after the Kilmarnock-based firm delivered the same message to its own team, as it continues its backing of Andy’s Man Club and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which includes dawning the charity’s branding on a Kobelco SK130 excavator.
“Reach out to your friends and your employer,” Paul continued. “Andy’s Man Club and the Lighthouse charity are excellent as well – they’ll give you help straight away and there’s no judgement; you could be the MD of a company or an apprentice; they’ll help anyone.”
Acknowledging that the construction industry can be a hard sector to work in, particularly with increasing uncertainties, Paul praised the togetherness and added that the sector is now much more understanding of those struggling with their mental health.
“I’d say the construction sector is like a team,” he explained. “It’s the biggest but smallest industry; everybody’s changing jackets, and everyone knows everybody in the industry, so there’s always help there. People are changing their mentality now where it is ‘OK not to be OK’. There’s no stigma now: it’s no longer ‘just get on with it; you’re a man’. If you’re struggling, you can get help.”
Blackwood is also continuing its fundraising efforts for Parkinson’s UK, with the company passing the £3,000 mark following the July launch of its Scania T-cab Truck, hand-painted in honour of Scottish comedy legend Billy Connolly.
“It’s doing well,” Paul said. “There’s a local guy in the estate next door to us and he’s got Parkinson’s. He came in and photographed the truck and did a story for the Parkinson’s welfare group and their magazine – he loved it.”
It’s been a busy year for Blackwood, with the firm opening new depots in Nairn and Inverurie as it looks to further establish itself in the north of Scotland having worked extensively in the region for the past 15 years.
“The depots have been busy and are starting to find their feet,” Paul added. “We’ve got good staff up there and they’re starting to put down roots and bring new clients onboard.”
Keen to invest in the local area, Blackwood is set to launch a training academy at the Inverurie base in early 2025 with the aim of training between 10 and 20 operators annually.
“We’ve started doing training for the existing operators we took on in the last six months, so we’re upskilling them,” Paul added. “I’d say 90% of the work is local and we’re also investing back into the area by using local suppliers and labour as well.”
Blackwood is also continuing to invest in its fleet. The business recently took delivery of a large line-up of Komatsu P26MR-5 mini-excavators and PW160-11 wheeled excavators featuring Rhinox buckets, with Paul explaining the benefits of the additional safety features and importance of the fuel-saving auto-shutdown.
The company has also added new welfare vans. Two of the new Dack Motor Group Maxus seven-seat vans went to a client in the north of Scotland on the same day Blackwood advertised them for hire – with the other going to a job at Manchester Airport. Featuring seven seats, a four-seat table, complete kitchen area, and a toilet and drying area, Paul described them as ideal for smaller sites.
• Donations can be made to Blackwood’s Parkinson’s UK fundraiser by visiting the Blackwood Plant Hire GoFundMe page. Information about the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity can be accessed by visiting www.lighthouseclub.org, and Andy’s Man Club at www.andysmanclub.co.uk
