Geddes Windows Lands £6million Contract For 24,000 Windows

25th March 2005

Geddes Window Systems Ltd, part of the D M Geddes Group based in Halkirk, Caithness has secured a substantial contract for the supply of timber windows to Your Homes Newcastle. The organisation employs 100 workers between its factory and construction interests. The contract is worth £3m per annum initially for the next two years, providing up to 24,000 windows during the contract period. The contract is part of a government regeneration scheme to improve housing in the Newcastle Council area. Other interest is also being shown in the company's ability to provide timber door sets for similar projects and this has the potential to increase the factory business per annum by a further £1m. The project at Newcastle is government funded and has the potential to continue for a further 5 years after the initial two year period. The GWS Ltd part of the business has seen an increase in turnover of 50% in the past 12 months and forecasts a further 40% increase in the coming financial year.

Geddes has been supported in successfully tendering for the contract by the local enterprise company CASE whose representatives visited their factory premises at Halkirk. The securing of the contract and the support of the local enterprise company will help maintain the current levels of employment and also create several more jobs in the future.

Geddes realised the potential to increase its business not only by tendering for the Newcastle project but also acknowledging the recent increase in market demand for timber window and door products. Timber products manufactured from sustainable forests are recognised as more environmentally friendly and are increasingly becoming the preferred products of designers and architects. To ensure the company has the ability to meet the ever increasing demands of its clients, they have successfully achieved BS EN ISO 9001:2000 status together with the Police Federations enhanced security Secured-By-Design scheme having satisfied their annual Q-Mark audit last week. Both companies within the organisation are Investors In People accredited.

Raymond Bremner, Quality Assurance Manager said, "The company has made sure that it can keep apace with market demand and our competitors by achieving and continuing to qualify the criteria for our quality schemes. These factors were key issues in our ability to secure the contract to supply windows and doors for the Newcastle project. We are determined to become a market leader in the field and the securing of this contract helps us make our mark."

The sister company within the group, D M Geddes Construction have also recently secured contracts to the value of £1m for the replacement of windows and doors and refurbishment of council properties for the Highland Council within the Caithness county and adds to the other construction activities at Dounreay with Johnson Controls and the prestige Castle Garden Apartments development in Thurso with the anticipated opening of a show-flat in May. This development has attracted considerable interest and the project aims to be completed late summer.

Bill Falconcer, Chairman and Managing Director of D M Geddes & Sons said, "The securing of this contract for providing timber widows and doors for Newcastle Council and the supply and fit programme for Highland Council is great news for our organisation and its workers. Over the past few months we have reviewed all aspects of the organisation and the operations of the group companies. As a result we have undertaken a number of planned organisational changes including re-structuring and this has enabled us to become more competitive providing an improved service to our customers. We have a dedicated workforce and it is through their continued efforts that we are able to deliver on our commitments and react to the changing economic environment. The organisation is in a healthy position and this has enabled us to invest nearly £0.5m with the assistance of the local enterprise company to improve our facilities and further develop our business. I am very confident about the prestige Castle Garden Apartments development in Thurso with the anticipated opening of a show-flat in May. This development has attracted considerable interest and the project aims to be completed late summer.

Bill Falcocer, Chairman and Managing Director of D M Geddes & Sons said, "The securing of this contract for providing timber widows and doors for Newcastle Council and the supply and fit programme for Highland Council is great news for our organisation and its workers. Over the past few months we have reviewed all aspects of the organisation and the operations of the group companies. As a result we have undertaken a number of planned organisational changes including re-structuring and this has enabled us to become more competitive providing an improved service to our customers. We have a dedicated workforce and it is through their continued efforts that we are able to deliver on our commitments and react to the changing economic environment. The organisation is in a healthy position and this has enabled us to invest nearly £0.5m with the assistance of the local enterprise company to improve our facilities and further develop our business. I am very confident about the future."