Donaldson Group

James Donaldson Group (JDS) announced today that Les Calder has joined the group as Business Technology Director to lead the growth of the group’s IT resources and help to leverage current systems. Les comes with a wealth of experience, having spent eight years as Group IT Director at Devro PLC, where he was instrumental in implementing the group IT business transformation strategy.

Les’ addition to the group will help connect the businesses, and utilise new technology that will future proof the Group’s infrastructures both internally, and with its partners. “I am excited to start this new challenge within the JDS group and I look forward to working alongside the team to further develop the group’s technological capabilities,’’ said Les.

Scott Cairns, Group Managing Director commented on the new appointment, “We are all excited to have Les on board and his skills and experience makes him a key addition to the team. Based at our head office in Glenrothes, Les will become a regular visitor to the operational sites, working with our Managing Directors and production professionals alike to grow our capabilities within IT. Les’ appointment is a sign of our commitment to continuously grow and improve and I am confident that he will play a key role in transforming our IT systems.’’

Les’ unique understanding of how technology can positively impact large-scale operations will help achieve JDS’s goal of delivering value through innovation to our customers and employees.

James Donaldson Group shortlisted in the Best Employer Training and Development category.

We are proud to announce that James Donaldson Group has been shortlisted for the s1jobs Awards in the Best Employer Training and Development category.

The Best Employer and Training category is for companies who have shown evidence of commitment to their employees and how their practices distinguish them as an outstanding place to work.

Speaking on the shortlist, Mandy Cooper, Human Resources Manager said ”As one of our core values, we aim to empower our people with opportunities in a safe workplace, and that also means ensuring we are developing and upskilling high potential employees to be the managers of the future within JDS’’

The winners will announced on Thursday, April 19th at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Glasgow.

JDS Group recognised for outstanding business achievement at the Fife Business Awards

We are delighted, to announce that we have been recognised at the Fife Business Awards for outstanding business performance in the previous year, on our contribution within the economy and community in Fife.

Nominees for this category were put forward by Fife Council & Fife Chamber of commerce for companies showing outstanding achievement in a range of areas including; strong growth in number of employees and revenue/profit; demonstrating a clear vision for the future; and recognition for supporting the local area and community.

Michael Donaldson (Commercial, Director) and Jean Paul Malum (Group Marketing Manager) accepted the award on behalf of the Group at the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline. Speaking on the win, Michael Said: “James Donaldson & Sons has been operating as a family business in Fife for over 158 years and it’s always a great honour to be recognised for our hard work and values.

“The Donaldson family has done tremendous work to become an integral part of the community, and the business my forefathers created has had a major impact on generations of other families living and working in the area. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of the employees whose contributions make this company the success it is today.”

The Awards celebrate the very best of Fife businesses, and nominees range from small start-ups and individual entrepreneurs to long-established companies, once again demonstrating the sheer breadth of business success and ambition in Fife.

MGM Timber and Nu-Style Products have been shortlisted in the ”Environmental Practices” and ”Value for Money” categories respectively.

We are delighted that both MGM Timber and Nu-Style Products have been nominated for the 2018 Scotland Excel Supplier Excellence Awards in Glasgow. MGM Timber is nominated in the category of “Environmental Practices” for its efforts in tackling climate change by reducing waste. Nu-Style Products has been nominated in the “Value for Money” category which recognises companies that showcase efficiency as well as value for money without compromising on quality. The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on the 20th of February at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.

MGM Timber has recently invested in a new computer system in order to create a paper free ordering and invoicing system. Additionally, MGM aims to reduce landfill through improved recycling. Nu- Style’s nomination in the category “Value for Money” recognises their efforts in efficiency, meeting clients’ exact requirements and competitive pricing. “We are very proud for being shortlisted in both categories as they recognise our efforts to tackle climate change as well as efficiency and meeting our customers’ requirements. Sustainability and integrity, which are recognised in both these categories, are two of our five core values and at the heart of what we do.” Said Scott Cairns, Group Managing Director for James Donaldson & Sons Group

About James Donaldson & Sons Ltd:

Founded in 1860, the JDS group has grown into a family of businesses that are market leaders in their respective fields of timber engineering, saw-milling and distribution, merchanting, roofing and cladding distribution and laminate manufacturing. MGM Timber became a wholly owned subsidiary of the group in 2005, while the group acquired Nu-Style Products Ltd in 2016.

James Donaldson & Sons Ltd took home gold last week in the Rural Family Business category at the Herald Scottish Family Business Awards.

Scott Cairns (Group Managing Director) and Andrew Donaldson (Director) accepted the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony in Glasgow. Speaking on the win, Scott said: “James Donaldson & Sons has been operating as a family business in Fife for over 150 years and it’s always a great honour to be recognised for our hard work and values.

“The Donaldson family has done tremendous work to become an integral part of the community, and the business they created has had a major impact on generations of other families living and working in the area. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of the employees whose contributions make this company the success it is.”

Now in their sixth year, the Herald Scottish Family Business Awards celebrate the success of the diverse, dynamic and innovative family business sector, and the contribution these firms make to the wider economy and the communities in which they operate.

James Donaldson & Sons is a wholly owned family business, with control passing directly from father to son for the past five generations. The company began in 1860, when James Donaldson started selling timber from Tayport in Fife, and it’s now a UK-wide company with 23 branches and over 150 years of experience.