Member Article

NE high-risers rooted in industrial heritage

Stone Technical Services (STS) has seen a better-than-anticipated increase in demand for its industrial services in the first half of 2017, with a 30% rise in demand compared to this time last year.

STS originally launched in 1998 as a specialist industrial steeplejack business working on sites such as BASF and ICI on Teesside. In recent years, industrial contracts across the UK have decreased, however, since the start of 2017 STS has seen a growth in work in this sector.

STS’s specialist industrial division, RopeSpec, is working on a number of new projects across the North of England an in Scotland.

On Teesside, STS has completed the annual shutdown and maintenance of two elevated flare stacks at INEOS Nitriles at Seal Sands, as well as an annual maintenance programme at Chemoxy International’s oil refinery site in Middlesbrough.

In Scotland, STS has been working at BP Kinneil at Grangemouth inspecting the flare stacks.

Managing director of STS, Dave Stone, said: “Over the past year there’s been a slightly negative perception of the UK’s industrial sector with many believing opportunities to be dwindling. However, there are many and varied vibrant industrial operations which are enjoying a slight upturn in fortunes.

“As a result, our very specialist services are currently in high demand as we are one of only a handful of companies in the UK that are approved to carry out this type of work to ensure the best possible safety and maintenance practices.”

STS’s is made up of five divisions- STS RopeSpec, STS Lightning Protection, STS Restoration, STS Maintenance and Facilities Management and STS Conservation.

2016 saw STS experience its most successful year to date with a 20% year-on-year growth. The company has seen its turnover increase from around £2 million to over £3 million in the last 12 months and staff numbers are now approaching 50.

The company plans to grow further this year as it continues to secure high profile industrial, restoration, maintenance and steeplejacks projects for the likes of the Highland Council in Scotland, Newcastle City Council, York Museums Trust, MITIE, the National Trust, the Royal Courts of Justice and Westminster Central Hall.

STS was established by Darlington brothers, Dave and Grahame Stone, in 1998 and they now have offices in Edinburgh city centre, near Stockport in Cheshire and in central London as well as their HQ on Kellaw Road in Darlington

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison Associates .