The good news is that the construction industry in Scotland is currently as busy as we have experienced for many years.

Increased workload, however welcome, increases demand for the key resources required by the construction industry - labour, materials and plant. A shortage of qualified people, at every level, and insufficient volumes of quarried materials are already serious issues for Contractors. It will only be possible to avoid adding a shortage of plant and equipment to this problem if contractors, plant hirers, and equipment suppliers work together to meet the demand for construction plant, equipment, and qualified operators.

The ability to hire plant "as and when necessary", often expensive equipment required for only limited periods for specific tasks, allows contractors to avoid the cost of having to own and maintain every item of plant themselves. Contractors, plant hirers, plant owners, and equipment suppliers are inter-dependent and they need to work together to derive mutual benefit. The SPOA has a role for everyone with a vested interest in a successful Scottish plant industry -membership of SPOA is open to those who own, supply, hire, or operate construction plant and equipment. Indeed, SPOA was formed by construction contractors in 1950, and the past presidents includes contractors and plant hirers in almost equal numbers.

Working together to derive mutual benefit will be a key theme during my time as President.

As part of this I also hope to have the opportunity of getting to know as many members of the SPOA as possible, so please feel free to accept my invitation by introducing yourselves when we meet.