Conder profits soar thanks to care initiative

Giving top priority to building up its customer care programme has triggered a 13% year-on-year growth in turnover at Conder Structures,
said the group’s chief executive Gordon Ridley.

Ridley took over the reins in 2002 when turnover stood at just £13m and he has overseen a period of rapid expansion.

More importantly, Ridley has brought the group out of the red and into healthy profit.

After losing more than £1m (2002) and a further £580,000 (2003), Conder moved back into the black in the following year with a profit of £400,000 and with Ridley’s hand on the tiller, the group’s fortune has blossomed further, resulting in a £1m pre-tax profit (2005) and a further rise to £1.8m in the latest set of results.

Turnover (12 months to 31 December 2006) ran to £35m (£31m). “The 13% growth rate was deliberately planned,” said Ridley, “by looking after our customers.”

Conder’s top customer is Norwest Holst which accounted for £8m-worth of the latest turnover figure. Close behind came Fitzpatrick (turnover of £5m), Congleton-based developer Gladman (£3.5m) and Bowmer & Kirkland.

“On-site performance has risen,” said Ridley. “Also, our customer surveys, which are undertaken independently, suggest that we are getting better each year.
“In this respect, it helps to have established a clear supply chain, so that virtually everything is now single sourced. Steel, for example, all comes from Austin Trumann. It’s the same right the way through to the bolts we buy. The result is that all our suppliers want to look after us.

“Recently we undertook a distribution centre project in Fradley, near Burton-on-Trent, for client GMI.

“We installed 2,000t in just six weeks. It’s something we’re doing regularly.”

Staffing numbers barely changed during 2006, but costs jumped from £5m to £6m.

“We paid everyone a bonus,” said Ridley. “They deserved it. The bonus was offered on an individual basis and typically ran out at 10% of annual
salary.

“I should tell you that productivity has improved by miles. It was £130,000 per employee back in 2002 and the latest figure stands at £200,000.”