CIVIL engineering contractor George Leslie has hailed the collective desire of Scotland’s construction sector to tackle the pressing issues it faces after attracting a record 550 attendees and 41 exhibitors to its annual Innovation Day.
“The future of our industry depends on our ability to transform knowledge into action,” David Ross, George Leslie MD, told Project Scotland. “Creating events such as Innovation Day provides an opportunity for exploring the innovations, technologies, and leading practices that are helping organisations improve resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.”
In the space of four years, the event – which brings key partners together to network and discover the latest sustainable and innovative solutions shaping the future of the industry – has evolved from a small-scale indoor event into a sprawling outdoor gathering at the firm’s Barrhead base.
“Collaboration is the key to success and future of the industry in Scotland,” Gavin Pick, sustainability manager at George Leslie, revealed.
A number of major names from across the Scottish construction sector sponsored the George Leslie Innovation Day, including Enviro-Clean, Siltbuster, Selwood, GAP Group, Sunbelt Rentals, Majenta, Carrier Rental Systems, Blackwood Plant Hire, OSSO, and Mabey Hire. They joined an impressive exhibitor line-up showcasing some of the products and technologies that are benefiting civil engineering projects across the country.
One highlight amongst many was a 20,000-litre portable dive tank, supplied by Shearwater Marine Services. Designed and built in-house, commercial divers provided demonstrations of some of the tasks they carry out in subsea environments throughout the day and how remotely operated technology can work alongside dive teams.
Keynote speeches were held in the Cube, an inflatable exhibition area where experts from companies including Selwood, RVT Group, GeoPura, Arcadis, Majenta, Trimble, George Leslie, Groundforce, and Vemaventuri discussed topics such as wastewater solutions, hydrogen in action, digital engineering, safety in design using automation and standardisation, utilising technology to become more agile on site, and sustainability.
Importantly, the speeches were focused on knowledge sharing and collaboration rather than sales pitches.
“If it becomes too stuffy, people don’t come to these things – you’ve got to keep it relaxed and not make it feel as if you’ve got to sell something,” Gavin added. “It’s about promoting what’s innovative to the industry – and that’s embracing what’s new to help companies reach their targets.”
Local food and drink suppliers were on site, with George Leslie providing complimentary tokens for both. Naturally, guests gravitated towards the food and coffee on offer – creating a buzz in the queue, with conversations aplenty about operations, projects, solutions, and goals. Dedicated social spaces allowed for any ideas prompted to be developed further.
“It encourages collaboration,” Martin Kennedy, George Leslie plant and yard operations manager, explained. “Everybody is in that area with pizza and a coffee just chatting away – and that chat can then continue into something.”
A further advantage of the innovation day is the potential for the event to act as a gateway for locals looking to break into the industry or progress in their career. “We’ve got a young engineering base in the business, a number of graduate apprentices, graduates, young sub agents and engineers – and this is brilliant for them to come, make relationships, and see what’s happening in the industry,” Gavin continued.
Plans are afoot to work with local schools to bring youngsters to the event next year. “Young minds are intrigued minds,” Martin said. “If they come in and see ‘toys’ at work and hear all about the different digital aspects of the industry, then you never know – you might just attract the next genius to the industry, and that’s key for the future.”
