An East Lothian company with historic links to the construction of the seat of the United States Congress has become employee-owned.

Robert P Slight & Sons Limited, of Wallyford,  has now been sold to an employee ownership trust (EOT), which will hold the shares of behalf of the company’s 40 employees.

The firm has been trading since 1948 and, until the recent sale, was owned by Douglas Slight, the  third generation of his family to run the business.

The Slight family’s legacy is interwoven with significant historical buildings.

Family members were among the team who constructed the Bell Rock Lighthouse, the world’s oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse, located off Arbroath, as well as being responsible for the design and construction of more than 70 lighthouses off Chile.

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The Slight family name is also key to the construction of the United States' iconic Congressional Building on Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

Pringle Slight was project foreman and responsible, in the 1820s, for overseeing the Capitol Building's construction, including its famous dome.

His son, Robert, continued this legacy but tragically lost his life in a fall from the dome in 1861. Both are honoured in the Congressional Graveyard in Washington DC.

In recent years, R P Slight, based at Wallyford Industrial Estate, has rapidly expanded, working throughout Scotland, servicing multiple public and private works.

On the move to employee ownership, Douglas Slight said: “A business is always all about the people and our family business has a long and proud history.

The Capitol Building in Washington (Image: Pixabay)

"When considering our options, a sale to the employees made sense because our business has always been founded on the hard work and dedication of our staff.

"A sale to an employee ownership trust allows our values and principles to be maintained whilst retaining our high standards of workmanship, professionalism and service. I’m proud of all of our achievements, and of all of our staff.”

Gordon Buist, tax partner of EQ Accountants provided tax and accountancy advice, with the legal aspects of the transition being led by Douglas Roberts, corporate partner at TLT.

Gordon said: “I have known Douglas for many years, and it was obvious that a sale to an EOT was an option that would work well for Robert P Slight and Sons. The employees have a wonderful opportunity to benefit as they drive the business forward.”

Douglas added:  “It was great for our team to play a role in the sale to an EOT of this family business. We are sure the business will continue its proud heritage in its new structure and I am delighted to have helped a local company move to employee ownership.”