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O’Brien have secured a multi million pound contract at the Barry Callebaut factory, Banbury.

O’Brien have been engaged as Principal Contractor for major civils works at the Barry Callebaut chocolate manufacturing site. The project consists of extending and refurbishing an existing chocolate factory to increase production by circa 20%.

Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and has been dedicated to this business for more than 150 years. The company operates out of more than 40 countries, runs about 60 production facilities, employs a global workforce of more than 12,000 people.  With average sales of 2,139,758 tonnes of chocolate and cocoa products (2018/19), their products are present in one out of four of all chocolate and cocoa products consumed around the world.

Following on from our successful enabling package that we carried out on site earlier this year and a lengthy tender and discussion process we have secured the contract to carry out this major project at the Banbury site.

Works on the project include the construction of a brand new 40m x 13m stand alone Utilies / Energy Centre, as well as major alterations, building extensions and upgrading works to other buildings on the site.  We will also be constructing a new concrete tanker yard and internal access roads as part of the works.

The works are taking place in a live food manufacturing environment with a busy delivery and loading operation, therefore the works are being carefully phased with a control regime to reflect our client’s standards for work within the production facilities on site.

The works have now commenced on site where works will take place over the next 12 months.

CHARITY BALL – WARWICK CASTLE

An amazing night at our sell out charity ball at the beautiful Warwick Castle.

Our suppliers, sponsors and guests were all so generous, making the event a fantastic, fun filled event with over 150 guests, who enjoyed all of the fabulous entertainment on offer as well as a delicious meal in the amazing Great Hall.

Guests enjoyed the hilarious game of Bums & Heads, and whilst our guests enjoyed a slap up three course meal and drinks, they were entertained by the Castle’s feuding Knights battling it out, which was absolutely fabulous and exciting to watch.  This was followed by our silent auction where we had some exciting and very generous donations and very generous bids, followed by the live band so guests could  dance the night away.

We had donations of some fabulous auction items at this year’s ball to bid on, raising over £2,000 which included:

1. Signed England Rugby Shirt – Kindly Donated by Ben Lewitt at Green Room Sports
2. Framed James Hakell Signed Help for Heroes Shirt – Kindly Donated by Look Who’s Talking
3. Signed Aston Villa Shirt – Kindly Donated by Aston Villa Football Club
4. Half Day Jaguar Land Rover Experience – Kindly Donated by Jaguar Land Rover
5. Hamper Basket – Kindly Donated by O’Brien Contractors Ltd
6. Champagne – Kindly Donated by MGP
7. Four Tickets to Warwick Castle – Kindly Donated by Warwick Castle
8. Two Tickets to The Arts Theatre London – Kindly Donated by Lizzie Scott
9. Japan World Rugby Signed Ball – Kindly Donated by Ben Lewitt at Green Room Sports

CHARITY GOLF DAY – WARWICKSHIRE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Another absolutely brilliant day of fun at our annual Charity Golf Day, where despite the weather everyone had a fabulous time and helped the Charitable Trust raise lots of money to help reach our magic goal of £15,000 by December 2019.

A MASSIVE THANK YOU!!

To suppliers, Warwickshire Golf and Country Club, and all other attendees and everyone else who supported the event in any way. Without the support of all the wonderful people that attend, take part in the auctions, donate items etc, we couldn’t raise as much as we do!
THE WINNERS WERE!!! Construction Skills team who won all three categories: The team event, the individual and runner up event.

O’Brien Contractors have been awarded an enabling contract on the project in Dudley next to the zoo.  The works which are being carried out for Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council are in preparation for the proposed construction of the Very Light Railway Innovation Centre to allow for the future alignment of the Metro Line.

O’Brien will be acting as Principal Contractor on the project which will be carried out over a 35 week programme.

Our works involve the construction of a 150 metre long retaining wall which will be up to 11 metres high and will also involve associated bulk earthworks.

The client was looking for a contractor who could deliver creative solutions to provide an affordable scheme in line with their programme.

The client also required a company with a robust supply chain procurement.

Having traded for over 60 years  we have developed our supply chain to provide our business with the service required to meet our commitments to our clients.  With long term trading relationships with suppliers of construction materials, aggregates, concrete, muckaway and recycling companies, we are able to select the most suitable option for each specific contract and operation which may not always be based on price, factors such as quality and performance also need to be considered.

WASP’S AFFILIATE PARTNER MEMBERSHIP FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING

In September 2019 O’Brien Contractors signed up for the Affiliate Partner Membership for the second year running. This gives O’Brien exposure on Ricoh Arena’s new giant 188-square-metre LED screen and around the stadium on Wasps matchdays, as well as exclusive ticket offers for staff and access to hospitality packages along with pitch side branding.

Stephen Vaughan, Chief Executive at Wasps, said: “Having O’Brien join our Affiliate Partner scheme is fantastic news and adds to our growing list of local and national businesses wanting to use Wasps as a vehicle for their customer or staff engagement for the 2019/20 season.

“O’Brien Contractors are highly-regarded within the development and construction industry and we look forward to welcoming them throughout the new campaign.”

O’Brien Contractors are a multi-award-winning civil engineering contractor with over 60 years of experience in the UK construction sector.

The business has been a part of the Midlands development and construction industry since 1958 when the company was founded by Tom O’Brien, the father of current Directors, Peter and Mick O’Brien.

Peter O’Brien, Managing Director at O’Brien Contractors, added: “Having enjoyed our first season as a Premiership partner of Wasps Rugby, it was a straightforward decision by O’Brien to not only renew their premiership partnership for another 12 months but to increase support with the unique opportunity of a dining table in the boardroom for all matchdays.

“Our association with Wasps has had a marked effect on the O’Brien businesses through the excellent media coverage. The opportunity to entertain our guests and meet with other like-minded business leaders in the boardroom whilst watching top-flight rugby was an opportunity we had to seize.

“O’Brien’s strategy of providing turnkey solutions for their clients with proven consistency continues to be a great success. Delivery of projects to the highest of standards for clients through jointly-developed budgets minimises their exposure to commercial and programme-related risks. Our policy of nurturing in-house, homegrown talented employees, provides the experience and enthusiasm that sets O’Brien Contractors apart from other construction businesses.

“The Wasps sponsorship is the most significant taken out by O’Brien Contractors and gains them great exposure through the huge LED screen and public association with Wasps Rugby. It is a great form of branding which, when coupled with the long-established sustainable business planning by O’Brien Contractors, highlights the great opportunities for both businesses to work together for the future.’’

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, COVENTRY – CHALLENGING THE BOUNDARIES OF MANUFACTURING

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) develops and proves innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile, low risk environment, in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions, focused on delivering bespoke manufacturing system solutions for their customers.

MTC operate some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, employing a team of highly skilled engineers, with some being the leading experts in the world, creating a high-quality environment for the development and demonstration of new processes and technologies on an industrial scale.

MTC’s areas of expertise provide solutions for both large and small companies, across a wide range of industry sectors and their members include global manufacturing companies from multiple sectors. Research partners include the University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and TWI Ltd.

MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

O’BRIEN CONTRACTORS PROVIDING COST SAVING INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION

O’Brien Contractors were engaged by MTC Ltd as Principal Contractor for the Design and Construction of their new East Car Park, providing a new 333 space car park within the MTC Ansty Park site.

Works also included new service infrastructure, installation of an 800m3 attenuation tank with hydro brake flow-controlled discharge system, new lighting and electronic car charging facilities, perimeter fencing and associated gates and finally hard and soft landscaping to complete the construction of the new car park.

The project was delivered in its 12-week contract programme period and the site was awarded ‘Considerate Contractor Beyond Compliance Award’.

See the project profile for full details. https://obriencontractors.co.uk/?post_type=projects&p=5951&preview=true

Client Comments

O’Brien’s delivery and on site team have been a pleasure to work with. 

O’Brien have come back to all of my question and completed all CRF’s quickly and effectively. Communication with me as the client has been very good and I liked the proactive approach from all of your team.  

MTC will welcome O’Brien’s back with open arms. People do not often go out of their way to say Thank you and I believe strongly in Credit where it is due.

O’Brien were the shirt sponsors for a charity game for the RFU (Injured Players Foundation).

‘Veseyans Rugby Club’ https://www.veseyansrugby.co.uk/ a casual team, made up of people from all walks of life (including our Operations Manager Tony Mitchell) and the ‘Commons and Lords RUFC, made up of MP’s, Lords and staff, took part in an exciting charity match at Twickenham where the Veseyans won 33-34 last week.

O’Brien were very proud to be a sponsor for this match!

Just in case you are wondering who Ronnie Poulton is, he was a fantastic Rugby Player! Follow the Link to read his story:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Poulton-Palmer

O’Brien Contractors has been awarded the RoSPA Gold Medal Award, which is our 6th consecutive RoSPA Gold Award!

The internationally-renowned RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, are the longest-running industry awards scheme in the UK and has been awarded to us in recognition of our practices and achievements, in helping staff and clients and stakeholders get home safely at the end of the working day.

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety  management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Managing Director, Peter O’Brien, said: We are delighted to have been recognised with a RoSPA Gold Medal Award again for 2019.  As a company we are dedicated to making sure that all of our sites are safe both for everyone working on them and for members of the public. Receiving this award again is testament to how hard we all work to achieve that.”

O’Brien Contractors is committed to providing safe and healthy working environments for all of our staff.  O’Brien  provides ongoing training, information, supervision and advice so that all of our employees are competent to work safely and are committed to providing the resources necessary to support this provision.

Our industry-leading standards have also been recognised with many other occupational health and safety accreditations ranging from OHSAS 18001 to CHAS, Achilles Building Confidence and RISQS.

Winterfold House School, synthetic grass hockey pitch has been awarded FIH Certification.

O’Brien Contractors who are FIH Certified Field Builders recently completed the design and build for the construction of the full-size sand dressed synthetic hockey pitch as well as a spectator area, black weldmesh fencing & floodlighting. In addition to this we constructed two porous macadam tennis and netball courts with floodlighting as well as access pathways and access road.

O’Brien Sports Director, Mick O’Brien, said: “We are delighted that the Winterfold House School pitch has gained FIH certification. Our sports division has been delivering top quality hockey fields for many years now and this certification recognises the professionalism, skill and high standards that O’Brien Contractors bring to all of our projects.”

FIH Certified Field Builders are companies that specialise in building hockey fields. The companies that achieve accreditation have a proven ability to construct fields to the international standards the game requires. They have appropriate in-house civil engineering expertise for the design and construction of 11-a-side and Hockey 5s fields, operate quality management systems to ensure consistency in their work, and provide comprehensive maintenance advice to their customers.

Only a small number of firms worldwide have so far achieved FIH accreditation award.

SMASHED IT! STAFF AT O’BRIEN CONTRACTORS RAISE ANOTHER £30,000 FOR CHARITY!

The staff at OBCL have repeated last years success and raised £15,000 from a series of organized events and challenges throughout 2018. Because the staff reached their target, O’Brien Contractors Limited generously matched the sum raised by staff, making a fabulous total of £30,000 for the O’Brien Charitable Trust good causes.

Events were organised throughout the year by our hard-working charity committee, made up of 7 members of staff, who work tirelessly throughout the year, organising events to raise much needed funds for our chosen charities. The events are enthusiastically supported by all staff and this year’s events, have included:Christmas Jumper Day – Which is very competitive!

Movember – Even the girls joined in with fake moustaches!
3 Peaks Challenge – Staff took to the hills!
Wolf Run – Staff got stuck in on the very wet and muddy course!
Charity Golf Day / Charity Auction – Staff took on our suppliers raising £8,523!
Site to Site Walk – Trekking 12-miles from our project site in Gaydon to Cubbington.

The charities that will benefit from this year’s fundraising events include:

Helping Hands Community – Helps local people in need
Molly Holly Wishes – Supports children with terminal & life-threatening illnesses
Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance – Rapid emergency response
Doorway Youth Homelessness – Supports homeless & vulnerable 16-25-year olds
Young People First – Works with disadvantaged & vulnerable young people
Guys Gift – Supports bereaved children

A special mention for their hard work and efforts to Kelly Davis, Michael Hughes, Berwyn, John Maxwell, Hessy Fakatou and Daniel Taylor, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year and whose huge drive for success have been instrumental in helping us reach our £15,000 target in 2018.

OBCL Managing Director, Peter O’Brien said: ‘We would like to thank everyone who participated and contributed to the success of us reaching our target again this year, everyone’s hard work and generosity enables us to donate much needed funds for good causes. We are looking forward to some fun activities in the new year to help us hit our target again for 2019.’

If you would like more information on the O’Brien Charitable Trust and our events, please click on our link for more information https://trust.obriencontractors.co.uk.

If you would like to make a donation to the trust, there is a very easy payment facility on the Charitable Trust Weblink above, where you can make a donation and leave a message, or if you prefer you can make an anonymous donation.

With the end of the year in touching distance, O’Brien felt it would be appropriate to finish it with some positivity.

Here is O’Brien’s year in review which shows how the company has exceeded its business objectives across the board for 2018.