AN Alness-based seafood wholesaler’s decision not to appoint a main contractor has allowed it to stretch its £900,000 budget and deliver a higher-spec shellfish processing facility, its project manager has told Project Scotland.
Scot Live Shellfish is constructing a ‘state-of-the-art’ building at its Highland base. The facility will feature specialist plant and equipment and boost the firm’s efficiency and environmental credentials – whilst creating 10 local jobs.
The business revealed that quotes for the project to be delivered by a main contractor averaged around £1.8 million. However, the firm was able to bring the complete outlay down to £900,000 by taking a director-led approach with a cohort of specialist subcontractors, led directly by the project management company and the Scot Live MD, working closely together with the subcontractors.
The project represents a rebuild rather than an expansion after a 2022 fire destroyed the firm’s previous factory – leading to it temporarily pivoting to fresh and frozen shellfish rather than its lucrative live offering.
“We know it’s nearing completion, and we’ve been waiting so long for it,” Gosia Kozlowska, director at Scot Live Shellfish, told Project Scotland. “It’s incredible to see staff who I was phoning on the day of the fire to (tell) not come into work… probably worried about their jobs and the future, but they will be here in this nice new building.”
Recognising the importance of the company as a local employer, as well as protecting Scottish produce, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) backed the project with £225,000. Currently employing 25 locals, that number is expected to increase to 35 over the next two years.
The new facility, which is similar in size of the one that burnt down, will boast advanced blast freezing, packaging, and energy-efficient cooling systems, which will allow operations to be streamlined and also see the existing base repurposed to specialise in scallop processing.
Due to complete in September, the project is being led by Stephen McCluskey, lead partner at Hamilton-based SPMCC (Surveying, Project Management and Construction Consultancy). He revealed the subcontractor and director-led approach has ‘without a doubt’ made the project more seamless, particularly given its specialist function.
Scot Live Shellfish’s senior team and shareholders are comprised of specialists in fishing, transport, refrigeration, and global markets – meaning their expertise could be used to shape the project.
“They all bring separate elements and that expertise has made the building what it is,” Stephen explained.
The constant presence of shareholders, particularly Gosia and factory manager Alex Mason, has meant a number of alterations have been carried out during the build phase. That information has been quickly relayed back to contractors and the changes made.
Alterations primarily concerned the layout, as well as lighting and temperature control in the building, which is designed to improve both sustainability credentials and performance in summer and winter months. The site also features solar panels and battery storage.
“They’re going to get what they want out of the building for a longer period and they’ve got a lot of future-proofing items with the electricity and water supply. And with areas added such as the full solar PV bank and battery storage, the company’s carbon footprint and sustainability are dramatically improved,” Stephen continued. “It’s also given the employees a lot (more) flexibility within the building and better conditions to work in too. I think it’s going to work well for the company.”
The approach also allowed for specialist contractors to be appointed, including locally based Allan Stewart (civils and groundworks), WM Services (galvanised steel structure and cladding), KGB Electrical, and Lawson Refrigeration.
Specialists in internal panelling and installation food process engineering were also contracted. The new build is fully-clad, with galvanised steel used due to the harsh salt air in the coastal town.
“It’s more than likely to come in about the same budget figure as originally anticipated,” Stephen said, before revealing the quoted £1.8 million fees came as a shock to shareholders. “But I think without a doubt, the high-quality subcontractors has meant the clients have ended up with a lot better product.”
Once the new facility goes live later this year, production will ramp up and Scot Live Shellfish will continue supplying Scottish produce across the UK and wider European markets.
