New jobs and apprenticeships at CR Smith as social housing sustainability boosts first quarter revenues by 30%

Gerard Eadie CBE, on site at one of CR Smith's projects in Musselburgh, East Lothian
Scottish home improvement specialist CR Smith has created 40 new jobs following a significant increase in local authority contracts aimed at bringing the nation’s social housing into line with the latest sustainability standards.
The Fife-based company, which specialises in the manufacture, delivery and installation of high-quality windows, doors and home extensions, has increased commercial revenues by more than 30% in the first quarter of 2025. This impressive growth has been achieved by securing several major contracts to upgrade Scotland’s social housing stock to meet new sustainability targets.
CR Smith is working with 10 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, with more contracts in the pipeline as it aims to build on this success.
The company, which has been a cornerstone of Scottish business since Gerard Eadie CBE took over in 1972, has invested heavily to expand its public sector capabilities. This includes state-of-the-art manufacturing machinery, establishing a new internal infrastructure and a significant investment in jobs as well as its pioneering apprenticeship programmes with Fife College.
In addition to anticipating tighter regulations on standards to align social housing with government-set net-zero targets, the investment also addressed local authorities’ needs for excellent service for their tenants. With over 50 years of experience in designing and installing windows in Scottish homes, CR Smith offers unmatched expertise.
According to the UK government’s Climate Change Committee, approximately 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions are attributed to homes, driving a focus on ensuring that the existing housing stock aligns with the new regulations and targets set by the UK government.
The Scottish Government’s ‘fabric first’ approach, which focuses on a property’s thermal efficiency over the environmental credentials of the energy source, has proven highly effective within broader Scottish Government initiatives, such as the Social Housing Net Zero Standard.
CR Smith Chairman, Gerard Eadie, said the company’s foresight in setting up the business to meet the evolving demands of local authorities has been crucial to securing contracts, as has its long-standing reputation for manufacturing and installing high-quality windows specifically for Scottish homes.
He said: “The current public sector focus on sustainability goals means both the window design and its installation must be of the highest quality to meet energy efficiency targets – and in addition to our exceptional service that is exactly what we provide to all our customers, both private homeowners and social tenants.
“Because of our experience working directly with customers, we understand their needs. Exceptional customer service is crucial for tenants of social and local authority housing, and we bring that level of service to all our projects and contracts.
He added: “This is an exciting time for the business. Our aim is to continue to expand our operation further into the public sector market.”
CR Smith, which has offices in Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen, as well as its head office and manufacturing plant in Fife, became one of Scotland’s most recognised brands in 1984 when the company simultaneously sponsored both Rangers and Celtic football clubs.
Scotland became one of the first nations to declare a global climate emergency in April 2019. Scotland has set an ambitious target to become net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the rest of the UK.