ISG strengthens Asian presence

London-based Interior Services Group, a provider of construction management services and internal refurbishment, is capitalizing on robust growth in the UK market by having expanded its Asian activities with offices in Singapore, Malaysia, the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Japan and Dubai.

As the company's clients, which include the world's largest financial institutions and multinationals, look to new markets such as China, its increased presence in the region will ensure current and new customers the same level of quality and service.

"Our original client base here in UK is starting to increase their presence in Asia. We wanted to be able to offer our clients the same service they are used to at home in Asia. None of our competitors in the UK at the moment offer that service," explains Chief Executive David Lawther.

Specializing in high profile complex projects, ISG is able to offer clients an unrivalled database of form-and-fit-out solutions. Founded in the 1980s, the London Alternative Investments Market (AIM) listed company has completed projects for UBS, Nomura, Royal Bank of Scotland, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan.

In China, the company is securing business with global banks and major Chinese companies. Lawther cites ISG's experience with Deutsche Bank's regional headquarters in Singapore as a prime example of the firm's ability to work with a client in both the UK and in Asia.

Asia makes up a small portion of ISG's global business but Lawther has a forward-looking strategy that will make the region a significant core area of business.

"These are the last cities being built. The Asian market will expand and will need our services. In China, having slowly started there two years ago, we have initially been a project manager but we are widening into the delivery process. In three years' time, a significant amount of our business will be coming from Asia," he says.

Because of its extensive expertise and experience, ISG secures high-profile projects such as the Ascot Racecourse, the Eurostar Terminal at St. Pancras Station, The Royal Festival Hall, and the Thames River front projects for the international law firm Norton Rose and Royal Dutch Shell.

"We find solutions to client's problems. We are interested in developing long-term relationships through repeat work and generating value for the customer," Lawther says.

www.isgplc.com

(China Daily 08/28/2007 page18)