A SCOTTISH property specialist is targeting growth in England and Wales following the opening of a purpose built office in Warrington.
Morris & Spottiswood chairman George Morris hopes the £2m facility will become a “nerve centre” for the fit-out, housing and maintenance operation as it aims to make its mark south of the border.
“This is a huge moment for our business,” he said. “This investment is a statement of intent and aims to catapult us further into the nationwide market for our services. Our ambition is to ramp up our sales in the north west, England and Wales to 50% of turnover from its current position of 25%.
“We think Warrington and the north west is a terrific location. There are great skills and transport infrastructure here and there is an extensive property industry supply chain. These are the building blocks of our future success combined with our extensive contacts and our well established track record.”
Morris said the move reflects the progressive ambitious outlook of the family owned Glasgow business. Founded in 1925, the early workshop serviced Glasgow’s strong industrial base and over the decades its fit-out and construction arms have grown substantially. It has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a turnover of over £84m and around 350 employees.
Morris added: “We work with some of the biggest names in banking, retail, leisure, social housing and the public sector. And it is exactly those sectors we will be targeting for more growth. ”
The opening of the new premises comes ten years after the firm’s first venture into the English market place. Reflecting on progress made over the decade, Morris pointed to work undertaken for Liverpool One, Manchester and Salford Universities, the Co-op, RBS and the Cunard Building in Liverpool as evidence of its previous success south of the border. And he remains convinced the best is yet to come.
“We know clients are out there looking for a firm that can deliver a broader range of services,” he said. “Our approach is now to offer the complete package of construction, fit-out, refurbishment, and maintenance services.”
