Charcon:Building made Faster, Smarter and SaferWritten by: Joel Levy Produced by: Richard Durrant

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Charcon Construction Solutions is leading the way in the growing UK offsite construction industry with a

comprehensive range of innovative structural products and solutions.

With a wide selection of prefabricated products for roofing, flooring, foundations, lift and stair cores, structural frames and hydro, the company has won work on several large projects in recent years, and with an impressive portfolio lined up going into 2015, looks set to go from strength-to-strength.

Justifiably ambitiousManaging Director Andrew Dix is confident that Charcon will come to be recognised as the number one in its industry, setting the standard for lean construction.

In doing so, he expects the company to continue growing with new factories and an expanded workforce buying into the mentality that has already made the company a leading light in its sector.

This ambition is already being seen in its Morpeth facility, where Charcon has recently expanded both its product range and manufacturing capability with a significant investment into its T-beam range.

Aggregate IndustriesCharcon’s partnership with Aggregate Industries in 2009 represented a collaborative

Charcon is setting the standard in an ever-expanding offsite industry, offering efficient, effective structural solutions for a wide range of project specifications

Construction solutions

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strategy that Dix, former MD of Aggregate, says took full advantage of both companies’ strengths, with start-up Charcon seeking a foothold in a struggling industry during the recession and Aggregate confronting the challenge of corporate entrepreneurship.

Since the joint venture agreement, Charcon Construction Solutions has continued to provide quality cross-sector precast concrete solutions, appropriate to the specific and varied needs of residential, school, healthcare,

‘Charcon has recently expanded both its product range and manufacturing capability, with a significant investment into its T-beam range’

Construction team on-site

www.springvale.com

FLOORSBeamshield PlusFloorshieldGridshieldGrooveshieldPipeshield

WALLSEcobeadFulfilPlatinum AlreflexWallshield

ROOFSRoofshieldHydroshieldRoofshield V & SPlatinum WarmsarkPlatinum Warmsqueez

For free expert advice on how Springvale products can combine to help you achieve SAP 2012 call our technical help line on 0845 769 7452

Insulation products fromthe experts...

These products are only available from Springvale

The ultimate combination in insulation.

At Springvale we recognise that insulation products must not just perform thermally but also provide exceptional green credentials. Springvale Platinum EPS is not only a modern material but is also one of the most environmentally friendly solutions available. Together with it’s long life qualities Platinum EPS provides a constant performance for the lifetime of the building into which it is installed.

FM13871:ISO 9001

• ECONOMICAL• HIGH PERFORMANCE• VERSATILE• SUSTAINABLE• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY• ZERO ODP• GWP < 5• USER FRIENDLY• 100% RECYCLABLE

Beamshield™

Ecobead™

Roofshield™

™Floorshield™Hydroshield

www.springvale.com

FLOORSBeamshield PlusFloorshieldGridshieldGrooveshieldPipeshield

WALLSEcobeadFulfilPlatinum AlreflexWallshield

ROOFSRoofshieldHydroshieldRoofshield V & SPlatinum WarmsarkPlatinum Warmsqueez

For free expert advice on how Springvale products can combine to help you achieve SAP 2012 call our technical help line on 0845 769 7452

Insulation products fromthe experts...

These products are only available from Springvale

The ultimate combination in insulation.

At Springvale we recognise that insulation products must not just perform thermally but also provide exceptional green credentials. Springvale Platinum EPS is not only a modern material but is also one of the most environmentally friendly solutions available. Together with it’s long life qualities Platinum EPS provides a constant performance for the lifetime of the building into which it is installed.

FM13871:ISO 9001

• ECONOMICAL• HIGH PERFORMANCE• VERSATILE• SUSTAINABLE• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY• ZERO ODP• GWP < 5• USER FRIENDLY• 100% RECYCLABLE

Beamshield™

Ecobead™

Roofshield™

™Floorshield™Hydroshield

SUPPLIER PROFILE

SPRINGVALE

Housebuilding, along with energy conservation and our carbon footprint have become hot topics in the media in recent years. Springvale EPS has lead the way in promoting the fabric first approach to house design, incorporating vital increased insulation into the most important possession in any persons life… their home. From installed systems to retrofit systems Springvale has a proven range of products perfect for this vital role. For many years expanded polystyrene (EPS) was seen as the poor relation to PIR, XPS and fibrous materials but Springvale through extensive testing and development has proven that no other material has the flexibility, robustness, economy and builder friendly credentials of EPS. More stringent building regulations have brought insulation systems into closer focus and the introduction of Springvale’s Platinum products has been perfect in its timing. Beamshield Plus was successfully showcased in the AIMC4 project for Crest Nicholson and is now used extensively to achieve fabric insulation targets within Part L1A and SAP 2012 and every level of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Beamshield Plus has also proven to be of help with the ever-increasing concern over health and safety on building sites. The advantage of using EPS over the concrete blocks it is replacing is a material handling success story and is certain to be a major driver to the use of EPS infill systems in the future.. In walls Platinum Ecobead gives a waste free, fast and economical solution to fully filled cavity walls. The Ecobead advantage over installed solutions is now widely appreciated and the unsurpassed continuity of the thermal envelope will prove to become even more important in years to come.

Website: www.springvale.com

AIMC4, Noble Park, Epsom. With kind permission from Crest Nicholson.

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Precast concrete for seating and stairs at the Velodrome, London 2012 Olympics

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office and commercial buildings. Its extensive services include the supply

and installation of precast stairs, landings and bespoke builds, and via its network of offices nationwide, the company is able to offer high-profile schemes complimented by focused project management, tailored to the client’s specific construction requirements and budget.

ProjectsThough it has effectively delivered numerous smaller systems, Charcon’s high-profile projects include works at the Olympic Park for the 2012 Games, where it provided precast concrete for seating and stairs at the Velodrome.

Another £600,000 project at Gravesend Station during Christmas last year showcased perfectly the company’s ability to work in tough conditions and the suitability of precast solutions for quick turnaround times. Over 72 cold and windy hours, three crews installed a complete precast concrete platform, allowing the station to quickly return to full operation.

Charcon’s expertise in designing, planning and installing specialist precast were tested to their limit to guarantee the platform was installed as-designed on-schedule, with the crews working back-to-back 24 hours a day. That the project was delivered so quickly is testament to the months of careful planning and offsite installation which proceeded it; an approach that typifies the company’s attention to detail.

Key Personnel Andrew DixManaging Director

From box culverts and bespoke rail platforms, right through to bespoke precast designs. Whatever the specification, Charcon bring innovation, quality and performance to any project.

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Another fine example of this was seen with Charcon’s skilled work at the £70m Kingston Heights Barge Dock residential development last year. Here the company installed a platform of four concrete heavy load transfer beams to support construction of a new restaurant and accommodation within the development.

Time was a key factor due to the barge dock’s location in a public park, and that the work was completed in a few short hours, causing minimal disruption to locals was an important factor that Charcon certainly delivered on.

Health and safetyThough speed is a defining factor of Charcon’s work, so too is safety. As President of the

Barge Dock

Kingston Barge

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British Precast Concrete Federation, Dix has made it a priority to promote health and safety standards in the construction industry, and passionately applies this ethos to the wellbeing of the 550 workers Charcon employs across its seven production facilities.

Moving construction away from the potential hazards of the on-site location and into the controlled factory conditions eliminates the most common cause of injury and fatally - fall from height.

Nowhere is this more relevant than roofing work, and it is an area where the company’s innovative MODUROOF solution is helping negate the problem. Built off-site at ground level in the factory before being lifted into position on- site

Charcon is commited to

offering training opportunities to its employees

General Haulage • Vehicle Mounted Cranes • Red Arrow Courier Service

www.griffinfreightservices.co.uk | 01777 705767

Griffin Freight Services (Retford) Ltd

LEXCEL House: #2 Owhor Street, Off Liveration Stadium Road, PO Box 7415, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NigeriaPlant Yard: Plot 478 Peter Odili Road, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, PHC

Contact Us:Tel: +234-84-747122, +234-8033093560 Email: alexn.lexcel@gmail.com

BUILD YOUR FUTUREforward thinking. inventive techniques.Lexcel Nig. Ltd is a forward-thinking, multi-disciplinary construction company committed to delivering the best solutions in building and construction within the oil and gas industry. Lexcel is a major player in the Execution of the Multi million Dollar Golf Estate (above right) Construction project in Port Harcourt Nigeria.

We offer the following services:Design • Building • Civil Works • Highway Engineering • Dams Pre-Post Construction • Oil & Gas Services

With our business model, you get the talent without the overhead, assuring you of responsiveness, flexibility and results.

Web: www.lexcelgroup-ng.com

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by crane, MODUROOF dramatically reduces workers from these dangerous situations which can be made even more treacherous by factors exclusive to an on-site setting, such as poor weather conditions and other site activities.

The controlled factory environment additionally reduces the risk of injury from repetitive lifting and use of heavy tools in the less predictable on-site environment.

The company is also committed to offering its employees training opportunities to improve their skills and the ability to progress through the ranks. Dix is a firm believer in the promotion of young and local talent, and described how Charcon has recently taken on three apprentices.

As a company, it is keen to play an active role in combating the looming skills gap in the UK construction industry, at the same time as championing the benefits of offsite construction as a member of the organisations Build Offsite and the British Precast Association.

Better livingOf course it is not just the staff that gain from Charcon’s approach to construction, but also its customers. With Integrated Solutions, many elements of Charcon’s products and services are designed, supplied and installed as a high performance structural shell. Besides offering thermal performance to code level 6 and passive standards, the system offers time and cost certainty, minimal

MODUROOF solution

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Residential Build

MODUROOF installation

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waste and architectural design flexibility.With Integrated Solutions, the company’s vision

is to create an enhanced living environment which offers better, fresher interior conditions all year round. This is achieved through the quality of the builds, which achieve excellent thermal and acoustic performance, outstanding air tightness and attractive exterior finishes.

SuppliersFundamentally important to Charcon’s success has been the long-term positive relationships built up with suppliers local to its production facilities, including Marshalls, Titan Cement and Breeden.

Working closely with trusted partners has been beneficial both to the company and the areas’ industry, with Charcon prepared to pay more to keep the supply chain as local as possible and avoid excess road-miles that damage the environment.

It is an appropriate strategy for a company which takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and manufactures highly sustainable products in energy-efficient facilities, with an emphasis on the use of recycled and reclaimed materials.

With the manner in which the company invests in young talent, and the dedication and positive attitude of its workforce complementing an innovative spirit, responsible ethos and class-leading products, the MD’s ambitions for the future look set to be realised sooner rather than later.

Company Information

I N D U S T RY

Construction

H E A D Q U A RT E R S

Wiltshire

F O U N D E D

Not disclosed

E M P L O Y E E S

550

R E V E N U E

Not disclosed

P R O D U C T S /

S E R V I C E S

Offsite construction

products and solutions

CHARCONConstruction Solutions

Rowan House, Sheldon Business Pk, Chippenham, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, SN14 0SQ

Tel. +44 (0)1249 463244 www.charconcs.com