Member Article

Protecting data leads to £2.7m order boom for Bryland Fire

A leading Dudley-based fire product specialist has seen turnover increase by 33% after securing a string of new contracts with data centres across the UK and Europe.

Bryland Fire Protection, which employs 54 people at its three locations across the country, has built a new niche for itself in supplying Fire Suppression systems that are protecting crucial information for the MoD, major financial institutions and even online shopping channels.

Backed by expert support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), the company has seen turnover rise from £6.5m to £9.2m in just twelve months, with its first export orders secured and bringing in an additional £1m in revenue.

The growth has been achieved after the management team adopted a ‘Sirus Business Transformation’ process that focused on developing strategic relationships, building the brand and increasing market share in core sectors.

It has also introduced a new approach to the retention and recruitment of skilled staff, placing people at the heart of its business and the way it deals with customers.

“We’ve had a really good few years, but the last twelve months have been beyond belief…sales have just taken off,” explained Graham Turner, whose father Rowland started the business in 1966 with just two employees.

“By accessing the MGP, we were able to build an action plan on how we wanted to expand and this led to the introduction of Sirus’ David Keefe to talk to us about a transformation programme that would unlock our potential.”

He continued: “The process was nothing short of incredible. It allowed us to take a step back from day-to-day activities and look at why we are successful and where our core expertise lies. One of the outcomes was to have a concerted push on supplying solutions to data centres and that is already paying off.

“We have significant expertise in selecting the right suppression systems and designing a bespoke solution for installation, maintenance and ongoing servicing.

“In fact, we have just been named as the DCS (Data Centre Solutions) Physical Security and Fire Suppression Product of the Year 2017 for a recent project we have completed at a key confidential Data Centre in the UK.”

Bryland offers customers the best in fire protection and services, ranging from fire suppression systems and fire alarms to room integrity testing and the supply of highly sensitive smoke detectors.

It operates from an extensive facility on Pear Tree Lane in Dudley and two recently opened satellite offices in Farnborough and Colne, providing complete nationwide coverage.

In addition to new contracts to supply data centres, the company has also seen an increase in demand for its online fire training courses as a cost effective way for clients to deploy and track their fire safety and general health and safety training.

Manufacturing Growth Programme’s Helen Fortune picked up the story: “Bryland has enjoyed rapid expansion over the last twelve months, but this is just the start. Importantly, the management team has used external advice and guidance to lay the foundations for sustainable growth going forward and the possible creation of 20 new jobs.

“It just goes to show what can be achieved from a relatively small grant and making sure the right specialist is brought in to help.”

The Manufacturing Growth Programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Economic Growth Solutions (EGS), is promising to fill the void left by the Manufacturing Advice Service (MAS) by providing access to specialist assistance to help manufacturers to grow and improve.

This will be achieved through an 18-strong network of experienced manufacturing growth managers, access to industry specialists and the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £3,500.

Support can be used for leadership and management, R&D, lean manufacturing, productivity and capacity, quality systems, and supply chain development.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .