Building Awards 2012 Contractor of the year (up to £300m): Thomas Vale Construction

Contractor of the year (up to £300m)

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Thomas Vale Construction

There was unanimous agreement among judges on the winner in this category, despite a high calibre of entries. They described Thomas Vale Construction as an “excellent, strong” firm with good company values, high customer care levels and an impressive approach to sustainability. The firm, which saw a 33.5% turnover increase last year, secured 75% of its work through repeat business. Among other things over the last year, Thomas Vale has delivered £38m worth of office development for Birmingham council and won a place on the new Constructing West Midlands Framework worth up to £3bn over eight years. An excellent entry and proof that medium-sized contractors can prosper in tough times. “A forward thinking company,” said the judges.

Runners up

Como

The fit-out arm of Mace has seen six years of growth and the last year has been particularly key for the business. The firm completed one of the fastest fit out programmes at Nomura’s HQ in London as well as the largest fit out scheme in the City of London in 2011 for Blackrock.

Dawnus Construction

The financials speak for themselves when it comes to evaluating this firm’s performance over the last year. It has seen a 76% rise in construction turnover to £138m, a massive 500% rise in international turnover to £60m and a 35% increase in staff numbers from 1,218 to 1,645.

GMI Construction Group

This £58m turnover construction services firm has had an excellent year with a 79% increase in construction turnover and a 380% increase in construction operating profit. The firm has an 86% repeat business rate and an exceptionally experienced team on board.

McLaren Construction

Another firm proving that strong financials are not impossible to report in tough times. McLaren saw construction turnover rocket by 75% over the last year. The group’s project pipeline looks healthy at £250m and the company has over 70% repeat business.

Shepherd Construction

With a clear strategy in mind, Shepherd Construction has used the last year to bed down its London operation. The firm is increasingly being viewed as a national player and has turned its financial position around, with operating profit up 124% over the last three years.