Kentish Express Ashford & District
Design with a difference as firm eyes expansion
After nearly 30 years in business, the Ashford-based design and build specialist Directline Structures is gearing up for further investment and expansion.
The firm has created an innovative approach to construction – bringing together architect, engineer, project manager and contractor into one multi-disciplinary company – enables the firm to deliver the highest quality buildings while saving clients about 25% compared to the general market.
This approach to designing and building sports hall and pavilions, sixth form centres, offices, industrial units and other buildings has secured Directline Structures several awards and other could be coming their way.
Construction industry body SECBE has shortlisted the company for SME of the Year in its annual Constructing Excellence Awards in London and the South East, which aim to acknowledge innovation and best practice.
Directline Structures has impressed the judges with its commitment to staff training and development (45 hours a year per employee compared to an industry average of 12 hours), productivity driven by investment in 3D modeldeling systems, managing project costs, and collaboration with clients and suppliers.
A new generation is now on board at Directline, with Katy Barker, daughter of founder and managing director Duncan Murray, now a chartered architect and director.
The company hopes to triple turnover by 2019.
Mr Murray said: “We are fundamentally very different to our competition because we are a ‘true’ design and build company. Our rivals who are consultants don’t have the practical knowledge that we have, while other contractors don’t have the design skills or qualifications. We really do stand out from the crowd.”
Directline Structures is a finalist in the Construction Project of the Year category in the Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2017, being staged on June 22 at the Kent Event Centre.
For more information call 01233 620263, email k.barker@ directlinestructures.co.uk or visit www.directlinestructures. co.uk
‘We are fundamentally very different to our competition because we are a ‘true’ design and build company’