Category: Company News

We’re getting work off to the right start at the University of Warwick, conducting essential enabling works as part of the largest single investment in campus facilities in its 60-year history. 

Working closely with Mace Group Ltd, we’re delivering the first phase of the 43-week project, which is expected to be completed in summer 2025. The new state-of-the-art learning and research facilities will allow the University to drive STEM innovation in the Midlands, as well as provide space for collaborative working and public engagement. 

Our JCT Design & Build contract will see us conduct vital infrastructure works to support the wider project, including the construction of building platforms, erection of retaining walls, substantial Drainage and Utility diversion works, including HV, Helium, Gas and a major dual District Heating Main as well as the provision of brand-new car parking facilities for staff and students, enhancing life on campus. 

To improve access to the new science and engineering precinct, a new s278 road junction is required, along with a new rising main and pumping station ready for handover in summer 2025.  

The new science and engineering precinct is part of the STEM Connect Programme and once finished, will be home to specialist integrated teaching facilities for the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and the School of Engineering. 

Lance Gudger, Director at O’Brien Contractors, said: “This is a hugely significant project for the University of Warwick, the Midlands as a whole, and the UK’s STEM sector. We’re extremely pleased to be involved to deliver essential enabling works. 

“We’re a close neighbour to the University and the project allows us to make an impact on the local community too, from the jobs and social value we’re creating, to the legacy we are leaving at the university. We look forward to working closely with all the partners involved to help this flagship new facility come to life.” 

We’re experts when it comes to enabling works and undertaking projects across the education sector, with major schemes of work for the University of Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull School, under our belts.  

Professor Mark Williams, Academic Director for the STEM Connect programme at the University of Warwick, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with O’Brien Contractors and huge progress has already been made on site, preparing the land for the next stage of the development. The team’s expertise and experience working within the higher education sector made them and ideal partner for the project and they are already making a positive impact.” 

Click to find out more about our civil and construction work. 

Representatives from Nottinghamshire’s brand-new neighbourhood, Fairham, have committed to raise funds for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA).

Fairham delivery partners, Clowes Developments and Homes England, selected the local charity to benefit from any funds raised at the development during the 10-15year lifespan as they deliver the brand-new neighbourhood. As lead infrastructure contractors we contacted Clowes Developments about supporting a local charity with a generous donation of £2,000. Naturally, the partnership with LNAA presented an opportunity for us to kick start the fund-raising activity with our generous donation to this much needed charity.

Tom O’Brien, Director at O’Brien Contractors Ltd commented on the donation:

“O’Brien Contractors Ltd are proud to support our clients, Clowes Developments and Homes England with not only the delivery of major infrastructure works at Fairham but also in their endeavours to raise much needed funds for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. The construction industry has a frighteningly high workplace fatal injury rate, to know that we are giving something back to a service that helps save lives provides a full circle moment.”

O’Brien has won its third contract at Longbridge, Birmingham.

The team has successfully secured a contract for a boulevard landscaping scheme on West Works Way. The first visit has commenced on site with further landscaping visits in March to complete the seeding.

The Longbridge projects has been made up of three individual contracts including West Longbridge, Dalmuir Road and most recently West Works Way.

Below is a link to our earlier contract at West Longbridge which is part of one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK.

O’Brien Infrastructure Works Progress at Old Rover Site, Longbridge

O’Brien has taken stock of 4 new Thwaites 9T Mach2290X Dumpers.

The new additions will be added to the extensive fleet of company owned machinery. This ensures O’Brien continue to make use of the latest technology as well as providing safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly vehicles for our staff.

The team look forward to getting the shiny new kit out on site.

 

O’Brien is aware that construction work has a variety of pressures, from tight contracts to long hours, time away from loved ones and managing budgets, not to mention the rising costs of supplies. Knowing just how critical mental health awareness and support are to a workforce is essential. Below is our approach to mental health and wellbeing at O’Brien.

“Men in the UK are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. However, in construction – a male dominated industry– men are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men.”

Our approach to Mental Health & Wellbeing at Work…

Listed here are some of the areas we have worked on in the last couple of years to increase our support for our workforce at O’Brien Contractors:

We offer access to the “Construction Industry Helpline App” The app is the ultimate self-help tool and is aimed at those who would like more information about how they can help themselves or if necessary, take the next step in seeking professional help. 

Here at O’Brien’s, we have a number of Mental Health First Aiders, our “Mental Health Champions,” who are specifically trained in helping anyone who may need support, ensuring that out workforce always have a trained representative to offer advice and listen when it is needed.

“Building Mental Health Framework” is an initiative we have adopted, with our teams committing to the principles of the building mental health charter, which include areas such as reducing stigma and discrimination and encouraging open conversations while at work.

We ensure that our workforce communications always include a recommendation or links to helpful information should it be needed. Our dedicated page “Help Under the Hard Hat” is there specifically to offer this. Our Toolbox talks are specifically focused around these areas.

One of our chosen charities who helps us with our communication is a charity we support through O’Brien Charitable Trust is “Lighthouse Club.” They offer a helpline and are committed to helping the construction industry tackle its mental health. This is charity receives no public funding and relies on the generosity of those within in the industry to help to continue its vital work. 

Additional Links to Information & Help:

See link to the Construction Industry Helpline App and how to find it: click here.

See the Lighthouse Club here: click here.

Source for article information and facts: click here.

 

O’Brien is progressing well at their Northampton Boys College project and is on target to hand over as scheduled in early September 2024.

The 40,000m2 of natural turf pitches have been cultivated and seeded, with germination taken place, and a first cut anticipated in the next couple of weeks. The full size 3G pitch and MUGA has the extensive drainage complete, with both facilities having permeable subbase installed and have received their tarmacadam shock pads. Perimeter weld mesh fencing is ongoing and will be complete ahead of the synthetic carpet installation at the beginning of October 2023. The team have ensured that the contract is working towards the clients brief and budget by using their extensive knowledge and experience in total solutions sports projects.

The project

Forming part of a £28 million new modular build campus for the school, the project will deliver a fully comprehensive sports facility package, including the development of 40,000m² of natural turf pitches, a full size 3G synthetic surfaced football pitch with associated lighting and fencing, and a 62 x 36m “Leisuretex” surfaced multi-use games arena (MUGA), designed to facilitate sports such as tennis and netball.

With work already under way, the facilities are due to be completed by September 2024, ready for the school’s grand opening.

Adding value

Involved right from the start, we were approached by the client in April 2021, with a brief to create a new sports facility.

Over the course of two years, we worked with the client and the college to plan, design, and prepare a best-in-class facility. With the college possessing limited knowledge in project management and construction, we were able to draw on our team’s extensive knowledge and experience in total sports project solutions and bring the vision to life.

Working to the client’s brief and budget, we were able to offer a flexible approach and meet additional requirements requested by the college. Our in-house team provided a full bespoke design package, including earthworks modelling for natural pitches, along with extensive drainage design.

See our progress on site and latest drone video from early September…

 

O’Brien Contractors Ltd have secured a new contract for Stratford upon Avon College (SUAC). The £1.2 million design and build project is to construct circa 10,000m2 of hard and soft landscaping as part of the college’s redevelopment.

 The 16-week contract duration commences early July 2023 and has been awarded on merit of our previous contracts for similar successful projects. The college plans involve a comprehensive staged refurbishment over the next three years, in which unsuitable buildings will be demolished and the campus rationalised.

The finished area will create links between the college facilities along with leisure and recreation zones, that are complimented by herbaceous borders and arboreal planting. O’Brien look forward to working with the college and bringing a new and exciting campus to its students.

 

O’Brien values the skills, experience, and dedication of our site teams. In recognition of this, team members are rewarded with the ‘Employee Outstanding Achievement Award.’ The award goes to a member of the site team who has shown all of the above and is committed to project and their team.

Steve Hopkins won the Outstanding Employee Award for Quarter 1/2023. Steve was selected due to his great attitude on site and when working with his colleagues. He maintains a high standard of workmanship and always ensure that all he does is carried out safely.

These qualities are a great example of what is considered when recognising an O’Brien team member.

What does it mean to boost your mental health? These are the discussions we have been having at O’Brien’s, creating more awareness around talking, ways of coping and how we can, as a business, be more open to our workforce and what they might need.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week 9-15th May, we sat down and had a chat with Anthony Watson, our Pre-Construction Manager, who kindly offer to talk about how he manages his mental health, what works for him and simple advice that might help others.

1. Tell us about you…

I have worked in the construction industry now for over thirty-five years. After leaving school, I started working on building sites for a Regional Construction Company before deciding to get a Degree in Building Surveying. I have worked for a number of businesses from SME’s to Blue Chip organisations and irrespective of the size of business, or your position within them, your own Mental Health and Wellbeing is one thing we all need to be better at protecting.

2. What is your approach to mental health?

Getting that work life balance right is so hard to achieve, and when you think you have it mastered, something changes that tip the balance… and usually, not in your favour! Everyone is different, but I find that being open with people about my mental health, both at work and at home, really helps. I’m not afraid to talk about how I feel and what might be troubling me.

3. Can you offer any tips and advice that might help someone who is struggling?

Just remember, you are not alone, and speaking to someone isn’t a sign of weakness. If you don’t have anyone who you feel comfortable talking to, take advantage of the Construction Industry Helpline App which O’Brien Contractors make available for free. Any conversation you have via this App is confidential… and the people on the other end could really help you address the issues that are causing you to struggle with mental health.

4. If you could choose something to add that would help the construction industry boost Mental Health Awareness, what would it be?

Now, this is a tough one!! We might see mental health issues as being a weakness and we don’t like exposing our weaknesses to work colleagues, family or friends. However, a big boost to Mental Health Awareness within the construction industry would come if we all spoke out about it more! There is great traction already, especially with Days like today, but I feel we could do more.

5. How is O’Brien’s actively supporting mental health?

O’Brien Contractors show real empathy when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing. We are committed to the Building Mental Health Framework which underpins the values of our business and supports people in our industry, every day, and throughout their working lives. We are signatories to the Building Mental Health Charter and offer support through awareness campaigns and training. We also have champions from across our workforce to support keeping people safe. We also support the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity which is the only charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. We also encourage and promote an active lifestyle to help improve mental health and wellbeing. This year, a team from across our workforce, will be cycling up to 100 miles to raise money for the O’Brien Charitable Trust.

Our approach to Mental Health & Wellbeing at Work…
Listed here are some of the areas we have worked on in the last couple of years to increase our support with O’Brien Contractors:

We offer access to the “Construction Industry Helpline App” The app is the ultimate self-help tool and is aimed at those who would like more information about how they can help themselves or if necessary, take the next step in seeking professional help. 

Here at O’Brien’s, we have a number of Mental Health First Aiders, our “Mental Health Champions,” who are specifically trained in helping anyone who may need support, ensuring that out workforce always have a trained representative to offer advice and listen when it is needed.

“Building Mental Health Framework” is an initiative we have adopted, with our teams committing to the principles of the building mental health charter, which include areas such as reducing stigma and discrimination and encouraging open conversations while at work.

We ensure that our workforce communications always include a recommendation or links to helpful information should it be needed. Our dedicated page “Help Under the Hard Hat” is there specifically to offer this. Our Toolbox talks are specifically focused around these areas.

One of our chosen charities who helps us with our communication is a charity we support through O’Brien Charitable Trust is “Lighthouse Club.” They offer a helpline and are committed to helping the construction industry tackle its mental health. This is charity receives no public funding and relies on the generosity of those within in the industry to help to continue its vital work. 

Additional Links to Information & Help:

See here how you can boost your mental health in Spring… click here.

See link to the Construction Industry Helpline App and how to find it: click here.

See the Lighthouse Club here: click here.

At O’Brien Contractors we have an abundance of pet lovers who are keen to help bring awareness to those animals that are in homes & shelters by celebrating National Pet Day (NPD).

We wanted to share a selection of our teams beloved pets. We hope by raising awareness of NPD, this will help to decrease the figures seen across animal shelters.

Many of our team are advocates for caring for pets and how it can improve mental health in many ways, including: companionship, adding structure to your day, encouraging exercise, and helping to reducing anxiety. All areas that can help to manage the highs and lows of life.

National Pet Day celebrates the joy that pets bring into people’s lives and encourages people to help reduce the number of animals in shelters. Bringing humans and animals together helps make the world a better place. Find out more about NPD: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pet-day/

If you would like to help and donate to our local shelter: Dog’s Trust Kenilworth – click here.