Turriff based firm hope to have the building blocks for success

Turriff based TLG Builders of Natural Stone is one of eighteen companies that have been named as finalists in the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.  Nominated for the New Business Award TLG Builders of Natural Stone will find out at the awards ceremony on 8 June 2006 whether or not they have been won the coveted Enterprise award.

 The Awards commend business achievement in companies of all sizes and enterprising individuals, are organised by Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise) and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Business Gateway (in association with Scottish Enterprise Grampian).

Having worked as a civil engineer for ten years, followed by three years as a stone mason Tracy Greaves was finding it difficult to overcome prejudice and be taken seriously as a qualified stone mason.  “I found that my abilities were being questioned because of the fact that I am female.  Knowing that I am a fully skilled stone mason and more than capable of carrying out the work I decided to set up on my own.”

The business, which began trading in August 2005, was set up by Tracy to provide traditional stone masonry skills to a growing domestic market.  Tracy comments, “Research showed that traditional stone buildings are experiencing a revival in popularity with both property developers and domestic customers.  The lack of skilled stone masons meant that there was a gap in the market for someone to set up a business to provide stone mason skills in a manner which is sympathetic to the surrounding environment.”

TLG Builders of Natural Stone now employs five members of staff and has gone from strength to strength.  Work carried out by the company includes building and repairing stone walls, traditional masonry pointing, stone restoration work, steading conversions and dry stone walling.

Tracy adds, “We pride ourselves on carrying out all work to a consistently high standard, no matter the size of the job.  This is borne out by that fact that 75% of the work that we are currently taking on has come to us as a direct result of client referrals.”

One of the challenges facing TLG Builders of Natural Stone is recruitment.  Tracey adds, “The oil and gas industry is not the only one facing a skills shortage.  Stone masonry is a dying art form; many of the skilled stone masons are either retired or are approaching retirement age.  This means that it is extremely difficult for us to recruit qualified personnel.  To overcome this we have decided to employ trainees and train them up to become fully skilled stone masons.”

Chris Travis, chief executive of Enterprise North East Trust comments, “The New Business category recognises businesses that have been trading for less than one year and have demonstrated the potential to develop into a dynamic business of the future.  We are pleased to see that a business which provides traditional skills in a niche market has reached the finals of the 2006 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.”

Tracy says, “Reaching the finals of the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in the New Business Award category is welcome recognition of the hard work that has been necessary to develop a successful business.  The entire team at TLG Builders of Natural Stone has contributed to our success so far and has an important role to play in ensuring that we continue to attain and exceed our corporate goals.”

The stone mason company will compete against Capture Imaging of Aberdeen and The Craigmyle Cheese Company which is based in Torphins for the New Business Award.

Stuart Heslop, Director of Commercial Banking for RBS in Aberdeen says, “For companies to be regarded as entrepreneurial and innovative they do not have to be based in high tech industries.  This Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise finalist has shown that it is possible to set up a business to provide traditional skills to both the domestic and commercial markets.  This achievement embodies the skills that are needed to set up and run a business.”

Winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Thursday 8 June 2006 at Ardoe House Hotel by Aberdeen.  All finalists will receive a certificate with category winners picking up a coveted enterprise award and a cheque for up to £5,000.

Winners from last year’s awards include Poseidon Engineering, Zertech, double award winners Caledus, ANM Group and Graeme Anderson of boxportable.

Tickets cost £80 per guest (plus VAT) or £800 (plus VAT) for a table of ten.  The event begins with a champagne reception at 7pm, with carriages at 12.30am.  Tickets for the event can be booked by calling 01467 672535, or emailing events@enetrust.com.

More information about the awards can be found at www.enetrust.com.  Winners were selected on 13th April 2006 and will not be announced until the awards ceremony takes place on 8th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

Ends

Picture Caption:  Tracy Greaves of TLG Builders of Natural Stone says that the entire team at TLG Builders of Natural Stone has contributed to their success so far and has an important role to play in ensuring that they continue to attain and exceed their corporate goals.

For further information contact:
Lyndsay Brackenbury
Tricker PR
9 Victoria Street
Aberdeen
Telephone  01224 646491
Direct Line 01224 654086
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Email  lbrackenbury@trickerpr.com