The firm confirmed today that orders booked at the end of last year were up a fifth at £230m, with over 55% of this year’s turnover target already in the bag.
Despite tough trading across the M&E sector, which has seen several major players fall victim to suicidal bidding, Clarke said it was maintaining strict criteria when assessing which projects to bid for and ensure that it tender prices reflect the true cost of completion.
In a trading statement, it said: “We are pleased to report that despite pressures from clients, contractors and suppliers the group remains debt free.
The consistent focus on cash management across the group has seen net cash improve to £5.4m compared to £600,000 in the previous year.
“Whilst some cash will be used to fund the working capital requirements associated with new projects, we expect the group’s net cash position to remain positive throughout the course of the normal business cycle,” it confirmed.
New contract wins
· 1,500 Residential units across Scotland.
· 240 Blackfriars, Residential Block, London. (The commercial office development for Great Portland Estates having been previously secured).
· Ashcombe Primary School, Weston-super-Mare.
· Brindley Place, Commercial Offices, Birmingham.
· Hermitage Court, Commercial Offices, Maidstone.
· Premier Inn, Falmouth.
· The Shard Fit Out Works, London.
· University of East Anglia, Building 57, Norwich.
· Waitrose Stores at Buckhurst Hill, Cirencester, Clapham and Stirling.
· Woodlands School, Basildon.
· York Hospital Maternity Unit, York.
