Hodgson Sayers targets growth as civils division matches roofing turnover
County Durham contractor Hodgson Sayers is stepping up investment across its business after its construction and civils division grew to account for half of annual turnover, matching the company’s long-established roofing operation.
The diversified contractor, which specialises in roofing, construction and civils, metal fabrication and security products, has outlined a programme of investment in digital technology, artificial intelligence and regional expansion as it forecasts continued growth over the next three years.
Established in 1979, the business currently generates turnover of £15.4 million and operates across the education, heritage, utilities, housing and healthcare sectors, with bases in County Durham and Nottingham.
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While the company has built a strong reputation in the roofing sector, its construction and civils division has experienced the most significant growth in recent years.
Civils growth supports expansion plans
According to the business, the civils and construction operation now represents 50% of total turnover, reflecting increased activity across infrastructure and utilities projects.
John Sayers, Managing Director of Hodgson Sayers, said the company’s recent financial performance and long-term client relationships had provided confidence for further investment.
He said: “The Directors are committed to further investment in the business based partly on our financial performance in the last two years and our projections for the next three years, where we anticipate growth of 15% year-on-year.
“We can make realistic assessments on the basis that much of our work is based on strong relationships with existing clients and our participation on long-term, high-quality frameworks.
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“We have always had a very strong and capable construction and civils capability, which is focussed on the utilities sector, and it is now matching that of our roofing expertise in terms of turnover, which is very pleasing. It has been steadily growing because of the team’s ability to forge exceptional relationships with clients based on the delivery of a top-quality service.”
AI and digital investment planned
As part of its growth strategy, Hodgson Sayers is investing £100,000 in a new integrated IT platform designed to bring together finance, procurement, project management and operational functions.
The system is intended to improve reporting and provide greater visibility across business activities, supporting planning and decision-making as workloads increase.
Alongside this, the contractor has entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Teesside University to develop an artificial intelligence-driven Digital Twin platform.
The project aims to create a real-time digital model for the company’s product ranges, including security doors, frames and roofing systems, enabling automated updates throughout the design, manufacturing and construction process.
Regional recruitment to support demand
The investment programme also includes plans to expand the company’s physical footprint and workforce.
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Hodgson Sayers is looking to secure larger premises in Nottingham while recruiting additional staff across both the North East and the Midlands to support anticipated demand.
The business expects sustained activity across its core sectors over the next three years, with long-term framework agreements and established client relationships providing a pipeline of work.
The latest investment plans come as contractors across the UK construction sector increasingly focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency and workforce expansion to support growth opportunities in infrastructure, utilities and public sector projects.
