Family-run Aberdeen firm CAS Duncan is celebrating its 60th year in business.
The plumbing, heating and electrical firm was started up by Sandy Duncan on May 2 1962 following the completion of his apprenticeship as a master plumber.
He opened his first premises in Great Western Road before the second branch followed based in the Hardgate in 1996 where they still remain open to this day.
Since then the company has continued to grow and currently employs 39 members of staff.
Born entrepreneur
Mr Duncan, 84, grandfather-of-four, said: “I’d always wanted to start my own business and when I’d finished my apprenticeship I decided to do it.
“I took on my first man six months later and the business continued to gradually grow and grow.
“We’ve got a good team of staff, some who have been there years and always had regular loyal customers.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved reaching 60 years. We are one of the biggest independent firms in Scotland.”
The business is currently managed by Mr Duncan’s son-in-law Euan Harkness who has been there since 1993.
He is married to Mr Duncan’s daughter Sandra who also works for the business in the finance department.
The couple’s son Scott also works in the family-business.
Steadily grown throughout the years
CAS Duncan has expanded its customer offering over the years and now does domestic and commercial sales and servicing.
Mr Harkness said he’s seen big changes during his time, with one of those technology-related.
He said: “The advent of the internet and increased customer expectation has definitely been the most obvious changes.
“We have combated this by doing our best to offer a personal, effective and quick turnaround on all enquiries and orders.
“More and more people tend to search online for white goods, so the market is competitive.
“However, the vast majority of our customers come back to us time and again as we offer excellent customer service, which is not available online, and pride ourselves on this.
“Another area that has increased a lot recently is the rental of commercial white goods which is beneficial to our business customers’ cash flow, particularly in these difficult times.”
Navigating cost of living crisis
Like many other businesses, the impact of Covid-19 hit the business and the current cost of living crisis is an ever-increasing issue.
Mr Harkness said: “The last two years have probably seen the biggest challenges in our history – having to serve care homes and NHS during the height of lockdown, increases in raw material costs and availability of parts and appliances – but we have coped by pre-ordering where possible.
“We have always tried to run our business as cost-effectively as possible and rising fuel costs have only cemented our desire to keep doing this.
“We have also been very diligent about keeping our staff and customers safe, so PPE costs are an additional extra cost.”
‘Proud’ of high quality business
Speaking about the 60-year milestone, Mr Harkness said: “We’re very proud of how well the business is doing.
“Sandy Duncan started a fantastic business 60 years ago which has grown and grown.
“To reach 60 years is a great reflection of Mr Duncan’s vision of running a high-quality local business offering a diverse range of products and services to a range of different customers.
“We have a great reputation locally and this is mainly thanks to great staff who are happy to go the extra mile.”
Although he’s a retired dad-of-two, Mr Duncan still likes to be involved and will go in by the business to see what’s going on.
