Witness how MacDonald Surfacing transforms the traditional tarmac industry with cutting-edge technology
Over the past 23 years, MacDonald Surfacing (MacDonald) has become one of the UK’s industry-leading tarmac surfacing contractors, catering to clients nationwide. With offices based in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and Buckinghamshire, the company is perfectly placed geographically to offer a best-in-class service, setting the standard for excellence. Its team of highly skilled professionals has a proven track record in delivering top-tier and durable surfacing solutions across a multitude of sectors, earning MacDonald a reputation as a trusted partner in the industry. Many developments have occurred within the company since we last featured it over a year ago. Alex MacDonald, Director, brings us up to speed.
“By working extensively with Balfour Beatty Living Places for Buckinghamshire Council, we were able to conclude 2023 on a high note, placing ourselves in an even stronger position. Throughout 2024, we focused on reinforcing our relationship with this client and improve our working methodologies. We also took on more expansive projects through collaborations with industry leaders such as Galliford Try and Milestone, with whom we have been involved in several large carriageway schemes. The business has experienced substantial growth over the past year, with our turnover rising to £53 million in 2024 from £42 million in 2023, marking a 24 percent increase. This achievement inspired us to innovate further and reevaluate our operational strategies. As part of this evolution, we undertook recruitment efforts to enhance our approach to health and safety as well as sustainability,” he opens.
Alex tells us more about these initiatives and how they bring MacDonald closer to its goal of enhanced efficiency across all facets of its operations. “At present, we have a team of two dedicated members of staff ensuring not only the highest levels of sustainability within our operations but also appropriate tracking, management, and disposal of our waste. Additionally, we have significantly increased our utilization of recycled tarmac, neutralising carcinogenic materials and
making sure proper recycling procedures are followed, including record-keeping. Rather than merely disposing of our road planings, we are now trading them with recycling plants, which is not only advantageous from a sustainability perspective, but also allows us to generate additional revenue that can be reinvested into the business. Furthermore, we are transitioning away from hire purchasing, opting for a leaner approach by procuring items on an as-needed basis instead. This shift has allowed us to build a richer owned asset base rather than relying heavily on borrowing, which has made us completely debt free from a loan perspective. Another key initiative to bolster our operations has been the onboarding of eight new apprentices. Six of them are being trained on the tools, one is stationed in the workshop, and another is studying to become a qualified accountant. Our aim is to broaden our talent pool in all areas of the company, nurturing the next generation, and facilitating their development,” he says.
To support its growth, MacDonald has recently invested in new IT and accounting systems that have tremendously streamlined its operations, according to Alex. “What prompted this shift in IT strategy was the fact that, due to the company’s growth, our old systems were no longer fit for purpose and did not suit our needs. In April 2024, we introduced a new accounting platform, Microsoft Dynamics, with its EVision bolt on, that fits in perfectly with our overall IT delivery strategy, yielding outstanding results. Although the initial transition was tough, we persevered, learned, and managed to successfully navigate the process, to a point where we are now reaping substantial benefits. By transitioning to Microsoft Dynamics, we have expedited the synchronization of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy, and it ties into our overall use of Microsoft 365 throughout the business. This has increased overall communication and improved accuracy, consistency and speed of data.
“Interestingly, a few of the problems that were previously only visible for certain people have now come to everyone else’s attention, giving us all an opportunity to collaboratively locate and promptly address such issues. Moreover, the new system has streamlined invoice processing, thereby eliminating the need for manual input and facilitating faster supply reconciliations. Over the past couple of months, we have truly seen the benefits of this new accounting system and have all mastered its functionalities,” he expands.
MacDonald’s unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability has cemented its position as a leading tarmac surfacing contractor in the UK. Through strategic investments in technology, talent development, and operational efficiency, the company has positioned itself for continued growth and industry leadership. With a geographically diverse footprint, a track record of excellence, and a relentless focus on innovation, MacDonald is poised to redefine the standards of the tarmac surfacing industry.