Transforming the construction industry: The journey of Aberbuild’s Garry Smith

Discover how Garry Smith founded Aberbuild to improve project management in construction.

Transforming the construction industry: The journey of Aberbuild’s Garry Smith
After years of experience in the joinery trade, Garry Smith from Aberdeenshire recognized a significant gap in the construction industry: effective project management. Frustrated by the frequent disappointments faced by clients, he envisioned a better way to handle construction projects.

This vision led him to establish Aberbuild over 22 years ago, a company that has since thrived on the principles of quality and customer satisfaction.

From joiner to entrepreneur

Garry’s journey began as a joiner, primarily working in the Angus area.

His experiences with various joinery firms made him realize the limitations of traditional practices. He witnessed firsthand the frustrations of customers when their projects were poorly managed. This insight fueled his desire to create a company that prioritized effective project management and customer care.

Determined to succeed, Garry recalls a pivotal moment when a business advisor warned him that 50% of all businesses fail. This statistic only strengthened his resolve to defy the odds. His first major contract involved converting a large warehouse, which required him to hire two joiners immediately. The learning curve during those initial months was steep, but it laid the foundation for his future success.

Navigating challenges and building a loyal team

Like many entrepreneurs, Garry faced numerous challenges along the way. At one point, his workforce peaked at sixteen employees, but economic downturns and the recent pandemic forced him to scale back to four. Despite these setbacks, Garry believes that running his own business has been the most rewarding decision of his life. He has cultivated a loyal team, with one joiner remaining with him since the company’s inception.

Building a network of reliable tradespeople and subcontractors took years, but it has proven invaluable. Garry credits Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire for their initial support and has been a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) since day one. He emphasizes the importance of networking, noting that even a single connection can lead to transformative opportunities.

Future aspirations and market challenges

Garry’s ambition for Aberbuild is clear: he wants to focus on new builds while continuing to handle renovations and extensions. However, he acknowledges the current challenges in the housing market, particularly in Aberdeen, where new builds are not selling as briskly as in other Scottish cities. Despite rising material costs, Garry has managed to maintain strong relationships with suppliers, which helps mitigate price increases for consumers.

As he reflects on his journey, Garry recognizes that while he hasn’t made any catastrophic mistakes, he has learned valuable lessons from smaller missteps. His experience building a new home from start to finish was particularly rewarding and aligns with his vision for the future of Aberbuild. With a commitment to quality and a focus on customer satisfaction, Garry Smith continues to pave the way for a new era in construction project management.