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South of Scotland Enterprise has supported a Scottish Borders based business to expand the service offering to keep up with demand, support innovative opportunities and productivity.

Kevin Watson Engineering Ltd was established in 2005 and is a Limited Company based in Hawick in the Scottish Borders. The business started as a mobile agricultural engineering business initially servicing agricultural machinery.

Kevin prides himself on providing a quality engineering, fabrication, and all-round metal work service, to agricultural and construction businesses in both the public and private sectors.

Whilst establishing a good reputation in the community and building a loyal customer base, the business has gone from strength to strength with demand for these services growing steadily. 

Having invested in skills and training and accreditation (Constructionline, H&S Acclaim Accreditation, CITB approved), the business has been procured and has been operating as a supplier to the Local Authority and Housing Associations across the Scottish Borders for the last 10 years. 

Following increased demand for work at height, SOSE has committed £7,000 to assist the business to procure an Ariel Work Platform. The funding will allow the business to offer bespoke design and manufacture, in agricultural engineering, blacksmith work, design, fabrication, and fitting of steel, wrought iron and other metal structures.

The confirmed investment will enable Kevin to work at elevated heights on agricultural sheds and buildings, with enhanced safety and efficiency.

The addition of the Arial Work Platform will address the current and urgent demand for this style of work in many sectors locally. Whilst enabling diversification and opportunities to increase growth, increase annual turnover by £20-£40k in the next 12 months and increase productivity and service offering. 

The project will create one FTE employee and offer access to training, certification, and mentoring and will support the local supply chain in construction, agricultural, engineering and forestry businesses across the region.

Kevin Watson said:

"The funding received from South of Scotland Enterprise allowed the business to purchase an aerial work platform which immediately allowed me to respond to urgent demand. Working in the agricultural sector there is a lot of demand to work on farm shed roofs and after winter storm damage at the beginning of the year I was inundated with calls regarding roof repairs which farmers are reliant on for keeping livestock especially during busy periods such as lambing etc. 

"Having the aerial platform means I can work safely from height and respond to urgent call outs without having to look around for a hire option which is sometimes difficult to find. We have now added to our service offering and can also respond to demand from new sectors such as construction and forestry and in doing so we are benefiting other businesses in the supply chain across the region."

Pauline Deans, SOSE Business Advisor, said:

"SOSE’s investment has not only significantly improved Kevin’s ability to meet demand for requests to work at height but has also enabled him to diversify the business by offering the equipment for hire.

"This will lead to an increase in sales not only in current engineering work but also other sectors such as construction and forestry, therefore enabling the business to grow and become more productive and resilient.’’