Green Hill, a rapidly expanding Newport housing contractor, is set to create another twenty jobs this year as it forecasts turnover will increase from £14m to £22m.
It follows on-going investment in staff training, equipment, technology and facilities – the latest being a £1m specialist timber frame manufacturing facility opened by Business Minister Edwina Hart today.
The investment at its head office site in Esperanto Way, Newport, was backed by £146,650 through the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund and has already created fifteen new jobs, bringing total staff numbers up to 145.
Green Hill, a privately owned Limited Company, was established in 2006 to provide a complete service primarily to Registered Social Landlords and Registered Provider Clients across South Wales and the South West.
It offers a complete turnkey service from land identification, planning, financing land acquisition, detailed design, off site manufacture and construction, through to project completion and customer care.
During a tour of the new facility that produces high quality insulated timber frame units the Minister said she was pleased Welsh Government funding support helped bring the project to fruition.
She said: “The Economic Growth Fund was created to provide fast track funding to support business growth and job creation at a time when companies have faced difficulties accessing traditional methods of finance.
“I am delighted it has supported this expansion, helping to create jobs and enable Green Hill to expand. Construction is one of our key sectors, making a significant contribution to the wider economy through its supply chain and impacts upon a wide range of businesses.
“Investments like this not only support the sector but also play an important part in delivering the homes we need here in Wales, now and in the future. This is backed by the Welsh Government’s new mortgage guarantee scheme that will help boost house building which will in turn create jobs and stimulate growth in Wales.”
Green Hill Managing Director Darran Watts said: “The funding provided helped us bridge a gap with finance for the purchase of equipment and plant, enabling us to create 15 new jobs in 2012 and potentially another 20 new jobs this year.
“We envisage the new timber Frame Facility will change the face of affordable housing delivery within South Wales. It means we can provide higher quality factory finished products that will speed up the construction process, support housing associations to deliver affordable quality homes and create long term employment opportunities.
“I am pleased to announce the investment has created new local jobs. Green Hill is committed to providing employment opportunities for our staff and trainees, apprentices and people returning to work – providing tangible benefits to the local community where we work. “
In addition to the investment in the new facility Green Hill has also invested significantly in the whole manufacturing concept, from design through to onsite construction including CAD design, computerised production line technology and training.
The company manages all aspects of development from in house design to architecture, civil and structural engineering and mechanical and electrical services.