Kirkwood Homes

Luxury house builder Kirkwood Homes’ new managing director is seeking to increase the company’s presence in the north east housing market.

 

Colin Crombie has been tasked with developing increased sales for the Kirkwood Homes and Kirkwood Timber Frame companies through the supply of kits for self-build as well as supplying smaller developers. Both companies are part of the Kirkwood Group, which also incorporates Kirkwood Construction and Kirksteel, which specialises in steel frame construction for the commercial and agricultural markets.

 

 

Mr Crombie took over as managing director of the privately-owned company in December after a spending the bulk of his managerial career with central belt development companies. 

 

Kirkwood Homes was founded in 1985 by current chairman Ian Dunbar as a joinery firm specialising in one off house construction, he was joined 2 ½ years ago by Pat Machray who was formerly the Chief Executive of Johnstone Carmichael. Last year the company built over 40 houses as well as constructing commercial properties for Zenith Oilfield Technology and Laings of Inverurie.

 

Speaking at Kirkwood Homes’ headquarters at Sauchen, west of Aberdeen, Mr Crombie said 2009 had been a “very tough year”, but added: “There is no region that has been immune from the downturn in the economy and the housing industry as a whole has been hit particularly hard, but I do believe the north-east still enjoys a stability in the market that has sheltered us from the worst of the recession and leaves us well placed as things pick up.

 

“There are positive signs. We have enjoyed a very busy January and February despite the dreadful weather.

 

He added: “At Kirkwood Homes we were able to maintain our workforce through the worst of the recession and we are now actively recruiting, which illustrates that there is movement in the market.”

 

“Having worked in the central belt for many years, I have to say that it is a completely different market in the north east of Scotland. We believe there are great opportunities in our key operational areas of Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus, Tayside and Morayshire

 

Kirkwood Homes has forged a solid reputation based on focusing on quality rather than quantity. A commitment to high standards of finishing and fittings has been put ahead of volume building and its pricing structure has established the firm towards the luxury end of the market.

 

The company’s developments are located almost entirely within the north east, with current projects in Laurencekirk, Fettercairn, Stonehaven, Insch, Mintlaw and Keith. Its largest single project so far at over 100 houses is the recently completed Piperdam development, which is a luxury golf community near Dundee.

 

Mr Crombie said: “We have experienced no shortage in demand for houses, but potential house buyers are telling us that the main barrier to mobility in the market remains the problem of securing a mortgage. We really do need lenders to be more flexible and allow buyers to borrow realistic sums based on the value of property and which do not rely on huge deposits. If that can be done, house builders can really begin to press ahead with planned developments.”

 

Mr Crombie’s experience in the Scottish housing market is extensive. Having spent seven years with Miller Homes Scotland East where he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to commercial manager, he joined Falkirk-based Redrow Homes Scotland Limited in 2003 as commercial director and progressed to the position of managing director. 

 

“What attracted me to the north east was the stability of the company. It has been incredibly well managed over the years and is now very well placed to take advantage of the increased activity within the market. The company has a very strong balance sheet, which is very unusual for a developer in the current economic climate. We are also actively looking for land opportunities throughout our core operational areas to deliver the growth of the company.

 

“My main focus is to develop our sales and marketing function. Our initial target for 2010 is to build 75 new houses. This is far less than the volume builders, but we do not want to compete in the mass market. We are absolutely focused on maintaining the highest standards of construction and delivery. By controlling the process and maintaining a loyal and long-serving workforce we have the right elements in place to achieve our target.”

 

The company currently employs around 60 people, with two thirds of those directly employed “on site” building new homes. It also employs its own architects, surveyors and designers. Kirkwood’s timber frames are also built at its own manufacturing facility at Sauchen.

 

Mr Crombie added that he has been greatly encouraged by the support the company has received from planners and officials, particularly when it comes to introducing environmental technologies such as the air source heating systems that will be installed on Kirkwood Homes’ new development in Fetterangus.

 

“Speaking personally, I would have to say that planners in this region are more forward thinking in their approach to encouraging sustainable and energy efficient development. Whilst we actively work with planners we are also in a position to work with individual house buyers and can build-in a variety of sustainable energy sources into people’s homes such as ground source heating systems, wood chip boilers and such like.”

 

Mr Crombie said Kirkwood Homes was also working closely with architects and developers in the timber frame market where the firm was focusing on reacting to client demand on sustainability and flexibility of design.