100,000 man hours worked already on Co-operative HQ

Tony Grindrod, construction manager with Salford-based BAM Construction, said: ‘BAM’s approach is to use local labour and materials whenever we can providing these match our demanding standards for quality and safety. Our project team covers a range of skills and includes planning managers, building services managers, design managers, quantity surveyors, buyers, engineers, site managers and is supported by experts in health and safety, community liaison, quality, environment and education.

‘We’ve engaged sub-contracted firms who will excavate, pile, construct, clad, service, and fit-out this 330,000 square foot £100 million building. Some of the local companies we're using include piling operators Bachy Solentanche based in Lancashire, PC Harrington from Runcorn who are erecting the reinforced concrete frame and Chester-based Rotary North West Limited who are delivering mechanical and electrical works for us.’

The construction team is expected to provide work for over 3000 people during the life of the two-year project and at its peak BAM estimates around 700 team members will be working on the project at any one time. The project is not yet at its peak but more teams are coming on site to start work on the concrete and steel frame.

Mr Grindrod, who won a Construction Manager of the Year silver award for the University of Manchester’s Alan Turing Building, adds: ‘Technically, the most challenging aspect of constructing the building will be the scale and speed of the build process aligned to the massively challenging external envelope and groundbreaking M&E services within the building.

‘We’re delighted to be on site and local residents should expect to see a frame for the building coming out of the ground early next year.’

Further information: Mark Slattery, Press and Media Manager, BAM Construct UK Ltd, 01442 238415