Lee Engineering – Enhancing the Future (The Following is a Promoted Article) Whilst high-tech audio and visual technologies are, undoubtedly, a measure with which to enhance a space and make it more attractive, they also have a key role to play within the special needs environment. Able to significantly improve
777 Group – Best Practice Under Pressure (The Following is a Promoted Article) The demolition sector has undergone major transformation in the last 20 years; with increasingly demanding standards in regards to anything from health and safety to rates of recycling, as well as advances in technology, those unwilling or
The construction industry continues to be defined by collaboration; the length of the supply chain often proves critical when it comes to contractors’ ability to carry our quality workmanship, and in a safe and conscientious manner. Adept in design, construction, installation and maintenance, appropriate across industries, Alliance Group Solutions quickly
“So often, an approach to health and safety is characterised by compliance and audits can be seen as a major headache for contractors,” says Beverley Holden, Director of DCM Surfaces. “I’m of the opinion that I’d rather know if something is unsafe than not and auditing is very much a
Lee Engineering – Enhancing the Future (The Following is a Promoted Article) Whilst high-tech audio and visual technologies are, undoubtedly, a measure with which to enhance a space and make it more attractive, they also have a key role to play within the special needs environment. Able to significantly improve the lives of those most vulnerable in society, be that improving mobility or encouraging interactivity within the space, integrated audio and visual solutions are then a highly valuable asset industry-wide. Lee Engineering has, since its founding over 25 years ago, been ahead of its time and now boasts capabilities in all aspects of audio and visual integration solutions, with particular emphasis on serving those in need of specialist care. Able to provide solutions for architectural lighting, building wide sound and lighting systems, all with custom control interfaces, the firm carries out major projects in both the public and private sector, bringing commercial, industrial, retail and leisure, and educational properties into the 21st Century. Working across such a variety of sectors comes with unique challenges. Clients come with widely different requirements relating not just to product specification but schedule of work, cost, and health and safety. Taking pride in its ability to tailor solutions accordingly, Lee Engineering is also flexible to the health and safety requirements of its private and public sector clients, implementing bespoke procedures in line with both level of risk presented and particular conditions of compliance. It’s a competence which has developed as result of gaining CHAS accreditation some four years ago in line with the demands of one of Lee Engineering’s existing customers. Previously, as a small firm of just five employees, all health and safety procedure was managed in-house – and quite successfully, too; the company hadn’t had an accident or near miss for as long as Paul Paluch, Project Manager at Lee Engineering for over 18 years, can remember. Nevertheless, when the opportunity to gain CHAS accreditation presented itself, the firm was sure to capitalise on it, something which Paluch stresses has been the making of the company’s current stature. “Membership of CHAS has allowed us to both prove just how effective our health and safety procedures are and, in turn, evidence our compliance to potential new clients,” reveals Paluch. “As a body of extensive research and resources, the association also represents the ability to keep abreast of any changes to regulation within the sector. As a consequence, both main contractors and clients have absolutely no hesitation choosing us because there is simply no questioning the CHAS mark of standard.” As businesses will undoubtedly be aware, main contractors often operate by more stringent codes of practice with regards to health and safety than those working on subcontract basis. Unlike many who are simply unable to meet such working criteria, Lee Engineering can perform as either main contractor or subcontractor and, aided by CHAS’ wealth of technical and regulatory expertise, can integrate seamlessly with all contractors on-site thus mitigating risk of accident or injury. Such guaranteed codes of practice alongside the technical excellence of its services without doubt contributed to Lee Engineering’s selection for the development of the SPACE Centre’s multi-sensory rooms, one’s the company’s largest special needs projects to date. Acting as lead architect, designer and main contractor, the firm delivered electrical, lighting, audio and visual equipment to create three, fully-interactive spaces for use by families, carers, therapists and teachers of those with special needs. Whilst the rooms themselves are extraordinarily thoughtful and play witness to Lee Engineering’s creativity in design and installation, it’s in control that the firm really stands out. Having developed state-of-the-art control software to manage AV solutions fitted, clients benefit from increased ease of use and rapidly decreased downtime. Such a value-added service has proven increasingly popular according to Paluch, particularly in schools where time is limited. “Individual classes may only have access to a multi-sensory room for an hour at a time,” he explains. “And therefore it’s crucial that the process of getting in and out, and setting the room up doesn’t eat into that time. Our tablet app control systems have drastically cut down the set-up time and we’re going to continue developing our software to make it even more intuitive to use.” Indeed, a real proponent of innovation, Lee Engineering is looking not just at improving its software provision but also extending the hardware it’s able to deliver in the future. Acknowledging the pace at which technology develops and, furthermore, how client demands increase in accordance, the company is investigating the potential of incorporating utilities such as heating and ventilation within its portfolio of services so as to further enhance the sensory experience provided. With care and attention endowed, as well as a strong sense of the importance of audio and visual technology within the special needs setting, Lee Engineering continues to demonstrate an acute understanding of what it means to be both responsible and progressive at every level. And maintaining standards of health and safety which both meet, and exceed, the expectations of clients, the company is likely to only accelerate in prominence in years ahead.
777 Group – Best Practice Under Pressure (The Following is a Promoted Article) The demolition sector has undergone major transformation in the last 20 years; with increasingly demanding standards in regards to anything from health and safety to rates of recycling, as well as advances in technology, those unwilling or unable to evolve run the risk of falling by the wayside. At the forefront of innovation, 777 Group exemplifies where the sector ought to be and takes the idea of best of practice to the next level. Founded in 1964, and with over 50 years’ experience, 777 Group’s ambition always remains to improve transparency and working practices within the demolition works sector. 777 has stayed true to its ethics of responsibility and currently stands as one of the UK’s leading demolition and environmental specialists. With adjoining divisions dedicated to recycling and health and safety, the firm stands as one-stop-shop in all aspects of deconstruction and, as such, it continues to attract a wide variety of clients in the commercial, industrial, retail and leisure and residential property sectors. Whilst the ability to undertake all works and thereby financially de-risk a project is undoubtedly compelling for clients, The 777 end-to-end service also allows greater control over a project’s realisation and, specifically, how health and safety as well as environmental impact are managed. Health and Safety has been a key area of investment for the firm and something which Mike Pearce, Managing Director of 777 Group, stresses is its “number one priority”. As well as putting in place stringent health and safety policies on-site, adequate training has been crucial to maintaining such an ethic. As Mike explains: “We have a very progressive attitude to ensuring staff are suitably qualified; for example, all our labourers, operatives and supervisors are all enrolled in the NDTG qualification scheme. Part of our ability to ensure contracts are fulfilled to the highest standards is based on giving staff the best training available. Failure to do so would not be a consideration.” As a further measure of assurance for clients, 777 Demolition is also an accredited member of a horde of health and safety specific associations, including: Constructionline, Achilles, NFDC, ARCA, the British Safety Council (BSC) and Worksafe Contractor to name a few. Whilst each has a significant role to play in ensuring standards of safe working practice are maintained and continually improved, Mike Pearce pinpoints membership with CHAS as crucial for both effective health and safety management and business prosperity. Indeed, in order to tender for business with many of the company’s clients, our CHAS accreditation has been a pre-requisite and thus sustaining association membership is a means of remaining competitive. All projects require high standards of H&S but one particular project that springs to mind which required strong health and safety certification was the demolition of the IMAX complex in Bournemouth. Located on the town’s sea front in a busy retail and leisure district, the demolition project required attention and diligence from the outset so as not to present risk to either the neighbouring properties or the passing public. And having acquired an infamy with residents owing to its gargantuan size eclipsing the bay from view, locals were in full throng as 777 Demolition’s giant, high-reach demolition rig arrived on site and work commenced. Maintain absolute control throughout, the firm managed to carry out all works within the building’s original footprint –employing ring-fenced, manned access system of entry to mitigate risk to the public. In spite of the physical limitations of the site, 777 was nonetheless able to conduct waste management in much the same way as any project, as Mike Pearce highlights: “By carefully planning the process of deconstruction we were able to safely demolish the building and ensure material was segregated in a timely and efficient fashion. Felled material was separated and stockpiled by a 30 tonne excavator equipped with a rotating grab attachment. In all, some 13,500t of waste was separated and removed from the site with 3000t of steel and 8000t of concrete successfully recycled. Recycling rates exceeded 97% despite the restrictive nature of the site.” As becomes clear, 777 Group is not just favoured for its leading position on health and safety but furthermore, its capability when it comes to recycling and environmentalism. As support for greener methods of development (and demolition) increases, the firm’s attention to recycling becomes an ever greater asset for clients and some now even demand it. Doing more than simply meeting requirement however, 777 has proven it is capable of exceeding expectations in every respect – including rates of recycling. Following initial assessment and the identification of waste streams, the company puts in place a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) to run concurrently with health and safety procedure as well as time and cost schedules. Abiding by each, 777 delivers projects on time, on budget, to specification and with strong values of health and safety and environmentalism. Delivering high-value, high quality workmanship on some of the most ambitious demolition projects throughout the UK of recent years, the 777 Group continues to rise in stature within the industry. With well-founded growth ambitions for 2016 and beyond, and with express commitment to industry standards as well as acuity when it comes to innovation, the firm will doubtless remain strides ahead of the competition for years to come.
The construction industry continues to be defined by collaboration; the length of the supply chain often proves critical when it comes to contractors’ ability to carry our quality workmanship, and in a safe and conscientious manner. Adept in design, construction, installation and maintenance, appropriate across industries, Alliance Group Solutions quickly puts to rest the age-old dilemma and, by maximising its construction capabilities, offers clients minimal risk. With three specialist strands dedicated to contracting, flood defence and consultancy, the Kirkby-in-Ashfield based company is well-versed in the interdisciplinary approach and, defined by its plurality, can effectively carry a project from inception to sign-off. With an array of services, Alliance Group Solutions is capable of a great many feats and perhaps adds the most value as an end-to-end service provider. It’s with the interaction and collaboration between each of its distinct, subsidiary businesses that the company is able to deliver on quality as well as cost. With quality and cost the principal deciding factors for any client, Alliance Group Solutions continues to attract a great variety of customers in both the public and private sector, on a one-off and long-term framework agreement basis. For clients looking for flexibility and cost competitiveness, there is little to rival the company’s spectrum of services and, it’s with that, Alliance Group Solutions secures contracts with major, blue chip organisations and high profile clients. A recent project saw the company work with a client working on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), its raft of services adding significant weight to its initial contract. John Mattinson, Marketing and Development Director at Alliance Group Solutions details further: “What began as a contract centred on a vehicle wash facility subsequently became a showcase of just what we’re capable of. In the first instance, we had to meet a number of challenging criteria to win the contract, and were charged to ensure the site was serviced to the highest degree. The contract also incorporated major water and drainage construction and saw us conduct lighting installation work, install interceptors on the vehicle wash, a waste water treatment plant and create a large, vehicle manoeuvring facility to provide better access and mobility for the client’s heavy-duty vehicles. Worth £750k, the job also allowed us to flex our consultancy muscles and make use of the new surveying technologies we’ve recently developed.” Indeed, over the last six months, Alliance Group Solutions has developed in-house surveying services and, with the aid of pioneering software, is now equipped to carry out land, property-level, flood, topographical and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys. This latest addition comes alongside the company’s prolonged investment in highway design and terrain modelling software as well as hydraulic modelling software, developments which have seen Alliance Group Solutions go from strength to strength and the company now boasts a breadth of consultancy services, including: project management, procurement and technical reporting, cementing its lead in project delivery. Committed to minimising partnership with sub-contractors from the very beginning, Alliance Group Solutions has only solidified its identity as a one-stop-shop further which provides both competitive edge and significant advantage to clients: “Our ability to deliver a total project without recourse to third parties allows us to control quality as well as ensure our strict codes of practice are being adhered to. For us, health and safety will always come first. One accident, serious or worse, can spell the end of a company as well as being totally unacceptable from a people point of view. By taking on a whole job, we prevent the risks associated with interfacing and operating to multiple standards, and require significantly less operatives on site therefore reduce the opportunity for accidents to happen.” In rare cases where the company works alongside others (during projects that require specialist services that Alliance Group Solutions is unable to support), partners are fully-briefed from the outset, undergo induction, are provided daily instruction, and are audited by the group’s site management team. Also vetted at a procurement stage, third parties are considered against Alliance Group Solutions’ health and safety and environmental standards, alongside proposed costs. Despite undergoing major investment, diversification and expansion over the years, Alliance Group Solutions’ dedication to safe contracting has remained and the company has retained OHSAS 18001 accreditation and membership with CHAS. Though, by and large, expressing its will to do better by its operatives, membership with the leading health and safety association has, too, rapidly sped up the tendering process and bestowed the company nationally-recognised esteem. “The robust framework and criteria you have to meet make it a badge of honour for contractors like ourselves”. “With the support of accreditation, we’re able to come into our own during bidding. All our investment is geared toward penetrating the marketplace and membership with CHAS is very much a part of that drive.” With a holistic approach to service delivery, Alliance Group Solutions continues to demonstrate its understanding of the market and regularly outstrips rival companies on account of its all-encompassing capacity, each stage imbued with quality and transparency. Enjoying organic growth, the company is looking to widen its customer base and, as it does so, will look to increase its expertise. John Mattinson states “We are a growing company working up and down the country across a great range of projects”. “There are a number of opportunities to come and join us for people at all stages of their careers, particularly new trainees, apprentices, graduates and experienced site operatives. People are our biggest asset and, for anyone as excited about the industry as we are, the message is very much to come and talk to us.”
“So often, an approach to health and safety is characterised by compliance and audits can be seen as a major headache for contractors,” says Beverley Holden, Director of DCM Surfaces. “I’m of the opinion that I’d rather know if something is unsafe than not and auditing is very much a way of doing that.” Expressing utmost respect for employees and observing keen emphasis on health and safety, DCM Surfaces is one of the few subcontractors in the sector to express its unwavering commitment to the needs of its staff, as well as those of clients, which is why the company is regularly billed an exemplar of corporate responsibility. Established in 1995, DCM Surfaces has developed a unique identity in the sector, revered for its knowledge and flexibility when it comes to outdoor surfacing. Whilst the company was originally borne out of local and national initiatives to increase safety in public parks and playgrounds, the business has since grown exponentially to include a range of outdoor surfaces beyond purely safety surfacing. With the recent purchasing of a separate tarmacking business, the company is also able conduct civil engineering, groundworks and tarmacadam as Macadamize. As a result of an extending portfolio of services, DCM Surfaces now works for clients across industries and on a nationwide basis, acting as subcontractor to private and public sector clients. With new office and warehouse space, DCM Surfaces is well-equipped to handle its growing client base and widening repertoire. The new facilities represent a significant gain in efficiencies, and the company has gone from a storage capacity of 90t to 400t. Now able to mobilise material more quickly, serve projects of greater size, DCM Surfaces performs at a pace to outstrip any other. The company has established a loyal client base and is favoured for its quality and responsibility. DCM Surfaces aspires to much the same standard as the biggest and brightest in the construction industry, pertaining to the same principles and standards as one would expect of a main contractor. The company benefits from a close-knit team of specialists in design, installation, management and delivery, all operating in synergy. As Holden corroborates, “By directly employing all our staff, we safeguard the quality of work and encourage repeat business. More importantly though, it improves the morale of our team and inspires pride in the job. They get to know one another; each have the same over-arching ambition and the same ethics of safe, efficient and effective project delivery.” On-site safety continues to be challenged by the interfacing it demands between contracting parties involved. The same is true within a firm; safety requires everyone, from directors to installers, to take accountability for their own practice so as to prevent placing themselves or others at risk. Alongside a strong staff ethic, DCM Surfaces regularly unites on-site operatives to deliver toolbox talks, ensures each member understands his duties and responsibilities on a daily basis, and sources relevant health and safety training for all employees. On-site operatives each have an up-to-date CSCS card while supervisors and managers have been through the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) or Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) as appropriate. With the addition of CHAS membership, DCM Surfaces evidences that strict code of practice and is provided not only a framework for its ambitions, but a means of testifying its continuous ethic to potential clients and partners. “CHAS is a means of differentiating the serious contractors from the ordinary,” attests Holden, “And it has always been our ambition to be a leader in surfacing design and installation. Alongside ISO 9001 accreditation, CHAS membership has provided us key competitive advantage and a quality assurance that simply isn’t available elsewhere.” One such client attracted by DCM Surfaces’ strong corporate values and exceptional quality products was one the of the UK’s leading main contractors, Kier Construction. A discerning client with exacting expectations, Kier posed distinct challenges for the sub-contractor as Holden explains: “During projects in Halesham and New Haven, we had to adapt our working methods so as to meet their health and safety requirements, purchasing four new mixers fitted with emergency stop buttons. Flexibility is a core value of the business and whether we’re working for a main contractor like Kier Construction or a small school, we always strive to deliver and produce something we can be proud of.” With ongoing audits and a growing order book, DCM Surfaces is determined to retain the quality workmanship by which it is known. And as it continues to promote employee development and welfare, and boasts a health and safety ethic beyond that of any like competitor, the company’s prestige is only set to enlarge and, with it, comes the opportunity to develop further capabilities and services.
