Roofing entrepreneur swoops for Birtley firm creating 12 jobs

Roofing entrepreneur David Tilley has acquired Birtley-based Mitrepoint Ltd and will create up to 12 new jobs.

The deal follow’s Tilley’s sale of his former roofing business D W Tilley to national outsourcers Mitie in 2008.

Tilley has now come out of retirement to take over Mitrepoint, trading as Roofclad Systems in Birtley, following the end of restrictive covenants.

Roofclad Systems, which was established in 1978, will continue to trade under its existing name. It currently turns over £3.3 million and employs 44.

Phil Allison, currently senior contracts manager, who has worked for Roofclad for ten years, has been promoted to operations director and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.

Roofclad is currently working on major contracts in the region, including projects at Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School, the Mailings project in Ouseburn and at Freeman’s Reach in Durham City.

Mr Tilley said: “I heard about the opportunity through industry contacts and could not turn down the chance to acquire the oldest established roofing and cladding contractor in the North East.

“While Roofclad is trading strongly with some good contracts, I will be reviewing every aspect of its operations in the short to medium term. My first priority is to stabilise the business and after that, we can look at reorganisation before embarking on an expansion programme.

“I’ve been looking for the right opportunity to get involved in business again for just over a year and I’m more than ready to take on a new challenge.”

Vendor Stewart Openshaw added: “My wish was to secure the future for all my employees who have been hardworking and loyal over the years.

“David Tilley is really well known in the sector and we have watched the growth of his former business with interest. If he can deliver the same kind of business expansion opportunities at Roofclad in the future then I could not have left the company with brighter prospects.”

Tony Tomlin of Baker Tilly acted for Rooflcad’s owners. Neville Bearpark and Simon Richards of business advisers, UNW together with Will Bonas of Bond Dickinson, acted for Mr Tilley.

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