Kazera Global Regulatory News (KZG)

11 Sep 2006 07:03

Worthington Nicholls Group plc11 September 2006 RNS Reach release 11 September 2006 Two major hotel contracts secured ("Worthington Nicholls" or "the Company") One of the UK's largest independent installers of air conditioning, heating,ventilation and chilled water systems, Worthington Nicholls Group plc (AIM:WNG),has won two new hotel contracts. The contracts are with Macdonald Hotels("Macdonald") and the Cairn Hotel Group and have a combined value of nearly £1.3million. The Company is installing energy-efficient Daikin air conditioning units at the215 bedroom Macdonald Hotel Manchester, currently under construction in the citycentre, and the 208 bedroom Holiday Inn in Birmingham. The £750,000 Macdonaldcontract is Worthington Nicholls's largest from this client since the start ofits three-year commercial relationship, and the fourth it has secured fromMacdonald this year. Work at the Macdonald Hotel Manchester commenced this summer and is expected tobe completed by July 2007. As part of its five-year agreement, the Company willalso receive regular maintenance revenues. Worthington Nicholls is also in theprocess of installing air conditioning units throughout the Macdonald Bath SpaHotel in Bath and the Macdonald Compleat Angler in Marlow, after successfullycompleting its installation at the Macdonald Berystede Hotel in Ascot earlier inthe year. The Cairn Hotel Group owns and operates the Holiday Inn Birmingham, based inSmallbrook in the city centre. The £530,000 installation is also underway, withWorthington Nicholls installing new Daikin air conditioning units into bedroomson a three-year phased installation programme. This programme is designed tominimise disruption to the smooth running of the hotel. Maintenance of theDaikin air conditioning units will also be provided every six months to keep thesystem in prime operating condition. Mark Worthington, Chief Executive of Worthington Nicholls, said: "We are delighted to win these two new contracts. Our relationship with bothgroups is strong, but we are never complacent. We recognise that repeat or newwork will only be achieved on the basis of providing consistently excellentservice, and by completing our work on time and to budget. "What's clear in our marketplace is that efficient air conditioning in a hotelbedroom is now a necessity and is no longer considered a luxury. Our hotelclients understand that their guests, especially during sweltering summers likethis one, want the comfort of air conditioning in their rooms. The hotels alsowant energy efficient systems, which is particularly important now thatelectricity prices are a significant factor in running costs." Enquiries: Worthington Nicholls 0870 609 1829 Mark Worthington, Chief Executive David Levis, Corporate Director Gresham PR Ltd 020 7404 9000 Neil Boom/Tanya Feness Corporate Synergy 020 7448 4400 Rhod Cruwys/Romil Patel Information on Worthington Nicholls can be accessed via the Group's website:www.worthington-nicholls.co.uk About Worthington Nicholls Group plc Worthington Nicholls operates as principal contractor for delivery of end to endsolutions in the air conditioning market. Its blue-chip clients operate in a number of different market sectors andinclude Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels, Debenhams, Boots the Chemist, Arcadiaand McDonald's. The business was established in 1973 by Peter Worthington and has grown to beone of the dominant players in the UK Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning("HVAC") market, which is currently estimated to be worth approximately £2billion per annum. Led by Mark Worthington, the Company repositioned itself in 2003 as a supportservices group, moving away from the subcontractor business model common acrossthe HVAC industry. The Company now offers a full project management capability, which includes survey, design and specification, throughinstallation, commissioning and ongoing service and maintenance. Worthington Nicholls operates from its head office in Manchester and regionaloffices in Bedford, Swindon and Edinburgh, and employs approximately 130people. In June 2006, the Company acquired the entire issued equity of Project AirLimited, a specialist installer of air conditioning systems to the retailsector. Its customers include well-known high street retailers, such as Phones 4U, Hamleys, The Bear Factory, and TM Lewin. Project Air is based in Rugeley,Staffordshire. The business was established in 1992 and today has a total of 23staff including 13 engineers. Worthington Nicholls floated on AIM on 12 June 2006 with a placing price of 50 pence per share. About Macdonald Hotels Macdonald Hotels bring you an outstanding collection of over 60 properties ingreat locations right across the UK, from elegant manor house retreats set inextensive grounds, to modern and contemporary hotels in city centre locations. About the Cairn Hotel Group The Cairn Hotel Group operates 16 hotels nationwide. They are centrally locatedin dominant high street locations in major cities such as London, Manchester,Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne as well as in tourist areas as York, Carlisle andAberdeen. Cairn Hotel Group's diverse portfolio ranges from 2 to 4 star hotels,welcoming both business and leisure guests. In addition to the hotel facilities,the group provides conference and banqueting venues in the larger hotels withrestaurants and patrons bars in all hotels. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange