Description

Late in 2007, Wm Lee Ltd approached us to see if we were interested in building this project. It was through recommendation and reputation we were chosen for an intial interview and ultimately Wm Lee were satisfied by our response. For the past 30 years we had worked on many Foundries up and down the country.

At the time design was in its early stages but we were briefed to be ready to start early 2008 with the Foundry to be in production January 1st 2009 to meet the Clients requirements.

Demolition - a separate contract, occurred January 2008 and we established site 1st February 2008.

As design was still being processed we were unable to price the Contract in entirety. This situation continued throughout the contract. As design for each element was completed, we priced and constructed it. There was no formal contract, each element ordered against individual price.

The site sloped from front to back and from side to side with the ground being clay over shale. We decided early on to carry out clay re-engineering to practically the whole area.

This saved considerable expense in cart off site and bulk hardcore filling. The engineered clay stood up to site traffic very successfully during a very wet summer.

The early days were spent on column bases and small retaining walls to enable stuctural steelwork commencment. Priorities were then given to the V.I.P. and Furnace Platform areas, Sand Plant foundations followed by the construction of the large Moulding Line Conveyor Pit. Floor areas followed, together with masonry perimeter dado walls. By September roof and wall cladding were substantially complete.

During September Plant Contractors commenced installing the very comprehensive plant and machinery required for the new foundry. Together with the many services required we were faced with a very active site.

Whilst Plant and Machinery installations were progressing we concentrated on the extensive external works. This comprised large scale drainage and concrete roadways.

It had been intended we should be Principle Contractor until the commencement of the Plant Installation, with the Client then taking over this role. By agreement it was considered practical for us to continue. Systems had been developed to cope with these duties and thus were extended to encompass the many other Contractors involved.

The project was approximately £18 million in total with our work being £3.5 million.

The programme set by Wm Lee Ltd required the testing and commissioning of Plant in December 2008 with production set for January 2009. These dates were met.