The attractiveness of the up-to-the-minute techniques employed by Complete Weed Control, one of Scotland’s leading weed control, ground maintenance and tree management specialists, has won the company a long-term contract with a major local authority.

At a time when councils across the UK are struggling with weed issues, Stirling Council has brought in the Lanarkshire-based company to spray all its roads and pavements and also deal with “vast” areas of identified invasive weeds within the council area.

The contract will run for three years, with the option to extend it for a further year.

Complete Weed Control, which now covers the greater part of Scotland from its recently-acquired base in Larkhall, will use WEEDit computer-controlled spot-weeding machines on the Stirling contract. It has invested heavily in its fleet, which now stands at seven.

It is the only company in Scotland to employ WEEDit technology, which is designed for footpaths and hard surface urban areas. The machine’s sensors detect the presence of weeds and accurately apply exactly the right amount of herbicide.

The process has become the most environmentally efficient method of weed control, with a typical herbicide reduction of up to 80%. Many local authorities have been able not only to achieve their environmental objectives of reducing glyphosate use but have also seen improvements in their overall weed control programmes.

Keith Gallacher (pictured above), director of Complete Weed Control operations in Scotland, said: “Relationships with local authorities are very important to us and we are particularly pleased to have secured a contract of this duration with Stirling, where our technological advantage will come into its own.

These WEEDit machines are a real advance in weed control. They scan on a metre-wide track and only apply the amount of product which is needed, which means a huge reduction in product use in comparison to traditional spraying methods. It also means there is no possibility of off-target spray damage to verges or open-plan gardens.”

He added: “We already work as trusted partners with a number of local authorities and we expect this latest contract will further spread the word about the value of the services we can offer to councils which often face challenging budgetary restrictions.”

The company posted a record £2.75 million in sales last year, up from £2 million the previous year.

Growth has been boosted by new client acquisition as well as its tree services division, which now contributes equally with the longer-established weed suppressant and grass cutting services it supplies to mostly public sector organisations.