DB Construction Complete Timber Heading Thursday, 3rd November 2011

Trenchless Techniques Underneath Tottenham High road

DB Construction Complete Timber Heading

DB Construction has successfully installed a timber heading to connect a new development with the mains sewer running underneath Tottenham High Road. Road closures for open cut working in such a crowded environment are just not possible so trenchless techniques are the only option.

The first task was to install a 4m deep shaft just inside the development boundary; this would leave 10m of timber heading to connect a new 150m pipe onto the existing 1050mm Thames Water Trunk Sewer. The connection was made with a saddle by core drilling a circular hole into the sewer pipe and installing a purpose made saddle with flexible couplings.

This traditional method, which has been used since the Roman times, allows new pipes to be connected to the Public Sewer Network with minimal disruption.

Crossrail & BBMV Approved Contractor Sunday, 9th October 2011

Working on Crossrail

Crossrail & BBMV Approved Contractor 

DB Construction has passed the stringent criteria to become both a Crossrail and BBMV approved contractor. 

Daniel Smith DB Constructions Managing Director commented: 

“This is another significant client that we have now recently added to our growing portfolio. Having already completed two projects for them and currently working on another two, we hope we can continue to satisfy the client.”

Bigger & Better - We've Moved! Friday, 30th September 2011

Head Office Location Moved to Chelmsford

Bigger & Better - We've Moved!

DB Construction has moved its head office location. Our new premises have doubled our office space and functional yard facilities. 

Being located close to the A120 and A12 allows us to transect the local counties and enter London in a quicker time than before. 

This investment in a larger Head Office has enabled DB Construction to invest in more staff to aid in handling our continued growth. 

Our new address is: 

DB Construction

Bannisters Yard

Mayes Lane

Sandon

Essex

CM2 7RP 

Drop in and catch up with us!

BSI ISO 18001:2007 Award for DB Construction Sunday, 18th September 2011

DB Achieve the Final ISO!

BSI ISO 18001:2007 Award for DB Construction 

DB Construction is very proud to announce that they have been successful in certification to the Occupational Health & Safety Management Standard, ISO 18001: 2007. Jack Bowie DB Construction’s QSHE Director says: 

“Having already been certified to the QMS 9001 and EMS 14001 this was the next standard we required before uniting our systems into one total business management system PAS99.” 

DB Construction has always been very proud of their site safety and occupational health. To enable us to project these high standards more clearly into the marketplace, to our existing and potential customers we deemed it essential to have a solid health and safety management system in place. 

It also aided to demonstrate our total accountability to the public and our clients by the way we conduct ourselves.

DB Construction go Punting in Cambridge Monday, 15th August 2011

Company Summer Day Out

DB Construction go Punting in Cambridge 

August saw the annual summer company day out, this time held in Cambridge. DB Construction would like to thank everyone for coming along and making the day so memorable, with over ninety per cent of site and office staff attending. 

Congratulations must go to Gerard Nuttall who was the day’s Ten Pin Bowling champion with some serious Turkey’s! 

A special appreciation was felt for Tony Munn who was the wettest person of the day after the punting of the Cambridge Backs, ironically pictured wearing a SuperDry shirt! 

DB Construction hopes everyone enjoyed the outing. We look forward to you all attending the Christmas event.

The J's Tea Party Sunday, 24th July 2011

Afternoon Tea with the J's

The J's Tea Party

70K In a Day Thursday, 7th July 2011

Jack Bowie Walks 70K for J's Hospice

70K In a Day 

DB Constructions QSHE Director Jack Bowie set off to complete a 70km walk in under 24hrs accompanied by two friends Jon Tann and Simon Clifford. The walk was to raise money for the Essex based charity J’s Hospice which is DB Constructions local charity and the national charity Mcmillans. Between them they managed to raise in excess of £3,000.00 a sterling effort! 

The route that was taken is known as the Lyke Wake walk in North Yorkshire. The route is littered with hills and over the 70km the ascents total more than climbing Ben Nevis! All three walkers were elated to finish the 70km jaunt over peak and across dale in 13hrs 55minutes. 

Next year the bar has been raised to try and complete 100km in 24 hours.

DB Construction Featured in Business Sense Magazine Wednesday, 29th June 2011

Business Sense

Pick up your copy from any Natwest Branch today!!!

DB Construction Join the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Thursday, 5th May 2011

CECA Members Construct and Maintain National Infrastructure

DB Construction join CECA (Southern)

The industry is an integral part of the economy & CECA members construct & maintain national infrastructure which is fundamental to the social & economic wellbeing of the country.

The civil Engineering Association is the representative body for civil engineering contractors in Great Britain. CECA comprises a national body and eight regional associations, including Scotland and Wales. These provide regular liaison with local and regional clients, local and regional government, the devolved administrations and other bodies whose activities impact on our members.

The Regional CECA Associations work closely with CECA National, setting policy through a variety of policy committees and representative fora, mostly chaired by member contractors. This gives CECA a strong, authoritative voice on behalf of our members and our industry.

DB Construction are delighted to have joined!

Hand-e-pix Digital Image Management Solutions Wednesday, 23rd March 2011

Using Handheld PCs to Provide Real Time Visibility of Project Activity

Hand-e-pix Digital Image Management Solutions

Most companies would agree that submitting undeniable proof that a service has been delivered completely, safely, correctly, to the required quality standards and within the given timeline would be a real asset.

DB Construction has recently implemented just such a solution in hand-e-pix, an easy to use tool for taking time, date and location stamped photographs on smartphone devices and uploading them instantly to our business systems and a remote hosted web sites.

This simple function has delivered immediate cost benefits in terms of providing better time management of sites, management of resources and allowing greater visibility of project works throughout the organization and importantly to clients.

To read this case study in full, select the image to the right hand side!

Commited to CSCS Platinum Award Wednesday, 23rd February 2011

DB Construction Developing a Competent CSCS Workforce

Commited to CSCS Platinum

Big congratulations must go out to all of you who have joined DB Constructions over the years and worked towards passing the CSCS health and safety test. 

However even more impressive than this is the 90%+ of you who have carried on that journey with the support of DB Construction and successfully completed the Level 2 National Vocational Qualification in Construction Operations. This qualification covered a multitude of modules including but not limited to: Conforming to General Workplace Safety, Conforming to Efficient Work Practices and Establishing Work Area Protection and Safety. 

This is a fantastic achievement for each of you personally and proof of DB Construction’s commitment to developing a competent workforce able to meet the requirements of our customers, our employees and the construction industry. As a holder of a valid platinum certificate DB Construction is entitled to use the Committed to CSCS logo to show current and prospective clients and staff that we have, and continue to invest in the skills of our people.

Please continue to ensure that you adhere to the working practices under the scheme at all time. You should be proud of your ever growing qualifications and the hard work that they have required.

34% Annual growth as a result of contracts won through certification Monday, 14th February 2011

ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management

Case Study - Working with BSI 

"Being associated with a super brand has nothing but a positive effect. When clients see you are certified to international management standards, they invariably ask who with? When one replies BSI there is a subtle aknowledgement of people knowing you have gone about it properly with a market leader."

Jack Bowie, QSHE Director

To read this case study in full, select the image to the right hand side!

£600,000 Contract Award at the Prestigious Wrest Park, Bedfordshire Tuesday, 4th January 2011

Wrest Park Estate

English Heritage 

We are delighted to have secured a contract for Coulson Building Group working in the grounds of the Wrest Park Estate once home to the de Grey family from the 17^th Century. We were informed of our successful bid on the last working day of 2010.

Works are on behalf of English Heritage and is part of a 5 year plan to restore the house and grounds to its former original glory taken from a photograph in 1913.

Scope of works include the provision of additional car parking, drainage including pumping stations and interceptor tanks and other general works including reinforced foundations and landscaping. Works will begin on January 17^th for 5 months. 

£2150 Raised for The J's Hospice Thursday, 2nd December 2010

DB Construction Present J’s Hospice with £2150 fund raising cheque

Tree Top Challenge

The last copper coins have rolled in through the door and the purse is well and truly sealed. All those who were involved in the DB Construction GO Ape fund raising day should be extremely proud of their efforts. With every last penny counted and the gift aid included DB Construction raised over £2150.00

Jack Bowie presented the cheque to Nick Garner (far left) and some of the patrons of the J’s Hospice at Lords Cricket Ground with Konnie Huq from the Extra Factor there to see the cheque presentation take place.

A massive thank you to all.

DB Raise Over £2000 for the J's Hospice Friday, 29th October 2010

A Swinging Good Day For The J's Hospice

Tree Top Challenge

Once again DB Construction took to the parapet of Thetford Forest to raise money for The J’s Hospice.

A big ‘Thank You’ to all 15 members of staff who participated & raised in excess of £2000 for a worthy charity.

The J’s vision is to provide the very best care & facilities to young adults with life limiting conditions who use the J’s in age appropriate surroundings. We are delighted to be working with them, keep up the good work J’s!

A1 Chawston Access to Lorry Park Sunday, 26th September 2010

S278 Contract Award for The Highways Agency

A1 Chawston Access to Lorry Park

DB Construction has been informed by our client, The Highways Agency, of our successful contract award for S278 Works to Chawston Lorry Park on the A1. Works will begin 11/10/12 for a period of 10 weeks.

Scope of the works include decommissioning an existing lay by situated on the A1 in Chawston, Bedfordshire & constructing a new entrance into adjacent land that will eventually become a new 9 acre lorry park.  

Works include Site Clearance, Drainage Works, Earthworks, New Highway & Footway Construction, Kerbs & Paved Areas, Traffic Signs, White Lining & Studs, Utility Diversions, Drain Pits & Service Ducts, Road Lighting Columns/Brackets, Resite Existing Street Lighting Columns, Installation of Electrical Bollards & Signs, Relocate ANPR Camera, Electrical Cabling, Connection of Columns Draw Pits & Ducts, Landscaping.

Investors in People Monday, 2nd August 2010

DB Construction Awarded the International Investors in People Award.

Investors in People 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone of our team who has been involved in the process of attaining our International Investment in People Award. Dave Abdul from IiP visited DB Construction several times and talked to many of you when assessing whether or not DB Construction had reached the required standard. 

Here is a summary of his report: 

DB Construction has worked on the Essex Highways Improvements Framework since establishment and as a result they have attained and continue to build on an enviable reputation within this sector.  More recently they have secured their first contract within the Education Sector and will now use this case study and experience to market their business activities further to potential clients operating in this sector. This is the first time DB Construction has come forward for assessment against the International Investor in People Standard.  

I looked at plans, strategies, induction, appraisals, staff development records, site audits, KPIs, and interviews with 11 staff drawn from all levels and roles within the firm.  Many staff confirmed a belief that there is genuine commitment to their learning and development.  Encouragement to contribute ideas for performance improvement generally comes at staff meetings, 1:1 meetings, and during the performance review.  Examples given included operational improvement, service improvement, new courses, website development, new procedures, etc.    

Senior managers believe that the investment in staff has brought clear actions for organisational improvements, improved individual target setting, improved monitoring of performance, effective critical self reviews, and observations.

Junction Improvements Wednesday, 28th July 2010

DB Construction to start major junction improvements in Loughton.

Langston Road, Oakwood Hill, Chigwell Lane - Junction in Loughton, Essex

DB Construction is due to start major junction improvements to Langston Road, Oakwood Hill, Chigwell Lane - Junction in Loughton, Essex. Works will start Monday 02^nd August for an expected duration of 15 weeks.

DB Construction will carrying out re-alignment to approach roads & traffic islands, new highway & footway construction, drainage, Surfacing and new illuminated traffic signs.

Who's Who of Britain's Business Elite Sunday, 27th June 2010

Who's Who Publications

Britain's Business Elite

Both DB Construction & Director Ben Smith have been recognized by Who’s Who publications as Britain’s Business Elite.

DB Construction makes a debut entry for A Civil Engineering Company recognized by Who’s Who Publications.

Ben Smith has been recognized for Who’s Who of Britain’s Business Elite - Britain’s Young Business Leaders 2010. This is the second consecutive year Ben enters the records.

Who's Who Publications PLC are the producers of the UK's most prestigious reference library. This historic series is the definitive reference source on the UK's leading professionals and their achievements.

21st Century Learning Facilities Sunday, 16th May 2010

Thomas Eaton School, Cambridgeshire

Building 21st Century Learning Facilities

Work has began on a contract to build a new extension to Thomas Eaton School, Cambridgeshire, under the BSF framework.

Our works include temporary access roads, piling, substructure ring beams, drainage & external works. The £150,000 project is to be delivered in stages over a 48 week period.

Commenting on this award, commercial director, Ben Smith said: “We are thrilled to be involved in building 21^st century learning facilities and in doing so, have secured a new prestigious client in the name of Coulson Building Group.” 

Landmark Town Clock is Ticking Again Wednesday, 31st March 2010

Alive & Ticking

Landmark Town Clock is Ticking Again

After a five year absence DB Construction have restored a former landmark to Basildon Town Centre at its new home in St Martin's Square.

The clock was first removed from its old home, in High Pavement, near Marks & Spencer, about five years ago, to make way for the town’s new lift.

But it was returned yesterday morning and now stands where the Woodsman Poacher sculpture was situated, until recently.

Basildon Council leader Tony Ball is pleased with the newly-repaired clock, which he believes is a worthy and suitable replacement.

He said: “The clock is one of the original iconic structures in the new town.

“I remember someone used to play the accordion beneath it every Saturday, which people who lived in Basildon in the Sixties and Seventies might remember.

“I’m glad it’s back and working. For too many years it was an embarrassment that told different times on all four faces, and I always wanted to make sure the clock was restored.

The clock cost around £9,000 to repair. It was installed by DB Construction for £6,500. Its restoration was funded by the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

The Tree Top Challenge Sunday, 20th September 2009

£560 Raised for The Stroke Association

The Tree Top Challenge

DB Construction is delighted with, and would like to thank the staff who participated in the tree top challenge in Thetford forest. A great day was had by all and in the process a generous £560.00 was raised for the Stroke Associated Charity.

Plans are being put in place for next year's charity event already, with a trek along Hadrian's Wall a strong contender, (watch this space).

DB Truly Planted in the Green Camp Tuesday, 11th August 2009

DB Branches into ISO14001:2004

DB Truly Planted in the Green Camp

DB Construction has been awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 environmental management system  standard, which recognises its effectiveness in addressing green issues and waste reduction. DB is very proud to announce that they have been successful in becoming certified through BSI. 

DB Construction had been trying to express to the market and potential clients that its practices are demonstrably better than their competitors. Through meeting with John Scott of Business Link he suggested working towards attaining these business standards. Business Link then worked alongside DB as an introductory service and secured DB with cost effective business services through BSI. 

Daniel Smith Managing Director of DB Construction said:"DB Construction has been totally committed to its environmental responsibilities. The management strongly believe that we have a moral duty to do our bit as a contractor in helping the environment along with the legal obligations we must abide by. Therefore we are again very proud to have achieved our ISO 14001 environmental management system with BSI." 

DB Constructions work in looking after the environment has included using a range of sustainably sourced materials across all sites. We also applying the mantra reduce, reuse and recycle where ever possible throughout the company. 

Mark Stokes Operations Area Manager for BSI said: “It is more important than ever that small companies satisfy their customer expectations and a management system registered to ISO14001:2008 with BSI greatly assists this and helps differentiate in an ever more competitive marketplace.” 

DB Construction has set itself some tough targets where the environment is concerned. However with our clearly communicated message on the environment we believe that the company can achieve these. 

Jack Bowie DB Constructions QHSE Manager said “For a company of our size we like to think of ourselves as pioneering and progressive, ISO certifications go towards giving substance to this vision. The collaboration of DB, BSI and Business Link allowed us to gain this recognition and shows how SME’s can benefit if they take advantage of the resources available to them.”

The certification sends out a message to all prospective clients and partners that in working with DB Construction they are aligning themselves to an organisation with a strong environmental conscience.

DB Construction Building for the Future Sunday, 19th July 2009

DB Awarded ISO9001:2008

DB Construction Building for the Future

DB Construction is very proud to announce that they have been successful in certification to the management system standard, ISO 9001: 2008. 

Every organisation would like to improve the way it operates, whether that means increasing market share, driving down costs, managing risk more effectively or improving customer satisfaction. A quality management system gives the framework needed to monitor and improve performance in any chosen area. 

The management team at DB Construction realised from an early stage the need to have a documented quality management system in place. Whilst we have had our own management system running for some years we knew it was time to have our system audited for both ourselves and all our clients.

Mark Stokes Operations Area Manager for BSI said: “It is more important than ever that small companies satisfy their customer expectations and a management system registered to ISO9001:2008 with BSI greatly assists this and helps differentiate in an ever more competitive marketplace.”

DB Construction has always been very proud of their workmanship and standards of client satisfaction. To enable us to project these high standards more clearly into the marketplace, to our existing and potential customers we deemed it essential to have a solid quality management system in place. It also aided to demonstrate our total accountability to the public and our clients. 

Daniel Smith Managing Director of DB Construction says: “When deciding which company to use to audit our quality management system there was no question, BSI are leaders in documented management systems and they were the right company for DB Construction. We are extremely proud to have achieved this standard. All clients of DB Construction can rest assure that our management system is of the same quality as they already know our workmanship is." 

In conclusion ISO 9001 is suitable for any organisation looking to improve the way it is operated and managed, regardless of size or sector. However, the best returns on investment come from companies such as DB Construction that are prepared to implement it throughout their whole organisation rather than at particular sites, departments or divisions. 

 It is the objective of DB Construction to inspire confidence in all they deal with and in all aspects of business.

Striving for a Greener Future Thursday, 11th June 2009

Green Achiever 

Striving for a Greener Future

Take a look at this latest E-Letter released from Green Achiever. Within the construction industry there have been giant leaps in the standards of Health and Safety, yet sadly not as much emphasis on environmental issues. The Green Achiever Scheme is an incredibly focused and clear way to assess our company and to make commitments to improve, whilst maintaining a flourishing client base and steady growth.