A county company which was badly hit by the recession is looking forward to a brighter future as it launches a recruitment drive to fill more than 130 new posts.

Unite Modular Solutions (UMS) of Stroudwater Business Park, Stonehouse was forced to cut jobs and restructure to survive the economic downturn and virtual meltdown in the construction sector.

MS makes modular units which are fitted out and furnished to be combined on site to create complete buildings without the need for any additional support structures.  Traditionally, the company's target market has been student accommodation but now it has secured contracts in other areas including the booming budget hotel market.

Last year Unite Modular Solutions was forced to put its 120-strong workforce on six weeks paid leave with the hours "banked" by the firm and then drawn down as needed.  The company's managing director Will Garrard said the firm was now half way through buildings its first hotel for TravelLodge in London, a YMCA and student accommodation in the capital.  "We have recently secured contracts for work which will see our factory and entire business back up to a more normal level of demand," said Mr Garrard.

"As a result we are beginning a recruitment drive for roles across our business, in all around 130 roles will be created."

These include 30 permanent shop floor posts, five support staff and 100 temporary shop floor posts.

And the company is going back to two shifts a day to meet the demand of the new orders.
Unite Modular Solutions' operations manager Andy Holder said as part of the company's restructuring, staff were actively involved in an engagement programme to help make the firm more successful. Managers were coming through from the shop floor.
"It is about career development, there are no barriers," he said.

Will Garrard said: "The team here is highly engaged. Staff turnover is less than two per cent.
"We have seen a significant improvement in the market. Conditions are still tough. But the recession has taught us alot and we have survived.  "Globally we are competitive. We love it here, we have great communications and a great workforce."

The jobs at Unite Modular Solutions are multi-skilled with an emphasis on quality at every stage. Since 2002 the company has delivered 18,000 modules creating more than 60 buildings.
The total UK construction market is worth £99 billion and a fragile recovery is not expected until the second half of 2012 with 4.8 per cent growth predicted for 2014.  

The hotel market is being boosted by the 2012 Olympics "effect". Modular construction systems can take half the time needed for conventional building, making them very attractive to clients, especially in the student and hotel sectors.