Embracing plans to employ local Welsh talent, award winning construction engineering consultant, Services Design Solution (SDS), have opened a new office in Wales.

Previous projects include the £16m Sterilisation and Decontamination Unit for Royal Gwent Hospital and the £75m student accommodation development at Glossop Road, Cardiff. SDS is also providing specialist consultancy and sustainability advice for Swansea Council on the re-development of 277-278 Oxford Street.

Committed to local communities SDS will contribute to the improvement of Welsh lives and landscapes. They have provided pro-bono design to Hope Rescue in Llanharan. In 2020/21, it has supported Welsh charities such as Dreams & Wishes, Llamau, Age Connects and Noah’s Ark.

With a surge of client demand in South Wales for its services and sustainability expertise, the new base in Wales will allow SDS to serve new and existing clients. The consultancy has seen a record turnover through the last year – reaching £5.64m – and an impressive revenue increase of 31% since 2020.

SDS saw its best year to date (since its conception in 2004) through the coronavirus pandemic, followed by award-winning success via services to the NHS Nightingale facility.

Completed in just 57 days, the team were site-based and provided engineering systems which were incorporated into other Nightingale facilities. SDS was recognised for this outstanding work with the Covid-19 Achievement Award, set up by CIBSE.

Despite its new-found pedigree in healthcare, SDS now intends to expand into more markets. Managing Director Shaun Hoppins explains:

‘We look forward to being part of the growth of the economy in Wales, working with existing friends within the market and the opportunity to establish new relationships.’ It’s hoped the business’ sustainability focus will land them favourably within the Welsh construction scene.

As consultants for the future, engineers of SDS have presented on the delivery of zero carbon housing and advised councils on Climate Action Plans. In 2020, the company became Net Carbon Neutral by offsetting and minimising carbon emissions and establishing a green travel policy. In 2021, the business took another sustainable step further becoming Net Carbon Negative.

Nationally, Building’s Top 150 Professional Construction Consultants league was recently revealed and SDS was delighted to have raised its standing by seven positions since 2019. As an added bonus, it also entered the Top 50 Engineers league for the very first time. These credentials join the business’ existing titles of Constructing Excellence ‘SME of the Year’ and ‘Best UK Consultancy’ in the Association of Consulting Engineers 2021 Awards.

Hoping to build upon their recent success and grow their new office, they recognise the pedigree of engineers within the region. They will be supported through offering employment opportunities for new entries to the industry. Anyone interested in joining the team is encouraged to visit the SDS website to find out more.