North East furniture manufacturer, Godfrey Syrett, is responding to renewed optimism in the construction sector by launching a new division dedicated to serving the construction industry.
The Fitted Furniture Division, which is set to launch in January, will focus on working with main contractors both regionally and nationally, to deliver bespoke furniture solutions for new build projects within the education, defence, hospitality, commercial and healthcare sectors.
The firm, which employs 220 staff and has manufacturing and distribution hubs in Durham and Killingworth, has the capability to deliver large-scale fitted furniture projects, working in partnership with contractors from design conception through to manufacture and installation.
It is driving forward the new division as part of a wider five-year growth plan, where it plans to increase turnover from £25m to £40m as it targets new sectors.
Derek Mitchell, who will head up the Fitted Furniture division said: “We have witnessed the constructions sector’s return to growth over the past few years and believe it will continue to figure prominently in the improving economy, with year-on-year growth expected. In launching the new division we are positioning ourselves to capitalise on this opportunity, whilst providing a specialist service to deliver tailored fitted furniture solutions to major construction projects.”
According to the Blueprint for Construction 2015-2019 report by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board), which highlights the commencement of the ‘big construction comeback’, the UK construction market is expected to see an increase in average annual growth of 2.9% over the next five years. In the North East the commercial sector is likely to see average increases of 3.8% per annum following new investment.
Neil Tweddle, managing director at Godfrey Syrett added: “The formation of a dedicated Fitted Furniture team demonstrates our agility in responding to growing market sectors. Establishing ourselves as a trusted supplier in the construction market is going to be a key to achieving our long-term growth plan. As a long-established manufacturer we can offer stability and flexibility to contractors, allocating dedicated production and resources in advance of major projects to ensure they are fulfilled within budget and on programme.”
Godfrey Syrett, which has been established since 1947, has already completed furniture installatons for a number of constructions projects including The Curzon building at Birmingham City University on behalf of Wilmott Dixon Construction, North Durham & Consett Academies working with Carillion and Wolsingham School on behalf of Robertson Construction.