Summers-Inman plans expansion after profit levels double in a year

Summers-Inman is expected to double its profit for the year to April 2005. The project management and QS practice has achieved a turnover of £9m for the period, up about £750,000 on the previous year.

David Taylor, group managing director, attributed the results to “winning better quality work and taking greater control over [internal] costs”. He said the firm was working in all sectors, and on LIFT, PFI, Procure 21 and Building Schools for the Future projects. Work is split equally between public and private clients.

He said: “By several methods of measurement, we continue to outperform the big boys.”

The company was recently appointed cost consultant, project manager and planning supervisor on the two-year redevelopment of a chipboard factory in Hexham for Egger UK.

Summers-Inman has 180 staff and is looking to hire between eight and 12 more with skills in project management, quantity surveying and building surveying.

The company’s past contracts include acting as QS, PM and facilities manager on the construction of Nike’s national headquarters in Sunderland.

The business was born as a limited liability partnership when Summers and Partners merged with WC Inman & Partners in 2002. Summers, then strong in the north of the UK, acquired Inman in a bid to boost its presence in London and the south.

The firm has nine UK offices with headquarters in Newcastle. Taylor is considering opening another two offices in the regions of Manchester and Liverpool, and Bristol and Southampton.