Williams Tarr Construction was pleased to handover a £2m HQ building expansion for Evans Vanodine International, just in time for them to commence the celebrations of their centenary year.

Evans Vanodine was established in 1919, and this project coincided with the completion of Williams Tarr’s centenary year.

A developer and manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene products, Evans Vanodine have achieved considerable growth over the years. Having started as a small family business in a small laboratory with minimal office space, the company is now proud to be a world leader in the industrial, janitorial, food process and animal health sectors.

Similar to Williams Tarr Construction Evans remains a family run business with the fifth generation of the Evans family responsible for key positions within the business.

Williams Tarr Construction MD, David Wilkinson commented:

To deliver this project in time for Evans Vanodine to celebrate their centenary year was a great honour for us. We understand completely how much it means to achieve the milestone of 100 years in business and to be appointed to provide this high quality, technologically advanced flag ship facility for Evans at this time, was a privilege.

Working for another family run company, which has the same ethos as ours, has been a pleasure.

Liaising closely with Architects Sunderland Peacock & Associates, the Williams Tarr team produced a high quality finish in line with the expectations and desires of the client. The eye catching design, which features Alucobond cladding to the exterior provides modern, spacious and comfortable premises.

The scope of work involved a major refurbishment of the existing HQ offices and the construction of an extension for additional offices and micro-biology labs. The main reception and lobby area had a complete overhaul and a modern lift installation, to allow for easier access around the premises. In addition, a first floor viewing platform was created to provide both visitors and staff with a 180 degree outlook over the adjoining production facility.

Incorporating high quality finishes, modern architecture, bright décor and bespoke finishes the new facilities are a welcome environment for both the Evans staff and their visitors. In addition, major work was done to protect the local natural habitat.

David explained:

We carried out extensive works on the exterior ahead of commencing the project, this included cutting back trees to protect them from the works and landscaping the frontage down to the pond. We wanted to ensure that the natural habitat was protected and that the wildlife was not affected by the construction activity.

Williams Tarr is delighted to have created this new facility and trust it will enable our client to achieve the continued growth which we know they are striving for.

Evans Vanodine is now all set and ready to go for the next 100 years in operation.

It is with mixed emotions that we are announcing the retirement of our company finance director, Chris Carter, effective December 21, 2018.

Although we will all miss having Chris in the office, after 49 years of service at Williams Tarr, he has more than earned the opportunity to devote more time to his family and his interests such as travel and golf.

Devoting 49 years of service to a single company is a huge achievement and we are all proud to have worked with Chris throughout his career.

Chris has been replaced by Financial Controller, Olga Austin. Chris and Olga spent a number of weeks working together to ensure a seamless transition takes place.

On behalf of all at Williams Tarr, thank you Chris.

Williams Tarr has successfully completed a £2.5m re-roofing/refurbishment contract at Hindley Green Business Park, Wigan for Highgate Unit Trust.

The works involved roof replacement/repair work and general refurbishments to 150,000 sq. ft. of industrial space as part of a major upgrade programme.

Areas of asbestos cement roofing were stripped off and replaced with Kingspan MR1000 composite panels, whilst other areas including one of the occupied units were repaired with a Gyromax Delcote spray-on silicone coating system. The scope included the identification and removal of asbestos contamination, various modifications to external and internal walls to remove redundant doorways and the formation of new openings and a dock leveller.

The 1,000 kVA power supply was relocated and the existing domestic sub-station was completely reconfigured with new switchgear. H.V. and L.V. power installations and new fire alarm systems were installed and routed through the buildings.

Three of the units were opened up to form a new 100,000 sq. ft. production facility for incoming tenant Corenso, one of the World’s leading manufacturers of high performance cores. Operations were programmed to allow Corenso early access to commence their factory fit-out.

The sensitive works within this complex and partially live environment were safely and successfully carried out under a partnering agreement which engendered a positive team approach working closely with the Employer and lead consultants Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, (TFT).

Williams Tarr Contracts Director Trevor Hughes commented:

We’ve completed numerous refurbishment projects like this and it’s satisfying to know that we were able to resolve various unforeseen technical issues smoothly and amicably with the Client and his team to achieve a successful result.

Williams Tarr Construction has been awarded another design and build contract by Legal & General Assurance to construct a new £1.1+ million TGI Fridays restaurant and associated works at Ashton Leisure Park.

The prominent site is at the entrance to the leisure park, adjacent to a  drive-thru McDonalds and a Harvester pub with the Metrolink tram route running alongside, on Lord Sheldon Way.

Scheduled for completion in 20 weeks, the new restaurant will have facing brickwork elevations and expansive windows with louvre features and a high level white rendered fascia up to the 6.4 metre eaves level. The substructure  is  reinforced concrete supported by pre-cast concrete piles. The scope of works includes new hard and soft landscaping, mains services and  drainage.

Williams Tarr specialise in the construction of retail schemes in live environments. As ever, stringent health and safety measures and minimising any disruption to the tenants and general public will be fundamental to the success fo this project.

The Employer’s Agent/Project Manager is AVID, the QS is Todd & Ledson, and the novated design team are AWAKE Architects and Ward Cole Consulting Engineers.

Williams Tarr M.D. David Wilkinson commented:

We are delighted to secure repeat business from blue chip customers like L&G. Our last job for this client was handed over on schedule and we were pleased to be complimented on the overall build quality.

Williams Tarr Construction is pleased to announce that it has commenced an £800k project for Locomotive Storage Ltd at Crewe Diesel Depot. The new building will be operated by LNWR Heritage Company as a purpose-built engine shed for the storage and overhauling of heritage steam locomotives that are operated on preserved and main line railways.

The 9,800 sq. ft. steel portal framed shed will be 14 metres high and 60 metres long with twin rail tracks.

The robust substructure comprises driven pre-cast concrete piling supporting a grid of reinforced concrete pile caps and ground beams. The superstructure has been designed for heavy lifting within the workshop utilising a 40 tonne s.w.l. twin beam overhead travelling crane.

The building envelope will have traditional profiled colour coated steel wall and roof cladding with roof lights.

As the building site is within the live railway complex, safety is paramount. Particular attention is required to ensure that all construction operations are carried out in full accordance with the stringent railway construction procedures.

St. Helens based PKL Partners Ltd. are designers and project managers for the works.

We are VERY proud to announce that a recently completed Williams Tarr project has been awarded both Gold & Bronze in the Green Apple Awards, to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world.

Not only did the Kays Medical development win Gold for “Building and Construction” and Bronze for “Beautiful Buildings Heritage”, it was also awarded with the Green Champion of Champions award for scoring the highest of all Gold winners.

Well done to the architects Denovo Design and a massive thanks to everyone at Williams Tarr and our supply chain for who were responsible for delivering this excellent project.

Following their recently completed refurbishment project at Ravenhead Retail Park, Wiliams Tarr are back on site undertaking a £1.3m contract to modify the structure of Unit 11 in preparation for the new M&S store fit out.

After 90 years of trading at Church Street in St. Helens town centre, M&S will soon be relocating to this larger, brand-new store at Ravenhead.

The existing 19,000 sq. ft. retail unit will be doubled in size with the installation of a new structural steelwork mezzanine floor, accessed by two feature staircases with balustrading.

Extensive substructure works within the building include mezzanine foundation bases and pits for two lifts, an escalator and a scissor lift. The foundations will be supported on 60 No. bottom driven mini piles installed using special rigs to ensure low noise and low vibration. Various internal walls and lift shafts will be built and the roof will be modified to suit the lift over-run.

The main façade is to be remodelled to include full height facing brick feature panels and a new main entrance within structural glazing. Mains services capacities will be increased and additional foul and surface water drainage will be provided.

Work is scheduled for an October completion, to be immediately followed by the M&S interior store fit out operation.

Whilst we continue to celebrate our centenary year we are happy to share some recent photos of team members here at Williams Tarr.

Today, Williams Tarr is headed up by managing director David Wilkinson and his brother, fellow director Ed Wilkinson.

Talking about this amazing achievement, David says:

Reaching our 100th year as a strong and resilient company is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the sustainable way in which we’ve always done business.

We’re not chasing ever-increasing turnover and we ensure we never over-stretch our resources. Instead, we work hard to nurture a stable business that’s focused on quality service, achieving great results for our clients and providing secure, stimulating and enjoyable working lives and opportunities for our people.

This approach has allowed us to navigate the highs and lows of an industry that mirrors the economic health of the nation and sustain a thriving business with a sound and exciting future in our region.

Williams Tarr is currently working on projects across the North West and further a field and has recently completed work on its latest project for retailer TJ Morris, which included converting an existing training centre into a 10,500 sq ft buying office to house up to 200 employees.

Williams Tarr Construction is pleased to announce that it has commenced work on a new £1.9m building contract for Evans Vanodine International plc, at Walton Summit, Preston.

The project involves major refurbishment of the existing H.Q. offices and construction of an extension for additional offices and micro-biology labs, together with adaptations to the external works.

Evans Vanodine, a long established family run business which has seen considerable growth in recent years, specialises in the manufacture and supply of hygiene solutions, exporting to over 70 countries worldwide.

The eye-catching design by Sunderland Peacock Architects upgrades and extends the existing building to create first-class office and laboratory facilities.

The main entrance lobby and reception area will be renewed and a lift installed. One feature of the office design is a first floor viewing platform which will give staff and visitors a 180 degree outlook over the adjoining production facility.

As the work is to be carried out within the busy live offices it will be done in a phased sequence to minimise disruption.

Williams Tarr Contracts Manager Jon Marsden commented:

We were really pleased to be selected by Evans Vanodine. At Williams Tarr we share the same family business ethos as Evans and we are excited to be working on this interesting project, which will provide a great working environment for their busy team.

Children from Stepping Stones Day Nursery in Warrington were recently paid a visit by their very own “Bob the Builder”, as part of their construction week at Pre-school.

Representatives from Williams Tarr Construction visited the nursery to explain the building process and to discuss what is involved in a general day at work for Bob (AKA Jon Marsden, Contracts Manager).

To ensure that the three and four years olds remained interested throughout the visit, they were encouraged to wear the Williams Tarr hard hats and safety vests, which had been provided for the experience.

In addition, Jon and a selection of the children worked together to build both a cardboard factory and a tower “the best part of the building experience for us all was knocking the tower down at the end” comments Jon.

Following the visit the children were left with a number of tasks; to make their own tool belt and  to make their own safety bunting, which could later be used to decorate their own construction area within the preschool room.

Helen Oliver, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Williams Tarr adds:

“Industry visits are an invaluable tool to help children to learn. They can absorb so much through seeing first-hand what is involved in the building process.

As a long established Warrington based company it was a pleasure to be able to go to Stepping Stones and see how excited the children were for our visit. At the current time  the nursery is surrounded by ongoing development so it was great for the children to be able to get a better understanding about what is happening within their local environment.

We really enjoyed our time at Stepping Stones and we hope that it was both a memorable and enjoyable experience for the children”.