Future is secured at 'oldest builders'
Mar 4 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal
THE oldest family-owned building firm in the North East believes it has secured its short-term future after landing three prestigious contracts worth over £1.5m.
Bishop Auckland-based T Manners and Sons Limited has been appointed to carry out extension and refurbishment work at three schools across the region, which it said will provide work for its 50 workers during much of 2009.
Like much of the construction industry, the firm has suffered from a shortfall in work, which has seen it lay off around 20 workers in the past six months.
The firm also said that its turnover, which usually hovers around the £15m mark, would be significantly reduced this year but that it did not expect to lay off any more workers in the short-term.
The new contracts will see it extend classrooms at St Augustine’s RC Primary School in Gateshead and refurbish existing facilities at St William’s RC Primary School in Trimdon, County Durham, and St Augustine’s RC Primary School in Darlington.
The work on the Roman Catholic Primary Schools is being funded by the education service of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
The firm is now entering its 150th year and was formed by managing director Robert Manners’ great-grandfather in 1860 and lays claim to being the oldest family- run building company in the North East.
Mr Manners, the fourth generation of his family to run the business, said: “Times are tough in the construction industry at the moment – even for a company that has been around as long as ours, so it is especially gratifying to win work with long-term clients like the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
“I hope more clients will keep faith in the skills and experience that their local building contractors can offer. That’s the way the local economy can benefit most from the Government’s investment in our schools.”
As well as its involvement with education projects, the firm is also involved in a contract to carry out work for the Ministry of Defence at Catterick Garrison, which involves alterations to living quarters.
