Fast-Form Systems wins £200,000 deal for army blocks on the Falklands

Fast-Form Systems has won a £200,000 contract with the Ministry of Defence to help build three soldiers’ accommodation blocks on remote hilltop sites in the Falklands.

The Grimsby-based formwork business, which has received £700,000 in backing from Finance Yorkshire since 2014, helps to reduce build times, costs and carbon use by supplying reusable, adjustable stainless steel brackets that hold boards in place.

Finance Yorkshire has supported Fast-Form Systems with investments from its Seedcorn fund, which backs early stage, innovative ventures. The funding has enabled the business to grow from two to 11 employees, and invest in marketing and stock.

Fast-Form founder and director Tony White said: “We won the MoD contract because we were able to act quickly, set up a trial and show them how simple and quick our product is to construct.

“The funding and continued support from Finance Yorkshire has enabled us to invest right across the board. As a result, we are winning contracts, hiring more people and developing new products – often bespoke solutions for clients.”

Fast-Form Systems only began trading in 2014, but Mr White is already planning for international expansion, following a recent visit to Saudi Arabia with UKTI and discussions with potential distributors in New Zealand and US.

Finance Yorkshire is supported financially by the European Union and attracts investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development.