A South Tyneside construction firm has overcome the challenges of Brexit, Covid and the haulage crisis to enjoy its best ever year.
Despite the soaring cost of materials, Tyneside Home Improvements (THI) achieved a record breaking turnover of £7million in 2021. Managing Director Kevin Kerr said: "Omicron, material shortages and high costs are just a few of the massive issues we have faced. Some items rose in price from £6 to £50.
"When the property market took off there was an increase in demand for our services which was fantastic. But it meant sourcing goods was even more difficult. Everyone in our industry was experiencing the same surge and so we were competing against firms who were able to buy in the millions as opposed to our thousands.
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"It was very difficult to get supplies. However, we managed to overcome these problems with hard work and intelligent buying. I spent long hours into the night researching the market, establishing where we could get goods at reasonable prices.
"We bought in bulk and crucially were able to keep costs down for our clients. We increased orders by 15% during the pandemic and are very proud of our success given the unprecedented challenges we had to tackle."
THI was founded 15-years ago by Kevin, starting with just one member of staff. Now, with its head office is in Jarrow, and operating across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Stockton and Teesside, it employs 45 permanent and contract staff, as well as two apprentices.
It is on track for another record breaking year after it achieved a turnover of £2million in the first quarter, with projected orders of £8million. The dilemmas the company faced were in part mitigated by the housing boom, as a reduction in the number of properties on the market led to an increase in home owners seeking to improve rather than move.
THI saw a surge in demand for garage conversions, as clients working from home sought office space. New build orangeries and conservatories became more popular as customers looked to extend their properties.
Kevin added: "We are also specialists in Supalite 'warm roofs'. We repurpose older conservatories by adding lightweight tiled roofs. This is a way of rejuvenating a disused space, and essentially adding an extra living room to a house.
"The work we carry out improves the home for the customer's enjoyment, but it can also add a lot of value when they come to sell. Our ethos is hard work, and we like to do a fantastic job for people, leaving them happy.
"We want their next door neighbours to come to us when they need work doing. Client satisfaction is what matters to us the most."
