NE experts start year on a high

County Durham high level and general maintenance firm, Stone Technical Services, has started 2013 with further growth in the London and south region.

The Darlington-based company, which experienced better than predicted expansion throughout 2012, has secured new contracts working for prominent organisations.

In Shoreditch, North London, Stone’s surveying division completed a condition survey on the spire and tower of St Leonard’s Church, which dates back to the 1800s and inspired the line, “When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch,” in the nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’.

In Twickenham, South West London Stone has been carrying out concrete repairs for Thames Water at the Mogden Sewage Treatment works. The project involved extensive high level work including abseiling over the treatment works to carry out repairs on corroded steel and damaged concrete.

In the same area, following a successful project installing discreet lightning protection, Stone is carrying out conservation works at Lichfield Court in Richmond, a grade II-listed art-deco residential block.

Further south, in Brighton, Stone’s experts have carried out lightning protection installation work at Pilgrim Home- a residential care home- and, at St Hugh’s Charterhouse in Parkminster, West Sussex, Stone is completing essential maintenance and high level repairs to the Old Guest House at the closed estate monastery which is home to around 30 monks living in complete solitude.

Thanks to its reputation as one of leaders in its field in the UK, Stone Technical Services has seen continued year on year growth, despite a post-recessionary climate.

The company is one of the most highly-accredited in its sector which has helped to boost its reputation especially in the London region. The company’s London office, close to Piccadilly Circus, has seen an increasing influx of contracts following the successful completion of projects on high profile buildings such as Westminster Abbey and Selfridges on Oxford Street as well as ongoing work on the Royal Courts of Justice and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Managing director, Dave Stone, said: “London is an important growth area for our business as there are very many opportunities in that region and we have a strong reputation. As we go forward into 2013, we’re looking to increase the variety of projects we carry out so that we can increase our workforce and continue to create jobs for local people in a trade which many see as dwindling- we’re proving that this isn’t the case but we are working hard to offer diverse services which include everything from our specialist high maintenance and lightning protection to general maintenance such as gutter cleaning and joinery.”

Stone now hopes to create around five new jobs this year to add to its 30 strong workforce.

• For further information about Stone Technical Services visit www.stonetechnicalgroup.co.uk.