it 100%


standards we are recognised for by our clients in Scotland and further afield.” Aird Walker & Ralston provides products and services to numerous industries and has developed relationships with supply chain partners in the water industry across the country. Its clients include the likes of Scottish Water, the NHS, William Grant & Sons, Northern Lighthouse Board, ESD, Amey and ABV.


Changing times When the firm was first established, Kilmarnock was a highly industrial town with a wide variety of manufacturers. The founders’ aim was to serve this diverse marketplace. The company proved so


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Aird Walker & Ralston Ltd


BASED: Kilmarnock PHONE: 01563 522236 WEBSITE: airdwalker.co.uk


adept that it steadily expanded, becoming even larger than it is today. As well as serving local industry, it carried out work for local authorities, leisure centres, hospitals and schools too. Much of Kilmarnock’s manufacturing base has since disappeared. At the same time,


changes to local authority and government procurement strategies have had an impact on opportunities, providing a challenge for local businesses. Fortunately, Aird Walker & Ralston Limited has managed to rise to that challenge. As Gordon emphasised, the company has been careful to support traditional markets while adapting its core skills and resources so it can diversify, serve new clients and capitalise on new opportunities. Gordon said: “We are particularly proud of our association with Scottish Water and its supply chain partners, having recently secured several electrical contracting projects. “This relationship has been built up over


many years. We continue to take on board their business philosophies and demands, so I’m hopeful it holds us in good stead when we come to apply for its control panel


Gordon Christie READY FOUR ANYTHING


Aird Walker & Ralston has four dedicated departments, each with its own unique resources, supply chain, skills and expertise. Te Electrical Contracting


department covers a wide range of services, from the design of building services and electrical systems to the installation and certification of Profibus networks, cabling


systems and electrical equipment as well as on-site electrical repair and maintenance. As its name suggests, the


Motor Overhaul and Rewinds department deals with electrical motor rewinding and refurbishment as well as the sale, overhaul and maintenance of industrial motors, gear boxes, fans and pumps.


Control Panel Manufacturing


encompasses everything from low voltage power distribution and protection switchboards to conventional and intelligent motor control centres, instrumentation control and automation control panels and on-site commissioning, training, repair and maintenance. Aird Walker & Ralston’s


Software department provides


a wide range of services including system design and integration, distributed communication systems and intelligent controllers. Te firm’s software


engineers have expertise in all kinds of industrial control and monitoring equipment, from the smallest micro PLCs to complex multi-processor installations.


CABLEtalk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 17


business. There may be an opportunity later this year to be included in its motor control centre (MCC) framework. If we succeed it will help us develop the manufacturing side of the business, sustaining and creating further skilled jobs in Ayrshire.” Gordon himself has a long personal


history with Aird Walker & Ralston. He served his time with the firm, becoming an approved electrician in 1992. After working on the tools and shop floor he progressed into the office where he gained further qualifications and experience, qualifying as an electrical design engineer. He was appointed the company’s HSEQ representative en route to becoming managing director in 2012. “On completing my apprenticeship and then qualifying as an electrical design engineer, I went through the graduate programme with SELECT at Napier University,” he said. “This not only gave me management qualifications but the confidence, practical experience and ambition to further increase my knowledge of the business. I continued to develop and implement the company’s policies and management systems retaining BSI accreditation. “There are very few jobs that


I’ve not tackled here – including even being the sales engineer for a while.”


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