Ilkley engineering group hits the £500m sales mark

NG Bailey, the Ilkley-headquartered independent engineering, IT and facilities services group, has reported a 23% increase in sales to £500m over the past year.

For the year ending 24th February 2017, the group doubled its operating profits from £6m to £12m.

The group’s forward order book also rose by 10% to £902m, and sales across all its engineering and services divisions increased during the year.

Over the past year, the group’s projects include mechanical and electrical services at London Bridge; the MEP on the installation of one of the world’s most powerful computers, at the Met Office in Exeter; the UK’s largest commercial Passivhaus building, at the University of Leicester, and a infrastructure contract at Belfast Waterfront to equip the entertainment and conference venue with smart building connectivity.

David Hurcomb, chief executive of NG Bailey, said: “Our operating performance over the past year shows the strategy we put in place six years ago – when the construction industry was being heavily impacted by the economic downturn – was the right one. I would like to thank our great people, who have delivered this tremendous result.

“However, we cannot afford to be complacent. Each of our key divisions performed strongly over the past year, but we are operating in what is still a challenging environment for our industry, and with a backdrop of continuing political and economic uncertainty.

“As a family owned company, our independence provides us with the freedom to strategically reinvest our profits in areas that support future growth and enable us to be a sustainable business.

“Our success has been built on a platform of industry-leading expertise and exceptional customer service delivery, and that will remain our focus over the next 12 months and beyond.”

In addition, £3m a year is being invested in the training and development of its employees.

Kevin Whiteman, chairman of NG Bailey, added: “Our financial strength, with no third party borrowings and net assets of £124m, allows us to invest for growth and to support the development of our people.

“We also recognise the opportunity, as a responsible business, to positively impact all our stakeholders, including almost 3,000 employees. That is why we are committed to environmental and social sustainability in order to build a better future for us all.”