Britcon, the North Lincolnshire building and civil engineering firm, has started working on site for a major contract that includes the extension of a Leeds operating site for Vickers Oils. The complex project involves the construction of a 5,500 sq ft two-storey, river-side building to house a first-floor laboratory with roof plant area and ground floor storage facility.  

“Our environment acceptable marine lubricants have helped our business to grow significantly in recent years following legislation that requires the worldwide shipping industry to make changes. This has allowed us to invest in our plant and relocate our wet chemistry function into the new laboratory whilst keeping our mechanical testing and offices in the old buildings,” said Chris Wholley, Technical Director at Vickers Oils.

“The challenge to Britcon is no mean feat as they are required to manage the construction project alongside mechanical and electrical installation and laboratory outfitter simultaneously in a very short timescale. We are extremely pleased with the efficiency of the Britcon team so far,” he added.

Part of a substantial investment by Vickers Oils, the laboratory extensions aims to update the company’s 50-year-old laboratory buildings and consolidate it into a more modern facility with improved extraction, heating and ventilation. A new boiler house and tank farm have already been installed, while the existing structures have been demolished to make room for the new laboratory.

“We are pleased to be working with Vickers Oils to deliver this significant project that will help facilitate further growth for a market leader. The project is complex and challenging but we have the expertise and value engineering capacity to deliver. We are also in discussions to carry out phase three of the project to install energy efficient windows, a new façade to the existing building and refurbishment of the old laboratories,” said Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Britcon.

Britcon was established more than 25 years ago and it now has a team of over 90 people in the UK, as well as a depth of experience working within the chemical and petrochemical sector. Its clients include Lindsey Oil Refinery, BASF, Kemira Chemicals, and Associates British Ports.