Turnover doubled from 拢38m to 拢76.7m in that time, with operating profit rising from 拢636 000 to 拢939 000. Group turnover was 拢14m in 1998.
Chief executive Alistair Sloan was bullish about the prospects for this year. He said: "We're budgeting for 拢95m this year. And we're aiming to be the top medium-sized contractor in southern England." If it hits this target it will become one of the UK's top 75 contractors The group has a fit-out operation in London and construction offices in Reigate in Surrey, Solihull in the West Midlands and Southampton.
All four bases significantly raised turnover. Work at the London fit-out office increased from 拢10m in 1998 to 拢31m last year, while turnover at its Reigate business is expected to reach 拢40m after achieving 拢33m last year.
The Solihull office reported turnover of 拢5m, although Sloan expects this figure to rise eventually to 拢20m. The Southampton arm, established in 1999, increased turnover to 拢7m last year. Staff numbers across the group more than doubled to 214 in the 15 months to December 2000.
Sloan ruled out any immediate acquisitions in favour of start-ups to cover the geographical gaps between its Southampton and Solihull offices.
He said the group did not attract headlines because it did not go for large, high-profile jobs.
Benson's average contract size was 拢1.5m, with the biggest, the Lakeside Switch Centre at Thurrock, Essex, worth about 拢7m.
But Sloan said Benson had carved out a profitable niche by targeting smaller contracts. He said: "Our advantage is that we focus on the projects that our competitors won't. But to make a profit we have to have tight, well-controlled teams.
He added that the firm relied on repeat business 鈥� "clients for life".
Clients include P&O Nedlloyd, Deutsche Bank, Barnado's and the prison service.
