Building new utilities infrastructure might feel like risky business compared to office-based work. Contractor DA Macdonald frequently found itself tied up with insurer policy restrictions which could have prevented it from pursuing new business opportunities.
The Challenge
The business, which is headquartered in Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute, and employs around 80 people, frequently works on new hydro power schemes as well as coastal protection infrastructure and other construction projects. Insurers are often nervous about certain aspects of the work, according to director Donald Macdonald, and initially placed limitations on the risks to be insured. Unfortunately, this would have prevented the business from working on some core projects.
Separately, DA Macdonald was also challenged as part of a bid process to demonstrate its risk and insurance provision, with a rapid turnaround required for the bid submission.
The Solution
Blackford’s Chris Tosh, who has advised DA Macdonald for almost two decades, worked with insurers to demonstrate the true nature of the business’s risk, and arranged for site visits with insurer assessors to demonstrate the best-practice processes in place.
On more than one occasion, this led to policy restrictions being removed – allowing DA Macdonald to continue growing its business and taking on new project commitments.
As for the bid? Blackford was able to turn around the required information within a week, drawing comments from the project team about our responsiveness and professionalism. No, you’re blushing.
And, we’re pleased to say, DA Macdonald was successful in its bid for the lucrative contract.
“Chris and the whole team at Blackford are brilliant – it doesn’t matter who you’re working with, it’s seamless. I know if I have something urgent I can get in touch with them at any time, even if it was 8pm on a Saturday night. Some people you can’t reach after 3pm on a Friday, so it’s really valuable having the kind of service Blackford gives you.”
What The Client Said:
“Chris and the whole team at Blackford are brilliant – it doesn’t matter who you’re working with, it’s seamless. I know if I have something urgent I can get in touch with them at any time, even if it was 8pm on a Saturday night. Some people you can’t reach after 3pm on a Friday, so it’s really valuable having the kind of service Blackford gives you.
“They’re excellent when it comes to representing your business to insurers who might not understand the detail of what you’re doing. That’s been invaluable for us on numerous occasions.
“I’ve already recommended the Blackford team to my network. I see doing that as helping other businesses so it can only be a good thing as far as I’m concerned.”
