KEiBA large business
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LARGE BUSINESS OF THE
YEAR (Sponsored by Deloitte)
Denne Construction,
Sittingbourne
A building firm established in 1803 by George
Henry Denne is playing a key role in the county’s business and
community life 200 years on.
Denne Construction, which became part of the
Dutch-owned Leadbitter Group in 2006, is resolutely Kentish,
investing time, money and effort into the local community.
It has weathered the 2008/9 downturn by
building on a strong reputation for quality, and an ability to
undertake a diverse range of private and public sector
projects.
Its pioneering National Skills Academy at the
Stanhope Estate at Ashford – the first such construction academy in
the UK – combined Denne’s support for regeneration with a
commitment to train the next generation of builders.
Award judges praised Denne’s investment in
Kent – it employs around 1,000 people a month directly and
indirectly - and for sourcing significant amounts of material from
the county,
They also singled out financial performance,
innovation, in-house training and customer care for special
praise.
Denne builds affordable and private
residential housing, care homes, regeneration, school and college
projects, including those with Public Finance Initiative
partners.
Contracts range from £500,000 new build to
regeneration schemes worth £70m. Employing 170 full-time staff,
Denne is one of the largest private contractors in the county.
The firm has won numerous awards and bases the
business on what it calls a solid foundation of trust and mutual
respect.
“We aim to be the first choice for our
clients, consultants, staff, suppliers and sub-contractors,” says
managing director Graham Brown.
Denne Charitable Trust, set up 12 years ago,
has already raised more than £250,000 for good Kent causes and the
firm is a main sponsor of Kent and Medway Walking Bus.
Green projects include the carbon neutral “One
Brighton” scheme, and membership of One Planet Products, a
not-for-profit organisation researching sustainable practices.
The company emphasises the importance of the
county to its success. “Our base in Kent is a key part of our
culture and heritage and as such we will continue our work towards
supporting its growth and prosperity.”
Winner
Factfile
Denne Construction
Location: Sittingbourne
Business Sector: Construction
Key Product/Services: The construction of high
quality private and affordable units, care and extra care
facilities and regeneration projects.
Number of Employees: 170
Established: 1803
Runners-up
BACTEC International Limited
Location: Rochester
Business Sector: Unexploded ordnance disposal
and mine action company
Key Product/Services: Mine action, unexploded
ordnance survey and disposal, site investigation, marine services,
quality assurance/quality control/training.
Number of Employees: 70, with 700
worldwide
Established: April 1991
Holiday Extras
Location: Hythe
Business Sector: Leisure and tourism
Key Product/Services: Airport hotels, airport
parking, airport lounges, travel insurance, theatre and themepark
breaks.
Number of Employees: 900, with 360 in Kent
Established: March 1983
Thursday, June 25 2009
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