Expanding Middlesbrough firm swift to double turnover

Jan 26 2010 By Iain Laing, The Journal

AN award-winning Middlesbrough manufacturer is aiming to double turnover after expanding its reach in the US.

Xena Systems has won a contract to supply loading platforms for a hospital project in Chicago. Although the deal is not thought to have generated large amounts of revenue for Xena, the company is hoping to win other work on the back of it.

Managing director John Fuller, who is in advanced discussions over deals on two hospital projects in Florida, said: "We are already getting calls from people who have seen what we are doing at the [Chicago] hospital."

He said Xena had a 32-strong "quote pipeline" worth £1m and is hoping to convert a significant amount into new business.

The company is expecting to generate sales of £800,000 this year - similar to last year’s figure - and double it in 2011 on the back of demand for high-rise developments on key infrastructure projects.

Xena’s LoadSwift system can be used on buildings with more than five storeys and does not need the use of tower cranes for platform installation, removal, relocation or loading materials - thereby boosting productivity on construction schemes.

The company claims the system, which is sold or rented out to construction firms, can save 80% on building fit-out times and 50% on costs.

Last year there were an estimated 15,000 high-rise developments under construction throughout the world - although the industry’s crash has slashed investment in new-build offices and hotels.

Mr Fuller, however, said the diversion of public funds to key infrastructure projects across the globe would give scope for growth at Xena.

He said: "We are seeing a shift from commercial buildings to infrastructure. In the US, they aren’t building flats; they are building hospitals."

Last year the firm won the Innovation Award at the finals of the nebusiness awards, organised by The Journal and the Evening Gazette in association with Business Link.