GPH Builders Merchants celebrates 40th anniversary with charitable donations

GPH Builders Merchants is celebrating its 40th year in business by raising £40,000 for various charities. The charities are selected by employees, with each charity having a special meaning to staff.

The move is part of the company’s plans to mark its special anniversary, which also includes ambitions to increase turnover from online sales to £1 million in the next two years, become a paperless business in the next five years, reduce landfill waste by 50% by 2025, integrate new products into the business and employ at least 10 apprentices, trainees or graduated within three years.

The Inverurie-headquartered company has a proud track record of supporting charities, including recently donating £2,920 to Maggie’s Centres for every goal scored in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup, and bucket collections at each match. The company has also raised more than £2,000 for CLAN Cancer Support, as well as supported the Archie Foundation through the purchase of an Oor Wullie sculpture from the Big Bucket Trail in 2019.

Grant Shewan, managing director, said: “As a local business we are proud to have supported our communities on every level for the last 40 years, with the people we employee and serve at the heart of everything we do.

“The local communities have supported us for over four decades and have helped play their part in the company becoming what it is, so it is only right that we give something back to our loyal customers.”

Shewan added: “Working towards a more sustainable alternative is a big issue in this industry. We are looking at long-term alternatives we can introduce, such as investing in renewable technologies, powering our branches with 100% renewable energy and shifting some of our fleet of vehicles to electric power.

“We are also looking to grow and open new sites, either through organic growth or by acquiring other businesses. This is an exciting period for GPH, and we approach a new era with an optimistic outlook for a successful future. The founding partners have put in the solid foundations, and it is up to myself and the rest of the leadership team to ensure a bright next 40 years.”

“Underpinning all of the strategies in our plan is a commitment to do the best for our colleagues and community, something we have done for the last 40 years, and will hopefully do for many more.”