BEYOND THE BUILDING: May 2024

GMI WINS CONTRACT TO DELIVER MIRA TECHNOLOGY PARK ??

GMI Construction Group has been awarded a ￡16m contract to deliver the next units on Europe’s largest automotive research and development cluster as well as new major infrastructure providing access to the new plots being developed.

The project forms part of the major masterplan expansion of MIRA Technology Park (MTP), near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, by HORIBA MIRA and Evans Randall Investors , with the project delivery managed by SWANVALE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED .

A groundbreaking ceremony has been held to mark commencement of Plot 9, which is divided into two expansive units, each providing 36,000 sq. ft of high-quality office and technical space.

The growth in the MIRA cluster is being fuelled by advances in low-carbon automotive technology, including electric vehicle development, cleantech fuels, such as hydrogen, and emerging autonomous and connected car technologies.

Adjacent to the HORIBA MIRA test track and proving ground, the technology park is already home to 35 companies, including Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd , Bentley Motors , Jaguar Land Rover UK , Bosch , Toyota Motor Corporation and Polestar .? A major 2.3m sq. ft expansion to MTP was recently announced following planning approval.

The Plot 9 units will be steel framed using cladding that compliments the rest of the MTP development. They will consist of open plan workshop space, offices, service yards, and parking, and will be completed to CAT A fit out standard. The work also includes an adjacent access road and the installation of site wide services.

Andy Macdonald , Managing Director of SWANVALE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED , which has managed the project design, planning and delivery of the MTP masterplan since its inception in 2010, said: “The construction start of this next phase of facilities is another major landmark for MTP, building on the infrastructure investment and recent planning approval for the 2.3m sq. ft MIRA South Site. We look forward to working with GMI to deliver a high quality building which will be setting new benchmark standards at the Technology Park.”

Gareth Jones , GMI’s Regional Managing Director for the Midlands, said: “We are proud to play a role in further cementing MTP’s global reputation as a centre for sustainable automotive innovation through the delivery of additional research and development facilities.

“GMI already has a growing pipeline of work in the Midlands providing high quality logistics, manufacturing, creative, and residential space that drives inward investment to this region. We are delighted to be working with Swanvale for the first time and look forward to collaborating with them on future developments.”

GMI AWARDED PLACE ON UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER FRAMEWORK ??

GMI Construction Group awarded place on ￡260m The University of Manchester Framework.

GMI Construction Group has been awarded a place on 英国曼彻斯特大学 ’s?￡260 million construction works framework.

This significant four-year agreement positions GMI to undertake projects ranging from ￡5 million to ￡20 million, covering extensive new-builds, refurbishments, and landscaping initiatives across the University’s estate.

The procurement, launched by the university a year ago, to deliver its ongoing works and expansion programme is split into four value-based lots, of which Manchester-based GMI secured Lot 4.

It builds upon GMI’s already strong presence in the North West, which includes its role as principal contractor for developer Bruntwood SciTech ’s ￡42 million Citi Labs 4.0 development on the Manchester University NHS Campus.

The latest phase of the larger CityLab’s masterplan, it will provide 125,000 sq. ft of specialist lab space for leading medtech, genomic, and scientific organisations.

Anthony Judge MCIOB CMgr MCMI , GMI’s Regional Director for the North West, said: “We are incredibly proud to be entrusted with Lot 4 of this major framework. It’s testament to our proven expertise and commitment to construction excellence and we look forward to delivering top-tier solutions that will enhance the University’s learning environment."

“GMI has a commendable track record in delivering sophisticated facilities for educational and hi-tech research sectors, ranging from student accommodation and learning environments though to dedicated? research and development spaces. Being selected for the University’s framework will undoubtedly advance our significant project portfolio within the North West.”

GMI HIT ANOTHER MAJOR MILESTONE IN URBAN 8 DEVELOPMENT ? ??

GMI Construction Group has marked a significant milestone in the development of the ￡32.9m Urban 8 Logistics Park at King’s Norton, Birmingham, with a steel signing ceremony.

Progress on the 400,000 sq. ft warehousing and logistics hub, a speculative development by CANMOOR Asset Management and Tristan Capital Partners , in partnership with regeneration specialists St Francis Group , remains on schedule and is more than a third of the way towards practical completion.

Steel frameworks of five of the eight units have been erected and work to fit the composite metal cladding is underway.

The steel signing ceremony was carried out by Gareth Jones , GMI’s Divisional Managing Director Midlands; Eugene Carnell MCIOB , GMI’s Senior Project Manager; Simon Dale , Director of Operations at St Francis Group, and Thomas Maltby of Canmoor – symbolising their commitment and collective contribution to the project’s success.

Situated on the former Pilkington United Kingdom Limited and GKN Aerospace sites, the BREEM Excellent rated units range from 25,000 sq. ft to 70,000 sq. ft. It is estimated the development could bring up to 900 jobs to the area.

Despite a number of challenges involving the constraints of the site, together with a prolonged period of extremely wet weather, GMI as the principal contractor has worked tirelessly to mitigate impact and is looking towards now starting and progressing finishing activities to the first two units.

Located off Eckersall Road, the 29-acre brownfield site is adjacent to the A441 and A38, offering fast connections throughout the region.

Simon Dale , Director of Operations at St Francis Group, said: “This project not only represents a significant investment in the infrastructure and logistical capabilities of the Midlands but is a benchmark for future developments within the sector.

“It’s a development that’s close to our heart, being in our home city of Birmingham, and since GMI has been on site, its team has done a fantastic job in difficult conditions. It’s a testament to their commitment that the programme remains on schedule.”

Gareth Jones , GMI’s Divisional Managing Director, Midlands, added: “This is a scheme that we particularly wanted to be part of to demonstrate our extensive capabilities. It will create local skills and employment within the city of Birmingham and the wider region.

“This steel signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the project and symbolises the strong collaboration and collective dedication of the key stakeholders and supply chain to deliver this state-of-the-art logistics park.”

Thomas Maltby , a Director of CANMOOR Asset Management added: “The industrial market, certainly in the Midlands, is thriving from an occupier perspective, and from an Urban 8 perspective, we are very confident in this development.

“The steel is up, and the roof is on Unit 8, and we will be offering occupancy from November 2024 which is really exciting. This is the largest speculative mid box scheme in the region targeting occupation from Q4 this year.

In 2019, GKN Aerospace announced the phased closure of its factory, which produced high-performance windscreens and windows for civilian and military aircraft, with work transferring to other sites. Meanwhile Pilkington United Kingdom Limited Automotive consolidated its operations into a larger warehouse in nearby Redditch.

GMI ARE LEVELLING UP IN EAST YORKSHIRE ??

In different circumstances, the new trains that are destined for London Underground’s Piccadilly line could well have been built in Vienna.

Instead, they are to be assembled on the outskirts of Goole in East Yorkshire at Siemens Mobility ’s ￡200m state-of-the-art rail village.

It’s the first time the German company will manufacture trains in the UK rather than at its sister factory in the Austrian capital. As a result, Goole – the UK’s furthest inland port – is already feeling the economic benefits generated by Freeport status, alongside the government’s wider levelling up initiatives.

Yorkshire-headquartered GMI Construction Group is a perfect example of that spirit of levelling up, which is now driving fresh investment and vital infrastructure to the region, and with it jobs and long-term economic security.

GMI driving levelling up and investing in the future of East Yorkshire

The independent firm was awarded the ￡40m contract to build the rail manufacturing facility in early 2021. The 67 acre site, which comprises facilities for train body construction, assembly, testing and commissioning and trucking, also includes 4.5km of rail track linking it with the main line – making Goole as a centre for UK rail excellence.

This development will create up to 700 direct jobs and a further 1,700 in the wider supply chain, together with 250 roles during the construction phase. In addition, a further ￡10m worth of contracts were awarded to local and UK suppliers.?

GMI, which operates throughout the North of England and Midlands, has also delivered a ￡7m component facility within the rail village, which maintains traction drives and motors for the train fleets.

In partnership with Trebor Developments LLP , it is currently delivering a 100,000 sq. ft logistics centre that will store materials for Siemens Mobility ’s train manufacturing and maintenance locations. This has created 200 skilled jobs during the construction phase.

Focus on employment, skills and local supply chain

As Lee Powell , the CEO of GMI, points out, there’s much more to construction than just building.

Referring to the latest project, he says: “Watts Group based near Bridlington is supplying the concrete, Connell’s from Halifax are undertaking the M&E work, F. O'MALLEY & SONS LIMITED from Brighouse are completing the groundworks, and the steel frame was supplied by Severfield in North Yorkshire.

“We always try to tap in to the regional and local infrastructure. Not only do you receive a better service, but every development opportunity creates a ripple effect right through the supply chain – enabling you to give something back by supporting employment and skills development.

It’s a philosophy echoed by Bob Tattrie , managing partner of Trebor Developments: “Our aim is to have a long lasting and positive impact on the area – and for this particular development that means job creation and retention

“The whole rail village has put Goole on the map and is creating widespread interest in the area. In fact, we are actively looking for new sites that will allow us to bring forward more of these kinds of developments.”

During the construction of the train manufacturing plant, GMI ensured everyone involved in the project lived within a 25 mile radius of the site and estimates this injected at least ￡2.7m in wages into the local economy.

Siemens Mobility has said that the Goole facility, due to open in the spring, will produce 80 percent of the trains for the Piccadilly line – up from the 50 percent previously announced. They are due to enter service in 2025.

Lee is particularly proud of the four new apprenticeships created, one being Jack Sheard , from Goole, ?who was an apprentice Quantity Surveyor.

“At the time, my head was full of landing what was an extremely large contract. But when I saw Jack, it made me realise that it was also a life-changing opportunity for him, allowing him to achieve his desired career path right on his own doorstep.”

He is also pleased to note that a T-Level student taking design, surveying and planning has just joined GMI on the Trebor Developments LLP ’ project as part of his industrial placement.

“These are the opportunities and long-term benefits that would just not exist here otherwise,” he adds. “GMI is a Yorkshire-based business, and we are rightly proud to be involved in such high value projects in East Yorkshire, which are delivering the infrastructure, investment, and creating skilled jobs that is supporting the levelling up in this region.

“The town is undergoing a renaissance, including infrastructure improvements like the link road from the M62 to the port, while the prospect of Freeport status is already? attracting new businesses and stimulating investment in Goole’s undeveloped sites, which provide opportunities for companies to establish operations and contribute to the local economy.

Maximisation of client partnerships to strengthen the East Yorkshire economy and communities??

GMI’s first venture in East Yorkshire was on the neighbouring Goole 36 Enterprise Zone when, in 2020, it built a 232,170 sq. ft warehouse pre-let to 禾大 Europe Ltd on behalf of Tritax Symmetry .

禾大 , which creates, makes and sells speciality chemicals, has invested ￡7million in the facility, which forms its worldwide distribution hub for products made at its three northern UK manufacturing sites and for the European delivery of products made across its global network. It also houses 禾大 ’s customer service and supply chain teams, together with a training centre.

The development signalled the start of a strong partnership with Tritax Symmetry , with GMI going on to complete developments on behalf of the logistics developer across the North of England.

It also gave Siemens Mobility an opportunity to witness the quality of the company’s work at close quarters. Shortly afterwards, GMI was appointed principal contractor for its rail manufacturing plant, which also signalled the start of a long-term partnership – with Siemens selecting GMI due to its commitment to local suppliers, an emphasis on promoting employment skills and education, and its outstanding record of project delivery.

Lee Powell adds: “The Siemens Mobility Rail Village is a prime example of creating a centre of excellence, which will, in turn, attract additional further investment and supply chain opportunities. Meanwhile, 禾大 Europe is an international company, which has already highlighted its commitment to this region and in doing so is creating highly skilled jobs.

“As a construction company we are dedicated to being part of that process which? delivers such opportunities, and in turn redress those historic imbalances that have?? acted as a brake to economic growth.

“However, we can’t always wait for the government to set the agenda and it is down to businesses and the supply chain to collaborate and create added value – as are witnessing here in East Yorkshire.

“It’s extremely important that whoever is in power adopts a is pro-business approach. We need ministers who understand the business landscape and can see the opportunities that are available to drive the economy forward.

“It’s important not only to create but sustain businesses, and by doing so you attract finance, prosperity, and employment. Once this is achieved, an area is then able to invest in its social and welfare agenda, together with employment and skills.

“Levelling up requires a joint effort. While government provides resources, businesses actively participate in creating opportunities and fostering prosperity – but this does require a business-facing government.”

GMI SECURES PLACE ON PAGABO'S ￡1.6BN DECARBONISATION FRAMEWORK SUPPORTING YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE, NORTH WEST, NORTH EAST, WEST MIDLANDS AND EAST MIDLANDS ??

GMI Construction Group has extended its relationship with public sector procurement body Pagabo after being awarded a place on six of its regional decarbonisation frameworks.

The inclusion will support the retrofit and refurbishment of public sector buildings across Yorkshire and Humberside, the North West, North East, West Midlands and East Midlands, involving projects valued between ￡5 million and ￡15 million.

The framework, which totals ￡1.6bn, has four value banded lots, applicable to 12 geographical regions. GMI, which covers the North of England and the Midlands, excelled in the competitive selection process, achieving the highest score in each of the Lot 3 bids it applied for.

This achievement underscores the independent company’s expertise and commitment to enhancing public infrastructure while prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility. Each of the frameworks span a four year period.

Lee Powell , CEO of GMI Construction Group, said: “While GMI is traditionally recognised for its proficiency in delivering low carbon new-build developments, including logistics and manufacturing units, student lets, offices and retail, our growing involvement in retrofit developments marks a significant step in the evolution of the business.

“Alongside our new build projects setting high standards, we recognise that retrofitting existing structures is equally vital. By securing a place on the Pagabo Decarbonisation Framework, we’re committed to driving positive change. Our expertise will now extend beyond groundbreaking new builds to revitalising and enhancing public sector buildings, ultimately contributing to a greener future.”

The decarbonisation framework aims to address urgent environmental challenges by transforming existing buildings into energy-efficient structures, significantly reducing carbon emissions across the public sector.?It allows clients to go directly to contractors to undertake retrofit assessments, work up costs and self-deliver or bring in supply chain partners to deliver schemes.

Earlier this month it was announced GMI has also been awarded a place on 英国曼彻斯特大学 ’s ￡260 million construction works framework for projects? ranging from ￡5 million to ￡20 million, covering extensive new-builds, refurbishments, and landscaping initiatives across the University’s estate.

Last April it secured a position on Pagabo ’s ￡1 billion Medium Works Framework, which enables GMI to contend for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to ￡10 million, further establishing its presence within the public sector infrastructure.

THREE GMI SITES ACHIEVE GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE AT THE CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTORS SCHEME NATIONAL SITE AWARDS 2024 ?? ?? ?? ??

Our Midlands, Yorkshire and North East teams were recognised on a national stage for their efforts on projects Dogpool Lane, Carlton Hill and Integra 61.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards recognises sites who are respectful of the public, workforce and environment, where the project teams on Dogpool Lane, Carlton Hill and Integra 61 have gone above and beyond in following best practice to achieve this award. This award is a testament to the team for being considerate neighbours and creating value in the communities surrounding them.

Dogpool Lane, Birmingham was awarded Gold for the project's amazing Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 45/45 plus 3 points for Best Practice. The auditor was especially impressed with the hoarding displaying construction-related drawings from a local SEND School, the bleed kit installed on site and the mental health banner installed on the scaffolding.

Carlton Hill, Leeds was awarded Silver based upon their outstanding work on the 604 bed luxury student accommodation developments receiving a hattrick of full marks on three separate visits by Considerate Constructors Scheme auditors.

Integra 61, Durham was awarded Bronze for the project teams excellent efforts in delivering the sustainable combined warehouse and office space, receiving a Considerate Constructors Scheme full marks score and taking the top spot for GMI North East.

Congratulations to all of the project teams involved for this outstanding nationally recognised achievement.