Coleshill-based regeneration firm Frank Haslam West Midlands has signed a £13 million contract to work on social housing projects in Walsall.
The community regeneration specialist is replacing kitchens and bathrooms, installing new heating systems to tenants’ homes and carrying out external refurbishment work as part of a major improvements programme for Walsall Housing Group.
WHG manages around 19,000 properties around the borough.
The four-year scheme that FHM was taken on for is part of a wider £350 million improvement programme which aims to bring properties beyond the Government’s Decent Homes standard by 2013.
FHM was awarded the contract after carrying out refurbishment work for WHG across Walsall, Willenhall, Bloxwich, Darlaston, Aldridge and Brownhills among others in the past six years.
The programme of works is due to start on site in early September. The contract was signed at Bentley Lane industrial estate in Walsall by FHM’s commercial director James Manifold and Fred Bell, the chair of the board at Walsall Housing Group.
Malcolm Lewis, FHM’s site manager, said: “We are delighted to have signed this contract which demonstrates how successful our working relationship has been with the Walsall Housing Group. It’s fantastic that FHM is being awarded contracts of this scale in spite of the current economic climate. This contract win demonstrates how committed the team are at FHM and how they are always willing to go the extra mile to benefit the client,” added managing director Fraser Mercer.
FHM has also recently won a string of new contracts across Staffordshire. The company, which is part of the national Keepmoat Group, is currently working on a £2.4 million extra care scheme for the over 55s at Jubilee Court, on Edison Road, Stafford, for Stafford and Rural Homes.
But it has also secured a £3.25 million scheme in Upper Belgrave Road in Normacot, Stoke on Trent, on behalf of Staffordshire Housing Association.
Other contract wins include a £2.5 million refurbishment programme with Moorlands Housing Association, a £500,000 refurbishment scheme on behalf of Midland Heart, and a £1.5 million investment programme with Staffordshire Housing Association.
Mr Mercer added: “We are delighted to win so many new major contracts in Staffordshire, and our success demonstrates that as a company, we are managing to stave off the negative affects of the economic recession.
“I think our ability to deliver work effectively and build up a strong reputation with clients is key to our success.
“We are delighted to be able to support local suppliers and subcontractors through these turbulent times and are committed to making sure the investment creates jobs and opportunities in Staffordshire. Wherever we work we try to give something back to the community and I think it’s particularly important to give young people training opportunities in the current climate.”
