Salford’s UDP on track for record £7m turnover

Utilities Design and Planning (UDP) is on track to mark its 21st anniversary with a record seven-figure turnover.

The Salford-based firm is due to achieve sales of £7m, but now wants to double that figure by expanding beyond its North West heartland.

UDP provides civil engineering and traffic management services, employing over 40 people at its facility in Pendleton. It is backed by private equity firm Foresight Group.

In November last year, Foresight invested £3m to support UDP’s growth strategy.

Foresight has also bolstered the firm’s senior team with the appointment of Richard Fraser as non-executive chairman and David Atherton as finance director.

David Hilton, co-founder of UDP, said: “We’re really excited about our future growth prospects, we’ve seen fantastic momentum in the last few years thanks to the development and investment in Manchester, and believe there are significant opportunities in other regions.

“Thanks to our partner Foresight we have the resources to consider bolt-on acquisitions in other geographies. We believe we will be well-placed to support further infrastructure investment as part of the Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

Speaking further David, who established UDP with his colleague Noel Gallagher, said the business is looking to hire civil engineers and has vacancies in its apprentice scheme.

UDP is working to develop its technologies by investing in new remote control traffic signal technology to keep disruption to a minimum at roadworks.