Serving the Teesside Business Community | 25
Net gain: Directors Paul
Kidd and Simon Close of
IT networking specialist
UCS Technologies aim to
build on an order book in
excess of £2 million.
WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY
Series of contract wins for ICT specialists UCS Technologies
T
eesside-based IT networking
specialists UCS Technologies have
achieved a £3m turnover on the back
of a series of contract wins in the
North-East education sector.
With a £2m order book, directors Paul Kidd
and Simon Close have boosted their team to
26 with the creation of new jobs including
apprenticeship positions.
UCS Technologies, whose key clients span
the education, health, construction, logistics
and service sectors, recently completed
contracts worth a combined £750,000 for
several North-East schools.
Partnering with a leading construction
company, UCS Technologies installed
new network infrastructures, including
high specification copper and fibre-optic
cabling, coupled with the latest generation
of Ethernet switching, wireless and IP
telephony solutions.
The success of these school deployments
has led to a further project for ICT solutions
at multiple schools on the Isle of Wight.
The Riverside Park firm has sealed a
further two deals to provide the network
infrastructure for Newcastle University’s
Urban Sciences Department and the new
PVSV student accommodation.
Following a restructuring process, the
long-established firm has worked with fellow
Middlesbrough firm VIA Creative to rebrand
as UCS Technologies to better reflect who
they are and what they do.
“The branding is all about informing people
more about who we really are,” said Paul
Kidd. “In the past we concentrated on the
passive cabling elements of ICT. However,
we now provide a full ICT infrastructure
solution. We can provide the passive and
active elements, including switches, wi-fi,
telephony, UPS’s and more, such that we can
offer a full turn-key ICT solution.
“Technology advancement within ICT
never pauses and we must keep abreast
of these advancements and how they may
benefit our clients.
“We now offer the full package in terms of
IT infrastructure, networking, multi-user TV
systems, audio visual as well as solar PV.”
Reflecting on a highly successful 12
months, Paul added: “It’s been an amazing
year, including a record-breaking 2016
summer when we were inundated with
work.
“Much of that came via our involvement
in a new nuclear power station project at
Hinkley Point and through a continuation of
works at a major UK cargo port.
“My thanks go to our customers who
have continued to support us and to our staff
who have shown incredible commitment,
often working extended hours to ensure a
successful outcome.”
Kidd added that, after bringing in a number
of new recruits, UCS Technologies plans to
further increase staffing levels over the next
12 months in line with a continued expanding
order book.
“A key reason why we’re in business
is to create jobs and to support the local
economy,” he said. “We are a thriving,
growing company and look forward to a very
successful future.
“With an order book for next year already
in excess of £2m, our immediate future
is secure and, not wanting to rest on our
laurels, we are actively looking for additional
valued opportunities.
“Successes aside, we remain vigilant of
turbulent market conditions and are looking
to expand our market and sector presence to
help maintain stability.”
Fellow director Simon Close added: “We
have thrived within the education sector,
built on our primary focus of adding value
to teaching and learning through developing
technologies.
“We have become very adaptable through
other verticals from this base, and endeavour
to maintain our innovative approach going
forward. This will no doubt lead to further
success for both UCS and our clients.”