In its second full operating year, timber frame manufacturer Pace Timber Systems saw an increase of more than 270% in turnover.
In 2000 the company had a turnover of £1.9m – but last year this rose to £5.2m and a further 50% hike is expected this year.
And the Milton Keynes-based company, which specialises in the design, manufacture and erection of timber frame building across the UK, says it is about to sign a ‘significant partnering agreement’ with a leading social housing provider which will boost business in 2002 and beyond.
Co-director Jason Pritchard said Pace was working with around 20 of the UK’s leading housing associations for which it has supplied around 320 timber frame packages. He added: ‘We are also currently constructing or processing orders for a further 500 timber frame packages, purely in relation to social housing contracts.’
Increased demand for packages led Pace to expand its Milton Keynes operation at all levels during 2001. It added three new production cells to its main manufacturing site and introduced a further two to an additional 10,000ft² facility that became fully operational in the summer. Additional sawing equipment was installed in both facilities.
Pace also acquired an adjoining one acre site that is used for materials handling.
A member of the British Quality Foundation and the UK Timber Frame Association, Pace is currently evaluating some additional quality initiatives.
And managing director Phil Key said the company aimed to take the lead in health and safety issues, not only with its own employees, but across its sub-contractor base as a whole.
