Established in 1860, Donaldson Group is one of the UK’s largest privately owned timber companies offering integrated market leading off-site timber systems, bespoke interiors and ancillary merchanting. A 6th generation family business, the group operates 11 different businesses with over 1700 employees.
Donaldson Group joined the Saltire Scholars Programme as a host in 2021, eager to explore how virtual reality could transform the timber industry. Through the programme, they partnered with an intern to bring this vision to life.
The programme placed Euan Gibson Smith, a Product Design Engineering student, as a Group Virtual Reality Intern at the Donaldson Group. Euan was tasked with exploring the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology across the group’s diverse portfolio of companies, including identifying opportunities to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiencies. On his first day, Euan was met with a challenge from Mike Donaldson, the Executive Chairman: “So, what can you do for us?” This set the tone for a transformative internship, where Euan was encouraged to think big and innovate.
Euan quickly got to work, leveraging his prior experience with VR to explore how the technology could be applied within the group. By week 7 of his internship, he presented his findings and live software demos to the CEO, CTO and key stakeholders from four of the group’s kitchen and bathroom design companies. Euan had successfully designed a process to integrate their kitchen models into virtual reality, paving the way for the company to enter the 3D artistry and architectural visualisation sector.
Euan’s contributions far exceeded expectations. His research and development of VR tools laid the groundwork for the creation of Spec3D, a fully walkable virtual home selection software. Spec3D enables housebuilders to digitalise entire show homes and manage upgrades in an immersive, interactive format, helping customers visualise their future homes from anywhere.
Following his internship, Euan was offered a full-time role with the Donaldson Group. In his permanent position, he expanded the VR tools to include full house visualizations, culminating in the launch of Spec3D. Within nine months, Spec3D secured deals with several housebuilders, including Easy Living Developments, and supplied website visualisers to multiple brands.
Today, Euan leads Spec3D as its founder, with the Donaldson Group owning and supporting the business. His innovative work has positioned the Donaldson Group as a leader in 3D visualisation technology in the construction and housebuilding industry.
Les Calder, Chief Technology Officer, Donaldson Group, said:
“Euan’s time at Donaldson Group has been a transformative experience for our business. From the moment he joined us through the Saltire Scholars Programme, it was clear he had a unique combination of creativity, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit. His initial work with VR technology not only exceeded the scope of his initial project but fundamentally reshaped how we approach customer engagement and digital innovation.
This initial Saltire VR project then became the catalyst for us to set up an whole new business with Euan at the helm called Spec3d. Euan’s development of what would become Spec3D has positioned Donaldson Group at the forefront of 3D visualisation technology in the construction and housebuilding industry. The software he pioneered has revolutionised the way we support housebuilders and their customers, providing a fully immersive experience that was previously unimaginable.
Beyond his technical contributions, Euan’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in turning Spec3D from an internship project into a start-up business that continues to deliver value for the group through both internal applications as well as external sales. I love having Euan on our team and he is a real asset to our company.
Euan is testament to the impact of nurturing young talent through the Saltire Scholars Programme and Saltire experience has helped accelerate his contribution to our business and has already made a lasting effect on Donaldson Group.”
The Saltire Scholars Programme with Donaldson Group was a life changing experience. The fantastic support from Donaldson’s enabled me to push boundaries, explore new business opportunities, and ultimately develop Spec3D—a technology that is now reshaping the housebuilding industry. I’m incredibly grateful to the Saltire Scholars Programme, not only for the opportunity but for the confidence it gave me to recognise my transferable skills and apply them to a project with real commercial impact. For anyone considering the programme—whether as a scholar or a host company—I can’t recommend it enough. It’s an experience that unlocks potential and drives real innovation.
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The Saltire Scholars Programme is Entrepreneurial Scotland's flagship programme designed to find, grow and connect students with the ambition and potential of becoming future leaders for Scotland.