Welcome to the winter edition of our quarterly publication which contains a roundup of news from across our construction sectors: automotive, commercial, education, healthcare and residential. I hope you find this newsletter of interest and would be delighted to help with any enquiries you may have.
The festive season is upon us, and so is our last publication of the year. Whilst enjoying a mince pie, putting pen to paper and summing up the last 12 months, Aristotle’s quote ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ can sum things up nicely for me. We are all witnessing continued forces in our industry, as well as our economy and world, that are having a profound impact on our daily lives, both personally and professionally. In most cases, the solution to our challenges is proven to be simple: working better, together to make the right decisions for our future. At Horizon Construction, we place considerable importance on working relationships. More collaborative approaches in construction are delivering the best outcomes from the outset. Therefore, we are excited about the year and opportunities ahead, and the difference we can make together.
As usual, we are not short of news for you to discover in this edition (see contents). After completing several projects prior to the previous edition, we are pleased to announce and see the progression of new projects. In addition, we provide more information on our £18m residential scheme in Wickford. Looking ahead to 2023, we are in the advanced stages of securing further projects, including our largest care home scheme.
Opportunities to talk about ‘what we do’ and ‘how we do it’ are part of an important focus for our marketing department. You may have noticed a flow of PR activity in the region’s press and through our own channels. This included our Construction and Property Breakfast event in October – attended by over 70 senior practitioners – where we addressed the current issues and challenges in residential development. We have also collaborated on PR projects with our construction partners and clients to promote key milestones and topical issues in construction. (See ‘latest news and publications’ section below for links and further information).
We have welcomed new members to our team. John Henry joined as our new HSQE Manager for both Colchester and London offices. His wealth of experience and knowledge will further enhance the quality of projects for clients and the protection of people at our construction sites. Our busy estimating department has grown following the arrival of Gary Leay as a senior estimator. Gary’s extensive industry experience is a great asset in assisting with the pricing of projects and delivering quality and value to our clients. Finally, and not least, Dylan Hughes joined us as a management trainee. He is supporting colleagues with the contractual and operational management of client projects, whilst completing his course at university.
Throughout December, we will be actively involved with several charities, including St Helena Hospice, KidsOut, and the local food bank.
Our offices and sites will be closed for Christmas from Thursday, 22 December at 1pm until Tuesday, 3 January at 9am.
To conclude this edition, I wish to thank you for your continued support of Horizon Construction and look forward to being involved with you in our future.
On behalf of us all, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Kind regards
Phil Holding
Automotive projects
Horizon Construction has completed projects in the automotive sector representing a collective value of over £30m. We have worked with the sector’s leading automotive brands, including Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes Benz and BMW. We are proud to be recognised as a trusted main contractor for high-quality solutions and service.
The following short video covers a wide range of our automotive construction projects.
Our team is in discussions with several new projects. Please contact Phil Holding for more information about our expertise in this sector and how we can deliver confidence to your next project.
Commercial projects
NEW: Industrial unit in Tendring, Essex
Horizon Construction is delighted to deliver the first industrial premises in the UK for a large Italian company. Bruno Generators Group (BGG) is recognised as one of the leading manufacturers of high specification rental diesel powered generators. The £2.2m contract will create a versatile facility, formed on a steel frame structure.
The team is ready to commence construction works in December and is expected to be complete the project in Q3 2023. We are looking forward to sharing the progress photos very soon.
NEW: Mixed-use commercial unit at Haverhill Business Park, Suffolk
Horizon Construction has been awarded a £2.8m contract to build a bespoke storage, office and production facility at Haverhill Business Park, Suffolk.
Once again, we are working in collaboration with the project management team at Real8 Group, as well as working with a new architectural team.
Construction works are commencing in December and are expected to be completed in Q3 2023. We look forward to sharing the progress photos with you soon.
LIVE: Commercial and residential scheme in Stanton, Suffolk
Our team has made a productive start on a new £2.8m contract for a commercial and residential scheme in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds. The scheme will create a retail property which will be a local convenience store for a leading supermarket brand and six individually designed residential properties.
The steel structure for the retail property is underway and the foundations for all residential properties have commenced.
We are delighted to be working with a new client, Foundation Property & Capital Group, and delivery team to bring this project to life.
LIVE: Mixed-use business centre in Great Dunmow, Essex
The construction of a £2.8m mixed-use business centre in Great Dunmow is progressing nicely for our client. The internal plastering and the first fix of carpentry decorations and electrics are underway. The building is now watertight and work on completing all drainage systems has begun.
The site is located next to a busy access road in and out of the historic town. The project is requiring extensive routing of utility services for the new facility.
Our team is working with the project managers at Real8 Group, architectural team at Inkpen Downie and the structural engineers at WA Consulting Engineers.
LIVE: Business park (26,000 sq. ft.) in Ardleigh, Essex
Construction works at the Apex 12 business park in Ardleigh, near Colchester, has reached a key milestone. The project team recently hosted a topping out ceremony for our client, NEEB Holdings, to signify the scheme becoming watertight. All external works have been completed and the scaffolding is currently being dismantled for internal finishes to commence.
The completed project will create an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of commercial space at Apex 12, involving two large new office blocks and an adjoining car park. The £5.1m contract is expected to complete in Spring 2023.
This second phase of works at Apex 12 continues our strong working relationship with Wincer Kievenaar Architects.
Education projects
LIVE: Southend School for Boys, Essex
Construction works will soon be completed at Southend School for Boys. The project involved alterations in two locations to create new internal facilities. The first location enclosed a courtyard and opened up existing structures within an older section of the school. The other location enclosed a mezzanine area underneath a newer section of the school. Completion photos will be available in the next edition.
We are pleased to be working again with the team at PCH Associates on another construction solution in the education sector.
COMPLETED: New teaching block for Grange Academy in Bedford
A new two-storey teaching block at Grange Academy in Bedford provides a welcomed addition to a special needs school for pupils aged five to 16.
Healthcare projects
LIVE: 75-Bed care home in Braintree, Essex
Braintree Mews Care Home will be a new 75-bed care home in Braintree, Essex, for Avery Healthcare Group. Construction works at the site commenced in January and completion is expected in Q3 2023.
The formation of all levels and floors have been completed. Work has commenced on the roof and the installation of external windows and doors. The 50m jib tower crane will shortly be dismantled.
Internally, all ceilings are being closed up in time for Christmas. The first electrical fix is underway on the ground floor. M&E has begun on the first floor and due to be completed in the new year. Screeding and stud work has been completed on the second floor in readiness for M&E in the new year.
Horizon Construction is proud to be working with Avery Healthcare – a leading nationwide care home provider. Once completed, Braintree Mews Care Home will join Avery’s award-winning portfolio of care homes.
The project team includes the architects at Harris Irwin, project managers at Holden & Lee, and mechanical and electrical consultants at Harniss Consulting.
Residential projects
LIVE: £18m affordable housing scheme in Wickford, Essex
A breaking ground event on site in Wickford marks the start of an £18m residential housing scheme for Sanctuary. The project team is excited to begin construction works on this substantial scheme to create a range of affordable and energy-efficient housing. All works are expected to be completed in 2024.
Horizon Construction is collaborating with many leading local partners in the construction process, including Wincer Kievenaar Architects, Superstructures, JSH and Ingent.
LIVE: Residential and commercial scheme in Stanton, Suffolk
Our team has made a productive start on a new £2.8m contract for a residential and commercial scheme in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds. The scheme will create a retail property which will be a local convenience store for a leading supermarket brand and six individually designed residential properties.
The steel structure for the retail property is underway and the foundations for all residential properties have commenced.
We are delighted to be working with a new client, Foundation Property & Capital Group, and delivery team to bring this project to life.
Small works service
Our Small Works Service provides minor building, decorating and maintenance services within the Colchester area. Our skilled, trusted and dependable tradespeople undertake all types and sizes of work. So, whether it’s redecorating or refurbishing your workplace, replacing floors, fixtures and fittings, or requiring alterations to your building, our friendly team is ready to help with all your requirements. Contact us for a quote.
Latest news and publications
Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with our latest news and announcements, including construction projects and job vacancies. Our LinkedIn company page now has over 4,300 followers.
The latest news and publications on our website include:
- Corporate News: “Construction of 122 homes begins in Wickford for Sanctuary”
- Corporate News: “Supporting St Helena Hospice this Christmas”
- Corporate News: “Apex 12, Phase 2, in Colchester reaches key construction milestone”
- Insight: “The Construction and Property Breakfast – October 2022”
- Insight: “Maplewood Court: luxury care in the Garden of England”
- Insight: “Building back better for Essex Construction”
Recruitment
We are always on the lookout for great and aspiring talent to join our team. As a forward-thinking and innovative construction company, we are constantly planning ahead to match the growth in demand for our services with new resourcing requirements.
As well as our Current Job Vacancies (Quantity Surveyor), we have our Future Job Vacancies section on our careers page that shows the expected opportunities over the next 6, 12 and 24 months. These vacancies are regularly updated.
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