Diversification decision pays off as Zebra wins capital contracts

Zebra Steel Fabrications, based in Barnsley, expanded and re-branded earlier this year in a bid to beat the effects of the recession.

Directors, husband and wife John and Katie Murphy, founded Zebra Steel Solutions eight years ago but after some of their competitors folded due to the recession last year they decided to diversify into manufacturing as well as installation, and Zebra Steel Fabrications was formed.

The firm has since undertaken a number of high profile projects including work on the John Lewis department store at Westfield Stratford City – the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and gateway to the Olympic Park.

Zebra’s range of products include staircases, balustrade, handrails, gates, railings, balconies and canopies and it also offers a structural steel service.

A year ago, the firm was run from the couple’s home, at Darton, which they share with children Thomas, eight, and Ava, four.

Now it has moved to premises at Carlton Industrial Estate and has two employees and six sub-contractors on its team, with hopes to take on more staff.

Mrs Murphy said: “I think if we hadn’t taken the decision to diversify into manufacturing, we might have struggled to survive the recession, but now we’re handling very high-specification orders and the plan is to build on these relationships and expand further.”

She added: “We’re currently in the process of patenting a manufacturing technique which will help us to be even more competitive.”

Zebra made and installed stainless steel handrails to four staircases in the John Lewis department store as well as fitting posts and glass to its atrium – the central escalator area – and coffee bar.

It carried out the work for main contractor Wates Retail, part of the Wates Group. The store is the anchor for the Westfield development which opened in September with more than 300 shops and is expected to attract around seven million customers during the Olympics.

The company has received finance and human resources coaching from Enterprising Barnsley, which supports local companies with growth potential.

Mrs Murphy said: “Free support from Enterprising Barnsley has made all the difference by allowing us to get the new brand up and running to a professional level very quickly.”