Construction awards: SME of the year
Continuing our series looking back at winners from last year's North West Regional Construction Awards in the build-up to the 2011 dinner in May, we look at D Morgan, SME of the year 2010.
Small and medium sized enterprises make up a very important part of the construction industry. In an industry sector that contributes greatly to the delivery of both local labour and training, it is important, therefore, that we look to replicate the good things that SMEs in the industry do.
D Morgan may have celebrated its 61st birthday but that hasn't stopped the firm from taking a fresh approach to the way it works.
The company provides significant employment within Merseyside and has more than 25 years' experience of training in professional, technician and apprentice disciplines. The company is also committed to equality, diversity and progression of its workforce with 25% of its management staff being female, compared to the industry average of just 4%. Respect for people and the community, training and community engagement are core business principles.
D Morgan operates in sustainable and renewable energy on wind farm and nuclear projects, site clearance, demolition, site remediation, bulk earthworks, civil engineering infrastructure, public realm, local council maintenance, landfill, quarry and recycling, supported by a significant plant and haulage fleet. The company operates a 'Masternaut ' tracker system and fuel management system to regulate fuel use in its operations. This technology has reduced its fuel bill by 5%, which equates to over £50,000 a year.
The company achieved a Safety Excellence Award in 2008, ISO14001 in 2008 and Investors in People in 2009 and also runs an effective year-out and day release partnership with JMU. Company directors also support a host of local charities and the firm has gone some way towards reducing its carbon impact by planting thousands of trees to absorb all the carbon dioxide it produces.
As part of the firm's commitment to safety and training, all employees are engaged in a proactive training matrix designed to fully support a safety culture, and attained a Platinum CSCS Commitment Award. Supervisors are active on NVQ Level 3 and 4 training, all have ConstructionSkills five-day safety course accreditation and progressing through IOSH, in addition to a range of other technical and procedural training standards.
Operatives are actively encouraged to progress through the business training matrix and have managed 100% take-up on NVQ Level 2 with 33% progressing to Level 3.
The firm has a demolition framework with Liverpool City Council and in five schemes over a period of 18 months it has reused and recycled more than 95% of all demolition materials.
The business provides significant volumes of recycled aggregate to various specifications in its daily operations and are experts in the remediation of contaminated land using innovative solutions.
D Morgan supports early contractor involvement so when a project goes live both the Company and Client clearly understand what is required.
These working methods have seen the company build strong relationships with a diverse public and private sector client base that includes, Wirral Borough Council, Liverpool City Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Halton Borough Council, BAE Systems, Vinci, Hanson, UK Coal, and Laing O'Rourke.
D Morgan has been working closely with the Centre for Construction Innovation and the North West Construction Knowledge Hub for over a year to ensure that its sustainability credentials are maintained to the highest level. One innovative approach that was facilitated by the NWCKH was a sustainable construction and CEEQUAL workshop that was attended by D Morgan staff and client representatives from Liverpool City Council. This workshop, and subsequent gap analysis report, has enabled the company to formulate a forward business plan, which will help to improve their performance and give key staff ownership of their business plan.
The black-tie awards ceremony and dinner will take place on Thursday 26 May 2011 at Chester Racecourse. Please email Caroline Ellison on ce@clearpresentations.com or call 0161 448 2424. For further information about sponsorship opportunities please contact Emma Looskin on emma.looskin@ccinw.com or on 0161 295 5076.
