Next chapter for Story as it goes for growth in region

Story Contracting, which specialises in the construction, plant and rail sectors, has opened a base in Normanton in West Yorkshire as part of plans to increase its turnover and profits by expanding across the north of England.

The company, which is headquartered in Carlisle and employs 450 people in Cumbria, has agreed a long-term lease on the depot in Normanton, which will provide a base in the region for its plant and rail divisions.

Story is a principal contractor to Network Rail and the Normanton site will support a number of large rail infrastructure schemes, including those which focus on the strategic routes between London and the North East.

Twenty-five staff are already based at the Normanton depot, including engineers and plant operators.

Story expects the head count to reach 75 within the next 18 months, as professional and operational positions are created to support Network Rail and the company’s other customers.

The business also plans to invest more than £1m to expand its plant fleet at the site, which currently has capacity for 20 vehicles and machines.

This initiative follows investment of almost £4m in the wider Story fleet over the last two years.

Mike Halliday, the rail director at Story Contracting, said yesterday: “We have been building up our portfolio of rail engineering work in Yorkshire and the North East for some years and the opening of our Normanton site is an important milestone for us.

“It demonstrates a clear commitment to the region and to getting closer to our customers as we support them on key rail schemes.

“This is a major investment, both in terms of people and in the Story plant fleet.

“With our integrated service offering and collaborative approach, we are well set to capitalise on opportunities in the rail sector. We want our Normanton site to grow with us.”

Turnover at Story Contracting was £37m in the year to March 31, 2013, of which £18m was generated by the plant and rail divisions. Earlier this month, Story Contracting acquired the rail plant division of Caledonian Industrial, in a deal which expands its national footprint and support to customers.

Caledonian’s rail plant division, which is based in Edinburgh, provides track maintenance services across Scotland to Babcock, a key contractor to customers including Network Rail, Transport Scotland and First ScotRail.

The addition of the Edinburgh base doubles the size of Story’s plant fleet to more than 50 vehicles, which can be deployed anywhere from the East Midlands to the north of Scotland, offering integrated services.

Story will invest significantly in the fleet as part of its commitment to safety, and in response to concerns about plant reliability in the industry.

The company will also move the Edinburgh site to larger and more modern facilities within the city in the next year.

As part of the acquisition, 17 staff from Caledonian’s rail division have transferred to Story under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations.

The division has started to trade under the Story brand.

Story Contracting was founded more than 25 years ago and now provides building and civil engineering services, plant hire and rail infrastructure services to customers.

Story, which is headquartered in Carlisle, has invested significantly in its rail and plant divisions in recent years as part of a long-term strategy to increase its market share.

Story provides services for a range of major projects including schemes on Network Rail’s London North Eastern and London North Western routes.

Its customer list includes Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and Merseyrail.

Following the Caledonian deal, Story has sites in Carlisle, Normanton and Edinburgh.

It can provide services for projects stretching from the East Midlands to the north of Scotland.

Helping to spruce up Dales station

STORY Contracting has played a major role in helping to ensure that one of the most popular stations in the Yorkshire Dales looks its best.

Earlier this year, Network Rail began its clean up of Settle Railway Station, which attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Story Contracting helped Network Rail with the removal of scrap rail and redundant sleepers to ensure that the station’s appearance wasn’t harmed.

Story Contracting’s plant department provided a Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) and two wagons to work alongside Network Rail in order to clear a large area close to the signal box.