grapevine issue 17 winter 2014

GrapevineISSUE 15 WINTER 2014

InsideNFB Awards 2014Expansion into East MidlandsLandmark Building Complete

Ground Breaking CeremonyDevizesand much more...

Grapevine ǀ Winter 2014

And the award goes to...Congratulations to all those who participated in the StepCare concept as it scooped up an award at the Annual NFB Awards 2014.

We also received an Award for Craftsmanship by the Leicestershire Joint Consultative Committee for the Building Industry (LJCC) for the Denton House Scheme at Loughborough Grammar School.

Well done to all those involved.

Apologies to avid readers of Grapevine for the period since the last edition, but it has been a busy time for all, with much happening behind the scenes.

The results for the Group last year were the worst on record. This was due to tough trading conditions at the bottom of the economic cycle which meant that many pre-construction issues were not addressed and contract teams struggled to find the buying gains and resources to maintain profitable projects. We also had several very poorly performing projects, which hit us hard and made a bad situation much worse. The Directors have strengthened teams and made some significant changes to our systems to reduce the risk of these issues recurring. The Directors are confident that this year will be much better, but are aware that conditions are still tough and gains will be marginal.

However, there are more work opportunities and most regions are picking up projects from a variety of old and new clients. This is healthy, but our customers are still looking for value for money at the best price that they can get. The Directors are looking at a number of ways to solve this conundrum: One is through more problem solving and design work before projects reach site, which hopefully allows subcontractors to be procured earlier and planning to be carried out confidently. Another is through the use of LEAN construction tools on site, such as collaborative planning. These should allow Stepnell to maintain our reputation for quality delivered economically and timely.

I confirm that I have accepted Derek Middleton’s proposed retirement from the Board of Directors at the end of March and from his post as the Poole area manager at the beginning of summer in order to spend more time with his family. Derek has been a company stalwart since joining in 1975. He took up the challenge of running our first term contracts in Dorset in 1985 and soon set up our Poole office. This office is testament to Derek’s ability to create a capable and dedicated team to service a loyal group of customers that Derek found and nurtured himself, with very little support from head office. He has taken our southern office from strength to strength in that time, treating all projects as important whether a small refurbishment or a new primary school. I would also like to publicly thank Derek for his unstinting support of Stepnell and his counsel and wisdom at the Stepnell Board. I and all the Directors wish Derek well for a long and happy retirement.

Tough Times with Changes Afoot


We have opened a new office in Nottingham following the continuing expansion of the business across the East Midlands.

The office – at the Eldon Business Park, Chilwell – provides a new base for the company’s growing construction operations across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

The East Midlands business specialises in projects for the education, commercial, residential, student accommodation, retail and leisure sectors.

Current projects include a £1.4 million new-build housing development at Scraptoft, Leicester, where work is nearing completion, a £3.8 million refurbishment of De Montfort University’s John Sandford building and a £1.9 million refurbishment of the Sixth Form College, Solihull.

The new office has created a number of job and training opportunities in the region recently employing Charlotte Chambers as office administrator, a trainee joiner, Ben Chippendale and, as of this month, a new quantity surveyor, Richard Varney will be joining the team.

“We’re delighted to have opened this new office in Nottingham which will support our expanding construction operations in the region and enhance the local delivery of projects.”

Tom Sewell - Commercial & Operations Manager

Stepnell expands in the East Midlands


Landmark BuildingComplete


Back in spring 2011 Stepnell Developments began the design process for a new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient office building for Brethertons Solicitors, who already occupied three offices in the town. This new office would enable Brethertons to bring together its entire Rugby team under one roof.

This three-storey building has been designed and constructed to be sympathetic to the local conservation area whilst maintaining a high level of energy efficiency. The construction incorporates a reinforced concrete frame with concrete floor slabs and a pitched roof that was cast in situ – which was no mean feat – along with masonry walls and feature glazing.

Due to its town centre location the site was tight and required the use of a tower crane. Despite repeated faults with the crane Site Manager Andy Higham and his team worked hard to claw back lost time.

The building incorporates features designed to reduce overheating without the necessity for air conditioning. These include thermally-controlled motorised

louvres to dissipate warm air at night. There is also extensive brise soleil (solar shading) to windows to minimise solar gain.

The building also boasts energy efficient features including automatic lighting controls that switch off when there is nobody in the room and that adjust the lighting according to the amount of natural light available. Low water consumption fittings have also been used.

On the roof, photovoltaic panels have been installed by our partner company EvoEnergy that are expected to generate up to 6554 kWh per year - enough electricity to power 100 desktop PCs for

around six months.

“Following a chance meeting with Trevor Dyer (director at Brethertons) at a breakfast seminar, we began discussions about building their (Brethertons) new head office in Rugby”

Nigel Polton – Property Surveyor

Montague House – A £2.3m, low carbon office building in Rugby is complete


Working with Brackley Investments for long term client The Orders of St John Care Trust, the Poole team have recently begun construction of a 120 bed, three-storey care home in Old Sarum, Salisbury.

This is the largest single care home that Stepnell have built to date and will be OSJCT’s flagship facility. The 120 beds include provision for 48 beds for specialist dementia care and 72 beds for nursing care.

The building itself is of traditional masonry construction with a combination of finishes including brick, render and flint stone panelling. The facility also features a large glazed entrance foyer which is unlike anything we have incorporated into previous care homes.

Internally, rooms and the layout are based on OSJCT’s standardised

“The shell and core superstructures are progressing, with all areas of the build above first floor level. The central core, steel-frame erection is nearing completion while the roof trusses are planned to commence directly after Easter. We have also begun the first mechanical and electrical fixes on the ground floor”

Peter Gutsell – Contracts Manager

£8.8m care home in Salisbury is underway


household concept with some minor improvements from the design team.

One of the stand-out features of the facility is the first floor mall, a large communal space with dining and socialising.

Due to the relatively close proximity of noisy industrial facilities, the building has been designed to attenuate ground borne vibrations that would otherwise create a potential reverberated sound nuisance for the residents.

The project team, consisting of Peter Gutsell (Contracts Manager), Nick Child

(QS), Matt Sargent (Design Coordinator) and Matt Villis (Site Manager) are making good progress.

The project is due for completion in February 2016.

“The shell and core superstructures are progressing, with all areas of the build above first floor level. The central core, steel-frame erection is nearing completion while the roof trusses are planned to commence directly after Easter. We have also begun the first mechanical and electrical fixes on the ground floor”

Peter Gutsell – Contracts Manager

£8.8m care home in Salisbury is underway


Nottingham

A £3.6m refurbishment project at De Montfort University is on track for completion towards the tail end of this year.

Currently in progress is a £1.4m Motor Vehicle Engineering Workshop in Leicester.

£1.9m refurbishment to the first and second floor classrooms at Stratford College is set to be completed mid-April this year.

Grantham

Work has began this month on an extension to Leicester University’s Richard Attenborough Centre.

A £330k scheme at Linden Medical Centre, that includes a 2 storey extension and refurbishment, is well underway and set to finish mid April this year.

The £1.5m scheme for the Merton Building at Oakham School was completed in January.

A £1.4m refurbishment scheme to create a performing arts centre at Stamford School is now complete.

Rugby

Cotswold Court, a £7.9m new build Extra Care apartments in Cheltenham, associated car parking and external works is well underway.

Recently completed is a £448k alteration and extension scheme to create a new funeral hub in Nuneaton.

A £2.8m scheme to create a new sports hall at Stratford Grammar school is set for completion in August.

£1m science block and gym changing refurbishment at Wollaston School in Wellingborough was completed in November.

Wantage

The contract to create a new third floor with associated refurbishment and alterations at the Grade II* Listed Rhodes Building, Oriel College has been completed

Design and construction of a £5.5m 80-bed care home in Devizes for OSJCT is now complete.

The demolition, extension and refurbishment of the existing Bayards Hill School in Oxford is due to finish June 2015

Proj

ect U

pdat

esHere’s a roundup of the latest project news from around the business


The two storey extension to the exisiting building at Poplar Grove Medical Practice, Aylesbury was handed over last December.

Letcombe Regis - Construction of six flats is set for completion this month.

BPHA, Abingdon - Design, development and construction of a new extra care home comprising 42 self-contained extra care flats, a guest flat together with staff and communal facilities, services, drainage and external work is on schedule to finish mid May this year.

Freshly on site as of this month - Dora Carr Close, Oxford. £5.4m demolition and construction scheme to create new community centre and 28 private apartments.

Refurbishment of existing Grade II listed building with single storey extension at Magdalen College is well underway and set for completion early next year.

Poole

£1.6m extension at Winton Primary School went to site at the tail end of last year and is due to finish end of August.

Fresh on site from this month is a phased refurbishment scheme at Nuffield Hospital in Bournemouth. The £1.2m project is due for completion in October.

The refurbishment work ongoing at Ferndown Library is nearing completion.

Gryphon School was completed last year. Work included the conversion of previously existing squash courts and a new extension to form additional classrooms.

West Midlands

Stanbrook Abbey - Change of use of first, second and third floors, including conversion of nun’s cells into bedrooms with ensuite facilities to provide hotel accommodation. Provision of lift and alterations to staircase are also included.

Bromsgrove School has reached its halfway point and is well underway for its completion in August.

George Law

On site currently is Phase 1 of a £3m new build scheme at Pershore High School.

£350k Investigation and Remedial works for National Grid plc began at the start of 2015.

The deep drainage and reinforced earth embankment stabilisation at Oakamoor Landslip began on site last month. The £1.4m project is set for completion later this year.

Various work amounting to £3m is being carried out to National Grid Sites across the south west.


At the tail end of last year the Wantage team completed a £5.5 million contract to build a new 80-bed care home in Devizes,Wiltshire.

Working alongside Brackley Investments, the £5.5 million care home was developed for The Orders of St John Care Trust.

The 4,184 square metre building now provides residents with modern, comfortable bedrooms, all equipped with en-suite bathrooms.

Across the three floors residents have access to a range of communal facilities including day lounges, a dining area, a tea

lounge, a first-floor terrace and a shop. The building also features staff offices and a laundry.

As part of our commitment to creating jobs in local communities, all of the construction labourers that worked on the site were drawn from the local area.

“Our skilled team draws on a strong track record in building new care home accommodation to the most exacting standards”

David Brill – Design and Build Director

Handover of 80-Bed Care Home in Devizes


The scheme was led by site manager, Steve Garlick and it enabled us to take on a new,

trainee site manager, Andrew Bennett.

This project required extremely technical roof construction using structural insulated panels (SIPs). It also featured the installation of a combined

heat and power system to the building.

The detailed design was developed using our extensive care home experience and was handed over in December.

“Our skilled team draws on a strong track record in building new care home accommodation to the most exacting standards”

David Brill – Design and Build Director

Handover of 80-Bed Care Home in Devizes


This month the Grantham team celebrated the beginning of a £1.5 million new extension at Leicester University’s Richard Attenborough Centre with a traditional ground breaking ceremony.

The event was organized by Leicester University and, in attendance as the star guest, was Richard Attenborough’s son, Michael.

Director Bill Haynes, site manager Phil Smith, contracts managers Colin Moore and Matthew Sadler were in attendance for the ceremonial occasion.

The extension will house a new exhibition gallery and studio, accessible by the general public.

“The construction is being carried out in a live environment, with the surroundings consisting predominately of educational and medical buildings. The site is also in close proximity to residential buildings.”

Phil Smith - Site Manager

Ground Breaking Attenborough Centre


Welcome

Anthony Faulkner-Smith received the award for Site Manager of the Year 2014. It was a difficult decision as there were many potential winners. Anthony has shown a very proactive approach to health and safety in the way the works at Winton Primary School have been planned and carried out, paying particular attention to the sensitivities involved in working in a live school environment. This along with a very low fault per visit ratio from Safety Services’ inspections confirmed Anthony as a worthy winner.

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new starters of 2014/2015. We hope you enjoy your time with us here at Stepnell.

Well Done

2014 saw the introduction of a brand new award, Stepnell Apprentice of the Year was assigned to Alex Smith from the Rugby Office, in recognition of his efforts and contribution to the business and his studies. Alex has also received an award from Warwickshire college.

Apprentice Tadek Barns displayed outstanding brickwork in a decorative wall structure to beat all contestants in the new entrant group at the regional Skillbuild contest, held in Oxford and Cherwell College. Picture next to him is Sam Gibbens who contested for site carpentry and received a certificate of commendation.

Andy Bennett at Wantage received the Conrad Birdwood Willcocks Award 2014 in recognition of his excellence in performance for his college work from the Royal Institute of British Architects Berkshire Society.

Grapevine ǀ Winter 2014New Arrivals

Wedding Bells

Enjoy your retirement!

Beatrice Wakeford20/03/14

Director Tom Wakeford and his wife welcomed the arrival of their daughter.

Claire and Neil Perrins from West Midlands celebrated the birth of their son early last year Charlie George Perrins

26/03/14

Florence Potter9/02/14

Wantage QS Kate Potter and her husband recently celebrated their daughter’s first birthday

Congratulations to Kevin Green from Poole and partner Kirsty on the arrival of their daughter, Hallie, weighing 6lb 2oz Hallie Rose Green

16/01/15

Albert John Sargent17/11/14

Rugby’s Head of Design Management Matthew Sargent and wife Abbie welcomed their son, weighing 8lb 2oz

Assistant Site Manager Gyles Brown and his wife had a little girl who turned one this month Edie Erin Brown

8/02/14

Willow Isabella England9/12/14

Oliver England from Wantage and partner Holly Celebrated the arrival of their daughter, weighing 8lb 5oz.

James and Victoria Steadman from West Midlands welcomed the arrival of their daughter. Bea Carol Everly

Steadman26/03/14

On 28th December 2013 Poole’s Nicola Saul married Richard Sawyer at Bulbury Woods Golf Club.

May 31st 2014 marked the marriage of Wantage’s Joachim Daniel to Rebecca.

Congratulations to Rugby’s David Gannon, who married Annabel in 2014.

Ever dependable David Mills has served Stepnell with great dedication for 35 years.

Keep up the good work!

Richard Arthur retired in February but popped back in September to assist with works. He has now hung up his boots.

Rugby-based Georgina Rutherford retired in July 2014 after over 28 years of service.

All the best!

Best wishes for the future!

Grapevine Catches up with... John Neill - Project manager (Sanctuary)

How long have you been working for Stepnell and how did you end up working for us? For nearly two years now. For ten years previous I worked for an Irish contractor on projects across Britain and Ireland.

Who has most influenced your career? My previous contracts manager Nick Oldfield. He was my mentor from site engineer through to construction manager. Nick was a straight talking Yorkshireman who worked hard and played hard, giving me great advice and leadership.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job? When plans work! I was once told that “every building is a monument to your own personal efforts, no matter what your role was”, which I like to live by, immersing myself completely in the building or project - sometimes to the annoyance of the others in the site team!

What do you like to do when you’re not being a Project Manager? Cycling, walking the dog or watching a good game of rugby with the odd pint or two.

What do you think you’d be doing if you didn’t work in the construction industry? Playing outside half for my beloved Ulster Rugby.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Retire to the north coast of Ireland and buy a house at the beach.

What would your advice be to anyone starting out in construction? It’s hard work with long hours and plenty of pressure, but the rewards when you finish a project. The construction industry is a very unique environment and I don’t think the camaraderie and teamwork are replicated in any other career. You also get to work outside most of the time which is enjoyable - weather dependent!

Thanks to Rugby-based Sharon Symons and everyone’s

contribution to the Christmas raffle; we raised £220.

Special mention to Poole’s Nicky, Claire, Janet and Tanya for

organizing and collecting together two large bags full of gifts for

underprivileged children.

grapevine issue 17 winter 2014

Documents

new office

poole office

board of directors

profitable projects

head office

southern office

derek middletons

stepnell board