Allan J. Scott founded Scotwood in 1964 and within four years he had expanded from a fancy goods company to become a much broader joinery-based business.
Scotwood Products Limited grew over the next 15 years with a mix of both domestic and industrial joinery until the business, which at that time was based in Busby, began to focus more on partitioning, suspended ceilings and office fit-outs. Allan continued to build the company and developed a portfolio of major corporate clients all over Scotland. In March 1981, Allan and his fellow director, C Grant, announced the end of Scotwood’s Home Improvement Centre in order to concentrate all effort on the increasingly profitable side of the business: the refurbishment contracts within commercial and industrial premises. Media coverage from that year confirms that Scotwood had already gained a reputation as a small company offering a complete, high quality turnkey service. The expansion of the business necessitated the moved to East Kilbride in 1988.
In 1996, Scotwood Interiors Ltd announced the promotion of Jim Scott and Douglas Kerr to joint managing directors. Allan Scott assumed the role of chairman. By that time, Jim Scott - Allan’s son - was just 26 but had been in the family business for over 7 years and had responsibility for contracts and sales. Douglas Kerr, an honours graduate from the University of Strathclyde, had been an employee for 6 years, managing the marketing and administration.
After 35 years in the driving seat, Allan retired as Chairman at the end of 2000 and the two joint managing directors took control of the company. Allan Scott is quoted as saying that, “The single most important factor which makes a company successful is its people.” The team he built has continued to thrive and today Scotwood Interiors employs 40 staff. In 2023, Doug Kerr retired after 34 years and Chris Nugent joined existing Directors, Jim Scott and John Taylor, as Managing Director.
Today, Scotwood Interiors has become one of Scotland’s leading contractors in office fit-outs and refurbishments with high-profile, award-winning work throughout the UK. As principal contractor with an increasingly strong client list featuring many blue chip companies, Scotwood Interiors is proud of its high level of repeat business, demonstrating continued client satisfaction.
Allan Scott, Founder, Scotwood Interiors.
Allan Scott (seated) with Jim Scott (left) and Douglas Kerr, in 1996.
Directors John Taylor (left), Doug Kerr (centre) and Jim Scott.
The full team at Scotwood in 2014 celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary.