Fire door manufacturer hits £1m-a-month landmark

Posted by on 10 May 2021

Rochdale fire door manufacturer PDS has grown turnover to £1m-a-month just two years after it was rescued from potential closure.

A 14-strong consortium bought the Littleborough facility in March 2019 from US-based door manufacturer Masonite International Corporation after fears it could close altogether.

Tim Fairley, who co-founded PDS is 2003 and is now the managing director, has overseen a remarkable turnaround of the business which has nearly doubled its workforce from 60 to 115.

In April PDS hit £1m turnover in a single month – the first time it has reached the milestone in four years.

The company also has a bulging order book of more than £3m and Mr Fairley credited the company’s investment in new technology and R&D for the transformation.

He said: “Since the buyout, we have a totally refocused and more efficient workforce, more product certification that drives specification on product in the marketplace and a broader product range on our fire door offer.

“We have secured some additional framework business and larger social refurbishment projects and our pipeline is looking extremely healthy.

“Our turnover for the year is tracking at £11.7m, which is a considerable leap from the £7.7m figure in March 2019 when we bought it back.

“Our investment into new technology and R&D are among the main reasons why we are where we are. In a market so heavily scrutinised and certificated, it’s impossible to grow without the product testing and R&D on the back of that. Increased capacity calls for significant investment in machinery.”

PDS has also signed up to the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which provides funding for employers to create job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds.

Mr Fairley said: “PDS is providing between 10-15 Kickstart opportunities over the next six months as part of our social value commitment. As a major employer in the community we recognise our role in trying to help young people get a step up on the job ladder.

                                                 

“I’m also proud of the fact that a number of our employees have signed up to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Rochdale’s Springhill Hospice. Springhill Hospice is our chosen charity partner and all employees sign up to weekly donations to the charity when they join us. Doing a charity walk is part and parcel of our yearly commitment to community fundraising.”

PDS is a specialist in the manufacture of FD30 and FD60 security fire doors, with the number indicating the minimum minutes of protection the doors must offer against fires.

The company specialise in supplying to high rise and multi occupancy buildings.