Award-winning contractor to pass into employee ownership.
Two-time World Demolition Contractor of the Year Safedem has been a major employer in Dundee for many years. Now it is to be owned by its employees. The award winning demolition contractor has announced that ownership of the company will pass to its workforce with immediate effect. It is a move designed to secure the business’s future and reward the long-serving team that has made it great. William Sinclair will remain in post as Managing Director.
Sinclair, a former president of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors and of the European Demolition Association, designed this change in ownership structure to recognise and reward the contribution of the talented Safedem team, many of whom have been with the company for 20 years or more. The staff also includes several individuals that joined the company as part of local employment initiatives by clients including the Glasgow Housing Association.
“Truly successful businesses stand the test of time with careful succession planning and strategic thinking,” Sinclair says. “I have always recognised the contribution of all the Safedem team towards the success of the business. The move to employee ownership will allow the business to develop and plan for the future and is due recognition of Safedem’s excellent employees.”
Founded in 1974, Safedem has been responsible for carrying out some of the largest, most complex and high-profile demolition contracts ever undertaken in Scotland. These include large scale regeneration projects such as Anderston in Glasgow and Ardler in Dundee, both for Sanctuary Group, and numerous complex explosive demolition projects across the country.
Sinclair insists that clients will see very little change in the day-to-day running of the company, with its commitment to training, health and safety, and the environment that has seen Safedem win countless industry awards.
Safedem has been nominated 13 times at the World Demolition Awards, winning on eight occasions and being named World Demolition Contractor of the Year on two separate occasions. In addition, the company was the first winner of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Specialist award which pitted Safedem against specialist contractors from across the construction spectrum.
“All of these awards have been down to the hard work of the entire Safedem team,” William Sinclair concludes. “The move to employee ownership recognises that contribution and is a fitting reward for their loyalty and dedication.”
