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£5.7m project helps to strengthen building firm
WHEN the managing director of Stamford building firm E Bowman & Sons said up to 80 per cent of 2009 turnover was already secured, it pointed to a successful business. "In the present climate, this is fantastic," said Trevor Jackson.
WHEN the managing director of Stamford building firm E Bowman & Sons said up to 80 per cent of 2009 turnover was already secured, it pointed to a successful business. "In the present climate, this is fantastic," said Trevor Jackson.When he added the 5.7 million project at Strawberry Hill "secured the future of the joiner's shop", it not only reiterated the financial position, but also indicated the "Premier League" nature of the 123-year-old company's restoration projects.
Bowman is also currently working on a major project at Chatsworth House, having successfully completed work at Apethorpe Hall, near Oundle, last year. Still viewed as a local, and family-owned, company, it is able to tender for, and win, substantial national projects.
Its work at Apethorpe Hall, a 2.6 million contract, has a proved a watershed, a turning point in catapulting the company up the league table of restoration works. It was involved in key structural work on two of the ranges – to stabilise repairs and prevent any further damage.
"Apethorpe Hall added weight to our already strong reputation – we prided ourselves in now being able to compete for major national projects," said contracts director Paul Gibbons.
Among the company's strengths include being able to offer services in-house and being competitive.
In addition, and key to securing the Strawberry Hill contract – a stipulation by partner English heritage – was the employment of apprentices or trainees. Bowman has four apprentices and is renowned for training young people.
There are between 40 and 50 people – some of whom are sub-contractors, and some staff from the Prince's Trust – working on the project at Twickenham, London, including management, bricklayers, masons, site carpenters, a conservator, and others. This represents a large chunk of the total workforce of about 80 people at Stamford, as well as 20 in Peterborough.
The directive was the "restoration and re-introduction of original features" at the Grade I Listed building. It is Bowman's biggest single contract and runs until May 2010.
Strawberry Hill is a Gothic mansion, and the former main residence of renowned 18th century literary figure Horace Walpole. It was taken over by St Mary's University College in the 1960s, and part of its status is contingent on maintaining educational aspects.
Not only Strawberry Hill, Bowman is also currently engaged on the 3 million, 18-month first phase – of a 10 million project – at Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire.
Some 15 staff are working full-time on the external repairs to the masonry and joinery of the building.
Restoration accounts for about 70 per cent of the company's work.
The balance centres on new-build houses, extensions and commercial work for the likes of the city council, NHS and various schools. This is the domain of Bowman's Peterborough office, in Lincoln Road, Werrington.Plans are afoot to integrate the two businesses and work together to make more efficient use of resources.
Such a move would signal the next key step in the company's development, one which started back in 1886.
Current chairman Peter Loft, who joined the company in 1957, is a nephew of RO Bowman, one-time owner of the family firm.
In the early days, Bowman was based in Bentley Street, before moving to the current site, in Cherry Holt Road, in 1901.
It was initially a joinery business, specialising in ecclesiastical work, such as church pews, pulpits, and the like.At the end of the Second World War, it moved to more traditional building work – including, for example, several houses in Stamford and RAF quarters at Wittering – which it has continued until this day.
Bowman also has a small works division dealing with insurance claims.
"We cater for any perils, including floods," said Mr Gibbons. "After the 2007 floods we did works on 140 houses, including some in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, which was the second highest in the country."
The company is looking for steady and controlled growth in the future, according to Mr Jackson.
"We want more of the same, including tendering for new major national projects, and consolidation," he said.
"A new board of directors in the '70s signalled a restructuring. Now, a similar scenario points the way ahead."
A way ahead which will continue to involve tendering for major national works and cement Bowman's growing reputation in the restoration field.
Profile: Trevor Jackson
MANAGING director Trevor Jackson joined E Bowman & Sons 36 years ago straight from school.
Armed with an A-Level in woodwork, Trevor initially wanted to be a school teacher. But after a day of teaching, he soon realised it was not for him.
He then joined Bowman where he started in the joiner's workshop.
Over the years, Trevor progressed through the ranks, including setting up Bowman (CAMBS) in Peterborough, 20 years ago, to what he describes as "the best job in town."
Profile: Paul Gibbons
CONTRACTS director Paul Gibbons, responsible for restoration and conservation work, started with the company in the early 1990s.
After leaving school, Paul wanted a military career, but a medical discharge made him rethink his ideas.
He joined Bowman as a trainee bricklayer mason, then left to set up on his own during which time he gained his degree in building surveying.
He rejoined the company later in the '90s to run the small works department. He was invited to join the board soon after.
Firm has its very own winning apprentice
AN APPRENTICE stonemason at Stamford builder E Bowman & Sons Ltd has won the top student prize at York College's school of construction.
The Silver Medal, which is sponsored by The York Guild of Building, was presented to Bowman's Alex Williams at a black-tie ceremony in York.
Alex, above, is pictured receiving the medal from Andrew Garland, Master of the York Guild of Building. Also attending the ceremony were the Lord Mayor of York, the SheriffofYork and 130 other guests, including Bowman managing director Trevor Jackson.
Alex has been a stonemason at Bowman, in Cherryholt Road, Stamford, for the past five years.
In addition to studying at York College, Alex has gained hands-on experience working with the Bowman stonemasonry team on high-profile restoration and conservation building projects, including Apethorpe Hall and Peterborough Cathedral.
Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) shop steward at Bowman Roger Corby said: "In the construction industry there is a massive skills shortage that is getting worse every year; so many companies fail to take on apprentices to replace the ageing workforce.
"Our apprenticeship programme is second to none and I commend the company."
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