Page 165 - Articles Written by JGJ EF DPS

director, John Worthington who restructured the business into three new
divisions:

Wrekin Construction, which included civil engineering,
regeneration and design and build;

Wrekin Utilities, which involved work with water
companies, gas supplies and
telecommunications; and

Wrekin Rail

By September 2006, the Wrekin Group announced it had turned a £1.7
million loss the previous year into a £1.7 million profit.

Mr Worthington said prospects for the firm were “very encouraging” with
a workload totalling £120 million secured to March 31 2007 against a
budget of £138 million.

Further evidence that the company was back on its feet was a significant

investment in its own headquarters at Lamledge Lane, Shifnal where it
opened a new, purpose-designed and built training centre.

Company founder Tom Frain was at the official opening and said he
was proud of the new facility which would help tackle the problem of a

shortage of skilled workers in the industry.

His son, Dr Simon Frain, then chairman, said the centre would ensure
the Wrekin workforce was training to the highest standards.

But less than a month later, the company said it was being forced to cut

jobs to preserve its “long-term future”. More than 25 posts were axed,
mostly office staff at Shifnal.

By early 2007, the Frains were looking for a buyer. From a turnover of
£100m in the financial year to March 31 2007, Wrekin suffered a pre-tax

loss of £9m.