AN IT installation specialist is ahead of its target to turn over £10m by 2020 after winning a number of lucrative contracts with Blue Chip companies.
Houghton-le-Spring-based Advantex, has seen a recent increase in demand among companies looking to upgrade their IT infrastructure as a way of staying ahead of the competition.
Recent wins include a £250,000 contract from builder Sir Robert McAlpine to install new network infrastructures and wire systems at Nissan’s battery plant, which is being built at Washington in preparation for the production of the Nissan Leaf electric car.
The company has also won a £140,000 contract to supply and maintain a new IT system at Green Lane School, in Middlesbrough, to provide 600 pupils with improved access to the latest Microsoft computer software and email services as well as the internet.
Elsewhere, the company is working closely with UK leaders in demolition, Caterpillar, to develop a wireless infrastructure and furniture giant SCS, as they roll out their new carpet division across the country.
Advantex is in a strong position as it looks to sustain growth over the next few years with a healthy forward order book worth in excess of £7m and ongoing investment in new vehicles, equipment and staff training.
The firm is also moving to premises three times larger in Gateshead to accommodate an increased workload and a dozen employees with more appointments to follow.
Head of IT at Advantex, John Prescott said the growing order book reflected strong demand for the company’s complete offering.
He said: “We were hit hard by the recession three years ago, but last year we saw a 65% increase in turnover to just shy of £3m.
“We offer a full solution and that is why customers already on our books are looking to turn to us for all their IT requirements.
“We’ve grown our workforce from 32 to 44 this year and we’re hoping to hire six more people by the end of the year.
“We’ve simply run out of room at Houghton-le-Spring and that is why we’re moving to much larger premises in Gateshead.”
