Firm News

PRESS RELEASE

May 20 2010

Nuclear experts Indigo 360 aim for £7 million

Specialist construction company Indigo 360 is aiming for £7 million turnover in three years, despite the fragile state of the building industry.

Having already built sales of £3 million and workforce of 40 in difficult trading conditions, the new firm is optimistic that its specialist skills will turn conventional wisdom on its head.

Indigo 360 – run by chartered surveyor Simon Clarke – was launched in the teeth of the recession in late 2008. But its specialisms in nuclear and hazardous environments, as well as more traditional building skills, are paying dividends.

The firm is working for energy giant Magnox South as part of the decommissioning process of the Berkeley Nuclear Power Station near the Severn Crossing, and is bidding for a major project at Sizewell A in Suffolk. The firm is hopeful of other similar work as the UK’s nuclear industry undergoes radical change.

“We are experts at working in dangerous and challenging environments,” said Simon Clarke. “In particular we are experienced in working in the vicinity of nuclear plants where specialist knowledge and training is a prerequisite.”

“An accident near a nuclear power station could obviously be extremely serious and we have gone through extensive pre requirements to be allowed to do this work.”
The Cardiff-based firm is also in the running for a major project at the Sizewell A nuclear plant in Suffolk. “We are hoping that we will now be well placed to get other work on nuclear sites around the UK where plants are being shut down, or refurbishment work is being carried out,” said Mr Clarke.

Indigo 360 was launched with the help of leading South Wales independent chartered accountants BPU. Nick Toye of BPU commented: “Clearly this was not an easy time to launch a construction company, but we felt that Indigo 360 enjoyed many advantages over its rivals. It has specialist skills and the management team has a wide range of diverse, but related experience to bring to bear, as well as extensive industry connections.”

“Indeed, we have many clients in the construction sector and this is one of our specialist areas,” he added.

Indigo 360 presently employs 40 staff on several sites, including a major £1 million project in the centre of Neath where a 1960s block is being refurbished to provide new shops and offices.  Indigo 360 has also undertaken work for Lloyds TSB refurbishing two branches in Swansea and has worked for Co-Op stores in the South West of England.

“Our business plan predicts the workforce increasing twofold within the next two years,” said Mr Clarke. “At the same time we are aiming for turnover to rise from £3 million to around £7 million.

“Even despite the well documented issues facing construction, we believe this is possible because we are a flexible firm with specialist skills to offer clients.”

The management team is drawn from a variety of backgrounds to bring a broad range of experience. “We like to take a fresh approach to what has always been a traditional industry. I myself am a qualified and experienced chartered surveyor, so I have a different perspective on the industry.”

“We are confident that we have the skills in niche areas to enable us to grow and benefit from the economic recovery, when it arrives,” he added.

Press: Wales Online - Indigo 360 aims to buck trend in building industry