23 September 2015

Currently experiencing a tremendous M&E projects winning streak, Quartzelec’s Manchester based building services business has been awarded from main contractor Morgan Sindall plc, a £4.6m contract, covering four new schools projects.

The overall construction programme was awarded to Morgan Sindall Investments Limited and their investment partner Equitix Limited, by the Education Funding Agency (EFA). Morgan Sindall plc, sister company to Morgan Sindall Investments Limited, is responsible for the design and construction, with Integral UK Limited providing the maintenance and lifecycle over a 25 year period for a total of five secondary and seven primary schools with a capital value of £110m. The programme is the latest round of successful bids under the EFA’s Priority School Building Programme, a privately financed school construction initiative. 

The four framework projects awarded to Quartzelec cover (Ridgeway High School in Preston for 825 students; Halebank CE (VC) Primary School in Widnes to provide 105 places; Dee Point Primary in Blacon Cheshire for 220 plus 26N pupils; and Bedford Drive Primary in Birkenhead again for 220 plus 26N pupils). All are due to commence from November 2015 and the works are planned to be completed in time for the schools to be handed over by September 2017.  

The schedule of works includes both high and low voltage supply; all lighting and emergency lighting; power, data and fire alarms; plus security, CCTV, intruder detection and access control. It also includes the provision gas and ventilation; delivery of the high and low temperature hot and cold water services; the installation of the corresponding sanitary ware; plus all the above the ground drainage. 

“This is one of the largest single orders Quartzelec has received to date and shows the growing confidence main contractors are regularly placing in us to deliver their business building services solutions,” explained Martin Broughton, General Manager of Quartzelec’s Manchester based building services and electrical contracting business. “It also demonstrates our commitment and ability to work within the UK education sector and gives stability for our employees. Over the past few months we have won a steady stream of M&E contracts from main contractors operating in the education sector, which strengthens our financial position and fits perfectly with our strategic business plan that includes other commercial installation and maintenance contracts.” 

“We have focused on quality, value for money and delivering excellent levels of service across the pisté and are now reaping the rewards. This has contributed to our growing our order book which already exceeds £22 million for the year but people are our biggest asset.  We continuously look for individuals with the right skills and attitude to join our growing team and as a direct result of recent contract wins have expanded our apprenticeship and development programme to ensure we will have qualified electricians and staff to deliver both our existing order book and future requirements.”  

Other schools projects recently announced by Quartzelec include a £275,000+ M&E refurbishment contract for St Margaret’s CofE Primary School in Manchester, working alongside Seddon as the main contractor; and a £1m+ new-build M&E contract delivered through Willmott Dixon Construction for Springbank Infants and Westroyd Infants, both near Leeds.