Volvo ECR50D lifts Francis Homes


into the premier league The VOICE sent freelance journalist GEOFF ASHCROFT along to find out more.


Francis Homes, the Solihull-based developer of exclusive and luxurious family homes, has just bought its first excavator – a Volvo ECR50D, supplied by SM Plant Sales. The new excavator purchase represents the company’s


first step towards expanding its house-building operation, as it looks to exercise more control over operating costs and make greater use of its own resources. Francis Homes is run by former professional footballer


Trevor Francis, in partnership with his eldest son Matthew. While Matthew is responsible for the day-to-day aspects of the business, his younger brother James also works in the company, and Trevor applies himself in a managerial role. It’s not the first time Trevor Francis has been the


manager of a business – after becoming England's first £1 million player following his transfer to Nottingham Forest in 1979 and scoring the winning goal in the European Cup final that same year, he later went on to manage Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday. Away


14 THE VOICE MAGAZINE No29 2017


from the family business, Trevor Francis is still involved with the game, commentating as a television pundit with BT Sport. “This Volvo digger would make a cracking central


defender,” says Trevor. “It looks like it could easily destroy the others on the pitch.” Francis Homes is currently working on two exclusive


developments in and around Birmingham, where it’s building multiple luxurious family homes worth in excess of £1.5m each, over the next two years. While the business has been growing, its heavy


machinery needs have been met through hiring. But the progression of the business to a ‘premier league’ housing developer has enabled the father-and-son team to invest in its first excavator. “Having our own midi excavator permanently on site


means we can take advantage of its capabilities without having to consider short-term hire costs,” explains Matthew.


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