Family firm Gordons Construction marked for significant growth

The business will open its seventh location this summer in Blairgowrie, Perthshire - its first base dedicated to serving customers in the east and north of the country. Headquartered in Castle Douglas, Gordons currently operates six sites across Carlisle and south-west Scotland, but the new depot marks a strategic shift towards a truly nationwide footprint.

The Blairgowrie site will also become the company’s first construction-only depot, reflecting the rapid development of its plant machinery division since entering the sector in 2017.

Alongside the new location, Gordons has secured licensed dealership agreements with Italian manufacturer Dieci and German compaction specialist Bomag. These additions sit alongside its long-standing position as exclusive Scottish dealer for Develon, creating what the firm describes as a “one-stop shop” for construction equipment.

Kevin Fraser, one of the company’s four directors, said the expansion significantly strengthens the range available to customers.

“We are really excited about this next stage,” he said.

“Dieci and Bomag perfectly complement the Develon offering to give our customers the full spectrum of kit they need for every scale of project.

“The Blairgowrie depot will give our customers in the east and north of Scotland a chance to see equipment more conveniently. Importantly, it also means we can offer a more responsive service in these regions, both for parts and engineer support.”

The new dealership agreements broaden Gordons’ portfolio across key machinery categories. Develon’s established range of excavation equipment will now be complemented by Dieci’s telehandlers and rotating handlers, alongside Bomag’s compaction machinery, including rollers, planers and recyclers.

Together, the three brands cover core requirements across construction, contracting and land-based industries, from digging and lifting to material handling and groundworks.

Founded in 1865 by James Gordon and acquired by the Montgomerie family a century ago, the company has deep roots in agriculture, originally supplying farm equipment before diversifying into construction less than a decade ago. That move has underpinned strong growth, with turnover now reaching £65 million and a workforce of 110 staff.

The Blairgowrie depot reflects both the firm’s construction focus and its continuing links with agriculture and rural businesses. As well as serving contractors involved in housebuilding and infrastructure, the site is expected to appeal to farmers and land managers seeking machinery such as diggers and telehandlers for on-farm use.

Kevin Fraser added that the three partner brands share Gordons’ emphasis on performance and reliability.

“All three of these companies reflect our values and quality of service. Their innovation and advanced technology set high industry standards in productivity, safety, operator comfort and sustainability, which we are very pleased to offer our customers.”

The site itself has been developed with sustainability in mind, featuring solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. Local contractors have been engaged to prepare hard standings for machinery, as well as to construct the workshop and showroom facilities.

Gordons acquired the Blairgowrie premises from Fergus Mitchell, who is retiring, and plans to build on the reputation established at the site.

The expansion has also created new employment opportunities, with recruitment under way for mechanics and administrative roles to support operations at the depot.

For customers, the benefits of a more local presence are clear. Rab Robertson of Taiga Upland, who has purchased Develon machinery from Gordons for fencing and forestry infrastructure projects, said improved access to parts and servicing would be a major advantage.

“They are a great firm to work with, which starts with really good advice when buying but also brilliant after service when we’ve had breakdowns or need parts,” he said. “When time is money, having a site on this side of the country will make a real difference.”

The company will formally introduce the new depot to the local community at an open day planned for September.

Ahead of that, Gordons will showcase its expanded machinery offering at ScotPlant, held at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh on April 24 and 25, including the Scottish debut of Develon’s new Series 9 smart crawler excavators.

Further appearances are scheduled at the Royal Highland Show and the Black Isle Show, underlining the company’s continued commitment to both the construction and agricultural sectors as it enters its next phase of growth.