St Helens firm constructs a bright future

A long-serving customer at our Bold Business Centre in St Helens is enjoying yet further business growth, as the repairs and maintenance firm prepares to move into the world of construction.

M&Y Maintenance and Construction was founded as a small family business in 1980, operating with just one small van and a ladder. Today the growing St Helens-based company employs around 250 staff and expects annual turnover to top £17m.

The firm recently rebranded and revamped its three business units at Bold Business Centre. And new Commercial Director, Tony Smith, is preparing to lead the company into its next venture, as it aims by 2017 to be building new homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale and to grow its turnover to £35m over the next three years.

Decades of business growth

M&Y’s Managing Director, Gill Kelly, whose father was co-founder of the company, shares the story of its business growth at the Bold Business Centre.

“We have been based at the centre for approximately 12 years and during this time have grown from around 30 members of staff to more than 250,” Gill says.

“Our first business unit was much smaller than what we have now. In fact I have memories of us meeting with operatives in the corridor as there was not enough room inside, and I would take a washing up bowl to the communal space to do the dishes as we didn’t have our own kitchen.”

As the company grew in size, it grew in space too. Around two years later M&Y rented another unit in the centre, about the size of a bedroom. This was its main store and the operatives would come in to collect their materials from there. Moving forward to 2009, M&Y secured the first of its current units.

Gill recalls:  “I remember going to look at it with my dad. The unit had been empty for a while so we got a good deal, but we were worried whether we were doing the right thing renting this unit and about the commitment of taking on a large lease – we joked that we would never fill it.”  

Acquisition brings new developments

In the same year, M&Y secured a five year repairs and maintenance contract with the Regenda Group and two years on the firm was acquired by them and took on business growth, delivering contracts across the North West.  The firm acquired the empty unit next door to cope with its expansion into different repairs and maintenance contracts across the region. This allowed staff to have privacy, as it came with the benefit of an area to hold team meetings as well as having its own kitchen and toilets.  

Most recently M&Y took on a third unit at the Bold Business Centre, and in October it completed a full refurbished all three of its units, creating an impressive head office which all the team can be proud of. Gill adds:

Since Bizspace took over the business centre several years ago, they have improved the site and invested in it.

“The landscaping, internal decoration, communal lighting and roof has had investment plus they have added in good meeting facilities and bring a more professional approach.”

Now M&Y is looking ahead to an exciting 2016, as it diversifies into construction. Gill and the team have set their sights high and the firm believes it can easily hold its own in a competitive market.

“It’s important that you don’t forget your roots. My dad’s mantra was ‘you’re only as good as your last job’ and that’s so true,” Gill continues.

“The company is expanding but the passion, drive and ethos is just the same. We aim to keep our customers happy by doing a good job first time.” 

Business units to let in St Helens

Our Bold Business centre offers a variety of business accommodation, including offices, light industrial units, studio space, workshops and storage units for rent, all available on the flexible terms that Bizspace is famous for. Spread over three buildings, it offers units of a wide range of sizes and benefits from free on site parking facilities, two meeting rooms for hire, 24-hour access, a dedicated management team and a café.

For more information contact Business Centre Manager John Howarth on 01925 220 484.