WET processing equipment specialist CDE has hailed the ‘high-quality’ service and family values of long-standing partner J&M Murdoch & Sons as the Neilston-headquartered business celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
Founded in 1965 in Paisley with seven vehicles, J&M Murdoch began as a transporter of animal produce. Expanding into haulage in the 70s, the company grew rapidly and today specialises in transportation, waste management, and recycling services – running 80 HGVs, employing over 170 people, and operating across four depots.
Visiting the firm’s Neilston site, Project Plant was able to see an array of J&M Murdoch’s CDE machinery in operation – including the R-Series primary scalping screen, AggMax scrubbing and classification system, EvoWash sand washing system, and Aquacycle high-rate thickener.
The equipment offers a range of integrated functions designed to process raw material and waste with minimal loss. The R-Series utilises a unique fully-electric drive system, which is said to deliver significant fuel savings. Meanwhile, the modular AggMax combines multiple functions into a single compact chassis – allowing it to transform problematic and/or waste materials with high clay content into high-quality aggregates.
“We’ve always recycled aggregate,” said Andrew Murdoch, J&M Murdoch MD. “The industry is changing and so is the quality of the material. Doing it the old-fashioned way was okay, but clients want the quality to go up. There’s been no problems at all and we’re very happy to be partnered with CDE.”
A teething issue on one of the machines, which J&M Murdoch operations manager Bernie Hughes explained is normal and to be expected, resulted in CDE driving from Ireland with a new part ready to be installed first thing the next day. “Who gives you that service?” Bernie continued. “We’re about keeping our customers happy, so we can’t fail them and that means we can’t have anyone fail us – and that’s why we look for the best service.”
Operating in over 100 countries, CDE – like J&M Murdoch – has stayed true to its roots since its founding in Northern Ireland in 1992.
“Listening to Andrew speak about J&M Murdoch, and their strong commitment to high-quality service and their family values at the core of their business resonates closely with CDE,” Christopher Devlin, CDE business development executive for Scotland, revealed. “CDE is built on core values of ‘do it right’ and to ‘see the world through our customers eyes’ whilst creating our best world a tonne at a time. (This) creates a synergy with our two companies.”
J&M Murdoch’s next investment will see the installation of a filter press, which Christopher explained will bring a range of benefits.
“That will allow them to recycle up to 97% of the process water to be recirculated through the wash plant and eliminate settlement ponds which will regain valuable site space, remove the need for pond cleaning, and improve health and safety (issues) associated with ponds,” he explained.
Scooping the Journey to Net Zero and Family Business awards at the recent East Renfrewshire Business Awards 2025, J&M Murdoch prioritises investing to evolve and improve its offering – with Andrew revealing that £1.5-£2 million is spent each year on new HGVs.
The business became the first in Scotland to operate a fully electric skip loader when it unveiled its Volvo FE 3×2 in 2023.
“If you don’t change with the times you don’t survive,” Andrew continued. “It’s got to be done. There’s no option – you have to change; you have to evolve.”
The company has a long history of innovation. Andrew’s father, John, installed what was believed to be the UK’s first recycling centre in a landfill site in the 90s. Even earlier than that, the firm began numbering its skips – allowing it to track any incorrectly disposed of items directly back to customers. Today, J&M Murdoch has a bespoke digital system which tracks each of its 4,000 skips. Such a system is set to become legislation in October 2026.
“This company evolves constantly,” Bernie Hughes, operations manager at J&M Murdoch added, before pointing to the Loo King arm of the business. Already working with clients who had a need for portable toilets, the thinking was to give them a one-stop offering.
Starting out as a driver at J&M Murdoch 25 years ago, Bernie worked his way up to running all of the firm’s sites. His assistant operations manager began as a picker, before earning a number of promotions.
Although there are still a number of youngsters employed within the business – with around 80% of the staff coming from the local area – Andrew revealed that it is proving increasingly difficult to attract fresh talent into the sector. One of the main causes, he believes, is a lack of education on non-academic career paths in schools.
“If you’re local, come and speak to me,” Andrew replied, when asked what he’d say to a youngster considering a career in the sector. “There’s a definite shortage of skilled people and this is one of the industries – transport, haulage, construction, and waste – that is probably the most open armed for taking on new people and giving them a chance. All we want is someone willing to learn, willing to work, and the rest can be taught.”
With celebrations of its 60th anniversary well underway, the firm already has its sights set on the future. Plans are in place for a new operating centre, which will be designed to accommodate workshops, maintenance, offices, and a purpose-built museum featuring its vintage trucks.
