MXM Contractors is a dedicated provider of top-quality building and maintenance services. From building works to reactive repairs, and from bathroom updates to general maintenance, the company provides a comprehensive offering for clients across the UK. Managing Director Alfred Luca outlined the story of MXM and its driving philosophies. Report by Imogen Ward and Phil Nicholls.
SAa family-owned company, a key part of the philosophy at MXM Contractors is family values.
“We all have the same targets and look after each other,” said Managing Director Alfred Luca. “We have a strong sense of community and, although we are a big group, we are definitely family orientated.”
MXM was founded in 2016 by Mr Luca who already had 25 years’ experience in the building and contracting trade. He identified a gap in the market for a building and maintenance contractor that ‘self-delivers’,
meaning one that owns the entire project from start to finish.
The initial compact team focused on quick turn around and customer satisfaction. Demand for MXM’s services grew rapidly, and today, the team has around 40 operatives, including a dedicated management team based at the head office in East London.
“Most importantly, we put people at the heart of what we do,” continued Mr Luca.
“ Such as key members of the management team like Operations Director Leon Ettienne and Finance Manager Fiona Bain. Both of them have helped fundamentally to shape the company and our culture.”
This management team has led MXM to be incredibly successful over the past few years. The company has doubled its growth and finished this financial year with a turnover of £4.6 million.
Quality one-stop construction
The MXM portfolio consists of a broad package of construction services to business and residential clients, along with the affordable housing sector, covering housing associations and local authorities. This portfolio includes roofing and plumbing, plus the refurbishment and installation of kitchens, bathrooms and doors.
“We deliver these projects to a high standard of workmanship and customer service,” said Mr Luca. “Both aspects are equally important to achieve hassle-free projects for our clients. MXM offers the whole package, making us the perfect one-stop shop.”
All of these services are delivered with passion and a dedication to solving problems for clients in a safe and professional manner. This customer-focused approach is now being applied to the new MXM groundworks service. This will cover fencing, landscaping, boundary walls, tarmac, concrete paths, slabs and block paving.
“Although a fairly new division, we have had particular success with groundworks,” Mr Luca continued. “We plan to invest in this further over the next two years. We
are also dedicating time and resources to advancing the experience and training of our employees, as they are the core of our business.”
Deploying such a wide range of building services, MXM has completed over 250 successful projects. However; Mr Luca wanted to highlight MXM’s 2022
work in Walthamstow: “We renovated 27 apartments to be used to shelter the local homeless. This project ran smoothly, and we completed it within just three months.
“The positive client feedback was a highlight. Plus, of course, the feelgood factor of knowing that the end user came from one of the most vulnerable parts of the community.”
Building partnerships
The core principles at MXM reflect the company’s family values, emphasising efficiency, passion, openness and unity.
“Each member of the team, from the Managing Director to the apprentices, understands that MXM stands for customer service and results,” explained Mr Luca.
“We have processes in place to ensure that our communication is clear, accurate, timely and transparent.”
This clear communication is also vital when dealing with suppliers and partners.
MXM relies on these companies to help ensure the success of every project, no matter how big or small.
“Strong relationships and teamwork are the foundations of our longevity,” continued Mr Luca. “It's critical that we maintain healthy relationships with our suppliers and partners. We do this simply by being transparent – and through communication. For example, this means being available at all times, replying promptly to emails and phone calls, providing regular updates, and always being held accountable. All of this builds trust.”
Keeping these values at the heart of everything, MXM has secured projects with an impressive range of clients, including United Living Group, Morgan Sindall and Southern Housing.
“We also work with various suppliers, proving that no man is an island,” said Mr Luca. “These include Travis Perkins, Selco Builders Warehouse, Nicholls & Clarke Group, Faithfull Floor coverings, Screwfix, City Plumbing, and Howdens.”
With such an importance on teamwork within MXM, it is no surprise that the company has a robust staff training programme, investing in the core of the business. This incorporates the exchange of knowledge between the experienced members of the team, as well as an active participation in apprenticeship schemes. MXM is keen to encourage young people into the industry, for both field work and management roles.
Growth & efficiency
In parallel with this investment in the MXM family of workers, the company is also looking at growth strategies. The new groundwork operation is a good candidate for expansion, with Mr Luca looking to double that part of the company within the next year.
MXM is also looking to improve the general efficiency of its operation, according to Mr Luca: “Efficiency drives profits and avoids needless time wasting. One way we do this is by planning our workforce deployments. There is no need for all the fleet to be on the road and operators can travel together whenever possible.
“We also ensure that we dispose of waste in as eco-friendly way as possible, often repurposing these materials where it is safe to do so.”
This ongoing evolution at MXM is all part of responding to a market that is constantly changing. Thanks to its training programme, the team at MXM is able to respond to any new requirements or trends in the market. This agility will keep MXM in a good condition for the long term.
In addition, the company is mindful of general workplace trends around diversity and inclusion, as well as staff wellbeing and mental health. This is why the HR Manager at MXM ensures its policies and practices reflect these topics.
Working alongside the passionate MXM family, it is the satisfaction of a job well done that still motivates Mr Luca. “At the end of the day, what we do is provide complete projects to clients,” he said, in conclusion. “So, each construction job is actually an achievement that helps the customer, and that is really exciting.” n
