Pictured above: Alisdair and Sally Butler

East Midlands-based construction company Atlanticorp Ltd is proving that investing in people builds a strong, skilled and motivated team. 

The Nottingham business was established in 2001 as property developers - buying, refurbishing and reselling domestic properties and setting up a rental portfolio. MD Alisdair Butler says that with the subsequent changes in the market, flexibility has been their key to success. "Since the change in the economic climate and in particular the effect on the property market, we have looked at our skillset and diversified to cover most aspects of construction and maintenance. No job is too small - we can change a tap washer or build 10 houses."

Comprehensive services 

The range of services offered by the team at Atlanticorp includes landscaping, extensions and roofing, structural alterations and repairs. "We design and install bathrooms and kitchens and carry out associated works such as tiling, plumbing, electrical, flooring, plastering and decorating," adds Alisdair. "We also offer a project management service which includes full refurbishment and renovation. We also enjoy working with heritage property." 

Alisdair contacted the local Business Link service for help with staff training and development. The company is committed to skills development, recruits apprenticeships and is a member of the Federation of Master Builders so appreciates the value of skilled and motivated staff. "I wanted to discuss any other training options available to us and find out what general support we could access," explains Alisdair. "Our local Business Link adviser helped us to source a range of training providers and recently two staff have achieved NVQ Level 3 in Joinery which was fully funded." 

Gaining skills

Some new staff at Atlanticorp are also looking at training to NVQ Level 3 in Site Management to help with progression into commercial and public sector markets.

Business Link also identified a series of public procurement workshops to help Atlanticorp learn more about how to increase their chances of winning public contracts and the  tendering and bidding processes involved. In addition they are looking at taking part in the ebusiness programme as part of the work to update their internet presence. 

"Business Link has been invaluable in helping us drive the business forward and have access to a great source of information," says Alisdair. "We have already accessed lots of useful information, training and support and are now looking at how government training programmes could potentially provide funding to further increase skills." 

Expansion and development 

In 2009, Atlanticorp relocated to their new commercial premises, a move that has saved time and money with better organisation and new technology.  The diversification and skills training is also bringing positive results with the company expanding rapidly and much of the work received through recommendation. At the moment the order book is looking very healthy until next summer and enquiries have not slowed down. 

"2010 was a good year for us and the company developed rapidly during this time," adds Alisdair. "We plan to build on these achievements in 2011 and will definitely keep in regular contact with Business Link to as the company develops and opportunities present themselves."