Houghton news
Foundations laid for £ 900k development
SOLID FOUNDATIONS
Solid foundations help Fencehouse Roof Truss ‘ build back better ’
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Wearside manufacturer of offsite homes is confident it has the foundations in place to " build back better " as it prepares for life post-pandemic .
Fencehouse Roof Truss had chalked up year-on-year growth until the pandemic brought construction sites across the UK to a complete standstill .
Forced to furlough a number of key personnel , the company saw orders stall and was only eligible to apply for minimal funding due to its size .
But despite the temporary shutting down of sites and the introduction of social distancing measures , the company , based at Blackthorn Way , Houghton-le-Spring , has since seen orders return to pre-pandemic levels and has outlined ambitious plans as it prepares for life post-Covid-19 .
Steve Harris , co-founder and director , said : “ My business partner Steve Brown and I founded Fencehouse Truss 15 years ago and have since gone on to employ 44 people – many of whom joined us as apprentices – at our factory in Houghton .
“ Originally , we set out to create roof trusses and metal web joists . However , three
Houghton-le-Spring based Pacifica Group has continued acquiring businesses as part of an ongoing strategy to grow the expertise and geographic coverage of its domestic appliance services division .
Established Nuneaton-based business the Domestic Appliance Company ( DAC ) becomes the latest addition to the Pacifica Appliance Services ' portfolio , which is now one of the UK ’ s largest appliance repair specialists .
DAC is the second strategic acquisition in years ago we made the decision to begin producing off-site timber frame houses and the company has grown year-on-year ever since .
“ Customers now , more than ever , are realising the importance of sustainable living and the fact that our homes are built from environmentally friendly timber , sourced from Scandinavian forests with the strictest replanting measures , has really helped us build a reputation as a high-quality , ethical supplier that people can trust .”
Fence House Truss invested close to £ 500,000 in new machinery in the months before the pandemic due to the growing demand for its off-site homes – as well as its roof trusses and metal web floor joists . However , its facility was forced to close during the pandemic and orders ground to a halt .
The company has since returned to full production and – buoyed by the launch of the government ’ s Project Build initiative – is now anticipating a return to pre-pandemic growth levels as it capitalises on the rising demand for sustainable housing across the UK .
Pacifica Group acquires West Midlands-based firm to expand UK operation a matter of months for Houghton-le-Spring . In September , Pacifica also acquired Suffolkbased TK Garnham & Sons to increase its coverage of the South-East .
A £ 900,000 scheme – the third in a £ 59m programme to create new homes in Sunderland – is rising from the ground in Shiney Row .
Sunderland City Council has contracted North-East construction partner Tolent to complete a handful of stunning new homes that will create a pocket-sized community within the Houghton village .
The Homes England-backed development of five two-bedroom bungalows , in Stanley Terrace , will create properties for affordable rent for over-55s , and is the second council-led new-build scheme to be delivered across the city .
Houghton firm construction staff win awards
Staff at Houghton-le-Spring based construction firm Bowmer + Kirkland have been recognised for a number of successes .
Not only are their construction projects winning awards , but staff are being highlighted for their skills and achievements too , with four members of staff receiving recognition in the latest G4C Constructing Excellence Awards .
Estimator Annabel Scott won Trainee of the year , BIM manager John Ferrigno was awarded New Professional of the Year , design manager Hollie Statham received the Mentor of the Year award and trainee engineer Josh Chapman was highly commended in the Trainee of the Year category .
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