Blackpool hi-tech builder set for '˜significant' growth

Ameon directors Robin Lawson left and Mark Court

Building services engineering company, Ameon, has acquired additional office space “to accommodate a significant increase in staff numbers” and expand its headquarters at Whitehills Business Park.

Ameon, which has charted steady growth throughout the difficult years experienced by the construction sector, has acquired the premises adjacent to its headquarters in Olympic Court, to increase its size by 50 per cent –allowing sufficient space to accommodate the new staff required to cope with a surge in business.

The company now employs around 50 in executive, management and administration functions in Blackpool and has around 200 in total, including site management and specialist personnel across the UK.

The move to Whitehills Business Park in 2009 signalled the start of phase of growth for Ameon.

However, rather than relocate, the company, now with a turnover of circa £35m, including its expanding utilities arm, decided to get the additional space, to stay in Blackpool.

Ameon managing director, Robin Lawson said: “Our consistent performance in recent years has necessitated significant recruitment here in Blackpool and, to be honest, we have been victims of our own success, because we’ve outgrown our home of a little over six years. Our order book suggested that we would need to recruit additional personnel to manage further growth, so expansion of our headquarters was essential.

“And, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to find a solution to keep us here.

“The area has been an excellent recruiting ground for us and we’ve employed some very talented people locally.”

Major contracts across the UK include sports stadia, hotels, schools, universities and health centres. It is currently working Manchester’s First Street and Embankment projects, and the city’s new speedway stadium. Its utilities company is to work on Liverpool FC’s development of Anfield stadium.

Robin Lawson added: “The addition of a utilities contract business within the group, plus expansion of our renewable technologies services, has helped us to stay at the leading edge of our sector. Our projected contracts for the next financial year already exceed £30m.”