Member Article

Leeds tech firm reports turnover leap as home cinema demand soars

Leeds-based home technology firm Finite Solutions have announced a turnover of £2.1 million for trading in 2014.

This represents a 15% increase on 2013 for the Leeds established business which celebrates its ten year anniversary this year.

Finite is projecting a further 50% increase in 2015 to £3.2 million and is actively recruiting new consultants due to increased demand across the UK and overseas.

Simon Mathieson, director at Finite Solutions said, “This significant boost is primarily due to an increase in demand for home cinemas but also recognises the fact that homeowners are investing in future proofing their properties to increase value.

“We are securing major contracts to install security, audio visual, home cinema and lighting and in many cases to deliver all of these elements for whole house integration.”

In 2014 alone Finite has secured a £600k installation in Leicester, a £400k installation in Knaresborough, a £350k installation in York, a £225k installation in Manchester and a £225,000 installation in Leeds.

The London market is also proving particularly buoyant for Finite Solutions. It operates an office in Fulham where it has received major commissions from a number of high profile celebrities and business leaders. Business from its third office in Cheshire is also contributing to healthy trading.

Mathieson continues, “We operate in a very niche market which has certainly been impacted by poor economic conditions. The fact that we have maintained steady year on year growth is testament to our ability to deliver whole house solutions with added value.

“It makes more sense to utilise our expertise in areas such as room design, whole house cabling, security and energy efficiency which ultimately saves the client money in the long run.”

The UK residential custom home installation sector is now estimated to be worth around £1.07 billion according to CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association).

Audio visual projects still account for nearly 50% of all installations in the UK with home cinemas/media rooms taking a 21% slice and lighting control/design the second most popular at 12%.

Finite Solutions was first established by three former Leeds University students.

The company turned over £ 70k in its first year but went on to double its turnover year on year for the first 5 years with no outside investment. It now operates from offices in Yorkshire, Cheshire and London.

Earlier this year Finite re-launched its £1 million show house in Yeadon Leeds. It is currently the UK’s most technologically advanced show home which allows property developers, architects, designers – and their clients – to road test digital systems and play with high-tech kit prior to specification.

Later this year the business will launch a separate lighting retail and design business following unprecedented demand for energy efficient, architectural lighting solutions for residential and commercial clients.

The business is also increasing its presence on the contract market working with architects and designers and is proactively promoting its expertise through high street retail presence. It has successfully partnered with Bo Concept to enhance its showroom at Redbrick Mill in Yorkshire, Hart-Woods showroom in Bowden, Cheshire and Clive Christian in London.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .