Company History
2nd from right company founder Herbert T Forrest.Herbert T Forrest Ltd was established in 1955 by Herbert and Alice Forrest. The company was bought from Fred Nichols who employed four employees and comprised general joiners and undertakers. The undertaking aspects were discontinued and the joinery operations expanded over a period of thirty years. During this time the company specialised in joinery sub-contracting to local building contractors in all sectors of the building industry implementing contracts of up to £250,000 in value
In 1984 the second generation of the family and current Managing Director, Tim Forrest joined the company. Whilst still undertaking some sub-contracting work until 1990 the company turned its attention to the social housing market completing many timber window replacement contracts using its Joinery Department to produce the windows. However, the company was concerned that the adoption of UPVC windows by its client could limit its growth as it was stillvery much a joinery based company and, therefore, decided to diversify actively marketing itself as a general building contractor with an emphasis on the refurbishment market. In 1993 its expertise in joinery in fact provided the ideal springboard for undertaking large UPVC replacement window contracts andover a sixteen week period, in the spring of that year, it completed two bespoke fast track UPVC window replacement contracts worth £1.5 million. In addition, the company carried out its first all trade refurbishment contract for Wyre Borough Council worth £500,000. During the remainder of the 1990's the company consolidated its position in the social housing refurbishment sector increasing its turnover to £5m per annum.
Current MD Tim Forrest was keen to start his apprenticeshipCurrently, Herbert T Forrest Ltd is one of the North West's fastest growing companies in its sector. Much of the growth stems from increased demand in the social housing refurbishment market where a full range of refurbishment, repair and maintenance is provided to social landlords throughout the North West.The company has focused on the Government's Best Value initiative and its target for all public sector housing is to achieve the "Decent Homes" standard. Through this initiative the opportunity has been identified to deliver services through long-term collaborative working arrangements with housing providers and the company has been successful in securing partnerships with several Local Authorities and RSLs currently refurbishing in excess of 11000 homes per annum. As a result, the company's forward order book, with existing partners, extends beyond 2010.