BURY-based civil engineering, building and plant hire contractor Cheetham Hill Construction Limited marks its 50th year of trading this year.

The Company was formed in March 1966 by Michael Coffey, a groundworker by trade, who was a labour-only subcontractor.

In 1972 he met the current managing director and owner Howard Chamberlain and they decided to join forces. The company is now family-run, with Howard supported by his daughters Katie and Claire, who both hold the role of director.

From humble beginnings in a back bedroom of a house in Bury, to acquiring its first yard on Market Street, Tottington in 1974 and progressing to its current premises on Woodhill Road in 1978, the company has gone from strength to strength.

During its first decade, Cheetham Hill Construction Limited was a small contractor undertaking minor works in and around the Manchester area. The Company’s first substantial contract was a subcontractor opportunity on a district heating scheme in Manchester.

From here, the it evolved and became principally involved in water and sewerage works for the North West Water Authority and civil engineering works for local authorities and private clients in the North West. This laid the foundations for the civil engineering activities of the Company and also its historic association with the water industry.

More recently, the firm has added renewable energy to its portfolio, successfully completing contracts for three operational wind farms in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The company is currently undertaking its biggest wind farm project yet on the 19 turbine Frodsham Wind Farm Project in Cheshire.

A spokesman said: "It has always been Howard’s intention to have a directly employed labour force and for the company to own its own modern plant and welfare facilities. This is something that has been maintained and expanded over the years and currently comprises a fleet of 100 machines, 60 welfare units and various other equipment.

"The company supplies operated plant nationwide and has seen an increase in demand over the last five years. The fleet comprises Caterpillar and Volvo equipment and serves a number of long-standing clients, predominantly in the quarrying and energy sectors.

"Cheetham Hill Construction Limited is now a successful SME and the current 130-strong labour force includes a number of employees who have been working for the company for more than 15 years, with the longest serving employee completing 42 years.

"Over the years Cheetham Hill Construction Limited has worked on some extremely interesting and challenging projects, with its involvement in the redevelopment of Bury Football Club standing out as a project of which the company is extremely proud."