Claremont to beat £28m sales forecast
Claremont Group Interiors, the Warrington-based fit-out specialist, said it remains on course to hit its target of £28m annual turnover, having reached £17m in the first half of the 2008/09 financial year.
In 2007/08, Claremont achieved turnover of £21m for the full year and aims to increase that by 33%.
The firm's key projects this year included law firm Weightmans' new office in Manchester at 3 Piccadilly Place and Vindon Scientific's new base at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale. Claremont delivered several major projects in Liverpool, including an ongoing refurbishment of the Royal Liver Building and the fit-out at the Port of Liverpool building for shipping giant Hapag Lloyd.
Staff numbers have risen from 80 to 90 in line with the growing order book.
Mike Gardner, managing director, said: "Undoubtedly, we have seen some reduction in the number of opportunities as some businesses either delay or defer their office moves.
"In a recession, business doesn't stop, it actually becomes more competitive, and invariably there are some winners and some losers. The vast majority of our clients are taking the long-term view, and whilst the overall budget may be under some pressure, they still see the need to continue with the investment plans that they had embarked upon.
"Spinningfields continues to attract many high-profile and professional organisations, and we have been winning our fair share of these. And we are currently working on a number of projects at the Royal Liver Building, for both Royal Liver in its own right and also for some of its tenants."
Outside the North West, the firm has started a major project for Halliwells in London, and completed another for Cable & Wireless in Bracknell worth £3m.
Gardner said: "Whilst next year will be really testing everyone's powers of fortune telling, we have already been appointed on a number of projects where occupation is planned for mid to late 2009."
