Positive outlook for John N Dunn Group

The long-standing building services group celebrates a return to profit after significant investment

Building services group John N Dunn Group is forecasting a positive future for the business, as it continues to recover from the effects of the recession and accompanying crisis in the construction industry.

The Tyneside-based business was forced to make cutbacks during the economic downturn – during which the construction sector was particularly badly hit – which included closing its Teesside office and making a number of redundancies.

Now, John N Dunn Group – which has traded in the North East for over 100 years – is confident its painful cuts have resulted in a strong, streamlined business which is well-equipped for the future.

As well as having a ‘healthy’ forward order book, the company has returned to profit, with a turnover of £30 million, and employs around 320 people. Significant investment is being made in the company’s future, and the business currently has 39 apprentices it is committed to developing.

John N Dunn Group started life in the 19th century and has grown to become a leading building services company with offices in the North East, Scotland and Yorkshire. It delivers plumbing, heating, electrical, mechanical and renewable energy services to the construction industry and counts major housebuilders, local authorities and a host of blue chip companies among its long-standing clients.

Stephen Bilclough, chairman of John N Dunn Group, said: “The last few years have been challenging – I’d say I have learned more in the past five years than I did in the previous 25. But now, after a lot of hard work from our team, we are in really good shape. The future is looking positive for us.

“Our North East and Yorkshire offices are currently at full workload capacity, with our Scotland office not far behind, and we have a healthy order book for the year ahead. We have a five-year plan to develop and continually improve the business and are confident we are doing so from strong foundations.

“As a family-owned business, we have a strong commitment to our people and are dedicated to developing them, as well as adding to the skills base of our industry. We currently have 39 apprentices, whose training we are investing in, and have a long and proud heritage of offering opportunities to young people over many years. That is something that will continue to be a priority for the business.”

Newcastle law firm Sintons has been legal advisor to John N Dunn Group for over 50 years, and day-to-day banking for the business is handled by the Newcastle team of Allied Irish Bank (GB).

Christopher Welch, Partner in the Company and Commercial team at Sintons, said: “Over more than 100 years of trading, John N Dunn Group has amassed a well-deserved reputation for its quality of service and commitment to its people, which is one of the main reasons the business has truly stood the test of time. Sintons is proud of the long-standing relationship we have with John N Dunn Group, and look forward to continuing to support Stephen and the team in the next phase of development.”

Andrew Love, senior manager at AIB (GB) in Newcastle, said: “John N Dunn Group is a very well-known business with a strong heritage in the North East, and is a business we are very proud to have built a relationship with. We are confident John N Dunn Group is in very safe hands, with unfaltering commitment from Stephen and his fellow directors, and is well equipped for the future.”