Frank Haslam Milan plans to create 200 jobs

Nov 5 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

HOUSE builder Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) said it has bucked the slump in the ailing construction industry and unveiled plans to create up to 200 jobs over the next two years after winning a clutch of new public sector contracts.

The Sunderland firm, which is part of the Keepmoat group, has secured almost £16m worth of affordable housing work after 16 months of furious bidding, and now hopes to create 100 jobs at the firm and 100 more within its local supply chain.

The largest of the projects is an £8m contract with Housing Hartlepool to build 97 houses at Belle Vue, in addition to just under £3.5m worth of new-build and refurbishment work with Your Homes Newcastle.

It is also set to build the first council houses in the South Tyneside area for 40 years after securing work with South Tyneside Council. It will construct six houses on Sheridan Road, as well as a £1.5m project at Brancepeth Road and a £700,000 scheme on Hedgeley Road.

The firm, which employs almost 500 people, is initially looking to add 12 members of staff to its management team before recruiting operatives such as bricklayers, plumbers, joiners, electricians, plasterers and roofers as it begins work on the projects early next year.

Although the firm said that it continued to battle through a challenging market, it believes the contract wins will kickstart a major period of growth and expects its turnover to almost double from £80m to £150 by 2011.

Managing director David Mellor said: “The next six months will see a significant period of growth for us as we extend our reach to new areas and begin to deliver more new build and older people’s accommodation developments.

“These exciting projects include a mixed tenure approach with sale, shared ownership and rental homes.

“The North East has many talented construction professionals and I have every confidence that we will be able to fill these vacancies with a high calibre of staff.

“We want to give people the opportunity to find out more about FHM, speak to members of our management team and current employees to hear first hand what working for the company is like and the kind of salary and benefit packages on offer.”

The firm, which expects to hit sales of £120m by the end of its current financial year in March, is holding two recruitment events at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on November 24 and Newcastle’s St. James’ Park on November 25.

Mr Mellor said: “We expect to pick up further work from these sites which will allow us to grow further.

“The next stage in our development will be moving into environmentally friendly materials, which could include a series of refurbishment jobs within our existing housing stock.”