DARLINGTON-BASED Stone Technical Services (STS) has seen a record year of growth as it marks its 20th anniversary with turnover increasing by 10 per cent to about of £3.3 million.

Bosses attribute the company’s success to its diverse divisions specialising in lightning protection, facilities management and restoration and conservation.

STS has recently secured new contracts around the North-East, including a number of projects at the Lambton Estate in Chester-le-Street – the ancestral seat of the Lambton family, the Earls of Durham, dating back to the 17th Century.

The company is refurbishing the estate’s old stable blocks, the windows at the Grade II-listed Biddick Hall and Shepherd’s Cottage, as well as restoring the iron bridge.

Other new projects include spire and tower repairs at All Saints Church in Newcastle city centre and chimney stack inspections at INEOS at Seal Sands on Teesside.

In the last few months, STS has recruited three new apprentices as it continues its work to encourage young people into the sector and the company is currently recruiting stonemasons and construction operatives to add to its 50-strong team at its Darlington HQ.

STS this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Darlington brothers, Dave and Grahame Stone, established STS – based on Kellaw Road in Darlington with offices London and Edinburgh – in 1998.

They said: “It really has been a busy year at STS and 2020 is looking very positive too. Our success can be totally attributed to our terrific team who have a diverse mix of traditional and modern skills. Our services are wide-ranging and we travel nationwide to work on everything from private homes to St Paul’s Cathedral, and ancient sites to state-of-the-art office complexes.

“However, our overriding priority is to continually value, respect and invest in our staff and our clients.”

More details from stonetechnicalgroup.co.uk/