Private M&E firm posts 拢20m profit but warns of weaker performance in future

Family-owned M&E contractor NG Bailey has moved back into the black despite a 23% fall in turnover from 拢600m to 拢464m last year.

It posted a pre-tax profit of 拢19.9m in the year to 26 February 2010 compared to a loss of 拢10.8m in 2009. The positive result was due to a 拢6.7m profit on its investment portfolio and a number of projects coming to a close.

Nimble Thompson, chairman of NG Bailey, said: 鈥淎lthough the results are extremely pleasing, this level of profit is unlikely to be repeated in the near future and indeed we approach the market with caution, as the recession continues to bite.鈥�

He said the current financial year had started poorly, adding: 鈥淭he next couple of years will be more challenging and we do not expect significant sales growth.鈥�

David Hurcumb

NG Bailey鈥檚 new chief executive David Hurcomb starts next month

Despite the warning, the firm ended the year with cash and investments of 拢75m, down from 拢77.7m in 2009, which the company said would provide 鈥渢he greatest comfort鈥� to its clients and supply chain.

As a result of the tough financial climate, the company reduced its workforce by 7% to 3,136 last year.

That included chief executive Mark Andrews, who left in October 2009. His exit came two months after the company announced a 拢10.8m loss after writedowns on some of its acquisitions and a 拢6.7m loss on its investment portfolio.

According to the firm鈥檚 2009 financial report, Andrews took home 拢896,000 last year, which included a pay-off of 拢574,000 for his departure.

The firm also decided to close its final salary pension scheme due to what it called its 鈥渓ong-term volatility鈥� which was too much of a risk to allow it to continue.

Projects that completed during the year included a 拢120m deal for St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and a 拢5.5m contract for 12 nodes at Heathrow T5, structures that link departure lounges to aircraft.

In June the company announced David Hurcomb, a former executive director of contractor Carillion, as its new chief executive. He will take over from acting chief executive Chris Newton in September.

NG Bailey, which was established by Noel Grimshaw Bailey in 1921, is still owned by the Bailey family. Cal Bailey, grandson of Noel and board member, said: 鈥淪peaking on behalf of the family, I鈥檇 like to say that we are delighted with the results, but continue to operate with an air of caution, in what is a challenging environment.鈥�

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