Humberside construction firm Fast-Form moves to larger premises ahead of export push

Construction firm Fast-Form Systems has relocated to a 20,000 sq ft facility as it targets international expansion.

The Grimsby-based business specialises in supplying reusable, adjustable stainless steel brackets that hold boards in place for concrete pours.

The new building, at the South Humberside Industrial Estate, is a significant upgrade on Fast-Form’s previous 2,500 sq ft facility, also on the same estate.

Fast-Form has received more than £1m in backing from Finance Yorkshire’s Seedcorn fund since 2014.

Tony White, Fast-Form founder and director, said: “Our new building is a major step forward for the business. Support from Finance Yorkshire has enabled us to invest in stock and staff. We recently took delivery of a 26-tonne truck with a mounted forklift to improve our delivery and service.

“We are seeing strong growth in the UK but we want to take our products worldwide. We are already in advanced talks with companies in the US.”

This year, Fast-Form won a contract to build a two-storey sound studio for Google in London. The studio was built within a tight timeframe inside a newly-completed office block opposite St Pancras station.

Fast-Form’s modular system was chosen because the construction space had limited access. The lightweight formwork was brought in through a set of standard doors and carried through the building from the basement to be bolted together by hand.

In 2015, Fast-Form won a £200m contract with the Ministry of Defence to support the construction of three accommodation blocks on remote hilltop sites in the Falkland Islands for military personnel.

Fast-Form has also worked with Balfour Beatty to replace wooden rail sleepers with a solid concrete base and drainage channel that stop lines from flooding during heavy rain.

The company is now working directly with Transport for London on a scheme to improve tunnels and platforms on the London Underground.

Graham Davies, Finance Yorkshire investment manager, commented: “Fast-Form Systems has proved that its products are a flexible, innovative and energy efficient solution for concrete pours. We look forward to working with Tony as he rolls out his strategy for international growth.”

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