NEWS ARCHIVE

Guide to Making room For Growth

Dec 5, 2016

Sutcliffe Construction has launched a guide to help companies increase site capacity and grow their business without moving premises. ‘Making Room for Growth’ is based on 40 years’ experience working in the industrial and commercial sectors combined with an in-depth understanding of construction solutions, costs and project management. It offers advice on site transformation, extensions, mezzanine floors and the use of roof space.

James Sutcliffe, managing director, Sutcliffe Construction, said: ”You don’t have to move to grow and we’ve helped many companies make room for growth in their current premises. Depending on the type of business, there are always options to expand if you build smart.  It’s a case of getting down to fine detail and understanding what potential your current site has.”

Moving business premises is one of the most stressful tasks SMEs and MNCs have to face. As well as the difficulties of finding a new site and removal expenses, there’s the hidden costs of losing staff, disruption to operations and changing service providers. In fact up to 75 per cent of businesses delay moving because they can’t face it, afford it or find suitable new sites.

Sutcliffe Construction has helped companies such as Fives Landis, Northern Paper Board, Advanced Components, Graphic Packaging and GGR Group find solutions that satisfy the ambitions of the business without moving. It recently completed the expansion of GGR Group’s plant in Oldham with the addition of a 530sqm extension that forms a training/storage facility. GGR Group, an award-winning national lifting products and services specialist, also contracted Sutcliffe to fabricate the steel frame, cladding and canopy trim to match the rest of its site.

Graeme Riley, chief executive of GGR Group, said: “As our business has grown, so has the demand for extra workspace and storage. We didn’t want to incur unnecessary costs and disruption to the business by relocating, so that’s why we decided to create extra facilities on-site. We are delighted with our new, purpose-built unit which not only blends in well with our main building, but has also allowed us to create a larger outdoor work space and extra parking for staff and visitors.”

James Sutcliffe added: “The project with GGR at its HQ is our first with the group and it has had a positive impact on the smooth running of what is an expanding company. The build was challenging  since the extension utilised a tight space and teams had to take account of major power cables overhead and not disrupt operations. The result is a much more effective use of the GGR site.”

If you are close to outgrowing your building’s capacity, there are alternatives. So before calling a commercial property agent, what should business owners do? “Businesses should start by thinking about what they need from a site in the short, medium and long term. Many sites can be cost-effectively remodelled and capacity increased but owners don’t realise that. That’s where we can help. We’d be happy to look at any site and provide a free survey.”