Spotlight on SMEs: Victor at MC Construction on joining Manchester at MIPIM

According to Goldman Sachs, Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – defined as organisations with 10-249 employees – make up 99% of all UK private businesses, contributing 61% of employment and around 53% of GDP. At the beginning of 2023, construction represented 12% of all businesses of this scale (figures from ONS). Although often acknowledged as ‘the backbone of the economy’, pressures on resources can thwart smaller businesses from attending the property industry’s largest annual gathering.

Victor at MC Construction explains why it was important for the Salford-based SME to attend the conference, why it chose to join Manchester at MIPIM and why the SME market is a strong proposition for potential partners.

The theme of this year’s Manchester at MIPIM, Building on Success, resonates strongly with us. Our development arm ‘Victor’ is the logical extension to our 53-year-old contracting business. Since 1971 MC Construction has worked across the ten GM boroughs, weathered multiple recessions, and proved to be a trusted and financially robust SME. Undertaking refurbishment and new build works across multiple sectors it has worked for many of the region’s key organisations. Today, it counts University of Manchester, Manchester City Football Club and MAG amongst its valued clients. It has refurbished many of the city centre’s beloved and iconic buildings –spot the signage outside Manchester Opera House – and was recently responsible for the transformation of Castlefield Viaduct into a visitor attraction for the National Trust.

Underpinned by the long-term relationships, local knowledge and extensive experience of the construction arm, our aim as Victor at MC Construction is to deliver regeneration and placemaking through strategic partnering. We have numerous reasons for joining the Manchester Invest Partnership.

Representation

Data from the Research and Analytics team at GM Chamber showed SMEs represented 99% of the construction industry and 96% of the property industry (excluding microbusinesses) across Greater Manchester in 2022. Whilst it is well documented the industry has faced significant challenges, and sadly some insolvencies over this time, the region’s SME market remains a significant one.

Showcasing

Victor has recently celebrated the on-site start of 80 fully affordable and sustainable homes on brownfield land in Old Trafford. Demolition works have now begun to remove several largely derelict buildings in preparation for the three apartment blocks, by Old Trafford Metrolink station. We entered a development joint venture with McGoff Group, held extensive discussions with Trafford Council and submitted a joint application with Southway Housing Trust -- a set up that could well provide a blueprint for our future schemes.

Sharing aspirations

We are keen to share the regeneration ambitions for our sites in Piccadilly East Village and Strangeways. These include provision of residential, mixed-use and cultural facilities —most notably in the music, visual and performing arts space.

Exploring and learning

With access to innovative solutions from overseas as well as other UK regions, MIPIM provides an excellent source of learning in a single location. As an SME our barriers to take-up are fewer, meaning we can often more easily adopt the latest offerings from sustainable materials to cutting-edge proptech platforms. Often dubbed ‘engines of growth’ this adoption allows us SMEs to fuel innovation and drive jobs and productivity.

Forging relationships

Along with the majority of delegates heading to Le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, making new contacts remains the number one objective. The opportunities to meet potential partners and funders at MIPIM are second to none and being part of Manchester at MIPIM shows our support and commitment to the region, ensuring we are visible on an international scale.

And for the investor partner – ease of access to decision makers and a lack of red tape makes the SME an attractive proposition. Our agility allows potential partners and investors the opportunity to dip their toes into our fantastic region with its trailblazing devolution deal, its ambitious Net Zero targets, huge pool of talent, sporting and cultural offerings and a host of accolades including the leading city for FDI outside of the capital (EY's 2023 UK Attractiveness Survey), the UK’s most livable city (Economist Global Livability Index 2022) and the UK’s most entrepreneurial city (Business Cloud 2021). That’s an offer that should be difficult to resist!

To learn more about Victor at MC Construction visit their website.