A Bristol-based fire and security business has won a new contract with Hinkley Point C, which is set to boost its annual turnover by 25 per cent. Astron Fire & Security, launched in 2010, is a family-run business based on Elm Tree Farm Estate in Portbury on the outskirts of the city. The firm offers fire and security services such as fire alarms, CCTV and access control to commercial and residential customers across the south west, and south Wales.
The company has now been appointed to install fire extinguishers and CCTV cameras to on-sight accommodation at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Campus that will house 500 contractors. Astron will also do the annual maintenance of the fire alarm, intruder alarm, and IP CCTV systems for the next eight years.
Astron Fire & Security has also won a similar contract at the Sedgemoor Campus in Bridgewater, which will accommodate a further 1000 contractors working at HPC from November 2018.
The firm turned to Lloyds Bank to secure a £90,000 specialist infrastructure loan, which has been designed to help small firms access supply chain opportunities and to meet larger contracts. The funds have been used to cover the wages of an extra on-site engineer, a new van to transport equipment and £20,000 worth of laptops for its engineers. The operation is set to boost Astron’s annual turnover by 25 per cent.
Greg Van Laun, director at Astron, pictured, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in a large-scale project like Hinkley Point C. Not only does this expose our engineers to large-scale, national developments, but allows us to grow our professional network. The funding has been invaluable and, in many ways, a stepping stone for us to engage in a big-name project. The team at Lloyds Bank fully understood what we were trying to achieve and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Craig Driscoll, relationship manager for SME banking in the South West, said: “Greg and the team at Astron Fire & Security have an outstanding local reputation for high quality service, and most of their referrals are purely from word of mouth. This gleaming reputation is what is winning them substantial contracts such its latest one with Hinkley Point C. We are committed to helping Britain prosper by supporting ambitious businesses like Astron Fire & Security. That’s why we have increased our net lending to start-up, SME and mid-market businesses by £2 billion, to help Britain prosper.”
Lloyds Bank announced the launch of its £100m fund to help small businesses take advantage of supply chain opportunities in the construction of EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.
