Constructing Excellence Annual Conference 2024

Constructing Excellence held their annual conference in 2024 named ‘Delivering Tomorrow Today’ which included the Our Future Climate Panel. Discussion focused on how better procurement practices, greater dater sharing, implementation of an integrated approach and improved collaboration can deliver a more positive Future Climate.

Key points of discussion were Future Climate, Future Society, Future Major Projects, and Future Delivery. Future Climate explored the challenges of the current climate and so procedures and data sharing we can put in place to make real improvements to the goal of Net Zero. Future Society discusses what the industry can do to bring greater benefits to society and the people we serve such as, better communication with end users before a build, during and after. Communication will give us a clearer idea of the needs of the society we serve. The Future Major Projects panel explored the barriers to productivity and pipelines we can put in place to improve value. Future Delivery discussed the Building Safety Act, modern methods of construction, procurement models and framework agreements. They explored the positive impacts the above had on construction and delivery in a more successful, safer, and more collaborative manner.

Read the full conference notes by following the link Delivering Tomorrow Today: Future Climate – Constructing Excellence

Katy Harris takes on the role as Chair

After being involved in Constructing Excellence Manchester for nearly 15 years, Katy Harris, Pre-Construction Director at Seddon has taken over the role as Chair. Katy took over from Katie Saunders who decided to step down from her role as Chair at the end of 2023. Katie remains a key part of the steering group and will take on the role as Vice Chair so she can continue to give Katy her support.
Katy has a wealth of experience in the Construction Industry and her speciality lies in procurement best practice and bid. She is also a Girls Out Loud ambassador, Girls Out Loud is a social enterprise that pairs a big sister (a professional woman), with a little sister (a girl of secondary school age) and, through mentoring the little sister is given advice and career help to help them on their journey into adulthood. The programme aims to build confidence, emotional resilience, and self-esteem. Katy represents women that still make up a small minority in the construction industry and encourages girls to consider construction for their future careers through the hundreds of careers available in the industry.

MC Construction lands contracts for Manchester Airport Terminal and Tower

Salford-based MC Construction has begun work on Manchester Airport contracts worth more than £3m, including the new private terminal PremiAir.

The family-owned company is the main contractor for PremiAir, which is due to open in the summer, and for a refurbishment project at a 42ft tower which will be the new base for airfield operations staff.

MC Construction won the contracts under a building services framework to which it was appointed last year.

The company has previously delivered a £450,000 upgrade to a 48,000 sq ft hangar used to service airfield vehicles such as passenger buses, aircraft tugs and baggage trucks. Its facilities services division has also carried out projects under the framework.

PremiAir has been designed by Jacobs and will be the first facility of its kind at a major UK airport.

It will offer guests a pay-as-you-use ‘private jet experience’ while flying in and out of Manchester on commercial airlines, with secure parking, a personal greeting, faster baggage processing, an elegant lounge with complimentary food and drink, dedicated security and passport channels and a chauffeur-driven car to take them to and from their aircraft.

As well as building the single-storey terminal, MC Construction is undertaking drainage, road and car park works at the site, which is next to the Runway Visitor Park.

MC Construction has also begun work on an overhaul of the former IDLEx tower which is attached to Terminal One.

The tower – whose initials stand for International Departure Lounge Extension – was previously used by airfield operations staff and the airport telephone exchange, but was mothballed some years ago.

It is being brought back into use as part of the huge Manchester Airport Transformation Programme and will once again be the base for the airfield operations teams.

The scheme involves creating offices and a conference room on the top floor of the five-storey tower, with rest rooms and a kitchen on the third floor. MC Construction is also undertaking works on the ground floor to create storage and locker facilities.

Marwa Derouiche of Jacobs is the project manager. Halliday Meecham is the architect.

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, said: “We are thrilled to be working on these projects for our valued client Manchester Airport.

“The PremiAir terminal is a prestigious scheme which will transform the guest experience, while it is pleasing to see the IDLEx tower being brought back into active use as part of the airport’s transformation programme.”

Marwa said: “The IDLEx was in desperate need of refurbishment and we are all excited to see the finished result. Airfield operations are looking forward to moving into their new office space, which offers great views of the airfield.”

Old Football Kits Get New Lease of Life in Africa

A former international soccer player is making sure unwanted football kits and equipment from junior clubs across Greater Manchester are being put to good use – thousands of miles away in Africa.

For several years, former Nigerian international Chuks Akuneto has been collecting redundant strips, boots, shin pads and goalkeeping gloves and sending them to his native country and Kenya for less fortunate youngsters to wear.

So far, over 200 young footballers have benefited from his initiative and the latest to receive a kit is the Success Youth Club’s under-11s squad, based in a suburb of the capital, Lagos.

Their green and white hooped kit was previously worn by a team at St John’s Junior Football Club in Chorlton, sponsored by Salford-based company MC Construction.

Chuks, 41, who manages the St John’s under-7s squad, is a Manchester Football Association tutor and coach mentor who in his playing career represented his country four times. He played professionally for clubs in Cameroon, India, Malaysia, Russia and Vietnam as well as in Nigeria.

He came to England after he retired and held a variety of coaching and management roles at FC United from 2008 to 2014.

In addition to St John’s, Chuks has collected unwanted items from clubs including Curzon Ashton and Droylsden FC, and has shipped them to Africa.

Chuks said: “I grew up in Lagos and benefited from people who handed down their kits to me and enabled me to have a career in football.

“I found that in England many old kits were thrown out or left to gather dust in a cupboard, so I thought it would be a good idea to collect them and send them to my contacts who distribute them to less fortunate children, whose parents cannot afford to buy boots, a strip or other equipment.

“We’ve had lots of messages of appreciation from clubs and families in Nigeria and Kenya.

“It’s my way of giving back as a way of saying thank you for what I’ve gained from football, as it gives kids in Africa the opportunity to go and enjoy playing the sport.”

The MC Construction-sponsored kit was worn by the current under-11s at St John’s from under-7s to under-9s level.

Among the boys in the St John’s team is the son of company director Chris Purcell.

Kevin Garvey, treasurer of St John’s, said: “Every few years, teams get a new sponsor and we collect the old kits once they are outgrown. They are usually still in good condition and we don’t want them to go to waste, so it’s great to be able to pass them on to children who would otherwise go without.

“In turn our boys can understand that others are less fortunate and that they can help children in another part of the world.”

Chris Purcell said: “We are proud that our sponsored shirts have contributed to Chuks’ fantastic and worthwhile initiative.

“Both of my children currently play for St John’s and it’s a great way for the club to help other youngsters who are less fortunate.”

If you have any unwanted kit or equipment that you would like to donate, contact Chuks via [email protected] or 07837 639004.

Work Starts On £2.4m Pet Wellbeing Centre For PDSA

Work has started on a new £2.4m Pet Wellbeing Centre in Manchester for leading veterinary charity PDSA.

Salford-based MC Construction is the main contractor for the scheme, which is scheduled for completion next summer.

The PDSA Manchester Pet Wellbeing Centre, The Montague-Panton Animal Hospital is being built at the junction of Pottery Lane and Redgate Lane in Gorton.

It will replace the PDSA’s current premises in Old Trafford, which the charity says is at breaking point.

The new complex will have two operating theatres, a specialist dental theatre, digital x-ray facilities and modern consulting rooms.

It will also feature a bigger, brighter waiting area with separate sections for cats and dogs, reducing the stress a visit to the vet can cause. There will be improved kennel facilities to allow pets to recover quicker from surgery and treatment in a better environment.

PDSA veterinary staff David Brookfield and Zoe Walton made the first dig to kick-start the project.

Veterinary nurse Zoe said: “We are all excited to see work start on our new Wellbeing Centre. PDSA provides a vital service for Manchester pet owners struggling to provide vet care for their pets.

“I’m delighted that work has started at the new site and I’m hoping this will inspire local animal lovers to help us raise the remaining funds we need. I can’t wait to see the doors open to the new hospital next year.”

PDSA unveiled plans for the scheme in March with the launch of a public appeal to raise £2.4m to build and equip it.

With the support of animal lovers, charity supporters, businesses and a significant donation from the Montague-Panton Animal Welfare Trust, building work has now begun. However, the charity still needs to raise funds and is continuing with its public appeal.

PDSA treats nearly 12,000 pets each year at its Old Trafford site, from emergency surgery to routine vaccinations and dental treatment.

David Lowe, managing director of MC Construction, said: “We are excited to begin work on this development and are delighted to be partnering with the PDSA team to deliver a high-quality facility for the Manchester pet community.

“Having two office dogs at MC Construction, we have a special place in our hearts for this project.”

Consultants working with MC Construction on the scheme include Anthony Keith Architects, quantity surveyors Allan Reynolds Partnership, structural engineers James Christopher Consulting and mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy Desco.

Constructing Excellence Manchester launches its Spring Seminar Series

We are pleased to announce our seminar series for Spring 2019.

JANUARY:
The RIBA, CIOB and RICS recently launched a new free-to-download digital tool – the Quality Tracker – to improve the quality of outcomes in the construction industry.
The Quality Tracker has distinct benefits for the construction industry, setting up a formal ‘chain of custody for quality’ aligned to the RIBA Plan of Work, enabling all prospective and current members of the project team to better understand their risks. This improves collaboration, increases transparency, and averts disputes as project teams grow and change. It gives purchasers, tenants, investors and asset managers a straightforward account about the quality targets for the building they are buying into and its development history and allows clients to demonstrate their overall commitment to quality and differentiate themselves in the market.
The wider adoptions of the Quality Tracker will incentivise better quality in buildings which, in turn, will lead to improved human health, safety and wellbeing, and boost the construction industry’s reputation. You will learn all about this tool from Katie Tonkinson of Hawkins Brown who led the initiative. [Booking will commence in January.]

FEBRUARY
The City of Trees is the Greater Manchester part of the Northern Forest, a 25-year vision to plant 50 million trees across the North of England, stretching from Liverpool to Hull. Learn more about this initiative which is set to transform and re-invigorate Manchester’s landscape. Learn about its social, economic and environmental value in terms of cleaner air and carbon sequestration.

MARCH
We will be co-hosting an event with BIM Regions NW focussing on Standards, following the release of ISO 19650 (superseding BS1192-1 & PAS1192-2), and Product Data following the release of the UK BIM Alliance report ‘Product data, state of the nation’. We will have speakers from CoBuilder, the BSI and the UK BIM Alliance so don’t miss this important update.

When: Wednesdays – 16th January, 13th February and 13th March, 2019
Time: 8am – 10am
Where: All our seminars are held at the conference facility of Trowers and Hamlins, 55 Princess Steet Manchester M2 4EW

To book please visit our website for more details and keep up to date with all news on our Twitter page

Accolade for MC Construction Site Manager Tim

A site manager at Salford-based MC Construction has won an industry honour.

Tim Pugh, 52, was named site manager of the year for the north at the Building Safety Group’s fourth annual national health and safety awards.

It is the second year in a row that an employee at MC Construction has won the award, following Andy Sey’s success in 2017.

Tim started his career with the firm in 1992 as a labourer and worked his way through the ranks to become a site manager 15 years ago.

The company supported him as he achieved a number of industry qualifications, most recently an NVQ Level 6 in construction management with conservation.

His recent projects include a new visitors’ centre for the National Trust at Speke Hall in Liverpool, and a restoration scheme at The Whitworth art gallery at the University of Manchester.

Tim is currently working on a project for new client Vita Cellular Foams (UK) in Middleton, Greater Manchester.

He was nominated for the award by BSG, a non-for-profit organisation which is the UK’s largest construction safety group with more than 800 members. It provides health and safety and environmental advice and training to the construction industry.

Tim collected the accolade at a ceremony held at the Williams Formula One Conference Centre in Oxfordshire.

Eugene O’Callaghan, the firm’s construction director, said: “We are delighted for Tim at his achievement in winning this award. He has been an integral part of our team for over 25 years and he fully deserves this recognition.”

BSG managing director Paul Kimpton said: “The BSG Awards ceremony was once again a national celebration of our members’ dedicated commitment to health and safety in construction.

“Recognised award winners such as MC Construction should be immensely proud of their achievement and highly commended for their admirable approach to reducing risk in the workplace.

“It is BSG members like MC Construction who make a significant contribution to raising the bar when it comes to health and safety standards across the sector, and we offer them our congratulations.”

Tim Pugh (right) collects his accolade from Paul Kimpton

Outstanding First Year for MC Construction’s Facilities Services Arm

MC Construction has hailed the success of its new facilities services division, which has doubled its turnover target and nearly tripled its workforce in its first year.

The Salford-based company established MC Facilities Services in summer 2017 with eight staff.

The team, led by director Russ Forshaw, has grown to 22 as demand has increased, with the addition of staff specialising in mechanical, electrical and fabric maintenance works.

Revenues for its first full financial year to September are on track to reach £2m, double the initial goal.

The division’s private sector client base includes Kellogg’s, Bentley Motors, The Christie, U+I, The Peel Group and Robinsons Brewery.

In addition, it has been appointed to the Crown Commercial Service’s £12bn, four-year public sector framework and Salford City Council’s responsive repairs and maintenance framework.

Due to its rapid expansion, MC Facilities Services has now taken premises at the Mayfield Development Partnership’s site near Piccadilly Station. A 3,200 sq ft unit is being used as a platform from which to expand its city centre operations.

Russ said: “We’re delighted with our achievements in our first full year. We have built a fantastic team of locally-employed tradesmen and have worked hard to establish a reputation for reliability, flexibility and trust offering a responsive service to our client base around the clock, 365 days a year.

“Since the collapse of Carillion we have seen strong demand from customers seeking a trusted SME partner which can deliver an efficient and responsive service.

“Against this backdrop we look forward with confidence to another successful year ahead.”

Russ said the division is aiming for 20 per cent growth in revenues and staff numbers over the next 12 months and is on the acquisition trail to further expand its offer.

“We are keen to identify companies which offer bolt-on specialist services such as air-conditioning installation and servicing, access control, fire alarm system maintenance and CCTV,” he said.

“These will further help us towards our goal of providing a comprehensive, one-stop service to our growing client base.”

In addition to minor works, building services and facilities maintenance, the division offers insurance reinstatement, fire remedial works, testing and inspection services and maintenance of canals and other waterways.

Constructing Excellence Manchester partner with Explore Offsite

On the 12th September Constructing Excellence are now partnering with Explore Offsite and Salford University to bring the Offsite conference and exhibition to the North West for the first time. Members of Constructing Excellence Manchester will be able to attend at a discounted rate – details will be provided separately.

The Explore Offsite series takes the form of a combined conference and exhibition and brings together a range of offsite technology supply chain specialists and industry leaders to discuss the uptake of offsite construction within the region.

Explore Offsite North West will focus on the key themes of: offsite technology options; regional offsite supply chain resources and opportunities; and project case studies. The event will attract construction clients; construction professionals: architects, surveyors, engineers; facilities managers; building product manufacturers and suppliers.

For more information on the conference and exhibition please visit: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/2018-events/explore-offsite-north-west

Award Joy For MC Construction

MC Construction has gained another accolade for its approach to staff training and development.

The Salford-based company won the People Development category at the 12^th annual North West Regional Construction Awards, which celebrate best practice and recognise exceptional companies and projects from across the region.

In their citation, the judges said: “The judges were impressed by how this company truly captured the value of their human resource. The opportunities for personal development within this organisation are outstanding.”

MC Construction will now be entered into the Constructing Excellence National Awards, which will take place in London in November.

The latest accolade follows the company’s success last year in the British Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Chamber Business Awards. It won the commitment to people development prize in the Greater Manchester heat and then nationally.

MC Construction operates a direct labour policy and the average length of service among its workforce is over 10 years.

It has a policy of nurturing talent from within its ranks and supports staff who wish to study for a degree by funding up to 80 per cent of the course fees.

Currently more than 20 employees are working towards qualifications.

The company’s ‘grow your own’ talent strategy has led to five of the seven current directors rising through the ranks, including David Lowe from apprentice bricklayer to managing director and Eugene O’Callaghan from assistant quantity surveyor to commercial director.

Others have followed suit into senior roles and the company also has a record number of apprentices on its books – seven in total. Each employee has an annual training and development plan.

Last year staff undertook a total of 250 training days and the company spent £500,000 to extend and refurbish its offices to improve the working environment.

David Lowe said: “We work hard to provide our staff with the best possible career and development opportunities, which helps us to combat the industry skills shortage, nurture our own talent and ensure our values are ingrained in our team.

“The main reason for our success as a business is our staff – they are at the heart of everything we do and we engage with them at every opportunity.

“We’re delighted that this commitment has been recognised with the people development honour at the North West Regional Construction Awards and we look forward to representing the region in the national awards later this year.”

More than 400 people attended the NWRCA ceremony at The Principal Hotel in Manchester. The awards were hosted by the University of Salford, the Centre for Construction Innovation and Constructing Excellence.