WISBECH building firm Foster Property Maintenance has clinched an �82million contract with a regional procurement consortium for housing associations.

The business based in Foster Business Park beat a number of national contractors to win the four-year contract with the Eastern Procurement Consortium to work on thousands of homes across the region.

Foster’s sister company Foster Renewable Energies Ltd design, supply and install renewable systems and as well as working on “traditional” housing improvements and the contract will include the installation of new renewables technology.

Director Steve Foster said the firm is busy putting in tenders and there were opportunities in the industry.

He said: “There is stuff out there to look at but everybody is chasing it. It’s very very competitive, but we are in a reasonable position.

“Budgets are being cut, as they have been everywhere, but they are still having housing maintained and they will continue letting contracts as they go forward. They are in a position where they cannot stop maintaining buildings.”

Mr Foster said that the firm’s renewables business and its new building work stood it in good stead.

He said: “We cover all aspects of industry, apart from construction, which is still very volatile.”

He added that the firm’s success in the tender was a “huge pat on the back” for all concerned.

“We have forged a great working partnership with EPC, and their members, and are committed to making sure we exceed their expectations on every level over the coming years,” he said.

Jeremy Pallant, Foster’s renewable energies manager said: “Renewable energies are becoming more of a focus for Housing Associations as part of planned works – ultimately helping to improve the lives of residents in fuel poverty.”

The family firm was founded in 1976 and is still run by the Foster family.

The firm said that several multi-national companies have flooded into the housing association market in recent times. While the company’s headquarters are in Wisbech, it has regional offices in Norwich and Needham Market.

Among the housing associations that are members of the Eastern Procurement Consortium are Colne Housing, Orwell Housing, Suffolk Housing Society, Freebridge Community Housing, Saffron Housing, Norwich City Council, Victory Housing, Wherry Housing, Cotman Housing Association (Places For People) and Hundred Housing Society.