Commercial Maintenance Services is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the opening of new headquarters in Gateshead and a £2 million investment in a state-of-the-art engineering academy.
Founded in the North East in 2000, the national facilities and commercial building maintenance provider has expanded from its regional roots to become a nationwide operator. CMS now delivers services including gas, heating, plumbing, air conditioning, renewables, electrical, and catering equipment installation, repair and maintenance.
The company, which last year achieved a turnover of £32 million and employs more than 300 people across the UK, is aiming to grow into a £100 million business by 2029, with a workforce of more than 600.
Central to this growth strategy is the new 20,000 sq ft CMS Academy, based at its Gateshead headquarters. The purpose-built facility is three times larger than its previous site and has capacity to train and upskill more than 200 engineers annually, as well as support over 50 apprentices each year.
The academy is CMS’s response to the UK’s growing engineering skills shortage. It aims to ensure a pipeline of talent by providing high-quality technical training alongside a focus on customer service, safety, and efficiency.
Engineers trained at the CMS Academy will be equipped with the latest technologies from original equipment manufacturers including Baxi, Belimo, Grundfos and Schwank. The facility is designed to reflect real-world conditions, allowing trainees to work on the same equipment they will encounter on site.
With an established nationwide footprint, CMS supports customers managing complex, multi-site property portfolios, offering a single point of contact and consistent service across the UK.
Managing director Nic Smith said: “Marking 25 years in business is a proud milestone for everyone at CMS, and the opening of our new headquarters and academy is a powerful statement of intent for the future. This investment reflects our commitment not only to the continued growth of our business but also to the long-term sustainability of the engineering sector.
“The CMS Academy will be instrumental in developing the next generation of skilled engineers, enabling us to maintain the exceptional service our customers expect while directly addressing the industry’s skills shortage. It’s a forward-thinking approach that will carry CMS confidently into the next 25 years.”
