When the first Covid lockdown was imposed on 16th March 2020 Williams Tarr had just commenced a major £5m+ pharmaceutical project that was classified as “essential”. Almost overnight we had to create Covid-19 Risk Assessments and Method Statements for sites and our Head Office to ensure that everyone was safeguarded and fully compliant. This challenge gave us early experience of managing Covid-secure sites, which allowed us to complete the essential project safely and on time.

It was a tall order. An unprecedented situation demanding intense attention to detail and co-operation from all our operatives, supply chain businesses and client’s teams. Williams Tarr were in the vanguard of construction companies who had to tackle the situation “head on”.

We set up our own track and trace system and produced a wide range of unique procedures and notices to combat Covid risks. Practical measures like additional w.c.’s and canteens to ensure social distancing were introduced, along with extra PPE and sanitising stations. We now also have lateral flow testing available for our work force.

Our efforts were successful and since then we have been awarded further pharmaceutical projects that are driven by the demand for pandemic countermeasures.

These days, whilst the risks of Covid infection are reducing, we are still maintaining a vigilant stance to ensure Covid-secure operations in line with current Government guidelines. Our experience of working safely through the first stringent lockdown period has stood us in good stead for the future.

Williams Tarr Contracts Director Trevor Hughes who heads up our Health & Safety commented:

We have always been extremely safety conscious on our sites and are constantly striving to make sure that the challenges imposed by Covid are being managed safely without compromise to project timelines.

Williams Tarr have recently handed over a new 34,000 sq. ft. Home Bargains store at Hyndburn. The contract for T J Morris also included construction of an adjoining 15,000 sq. ft. Fitness Centre for JD Gyms.

The £2.5m design and build scheme involved the total de-construction of an existing detached retail unit back to the steel frame and the complete rebuilding to create two new facilities. The profile of the unit was modernised with the introduction of parapets, and the steel structure had to be strengthened to support the new loadings.

The modern, attractive store, clad in Home Bargains corporate branding style, is in a prominent position on the retail park and has enhanced the area considerably.

Williams Tarr Contracts Manager Paul Hamlett said:

We enjoy an excellent non-adversarial team relationship with our client, T J Morris. Over the past few years Williams Tarr has had the pleasure of building numerous new Home Bargains stores at locations from Wednesbury in the Midlands to Holyhead at the tip of Anglesey and up to North Lancashire. Long may it continue!

Mick Cullen the Yard and Plant manager at Williams Tarr has recently clocked up an incredible 50 years’ service for the company. Since March 1971, through thick and thin, Mick has always been hands-on behind the scenes carrying out a versatile range of essential duties to help keep the business running smoothly. He has managed our yard, maintained our vehicles and plant, delivered materials and equipment and helped to set up and de-mobilise sites. His cheery smile, great sense of humour and sheer willingness to help with any problems, mark him out as a unique and valued work colleague.

Williams Tarr’s Contracts Director Trevor Hughes who has worked with Mick for the past 26 years was delighted to present him with a special bottle of vintage brandy as part of the celebrations, (pictured right).

Williams Tarr’s M.D. David Wilkinson commented:

Without dedicated and loyal staff like Mick the company wouldn’t be the success it has been, having now recently surpassed its 100th year in business. Congratulations to Mick on reaching your half century!

Williams Tarr is relocating its HQ office facility to more modern premises at Greenway House, Greenway, Paddington, Warrington, WA1 3EF, with effect from Tuesday 1st June 2021.

All other contact addresses and phone numbers for us remain unchanged. Williams Tarr’s Materials and Plant Yard at Bridge Road will remain in use as normal.

The new suite of Cat B open-plan air conditioned offices at Greenway House provide staff with a much better environment and provide a more efficient team-working atmosphere.

With the benefit of modern communications technology we have also introduced more flexible staff working arrangements with a combination of office and remote working, promoting improved productivity and a greater work/life balance for staff.

Williams Tarr Construction’s M.D. David Wilkinson said:

Williams Tarr has always been based in Warrington since the business was founded over 103 years ago. Our old office premises, acquired back in the 80s had become inefficient. We’re now looking forward to enjoying the benefits of our new modern offices.

Unifrax have appointed Williams Tarr Construction to carry out an extensive re-cladding and refurbishment project at their Widnes production plant on Sullivan Road. A major new H.V. electricity sub-station is also being built by Williams Tarr on a separate part of the factory.
The re-cladding works include the stripping off and replacement of sheeting rails and cladding systems on a live warehouse area within the manufacturing facility. It is a complex logistical exercise involving temporary weather-proof walls, special scaffolding and roof decks to safely protect the premises and minimise disruption to production.
U.S. based Unifrax are a Global leader in the manufacture of high-performance speciality fibres. The Widnes plant produces specialist fibres that are designed to solve problems in demanding, high-temperature insulation and many other applications up to 1600 °C.

Williams Tarr Contracts Manager Paul Hamlett commented:

Williams Tarr particularly enjoys the challenge and satisfaction of working in live environments. I am confident that successful delivery will be achieved due to the excellent collaborative working relationship that exists between the Client, the design consultants and all our construction team members.

Williams Tarr have won a repeat order from Kays Medical to construct another high-bay warehouse at their Speke HQ. The project comprises a 32,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art logistics facility with associated drainage and external works. Initial site clearance works have commenced, with the excavation and disposal of 9,000 cubic metres of sub-soil.
Designed by McCormick Architecture, the striking new 17.8 metre-high warehouse will have attractive wall cladding to complement Kays existing HQ office and warehouse complex that was built by Williams Tarr a few years ago.
Most of the new building will have a “super flat” DM 1 Class floor slab suitable for very narrow-aisle (VNA) storage racking that will be accessed by wire guided high-reach forklift trucks.

Kays Medical are complete occupational health providers and one of the UK’s largest and most trusted independent suppliers of first aid, medical supplies, emergency response equipment and Ofqual regulated training.

Williams Tarr’s M.D. David Wilkinson commented:

Like ourselves, Kays Medical is a long-established family business and we’re delighted that they have awarded us this important contract. It’s gratifying to see that a high percentage of our work comes from satisfied repeat customers.

Williams Tarr are well under way with a major redevelopment project for an International manufacturing business based in the North West. The six month-long programme involves demolition of various old buildings, underpinning of existing structures and erection of a new two storey steel framed extension to the existing production facilities. The scheme is located adjacent to the client’s offices and laboratories within the heart of the busy manufacturing complex and particular measures are being taken to minimise noise and disruption to their operations. Associated works include new drainage, yard areas, services interfaces with the existing facility and repairs to some other buildings at the site.

Williams Tarr Contracts Director, Trevor Hughes said:

Having completed the enablement works and tricky foundations, we’re now cracking on with the steel frame erection. It’s another very interesting project requiring special care, from the initial demolition works and subsequently with all the logistical and construction interfaces with the clients and their live manufacturing facility.