LANARKSHIRE-based painting and decorating business, Cali Decor, has revealed it is on track to record sales of £1 million in the calendar year to December 31.
The 12-strong business specialises in the use of sustainable materials and a commitment to greener options.
Founded by MD Chris Meechan in February 2024, the company has recently recruited experienced sector professional Mark Pullar as operations director.
Mr Meechan said, “We have made a good start from our launch last July and have been picking up lots of small to medium-sized jobs which have boosted our turnover and given us the confidence to start challenging for larger projects which we believe we can successfully fulfil. We have a good team in place and we are committed to higher than standard pay rates to maintain the loyalty of good operators which, in turn leads to better morale and higher quality work.
“I’m conscious that there is a broad consensus within the sector that oil-based paints are more effective than water-based paints, but we are determined that Cali Decor should grow its reputation amongst existing and potential customers as a user of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials.
“Unless a customer specifically asks us to do a job with high VOC paint, as a business we are determined to forego entirely their use by the end of this year in favour of water-based paint and I think that over the coming months and years more and more customers, in sectors such as hospitality and housing, will demand this approach of their contractors.”
A recent member of the Scottish Decorators Federation, the company has also introduced a policy of recycling paint pots and using high quality paintbrushes which it believes last longer and reduce waste.
Mr Meechan, 34, a qualified surveyor who has held senior roles within Scotland’s painting and decorating sector, is a firm advocate of apprenticeship recruitment and training and, in addition to one fourth year apprentice, has recently hired a first-year apprentice, Mark Govan, from Motherwell.
He said, “Mark spotted one of our five vans out and about and contacted us asking about the possibility of an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator. I admired his initiative, so met him and decided he had the right qualities to become a good tradesman. He has already made a good start and we have high hopes for his progress with us.”
