ATS grows with steely determination (Western Mail 16 December 2004)

A SOUTH WALES specialist steel frame manufacturer is poised for accelerated growth next year.

The rising demand for "fast-track" building solutions in the UK construction industry is reaping dividends for Cardiff based Atkin Trade Specialists (ATS).

The firm recently completed projects for some of the UK's leading contractors, including Laing O'Rourke and Barratt. ATS's turnover hit the £5m mark last year and is on track to exceed £7m this financial year.

The firm, celebrating 70 years of trading, moved into steel frame construction in 1987 becoming one of a few exclusive distributors of Metsec steel structures.

Managing Director Robert Atkin, said, "It takes a team of around four to erect a Metsec steel frame for a medium-sized hotel structure, whereas a workforce of three times that size would be required to complete something similar in traditional brick and mortar."

Due to rising orders ATS is now pre-fabricating steel structures, which are being erected by other contractors.

Mr Atkin said, "The market for new-build housing is in decline and the trends are all towards fast-track building projects.

As a result we envisage more developers looking at steel frame construction as a way of reducing build times and finding flexible solutions for a diverse range of building projects."