BTS Facades and Fabrications hails potential after financial boost

A County Durham metal rainscreen maker says it is well positioned for growth after equipment investments helped deliver a financial boost.

BTS Facades and Fabrications saw turnover rise 20 per cent to £8.5 million last year.

Bosses at the Newton Aycliffe firm say its progress was aided by equipment that included a new panel bender and press.

It has also now received a £50,000 grant from the County Durham Growth Fund and appointed a technical manager, with bosses highlighting the latter as a key element to the company’s future progress.

Mark Wiper has taken on the role, with his first task being to review and retest all of the firm’s systems.

Phil Atkinson, BTS managing director, said: “Mark will initially be focused on system testing, certification and legislative compliance.

“It’s a perfect fit for our overall growth strategy, as we want our technical offering to be aligned to our other strategies, such as automation,” added Phil, pictured right.

Mark, who has three years’ experience in a similar role, and has worked in the industry for 34 years, added: “It’s exciting to be working with a new team, and BTS is a dynamic business, with significant scope for growth in a competitive market.

“The team are also investing heavily in the future in terms of assets and hardware as well as personnel, which clearly demonstrates it’s a company with a long-term future, not only for myself, but for the wider region.”

Referring to BTS’ previous equipment investment, Phil said: “Our strategy for automated equipment is paying off.

“We have the best automation in the industry, and we always research extensively into the best available machines and software.

“All of this helps our sales team go after those bigger contracts, backed by the confidence that we have the facility to service our ever-growing client base.

He added: “In the past five years, the team has grown from 34 to 55, and we’re not standing still.

“We are continually trying to improve the business and invest in more efficient machines and processes, and our goals for the next five years are more of the same; more automation, more training, more people and more growth.”

BTS’ £50,000 grant funding was secured from the County Durham Growth Fund, which was set up by Business Durham and delivery partner UMi.