Durham news
Durham firm ’ s prestigious Canary Wharf project
A speculative investment that has rapidly become an industry game-changer is celebrating another huge contract success .
Durham-based Apex Core is manufacturing 450 prefabricated utility cupboards ( PUCs ) for a luxury apartment development , which will be one of the highest buildings in London ’ s financial district .
The units , all manufactured in Durham City , are for the “ Aspen ” scheme in Consort Place , Canary Wharf .
Apex Core sales director Paul Hopps ( pictured ) said : “ When we invested £ 500,000 in creating the largest specialist PUC manufacturing facility in the UK three years ago , it was barely even a fledgling industry , but with developers recognising the huge time saving benefits they offer , they ’ re revolutionising the industry .”
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APP FOR JOB APPS
An employment referral app is helping a number of care providers across County Durham to recruit and retain high quality care staff . Durham County Council is supporting a group of providers to pilot the technology , with more than 100 care staff having already been recruited by one organisation alone .
Care Friends allows staff already employed in the sector to share job opportunities with their friends and contacts through the easy-to-use app on their phone .
ACQUISITION
Team work makes the deal work – DFP Services managing director John Seed ( sat down left ), Clive Owen director David Wilson ( sat table left ), Knights partner Daniel Flounders ( sat table right ) and Clive Owen assistant manager Jenny Waters .
Multi-million pound expansion for Durham firm
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Durham-based firm which provides a wide range of fire and security , mechanical , electrical and nurse call systems has expanded after a major acquisition .
DFP Services has acquired Incom Systems Communications Specialist as part of their multi-million pound expansion .
Advised by specialists at Clive Owen LLP , Knights and PCF Solutions , the deal follows the acquisition earlier this year of Cortech Fire and Security Systems .
The addition of the Osset and Ashingtonbased companies is part of DFP Services ’ ambitious growth plans .
The company , which was founded in 1992 , was named in a list of the North-East ’ s fastest growing companies in 2018 . It also has hubs in Leeds and Manchester .
Incom Systems is a leading supplier and installer of a wide range of communication systems , including Warden Call , Door Entry , DECT , Access Control , CCTV and alarms for businesses , schools , hospitals and nursing
A further 150 electric vehicle charging points are set to be installed across County Durham .
Durham County Council has been successful in securing an additional £ 3.1m from the government to expand the county ’ s charging infrastructure .
The authority is one of only three councils to receive additional funding to expand on an innovative pilot scheme , which it first took part in last year .
Having received £ 1.25m to plan and install an initial 100 charging points , the extra money will now take the total number of charging points in the county to 250 , including 60 rapid chargers . care .
Cortech Fire and Security Systems has been installing and maintaining fire and security systems in homes , businesses , hospitals , council buildings and other premises in the North-East since 1986 .
The three businesses employ 104 people with a combined turnover of £ 9.7m .
Managing director Jon Seed said : “ These two deals demonstrate our determination to not only grow organically but also through the acquisition of companies with great synergy to our core business .
“ They have strong management teams , which will remain in place , and an ethos of excellent customer service that reflects our own .
“ I ’ d like to thank all the advisors who worked with us to make the process as smooth as possible .”
Clive Owen ’ s David Wilson and Jenny Waters advised on the deals , as did Matthew Ray of Knights and Stephen Padgett of PCF Solutions .
£ 3.1M BOOST FOR EV CHARGE POINTS
Cllr Mark Wilkes , cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change ( pictured ), said : “ We are committed to making sure as many residents as possible can access electric charging and make more sustainable transport choices .”