The 2010s were electric!

The 2010s... when emojis were released, the start of meme culture, the peak of X Factor and when John Lewis' Christmas adverts were at their most popular. Our latest press release mentions the virality of videos, as well as Blockbuster. The 2010s saw us rebrand to Cairngorm Group, demonstrating our breadth of product and service offering to the North of Scotland. However, this decade was not without its trials and tribulations when the economy suffered itshits. Current Joint Managing Director, Chris Dowling reminisces on early 2010 at Cairngorm Group:  

"The construction industry was on its knees after the recessions and we were looking for new opportunitues. We thought solar panels had serious mileage to them.."

Upon determining that solar panels could be a promising pivot, we carried out our first solar panel installation in 2010. In this same year, the UK Government launched tariffs which ultimately supported our solar panel sales of £2+ million in the first 12 months. Beyond 2010, business for this particular renewable energy source only soared with the cost of the panels dropping by over 80% across 10 years. Interested to know more about our experience with solar panels? You can read more in our blog here. Also in this decade, we were delighted to be shining bright having been recognised as the Best Family Business at the Highland Business Awards in 2013, the award's debut year. Here's how we described this achievement:

“It was a real honour to win, especially in the first year of the awards, and the same year we’re celebrating our 60th birthday!”

With our diamond anniversary came a number of publications that celebrated our portfolio. You can read them by tapping into each image. Heroes in 2010, still heroes today... We were greatly involved in the Highland Heroes in the 2010s and we thought we should let you know that we are once again a sponsor and nominations are now open! If you know someone who could be Volunteer of the Year, nominate them here before the 17th of December.