Sypro looks to China after Hong Kong deal
CONSTRUCTION industry project management specialist Sypro is targeting the Chinese market after securing a landmark contract to help build a network of substations in Hong Kong.
The East Yorkshire-based company is planning to take on more staff after beating international competition to supply its online project management system to China Light and Power, which is building seven electrical substations to power the massive data network needed by businesses in the region.
Sypro is hopeful of winning more orders from China Light and Power and the Chinese Government now it has established an important foothold in the region.
Managing director Simon Hunt said: “The deal with China Light and Power is very significant. We now have a foothold in the booming Chinese construction market, which bodes well for the future.
“Businesses in Hong Kong put a lot of trust in recommendation. If project A is using our software, project B is more likely to use it as are projects C,D, E and F.
“It could also help us win orders from other government departments. We are currently in the process of having our product evaluated on one of the largest Government projects in the region – an £80m flood prevention scheme that will build an enormous storage tank under the Happy Valley Racecourse.
“This was a competitive process where we have gone up against international businesses and won. The impact for the business is very positive. We are going to need to increase our headcount to make the most of this opportunity moving forward.”
Sypro, which was established in 2007 and includes Balfour Beatty, Mansell and Sir Robert McAlpine among its clients, is forecasting turnover of £500,000 for the year to December.
The Sypro system has been used to project manage the A164 upgrade and the new Beverley Community Hospital, both in East Yorkshire, and the £840m Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, which is the largest healthcare building in Europe.
China Light and Power is one of the largest power companies in the Asia-Pacific region. The initial contract covers the first substation, which is costing £13m to build.
