One of the most established and respected companies in the construction industry, ISG has been managing the construction process and simplifying the complex for owners, occupiers and developers since 1989. With a wealth of experience working across a variety of sectors, it offers a tailored service to every individual client’s needs.
The company’s retail offer has continued to evolve following the acquisition of two respected private companies ISG Cathedral and ISG Pearce and now covers the full spectrum of retail fit-out and construction in food, banking and high street with a combined retail volume in excess of £200M, whilst retaining the key emphasis of long-term mature sustainable relationships with its core customer base.

“The past 12-18 months have seen the further evolution of the ISG retail offer with both ISG Cathedral and ISG Pearce continuing to demonstrate growth,” says Managing Director Darren Hill. “Clients are now focussing on prime cost reductions and we have been able to help them achieve this through our own efficiencies, delivery philosophy and by removing aggregated layers in the delivery process.”

The completion of Westfield London maintained a healthy workload for ISG on the high street whilst the food sector has continued to provide strong volumes. The banking sector saw the company continue to grow market share as the sector leader.

ISG Cathedral is currently engaged across a number of client framework appointments which include the majority of UK retail bank organisations including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC and RBS. It is also, in ISG Pearce, engaged as a strategic delivery partner with major food retailers including Asda, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsburys and Tesco. Other retail clients include Primark and T Mobile in the UK, and Footlocker across Europe.

“Amongst the many highlights of 2008 and the first half of 2009, I would rate our delivery of nine new concept completions at Westfield London as confirmation of our evolution in the market place,” says John Mawhinney, Director of Retail Solutions. “This is coupled with our success in the NAS design partnership award with Aukett Tytherleigh for Barclays Piccadilly flagship, and the completion of a refurbishment at The Marylebone Hotel for the Doyle Collection.”

Such success is reinforced by the completion of 39 projects for Lloyds TSB in a 16-week period, a challenge which was readily met by the ISG Cathedral team.

The recent rebranding of ISG Retail & Leisure to ISG Cathedral was an important strategic business decision; as ISG Retail & Leisure, it was the only division across the ISG portfolio that was identified by sector, restricting opportunities through new and existing clients due to perceived ‘market’ limitations. Following the rebrand, clients are able to draw on the company’s wider expertise in other markets and sectors. It also
re-establishes the ‘Cathedral’ identity within the market place, always a respected name within the industry.

“The pipeline is very healthy, with our order book retaining strength some four per cent above the same period last year,” continues Hill. “The plan is to build upon the stability and strength of the business to continue to grow our market share, digging deeper and adding value to current relationships whilst adding those few selected clients who wish to enter into mature sustainable relationships.”

For the full article please see the RLI July/August 09 issue