McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) has been appointed to two of the four lots awarded to McLaren nationally on the £8bn Procure Partnerships Framework. Procure Partnerships Framework has operated a national contractor framework for the last four years across 11 regions, and this second iteration covers four disciplines; construction, decarbonisation and retrofit, demolition and site preparation and infrastructure. Under the construction discipline, the McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) division has been appointed to deliver public sector projects from £15m-£30m in the East Midlands and £30m+ in the West Midlands. The contractor is one of 87 appointed to the second-generation Framework which will run from 1 November 2023 for four years. McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) secured its place on the Framework through a rigorous selection process encompassing several critical assessments, including: PAS91 Selection Questionnaire, Financial Standing Checks, Relevant Experience, and Commercial Assessments, alongside Quality Assessments – covering aspects such as cost management, health and safety, sustainability, social value, and performance management. Gary Cramp, Managing Director at McLaren Construction (Midlands & North), said: “The new iteration of the framework is set to transform public and private sector procurement. McLaren Construction is proud to have been selected to deliver high-quality public sector schemes. “Both McLaren Construction and the Framework have a shared priority of delivering projects that have a strong emphasis on generating social value, and we are looking forward to what will be achieved for communities in the next four years.” Robbie Blackhurst, Director and Founder at Procure Partnerships Framework, said: “It was of paramount importance to us that the new framework addresses the growing needs of the industry, whilst ensuring clients have access to specialist contractors for their projects. McLaren Construction has an extensive portfolio of delivering successful construction projects, and we’re delighted to welcome them back onto the second iteration of the Procure Partnerships Framework.” McLaren Construction London and South have also been appointed to two lots covering £30m+projects in the East of England and Southeast. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

A contractor has been appointed for the Queen’s University Belfast-led Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a £100m Belfast Region City Deal project, with almost £80m coming from the UK Government. Henry Brothers has won the £30m contract to construct the 10,500m² Factory of the Future building at Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey. AMIC will reinvigorate Northern Ireland’s industrial potential and address the future technology and skills challenges faced by the region’s manufacturing sector. It is being delivered by Queen’s in partnership with Ulster University, industry, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and supported by the UK Government and NI Executive.  By 2050, it’s estimated that AMIC will have contributed more than £1bn to the local economy, directly and indirectly created over 1,500 permanent jobs and supported the training of 300 apprentices. Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, said: “Queen’s vision as a civic university and a Belfast Region City Deal partner is to create tangible impact where it truly matters. We are determined to drive societal progress for generations to come through delivering three Innovation Centres in advanced manufacturing, clinical research and secure, connected digital technologies. “Connecting our underpinning high-quality research with industry, government and the manufacturing sector will turbocharge our region’s capabilities and embed a culture of innovation to act as a driver for increased productivity. “Our focus is on driving sustainable economic growth to have a positive impact on the lives of people across Northern Ireland.” Professor Stuart Elborn, Interim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University, said: “As part of our City Deal programme AMIC will create jobs by supporting local companies to be more competitive on a global scale, attract new investment and ensure that we have the skilled workforce needed for the future. “Through City Deal we are committed to delivering inclusive growth benefits right across Northern Ireland in terms of productivity, jobs and skills and for the AMIC project we’re delighted to be working with Henry Brothers, a company which shares this ethos.” Henry Brothers, which is headquartered in Magherafelt, with more than 200 employees based across Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland, has been awarded the construction contract after a competitive tendering process. Work includes the early contractor involvement process, construction of an engineering hall, a clean room, laboratory spaces, an auditorium and office accommodation as well as external landscaping and mechanical and electrical services. Planning permission for the building was given in May, and it’s hoped that construction work at the site can start next spring. AMIC plans to be operating from the Factory of the Future by 2026, with capacity for 150 staff, as it delivers for Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. David Henry, Managing Director, Henry Brothers, said: “We are pleased to be working with Queen’s University on the new Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, which will provide support for the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Northern Ireland and beyond. “As one of Northern Ireland’s leading construction companies, we understand how important facilities like these are in addressing the industry-wide skills shortage. “Having previously delivered the redevelopment of McClay Library and David Bates buildings at the University, we have an established relationship with Queen’s that we look forward to building on. “Working with the Belfast Region City Deal partners and sharing their vision to create ‘inclusive economic growth that delivers more and better jobs’, Henry Brothers is committed to embedding social value through delivery of this project, with a focus on creating apprenticeship opportunities and providing student placement and professional trainee opportunities, together with delivering paid employment opportunities for those currently facing barriers to employment.” Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy, said: “The Department, along with Invest NI, continues to support the development of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre and we are delighted to see another key implementation milestone being achieved by Queen’s University Belfast. “The £100m investment shows the commitment that exists within Queen’s and the Belfast Region City Deal to collaborate with industry partners in order to unlock innovation within our region. AMIC will play a key role in the realisation of the 10x vision for our economy, by driving growth through innovation.” Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Mark Cooper BEM, said: “The appointment of a contractor for AMIC is great news bringing the development a step closer. The Council is delighted to support this project with a £10m investment which will see this flagship facility, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, set for Global Point Newtownabbey. “This state-of-the-art centre will act as a catalyst for advanced manufacturing in our Borough and will further strengthen the Council’s plans to transform Global Point into a world-class hub of advanced manufacturing excellence.” AMIC is building on 50 years of sustained innovation and industry support through the Northern Ireland Technology Centre (NITC), the Polymers Processing Research Centre (PPRC) and the more recent university-industry partnership, the NI Advanced Composites and Engineering (NIACE). It will provide a specialised environment for advanced manufacturing, materials, and engineering sectors to access the latest digital, automation and robotics technology supported by experienced engineers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has successfully been selected for two lots on the Procure Partnerships Framework. Running from 1 November 2023 for four years, G F Tomlinson have been selected to deliver a range of schemes within the public sector. As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson has been appointed to deliver projects from £5 million to £15 million, across both the East Midlands and West Midlands.   Procure Partnerships Framework Ltd has operated a national contractor framework for the past four years and has supported the delivery of over 150 construction projects year on year. This second iteration of the Framework covers four disciplines, including construction, under which G F Tomlinson has been appointed. The total value of the Framework across its nine regions is anticipated to be £8 billion, over the four-year term. G F Tomlinson secured its place on the Framework through a rigorous and comprehensive selection process encompassing several critical assessments, including: PAS91 Selection Questionnaire; Financial Standing Checks; Relevant Experience; and Commercial Assessments; and Quality Assessments, covering aspects such as cost management, health and safety, sustainability, social value, and performance management. G F Tomlinson’s Framework Manager, Ian Dalby, will be managing this new relationship, ensuring the contractor’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional construction solutions. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: ‘The Procure Partnerships Framework will enhance our coverage in the regions we operate in and provide a cost-effective platform for delivering essential public sector projects, and we are pleased to now be part of it. “Since 2018 G F Tomlinson has delivered in excess of £500 million projects within the public sector and this award will help to continue our commitment to delivering excellence in construction and our commitment to transforming communities. We look forward to developing significant projects across the East and West Midlands.” Robbie Blackhurst, Director and Founder at Procure Partnerships Framework, said: “Procure Partnerships Framework looks forward to working with G F Tomlinson on a number of key projects essential to the delivery of public sector works at the highest standard. The new iteration of the framework is set to transform public and private sector procurement, and we look forward to seeing what G F Tomlinson achieves over the next four years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals