Lincolnshire firm Specialist Surfacing has been appointed sole contractor in 2017 for Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber. The multi-million-pound contract includes all road maintenance and associate works for ABP’s four Humber ports in Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham.
ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator with a network of 21 ports across the UK. ABP’s Ports on the Humber contribute £2.2 billion to the UK economy every year and support 33,000 jobs, handling more than 65 million tonnes of cargo. The facilities offer close links to markets in mainland Europe and Scandinavia and expertise in a broad range of cargoes, including energy, vehicles, roll-on roll-off, containers, bulks, liquid bulks and forest products. Immingham is currently the UK’s largest port by volume and in 2017 Hull will be home to one of the UK’s largest port developments; the £310 million Green Port Hull project with Siemens.
Specialist Surfacing maintains a long-standing working relationship with ABP with a 25-year history in managing its surfacing requirements. Indeed, ABP was the first client for Managing Director Scott Morse when he joined the business as an apprentice.
He says, “ABP remains one of our largest clients for which we have become a reliable partner in maintaining its busy network of roads and surfaces. We are delighted to secure this exclusive contract and it is especially pleasing to know that our continued investment in the best possible fleet, and people, continues to drive contracts of this calibre and complexity.”
The contract awarded to Specialist Surfacing includes ‘Responsive Maintenance’ for all public and private highways in all four ports. It also includes repairs to all pedestrian zones including footpaths and carparks as well as operational areas such as fertilizer sheds, storage facilities and ‘high stress’ areas where the surface must withstand excessive weight.
In addition to all major and minor civils works Specialist Surfacing provides critical communications support to ABP where the team is required to put in place traffic management and reporting plans to ensure continuity during works. An emergency response service also ensures that damage, such as potholes, are repaired within 24 hours.
Specialist Surfacing has extensive experience in the ports industry with other key clients including DFDS Seaways, CRO Ports and VAG Ports.
It specialises in delivering surfacing, groundworks, construction and facilities management for local authorities and the private sector. Its extensive portfolio covers commercial, industrial, chemical, retail, sport/leisure, education and residential.
Specialist Surfacing is a member of Hunt Group which includes a number of other operating companies such Britcon Limited and H.G. Holdings Limited. It reported a turnover of £17 million in its last financial year and directly employs 65 people at its HQ in Scunthorpe and offices in Wakefield.
