Residential Builders
Hampshire

Our view of the economic climate

The most frightening thing about the current situation is the suddenness of the global downturn.

The rapid tightening of borrowing requirements by banks and a general lack of consumer confidence has predominantly affected the bottom and middle market and has caused a good many of the country's housebuilders and commercial developers to lower or halt production more or less immediately. This has had a severe and sudden impact on many subcontractors and suppliers.

However, the high-end residential refurbishment market is still 'active', if not 'buoyant', with many of our architect friends maintaining substantial workloads.

As a company, we have recently been working to full capacity; the work we currently have in hand was first conceived by our clients up to two years ago and the enquiries we are currently dealing with, commonly result from property purchases that were instigated six or more months ago.

Going forward, a number of clients currently contemplating significant building projects may have been tempted to hold fire in order to take advantage of an anticipated deflationary construction market. Anticipating this, we have put together a number of "prime cost" proposals to prospective clients that allow them to take advantage of this deflationary market over the coming months while at the same time guaranteeing a maximum contract price.

We hope also that the reduction of the VAT rate to 15% (with the prospect of it rising to 18.5% or more in future years), coupled with the spectre of higher personal tax liabilities looming, will convince property owners that 2009 is a opportune time to invest in high value capital projects.

Prospective clients must be warned, however, not to put too much price pressure on struggling contractors and building professionals. Severe cost cutting is unsustainable and will lead to, at best, short cuts and claims and, at worst, company failures leaving clients high and dry. Clients tempted to accept unrealistically low prices may also find that their chosen contractor is underinsured or cannot obtain credit in these unforgiving times.

Although many potential clients are holding back on new property investment in anticipation of further house price deflation, the prime and ultra-prime brackets are proving more resilient. There will be a moment in 2009 when a back log of potential purchasers will anticipate that the market has bottomed out and will return to the market. Increasing numbers of foreign investors may also take advantage of the weak pound and historically low property prices which will help aid a recovery.

(8th December 2008)

Measures taken to limit impact of downturn

Despite the final quarter of 2008 being the busiest period in our 50 year history, the outlook for 2009 remains far from certain.

Although we have a number of large projects running through to May 2009, we need a substantial number of starts in the first few months of next year in order to keep all of our highly skilled teams intact. On the plus side, we are still experiencing a very healthy level of enquiries and we do not intend to diminish our established levels of quality and service in order to chase increasingly cut-throat tender levels.

What we are doing, is trimming costs and non-essential overheads wherever practicable in order to increase our competitiveness. Our highly experienced buying department is also key in driving down material and subcontractor costs in order to pass on these benefits to our clients.

In anticipation of a deflationary market place, a good number of our clients have chosen to work with us on a Cost Plus or Prime Cost basis, in order to take full advantage of any falling costs over the coming months.

We are also broadening our scope of work to include smaller works, ecclesiastical and National Trust projects.

(8th December 2008)

IT measures taken to improve efficiency

Much has been reported about a slump in the construction industry, and despite having a healthy order book, R.W. Armstong & Sons continue to take measures to improve efficiency and control in relation to both costs and project management.

These include investing in a new collaborative software solution to support all parts of our construction operations from estimating, surveying and buying, to contracts and site management. In addition to a whole host of beneficial system processes, the software facilitates external collaboration with project design and management teams to maximize the speed and efficiency of information flow, particularly with regard to drawing and data distribution.

As the system is web based it enables full communication with all our construction sites through broadband connection or 3G wireless, assuming security access is permitted. We expect to have the system fully implemented by the end of this year and will be hoping to see immediate improvements.

(20th October 2008)

Several training awards for Armstrong employees

Once again R.W. Armstrong and Sons has been recognised with several training awards, following winning the Company Award at the Hampshire Construction Training Association's awards in June.

Site manager Paul Corneby was presented with the HNC Achievement Award at the BCOT Awards Ceremony for the best student overall in his group studying for an HNC in Construction. At the same ceremony, bricklayer Ben Davies was presented with the JC Beale Award for Brickwork.

Armstrong's carpenters have also done well with the following attaining NVQ qualifications: Dean Smith and Shane Dowling passed Level 3, and Nathan Field, Andrew Cook, Christopher Hancock and Samuel Leaver all passed Level 2.

Finally in the office, Hannah Townson completed her AAT NVQ Level 2 qualification.

(29th August 2008)

Cricket matches with architects escape the rain

The regular summer cricket matches between R.W. Armstrong & Sons and local architects had a good run this season with only two out of the seven matches cancelled due to adverse weather.

Armstrong's won an easy victory in our first match against Robert Adams architects thanks to several runs of 25, and the demon bowling of new assistant surveyor Rob Carver. We were not so lucky with our Away match against Witcher Crawford, but went onto beat them at Home.

The Away match against Ian Adam Smith (Fine Town and Country House Commissions) was a close run contest with great batting and bowling from both teams. In all, Armstrong's won three out of the five matches played.

(20th August 2008)

Junior Schools warm up for Wimbledon

With Wimbledon just around the corner, seven junior schools in Hampshire and Berkshire sent their young tennis stars to compete for the recent R.W. Armstrong & Sons sponsored Yogi Bear Tennis Shield. Organised by Manydown Tennis Club this annual mini tennis tournament saw 28 young boys and girls of ages 6 and 7, battling for themselves and their schools in what was a competitive but enjoyable event.

The tournament was won by the talented team from Home Farm School. All the players then settled down to a well deserved and fun match tea, where the teams mixed in a very sporting manner.

The Yogi Bear Shield is the accumulation of six months of tennis coaching and matches, also sponsored by R.W. Armstrong & Sons. It ensures that each year over 1500 children in local junior schools get the best coaching and match play experience.

(20th June 2008)

New senior management structure in place

A new senior management structure has recently been put in place at R.W. Armstrong & Sons. This will ensure you continue to receive the same level of high quality service and personal attention as the company continues to grow.

Following 30 years with R.W. Armstrong & Sons, grandson of the founder Nigel Armstrong has become chairman, and long-term director Simon Lewis has been appointed managing director. Nigel will continue to be involved in strategy, with Simon managing the business as he has done successfully alongside Nigel for the last year.

Another long-serving member of the company, Stuart Pearson, has been promoted to Director from Contracts Manager with the particular remit of expanding business across Surrey and Sussex. The remainder of the senior personnel comprises of: Grace Hall, company secretary; Geoff Squibb, joinery manager; Ian White, senior construction manager; and Neil Baker, commercial manager in control of estimating and surveying. All of whom will continue to be supported by our established team of contracts and site managers, surveyors and buyers.

(28th May 2008)

Armstrong's scoops top training award

In the Hampshire Construction Training Association Recognition Awards, the company was delighted to scoop the top prize for Recognition of Achievement for a Company. It was a great achievement for us to have all our efforts in developing and training staff formally recognised.

(28th April 2008)

Fastest growing company in the Thames Valley again

In a recent report by BDO Stoy Hayward on the fastest growing UK businesses in the Thames Valley, R.W. Armstrong & Sons featured in the top 50, having previously featured in 2006 and 2004. The company achieved more than 100% growth in turnover over a five year period to qualify, and is listed alongside renowned national companies such as Axon Group, Sophos and Talbot Construction.

(25th March 2008)

New office in Haslemere, Surrey

Towards the end of last year R.W. Armstrong & Sons opened a second office in Haslemere, Surrey.  This was due to the increasing demand for our services beyond our Hampshire base, and will enable our company to offer clients and architects in Surrey and West Sussex a local and economic solution to their building needs.

Headed up by Stuart Pearson, the strong management team already in-situ includes Stuart’s assistant Ben Walpole, surveyor Adam Westbury and new QS Bob Brimfield.  New skilled craftsmen local to the area are being recruited to complement our current experienced staff.  The team at Haslemere are already working on six large contracts in the area.

(25th January 2008)

Senior Contracts Manager proves a great asset

R.W. Armstrong & Sons welcomed Ian White to the management team in July last year as Senior Contracts Manager.  In addition to managing one of our largest projects to date, Ian is assisting director Simon Lewis with contract operations.  These include the establishment of new systems and controls as we move into 2008 with a substantial number of high value projects in hand and an ever increasing demand for our unique services.

Ian was keen to join a building firm dealing with a more specialist market, following six years with civil engineering and building firm Dyer & Butler, and 10 years with the established family firm Brazier Construction.  One of his most rewarding previous projects was the completion, on time, of the 300 seat Tricycle Cinema in North London, despite a very confined site.  

(21st January 2008)

Site Manager wins CIOB Gold Medal

The R.W. Armstrong & Sons site manager, Dean Ludlow, recently won the Gold Medal for the inaugural Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Site Management Award Scheme.

Building companies were invited to nominate employees for this national competition for site managers completing the CIOB National Diploma in Site Management (Level 4), which Dean had completed this summer.  Nominees had to send in their CVs, then if selected make a formal presentation and undertake a challenging interview with Fellowship Members of the Institute.  
 
Dean joined R.W. Armstrong & Sons 12 years ago, and has been a site manager for the last seven.  Managing teams of up to 25 people at a time he particularly enjoys the challenge and pressure his job involves. 

“I was thrilled to achieve this Award.  I have only had one interview in my life when I first joined Armstrong’s, so the selection process was challenging but proved a great experience, and this is the first time I’ve won anything!,” said Dean Ludlow.

Simon Lewis, director of R.W. Armstrong & Sons, said:  “Dean is a dedicated, conscientious and key member of our team of 170 staff.  He thoroughly deserved to win this Award and we are very proud of his achievement.”

(21st November 2007)   

New joinery workshop in Farnham

The new R.W. Armstrong & Sons joinery workshop, based in Dippenhall near Farnham, is now fully up and running.  The workshop was formerly F & L Warren, a specialist company established by Fred Warren, undertaking bespoke period panelling and built-in furniture.

Although Fred has now retired we have retained six long standing, skilled and loyal employees, adding new skills to our joinery services including French polishing and lathe turning.  Our joinery department will benefit from the expertise these employees can bring, and from the increased control we have in producing in-house joinery rather than having to outsource to subcontractors.

Our current joinery manager, Geoff Squibb, will also manage this joinery workshop.  To see previous examples of the joinery made by the workshop click here.

(31st October 2007)

Extension for school

The construction of a single storey extension for a local school in a period building has recently started in liaison with Design Engine.  Whilst Armstrong's don't often have contracts with schools, the funds to build this extension were kindly donated by a long-standing client of the company who was keen for Armstrong's to undertake the project.   

(22nd October 2007)

Record number of new contracts

2007 has so far seen a record number of new projects started, several of which are multi-million pound contracts.

Well underway is a complete interior refurbishment, including an intelligent building system and ground water heating system, for a substantial Grade II listed riverside home built in the early 1900s.  Another project started earlier in the year is the significant restoration of a manor house, which includes major underpinning to the main house and extensions on both sides.

More recent contracts include an internal refurbishment to an 18th Century country house, with new oak, stone and parquet floors being laid as well as new bathrooms and kitchens installed, and a new brick and stone indoor pool with spa planned.  In addition, extensive renovations and east and west wing two-storey extensions to provide additional accommodation for a three-storey house built around 1750 has just started.   

(August 2007)

Ben Walpole returns as Assistant Contracts Manager

Ben Walpole joined R.W. Armstrong & Sons in June as Assistant Contracts Manager, having previously spent a year with us before going to university.  Ben is studying for a BSc (Hons) in Construction Management at the University of Western England in Bristol.  He is taking his 'final year' over two years so he can gain valuable work experience working with us four days a week.

(30th July 2007)

Fun evening to celebrate 50th

A fun evening was had by all the staff during our dinner and evening's racing at Newbury in June to celebrate 50 years since R.W. Armstrong & Sons was founded.  Several long serving staff were presented with watches and vouchers, with eight members of staff having been with the company for over 15 years, five for over 25 years, and one, groundworker, Gordon Lane, has been with us for 40 years.

(20th July 2007)

Wimbledon players in the making

In the run up to Wimbledon, this year’s R.W. Armstrong & Sons ‘Yogi Bear Tennis Shield’ took place at Manydown Tennis Club in Hampshire.

The day was a mixture of groundstrokes and overheads, hard work and fun, and inevitably wins and losses, as pupils from Years 1 and 2 of five local junior schools battled it out on the tennis court.

The Yogi Bear Shield is the accumulation of six months of tennis coaching and matches. Britain’s top tennis players regard it, as the most comprehensive Mini Tennis Programme in the county.  The programme, organised by Manydown Tennis and sponsored by R. W. Armstrong and Sons, ensures that each year over 1500 children in local junior schools get the best coaching and match play experience.  

This year, the fourth in the Shield’s history, saw Cheam School aiming to retain the Title. There to challenge were Thorngrove, North Waltham, The Priory and Home Farm schools. Each team had four eager children, ready to do their bit for their school.

Using a round robin format each team had to play every other school participating.  The outcome of the afternoon was decided in the final match. The Priory came through to beat Thorngrove and therefore take the Title, with North Waltham coming second and Cheam coming third. The Award ceremony was accompanied by afternoon tea and twenty smiling children, who enjoyed the tournament, win or lose.

(6th June 2007)

50th Anniversary Celebrations

Newbury Racecourse will play centre stage to not only X-factor stars Ray Quinn and Journey South, but all the staff from R.W. Armstrong & Sons this weekend.

May 2007 marks the 50th anniversary since R.W. Armstrong & Sons was founded by Roy Armstrong with just one other labourer and his wife, Vera, in their office/dining room.  Three years later his sons, Brian and Colin, finished their apprenticeships and joined him as directors in the company.    

Today the company has a directly employed workforce of over 150 led by Roy’s grandson, Nigel, a large office and joinery workshop, various multi-million pound projects on the books, and an increasing list of prestigious architects regularly supplying contracts.

Every individual within the company has contributed to the legacy of experience and high reputation in which R.W. Armstrong & Sons is held.  To thank all our staff we are holding a dinner during racing at Newbury on 9th June, which promises to be a memorable celebration of this significant milestone.  

(3rd June 2007)

Shortlisted for Builders Awards

We were recently proud to reach the shortlist of six for ‘Contractor of the Year’ at the annual Building Awards, the biggest construction industry event of the year. The extremely sought after Building Awards are all about rewarding best practice, innovation and excellence. 

(30th April 2007)

Various new contracts underway

A host of new contracts are now well underway.  These include two internal refurbishments for previous clients, including the Heineken family and a client we are returning to for the fourth time.

Also several first floor extensions are taking shape for a number of large country houses.

(13th February 2007) 

Celebrations all round

A two and half year project to undertake extensive renovations to a large 1880's listed building, and to build a significant extension replacing the demolished north service wing, was finished late last year.  The end result is a delighted client who kindly threw a 'completion party' for all the Armstrong employees who had worked on the project.

Works has now started on phase three to construct the pool pavilion and a garage, and to renovate the Gate Lodge.

(23rd January 2007)

Football Champions

The company football team, Armstrong's FC, continue to be a formidable force in the five-a-side Basingstoke Power League finishing the season as Champions of Division 1.  A fantastic achievement considering it was our first season in Division 1, and only our second season in the League.

(15th December 2006)

Happy New Year

This year saw many of Armstrong's substantial long term contracts completed successfully, and to our usual high standard.  Various new contracts have recently started and some major contracts are in the pipeline for next year.

2007 will mark 50 years since the company was founded, a significant milestone in our history.  We would like to thank all our clients for their continued support in using and recommending R.W. Armstrong & Sons, without which we would not be where we are today.

May we take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

(13th December 2006)

34th fastest growing company in the Thames Valley

In a recent report from BDO Stoy Hayward on the Thames Valley's fastest growing private, independent companies, R.W. Armstrong & Sons came 34th, having come 30th in 2004. 

In addition to having positive growth between 2004 and 2005 the survey took account of consistent growth over the previous five-year period as a whole.  Another significant achievement for the company.

(11th December 2006)

New contract to undertake a significant restoration

After being left empty for many years R.W. Armstrong & Sons is carrying out a significant restoration of a manor house in Hampshire.  Originally built in Victorian times, the house was dismantled and rebuilt in the 1940's by the owner to make the master bedroom and drawing room south facing when his wife complained at the lack of sun!

In liaison with Ian Adam-Smith Architects the works include major underpinning to the main house, extensions on both sides with piling on one end due to difficult ground conditions, replacement of windows, and restoration of many of the original features.  Internally, rooms will be reconfigured, floors reinforced, and a complete joinery fit out and decoration works undertaken.

(15th November 2006)

New Contracts Manager

R.W. Armstrong & Sons recently welcomed another contracts manager to their growing management team.

Chris Moore joined the team after 15 years with building and joinery fit out contractor, Swift Southern, where his notable projects included works at Heathrow Terminal 5, the Madjeski Academy and Broadmoor Hospital.

MCIOB qualified, Chris is looking forward to managing complete building works on prestigious homes.

(23rd October 2006)

Football team off to a flying start

The new company football team, Armstrong's FC, had a great first season. Having only got together in the spring they came second in Division 2 of the five-a-side Basingstoke Power League. Resulting in promotion to Division 1.

(July 2006)

New build of a Georgian style house

The new build of a five bedroom classic Georgian style house within a beautiful walled garden began in April. Working in liaison with architectural designer, Barry Bohill, the contract is set to take one year with works on the foundations and cellar well underway.

(22nd May 2006)

Conversion of Stables

A relatively small contract started recently for an old client, converting some stables into staff accommodation, and refurbishing a bedroom and bathroom in the main house. Landscaping including York stone paving also forms part of the contract.

(19th May 2006)

Arts & Crafts house refurbishment

A new contract to refurbish a c.1910 Arts & Crafts house is underway. A mixture of styles can be found in the property such as Tudor style oak panelling and staircase, Victorian bathrooms and Edwardian parquet flooring.

The refurbishment primarily involves building a new conservatory and orangery, and fitting a bespoke Robinson & Cornish kitchen. Landscaping includes a full re-work of the rear raised terraces.

(18th May 2006)

External refurbishment to manor house

A lightweight external refurbishment of a 17th Century manor house has recently started. Works include brick and roof repairs, and the refurbishment of traditional sliding sash windows.

(12th May 2006)

Year 2 of Cheam School takes first steps to Wimbledon glory

Members of Year 2 at Cheam School in Headley took their first steps to Wimbledon glory when winning the inaugural 2005/06 Mini Tennis League sponsored by R.W. Armstrong & Sons and run by Manydown Tennis. The team also picked up Player of the Year with Tom Loup (6 years) scoring the most points.

Other schools participating in the League were second placed North Waltham, also St Gabriels, Daneshill, Thorngrove, Priory and Oakley. Team players were selected from the school coaching programme, also sponsored by Armstrongs, during which Manydown Tennis coaches taught over 500 children.

The R.W. Armstrong & Sons tennis programme starts again from May 2006. Infant schools across Hampshire and Berkshire already signed up include Cheam, Priory, Elstree, Horris Hill, Thorngrove, Farliegh and St Gabriels.

(11th May 2006)

gartenART natural swimming pond is one element of new project

The installation of a gartenART natural swimming pond to a large country house is just one element of this recently started project. R.W. Armstrong & Sons will also be replacing the conservatory with a Marston & Langinger orangery, and building a five bay garage and oak framed gym, office and wine cellar.

In addition, various rooms in the house will be refurbished, as well as the stables to provide more accommodation.

(11th April 2006)

Restoration of period home that has been radically extended

Work is well underway to restore a c.1890 period home in liaison with Ann Boyd Design. The house had undergone various unsympathetic modern extensions and as a result R.W. Armstrong & Sons is stripping the building back to its 'bare bones'. The house will then be completely refurbished and a new single storey extension built in keeping with the period of the property.

The project has proved to be quite techinically demanding due to the discovery of internal chalk walls which need to be preserved, ensuring they do not get too dry or wet.

(6th April 2006)

New senior appointments

Two new staff members have recently been recruited to join the senior management team at R.W. Armstrong & Sons as a result of the continued growth of the company.

Neil Baker has taken on the new role of Estimator, having previously spent 15 years in a similar role for a London building contractor also specialising in the refurbishment and new build of exclusive residential properties in London. One of his most notable projects during that time was the new build of a 16 bedroom house in Highgate.

A second quantity surveyor was also recruited to the team with AdamWestbury joining on 1st March. He welcomed the new challenge having previously been a quantity surveyor for Bovis Lend Lease Pharmaceuticals. One of his current major projects is the new build of a large Georgian style house.

(31st March 2006)

Coutts 2005 Family Prize for Business nomination

R.W. Armstrong & Sons was nominated for the Coutts 2005 Prize for Family Business, and was one of only 17 companies to reach the South Regional Final.

Nominated by a professional advisor, the company was required to demonstrate best practice in areas such as family and corporate governance, business succession, business strategy and innovation, and charitable giving. This included at least three year's consecutive financial growth in pre-tax profits and successful integration of non-family executives.

Nigel Armstrong, managing director and grandson of the founder Roy Armstrong, said: "We were very proud to be nominated for such a prestigious Prize. Our aim is to capitalise on our excellent reputation and take our family business strengths such as quality and integrity as far as they will go."
(17th March 2006)

Joiner Apprentice chosen to enter competition

R.W. Armstrong & Sons' joiner apprentice, Ian Winder, has been chosen by his college, Thames Valley University, to represent them in a skill build competition at Oxford & Cherwell College on 15th March.

A second year student, Ian will have to compete with third year students to produce a piece of joinery from a drawing in five and half hours. Ian (18 years) has been with the company for nearly a year and hopes to do well in this regional section of a national competition.
(9th March 2006)

Internal refurbishment to Georgian country house

Internal refurbishment works to a late Georgian country house has recently begun. The works include alterations and refurbishment to the second floor to form a new guest suite and staff accommodation.

Lighting and decorative improvements are also being undertaken working alongside Private Lives Interiors.
(7th March 2006)

Armstrong's becomes a Chartered Building Company

R.W. Armstrong & Sons celebrated the New Year with a successful application to join the Chartered Institute of Building's Chartered Building Company Scheme (www.ciob.org.uk).

The Scheme was created to uphold professional standards of operation and conduct among member companies in the building industry.

The company had to meet the most stringent of criteria to become a Chartered Building Company. Not only did senior executives have to be highly qualified and experienced professionals but the company as a whole had to be dedicated to fostering a climate in which professionalism can flourish.
(17th January 2006)

Christmas party raises £1,000 for local hospice

St Michael's Hospice received over £1,000 as a result of money raised at the first Christmas party to be held for all staff employed at R.W. Armstrong & Sons.

Staff paid £5 each for tickets to the party, but the company backed the party so all proceeds could go to the Hospice. The total money raised was boosted by the purchase of raffle tickes and money put in charity tins.
(10th January 2006)