Category: News

O’Brien are pleased to announce the award of 2 new contracts across three school sites in the Midlands.

Bromsgrove and Winterfold Independent School

O’Brien have secured works at Bromsgrove and Winterfold Independent School. The project which is over two separate sites, involves the total refurbishment of the Kindergarten unit at Winterfold School, and includes the complete strip out of the existing building, installation of mechanical/electrical infrastructure along with fitting out new kitchen and toilet block facilities. The works at Bromsgrove are the upgrading of the hard landscaping to the front façade of the main school building. Works will begin on site next week for 8 weeks.

Solihull Independent School

O’Brien have secured further works at Solihull Independent School. The project is further expansion of the car parking facilities at the school and is the second phase of the works that we previously carried out last summer. The works are due to start in mid-July and will be completed in August.

O’Brien Strengthens its Board

Formed in 1959 O’Brien Contractors a Leamington Spa based civil engineering and construction company have announced the appointment of three new directors as part of their long-term succession plan with Wayne Inskip, Tom O’Brien and Tony Mitchell all being internal appointments.

Managing Director Peter O’Brien said whilst the family link is kept alive with Tom, Wayne and Tony provide the additional experience and knowledge outside of a family structure to ensure the business maintains a wider outlook.

We have transformed the business over recent years developing from a traditional sub-contracting model to a well-structured business offering a full range of civil engineering, sport and construction services to a range of sectors including education, local authorities, sports clubs, manufacturing and developers and we continue to thrive under our long term sustainable strategy due to our loyal staff and clients.

The COVID-19 outbreak had a huge impact on the country as a whole but we remained active on the majority of our sites, the situation will continue to have implications for the industry, but O’Brien are well placed for recovery.

O’Brien are very pleased to have been awarded contract for enabling works, including drainage and attenuation ponds on an exciting scheme for the first phase of a future high quality housing development in Ludlow.

The client is an established developer based in Shropshire and given the current situation with Covid-19 it’s fantastic to secure a new contract as Principal Contractor with our new client.

Our project team commenced work on site at the end of April on a 3 month programme and in addition to the planning and assessment we carry out for all contracts, a considerable amount of time has been spent ensuring that we will be working in accordance with current strict guidelines for Covid-19 to protect all parties involved, this will continue throughout the works.

The storm water drainage works have commenced and are progressing well, also High Voltage Electrical service diversion trenching works which have been substantially completed ahead of the cabling and jointing works by Western Power Distribution.

We are also approaching a significant stage of the project with the planned road closure and storm drainage installation using Vacuum Excavation methods.

O’Brien have commenced works as Principal Contractor on our project for Multimatic, Coventy.

About Multimatic

Multimatic are a privately held, global enterprise supplying engineered components, systems and services to the automotive industry, including niche vehicle design, development and production for road and race applications.

The Challenges

The 16 Week construction period was anticipated to start the end of March 2020, however the project was delayed due to Covid-19, however we have worked tirelessly with the client and supply chain to push forward remotely with the design process which has now proved fruitful to an extent that we can commence. We look forward to  delivering this strategic project for our client.

The Project

The works package involves the internal alterations to the factory, including infills to Conveyor pits and the construction of a mezzanine deck and associated partition walling, which will create a new area for the production of bespoke high quality carbon fibre components for the Motor sport industry.

Mechanical and Electrical fit out works will be carried out by Multimatic

After a request from a member of WSBB we were happy to help this fantastic organisation by giving a donation.

Smaller charities are being significantly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, as they are currently unable to carry out fundraising activities to raise money and are reliant on donations.

See below to understand how Blood Bikes save lives everyday of the year and how you can donate to help them carry on their great work or become a volunteer.

O’Brien Contractors have made a £300 donation to Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes.  As well as assisting charities through our O’Brien Charitable Trust at the beginning of each year with money raised throughout the previous year, O’Brien Contractors Ltd also make donations throughout the year to various causes.

RIDING TO SAVE LIVES – What They Do…

Warwickshire & Solihull Blood Bikes are a team of 80 volunteer rider and drivers who are dedicated to providing a weekday out of hours service and 24/7 weekend and Bank holiday cover supporting the NHS in transporting essential Plasma, Tissue Samples, Spinal fluids, X-Rays, Licensed drugs and any other products than can be carried safely on a motorcycle to hospitals throughout the Warwickshire & Solihull area.

Help by Donating to WSBB  

WSBB have had to currently stop all fund raising to fall in line with government guidelines regarding social distancing. Therefore they have NO funds coming into the charity. To help support WSBB donate via their Virgin Money Giving page.

To make a donation click on the link:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/donation-web/charity?charityId=1013499&stop_mobi=yes

To Volunteer

The WSBB still very much welcome contact from those keen to volunteer now and after the pandemic subsides, To apply click here for further information.

https://www.wsbb.org/join-us

WELL DONE TO OWAIN MCBRIDE

Congratulations to Owain one of our site operatives, who has been awarded our March – May award 2020.

Owain was nominated by two of our Project Managers for his hard work and dedication on site.

Project Manager Guy Baker and Tom O’Brien commented, “ Owain has progressed very well, is eager and very willing to do anything asked of him. He has done very well on our Blythe Valley and Banbury projects.”

Owain recieves a certificate and a cheque for £500.

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, the winner gets a £500 cheque and a certificate in recognition of their hard work.

Construction of New Loading / Distribution Canopy

On Saturday 02 May, the O’Brien project team at the Barry Callebaut site, undertook a very impressive triple crane lift!

The crane lift was carried out as part of our works on the Banbury chocolate manufacturing plant site, where we are now 29 weeks into a 52 week contract. The new 40 metre span steel frame building extension is for a new loading / distribution Canopy, at the factory.

This is part of 6 phases of work we are carrying out on site as part of upgrading works, within the 6 phases include new access roads, construction of a Weighbridge, the Construction of a new Utility building , an extension to the production building, major internal refurbishment to a further 2 buildings

The works were undertaken on a live manufacturing plant where works continue, with strict additional procedures put in place due to COVID-19.

The above works are following on from our:

Building Alteration and Upgrading Works for New Tank Farm Installation

The works which are to allow the client to increase their production by circa 20%, started in November 2019, with major alteration works on the new ‘Tank Farm Building’ completed. The works on this building have been carried out to ensure that the building is ready for the new product tanks to be installed within the building.  Our works on this building have included:

• Piling installation in the floor of the building to take the load imposed from the new product tanks to be installed
• Concrete reinstatement – reinstate around piles
• New resin floor installation
• White walling to stop any contamination of the product
• Installation of new steels – these were installed to strengthen the building, and for crane beams
• Painting and decoration of the building
• Brick up old roller shutter doors openings
• Tank Farm Delivery Yard Construction

We have also constructed a new yard around the side and the rear of the ‘Tank Farm Building’ which was previously a landscaped area. The new side access and new yard will allow deliveries to the rear of the building. Our works have included:

• Reduced dig around the side and to the rear
• Muck shift
• Installation of all drainage and ducting for the building
• Install Hauraton channels and kerbs
• Install concrete bases for canopy for the delivery area to the rear
• Stone up
• Concrete bays for the vehicle delivery area.

Other works to the yard area for the ‘Tank Farm’ included the installation of 3 no doc levellers at low level, installation of all new doors and windows for the doc levellers and installation of a building for the janitors, and installation of steel for the canopy.

Building Extension and Construction Works

Our works will be continuing on site until late 2020 with further works including building extension works, internal access roads and construction of a brand new 40m x 13m stand alone Utilities / Energy Centre.

Live Manufacturing Environment

All works are being carried out within a live manufacturing environment with a busy delivery and loading operation on the site. O’Brien have a carefully controlled regime and works phasing to ensure that manufacturing and deliveries on site are uninterrupted. Health and Safety standards are stringent to reflect both O’Brien and Barry Callebaut’s standards.

150 Year Old – World Leading of Manufacturer of High Quality Chocolate and Cocoa Products

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.

One in Four Chocolate & Cocoa Products Around the World Contain Barry Callebaut Products

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.
The works are taking place under a 12 month programme of works.

O’Brien Charitable Trust are very pleased to donate for the first time to Wolverhampton Boxing Club, one of the oldest established clubs in the UK.  O’Brien donated £2,000 to this very worthy club at the heart of the local East Park community.

The club was founded way back in 1936 by a group of local businessmen. After a few moves to different premises, by the mid 80’s the club had moved to its present home on the corner of Colliery Road and Willenhall Road.

The club has three rings, along with an array of heavy bags etc that would be the envy of a lot of pro gyms! The club is recognised as being of enormous benefit not only to the local East Park community, but for the whole of Wolverhampton.

Various famous faces have visited the club, including in recent years Amir Khan, Joe Bugner and Earnie Shavers amongst others.

Other prominent boxers who have passed through the doors of WABC over the years include Tony Wilson, Bingo Crookes, Richie Carter, Nigel Rafferty and Dean Harrison to name but a few.

A lot of people have worked tirelessly to make the gym what it is today, and are still working hard to leave a legacy for future generations of Wulfrunians.

Any boxing fan or visitor to Wolverhampton would do well to take an hour of their time to visit WABC, it really is a fight fans’ dream.

Gary Bate from the Boxing Club commented on what the donation has meant to the club:

We are a voluntary run boxing club offering the opportunity to train and learn the art of boxing, in one of the most deprived areas of Wolverhampton. We welcome children and adults from the age of 8 and also have links with local schools and youth groups. We operate from a building which is over 100 years old and as you can imagine, it is in constant need of repair and maintenance. We rely on charitable donations to enable us to keep the building open for our community.

Your very generous donation of £2,000 has helped us to refurbish one of our rooms to be used as a class room to extend our theory teaching. This room was previously very damp and had dry rot in the floor boards. Your money contributed to the eradication of these problems along with new flooring and electric heaters to be installed. We send our sincere thanks for considering us and agreeing to donate to our cause. We wish you every success with your future projects.

http://wolverhamptonboxingclub.co.uk/

O’Brien Charitable Trust have donated £10,000 to the Warwickshire + Northamptonshire Air Ambulance for the third year running.

The O’Brien Charitable Trust consider the Air Ambulance donation to be a priority, due to the independent and self-funded approach they have, they also carry out recues on many remote construction sites.

WNAA attend around 1000 missions a year – each costing around £1700. They provide the best possible pre-hospital care and rapid transport to specialist hospitals, to those suffering serious injury and illness. WNAA receive no Government funding, relying solely on donations.

Lee Bunting from Air Ambulance said:

“This is the third consecutive year that O’Brien Contractors have donated £10,000 to our charity as a result of their fundraising activities. I am absolutely amazed at their dedication to our cause and the efforts that they go to, to raise these funds for us.

The air ambulance service receives no government funding and it is through donations such as this that we are able to remain operational and provide a consistent, world class life saving service. Each mission we undertake costs on average £1,700, so this donation is received with sincere thanks and gratitude. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed and to all at O’Brien Contractors for their continued support. I look forward to coming to meet with you all personally to say a huge thank you on behalf of the charity”.

https://theairambulanceservice.org.uk/our-work/

http://Photo credit to UK Emergency Aviation http://www.ukemergencyaviation.co.uk/G-WNAA.htm

O’Brien are very please to donate £4,000 from our 2019 fundraising to The Cyrenians Society, Coventry, who provide a fantastic service for homeless and vulnerable people.

Established in 1973, Cyrenians provide a comprehensive range of services to homeless and vulnerably housed people in Coventry and Warwickshire. Providing individualised support to promote and enhance the life chances of people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and empower them to live as independently as possible.

The charity provides accommodation to the homeless people of Coventry and Warwickshire, providing more supported accommodation for single homeless adults than any other single agency in Coventry. They also provide considerable assistance in getting people back on the right path.

Services currently include the Coventry Supported Accommodation Service, Stratford Upon Avon Temporary Accommodation for Single Adults and Young Person’s Alcohol Intervention & Mediation Service. Providing nearly 200 units of accommodation within Coventry and Warwickshire for those in need.

• Over two thirds of the people they see are experiencing mental health challenges and more than one in five are     sleeping rough when we accommodate them.
• Over 90% of people leaving the Cyrenians service report improvements in one or more areas of their life.
• About one in five of their residents obtain paid employment by the time they move on from them, many benefiting from Cyrenians own employment and training opportunities.
• They generate 80% of income from accommodation charges but rely on public support and donations to enable us to continue their work.

A Cyrenian spokesman commented on the donation, “A sincere thank you for selecting us as one of your chosen charities for the foundation, we would be delighted to accept your donation and the amazing sum of money offered. I understand that you are one of our partners at Christmas time, where your organisation creates shoeboxes for the Christmas Appeal – it’s great to see that the relationship has developed into a financial donation.”

http://www.coventrycyrenians.co.uk/about

https://trust.obriencontractors.co.uk/