Clugston consolidates in North with new manager

Mar 13 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

THE new boss at the North East operations of Clugston Construction plans to grow its presence in the region to help it maintain its turnover around the £20m mark.

The Lincolnshire-based firm has brought in Steve Waggett as regional manager for the North East in order to help it consolidate its position in light of the recession.

Mr Waggett has experience of delivering projects in all sectors of the industry, both at national and regional level, and joins the company at a time when it is investing in new offices in the region and undertaking a mix of local projects in retail, health, education and waste recycling.

The firm is also investing in larger offices in Monkton Business Park in Washington.

Mr Waggett is determined to grow the 38-strong workforce by seeking more work in areas such as education and health.

Although turnover for this year was expected to be slightly down, he expects the picture to improve with the help of a number of lucrative ongoing contracts.

The firm is currently putting the finishing touches to the £25m redevelopment of West Denton shopping centre in Newcastle, which has involved work on around 15 units.

It is also working on a new-build Roman Catholic church in Guisborough, North Yorkshire, worth £1.5m and is building a waste-to-energy facility in Derwenthaugh in Gateshead for Graphite Resources.

Mr Waggett said: “I was struck by the positive and ambitious attitude to the future here at Clugston Construction and while there are challenges ahead, we will meet these with enthusiasm.

“I look forward to working with existing customers and suppliers, as well as seeking new opportunities to grow the business.”

However, he is wary of growing too quickly in light of current conditions. He said: “We want to be able to give our clients the kind of quality of service they have come to expect and believe that aiming for massive growth at the moment could prove costly.”