Flue manufacturer to land £8m sales boost

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A1 Flue Systems is expecting to seal the deal on half a dozen projects imminently, despite the disruption within the construction sector of late.

The deals include work for a new hospital, some large-scale housing developments within the M25, and the next phase of work on an iconic London landmark.

The team at A1 Flues have reportedly been working on proposals and tenders for these projects dating back at least three years, and they are all coming to fruition at the same time.

Employing nearly 150 people at its factory in Ollerton near Newark, the company is recognised as a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of industrial chimney and exhaust.

The company is currently working on several high-level projects in London, but is subject to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). However, it points to its track record of projects across the capital’s skyline – including The Shard, The Gherkin, the Cheesegrater and the Walkie Talkie – to demonstrate the level of its expertise.

Commenting on the changing landscape within the construction industry, director, John Hamnett said: “It’s understandable, given what happened with Carillion, that suppliers and subbies to main contractors are very wary going forward.

“But given the fact that we have contracts with more than 20 of the UK’s largest construction firms, we try to spread our exposure by not having too many eggs in one basket.”

Last month, the company gave its backing to new legislation currently going through Parliament that aims to give SMEs more protection in areas such as retentions – where large contractors withhold up to 5% of payment until the job has been completed to their satisfaction.