Simon Stokes, Managing Director of Assured Fire and Security, unveiled ambitious plans to expand the company. He aims to grow the company worth to £15 million and workforce to 200 employees over the next five years. This expansion would strengthen the company while also helping the local economy. Stokes believes that despite economic concerns, now is the ideal time for confidence, investment, and growth by taking advantage of opportunities when others are hesitant.

1. www.thestar.co.uk The Star, Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Star B U S I N E S S Monthly
Manufacturing Feature
Engineering
Assured approach
in association with
n by Robin Watson,
Managing Director of YFM
Business Development
Manager of the Manufacturing
Advisory Service – Yorkshire Line-up:
Humber (MAS) AbovearetheAssured
‘Low Carbon Build Agenda’ FireSecurityteam.
WHETHER you Picture: Steve Parkin
believe that climate
change is man-made
or not, governments
worldwide have it
high on their list of
priorities and are
setting legislation
in place to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, MAS hosted an event here
in South Yorkshire to help manufactur-
ers realise the huge business oppor-
tunities available to them in supplying
to the low carbon building industry.
Interest in the event was very strong,
attracting manufacturers across
Yorkshire Humber from industries as
diverse as contract furnishings, uPVC
window and door manufacturers, con-
crete producers, modular build, and
even fireplace manufacturers.
These businesses all have one thing
in common – they recognise a huge
gap in the UK market for more environ-
mentally efficient building products and
are gearing up to take advantage before
their competitors get in there first.
But what are they doing about it and
where are they accessing help?
Speaking at the event, Martin Watson
from the Building Research Estab-
lishment (BRE) stressed the signifi-
cance of retrofit of existing buildings,
A
over and above the importance of
“My aim is to
Thewayto
new-build. This means that, rather SSURED Fire Simon also said that the “We have achieved so much
than looking at construction per se, and Security opinions of the Assured team already but we shouldn’t rest
have a company
products that will increase the thermal has launched were important to him and this on our laurels.”
efficiency of existing buildings, such
successful
a five-year plan was the reason why he had Current Assured Fire and
as seals, windows, doors and insula-
tion will be in demand.
Forward-thinking manufacturers, that
which aims to
transform the worth £15 million involved the whole workforce
in the Company Culture and
Security customers include
The Royal Navy, Her Majes-
are already adapting their products expanding South Yorkshire
within the next Vision Day. ty’s Court Service, The Qual-
growth
and processes to meet the needs of company into the country’s “It is vital to me that every- ity Care Commission, Nissan,
half decade,”
low carbon building, shared their ex- leading fire and security spe- body should believe in what Kier, Games Workshop, River
periences at the event through a round cialist. we are trying to achieve,” he Island, Toolstation, Mencap,
table discussion. Lee Robinson, MD Just 12 months after the com- said. “This has to be some- Pickfords, Travis Perkins,
of central heating system manufac-
turer HeatElectric outlined how his
pany’s move to new headquar- Simon Stokes thing that involves everybody Warner Bros, Honda and Rolls-
ters in Dinnington, Managing at every level. Royce.
company has begun to re-engineer its but also helping the local
products to make them more energy Director Simon Stokes hosted
economy which, as a Rother-
efficient; attracting huge interest from a Company Culture and Vision
ham and South Yorkshire man, Ambitious plans:
both new and existing customers. Day for all staff during which
is extremely important to me.” SimonStokes,
Peter Dyer, Director of uPVC window he unveiled ambitious plans
and door manufacturer Dempsey Dyer for the next stage of the com-
He added that the key to suc- ofAssuredFire
highlighted some of the issues surround- pany’s growth.
cessful growth would mean andSecurity.
ing price. The purchase of timber frames, the acquisition of companies
And at the centre of that de- Picture: Dean Atkins
he argues, is still very much driven by in such important areas for
velopment will be a major ex-
cost rather than the lifetime benefit of development as London, Man-
pansion of the Assured work-
the product – which has presented his chester, Birmingham, Glasgow
company with a dilemma when develop- force.
and Newcastle.
ing lower carbon products. “My aim is to have a com-
Despite ongoing concerns
Whatever the opportunity, there will pany worth £15 million within
about the current economic
always be problems or issues, unique the next half decade,” said
to each manufacturer and its market, climate, Simon insisted that
Simon.
that need to be considered. now was the ideal time for
“At the moment we have a
YFM Business Development and confidence, investment and
team of just 45. However, to
MAS are ideally placed to explain all growth.
reach our company target we
the options and help you cover all the “I believe that in any crisis
will have to expand to a work-
angles for your business. there is always an opportu-
Why not give MAS a call and one of force of around 200.
nity,” he said. “If we take this
our environmental specialists will be “And in creating those ex-
opportunity to expand where
pleased to meet you and discuss the tra jobs we will not only be
others are not, I fully believe
issues and opportunities relevant to strengthening the company
your business. we will achieve success.”