One of the Black Country’s fastest‑growing businesses has marked a record year by opening its new £8 million headquarters in Kingswinford.
S&R Construction has transformed the former 2.3‑acre William Press site on Dawley Brook Road into a modern operational base that reflects the company’s expanding multi‑discipline capabilities.
The new two‑storey facility functions as the firm’s administrative centre and incorporates a training academy, events space and a fully equipped gym available to all staff and partners. Behind the main building, a substantial depot supports the company’s traffic management division and provides extensive space for servicing, maintaining and cleaning its growing fleet of plant and vehicles.
The development represents a significant milestone for what has become a notable Black Country success story. Managing director Steven Sankey began the business in 1998 with a small team laying tarmac. Nearly 30 years later the family‑run operation has passed the £51 million turnover mark and directly and indirectly employs around 350 people.
Mr Sankey, who now works alongside his sons Chris, Jamie and Ryan, said: “Our new Headquarters have been a real labour of love and taken nearly three years from bidding for the land to moving in.” We wanted to regenerate an old traditional Black Country site and create something special, a home where our team wanted to come to work and a place where we could entertain clients that range from local authorities and major infrastructure contractors to housebuilders and commercial landlords.”
He added that employee wellbeing was a key design focus. “The offices have all been ergonomically designed, we’ve got the latest lighting installed and we have created lots of different spaces where staff can relax. We’re big on mental wellbeing here thanks to our champion Tracey Sankey and believe fitness can play a big role, so part of the lower floor is a gym that features cardio machines, weights and even a boxing ring. Some people have said it’s better than the gym they actually go to!”
S&R Construction has built its reputation as a multi‑utility service provider, laying nearly 1.2 million metres of gas, water and electricity mains across the UK. The company is accredited under the Gas Industry, National Electric and Water Industry Registration Schemes and holds framework agreements with Colas and Network Plus, as well as contracts for Dudley Council. Versatility has been central to the firm’s growth strategy. Over the past seven years it has expanded into groundworks and traffic management and established two housing development businesses in response to demand for both open‑market and affordable homes.
Chris Sankey, director at S&R Construction, said: “We had developed a strong relationship in the multi-utility space, but often had to work alongside other companies offering groundwork and traffic management. After a while we thought we could take this on ourselves and make the customer experience better in the process. We recruited experienced specialists from each sector and invested heavily in equipment and technology to get us up and running quickly.”
He continued: “Having that turnkey offer has been a big draw and helped us win a host of new contracts. There are also customers who ‘pick and mix’ and just use us for one of the three services they want. The last few years have also seen us launch Wychbury Developments (open market housing) and Dwello Partnerships (affordable housing).”
Looking ahead, Steven Sankey expects the business to continue its upward trajectory. He said: “The business has taken on 50 people in the past 12 months and this is just the start. By placing integration at the heart of our business, the ambition is to hit £70 million by the end of 2026 and this will probably require a similar recruitment push going forward.”
S&R Construction remains committed to its Black Country roots, supporting eight apprentices, hosting regular charity events and sponsoring local sports teams and athletes, including former European Middleweight Champion Tyler Denny.