SCOTIA Homes has completed the acquisition of timber kit manufacturer Caledonia Homes for an undisclosed sum.
Ellon-based Caledonia has been fully owned by Stuart Sutherland since 2004. The company provides individually designed houses and also supplies timber kits for bespoke self-build projects. Â
Scotia, also based in Ellon, has signed a new 15-year lease of Caledonia’s business premises and revealed it is committed to investing to increase manufacturing capacity.
Gary Gerrard, chairman of Scotia Homes, explained, “With the huge cost inflation that we have experienced during the past year and the material supply shortages that we have seen across the construction industry, it became apparent to our board that we needed to take more control of our supply chain. Timber kits are a key component of our housebuilding operations and we identified this excellent acquisition opportunity right on our doorstep.
“The benefits of acquiring Caledonia are threefold; it provides us with in-house manufacturing capability for our timber kits, alongside our existing suppliers; it provides additional highly skilled teams of office-based and on/off site trades; it supports our sustainability agenda and forms a key part of our ESG strategy by expanding our local supply chain. It is a great news story for Ellon in the current turbulent economic conditions.”
Martin Bruce, MD of Scotia Homes, added, “I have known Stuart Sutherland for many years and have been hugely impressed by the quality of Caledonia’s housebuild and his timber kit manufacturing operations. Stuart has developed a highly skilled team and we are delighted that all staff members will be retained, with the Caledonia business becoming part of the wider Scotia group. I look forward to welcoming them as part of our team.”
Stuart Sutherland, MD of Caledonia Homes, commented, “Scotia Homes is one of Ellon’s largest employers with development sites across the north of Scotland. I had taken the decision to retire earlier this year before receiving an unsolicited approach from Scotia. After several meetings, I became comfortable that they were a perfect fit for my business and also offered continuation of employment for my employees and sub-contractors.”
Scotia Homes has current and future developments in Aberdeen, Arbroath, Aviemore, Ballater, Blairgowrie, Braemar, Brechin, Croy, Ellon, Forfar, Insch, Inverness, Kincraig, Kintore, Newmachar, Oldmeldrum, Perth, St Andrews, and Tarves. Â
