CASE STUDY: BALFOUR BEATTY

Working in partnership with local SME businesses in the Highlands & Islands 

UBCivils LTD origins go back to the Outer Hebrides in the early 1970s when the original partnership was formed by three brothers progressing local contracts in the Uists. The business grew steadily over the decades and by the end of the 2000’s was operating widely across Scotland. However, the credit crunch and financial crisis eventually took its toll in 2012. 

At that time, the UBC Group LTD civil engineering division were progressing 60km of access roads and tower compounds in the Glenmoriston and Fort Augustus section of the Beauly-Denny overhead power line. Thankfully, with the backing of Balfour Beatty and SSE, the £6.1 million subcontract was novated across to a newly company formed by the civil engineering division to allow the works to continue, saving around 30 local jobs.  

UBCivils remain Inverness based, operating on large construction projects across the Highlands with a turnover of £10 million and a workforce of 105 local people. 

UBCivils have delivered a number of work packages through Balfour Beatty projects in the North of Scotland including the recently completed National Treatment Centre (NHS Highland) and are currently on site delivering earthworks, ground floor slab, drainage and external services works on the HMP Highland project in Inverness (Scottish Prison Service). 

“Balfour Beatty is the number one client of choice for UBCivils. During the past ten years, we have appreciated a constant work stream supporting the construction, civil engineering, and power divisions of Balfour Beatty. Through this partnership we have benefited hugely from the high standards that are pursued in all aspects, and in particular developing an effective health and safety culture for our own business.” – Colin Peteranna, Director – UBCivils LTD.