The last few years have not been a good time to be in the building trade. Along with high street retail, the construction sector has borne the brunt of the worst UK recession since the 1930s.

A new survey by the report from the Federation of Master Builders shows that almost a third of small building firms have laid off workers since the start of the year amid falling orders and rising costs.

The FMB said its survey of 500 companies also showed workloads falling at the fastest rate for two years, particularly in the residential market.

According to FMB chief executive Brian Berry, workloads for firms in the public residential sector had fallen at an “alarming” rate.

But Bradford based Bermar Building Company continues to resist the gloom and doom. The Allerton-based family firm, which has a £10 million turnover, is coming up to its 40th anniversary.

Bermar’s proud boast is that it has made a profit every year since 1973, when it was launched by Bob Moon and John S Ludkin, and is on track to do so again, in spite of the challenges facing the building trade.

The award-winning company, which recently again won a national considerate constructor award for its work on building a new health centre in Girlington with minimum disruption to the community, specialises in public sector contract work.

Bob Moon said Bermar's continued success was based on sticking to what it knew best, not seeking to become the biggest in its field, and delivering a reliable professional service.

His company’s record for reliability had enabled it to continue securing contracts even as the economy remains flat.

“The major public sector schemes are obviously fewer due to public spending constraints, but there are opportunities for refurbishment and upgrading of premises rather than building from scratch. We continue to win work for the NHS, local authorities, the police and with schools,” he said.

Bermar Building is one of only eight chartered building companies in Yorkshire listed by the Chartered Institute of Building for its professional qualifications and has won several industry awards, including an RIBA award for work to listed buildings. It is currently working on a project at Wakefield Museum, which is being converted into a centre for performance arts.

Other major projects have included work on Bradford Wool Exchange, which now houses Waterstone’s book store, Leeds, Dewsbury and Morley town halls, Bradford Central Library and The National Library.

Most of the firm’s work comes from repeat business in sectors including education, health, housing, community buildings, offices, public and listed buildings and special projects, ranging in value from £50,000 to £3 million.

Bermar has worked for most public sector organisations in West Yorkshire, including local authorities, housing associations, universities, colleges, health authorities and police forces.

Current projects include: Civic Centre III, Huddersfield; Fagley Primary School, Bradford; the University of Huddersfield; Ashlands Primary School, Ilkley, and the University of Bradford.

Winning the considerate constructor national award in February was Bermar’s second success in this award. Its work at Girlington Health Centre also achieved a BREEAM excellent rating in sustainability.

Three years ago Bermar scooped the considerate constructor award for the consideration it showed to tenants while carrying out energy efficiency and structural repair work to residential properties for Leeds City Council.

Rob Moon, Bermar managing director, said building Girlington Health Centre presented a number of challenges.

“The site was in a residential area, next to a busy road, so we made a huge effort to keep the noise down, clean mud off the road and reduce inconvenience to local people and drivers,” he said. “We take pride in considerate building and often win praise from our clients. We have just completed a £2 million project at St James’s Hospital, Leeds, where we built a new breast screening unit within the existing building without interrupting the daily work of the hospital.”