Recruiting in China

A CONSTRUCTION ind- ustry project management specialist has got a firm foothold in the booming Chinese construction market.

Melton-based Sypro has secured a landmark contract to help build a network of substations in Hong Kong.

It has beaten international competition to supply its online project management system to China Light And Power, which is building seven electrical substations to power the massive data network needed by businesses in the region.

Now it has established an important foothold in the region, Sypro is hopeful of winning more orders from China Light And Power and the Chinese Government.

Managing director Simon Hunt said: "The deal with China Light And Power is very significant.

"We now have a foothold in the booming Chinese construction market, which bodes well for the future.

"Businesses in Hong Kong put a lot of trust in recommendation. If project A is using our software, project B is more likely to use it as are projects C, D, E and F.

"It could also help us win orders from other Government Departments."

Sypro, which was established in 2007 and includes Balfour Beatty, Mansell and Sir Robert McAlpine among its clients, is a supplier of project management software for New Engineering Contracts (NEC) – a family of contracts used in the management of construction projects in the UK.

The Sypro system has been used to project manage the A164 upgrade and the new Beverley Community Hospital, both in East Yorkshire, and the £840m Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, which is the largest healthcare building in Europe.

Mr Hunt said the business is currently in the process of having its product evaluated on one of the largest Government projects in the region – an £80m flood prevention scheme that will build an enormous storage tank under Hong Kong's Happy Valley Racecourse.

He said: "This was a competitive process where we have gone up against international businesses and won.

"The impact for the business is very positive. We are going to need to increase our headcount to make the most of this opportunity moving forward."

Mr Hunt said the China Light And Power contract was a "landmark" deal because it is the first time an NEC contract management system has been used in Hong Kong.

China Light And Power is one of the largest power companies in the Asia-Pacific region. The initial contract covers the first substation, which is costing £13m to build.

Sypro's board includes technical director and NEC consultant Dr Stuart Kings and director and investor Gerard Toplass.

The company, which is forecasting turnover of £500,000 for the year to December, is also currently working on a project to develop a generic form of Sypro which can be used on any type of project.

Mr Hunt said: "We are looking to recruit extra staff to help with administration and sales over the next few months."