Esh Construction is proud to begin work helping to revitalise the historic Borders knitwear industry.

The company has been appointed to deliver the redevelopment of Scott & Charters’ knitwear factory in Hawick.

Esh’s work will see the existing facility in Fairhurst Drive, Burnfoot make way for a new facility with improved efficiency – across energy, noise-levels and manufacturing.

The significant investment project – which includes the construction of new premises and a car park – will secure the long-term future of the site, bringing direct benefit to the local economy.

Scott & Charters was established in 1955, and an ambitious programme of works will also ensure the company’s manufacturing capability is maintained throughout.

All production will take place in the original factory at the front of the site as the new modern facility takes shape towards the rear.

Esh Construction’s Regional Director for Scotland, Gerard McMahon said:
“As a firm with strong ties to the Borders region we are very proud to help deliver this exciting project for the region and wider knitwear industry.

“Maintaining an operational facility while redevelopment works take place is a key part of the brief.

“We have experience in delivering such projects and are pleased that we will be able to adopt a collaborative approach to help Scott and Charters achieve just that.

“A great deal of planning and hard work will go into bringing this fantastic project to fruition.”
Managing Director of Scott and Charters, Malcolm Grant said:

“Scott & Charters are delighted to have secured the services of Esh Construction, and I have no doubt they will deliver this custom built factory within the timeframe required, all to the highest of specifications.

“The fact that this bespoke redevelopment is being built on our existing Fairhurst Drive site, proposed significant challenges to both Esh and Scott & Charters, with neither company able to afford the luxury of down time. However by liaising closely together, we have been able to continue knitwear production, whilst there have been no restriction to the construction schedule.”

Esh Construction recently delivered a new B&M store in Stenhousemuir for Stirling-based Ramoyle Developments Ltd, and in 2015 it successfully completed a £3.7million factory expansion for Kirkcudbright-based pâté manufacturers Castle MacLellan Foods.

It also recently delivered the £11m Engine Shed building conservation centre in Stirling on behalf of Historic Environment Scotland, and it is currently working with Edinburgh City Council and Collective on delivering the capital’s prestigious £3 million Calton Hill observatory project.

Representatives from Esh Border Construction and Heriot-Watt University met this week to celebrate the beginning of an extensive refurbishment project at the prestigious higher education establishment.

Livingston-based Esh has been awarded the contract to completely transform the university’s Cameron Smail Library into a modern and welcoming learning environment for students, lecturers and support staff.

The £4m project will see Esh strip back the existing building, before constructing a new layout with replacement fixtures, fittings and decoration.

Beginning on the ground floor, the project will be completed over five phases across each level of the live site, which is still being utilised by students and staff as a 24/7 learning resource and place of study.

Works will also see the replacement of internal doors, the refurbishment of toilet facilities, and the addition of new windows, as well as new mechanical and electrical installations.

Esh Border Construction’s Regional Director for Scotland, Gerard McMahon said:

“The Cameron Smail library was a pioneering academic building when it was constructed over 40 years ago. It has since been used as a model for universities across the world and we are very proud to play such a pivotal role in securing its future as a modern state-of-the-art learning facility.

“Careful planning and preparation has been put in by our teams in full consultation with the team at Heriot-Watt and we are confident disruption will be kept to a minimum as we look to deliver a cost-effective, energy-efficient, modern facility.”

Professor John Sawkins, Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, Heriot-Watt University said:

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Esh Border Construction on this refurbishment to turn our library into a modern, flexible and comfortable environment fit for a forward-looking ambitious university.

“Throughout the planning works we’ve been working closely with students, academic colleagues, library staff and consultants to get the best use of the space to provide access to a wide range of print and electronic resources and comfortable study space to support our students’ academic success.

“With improved space and technology, this construction project clearly demonstrates the University’s commitment to delivering the very best learning and teaching environment for all our students.”

Esh is delighted to work with architects Lewis and Hickey, quantity surveyors Turner Townsend, structural engineers Peter Brett Associates, mechanical and electrical engineers RSP and project managers WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff.

Matthew Fair, project architect with Lewis and Hickey said:
“Lewis and Hickey are pleased to be working with Esh Construction to fully refurbish the Cameron Smail Library at Heriot-Watt University. The scheme looks to update the existing facilities and considerably enhance the student experience of a key building within the campus.”

The Heriot-Watt projects follow a strong pipeline of work in the education sector for Esh Border Construction.