Civil engineering firm launches new fabrication division

Fabrication solutions: Pictured (L to R) at SBu Fabrications new workshop near Knaresborough are SBu Fabrication manager, Andy Cooke, and SB Utilities managing director Keith Swales. (S)

SB Utilities, which is based at Lingerfield, has invested an initial £150,000 in premises and equipment to launch SBu Fabrication, which it intends will fill a gap in the local fabricated metal work market.

SB Utilities has extended its premises with a newly-built 3,400 sq ft workshop and equipment for the first phase of SBu Fabrication, which it expects to develop throughout Yorkshire and create new jobs.

Also included as part of the initial investment is a new five-tonne overhead gantry crane for moving steel items and a new metal-working machine for pounding and cropping steel in the fabrication process.

SBu Fabrication, which has full CAD facilities, takes what was previously an in-house service at SB Utilities in which items, such as metal piping, staircases and gantries were supplied for the wider company’s work for customers, including Yorkshire Water Services, and Severn Trent Costains and creates a new stand-alone division trading independently.

SBu Fabrication manager Andy Cooke said: “The new division provides a badly-needed local supplier for intricate and structured metal work to local house and commercial builders, civil engineers, detail specificiers and architects.

“Our service means that professionals at every stage in the North of England construction industry can source from a local business which understands the market, can visit their scheme and has the flexibility and commitment to meet a range of large or small needs rather than having to deal with bigger, more remote companies.”

SBu Fabrication has already completed three major contracts, providing a range of fabricated steel and construction work for a new kitchen and ancillary areas at Bettys cookery school, Hookstone Chase, the extension of the CNG Stadium for Harrogate Town Football Club and the staircases and gantries for flood elevation works at Goole.

Mr Cooke added: “These were comprehensive schemes but our main business will come from supplying smaller, one-off items, from structural steelwork to architectural ironwork, for local builders as part of the construction supplies network.

“Having a local fabricated steel specialist can make all the difference in helping construction companies to avoid unnecessary delays and costs so they can complete schemes within agreed schedules and budgets.”

SBu Fabrication, which will operate throughout the North, also provides site surveys, delivery by crane-mounted truck, on-site installation and a 24/7 emergency call-out service.

SB Utilities was established in 2002. The company’s current services include civil engineering, metal fabrication, building and maintenance, feasibility studies and design for customers including Severn Trent Costains Ltd, Yorkshire Water Services, University of York, Taylors of Harrogate, PPP Infrastructure, Driffield Showground, HM Prison Service, Harrogate Town FC and Morgan Sindall Grontmij.