HARD ‘HATS OFF’ TO PACIFIC BUILDING’S 20 YEARS

What started as a small business with big dreams has grown into a national success story. Founder and Chairman Brian Gallacher reflects on the journey, proud of how Pacific has secured and retained major clients across multiple sectors throughout the UK.

He’s now joined at the helm by Managing Director Gerard McMahon, who celebrates five years in the role this year. Gerard has been with Pacific since 2020, helping drive the company forward into its next exciting chapter.

We chatted with Brian and Gerard to find out a bit more about the business and its successful growth at Hillington Park.

When, exactly, did you form Pacific Building and why did you move early in your development to Hillington Park?

Brian – I had previously worked with a building and facilities management company Syncro, who worked with a range of well-known clients, including the Co-op and Glasgow Airport.  As the business was wound down in the early 2000’s, many of these clients indicated they were keen to maintain relationships with the people involved. This led to the establishment of Pacific Building in 2005.

We were initially based in Paisley, which met the needs of our embryonic business at that time. However, as the company grew in terms of personnel, clients and reach, we needed premises that could accommodate us.  At this point, the unit in Earl Haig Road became available and as well as providing improved facilities, it also offered better transport links in Central Scotland and beyond.  Plus, it was also close to major clients Glasgow Airport, which was another advantage.

The location was good for our staff too. The road and rail networks made commuting straightforward and the various food and amenities on the estate were an added bonus too.

Latterly, when we were looking to establish our own bespoke joinery workshop, the availability of the neighbouring unit was a case of perfect timing for our business strategy.

Pacific are unusual in that you are a construction and fit-out business. How did the location help with that?

Brian – The business grew as a fit-out specialist, particularly in the travel and retail sectors initially.

However, with the establishment of our relationship with McDonald’s restaurants in the early years of Pacific, they were looking for a company who could deliver all types of work for them, including new build construction.  With my experience of delivering McDonald’s outlets in a previous role in the mid-1990s, Pacific were a perfect fit. This was the catalyst for extending Pacific’s capabilities with further new-build and extension projects adding to our core interiors business.

Gerard – Although our focus remains on internal refurbishment and fit-out, we are now delivering larger-scale projects incorporating new-build elements and structural interventions including recent projects such as Seaton House in St Andrews and our recent pod hotel/hostel/social space project at Parliament Square, Edinburgh.

Our central location at Hillington is ideal for servicing projects throughout Scotland as well as providing excellent transport links further afield by air and rail.

Can you give us an idea of the breadth of your client base and professional expertise?

Gerard – Pacific have gradually evolved from our specialisms in travel and retail into new areas, most notably hospitality.

In terms of travel, we have now worked in nearly all of Scotland’s airports as well as Manchester, with clients ranging from airlines such as BA and Emirates to high street brands including Marks & Spencer and WH Smith.  Our hospitality work developed from the McDonald’s relationship and led to new clients in the pubs and restaurants sector, including Mitchells & Butlers and JD Wetherspoon.

More recently, hotels have become the cornerstone of the business, with projects completed for brands including Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Hilton in the last few years as well as one-off luxury projects for notable hotels such as Seaton House and the Rusacks in St Andrews as well as the Marine in North Berwick.

The establishment of our joinery workshop has proven to be a major asset in delivering high-quality works in this sector.

Have any particular projects given you particular pride?

Brian – Without doubt, No 1 would be Wembley Stadium. It was a real privilege to work in one of the most iconic sports arenas in the world and the design team were on top form. The finishes looked fantastic on all of the projects we completed there.

All had major challenges due to location and security restrictions and, of course, we were strictly time-bound to complete within the close-season and we managed to demonstrate that we can deliver high quality in tight timescales, which was very satisfying

No 2 is the new airbridge and gate room for the Emirates Airbus A380 at Glasgow Airport. This was the first airport and the only airport in Scotland to invest in the construction of a triple airbridge to accommodate the huge double-decker aircraft.  This project allowed us to participate in this landmark event and prove our airport skills in a multidisciplinary environment

Gerard – The Marine Hotel in North Berwick was particularly memorable as the first of our recent hotel projects, which delivered high-end bedroom and public area refurbishment incorporating bespoke joinery pieces from our in-house workshop.

Hotels are now a core part of the business, with more than 300 bedrooms completed in the last couple of years as well as refurbished public areas for a range of boutique and branded hotels.

What have you got lined up for your anniversary year?

Gerard – We have arranged a series of events for both clients and staff across the year, including a celebratory reception in June in Glasgow.

We have also commissioned a series of films that tell the story of Pacific as well as focussing on key elements of our business, including our hotel work and commitment to employee development.

We know you pride yourselves on your staff, so much so you became an Employee-Owned business. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Brian – I am particularly proud of our team and the fact that nearly half of our current staff have been with the business for over a decade, with many starting not long after Pacific was established.

I have seen many of our team start as apprentices and trainees before becoming accomplished leaders in the business. This was a key consideration in terms of succession planning and I felt it was important that the staff should have a stake in the business going forward.

Gerard – The employee-owned aspect adds that little bit extra to the Pacific culture. The commitment of staff to delivering the best possible service for our customers at all levels is supported by the fact that we are all in this together. Of course, this can translate as financial rewards through employee dividends but is also important in maintaining the team approach.

Where do you see Pacific 10 or 20 years from now?

Brian – I think Pacific’s history demonstrates that we are constantly evolving to meet market requirements, while staying true our principles of “existing to build great things”. There is no reason why Pacific cannot thrive and be even stronger in 2045.

Gerard – Brian has built a strong business, and I am proud to carry forward his vision and ensure Pacific maintains our high standards in terms of customer commitment and quality.

We will have to remain flexible in a changing world and be aware that markets can shift. However, as long as we continue to demonstrate excellence in our core sectors, customers will continue to come back to the Pacific business for many years and decades to come.

To find out more about Pacific Building please visit: https://www.pacificbuilding.co.uk