When it comes to keeping Scotland’s construction and quarrying industries moving, few names carry as much weight as Malcolm Construction. Part of the wider Malcolm Group, the company operates across civil engineering, plant hire, logistics and waste management, with its Loanhead Quarry site playing a key role in supplying high-quality aggregates for both internal projects and the wider construction industry.
Located near Beith, North Ayrshire, Loanhead Quarry has benefitted from considerable investment in crushing and screening equipment over the years. The site was the first in the UK to introduce a Powerscreen Premiertrak 600 mobile jaw crusher, joining Malcolm Construction’s modern and versatile fleet of mobile crushing plants, screeners and associated equipment. This state-of-the-art set-up allows the quarry to process both quarried material and construction and demolition waste efficiently and sustainably.
Loanhead produces a full range of materials, from bulk fill and Type 1 sub-base to single size basalt and crusher runs. In addition to natural stone, the company also operates recycling depots in Glasgow and Ayrshire, supplying recycled aggregates across the west of Scotland. The wider group’s aggregate wash plant at Shewalton further enhances production capacity, allowing Malcolm Construction to offer recycled sands, gravels and filter press silt cake.
This ongoing investment gives the business greater flexibility while maintaining healthy stock levels and the ability to produce client-specific materials on request: a reputation for quality and service that has been steadily built since the quarry’s acquisition in 2006.
The quarry itself is a model of efficiency and organisation, blending modern technology with decades of experience. Every process, from rock extraction to crushing, screening, washing and distribution is carefully managed to maintain consistency, safety and productivity. During a recent visit to the site, it was clear how much pride the team takes in their work and the reliability of the job they do.
To support the continued growth and performance of the site, Malcolm Construction has recently added two new Develon excavators to the fleet, supplied by Gordons: a Develon DX140LC-7 and a Develon DX300LC-7, with the DX140LC-7 already proving its worth in the demanding environment of Loanhead Quarry.
The DX300LC-7 takes on the heavy lifting, tackling tough rock and loading material for transport to the crushing plant. Its strength, balance and fuel efficiency are all standout features of this machine. Meanwhile, the DX140LC-7 handles more intricate work around the quarry, where precision and stability are key.
“The driver who tested the DX140LC-7 during the demo week absolutely loved it,” says Malcolm Group employee, Stevie Gilchrist, who very kindly gave the Gordons team a quarry tour. “He’s been with us a long time and knows exactly what makes a good machine and he liked it so much he’s now operating it!”
Making the decision to purchase the Develon machines was a straightforward one.
“Our sales rep, Leigh Dalgleish, came in to see us a fair few times,” explains Euan Malcolm, part of the next generation of the family business. “I thought, well, let’s see what machines he can offer us and the decision was made.”
The visit to Loanhead Quarry highlighted not just an impressive fleet, but also a business deeply rooted in family values and long-term vision. With Euan, his brother Ker and other members of the Malcolm family representing the next generation while still guided by their father’s advice, the company continues to balance innovation with experience, much like the way they blend new equipment with tried-and-true operational practices.
As the site continues to evolve, the combination of Malcolm Construction’s commitment to excellence, Develon’s proven reliability and Gordons’ unwavering back-up and support ensures that Loanhead Quarry remains a benchmark for performance, safety, and efficiency in Scottish quarrying.
