Construction firm plans expansion in Sussex

1:18pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

One of the country's biggest construction firms is hoping to quadruple its Sussex operations during the next five years.

Rok unveiled its ambitious plans while shrugging off fears of a downturn in the economy and posting record financial results for the seventh year running.

The company, which has three branches employing about 250 people in Sussex, recorded impressive growth with pre-tax profits up 42 per cent to £37.1 million and an increase in revenue of 38 per cent to £950 million.

It remains bullish about its prospects in the face of the credit crunch and rising inflationary pressures.

Chief executive Garvis Snook told The Argus: "It has been a fantastic year and we have seen growth in every part of our core business. There is a lot of excitement as we have restructured our management group to prepare for going from a £1 billiona- year business to a £2.5 to £3 billion business over the next five years.

"We have never had as strong an order book as we have at the moment.

We set our strategy of building a network seven years ago and since then we have grown by 40 per cent each year, half through acquisitions and half through our own growth."

The company has a strong presence in Sussex after it bought Eastbournebased Llewellyn for £16.25 million in 2002. It now has offices in Eastbourne, Brighton and Crawley.

Mr Snook said: "In five years I would expect us to have one or two more branches in Sussex and bring the number of people we employ up to about 1,000. Across the country there are 170 locations with a population centre of more than 100,000 and I would like a branch in every one."

The current challenging economic conditions have presented Rok with its own opportunities. A slowdown in construction usually leads to increased demand for repair, maintenance and improvement services as organisations refurbish premises rather than replace or relocate.

To take advantage of this, Rok has established maintenance contracts with Hastoe Housing Association, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and Anchor Trust as well as providing continuing building support to Brighton and Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council and dozens of individual businesses in Brighton.

Its work included a £300,000 project to improve the exterior of the American Express building in Edward Street, Brighton, in August last year.

Unusually for a building firm, Rok trains and employs its own tradesmen and does not use sub-contractors.

Steve Carden, regional leader for Rok Brighton, said: "We are proud of our strong business model which makes the most of the current economic challenges that face us all and this has involved establishing a leading maintenance service to complement our building activities.

"By focusing on customers' needs and the service we provide when we build and maintain properties, we are well placed to thrive even when our sector is feeling the impact of an uncertain economic climate."

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