A DUDLEY based fire product specialist has seen turnover increase by 33 per cent after securing a string of new contracts with data centres across the UK and Europe.

Bryland Fire Protection, which employs 54 people at its three locations across the country, has built a new niche for itself by supplying fire suppression systems, which protect crucial information for the MoD, major financial institutions and even online shopping channels.

Backed by expert support from the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), the company has seen turnover rise from £6.5m to £9.2m in just twelve months, with its first export orders secured and bringing in an additional £1m in revenue.

The growth has been achieved after the management team adopted a ‘Sirus Business Transformation’ process that focused on developing strategic relationships, building the brand and increasing market share in core sectors.

It has also introduced a new approach to the retention and recruitment of skilled staff, placing people at the heart of its business and the way it deals with customers.

“We’ve had a really good few years, but the last twelve months have been beyond belief…sales have just taken off,” explained Graham Turner, whose father Rowland started the business in 1966 with just two employees.

“By accessing the MGP, we were able to build an action plan on how we wanted to expand and this led to the introduction of Sirus’ David Keefe to talk to us about a transformation programme that would unlock our potential.”

He continued: “The process was nothing short of incredible. It allowed us to take a step back from day-to-day activities and look at why we are successful and where our core expertise lies. One of the outcomes was to have a concerted push on supplying solutions to data centres and that is already paying off.

“We have significant expertise in selecting the right suppression systems and designing a bespoke solution for installation, maintenance and ongoing servicing.

“In fact, we have just been named as the DCS (Data Centre Solutions) Physical Security and Fire Suppression Product of the Year 2017 for a recent project we have completed at a key confidential Data Centre in the UK.”

Bryland offers customers a variety of fire protection services, ranging from fire suppression systems and fire alarms to room integrity testing and the supply of highly sensitive smoke detectors.

It operates from an extensive facility on Pear Tree Lane in Dudley and two recently opened satellite offices in Farnborough and Colne.

In addition to new contracts to supply data centres, the company has also seen an increase in demand for its online fire training courses as a cost effective way for clients to deploy and track their fire safety and general health and safety training.

MGP’s Helen Fortune said: “Bryland has enjoyed rapid expansion over the last twelve months, but this is just the start.

"Importantly, the management team has used external advice and guidance to lay the foundations for sustainable growth going forward and the possible creation of 20 new jobs.

“It just goes to show what can be achieved from a relatively small grant and making sure the right specialist is brought in to help.”