Orchard posts record results for 2011 and forecasts further growth for 2012
Orchard, which provides housing management, financial management and ICT solutions to the public and social housing sector, exceeded targets by growing 15% last year to reach a turnover of £12.5m. Managing Director Ian Shard is fired up about the firm’s future prospects as new technologies and a recent acquisition, combined with a strong cash positive position enable it to branch out and strengthen its proposition.
“We feel very positive about the market,” said Ian. “Organisations want to make better use of their IT and if you have a strong offering and a strong product, they’ll continue to invest in IT to bring the business efficiencies that are needed and to make savings.”
This year the firm is on target to exceed £13m turnover. “We’re looking for 10% growth,” admits Ian. “It’s going to be challenging but we have a broad portfolio of products and customers with many exciting new solutions for areas that have traditionally been quite labour intensive, which puts us in a strong position.”
Orchard was founded over 30 years ago by Peter Hunt, who’s now Executive Chairman. Having originally worked for IBM, Peter realised at an early stage that customers were looking for sector specific applications. He quickly established a number of local customers and moved into this niche market.
It’s testament to the firm’s philosophy of fostering strong client relationships, that it still retains its very first customer, Sedgefield Borough Council, now known as livin.
Now Orchard has a 20% market share across the UK with 140 customers including North East housing organisations Gentoo, Coast & Country and the Fabrick Group. The majority have been loyal customers for over 10 years, although the firm is winning new business all the time with three new client wins this year in London and Anglesey.
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