Latest News
CEF/Specify Construction Excellence Award
The Belfast Boys Model project has won the overall CEF/Specify Construction Excellence Award for 2011, through Farrans Construction.
The Lyric Theatre project was also awarded a special Commendation through Gilbert Ash, for winning the Social/Community Construction Award and being scored so close to the overall winner.
Our project team has successfully achieved completion of the M&E Services at the new Lowmoss Prison. Working closely with Principal Contractor, Carillion Building we have made extensive use of multi–service prefabricated modules to ensure the highest levels of quality and to minimise the amount of manual handling and work–at–height risks. The mechanical and electrical installations have been completed and commissioned in accordance with programme and we are proud to be able to add this challenging contract to our growing portfolio of work in the custodial sector.
Having successfully completed the new Newton Mearns store, near Glasgow, for Waitrose earlier in the year, Vaughan Engineering are now working on their second new Waitrose store in Preston. This fast track project commences in November 2011 and our aim is to have a trading store up and running in January 2012. The mechanical and electrical installations will be constructed largely using pre–manufactured modules, which have been fully co–ordinated by the Vaughan team. We look forward to working closely with main contractor, Barr Construction to ensure that Waitrose are happy with the overall end product.
Earlier this year we were delighted to be chosen by Carillion plc as a UK Tier 1 M&E preferred contractor. This provides us with a rare opportunity in a depressed market to grow our share of business with one of the very best and biggest engineering and construction organisations. It is also an ideal opportunity for us to become a part of Carillion’s flagship Target Zero safety campaign and to ensure that our people and our suppliers become more aligned with the “Don’t Walk By” culture. Carillion rightly demand high standards in every respect and we are excited at the prospect of doing more business with Carillion as we look to grow our business in the coming years.
Tullis Russel, the paper maker is currently constructing a 49.9 Megawatt Biomass CHP plant at its Markinch facility, near Glenrothes in Fife. The plant will generate electricity and steam, which is used for drying paper and will reduce the paper mills CO2 emissions by around 250,000 tonnes per year. Vaughan Engineering have secured a subcontract with Carillion Civil Engineering for mechanical and electrical services associated with infrastructure and support buildings on the site.
PIER PARADE SUCCESS FOR NEWCASTLE
Our Newcastle office has been awarded a significant c£3m subcontract to design and install the mechanical and electrical services at Pier Parade in South Shields. Pier Parade is a new purpose built swimming pool facility with swimming and diving pools and we are pleased that main contractor, Graham Construction, have chosen to entrust Vaughan Engineering with this exciting subcontract. Crucial to the success of this project is the early design and co–ordination of an extensive and very heavily serviced roof top plant room. Although our installation work does not commence until well into 2012, our project team is already hard at work ensuring that the plant area is laid out and procured to suit the roof construction. The employer’s M&E consultant is Hoare Lea and we our team is working closely with them to ensure that the client’s input is available.
Vaughan Engineering have recently completed the M&E Installations on a new nuclear research facility, near Whitehaven in Cumbria. The facility will be operated by the Dalton Institute, who are supported by Manchester University. The facility will conduct leading edge research and we are pleased to have worked with main contractor, Morgan Sindall on this project at a time when the UK’s energy needs are high on the agenda.
SHERATON HOTEL HVAC PLANT UPGRADE AND PUBLIC AREAS REFURBISHMENT
Following successful completion of the refurbishment of 256 guest rooms in July 2010, we were pleased to be awarded the contract for this 5 star hotel’s HVAC plant upgrade. The £700,000 contract commenced in November 2010 and, with project completion programmed for February 2011, the work was carried out during the worst winter in living memory: replacing the boiler plant without loss of hot water to the hotel, refurbishing the existing air handling units and installation of a new chiller – all while the hotel remained fully operational. We were then awarded the Public Areas refurbishment by Main Contractor, Thomas Johnstone, with whom we had successfully completed the refurbishment of the Dormy Clubhouse at Gleneagles Resort & Spa. Valued at £3.2m, work in the public areas started in June, with the first of 7 zones completed in November. The final handover of all areas is to take place at the end of February, 2012.
We are pleased to have been engaged for the fit out of Virgin Money’s new Headquarters at 28 St Andrew Square, one of Edinburgh’s most prestigious business addresses. The biggest city centre deal in Edinburgh since 2009, Virgin Money acquired the lease of 30,000 square feet within the office property from Heineken UK, formerly Scottish & Newcastle. The new premises will provide expansion opportunities for Virgin Money and was open for business in the summer, employing up to 300 new recruits in Edinburgh as part of their plans to launch a bank capable of providing a real alternative for consumers.
Vaughan Engineering were awarded the contract to install mechanical and electrical services, including fire detection, security and alarm systems, associated with the alterations and extension of the Dormy Clubhouse at the world famous Gleneagles 5 star luxury Hotel, Spa and Resort. The Dormy Clubhouse is located next to the 18th holes of the King’s and Queen’s courses and offers outstanding views of these majestic courses.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE
The £6.0m EICC project is now gathering pace and, after successfully handing over the refurbished Kitchen to our client in September, we are progressing the new build areas with enthusiasm. This prestigious project is the focus of much attention, located, as it is, in the shadow of Edinburgh’s iconic castle. Awake to the challenges which lie ahead, in the offices, functions space and plant areas and with procurement complete, we have 12 months to install over 500 AC units, 13 AHUs, ductwork, plumbing, drainage, and heating and chilled water pipework. We look forward to January 2013, when Edinburgh International Conference Centre can turn the switch on the world’s first fully customisable moving floor in the new function space.
Heating and Plumbing Services Craft Trainee Award 2011
This year’s winner of the Group Craft Trainee of the Year Award is Murray Wallace of Vaughan Engineering Services Ltd. Murray is a young man who has quickly gained excellent experience in all aspects of the industry. He can work under his own initiative but his skills are so valued that he is routinely requested to assist the other established tradesman. He excels at college and sets very high standards for himself. Murray is never late and rarely absent, and showed great character when bad weather prevented him from returning home and he spent the night sleeping in the site office.Murray received his award from Alastair Campbell at the Annual General Meeting of the Group at Trinity House in London.
Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust 1st Stage Apprentice of the Year 2011
This year’s winner of 1st Stage Apprentice of the Year Award went to Aaran Lawrie, following an excellent year at Stevenson College, Edinburgh, where he excelled in his formal training, and in the workplace, where he has already gained a grounding in both office and site working.
We successfully completed the £19M (4,300m2) redevelopment of the prestigious new Lyric Theatre in Belfast. This project with Gilbert–Ash commenced during September 2009 and opened on time in May 2011. The new facilities will include a 394 seat main auditorium, 150 seat studio theatre, rehearsal room, dressing rooms, extensive riverfront foyers and bar, technical facilities and office accommodation.
M&E Services package £2,400,000
Following standardisation of CPD’s Health and Safety assessment procedure, Vaughan successfully attained ‘CoPE’ H&S accreditation from CPD during early January. This award demonstrates our continuing excellence, competence and resourcing through the management of our Health & Safety policy in compliance with CDM regulations and relevant industry guidance. CoPE (Centre of Procurement Expertise involved in construction) is a recognised certificate from the following bodies…Central Procurement Directorate; Health Estates Investment Group; Education and Library Boards; Translink; Northern Ireland Water; Roads Service and Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Vaughan Engineering Services Ltd have recently completed the Electrical services sub–contract through Felix O’Hare for the redevelopment and fit out of Church House in Belfast. The Presbyterian Church of Ireland’s ‘ Church House’ is a three–storey Grade A listed building originally constructed in 1905, being one of Belfast’s best known buildings.
Electrical Services package £1 million
Vaughan Engineering Services Ltd were awarded the M&E services sub–contract, through Tracey Brothers, to carry out extensive refurbishment of this B1 listed building in providing teaching, seminar and syndicate rooms for executive education. The project also included a new building for teaching facilities, lecture theatres, computer rooms, academic and administration offices, architecturally keeping in theme with the traditional listed building. This project for Queen’s University Belfast commenced in May 2010 and finished in June 2011.
M&E Services package £2,500,000
Vaughan Engineering Services Ltd has secured the M&E services work packages with Farrans Construction on this £21million urban regeneration infrastructure project, providing shared space for the East Belfast community. Commissioned by East Belfast Mission and funded by the European Union’s Peace III Programme, the International Fund for Ireland, the East Belfast Methodist Mission, and the Department for Social Development, this urban village regeneration which has been on site since November 2010, features social housing, affordable housing, retail, commercial space, community facilities, a day nursery, church worship facility and a cafe. The project is programmed for completion during July 2012.
M&E Services package £5,500,000
Vaughan Engineering Services Ltd is delighted to have secured the M&E services, through Gilbert Ash, for the new visitor centre at The Giant’s Causeway world heritage site. The 1,815 sq m building has been designed by Heneghan Peng Architects, with M&E Consultants Bennett Robertson, and is a single storey earth defended structure with facilities comprising retail, catering, tourist information, interpretation and exhibition space, restrooms and staff accommodation. This prestigious project for The National Trust began during January 2011 with an 18 month programme to completion.
M&E Services package £1,400,000
As a business we understand the need to adapt to the changing requirements of our customers and look for alternative methods of installing M&E services within modern complex buildings. Our customers expect us to do more than standard installation work and look to us to provide them with options. We look to provide programme flexibility and wherever practicable, our teams should be looking to drive out cost for the mutual benefit of our customers and ourselves. Indeed, the real rewards for our engineers are in seeing their cost saving ideas implemented in a transparent and non-adversarial environment. Safe sites, cost effective projects and repeat business are all invaluable benefits of our Innovations programme.
At Vaughan Engineering, we have set up an Innovations Forum to explore alternative installation methods, encourage new ideas and share best practice within the business and with our customers and our supply chain. Project Manager, Brian McFarlane, who heads up our Innovations Forum says,” There will always be a place for tried and trusted methods but engineering has always been about innovation and new ideas. Having a forum to explore new methods and a business culture which promotes initiative, means that we can always come up with alternatives which benefit our projects.”
The Vaughan Board were delighted to support the West Lothian contingent of the Lothian’s Special Olympic Team to allow them to purchase team track suits and sports shirts in their recent summer Olympics event at Leicester.
Mark Whitfield’s (Brankin Contracts Manager)brother, Garry was part of the team and took part in the bowling event and received two riddons for the singles and doubles. The team returned home with a hoard of awards amounting to 28 Gold, 6 silver, 6 bronze medals and 11 ribbons.
RVH 2B - Critical Care Unit: £24 M Mechanical Services
Works began in August 2009 with McLaughlin & Harvey to build a new 12-storey Critical Care Hospital unit. This world class facility will have an Accident & Emergency Department, Operating Theatre suites, 40 bed Regional Intensive Care Unit with specialised simultaneous source protection rooms, medical records, a new Education Centre, burns department, Gynaecological theatres and wards. The new centre will provide critical care cover for the whole of Northern Ireland through the Belfast Trust.
Phase 2B works are taking place on an existing hospital site, adjacent to the recently completed 7 storey ‘A’ block building and the old A&E department.
Design is being carried out through RPS Gregory and White Young Green. Works are expected to complete during 2012.
Hospital Projects in Good Health
We are pleased to be part of the Interserve team delivering three hospital projects in the Fife area as part of the new NEC3 form of contract in the Scottish market.
The pilot project for the NHS at Victoria hospital in Kirkcaldy has been underway for twelve months and will continue through to 2015 and will involve the refurbishment of existing the estates buildings to form a new campus along side new buildings currently under construction.
In addition to this project we have been successful in securing two fur ther hospital building projects, both of which are at Stratheden Hospital near Cupar.