Civil and Structural Engineering firm, Sutcliffe, has announced an 11% increase in profit for the last financial year (September 2018-September 2019) compared to the same period in the previous year – putting the firm in a very strong position as the world deals with the current Covid-19 crisis.
The multi-disciplinary, BIM-accredited chartered consultants, who have offices in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales and London, also revealed a steady increase in turnover at the same time, with a strategic approach to grow the business in the next five years. It comes as the firm continues to invest in its technology infrastructure, introducing two new software systems in 2019 to streamline the business. The new figures represent three consecutive years of growth for the company, despite the political uncertainty that was posed by Brexit.
Sutcliffe’s most recent commission is with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust – who has instructed the firm to extend one of Sutcliffe’s previous buildings with IBI Group architects for a new suite of operating theatres at Wythenshawe Hospital. This multi-million pound project will be on site later in the year. Other key projects for Sutcliffe over the last 12 months have included Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Ion Developments’ Lime Street scheme – providing a new gateway to the Knowledge Quarter, Tobacco Warehouse, Harcourt Developments’ Royal Hospital Haslar redevelopment in Gosport, and 500 new homes in Flintshire, North Wales.
Sutcliffe, which has been inspiring and influencing the built environment since 1985, has also seen a 12.5% rise in staff during the last financial year, with more apprentices coming through the firm than ever before. Sutcliffe has trained 21 apprentices during the last 10 years, with a 76% retention rate in the company after three years. In recent years, Sutcliffe has also worked on a total of 7,671 residential units including houses, apartments and extra care facilities generating over £1 billion in construction costs in the residential sector.
Sean Keyes, managing director, Sutcliffe, said:
“These are really positive results for Sutcliffe which crucially provide a solid financial footing in such extraordinary challenging times. It underlines the company’s strong reputation as a trusted provider of quality structural and civil engineering and geo-environmental services, and is a testament to our growing team of skilled consultants who time and time again deliver from concept to completion with authenticity and integrity. It is a fantastic way to celebrate 35 years of amazing success, while importantly looking forward to the future and the next 35 years as we reaffirm our position as the leading name in the industry.”
Despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, Sean remains optimistic for the future, saying:
“There is no denying that this is going to be an extremely testing time for the whole of the construction industry and I am genuinely relieved that we are going into stormy waters on the back of a really successful financial year. The speed at which Covid-19 has hit all our lives is quite surreal, and reminds us all how we need to better look after our planet and the food chain.
“Sutcliffe has an experienced top team with 100 years of management experience between us, and all have lived through many difficult periods before – we will be drawing from this wealth of experience and knowledge to guarantee our future success.
“While we are now battening down the hatches, it’s very much business as usual. We continue to complete our existing projects, pursue opportunities which can be completed from home, and pay our supply chain. Our industry will have a bounce when the gates reopen and we will be ready to jump.”
Some of Sutcliffe’s key projects in recent years have included Greenbank Student Village for the University of Liverpool, Pendleton PFI, and Prescot Community Fire and Police Station.
For more information about Sutcliffe, visit the website, and on social media – Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
