Mears' new multi-million contracts could create construction jobs
Social housing maintenance specialist Mears has announced a series of contracts that could provide a swell in construction recruitment across the country.
Mears has been awarded a series of contracts worth a combined value of £113 million, which could rise to over £200 million if the deals are extended.
The contracts relating to social housing are worth £93 million.
The work will include the maintenance and repair of properties for local authorities including Crawley, Colchester, Canterbury and Birmingham.
It's hoped that new construction jobs and housing jobs will be created in those areas.
Elsewhere Mears' mechanical and electrical division has signed contracts valued at £20 million, the bulk of which entails infrastructure and fit out services for the 2012 London Olympics’ Athletes Village.
Since unveiling record full year numbers back in March, which showed 2008 turnover up 38 per cent to £420 million, Mears has linked deals "with a potential worth in excess of £650 million", leading many to speculate that Mears has another record year in store.
Chairman Bob Holt said it's their selective tendering that has been key to the firm's success: "We commit to high levels of customer service, long-term employment opportunities for our staff and partners and operating margins at the very top end of the sectors in which we operate."
There are already signs that conditions in construction are beginning to improve, with recent official statistics indicating that building jobs grew by two per cent during the third quarter of this year, compared to the previous three months.