A top trailer maker has appointed a 'tried and trusted team' as its new distributor in Aberdeenshire in a move hailed as a boost to the regional economy.

Ifor Williams Trailers (IWT) has awarded the plum territory, which includes the Shetland Islands, to DR. Alexander & Son who will be creating four new jobs.

The new dealership will be based at a 1.25 acre site at Thainstone Business Park in Inverurie.

Excavators have already cleared the plot where they will be stocking the entire range of Ifor Williams Trailers products and building a new showroom and a servicing and repairs workshop.

The two companies go back a long way because DR. Alexander & Son has been IWT’s distributor in the north Highlands since 1982, with bases in Inverness and Reay near Thurso.

The launch of the Aberdeenshire operation means the firm is now the go-to representative for Europe’s largest trailer manufacturer across the whole of northern Scotland.

According to managing director Mark Alexander, they are already fully operational in Aberdeenshire, selling the top-rated brand remotely from existing depots and with a sales team in the field until the new site officially opens - expected to be in September.

Mark said: “When the opportunity to take on the Aberdeenshire distributorship presented itself we jumped at the chance.

“We already have a strong bond with Ifor Williams Trailers, we know these products inside out and taking our wealth of expertise into the neighbouring area geographically makes perfect business sense to us. It is a significant step forward for us.

“The Inverurie development will have a sales showroom, comprehensive after sales and maintenance provision, extensive stores, a repairs garage and servicing centre. It will offer everything that our customers need.

The Aberdeenshire team is being headed up by newly appointed depot manager Allan Grant who is already working in the Aberdeenshire area building business and looking after all the existing loyal Ifor Williams customers.

He said: “I am confident that we have the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to build and grow the existing customer base in this area to new levels, especially with a such a quality brand as Ifor Williams Trailers.

“It is an exciting new challenge for us and one which I know we can rise to. We are more than ready to accept business from the vast equine, agricultural and construction communities and all other sectors in need of trailer provision in Aberdeenshire.

“We are pleased to be able to supply the best in the business. The reputation for quality which Ifor Williams Trailers has built up over decades is second to none.

“We were also delighted to hear that Ifor Williams Trailers have invested £14 million in creating a new Genuine Parts Hub which will have a huge impact in terms of the rapid delivery of genuine spare parts.”