Member Article

Ancient sites and modern skills combine to boost Darlington restoration experts

Stone Technical Services (STS) has secured a number of new projects working on well-known, North East landmarks, with all of its divisions working on both ancient and new sites.

STS’s is made up of five divisions- STS RopeSpec, STS Lightning Protection, STS Restoration, STS Maintenance and Facilities Management and STS Conservation- and the new contracts are worth in the region of half a million pounds.

The business’s conservation team is currently carrying out a major project for Sustrans on the Coast to Coast at Beamish Tunnel where works include installation of bat boxes to assist with the roosting cycle, platform access to underside of tunnel and masonry replacement and consolidation, including specialist strengthening.

STS Maintenance and Facilities Management has returned to The Guildhall on Newcastle Quayside to carry out a number of repairs including a specialist clean of the ancient site using accredited masonry cleaning and the bespoke installation of environmentally-friendly and aesthetic bird netting and deterrents, while STS Restoration has recently secured a contract to complete repairs to Amble War Memorial. The War Memorial Trust has provided the funding for the project, which will include repairs to the roof, an improved drainage system and restoration of the clock.

And STS Lightning Protection is working for Gateshead Council on a number of inspections and installations at locations including high-rise flats and public buildings.

Managing director of STS, Dave Stone, said: “We’re currently working on a unique mix of heritage, industrial and lightning protection contracts which require the highest levels of technical and traditional skills. It’s very rare for a company to be able to offer this full service as we do and, as a result, this enables us to keep creating new jobs and adding to our 50-strong team. It’s also a great credit to our team that we’re working in the heart of many of our local communities to help preserve significant landmarks for future generations.”

The last 12 months have seen STS has 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. There are plans to grow the business by another 20% in the coming year and create around five new jobs.

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 .