New roof, walls and doors

July 2010

Jennings Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, did much more than repair the roof when it refurbished a storage building at a Leeds builders merchant.  It replaced the roof, walls and doors and completed the work without interrupting the business.

The building had reached the end of its useful lifespan. The asbestos cladding had started to break off causing water ingress to the building and damage to stock.

The work included isolating the electricity supply and removing the asbestos sheeting to the walls and roof. This was done by a licensed contractor and disposed of in an approved manner. Jennings Roofing also removed five roller shutter doors and replaced them with two. To make this work, additional steelwork had to be added where the doors were removed to accommodate the vertical cladding.

The steel work internally was also painted. Once complete, safety netting was installed and an external scaffold erected to commence cladding of the roof.

Once cladding had been completed and scaffolding removed, new rainwater goods were installed. The new roller shutter doors were wired up to the electrics and commissioned upon our completion.

Contracts co-ordinator Craig Hebberd said “We completed all the works within the tight timescale required by the client, without affecting the day to day trading inside the builders merchants.”

www.jenningsroofing.com

Northern Bear Safety thriving

July 2010

Northern Bear Safety Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, continues to thrive in difficult times and has recently been retained as health and safety consultants by the multi-award-winning Thompson Building Centres, based in Sunderland with 12 branches across the north east region.

Northern Bear Safety’s portfolio now boasts clients from a wide range of industries including steel fabrication, ground works, security, scaffolding, electrical specialists and waste recycling, all of whom have retained the company to provide safety advice and support. 

Jason Harrison, Managing Director, said: “Our growth shows that companies in all areas of industry realise that in order to win business in these difficult times, it is essential to demonstrate to customers that they have a robust safety management system in place, along with competent, trained employees.

“We have helped a number of businesses either revitalise their current systems or create new, bespoke, policies and procedures that have helped them win new work from new customers.”   
 
Northern Bear Safety Ltd was set up by Northern Bear plc to provide training and consultancy in health, safety and environmental issues for businesses involved in construction and related industries.

Northern Bear Safety’s experienced team includes Managing Director Jason Harrison and Safety, Health and Environmental Manager David Neasham.

Jason Harrison’s safety career began in the railway industry in 1997, following seven years’ service in the Royal Navy.  In 2008 he moved into the construction industry as Group Safety Manager for Northern Bear plc before establishing Northern Bear Safety Ltd as a stand alone consultancy.

David Neasham’s career as a safety professional began in 2003 as Safety, Health and Environmental Manager for Wensley Roofing Ltd, following 20 years’ experience in the construction industry.

Both are Chartered members of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and have numerous health, safety and environmental qualifications.

Picture shows Jason Harrison (left) and David Neasham

www.northern-bear-safety.com

Isoler happy to go back to school

July 2010

Northern Bear’s fire protection business, Isoler, has reinforced its strong reputation in the education sector by winning contracts for work on two major new facilities with a total build cost of over £50m.

When completed in 2011, the new developments for Hartlepool College of Further Education and Walker Technology College will be two of the region’s most up-to-date educational facilities with state of the art equipment.

Isoler has been engaged by the main contractors Miller Construction (Hartlepool) and Sir Robert McAlpine (Walker) to provide a comprehensive range of building integrity services including fire protection, fire stopping, air sealing and acoustic separation.

Isoler will be involved on both projects from the drawing board to the finished buildings. It will work with the architects and designers to ensure that the buildings meet all the statutory requirements. It will also work closely with the client and other sub-contractors on the project to ensure that these facilities are robust and energy efficient, provide for the needs of the students and look stunning.

Isoler has continued to expand its portfolio of expertise in acoustics and air tightness works. This is not restricted to new build projects. Recent works undertaken include schools built in the 1960s and ‘70s where improvements to existing buildings have greatly reduced sound transfer and heating costs with the installation of new fire compartment walls and cavity barriers.

www.isoler.co.uk

Wensley Roofing wins its largest ever repair contract

June 2010

Wensley Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has been awarded a major roofing maintenance contract by Isos Housing Group, one of the largest providers of supported housing in the North East region. 

The work involves providing a day-to-day efficient response service for roofing maintenance and repair of approximately 8,200 houses in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Tees Valley. It is the biggest maintenance contract that Wensley Roofing has undertaken.

Isos Housing Group comprises three major housing associations (Milecastle Housing, NomadE5 and Castle Morpeth Housing) and two development companies. It owns and manages around 12,000 properties.

Wensley Roofing has previously worked for NomadE5 and Project Manager Jeremy Askew is delighted to have been awarded a contract by the larger group.  He said: "We are very excited at being awarded such a prestigious contract and look forward to establishing a close working relationship with Isos Housing Group for many years to come."

John McKernan, Head of Technical Services for Milecastle Housing, who awarded the contract on behalf of Isos Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to have Wensley Roofing on board and look forward to working with them in the future in such a way that will benefit both companies and the residents of Isos."

www.wensleyroofing.com

Old brewery restored for new biology

June 2010

Specialist construction services company MGM, part of the Northern Bear group, has completed the restoration and refurbishment of the historic building at the heart of the University of Newcastle’s brand new medical science complex incorporating the Institute of Health and Society and the Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology.

The grade II listed building, known as Leazes House and more recently Transport House, is an important part of Newcastle’s 18th century industrial heritage. From 1837 to 1968 it formed part of the Leazes Brewery.

The main contractor BAM Construction employed MGM to use its renown expertise to fully restore and alter the building for its change of use.

A point of interest in the property is the main staircase. Its design is one of only six in the country; the treads of the stair are cantilevered through timber stud partition walls on all levels. MGM restored the staircase and installed new ornamental wrought iron balustrades capped with a new walnut handrail.

www.mgm.ltd.uk

Range of skills used on Cloisters roof

March 2010

Jennings Roofing (Leeds), part of the Northern Bear group, has recently completed a project to re-roof the Warden's Flat at the Cloisters, Beverley, East Yorkshire.

The pitched roof had been recovered in Welsh slates. The existing slates had to be stripped off and set aside for re-use along with the introduction of new timber battens and breathable felt. In keeping, with the surrounding area, new lead roll was laid to the all hips of the pitched roof.

The perimeter box gutter had been previously laid incorrectly using lead. This had allowed water to penetrate the building into the flats below. It was decided by the client to recover the box gutter using a single ply roofing membrane with new powder coated edge cappings.

"This project clearly shows the diversity of work that Jennings Roofing can carry out, incorporating slating, leadwork and single ply," said Craig Hebberd, Contracts Co-ordinator.

www.jenningsroofing.com

Raising the roof for Children in Need

December 2009

The work of Roof Truss, part of the Northern Bear group, was featured on this year’s BBC’s Children in Need. As part of the annual fundraising event, the team from the popular programme DIY SOS were challenged to build an extension to a house in Anglesey and the trussed rafters came all the way from the Roof Truss factory in Washington, Tyne & Wear.

DIY SOS: The Big Build was shown on BBC One on Thursday 10 December 2009 and is currently available to watch online at www.bbc.com/iplayer.

The programme followed a single dad of four, who has spent the past four years living in a small caravan in the garden of the family’s one-bedroom house. The mission was to build an extension to make the house suitable for the whole family and in just two weeks, the DIY SOS team and its contractors succeeded in building a three bed extension as well as renovating the whole house.

“We didn’t realise when we got the order that it was going to end up on Children in Need but we are delighted.” said Roof Truss Managing Director, Kevin Gray. “It was just another order from a fairly new customer.”

The customer was Maple Timber Systems, based in Preston and specialists in timber frame construction for commercial and residential buildings.  Earlier this year Roof Truss supplied them with trussed rafters for two sports centres in Preston and Rochdale. Another Northern Bear company, Jennings Roofing, has also done work for Maple Timber Systems.

In addition to the Children in Need project, Roof Truss has recently secured an order of 130 houses and 2 apartment blocks for a new customer. The work is expected to start on 5 January 2010 and will be carried out over a 12-month period.

www.roof-truss.co.uk

Asbestos service accreditation confirmed

July 2009

Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, which provides an independent asbestos survey and accredited asbestos testing service, has successfully maintained its UKAS accreditation.

The annual surveillance visit was carried out by a UKAS Assessment Team over a three-day period and assessed the company’s compliance for sampling and inspection activities which it performs to the International Standard ISO/IEC 17020:1998.

The assessment involved a number of investigative activities including a review of the company’s Quality Manual and associated quality and technical procedures, reports, training, audits and management review.

Site witness audits were also carried out on the activities of Chirmarn’s surveying staff and the assessor recorded the following statement in his executive summary ‘the surveying personnel are fully qualified and experienced in all aspects of  surveying and have demonstrated a good level of competence’.

Gordon Drummond, General Manager of Chirmarn (Surveying) Ltd, said: “Overall it was found that we are continuing to comply with the Standard and are pro-actively identifying areas where continual improvements can be made.”

www.chirmarn.co.uk/asbestos_surveys.htm

New designer for Roof Truss

June 2009

Roof Truss, part of the Northern Bear support services group, has expanded its design capability and its regional market penetration with the appointment of a new design consultant.

David Jackson, 33, has joined Roof Truss from Palgrave Brown where he worked for nine years, most recently as the Darlington branch manager.  At the end of last year Palgrave Brown went into receivership, so Roof Truss is now benefiting from a reduction in competition as well as from David’s expertise and useful contacts.

David has a degree in design and marketing from the University of Teesside.  He will also be using his expertise working for Floor Joist, a sister company to Roof Truss.

Kevin Gray, managing director of Roof Truss and Floor Joist, said: “I’m delighted that David Jackson has joined us.  We are lucky to be able to recruit someone with his expertise and range of contacts.”

www.roof-truss.co.uk

Northern Bear companies do well in inspection blitz

June 2009

Northern Bear companies have fared well during a recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) ‘intensive inspection initiative’, when HSE inspectors visited 1,759 sites across the UK and inspected 2,145 clients, principal contractors and sub-contractors.

As a result of these visits, inspectors issued 296 Prohibition Notices and 195 Improvement Notices due to a number of issues ranging from working at height, asbestos and slips trips and falls.

No notices were issued to any Northern Bear company, despite HSE inspectors visiting numerous sites where they were working as either Principal Contractor or as a Contractor.

Jason Harrison, safety manager for the Northern Bear group, commented: “It is pleasing that the inspectors did not have any issues with Northern Bear companies. That said, there are lessons to be learnt from this exercise, particularly relating to planning any work at height and the importance of good site housekeeping. I will be discussing the HSE’s findings with each company in order to ensure we maintain our good safety performance.”

Five year record of safety awards

May 2009

Wensley Roofing, part of the Northern Bear group, has added to its excellent record for health and safety with two more Gold Awards, one from the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and one from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Wensley Roofing has now won a Gold Awards for Safety from both organisations every year for the last five years. RoSPA specifically recognises organisations that achieve the Gold Award for five consecutive years with an award of Gold Medal status.

Managing director Ian Young said: "We are delighted to receive this further public recognition of the company's total commitment to health and safety. Over the last five years we have developed and rigourously implemented policies and procedures that protect the workforce, the general public and the environment."

www.rospa.com

www.nfrc.co.uk

Foundation stone laid for new church

February 2009

For the first time in over 50 years Tyneside building company Hastie D Burton Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, is building a brand new church.

On Friday 13 February 2009 the foundation stone was laid for the new St Pius X Roman Catholic Church in, Moorside, Consett, at a ceremony conducted by the Canon Seamus Cunningham, the Bishop elect of Hexham and Newcastle Roman Catholic Dioceses.

The new stone and brick church, designed by architect John Waugh, will feature an undulating roof and a huge two-storey high steel cross which should be visible for many miles.  Hastie D Burton Ltd has already installed the foundations for the cross.

The church replaces a previous structure, demolished after land the land it stood on was sold for housing to fund the building of the new church.

Hastie D Burton Ltd, started in 1903, is one of the oldest building firms in the region.  In recent years it has renovated and built extensions to many ecclesiastical buildings but this is the first time since it has built a brand new church since the 1950s.

The picture shows Canon Seamus Cunningham (left) and parish priest Jeff Dodds (holding trowel).

www.hastieburton.co.uk

Mapping the past, building the future

January 2009

Specialist construction services company MGM Ltd, part of the Northern Bear group, is working with archaeologists on one of the oldest buildings on Newcastle’s historic quayside.

28-30 The Close, known locally as ‘The Buttress’, is a Grade 1 listed building.  The large merchant’s house, which probably combined living accommodation with warehouse space, was built in the 16th century.  There were major renovations in the late 17th and early 19th centuries.  In recent years it has been neglected and it has been on Newcastle City Council’s register of listed buildings at risk.

MGM is working with Edinburgh architects Simpson & Brown, who specialise in historic buildings, to make the building ready for a major refurbishment as a restaurant and offices.  Archaeologists have conducted a detailed inspection of the fabric of the building and have been involved in the excavations.

“It’s been fascinating to work on this old building,” said Lance Rainey, joint managing director of MGM.  “We discovered a well which was probably there when the house was built.  We are storing many of the original stones at our premises in Walker on behalf of the archaeologists.”

MGM Ltd has helped to renovate a number of historic buildings in the region, including Belsay Hall and Saltwell Towers, but ‘The Buttress’ is certainly one of the oldest.

www.mgm.ltd.uk

Northern Bear sponsors football legend’s cancer charity

October 2008

Northern Bear has helped the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation raise over £1m for the new Cancer Trials Research Centre at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

Northern Bear was the lead corporate sponsor for the Night of All Knights fundraising evening held in County Durham on 30 October 2008.  Nearly £175,000 was raised at the event which featured a host of top names from the world of sport including the former Newcastle manager himself.

The picture shows Sir Bobby Robson (centre) with Sir Bobby Charlton (left) and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (right).

The event was hosted at Rainton Meadows Suites, Houghton-le-Spring, by former cricketer Michael Roseberry, managing director of Roseberry Leisure, and was sponsored by Northern Bear, Scottish & Newcastle UK, Constellation Wines and The Mail On Sunday.

www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk/

Northern Bear scales new heights

October 2008

The recently appointed managing director of one of Tyneside’s oldest building companies has taken the Northern Bear logo to the roof of the world.  Steve Rudd, managing director of Hastie D Burton Ltd was climbing peaks near Mount Everest in October this year, just a few weeks after taking up his new post.

Steve took over the day-to-day running of the business from Garry Burton, the grandson of Hastie Duff Burton who founded the famous firm in 1903.  Garry is continuing to advise the business on a consultancy basis. The company became part of the Northern Bear group of support services businesses in 2007, but has retained all of its experienced workforce. Steve joined the company in 1999 as an estimator and surveyor.

Steve said that the three weeks he spent trekking in the Everest region of Nepal was a great opportunity, a tough challenge and an unforgettable experience – and he used similar words to describe his new job at Hastie D Burton.

 “Of course it’s going to be tough in the current economic climate, but I like a challenge,” said Steve. “Like climbing a mountain, the main thing is to keep on going.  I’m confident that Hastie Burton will be building for another 100 years.”

The photograph shows Steve Rudd with his Northern Bear T shirt, just in case he needs to add to the five layers of clothing he is wearing.  And yes, that is Mount Everest.

www.hastieburton.co.uk

Public sector keeps roofing companies buoyant

October 2008

Northern Bear’s roofing companies – Jennings Roofing, Springs Roofing and Wensley Roofing – are staying buoyant in the looming recession thanks to ongoing public sector contracts.

Jennings Roofing has completed three major re-roofing contracts for the Contour Housing Group, one of the largest social largest social landlords in the North West region which manages properties on behalf of 27 local authorities.  The work involved reroofing, leadwork, repointing chimneys and renewal of rainwater goods in 200 houses and 32 blocks of flats in Bury, Leyland and Preston.

Springs Roofing, based in County Durham, has just completed refurbishing the large flat roof of Mount Pleasant School in Darlington with the application of new insulation and single-ply rubber membrane.

Meanwhile Wensley Roofing is looking to a higher authority during the recession – the church.  In November the company will start new slating and leadwork on two Methodist churches, one in Chester-le-Street and one in Ferryhill.

Keith Soulsby, operations director for Northern Bear, said: “There is a wide and deep well of expertise in the roofing companies of the Northern Bear group.  We have an excellent track record in delivering public sector contracts and heritage work.”

www.jenningsroofing.com
www.springsroofing.co.uk
www.wensleyroofing.co.uk

Plumber extends range with new social housing contract

September 2008

D J McGough Ltd, the Northern Bear company that provides plumbing, heating and mechanical services, has extended its spread across the North East region with a new contract for social housing in East Durham.

D J McGough Ltd will be installing full central heating systems in at least 60 properties belonging to East Durham Homes over the next few months. It has just completed the first phase of the contract which included installation of new systems in 16 houses in Seaham. It is now providing 'one-off' installations as part of a repair and maintenance programme at the rate of four a week. The second and third phases of the contract will include the installation of new central heating in at least 42 properties in Peterlee. D J McGough Ltd is working directly for Morrison, one of the leading support services groups in the UK.

D J McGough Ltd does a lot of installation, repair and maintenance work in social housing across Gateshead, but this is the first time it has won a major contract in East Durham.

www.djmcgoughltd.co.uk