ERMC in Newport can see that the construction industry is looking up. “There’s definitely an increase in interest and activity and we see that across all sectors of our business,” says Sarah Chatwin, Managing Director. “The industry has been tough since 2010 but the trend is upwards, particularly in the last quarter. Even then, as with any recovery, conditions are still competitive.”
ERMC is a multi-discipline practice, the largest aspect being architecture and design, supported by surveying and project management. With their new ERMC-E arm the company specialises in environmental aspects such as EPC certification and Code for Sustainable Homes. They also offer a property management service. In recent years they have invested heavily in IT and a high end design system along with staff training for the team of 18 employees.
Danny Stimson, Surveying Director, is “cautiously optimistic” for the future. “We have office bases in London, Havant, Devon and East Sussex to spread our wings, mainly in the South Coast. We’ve done a lot of work in London in the last 10 years. We value working with all clients whether on the Isle of Wight or other southern counties where we have strategic frameworks. Clients across the southern region are still watching the purse strings as they are on the Isle of Wight. There is a significant shift though, with domestic and commercial clients looking to extend or refurbish their existing properties. We’re hoping that this in conjunction with new building will help the industry to gather some momentum.”
ERMC’s clients are wide ranging, working in sectors that include housing, health, education, industry and commercial property. Projects are carried out of all sizes from small extensions to multi-unit developments for National housebuilders. On the Island the team has worked with the NHS, the IW Council and also Spectrum, Vectis and Southern Housing Groups. Around half of their business is mainland based.
Sarah Chatwin sees running the business as a bit of a balancing act. “We’ve always been able to maintain an Isle of Wight office and the size of our staff through being a service export for the Island. We’re bringing wealth to the Island economy. It’s actually very limiting being based here in terms of the bigger practice. We value the lifestyle issues for all of our staff and we value our Island clients but the cost and time associated with maintaining a head office here is very challenging and I don’t think we’re the only business that feels that way.”
For Danny Stimson the day-to-day business on the Island isn’t that different to the mainland. “There are a lot of stakeholders that need to be involved in projects, but through collaborative working with all parties approvals are generally forthcoming. There might be a few more constraints in getting approval but if it meets the brief and it meets planning policy then there shouldn’t be any more issues than in any other part of the country. We would like to see more building. The construction industry is a significant part of the economy. It’s a big employer and has a knock-on effect on other aspects of society, particularly when the housing market starts to move. New homes mean new furniture, fixtures and fittings. That leads to employment and expansion all round.”
While the national economic data for the construction industry is looking good, Sarah says the answer for the Island is to keep things local. “I’d like to think we can come out of the recovery with key local procurers looking at meaningfully beneficial strategies that will support local industry. The Isle of Wight struggles to keep a local construction industry and when large procurers such as the public sector choose to use national contractors it has a negative effect. As we’re now coming through the huge spending cuts it would be a fantastic opportunity for local commerce to think about using local services and contractors.”
First published in the May 2014 issue of Island Business magazine.
