An Bradford-based contracting firm PEC has created 20 new jobs as its business has grown during the first half of 2012, including some through several international projects.

The family company, which started as a one-man electrical business in 1977, now employs 120 people, including six new apprentices in joinery, electrical, decorating and plumbing.

The firm has clinched £3 million of new contracts with global clients so far this year.

PEC also opened a London office to generate new contacts and open up more business leads.

New work includes projects for one of Europe’s leading parking companies Q-Park in London and Yorkshire, for marketing agency Momentum UK in Barcelona and Sweden and for Leeds-based Range Rover tuning company Overfinch.

The work has taken PEC teams around the world and created the need for extra staff.

PEC also has contracts with Majestic Wines, Homebase, Directorbank, with Bradford restaurateurs Lahore and Aagrah, Bradford College, Broadgate Primary School, in Horsforth , and Keelham Farm Shop at Thornton .

Momentum UK commissioned PEC to carry out an internal shop fit-out for electronics and entertainment giant Sony at a store within the grounds of its European head office in Lund, Sweden. Bespoke display units, service counters and wall displays were built in Bradford at PEC’s manufacturing division.

A small installation team travelled to Sweden and over a four days completed the project, including construction of a rear display wall with fabric panelling, decoration works, and installing Sony’s equipment ranging from LCD TVs to mobile phone and related components.

Sohan Panesar, PEC’s managing director who took over from his father, company founder Balbir who is now chairman focusing on new business development, said: “A willingness to move quickly when opportunities arise and having a well-qualified and motivated in-house team helps us to succeed.

“Despite the retail downturn, we have maintained a healthy level of business with long-standing clients and also secured business in additional sectors where we have been working hard to raise our profile.

“Healthcare is a particularly strong sector, as we have been working with Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust on the refurbishment of a dementia ward at Bradford Royal Infirmary which has received widespread industry praise. We see that sector having great potential for us.”

“Enquiry levels have never been better, thanks in part to our physical presence in London through the Mayfair office. We knew we’d have to work hard to win the contracts in the current climate, and I am confident our efforts have paid off. There are some exciting projects in the pipeline and our expansion plans are on track.”