ANTRIM-based specialist roofing and cladding firm Thornton has reported a record financial year so far despite current Brexit uncertainty.
The company - which has worked on flagship local projects like Foyle College, the new Asian supermarket in Belfast and Lidl Magherafelt - has seen its order book grow by 50 per cent this year when measured against the previous 12 months.
Thornton Roofing’s general manager Enda McGurk says the company has experienced an increase in demand across its entire product range within the UK and Ireland, winning projects within the retail, commercial and leisure centre industries.
He added: “2018 was characterised by a lot of uncertainty around Brexit, especially within the construction industry, which is usually one of the first industries to be impacted by economic uncertainty.
"Despite this, Thornton has moved from strength to strength to develop a comprehensive order book across the UK and Ireland.
“While it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why there has been such a strong increase in demand for our roofing and cladding products, client feedback tells us that we have established a strong reputation for delivering projects to high standards at reasonable prices.
"In the current climate clients seem less willing to take risks by appointing unknown suppliers or contractors and are instead looking to those with established reputations like Thornton Roofing.”
Thornton - which has doubled the number of project-specific sub-contractors it employs across the UK and Ireland - has a strong pipeline of work going forward.
Projects it is due to complete this year include the South Lake leisure centre in Craigavon, the Brooke, Robinson and Andersonstown leisure centres in Belfast, Telford shopping centre, and the Portrush train station upgrade.
