UDP celebrates 21st birthday by hitting £7m revenue mark

Utilities Design and Planning is on track to crown its 21st year in business with record turnover of £7m.
 
The Salford company which provides civil engineering and traffic management services to a wide range of customers, from property developers, major construction contractors, telecoms providers, local councils and public transport authorities, is now also looking to grow beyond the North West as part of ambitious plans to double revenues.

Employing more than 40 staff at its base in Pendleton, UDP is backed by leading private equity firm Foresight Group, which invested £3m to support its growth strategy in November 2016.

Co-founder David Hilton said: “We’re really excited about our future growth prospects, we’ve seen fantastic momentum in the last few years thanks to the development and investment in Manchester, and believe there are significant opportunities in other regions.

“Thanks to our partner Foresight we have the resources to consider bolt-on acquisitions in other geographies. We believe we will be well-placed to support further infrastructure investment as part of the Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

Hilton, 57, who founded UDP with colleague Noel Gallagher, 60, said the company is currently looking to hire a number of civil engineers and also has vacancies through its apprentice scheme.

Foresight, which is celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of its Manchester office this month, has already completed five investments into high growth SMEs from its regional investment fund.

To support UDP’s growth plans, Foresight has strengthened the company’s senior team, with the appointment of Richard Fraser and David Atherton as non-executive chairman and finance director respectively.
 
At the same time, the company is developing its technologies, having invested in the latest remote control traffic signal technology to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum at roadworks.

UDP offers a “One Stop Shop” to construction designers, consultants and developers. Its traffic management division offers emergency response crews, road closures, urban traffic management schemes, and event management.

Its civil engineering division specialises in deep drainage connections, highway works, telecommunication networks and light rail maintenance. It also deals with the logistics of utility diversions and supply requirements.