John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) has been hailed for its work during the pandemic on a major development at Norwich Airport with MJS Projects (March) Ltd.
The Christchurch-based company provided structural steel design, fabrication and erection services for a £7m hangar at the airport.
It involved the construction of a 54,000 sq ft building – large enough for two A320 aircraft – with 15,500 sq ft of workshop space for Norwich Airport Ltd.
REIDsteel brought its value engineering expertise to rationalise the scheme’s structural steel design which led to savings in both time and money.
It represented repeat business for REIDsteel at Norwich Airport as the latest in a long line of projects stretching back more than 30 years.
Main contractor MJS Projects – based in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire – was instructed by airport owner Norwich Airport Ltd, which is part of the Rigby Group plc.
MJS Projects Director David Henry said:
“When we were tendering for our recent Norwich Airport project we were introduced to Reid Steel as a specialist in this field.
“The Reid steel pre-construction team were very attentive and came to meet us to discuss the project in detail.
“This gave confidence in their knowledge and expertise and they gave us invaluable information on construction method, programme and value engineering options.
“Commercially Reid Steel were competitive and we chose to partner with them following a tender agreement. We were successful on this competitive tender.
“Procurement with Reid Steel was fast and in line with our agreement. The pre-construction team with whom we had met at tender stayed with the design stage of the project aiding understanding and communication with the design being completed in line with the agreed programme.
“Site works were organised, safe and delivered to programme and to a high standard. This was reflected in the excellent low air leakage values recorded on such large buildings.
“Even as the pandemic took hold Reid Steel spoke with us clearly and sensibly and we agreed a safe and suitable way forward which we could pass on and agree with our client.
“We were thoroughly impressed with the service we received from Reid Steel throughout this project and we would not hesitate to work with them on future projects.”
The new MRO hangar gives significant new capacity at Norwich Airport to provide high-quality maintenance, repair and overhaul services for customers worldwide.
REIDsteel has previously worked on the refurbishment and extension of a hangar at Norwich Airport in 2006. This involved a 10m extension of the hangar and replacement of sliding doors, allowing the building to accommodate new, larger airliners.
Other projects at Norwich included a new cargo centre in 1998 and a customs bonded warehouse with an arch span portal frame design in 1989.
REIDsteel managing director Simon Boyd said: “REIDsteel is no stranger to Norwich Airport with repeat business over many years.
“However, no other project faced quite the same challenges at this one with the outbreak of the pandemic.
“Even so, working with a company of the quality and ethos of excellence as MJS Projects meant we were together able to drive the development forward.
“Its team were proactive and positive with a can-do attitude which was reflected in its open communications and commitment to paying on time.
“MJS Projects was a pleasure to work with on a significant development at one of the leading regional airports.”
MJS works in multiple sectors, including education, commercial property, health, leisure, refurbishment, mechanical and electrical, research facilities and infrastructure.
The company specialises in fast-track, complex projects with a focus on strong relationships, clear communication and visible management.
REIDsteel, a £30m turnover company founded in 1919, employs 130 people and builds all kinds of steel structures, including cladding, glazing and doors.
