LIVINGSTON-based Maxi Construction is celebrating 50 years in business today (May 18).
The firm was founded by Arthur Hopkinson, a chartered civil engineer, in 1971. He retired from the business in 1983 and Gerry Atkinson, chairman to this day, bought out the shareholders. James Bathgate was promoted to MD, a position he held until he retired from the business in 2006. At that point John Aitchison became MD and with Barry Simpson joining the following year as construction director, they continue to lead the company today.
The contractor has delivered a wide variety of projects over the past five decades, citing some of the more unusual ones as including a boathouse in Kirkintilloch, a wind tunnel building for Heriot Watt University, a firing range at Glencorse Barracks, the refurbishment of Gourock outdoor pool, an office built from shipping containers and the reconstruction of the 18th century Botanic Cottage.
In more recent years, the business has secured a place on a number of frameworks such as the Crown Commercial Service Construction Works and Associated Services framework, the Scottish Futures Trust hubcos and numerous local authority construction works frameworks for clients including The City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and South Lanarkshire Council.
Current Maxi projects include Whitburn Partnership Centre, Abington Community Hub, Balerno High School refurbishment and Callendar Park Nursery in Falkirk.
Chairman Gerry Atkinson said, “I am delighted and proud to see how Maxi Construction has developed over the years. After taking over the construction company from Arthur’s management in 1983 the business has grown from a turnover of less than £1 million to over £18 million. This has been achieved by many years of successful management and development by James Bathgate and then continued under the direction of John Aitchison, achieving huge growth with high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business whilst maintaining excellent safety and quality standards.”
