Member News
Lynas Engineers has been successful in its bid to become one of a small number of companies appointed to the frameworks of the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO).
That means the door is now open for the business to win a slice of the contracts, totalling many millions of pounds, which are awarded every year by NEPO on behalf of the region’s 12 local authorities.
Not only are they one of the smallest companies to be selected, they have also been chosen in two categories: Highways and Transportation and Flooding, Drainage and Coastal.
Managing Director Rob Lynas, who set up the consultancy with three colleagues in 2016 after they were made redundant, said: “This is hugely important for us and was the focus of months of hard work last year. Finding out the decision was stomach-churning, just like checking your exam results.”
He added: “It’s the springboard we’ve been looking for. NEPO opens up a brand new market for us because it was difficult to get local government work before.”
Lynas Engineers already employs 12 people, including non-executive director Derek Smith who is a former Head of Highways and Transport at South Tyneside and brings his skills and contacts to an already successful team.
That combination, alongside the successful NEPO bid and a rapidly growing track record, means Lynas Engineers is confident of reaching this year’s turnover target of £1.1 million and a doubling of revenue and staff by 2026.
Even though the company has been trading for less than seven years they have already secured a number of high-profile contracts. These have included the design of the innovative “throughabout” to improve the A66/A171 Cargo Fleet Junction. They are currently working on a new roundabout and mile-long link road at Teesside International Airport and a major contract on a motorway in Scunthorpe is about to get underway also.
Increasingly, as a small and flexible company, they have been looking at new and green ideas to solve old problems. They used a sustainable product called Hydrorock to tackle a major flooding problem on a busy road in South Tyneside and – on behalf of Northumberland County Council – and are working on a project to install solar canopies and 100 electric vehicle charging points at County Hall in Morpeth.
As well as requiring evidence showing the ability to deliver a high standard of work at a competitive price, NEPO also took into consideration the social value delivered by the companies competing for places on its frameworks.
Since their formation Lynas Engineers has made a priority of helping young Teessiders. That has seen us become an active member of the High Tide charity, running virtual lessons during COVID to enthuse young people about engineering and, from the outset, recruit apprentices to build the business. They also support the Saltburn Solidarity Foodbank and is a kit sponsor of Stokesley-based Boro Rangers FC.
To find out more about Lynas Engineers, visit www.lynasengineers.com
