The country’s leading steelwork contractor is boasting a record UK and Europe order book of £393m after a stronger than expected first half of trading.

Alan Dunsmore, Severdfield chief executive officer, said despite material price and labour supply challenges the order book gave the firm good visibility through to the full year 2023.

The growth in the order book was driven by the new stadium for Everton FC, two large and various smaller distribution facilities in the UK, a waste-to-energy facility, new HS2 bridge packages and other bridge awards reflecting investment in infrastructure by Highways England and Network Rail.

He said tendering activity in UK and Europe remained very encouraging and with the firm’s pipeline of opportunities spanning a wide range of sectors demonstrating the benefits of both the strategic acquisitions and the organic investments we have made in recent years.

Pre-tax profit was up 20% to £7.9m from revenue up 5% to £195.9m in first half trading.

Dunsmore said: “We are making strong progress in our Indian business and are well-placed to capitalise on this exciting market opportunity as the economy recovers from the pandemic and construction continues to transition from concrete to steel.

“We continue to be mindful of industry-wide supply chain pressures for both us and our clients which are, in some instances, impacting material costs and availability.

“This includes certain steel products, in part reflecting a price of steel which, although stabilising recently, has nearly doubled over the past year.

“While not immune to this, the impact has been managed without any significant disruption to operations, and the group is managing these pressures through contractual protection, operating efficiencies and by forward purchasing as appropriate, leveraging the roup’s scale and supply chain and subcontract management strengths.”

 

 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.thegraduatemag.com/?p=1435

GMI Construction Group has lured Gary Oates back to the business to take up the newly-created role of North East operations director.

Oates who left GMI Construction just over five years ago to join specialist industrial contractor TSL Projects where he became project director.

He previously spent more than 16 years with GMI, starting as a site manager before progressing to contracts manager.

He returns to lead the north east growth strategy from a new Teesside office. He is also joined by new North East commercial manager Paul Raine, who joins from Leeds-based Torsion Group.

Gary Oates (left) takes north east operation director role supported by Paul Raine, new commercial manager.

Lee Powell, divisional managing director, said: “Both these appointments underline our commitment to the North East and we are resolved to play a greater role in creating jobs and generating economic prosperity.

“Gary is highly experienced and committed and, as such, is the right person to lead our North East division and grow this business in a region that is already enjoying the benefits of the levelling up agenda. We’re also delighted to welcome Paul to the team, who brings with him extensive commercial knowledge.

“GMI Construction Group has a long association with the North East and has been involved in several high-profile developments, allowing it to build a strong relationship with local suppliers and sub-contractors.”

 

This month, GMI will start work on a £30m contract to construct 362,600 sq. ft of commercial units as part of the first phase of the Hillthorn Business Park development at Washington, near Sunderland.

Appointed lead contractor by client Legal & General, GMI is due to complete the seven units, ranging in size from 21,000 sq. ft to 83,000 sq. ft, by September 2022.

It is part of a £60m two-phased development designed to stimulate economic growth by supporting the needs of industrial, advanced manufacturing, storage, and distribution businesses in the area.

 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.thegraduatemag.com/?p=1422