Pictured: Peter Lewis, managing director, with newly recruited Assistant Contracts Manager Ryan Broxton

Wolverhampton based construction firm IB Construction is looking forward to a prosperous New Year with an exceedingly strong order book in stark contrast to the current economic climate.

The West Midlands firm has secured a critical commercial advantage over competitors by investing in their quality systems, enabling them to continue their work with a number of key private and public sector clients, having secured the prestigious ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations.

Contracts manager Tim Lewis, who has worked for I.B. Construction for the past five years, said: "Local authority clients now require these accreditations as a prerequisite for working with them. So, for example, we're now eligible to continue to work with Shropshire Council on their framework".

Tim sees obvious commercial advantages in securing the ISO Accreditations and that is echoed by the fact that the construction company forecasts a particularly fruitful 2012. A string of high profile projects have already been pencilled in for next year and that work will be aided by the firm's £50,000 investment in new IT equipment, which will enhance the company's capability to work remotely and increase efficiency on external sites. The firm also anticipates the growth of its development arm in the New Year. I.B. Construction will embark on a number of barn conversions in Albrighton, Shropshire, representing a new venture for the established company. 

ISO 9001 indicates the quality management systems in place at the company and how they regulate the quality of their work. The international standard also assists in the continuing improvement of the business. Another internationally accepted standard, ISO 14001 relates to the company's environmental credentials and how they implement initiatives such as recycling and energy saving. Tim said: "They're industry standard accreditations and confirm the way we've been working for the past few years. They're constantly re-evaluated so every year we will have to set targets to maintain and improve the standards which we've set."

I.B. Construction has been established for over 50 years and has worked across a broad range of sectors in that time, boasting clients such as Lloyds TSB, Rolls Royce, Holiday Inn, and large brewery firms such as Mitchells and Butlers, Marston's and Greene King. The firm has established a number of long term working relationships with an array of clients over the years and, aside from ISO accreditation, has achieved a string of industry accreditations. 

The recent recruitment of a 21-year-old graduate as an assistant projects manager was further evidence of the firm's bright future. Tim added: "Despite the gloomy forecasts we've seen unprecedented levels of demand for next year, particularly from the private sector. It's certainly a positive outlook for the year ahead."