Drawing on years of experience working for other utility contractors in Scotland’s Central Belt, the Kominskis decided to set up their own groundworks and utilities contracting business at the start of 2013.

They formed Glen Maree Contracts Ltd, based in Ayr, specialising in the installation of traffic signals and street lights, along with general groundworks projects.

Their first big purchase was a 1.7-tonne Volvo EC17C excavator, complete with cab and a selection of buckets.

“We wanted a machine we knew we could depend on for maximum uptime and total reliability and the range of Volvo compact excavators have a good reputation in the market,” says son Kevin Kominski.

Since then, the business has grown enough to justify another machine. “With contracts awarded in Ayrshire and West Lothian in the last eight months we needed a second machine for the work we are undertaking. This time we opted for the slightly larger EC18C with the added advantage of its hydraulically adjustable undercarriage,” Kevin continues.

“So far, we can’t fault the product but it’s re-assuring to know we can rely on Volvo for service and back up with a support centre based down the road at Stirling.”