Farming '˜Oscar' for local man

After just four years in business Scott Lawrie’s Platinum Poultry has a 16-man cleaning squad keeping poultry houses across the country clean, from as far north as the Black Isle, down to South Yorkshire.

Earlier this month they won the contractor of the year title at the Farmers’ Weekly Awards in London. And Scott believes this success is down to the hard work of his staff.

He said: “It was just mind blowing. We were nominated by quite a few of our clients.

“We made the final three who go down to the ceremony in London. We took four of the senior members of staff down as well.

“For us to come away with an award for Scotland was great. It’s the Oscars of farming – so a big achievement.

“We also had about a dozen of our clients who took the time to come and support us as well, so we ended up with two tables. It was good of them to come and support us.

“I’m jut absolutely delighted for my family and staff. Everyone works on the road most weeks – you spend a lot of time away from our families.

“So this award is great recognition for their work.

“We would never have been able to grow the company otherwise. And the award success would never have been possible without them.”

Scott revealed that business is booming, he said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. Year on year growth has been great.

“We have been quite lucky to have the staff we have, which is good for the costumers. It’s still the same faces.

“We are constantly booking further and further in advance so we are very busy.

“It’s still a family business at the moment. I feel that if we went any bigger we would lose that. Although we are based in Edinburgh, most of our employees are from Midlothian, which I’m proud of.”