A Year of Success for Forkers
09 Feb 2025
Published in: Member News
Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and the fastest growing company in Sandwell!
During a heady week in November Sandwell based Civil and Ground Engineers Forkers Ltd were named Business of the Year at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards. The previous day Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council announced that Forkers Ltd were number 1 in the council’s list of top 50 fastest growing companies in the Sandwell area.
These awards have been the cherry on the top of a stellar 12 months for Forkers Ltd that has seen the company have the busiest year in its 53-year history and be appointed onto the Frameworks for both United Utilities and also the Environmental Agency for the first time.
Forkers Ltd are already on the Frameworks for Severn Trent Water, Canal & River Trust, and the Smart Motorway Alliance for National Highways.
Forkers Ltd also has a ground engineering department that specializes in treating land blighted by mine works and / or ground stability issues. Over the last 53 years Forkers have remediated many sites in the Black Country that were blighted by mineworks and/ or ground stability issues, many of these sites have gone onto be utilized for housing or commercial development.
Forkers Ltd is a family-owned business founded by Paddy Forker. Paddy left his native Donegal, Ireland in 1957 at the age of 15 when times were extremely difficult and like most of his generation, he had to emigrate to find work so he could regularly send money back home to support his parents so they could live more comfortably.
During the last 30 years the company built on its reputation and client base, and diversified further into major road and highway improvements, rail and other infrastructure projects, along with commercial and residential housing schemes by working for clients such as Bellway, Persimmon, Willmott Dixon, John F Hunt, Aldi, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Red Bull to name but a few.
As a result of organic growth, the company today successfully turns over £80m+ and operates nationally from its base in West Bromwich, directly employing 187 people and engaging with 300+ subcontractors.
Although now an octogenarian, Paddy proudly continues to be involved in the business along with the support of 2 generations of the Forker family and an experienced and dedicated team of individuals who are treated as extended family members. Many fantastic people have joined the company since its creation, with 40% of the workforce having completed 10+ years of service, 22 of those have grown up in the business with service ranging from 25-40+ years, a couple of whom have even started to introduce their next generations into the business!
At the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations Paddy delivered the following message to show his appreciation to his staff:
We are so fortunate to have so many loyal and hard-working colleagues, who aren’t afraid to get up early every morning, no matter what the weather, and give 100% for this company. People who share the same values and pride themselves in doing a good job. It has been a real pleasure watching many of you grow from young adults to where you are now, in senior roles within the organisation, and we are equally delighted to welcome many new employees who are bringing new energy and fresh ideas to the company.
Forkers has an enviable reputation in the industry for delivering high quality schemes and the only way to achieve this is by employing & engaging with like-minded, hard-working, talented people who take pride in their work and who strive for excellence.
Forkers actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion within their business and respect for one and other is extremely important – “We expect all of our employees and supply chain to treat each other with respect and dignity.”
“Managing mental health among our staff is a top priority for us, and we are very proud to have 50 trained mental health first aiders in our workforce. At the end of 2024 we achieved our Thrive at Work Silver Accreditation, we are the only company in our industry with this accreditation.”
“Our people and core values are our driving force and we believe that our family values have played a key role in helping our company grow successfully and continue to flourish.”
“We look forward to the next 12 months with renewed energy, optimism and confidence. During the next couple of months, we will take delivery of our brand new customised Comacchio GEO 305 drill rig which will enhance our ground engineering offering and capability. We plan further enhancements to our drilling rig fleet later in the year.”
2024 was a great year for Forkers Ltd. However, the foundations are in place to make 2025 an even greater year.
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