Cramlington manufacturer opens door to increasing prosperity

Posted by The Journal on Dec 17, 08 09:15 AM in News

A doorframe manufacturer expects to continue its rapid growth after a series of public-sector contracts saw it more than triple its sales in two years.

Chris Maguire, left, and father Laurence, who run doorframe manufacturer CCN Ltd

CCN Ltd, based in Cramlington, has seen its sales rocket from £300,000 to more than £1m since setting up two years ago and now expects to hit £3.4m by the end of next year.

The family-run firm, which has also managed to increase its profits from £49,000 to £85,000 since last year, bucks the trend for companies supplying to the construction trade and is planning to double its 19-strong workforce by 2010.

Such rapid growth has been helped by a number of large-scale public-sector projects, including £220,000 to supply frames to the newly developed Newcastle City Library and a £250,000 contract at the Great North Museum in Newcastle, which opens next year.

The firm, which has also just finished installation work at the new £30m Bede Academy in Blyth, has also opened a second production line and is planning to extend its 28,000sq ft factory in Admiral Business Park by a further 15,000sq ft next year as well as invest £120,000 in new equipment.

Managing director Laurence Maguire has maintained many of the clients he has secured throughout his 20 years in the building materials business, which has helped him to grow his new venture so quickly.

His previous role as chief executive of Middleton-based building materials firm HansenGroup (ok) saw him help to grow its UK turnover from around £4m to £40m during his eight years with the company.

He said: "I have been in this industry for many years and my contacts and track record have made market entry so much easier. We now have an impressive project portfolio of contract wins and a very healthy order bank.

"We are also benefiting from further Government investment in schools and hospitals."

The firm, which Mr Maguire runs with his son Christopher, said it would be concentrating its efforts on the production of reinforced door frames for use in public-sector developments and that it was not looking to move into any new markets, particularly the struggling private housing sector.

However, it has noticed an increase in the number of installation contracts it has been attracting, with developers keen to keep costs down by bringing in CCN to provide a complete service.

"We are seeing growth in a number of areas and expect to maintain this into the new year," he said.

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