The Wilde Group Ltd was founded back in the early 1970’s however 1985 was a significant date in the company’s history, for that was the year the present MD, Silas Wilde, took the reins of the small family business at the age of 17 following the death of his father after a short illness.
Back then the business was called Country Estate Maintenance, and with a staff of three, provided services such as stonewalling, tree work and fencing. Silas recalls the first few years were about survival but once he found his feet he steered the business to focus on fencing (CEM Fencing) for property developers who were building in the flourishing new towns such as Milton Keynes and Peterborough.
This early success led to the market place becoming saturated so the company diversified by moving into the security fencing sector. By the late 1990’s the phenomenal success of this strategy prompted Silas to set up a metal fabrication arm to the business manufacturing gates in-house in order to offer clients a faster and more efficient service.
Expansion led to the acquisition of a fabrication company (NRG Fabrications) that in turn created new opportunities in architectural metalwork. In 2005 the business acquired a timber business (HFS Timber) allowing the three divisions to move on to one site, the present location of Harlestone Firs, in Northampton In 2007 the business acquired a fourth division (DJC Joinery) a small joinery business to complement the group’s all-round capability.
Today the Wilde Group Ltd operates as one company offering its customers the choice of three disciplines: fencing, fabrication and joinery.
Silas Wilde comments, “Operating in this manner and in this very demanding marketplace has united our people and now offers our customers a greater choice. Our motto is ‘Together we do more’ and is a great benchmark to our strategy and vision for the Wilde Group going forward.”
Evidence of the success of this ethos has been seen at the Olympic Park where the company is working on a seven-figure contract to supply and fit railings, gates, timber screens, balustrades and grilles to the new accommodation facilities in the Athletes’ Village. The Wilde Group Ltd is united behind its vision of ‘Together we do more’ and works strictly to a set of core values helping it distinguish itself from the competition.
The firm operates from a 6-acre site based in the heart of Harlestone Firs in Northampton. It employs 80 direct employees and is aiming for a £8 million T/O 2011/2012.
As they enter 2012, Silas admits its difficult to predict how the market will perform in the coming months but is confident that the firm’s vision to unite the business as one should stand it in good stead with their customers going forward
“In the short term, the Wilde Group will continue to work with key clients offering them a service that always meets or indeed exceeds expectation,” says Silas. “But by implementing the company’s vision and values our goal is to maximise the profit through a controlled growth programme doubling the revenue of business over the next 5 years.”
For further information please tel: 01604 750387 or visit their website: www.thewildegroup.co.uk.
