Jobs in pipeline after Yorkshire firm scoops £1.9m African deal

South Yorkshire-based Assured Fire and Security expects to create 200 to 250 jobs over the next five years, “the lion’s share of which” will be in the Yorkshire region, as part of its vision to be “the largest independent fire and security company in the UK” by 2016.

Simon Stokes, managing director of the firm, which employs around 50 people, said there are also plans for a possible flotation on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in three to four years.

The firm, which is headquartered at Dinnington, near Sheffield, is looking to make an acquisition within Yorkshire in the next six to 12 months, and is forecast to make a minimum of five to eight acquisitions across the UK in the next five years, Mr Stokes told the Yorkshire Post. He added: “We can see there’s an opportunity to steal market share.”

The latest contract, with sugar production company Kenana, which is based in Sudan, follows recent international contracts in Ghana, Nigeria and Afghanistan. “This is an extremely important contract for us as it really places us firmly on the international market”, said Mr Stokes.

Assured Fire and Security is on a drive to increase exports, and the company has its sights set on developing African nations, such as Ghana, Libya, Nigeria and Ethiopia. It is also researching the possibility of setting up a division in South Africa so it has “a presence” on the African continent.

Sudan, the second largest country in Africa and a former British colony, has long been beset by conflict, and last autumn US President Barack Obama extended several sets of sanctions imposed since 1997 which restrict US trade and investment with Sudan.

But the country, in which China is a big investor, is rapidly expanding with the rise of oil production, and “a thirst for British expertise” exists, said Mr Stokes. Assured Fire and Security’s contract with Kenana has been “two years in the making”, he added, explaining that an export licence is needed for each component, making it a lengthy process.

Assured Fire and Security was initially approached after Kenana experienced a major control room fire in the winter of 2008, causing $100m (£62m) worth of damage, and halting production.

The contract with Kenana will see the Assured Fire and Security team supervising the installation of more than 90 fire suppression systems, fire extinguishers, hose reels and fire alarm systems at the plant as well as providing a package of fire training for Kenana staff. In addition to the main factory site, Assured Fire and Security is also providing full safety and security services at the Kenana head offices.

Mr Stokes said: “They needed a partner who could give them everything from specialised fire safety systems to fire training for their staff and we were one of the few companies that could provide a complete turn key solution in all their areas of concern. We spent six to eight months visiting the site, putting together a full tender and we are delighted that we have now been able to complete the deal.”

The work is expected to be completed by September or October this year. Project manager Simon Ormrod is overseeing the project, working with Kenana managers and teams of local workers as well as extra labour from India and the Philippines.

Turnover for Assured Fire and Security is forecast to hit £5.7m for the year to the end of August 2012 – £1.9m of which can be attributed to the Kenana contract. For the 2011 financial year, turnover stood at £2.9m with pre-tax profits of £44,000. Mr Stokes said: “We hope to get to £20m turnover in five years’ time.”

The contract with Kenana will help Assured Fire and Security “create the backbone for the investment required to create more jobs, both in South Yorkshire and across the country, helping Assured Fire and Security to move forward and develop vital new business”, said Mr Stokes.

He added: “We have an ambitious and detailed five-year plan and a contract of this scale will enable us to move to the next level, consolidating our position and preparing us for growth as we look at national acquisitions.” The business, which is owned by Mr Stokes, also hopes to expand its Leeds satellite office, as well as attract investors, who can take an equity share and offer expertise. Clients of the company include Rolls-Royce, Nissan and Landrover.

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