News on 05 April 2001
A ‘new’ name may join the roster of FM providers this year. Blue collar services company Mears Group plans to become a ‘total facility management services provider’ and expects to either launch or acquire an FM company within the next three months.
Mears, which acquired M&E services contractor Haydon from Johnson Controls in 1999, announced pre-tax profits for 2000 up 80% at £2m on turnover of £70.7m, a rise of almost 50% on the previous year.
The majority of the Group's business, some £40m of turnover, is in the provision of maintenance services to the local authority, social housing and Ministry of Defence housing estate sectors under the Mears Building Contractors and Mears Building Services brands.
During 2000 the AIM listed Group has been awarded new, long-term contracts with Dover District Council, Burnley and Padiham Housing Association, Warrington Borough Council, Motability Finance, Serco, Wycombe Council and Croydon Council.The Group currently has an order book in excess of £100m.
“Mears is the largest provider of facility services to the public sector. The sector is changing with the advent of clients buying a service based upon quality rather than price,” said Chairman Robert Holt, “ The Government initiative of 'Best Value' procurement increases the opportunities for the Group as clients look to the larger and successful providers of such services to work with them on long term partnership arrangements. The outlook for our primary business has never been stronger, with contracts being let for longer periods, the normal contract length now being five years.
“The future strategy for the Group is exciting with all the existing business
areas within which the Group operates, looking to grow significantly. The strategy is to widen the range of services provided and to look to become a total facility management services provider. A recent initiative towards improving brand awareness in the facility management sector and to recruit individuals to join the Group has been successful. I hope to announce in the half-year statement that the Group has acquired and or launched a facility management company.
