A fleet of Merlo heavy‑lift and ROTO telehandlers are helping North Ayrshire-headquartered steelwork contractor J&D Pierce (Contracts) to deliver safe, precise and productive steel projects across the UK.
The family business was founded in 1975 and has grown from a one‑man workshop into a nationally significant steel specialist delivering complex industrial, infrastructure and stadium projects nationwide.
Today, with over 550 employees across multiple divisions, J&D Pierce operates more than 1,000,000 sq ft of production and fabrication facilities across Scotland and the north of England.
The business was established by James Pierce as a one‑man operation producing gates, railings, fire escapes and general ironmongery. In 1982 he was joined by his son Derek, whose ambition and appetite for calculated risk transformed the company. The firm scaled its capability, workforce and project portfolio throughout the 1980s and 90s before expanding into major commercial, industrial and retail schemes.
A formal apprenticeship programme was introduced in 2004, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that today supports dozens of apprentices at any one time.
Jamie Pierce, the grandson of the founder, became the third generation to join the business in 2010, gaining experience across fabrication construction, engineering, operations and site delivery. He was joined by his brother Fraser in 2015.
After nearly four decades, James Pierce retired in 2013, with Derek continuing to lead the next major stages of growth. This year, Derek transitions to chairman, with Jamie Pierce becoming joint MD alongside Dave Ryan.
A defining characteristic of J&D Pierce throughout the firm’s 50+ year journey has been its commitment to people. The company continues to invest in training and development across all areas of the business including fabrication, welding, erection, design, drawing, coatings and support functions. This is led by a dedicated skills development team.
In addition to the apprenticeship programme, J&D Pierce operates a second‑chance training route for people from a wide range of backgrounds – often from outside the construction industry. The company also partners with North Ayrshire Council on a 16‑week welding programme that provides unemployed individuals with industry‑ready skills.
In 2011, the business introduced Merlo heavy‑lift telehandlers into its steel handling operations for the first time, to improve offloading safety and efficiency. Over the past year, the business has added five new Merlo units to its fleet in the form of three P120.10HM heavy‑lift telehandlers, one 26m ROTO (50.26PLUS), and one 30m ROTO (50.30PLUS).
These machines play an important supporting role on major projects, including the HVDC converter stations in Orkney and Peterhead, where their reach, stability and manoeuvrability make them effective in areas where cranes are restricted or less efficient.
Jamie is clear that while Merlo produces excellent equipment, it is the partnership with distributor Ramsay & Jackson that truly makes the difference.
The service and responsiveness from the team, at any time, on any site, is described as a major factor in why J&D Pierce continues to invest in Merlo as part of its long term strategy.
J&D Pierce and Merlo are said to share a similar heritage. Both have been shaped by family beginnings, a focus on engineering excellence, and a steady evolution from general ironmongery workshops into internationally respected specialists. Both also take pride in continuous improvement, investment in people, safe working practices, and a commitment to quality that spans generations.
“We don’t buy machines as ornaments,” Jamie said. “We use them every day, to their full capability. Merlo fits how we work – reliable, efficient and built for the long haul.”
