Growth climbfuels merger
TWO specialist Darlington-based companies have announced their merger thanks to rapid growth and a succession of new contract wins.
Stone Technical Services and EP Services will now become one company, operating under the Stone Technical Services brand.
Stone Technical Services, founded in 1998 and managed by brothers Dave and Grahame Stone, specialises in high level maintenance, lightning conductor installation and steeplejack services.
The EP Services division focuses on restoration of churches, clock towers, spires and other historic buildings and structures.
Stone acquired EP Services in 2006 to allow the business to grow further in the heritage and conservation fields. The merger comes as Stone has clinched new contracts worth around £100,000.
These include work at St Mary’s Church in Cresswell, Northumberland, Wigton Industrial Steeplejacks in Cumbria and All Saints Church in Hessle, East Yorkshire.
Stone, which employs 18 people, now plans to create six new jobs in Darlington in the heritage restoration sector.
As well as its headquarters at Nestfield Industrial Estate in Darlington, the firm has an office in the North London suburb of Pinner. It has worked on a number of projects in the South-east, including at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and is looking to bag further contracts.
The company aims to double its turnover to £2.5m in the next 18 months.
Dave Stone said it was important the firm operate under the Stone Technical Services name.
He said: “Our name has become synonymous with the provision of excellent specialist services - and, especially from our clients’ and potential clients’ point of view, it was vital that we eliminated any confusion in our company names as we continue with our expansion on a national scale.”
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