News
29/10/09 ISG Pearce Bucks the Trend with Exeter Expansion
The company’s office in Pynes Hill will focus on serving and growing ISG Pearce’s customer base in the region. Its team will provide construction services to both public and private sector clients operating in the education, commercial, retail, industrial, healthcare, defence and affordable housing sectors, dealing with projects valued from £500,000 up to £25 million.
The firm already has a number of framework agreements in place with major retailers, registered social landlords and Construction Framework Southwest, the new initiative launched by Devon County Council to deliver construction projects in excess of £1 million.
Paul Hogan, regional manager of ISG Pearce and head of the new Exeter office, commented: “Our aims are to provide our customers in this region with a locally-based preferred construction company to deliver their schemes and to become the construction firm of choice within the area. We have worked in this region for a number of years on a range of different projects from MoD schemes at Devonport and commercial and residential developments at Derriford to numerous projects for retail customers throughout Devon, West Dorset, South Somerset and Cornwall.
“The launch of our new office is all about consolidating our position, demonstrating that we are here to stay and proving our commitment to our customers in Devon and the surrounding areas by establishing a firm foundation to take our business to the next level. The office will also provide support to our local operational teams and be a local base for ISG Pearce staff, sub-contractors and suppliers.
“Living in mid Devon, it has long been my ambition to work in the region so I am thrilled to be leading the Exeter team and looking forward to developing an even stronger presence here that fully supports our customers and achieves our ambitious business goals.” he adds.
Current projects being managed by the Exeter office include a £7m scheme to extend and modernise Sainsbury’s in Truro, the construction of a new £2.8m primary school in Stockmoor between Bridgwater and Taunton, the refurbishment of a children’s centre in Taunton and a new £1.9m headquarters for the Purbeck Housing Trust in Wareham.
At a time when many in construction are suffering in the face of challenging trading conditions, the new office opening underlines ISG Pearce’s continuing success and growth.
Speaking at the launch event, Tim Jones, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council, said: ”ISG is a truly international and global £1 billion business and Pearce is a name known to many of us as a well-established construction business with a family history. We are delighted that the company has chosen Exeter for its new office and take pride in including ISG Pearce in the excellent stable of businesses based in this region.”
ISG Pearce’s Chief Executive Colin Forrest underlined the Group’s strong financial position and ambition to become a significant player in the local market. “To do so we need to earn local support through delivering great service.” he commented. “We are a people-based business and over 70 per cent of our work comes through long-term relationships. Now that we are truly a South West business with an office serving this area, we intend to work hard to build strong new relationships here.”
Guests at the evening enjoyed locally-sourced food from renowned regional caterers Dartmouth Kitchen. A raffle to win a luxury hamper of local produce raised £240 from guests, which ISG Pearce match-funded, with £500 being donated as a result to the South West charity Children’s Hospice South West.
Commenting on the launch of the new office Richard Price, regional operations director of ISG Pearce, said: “Times are tough for many in the construction industry, but we have seen turnover and profits doubling in the last four years.
“We are established as a key player in the construction industry and have built a solid reputation not just for providing exemplary high standards of construction and service but also for our ongoing commitment to sustainability and supporting the communities in which we work. We have always strived to provide the best levels of customer service and it is our collaborative and customer-focused approach to doing business which is helping us to expand despite the currently challenging trading conditions.”
He concluded: “ISG Pearce has an 85 year history in the South West and the launch of our Exeter office is a very proud occasion for us. It is testament to the strength of our business and the team of talented construction professionals we have working for us. We see this important office launch as a long term investment that will further enhance our position as a leading construction firm in the region.”
ISG Pearce, headquartered in Stoke Gifford, North Bristol, is one of the largest construction company operating across the South West and South Wales. The company specialises in retail, industrial, education, leisure, commercial, residential, affordable housing, defence and health sector projects.
