ARCHITECTURAL practice Ryder is fighting back from a slump in business after winning nearly £4m of orders for next year.
The Newcastle firm’s managing director Mark Thompson has led a series of new strategies to revive the business after it lost school and college development work in Government spending cuts in 2009.
Ryder cut 60 of its 140 staff at the time. Now Thompson has rebuilt its business by winning a series of contracts at home and, increasingly, abroad.
At the end of this financial year, it is expected to report a rise in turnover to £6m from £5.5m last year and it has already secured over 70% of its required orders for next year.
Mr Thompson said: “We were massively affected by the property slump.
“We lost a third of our staff, but we are starting to recruit again now. We are way ahead in orders on what we would expect. We wouldn’t normally be at this stage until May.
“I am pleased, but we have to be conservative in what we expect for the next year.
“There is some sign of more manufacturing work, but I wouldn’t say there is a resurgence.
“I tend to be cautious. It is still very difficult out there.”
