Builder advances in Fife and sets sights on £100m mark

AMBITIOUS BUILDING firm Advance Construction hopes opening a new base in Fife will help it take revenues above the £100 million mark for the first time.

The Blantyre-based company’s new premises in Inverkeithing will increase its workforce by 25, and comes following a pick-up in work in the east of Scotland — including involvement in the construction of as many as 5,000 new homes in Edinburgh, East Calder, Burntisland and Dunfermline.

Its diversification has also seen it take on commercial projects, including schools and infrastructure works in the capital.

Boss Seamus Shields reportedly started out in business in 1983 with just £27 in his back pocket, and now directly employs around 550 people.

The managing director said setting up shop in Fife was the logical next step for his company, and the move would enable his business to continue to grow.

“Through the continuous growth of the business over the last five years so much of our work was being done in and around the Edinburgh area, so it made sense to open premises nearby in Fife,” Mr Shields said.

“We’ve been supported by Fife Council, who made the move into additional premises easy for us.

“We see this new operation as a step forward to enable more growth as we aim to become a £100m business over the next few years.

“While other companies in our industry were pulling back and not taking any risks, we saw the recent downturn as an opportunity to invest in growth and make our business stronger.

“Prior to 2008, more than 90% of our work came through housing projects but we have since diversified and expanded the commercial side of our business.”

Most recent accounts, for the year to the end of March 2013, show Advance increased turnover to £66.6m — almost tripling revenues in four years and contributing to the firm’s win in the growth strategy of the year category at the 2013 Scottish Business Awards.

Pre-tax profits lifted by 36% to £2.1m, with directors saying they expected the

“We saw the recent downturn as an opportunity to invest in growth and make our business stronger.”

Seamus Shields

following financial year to continue the pattern.

“The directors are pleased to report that despite difficulties in the construction sector, Advance Construction has continued to achieve a good level of business growth of 15% in 2013,” they said in a report filed at Companies House.

“Business prospects remain extremely positive and the directors are continuing their policy of diversification into wider markets.”

The firm, which has attracted enhanced finance arrangements with banker RBS, also highlighted “substantial investment” in new plant and equipment and hailed a “superbly modern fleet”.

“The company remains committed to employee training and development and is building on its highly skilled workforce,” the board added.