19th Feb 2007 - New Offices for 120 Bellshill Employees

Bellshill-based GHI Contracts is starting work on a brand new facility to accommodate their expanding team of 120 staff.

The company, which specialises in the refurbishment and fit-out of commercial premises, is predicting further growth to come, with an estimated £30 million turnover by 2010 and their workforce growing to over 150. They are currently based in Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill.

GHI's growth has been particularly strong in the last three years, increasing turnover by 250 per cent, to almost £20 million and more than doubling staff levels. The introduction of Lean Management practices and a commitment to workforce development in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire have played an important role in the company's growth.

GHI Managing Director Gordon Cairns and Liz Connolly, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, broke ground at their new, three-storey 16,500 sq ft facility in Rosehall Road, Bellshill today. GHI will initially occupy one floor, while the two remaining levels will be available for lease.

GHI Managing Director Gordon Cairns highlighted the main reasons for choosing to remain in Bellshill as they grow: "We're delighted to be in a position to develop our own building and of course use our expertise to fit it out to a very high standard. This will be a city centre quality office in an out of town location.

"Bellshill has proved to be an excellent location for us - central with easy transport links. We've also been extremely fortunate to have found committed and loyal staff - in the last year we have had 100 per cent staff retention and our staff's commitment to personal and professional improvement has been invaluable to our rate of growth."

Liz Connolly, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, said: "GHI Contracts has been in Bellshill for 13 years and we are delighted they have shown this significant commitment to remaining here in the longer term.

"This is an excellent example of how Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire works closely with new and existing companies for growth and for the benefit of the local people and the area. The programmes we deliver to improve skills, efficiency and productivity are very successful and I am delighted that we have worked with GHI so successfully."

GHI has a strong track record in the fit-out and refurbishment of commercial properties for high profile clients in the financial, legal, property and public sectors. These include, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Maclay Murray and Spens, as well as Halladale Group, Hilton Hotel Aviemore, North Lanarkshire Council and The Scottish Executive.

GHI expects to complete the move to their new premises in autumn 2007.

Ends

Media contact:

Lucy Robb, Scottish Enterprise Press Office

Telephone: 0141 228 2995

Mobile: 07887 628732

Read more about GHI http://www.ghicontracts.co.uk/

Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland covering 93 per cent of the population from Grampian to the Borders. The Scottish Enterprise Network consists of Scottish Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies. Working in partnership with the private and public sectors the Network aims to build more and better businesses, to develop the skills and knowledge of Scotland's people, and to encourage innovation to make Scotland's businesses internationally competitive.