Directline Structures
Family-owned
construction company, Directline Structures Ltd, expanded into new
headquarters in Ashford, creating an additional 11 jobs in the
county over the next three years.
Formed in 1988, Directline Structures chose to move into the
Ashford area from Goudhurst.
The company specialises in the construction and design of steel
and timber-framed buildings, primarily for education, commercial
and industrial uses and care homes, and currently employs 18
people. Recent work in Ashford includes a new dining hall and
“Learn Direct” centre for The Towers School, and the company is
currently constructing a new workshop and MOT facility for D &
D Autos in Orbital Park.
The company was awarded a £100,000 grant as part of the
Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant scheme by
the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to help reach its
growing national market.
Managing Director Duncan Murray, and Design Manager Jon Morton,
are designing Directline’s new 15,000 sq ft building at Orbital
Park, Ashford with input from Mark Hall of Cyma Architects, another
local business. Designed with sustainability in mind, the building
will feature geo-thermal ground or air-source heating, rainwater
harvesting, an experimental green roof area to support
bio-diversity, natural ventilation and possibly a wind turbine.
Lyn Hodges, Marketing Consultant at Directline Structures said:
“The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008, and it seemed
like a good time to consolidate the business and construct our own
new building to raise our profile nationally and showcase our
abilities to potential customers.
"Our new headquarters are expected to contribute significantly
to our future growth and reinforce ‘best practice’ in terms of
design and building for a sustainable future. It will also create a
superior working environment helping us to attract and retain
professional staff.”
Duncan Murray added: “Moving to Ashford was the right thing to
do for our business. We feel we now have the right premises in the
right location, for our business.
"Our position in Ashford puts us at the heart
of local regeneration projects and Orbital Park is well served by
motorways, allowing easy access to clients regionally and
nationally.
"We will benefit directly from the rapid
connection to the M20 at J10 and the new fast rail links to London
and the continent. Plus, we are confident our position in Orbital
Park will mean the company will be able to attract more skilled
employees to support the growth of our business.”
He added: "Obviously we designed and built our
own premises, and the new building is just what we needed to
showcase the quality of our work.
"The grant made the difference between our
budget for moving and the actual cost. It was the difference
which made us decide to commit to the project. It also encouraged
us to purchase the equipment we required and to make the new
premises exactly what we wanted."
For more information visit the Directline
Structures website www.directlinestructures.co.uk or
telephone 01233 504770