since 1920
Heating
Pipework
Process
Maintenance
For over a century we’ve been refining our skills in heating, pipework and process systems to give you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it – allowing us to deliver sophisticated, reliable solutions across the commercial and industrial sectors.
Our large and capable team means we can respond quickly to your needs for installation, maintenance, upgrades and repairs. From the most complicated projects to the midnight emergencies, we’re always up for a challenge.
Our strong customer base is decades in the making and covers a diverse range of sectors including food and beverage, local authorities, NHS, industrial and manufacturing companies, facilities management and M&E contractors.
If you’re looking for ongoing solutions instead of endless problems, James Ramsay is here to make sure your organisation is always on.
Our values
Specialist
Our experience and technical expertise puts us at the forefront of our industry. We always respond and embrace a challenge.
Safe
We’re accredited to the fullest extent because safety always comes first, without compromise.
Motivated
Our dedication to quality and accountability drives us forward. We go above and beyond for our clients and for each other.
Committed
Since 1920 we’ve retained our hardworking family values. We care about our people and their careers, and are always available for our team and our clients.
Rational
Straightforward and open, wet consistently deliver fair, sound and practical solutions.
Our vision
To remain at the forefront of our industry by doing what we’ve always done, better.
Our mission
To ensure our clients can operate without interruption.
since 1920
Our history
1915-1920: The flying squad
The genesis of James Ramsay Engineering can be traced to the days of WWI with Jimmy Ramsay and a gang of local lads from Port Glasgow and Greenock. With nothing so formal as premises or insurance or even a name to their business, they formed a mobile flying squad chasing work wherever they could find it. Work was plentiful, and they knew their trade well.
1920-1939: The core of the business
By 1920, they’d made their home on Brand Street, Govan. Glasgow’s shipbuilding industry was thriving, and James Ramsay was kept busy with ship repairs, heavy metalwork and cargo jobs – in fact, the company still does a couple of jobs a month on cargo ships. Ships have the same systems as modern buildings, so what was at the core of the business a hundred years ago is still at the core of it today. Back then, the secret to finding work was simply to look for the chimney – if there was steam, there was opportunity.
1939-1945: Essential workers
During the war they were on the Ministry of Defence’s list of go-to crew for patching up injured warships. Often working through the night, travelling from port city to port city across Scotland and the North of England at the whims of the MOD. There were to be no excuses – they were even told they would have to do what was demanded or they’d be drafted. As essential workers, the Ramsay lads were always on.
1945-1955: Post-war pivot
The graft continued across Glasgow’s shipyards and dry docks, travelling by foot or subway, hauling materials in carts and wheelbarrows. During this period, Jimmy Ramsay passed the business to his son, James, ensuring the family legacy continued.
1955-1980: Same skills, different gigs
With Glasgow’s shipyards in decline, the company pivoted to land-based engineering. Same skills, new gigs: they applied their steam system expertise to hospitals and manufacturing plants. Steam’s steam, whether it’s on a ship or on land. The transition was seamless and the lads kept their tools – and their jobs, showcasing their ability to adapt without losing their skilled workforce.
1980-1986: Hard times and new faces
In 1980, The Ramsay family passed the torch to David Alexander and Alec Wilson. The following years brought hard times – not least that the debut of Glasgow’s Garden Festival necessitated the flattening of their Brand Street home. Work was scarce and survival meant seizing every opportunity – they managed to secure key contracts with British Rail and Eastfield Depot and moved their base of operation to Queenslie. Around this time, an engineer named Raymond Shepherd joined the team, thanks to a chance phone call and a bit of divine timing.
1986-2013: Risk, reward and reputation
In 1986, Alec Wilson left the business, inviting Raymond to buy a stake. Together with David Alexander, Robert Orr and electrician Adam Brown, the company entered a period of growth, embracing challenging projects and expanding their services. They built their modern reputation tackling ambitious, landmark projects like Yorkhill Children’s Hospital amongst others. They were fully committed to the company ethos of going above and beyond.
2013-2018: New investors, same attitude
In 2013, Nevis Capital acquired the company, with only Raymond of the previous directorial team staying on as MD. Nevis and James Ramsay settled into this new phase of the business immediately, united by the kind of company values and family focus that keeps organisations going for a century and more.
2018-Onward: Keeping it in the family
Ensuring James Ramsay stayed a family company – albeit a different family, now – the leadership baton passed to Jamie and Gary, Raymond’s sons. Both home-grown talents, their commitment to reputation over sales keeps the company’s values intact. In 2018 they both became shareholders and in 2020 Gary stepped into the role of Managing Director, with Jamie joining him as Service Director.
2020-2021: Essential workers, again
When the pandemic struck, the company once again proved its value as essential workers, making sure hospitals, police stations and prisons were serviced and maintained. With many staff furloughed, a skeleton crew steered the ship with non-stop shifts, echoing the wartime spirit of eighty years ago, often doing largely the same work as then, especially in steam – essential then, essential now: steam powered the past and will power the future.
100 years, Always on
A century later, James Ramsay Engineering stands strong, built on a foundation of adaptability, professionalism, and a relentless commitment to quality. There’s no slick sales pitches here – just a reputation earned one job at a time. From ships to hospitals, through wars and crises, their story is one of resilience and craftsmanship – proof that essential knowledge stands the test of time. The tools might be shinier, but it’s still all about the work, the team and being ready when the call comes in. After all – they’re Always on.
Certificates
Memberships
With over a century of engineering expertise, we keep our clients operational without interruption. Our team is there when you need us most — from complex projects to midnight emergencies, we’re always up for a challenge. We deliver:
