Brechin firm Forster raising the roof
An Angus company is topping off almost a fifth of all new houses being built in Scotland each year.
Mr Forster and Mrs Leslie Melville with the Angus Ambassador Award.
- By Chris Hardy
- Published in the Courier : 21.07.10
- Published online : 21.07.10 @ 12.41pm
Over 20 years, Forster of Brechin has been building a reputation as one of Scotland's leading roofing specialists -- and, as a result, almost 20% of all new houses built in Scotland have a Forster roof.
Forster's reputation has brought with it an array of awards but managing director John Forster told provost Ruth Leslie Melville that being named Angus Business Ambassador at the 2009 Angus Ambassador Awards was one of the company's highest accolades.
"Receiving the Business Ambassador of the Year Award was an immense honour for everyone involved," said Mr Forster, as he showed the provost round the company's Brechin headquarters from where over 80 staff are employed.
Having traditionally focused on the private house build market, Forster has diversified into several new markets and built a good relationship with a number of housing associations and local authorities across the country.
"As a result of our diversification, we're once again recruiting, which is a great sign," added Mr Forster.
Another encouraging sign is the continued expansion of its vocational training programme for school pupils.
Forster developed the format in partnership with Brechin High School and Angus College -- and now also Montrose Academy.
"Investment in the young people of Brechin and the surrounding area is vital to us," said Mr Forster.
Forster is one of the drivers behind Angus Construction Training (ACT) Group, which was set up three years ago in partnership with Pert Bruce and Webster Contracts to deliver quality, affordable training locally.
"Angus Construction Training Group now has 32 members and provides a vital service to the local construction industry," said Mr Forster.
The training is open to all local construction-related businesses, from large building firms to one-man companies and self-employed contractors.
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