Who's in the news? We talk to John Ellis about how MacLellan is repositioning itself
Three years ago, 97 per cent of Redditch-based MacLellan International's work was in the automotive industry. This has dropped to just 28 per cent, as the company drives hard into facilities management.

MacLellan is one of a new breed of companies that have refocused to grab the expanding opportunities in the sector.

John Ellis, managing director at MacLellan International is positive: 'It's a fabulous sector at the moment. The Queen's Speech showed there is an opportunity for companies like us to grow.'

And it has grown. In 1999 turnover was £50m, in 2000 it was £70m, and this year the company is on target for £100m. It is aiming for a turnover of £150-£160m within the next five years.

Ellis said MacLellan's move away from the automotive sector was necessary for expansion: 'We needed to find other sectors.'

The firm's portfolio now includes retail, industry, PFI and airports. However, the auto industry is still important — MacLellan has contracts with Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Lotus and MG Rover.

Ellis said the early-on signing of a £7m pa contract with Bluewater was 'very significant'. Other big deals followed, notably with the Inland Revenue.

MacLellan was part of the Mapeley consortium that won the STEPS contract transferring ownership and management of 700 Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise buildings into the private sector. MacLellan is responsible for 330 of these — serving 40,000 staff. The seven-year, £100m contract is the company's largest.

Last month the group sold off its remaining engineering division for £5m in a further move towards establishing itself as a full-time, full-on, facilities management and integrated management company.

The company plans to focus on the UK and Portugal. Ellis sees Portugal as a growth area — especially with the infrastructure needed for Euro 2004.

The company will continue to bid for airport, retail and industrial contracts. Ellis admits it is selective — avoiding the public sector because of the uncertainty.