Category: Marketing

Time to Talk, home-baked treats and a trip to the SAPCA exhibition, February was a busy one at O’Brien Contractors.

Check out our social media highlights from the past month below!

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. 💬 It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Construction workers are 3.7 times more likely to commit suicide than any other industry so it’s extremely important for our industry to take the time to talk.

At O’Brien Contractors, we strive to create an environment for everyone to feel comfortable talking about their mental health. We know opening up is important, but it can be difficult to take that first step.

This afternoon, we’re taking the time to talk over some cake and coffee! 🍰☕

If you, or anyone you know is struggling, here are a few support systems that can help:

matesinmind.org 🧠
thelighthouseclub.org 👷‍♂️
samaritans.org 🫂
mind.org.uk 🗣️

Take time to talk today.

This afternoon, our Time to Talk cake and coffee hour was a hit, with scones topped with cream and jam and some delicious homemade cakes🧁

The main topic of conversation? A very competitive debate …
You guessed it: Jam first, then cream or cream first, then jam?

After some spirited discussions around the table, we discovered that the “Buckingham Palace” method is to put the jam first, then the cream. So, we guess that must be the rule, right? 😆

Everyone took the time to take a break from their busy day to connect with each other and discuss things other than work. It was a fun and light-hearted way to bring everyone together, and we’re proud to keep the conversation going as part of Time to Talk Day!💬

‘Get yourself out there, gain experience and make yourself known in the industry.’

We’re proud to support 6 apprentices as they lay the foundations for a career in construction.👷‍♂️

During National Apprenticeship Week we spoke to one of our trainee site engineers, Brandon, and asked him why he chose an apprenticeship in construction.

Swipe to find out what he said!➡️

Last week, our very own Andrew Foster and Anthony Watson, along with five other brave adventurers, kicked off their preparations for the Arctic Challenge this March with a Podcast!❄️🎙️They’ll be trekking and dog sledging 180km across the icy Arctic Circle to raise funds for their individual incredible causes.

Tune into the Building Brum Podcast with host Conor Nolan, to hear why each participant is taking on this 7-day journey, the charities they’re supporting, and the personal challenges they’re preparing to face. From battling freezing temperatures as low as -20°C 🥶 to overcoming fears and tough obstacles, they’re pushing their limits for something meaningful.

With no electricity, no running water, and a whole lot of grit 💪, these Arctic Trekkers are embracing the extreme because the cause is worth it! If you would like to support the brave bunch heading off to the Arctic, please donate using the link below. The team is so close to reaching their £40,000 target, and every contribution counts as we enter the final 23-day countdown to their flight! ⏳

https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeT

🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts:
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/earw_vbW
Apple: https://lnkd.in/dt9WY9j

So as you’ve heard …The countdown is on to our first O’Brien Charitable Trust fundraiser of the year!

And this time, we’re going cold…🥶

That’s right, we’re heading on an Arctic expedition, travelling across Finland with nothing but snow dogs and each other to get us through the extreme cold conditions! 🐕‍🦺💭

A huge well done to Andrew Foster & Anthony Watson and everyone taking part for their training and preparation so far, and an even bigger thank you to all of our kind sponsors!❄️

GW Consulting Engineers Ltd | Naismiths | Edge Careers | STARDOM LIMITED | Howden | Link Engineering | HOLEMASTERS DEMTECH LTD | Edmond Shipway | Crispin Recruitment Ltd | ONE Creative environments (ONE)

Any more donations as we count down to the challenge would be greatly appreciated! Every contribution helps us get closer to our goal. You can donate easily using the JustGiving link below:

https://lnkd.in/e_GFMeeT

Our team is thrilled to be attending the SAPCA Annual Conference & Awards this Thursday at Emirates Old Trafford! 🎉 It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible work being done in the sports and play construction industry. 🏗️🥅

We’re excited to connect with industry professionals, gain insights from thought provoking talks by key figures in the sports sector, and celebrate the innovation happening in the sports and play construction world. 👏⚽

If anyone is attending and would like to chat about how O’Brien can assist with your next sports pitch project, come and find us to see what we do best! See you there!

SAPCA Success at The Emirates Old Trafford!

From thought-provoking discussions on future trends to celebrating the incredible projects shaping sports and play facilities, the event was truly inspiring. A huge congratulations to all the winners!

We’re proud to be part of SAPCA, an association that champions excellence and innovation in sports and play construction. Here’s to a bright future and continued success for all SAPCA members!

Not following us on socials? Click the links below and follow us to keep up-to-date with all our latest news! 

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Project completions, mental health walks and a chocolate factory… January has had it all!

Check out our social media highlights from the past month below!

Another project ticked off!✅

Kickstarting in 2024, our work on the extension of Rainsbrook Crematorium has come to an end.

After months of hard work, the site is looking great, if we do say so ourselves!👀

With the New Year in full swing, many will be committing to resolutions like cutting out sugar and chocolate… 🍫

Speaking of chocolate, we’re looking back at our project with the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate & cocoa, Barry Callebaut.

We carried out major alteration and refurbishment works to Barry Callebaut’s existing production facility at Banbury, including the construction of an extension and new standalone building that would enable the factory to increase its production by circa 20%.

Read more about the project here:

Barry Callebaut Chocolate Factory Extension, Banbury

There were no Monday blues here this week!💙✨  

Whether it’s a marketing gimmick or not, ‘Blue Monday’ serves as a reminder to reflect on mental health and check in with those around us. Mental health isn’t just a topic for one day of the year, it’s something we should consider daily. It’s a conversation starter that encourages us to pause, step away from our screens, and truly connect with others.

This week, some of our team decided to take a 3k walk outside away from the office, into the fresh air, and just to catch up and check in with each other. As you can see from the smiles, it was a success! It’s easy to forget moments like these when the new year kicks off and we’re swept up in projects and deadlines. But this year, we’ve made it a priority to get out of the office, enjoy the outdoors, and connect beyond just work. Making the Cubbington 3k a monthly group connection and catchup walk!🚶‍♀️⛅🍃💬️

In the midst of a busy work life, it’s crucial to remember the importance of balance. ⚖️ Taking even just 10 minutes to reset can make a big difference. It’s also vital to connect with others—whether that means sharing experiences, offering help, or seeking support from friends and loved ones when needed. 

SPARKing growth in the Midlands💥  

Last week, our work infrastructure works at SPARK Walsall came to an end.  

Within the 25-weeks on site, our team took on an extensive programme of highway works to improve access to the hub for both pedestrians and drivers.   

Want to find out more about how we delivered this project? Click the link below to read our latest case study: https://obriencontractors.co.uk/projects/spark-walsall-midlands-highway-infrastructure-works/  

Not following us on socials? Click the links below and follow us to keep up-to-date with all our latest news! 

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O’Brien have recently carried out several contracts for allotments in Wolston, Cubbington and Tiddington, Stratford upon Avon. With “Earth Day” this month, it got our team thinking about sustainable living and how facilities, such as allotments allow us to consider how we impact the environment and encourage us, once again to grow our own and step away from convenience.

With many of our clients, particularly the housing industry encouraging greener living and investing in the new homes they are creating, our client Spitfire Homes is a great example of this and the space they are creating on their site in Wolston, Rugby to encourage sustainable futures.

The team were instructed by Spitfire Homes to clear the site of overgrown existing allotments and disposing of the site’s waste to allow for 79 new plots. The site required stripped and levelled topsoil with the existing topsoil screened and reused to cover the area. This avoided bringing new topsoil in and allowed us to recycle what the site had, reducing deliveries to site. Stone roads were built around the allotments to allow access and bases/slabs were laid ready for sheds and greenhouses. O’Brien supplied and erected all sheds and greenhouses and constructed perimeter fencing. The contract was successfully completed and handed back to the client for the next phase of the development.

O’Brien’s Commitment

Net Zero: With over fifty years of history delivering civil engineering and construction across all sectors of the Built Environment, O’Brien Contractors have always shown a commitment to their Corporate Social Responsibility and the Environment.  Our Net Zero Champion, Vicki, is responsible for setting net zero carbon targets and defining the businesses strategy to de-carbonise future operations.

Vicki commented: “Protecting our Environment and climate change represents some of the greatest challenges we face today in Construction. At O’Brien Contractors Limited, we understand the behavioral change needed across our Industry.”

Plant: O’Brien Contractors Limited continues to invest in the latest plant and technology to help improve operational efficiencies and reduce Green House Gas emissions. O’Brien’s continue to lead the way in Modern Methods of Construction for groundworks and civil engineering.

An example of this is our EC300E Hybrid Fuel Efficiency / Reduced CO2 Emissions. The result is up to 17% increase in fuel efficiency on standard EC330E, but also the same levels of controllability and performance as the standard EC300E. That allows the EC300E Hybrid to reduces its CO₂ emissions by up to 15%* making it a more environmentally respectful choice, especially when working in built-up areas.

What is Earth Day? Earth Day, 22^nd April, is meant to demonstrate support for environmental protection through global events coordinated by the Earth Day Network. Whether it is changing your diet for a day or shrinking your carbon footprint, there are many ways to participate in Earth Day. Food for Earth Day Earth Day is less about celebratory foods and more focused on the food we eat often. You can celebrate Earth Day by being cognizant of what you are eating and how it impacts the environment.

Not long now until 14 intrepid cyclists take on the Charity Bike Ride – “Tour of Cambridgeshire.” The team will be cycling up to 100-miles each for O’Brien Charitable Trust.

We would like to thank our corporate sponsors for their incredible support. Jersey Sponsorship has raised an impressive c.£8,000, as you can see they look fantastic!

These sponsors include:

• MJL Midlands
• Ridge & Partners
• Edge PS
• SGP Architects
• Burdens
• Weightmans
• MCI Electrical
• Nolan Associates
• Smiths Concrete
• CQS Solutions
• CMT Group
• Midland Quarry Products
• Titan Site Solutions
• Coventry Timber Products
• YardLink
• Emily Jayne Hair
• Keyline
• HD Ricketts
• MAP Civils
• Tracey Concrete
• Belgrade Insulations
• F P McCann
• Simson Aggregates
• Clancy Consulting
• FGD Aggregates & Waste Removal
• First Fence
• Midland Rock
• Clowes Developments

With the 4^th of June approaching fast this leaves only 6 weeks to go. If you would still like to support our fundraising event, please donate here or email info@obriencontractors.co.uk.

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.

O’Brien are absolutely delighted to have won the award for Large Project of the Year from SAPCA for our Old Saltleians RFC project!

Using our in-house civil engineering & building construction expertise, along with our extensive sports development experience, we delivered a turnkey design & build solution for the client, to develop 17 acres of former farmland into a sports facility with 6 natural turf pitches, a clubhouse and associated infrastructure.

Beginning with a Breaking Ground Ceremony in November 2021 O’Brien commenced works to develop seventeen acres of fallow arable farmland into a state of the art facility. The new grounds would provide a clubhouse and 6 natural turf pitches, ecological area as well as ample parking for cars and coaches.

O’Brien worked extremely closely with the Old Saltleians Rugby Club along with their consultants and design team, Robinson Lowe Francis (RLF), AJA Architects, Nolan Associates and PSD to bring the project from a concept to a completed facility fit for the future. The project was completed on time and to budget.

Matt Moore submitted a great photo, taken on our site at Fairham, where we are carrying out works for Clowes Developments.

https://obriencontractors.co.uk/fairham-project-starts-to-take-shape/

The winning photo by Matt, was taken whilst visiting the Fairham site on a foggy morning in December.  The photo was of two of our excavators, the first one framing the second one.  We thought it was a great shot of the machines at work on site and Matt won a £50 Amazon E Voucher and a certificate for his efforts.  Well done Matt!

In October 2022 we decided to launch a new competition for staff for site photography, with the winning photo chosen in conjunction with each quarterly staff newsletter. The criteria included the following;

• Good Health & Safety
• Quality of Workmanship
• Artistic (lighting, focus)
• Significant stage of works (crane use)

Gerry Morris has been awarded our quarterly ‘Outstanding Employee Award’ for the third quarter 2022, for his hard work on our Fairham Park and Ride Highways Works project.

Project Manager Kevin Brennan nominated Gerry and said, “I would like to nominate Gerry, for his hard-working endeavour and his can-do attitude.”  Well done to Gerry!

O’Brien values the skills, experience, and dedication of our site teams.

In recognition of this, we have for many years run the ‘Employee Outstanding Achievement Award.’ The award goes to a member of one of our site teams each quarter to coincide with our quarterly newsletter.

Project Managers nominate the operative that they think has gone above and beyond for the previous quarter and the candidate with the most recommendations win the award. In recognition of their outstanding contribution on site, the winner gets a £500 cheque and a certificate.

Highways and Infrastructure Works

From construction of new roads and road junctions, traffic roundabouts, realignment of highways Section 278 and 38 works, utilities work, new signage, lighting, drainage and temporary traffic management, O’Brien have the expertise and experience to carry out all elements of highways and infrastructure works. We deliver a full spectrum of civil engineering and groundworks across a range of different sized infrastructure and highways projects, from smaller developments to major highways works.

O’Brien are experts at carrying out infrastructure works on sites being prepared for further development, including industrial and commercial, housing developments and manufacturing sites.  We carry out all bulk earthworks, road construction, car parks, footpath, cycleways, highways bridges and roundabout construction, Section 278 and 38 works.  We undertake all drainage works including Section 104 works and utility installation works.

Public Interface

Where our projects involve interface with members of the public, including in very sensitive environments, we liaise and notify members of the public and residents prior to and during our projects.  We provide information to keep them fully informed of activities, with open lines of communication at all times

Collaboration:

We work collaboratively with consultants, local authorities, highways agencies, planners, architects, and utility providers, as well as ecology, environmental and archaeological specialists, to achieve the contract objectives and goals of the client and other stakeholders.

Technology: 

As a company, we have been at the forefront of Machine Control since its early adoption in the UK in the 90’s and have assisted the major manufacturers Trimble and Topcon with developing their systems for market and continue to do so to this day. Realising the potential and investing into such systems early has left us at the leading edge of this technology here in the UK.

We are currently rolling out Easy BOP Construction Management Software across the business for efficient, timely and paperless information for our head office, site, and transport department.

Early Contractor Involvement Benefits

 The most effective way for O’Brien Contractors to work with our clients, to deliver as much value as possible is through Early Contractor Involvement. By being a part of the initial design, specification, and programming process, we ensure that projects are scoped, de-risked and costed effectively and by using our senior management team as consultants where necessary, we can provide operational and commercial advice on feasibility studies.  Our extensive knowledge and experience mean that we can solve problems that arise and propose alternatives that can make jobs safer, quicker and more cost effective without affecting the quality of the end product.

Recent projects include:

• Bicester Road, Oxfordshire: Oxford Road, Bicester – Section 278 Works
• West Longbridge: West Longbridge Development, Regeneration Scheme
• Wykham Park Farm Development: Wykham Park Farm – Highways Infrastructure Works

It’s employee award time again!

Ashley Tobin has been awarded our quarterly ‘Outstanding Employee Award’ for the second quarter 2022, for his hard work on his project sites.

Project Manager Guy Baker nominated Ashley and said “I would like to nominate Ashley, “he is reliable, trustworthy and very experienced in what he does. He works hard, gives it his all and always gets the job done”.  Well done to Ashley!

O’Brien values the skills, experience and dedication of our site teams.

In recognition of this, we have for many years run the ‘Employee Outstanding Achievement Award’. The award goes to a member of one of our site teams each quarter to coincide with our quarterly newsletter.

Project Managers nominate the operative that they think has gone above and beyond for the previous quarter and the candidate with the most recommendations wins the award. In recognition of their outstanding contribution on site, the winner gets a £500 cheque and a certificate .