Housing and refurbishment projects provide £70m boost for Keepmoat
HOUSING and regeneration specialist Keepmoat has secured new contracts worth more than £70m in the West Midlands and South Wales.
The surge in new business has been won by Keepmoat’s regeneration team and includes deals to build new council homes in Dudley and Bromsgrove, and the refurbishment of social housing which includes £20m worth of hi-rise improvements across the West Midlands.
The orders have helped contribute to the firm’s wider success, which has seen it secure a 5% increase in turnover nationwide and its Scottish division undergo a record quarter, winning a host of contracts totalling more than £20m.
According to a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) report released earlier this year Wales’ construction output is expected to rise by around 3.4% per year over the next five years to 2018.
In comparison, the West Midlands is forecast to see output fall by 1.4% per year on average over the five years to 2018, making it the worst performing of all the regions and devolved nations.
Neil Baxter, Keepmoat’s Regional Director for the West Midlands & South Wales said: “Seven months ago, I was asked my opinion on construction growth in the Midlands following a CITB report which forecast a turbulent time for our region.
“Our business is growing not contracting. Both new and existing clients are putting their faith in Keepmoat to carry out comprehensive refurbishment and new build projects throughout the region, which will mean job creation and opportunities for the local supply chain.
“This flurry of contracts is welcome news and suggests activity remains strong in different areas of the building industry. We are certainly seeing high demand for Keepmoat’s breadth of services at present.”
Contracts in the West Midlands include:
• A four-year, £15m programme of general refurbishment work to empty homes for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. This includes kitchen and bathroom upgrades, electrical re-wiring and re-roofing works. The council has also appointed the housing and regeneration specialist to deliver the second phase of a new build social housing development in the city.
• In Coventry, three high rise blocks will undergo a £9m transformation. Work is being carried out on behalf of Whitefriars Housing Group, part of WM Housing Group.
• Keepmoat has also appointed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver an £11m refurbishment to three high rise blocks at The Crofts in Smethwick and a £1m a year voids contract to deliver new kitchens, bathrooms and re-wires.
• Bromsgrove District Housing Trust has appointed Keepmoat to deliver a £2.5m contract to build 30 new affordable homes on Perryfields Road. Work is due to start next month and is complete in November 2015.
Keepmoat was formed in March 2012 following the merger of Apollo and the Keepmoat Group of companies (Bramall Construction, Keepmoat Homes, Keepmoat Limited, Frank Haslam Milan and Milnerbuild).
