MOLSON Young Plant Sales is marking the end of an era with the retirement of MD Brian Young.
Brian, whose parents Tom and Bridie founded the Doune-based business more than 40 years ago, is one of the most respected names in the Scottish plant sector.
Current head of sales, Mark Proudfoot, is taking on the role of director in Scotland and will be tasked with overseeing day to day operations.
Brian will remain involved with the business as a consultant and will still look after some key accounts. The Young family will also continue to have a presence in the shape of Brian’s son, Joe, who works in the aftersales department.
Young Plant was credited with introducing the mini excavator concept to the Scottish market and remains one of Kubota’s longest standing dealers. Today the firm’s portfolio also includes products from the likes of Kobelco, Dieci and Bergmann. Since being acquired by the Molson Group, further brands have been added including Molson Green recycling equipment.
Brian told Project Plant he plans to spend as much time travelling as possible and already has trips lined up to the likes of Poland, Holland and Belgium. If his wife Jean gets her way, he’ll also be busy with DIY tasks around the house! Brian is also staying on as a committee member of the Scottish Plant Owners Association.
To mark his retirement, Brian and a number of colleagues gathered at the Dunblane Hydro where he was presented with a gold Kubota excavator model by Kubota UK dealer manager Colin Frost in recognition of his success with the brand in Scotland over several decades.
Brian said, “My retirement has been in the plan for some time following the acquisition of Young Plant Sales by Molson Group in 2016. My aim was always to manage the business through the handover period, making sure our customers, staff and suppliers had continuity as our business became a key part of the Molson Group.
“I have spent many years building relationships with a huge number of people within the industry, but for me most importantly I believe we have built trust. I am a man of my word, so it was important for me to ensure the business, which will continue to carry my family name, is capable of maintaining these standards. I know that both the team at Molson Group and the staff I leave running the Molson Young Plant Sales business are cut from the same cloth as myself, so the family name is in safe hands.”
Molson Group joint MD Jonathan Wilson commented, “Brian has been a fantastic servant to the Scottish construction equipment industry over many years will certainly be missed as he steps back to enjoy his well-deserved retirement. With many stories from a long and illustrious career, I am sure Brian will deservedly look back with pride on the many successes that he has achieved. He leaves a business on a clear upward trajectory, with new dealerships on the horizon and in the midst of an interesting time in the Scottish construction industry. I am sure the team we have in place are more than capable of continuing to improve the service our customers receive from Molson Young Plant Sales, as Brian has strived to do throughout his career.”
A special interview with Brian Young looking back over his career will appear in the next issue of Project Plant magazine.
