George Leslie held its annual Innovation Day 2026, with this year’s event marking the largest in its four-year history. The event brought together more than 40 exhibitors, expert speakers, industry leaders and supply chain partners.
This year’s event featured nine expert speakers and a panel discussion delivered by the Supply Chain Sustainability School. It also showcased pioneering technologies, progressive products and transformative ways of working.
GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s largest independent equipment hire company, were among the organisations who supported the event. The family-owned business highlighted the important role innovation continues to play in improving safety, sustainability and efficiency for its customers.
This includes investment in technologies such as battery-powered equipment, electric compressors, drone surveying and thermal imaging solutions.
Speaking about industry challenges and the importance of innovation, GAP said:
“One of the most significant challenges facing the industry is a shortage of people with the required skills. Innovation can help address this by supporting existing teams, improving productivity and introducing safer and more efficient ways of working.”
The company also encouraged businesses to embrace new approaches and remain adaptable.
“Keep an open mind and be willing to adapt to change.”
Innovation Day’s Digital Innovation Sponsor, Majenta Solutions, demonstrated how digital technologies can improve certainty and efficiency throughout the construction lifecycle.
Majenta supports organisations with BIM, information management and project coordination challenges. In doing so, it helps clients improve collaboration and decision-making.
“Through digital engineering, information management and construction visualisation, Majenta helps project teams identify challenges earlier, communicate more effectively and make better-informed decisions
Visitors had the opportunity to see how contractors are using digital technologies to rehearse complex construction activities, improve stakeholder communication and reduce costly project risks before work begins on site.
The Workdry Group, including Selwood and Siltbuster, supported the event as a Headline Sponsor. The business delivers integrated pumping, water treatment and temporary infrastructure solutions across the UK.
The company described innovation as a practical process focused on solving real-world challenges. They also highlighted the opportunities presented by increasing environmental expectations and evolving industry regulations.
“Innovation is driven by collaboration, and George Leslie Innovation Day provides a fantastic opportunity to bring clients, contractors and supply chain partners together to share ideas and showcase new ways of working.”
“Whether that’s improving safety, reducing environmental impact, increasing efficiency or helping customers deliver projects more sustainably, innovation means developing practical solutions that create measurable value.”
“These challenges also create significant opportunities to adopt smarter technologies, embrace digital solutions and strengthen collaboration across the supply chain. Organisations that innovate together will be best placed to deliver sustainable, resilient infrastructure for the future.”
Innovation Day has evolved into a recognised industry event attracting organisations from across Scotland, the UK and Europe. It provides a unique environment where contractors, researchers, utilities, suppliers and innovators can exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore the technologies redefining civil engineering and construction.
David Ross, Managing Director said: “The future of our industry depends on our ability to transform knowledge into action. Creating events such as Innovation Day provides an opportunity for exploring the innovations, technologies and leading practices that are helping organisations improve resilience, efficiency and sustainability.”
George Leslie Innovation Day 2026 brought together some of the industry’s brightest minds and most innovative organisations for a day dedicated to sharing knowledge, inspiring progress and shaping the future of civil engineering and construction.
