Construction firm toasts record turnover with top industry award

Robert Atkin - Director of Atkin Trade Specialists

A Cardiff-based construction firm has been presented with one of the industry’s leading awards, and is celebrating its success by announcing a record £10M turnover in its 82nd year.

This year the company increased its turnover by 25% from £7.5m to £9.4m, with profits rising from £276k to a forecast £395k, an increase of 43%.

Atkin Trade Specialists, based in Cardiff docks, has received a Gold Award in the Steel Frame Systems category at the annual Finishes and Interior Sector (FIS) Awards for the development of Chaucer House, CATS College; an independent day and boarding school in Canterbury, Kent.

Speaking of the award, Managing Director Robert Atkin said: “The annual FIS awards highlight exceptional levels of craftsmanship across the construction industry. Naturally, we are delighted to play our part by receiving recognition for our work on CATS College.

“The Metframe for this building incorporated many traditional features that were inspired by adjacent existing buildings. Features such as large bay windows with castellations, detailed stone-work and mansards roofs were what helped the project attract such warranted plaudits.”

Regarding the longevity and recent growth of the firm, Mr Atkin said: “My father established the business in 1934. We have grown to work on large-scale construction projects across the whole of the UK, and our 82nd year in business has proved to be a successful one; with turnover surpassing £10M and projects keeping us occupied into mid-2017. It’s a very healthy environment at present.”

Atkin Trade Specialists has evolved dramatically over recent years, with Metsec Metframe central to the business’ offering. The pre-panelised steel frame solution is used to provide the shell structure for medium rise buildings up to 11 storeys tall; and is suitable for various sectors including hotels, student accommodation, care homes and apartment blocks.

Mr Atkin continued: “We have supplied Metframe structural solutions to developments throughout the UK ranging from Cardiff to Kent, Hampshire & Dorset, London, to Devon & the Midlands. It has been a huge area of growth for us over the last 10 years.”