Smailes Construction, a regional construction specialist borne out of the recession is celebrating its third year in business announcing an impressive three-fold leap in turnover.
Launched in 2012 by David Smailes, well known in the industry for launching national contractor Morgan Sindall’s north east office in 2006, Smailes Construction has created 10 permanent jobs and increased turnover from £250K in year one to this year’s figure of £1.8 million.
David started his career in construction working with Northumberland County Council as a trainee civil engineering technician. Since then he has developed an immense depth and working knowledge of all aspects of construction from his various roles as a site agent, project manager and framework manager.
Initially working on smaller domestic projects, over the past 36 months the scope of work the company undertakes has changed and is now split equally between high end residential schemes and commercial projects.
David has created a team of skilled tradesman, many of whom he worked with at Morgan Sindall, and working with this team had given him the confidence and ability to allow the business to develop. Thanks to their capabilities coupled with their skills working with design teams and customers ensures that every project is a positive experience for everyone involved.
Within the commercial arena David and his team of highly experienced, skilled tradesmen and contract managers, have recently completed refurbishment projects in dental care, for the Osborne Dental Group, car showroom refurbishments for Vertu Motors in Carlisle and Newcastle, along with a complex residential project with archtiects Red Box and currently they are working on a shop fit-out in Glasgow.
With regard to high end residential schemes the team is working on a major refurbishment and extension to an 18th Century Mill in Northumberland for a private client.
Whilst the last recession sadly ended the Morgan Sindall’s business in the region, it provided David with the enthusiasm and commitment to continue in an industry that he has always worked in and loved. He said:
“Creating the business was a very quick decision once I had decided to leave Morgan Sindall. I had a belief that I could do something for myself. I didn’t quite know how it would unfold or work out, but I was confident that having managed business units and project relationships for a number of years I knew that there was a small sustainable construction company in there somewhere”
Although confident in his ability to do so, even he has been slightly taken aback, but nonetheless proud, of company’s success to date. He said:
“Having launched a highly successful regional office for a large contractor I wanted to utilise my skills and links with other built environment professionals to create a small to medium sized construction company that would raise the bar in relation to project delivery from that of companies of a similar size, while at the same time make the experience an enjoyable one. Judging by the continued growth in opportunities to work with leading regional architects, coupled with the feedback back we receive from satisfied clients, we are achieving that goal.
“Of course this success is not down to me alone, it is down to the team I work with, both directly and indirectly, all of whom share my passion as well as company values and ethos, which is very important to me and the business.”
“ I’m very fortunate to have a core team of skilled tradesman and managers that want to be part of the business. Without their dedication towards high quality and timely delivery we wouldn’t have completed so many fantastic projects for our clients in the past three years.”
Looking forward to next year, Smailes Construction has already secured a quarter of its projected turnover. In keeping with its growth strategy the company is expected to announce a key appointment later this month, adding further strength and depth to its core team.