6 July 2010

NORTH Wales civil engineering firm Jones Bros expanded by almost one quarter last year, in defiance of the recession.

Jones Bros Ruthin Co Ltd today reported turnover up 21 per cent to £46.3m in the year to 31 March 2010.  Profit before tax rose by 33 per cent to £2m.  As this total has increased to be in line with the industry’s profit average of 4 per cent of turnover, it will enable the company to invest in new plant in the coming year.

Managing director Huw Jones said: “We had another year of further solid progress, despite the economic recession and a very competitive market.

“A big area of expansion for us was the energy sector, where we worked for both renewables and conventional energy producers. 

“We’ve also benefited from continued repeat business from a number of clients.

“Jones Bros is now a UK-wide operator, as our turnover is split fairly equally among projects in Wales, England and Scotland. 

“Considering the ongoing uncertainties in the economy, we have a very healthy order book of work going forward, which will enable us to continue our expansion strategy to develop Jones Bros into a leading UK civil engineering operator.

“As part of that strategy, we’re going to be investing more in new equipment, to expand our plant fleet in the coming year.  The future is looking very positive.”
  
The company’s headcount, which stands at 265 currently, is set to expand further.  Mr Jones added:  “Virtually all of these employees live and spend their wages locally, benefiting the Welsh economy.”

The Ruthin-based business is separated into two companies, operating in civil engineering and plant hire respectively. Jones Bros Ruthin Co Ltd owns both.

Today it specialises in: highways and infrastructure construction and improvements; energy projects including renewables; construction of waste management facilities and waste remediation projects; and flood and coastal protection projects.

Jones Bros’ most significant project last year was a £19m contract to build the infrastructure for a 60-turbine wind farm in East Lothian for Fred Olsen Renewables.  Other wind farm work included completion of Carno 2, mid Wales, and commencement of Tullo wind farm near Aberdeen.

In Wales, it started the £6.8m coastal defence scheme at Tywyn, Gwynedd; and construction of an eco visitor centre at Aberthaw coal fired power station, South Wales, where is has ongoing infrastructure contracts. 

The firm also started the construction of the £35m Porthmadog bypass in a 50:50 joint venture partnership with Balfour Beatty.

Elsewhere, it also completed marine lake protection works at West Kirby, for Wirral Council, and continued its £7m two year framework to undertake key waste management work in Yorkshire, for Waste Recycling Group (WRG).

Geographically, the split of turnover was Wales 35 per cent, England 38 per cent and Scotland 27 per cent.

Other highlights during the year were:

• The opening of its first permanent regional office, in Linlithgow, Scotland
• Appointment of Huw Jones’ daughter, Ruth, as assistant commercial manager. An accountant, Ruth trained and worked with the international firm, Deloitte’s, in Manchester, before joining the family firm