These certainly are the most uncertain times for a lot of companies, and none more so than for our sector of construction. Whilst we have experienced a busy quarter year to the end of October, the crystal ball is still unclear for the future. If we were asked to identify our customer base, we would in some ways struggle.
Recently we seem to be “doing a bit” for various sectors; residential,automotive, retail and industrial. However it is hard to see each week where the next order will come from.
We are about to go headlong into a large ICF build project which is an interesting build concept, relatively new to this country, but steadily gaining popularity – it will be good to monitor the progress and be able to evaluate the system hands on.
We have been tremendously lucky with the weather, still relatively dry at the beginning of November. Our two week Christmas shutdown is rapidly approaching – who knows what weather we can expect in January and February, and whether it will be conducive to outdoor construction.
Let us hope for some more indoor machine foundation orders for the New Year.
Come on the Steel Industry – time to invest in new slitters and presses and let us construct the foundations.
What a Year
Power Floated Floors
Having just serviced our laser controlled concrete placer we are gearing up to run it next week to quickly put the new floor slab into a Morrisons Supermarket in Wisbech. Once this is done we will be on the look out for some large floors to pour to put it through its’s paces again. Whilst the workload has picked up through the last couple of months, we could do with laying more floors than we have done of late.
Another Fast Turnaround
Due to an amazing effort by our Contracts Manager Wayne, and all the lads on site, we have fulfilled our role in completing the construction of escalator pits, a lift pit and extensive foundations for the conversion of a retail store in one of Birmingham’s major shopping centres. The work was completed in just five days, incorporating night and weekend working to meet a very tight programme. This leaves the store ready for the installation of a mezzanine and full fit out by others. We shall now return to the front of the shopping centre and continue work on the new Harvesters restaurant.
Torquay Final Phase Complete
Following a massive effort from the C C Contracting site teams, we managed to successfully complete this project in record time. The foundation and floor element involved three very large concrete pours with rapid progression of preparation work between each one. The final day was a 190 cubic metre concrete pour to the floor slab, assisted by our own laser screed and a 48 metre pump from Bristol.
The Alps Are Done …
The Alps Challenge 2011 proved to be as tough or tougher than we had imagined. Despite some very cold wet weather at the beginning, we managed it. Thank you to everyone who supported us – we have very nearly reached the £10,000 target we hoped to achieve for the Wooden Spoon. Now we have to decide what next Year’s challenge will be…
CCC Pick Up Final Phase at Torquay
C C Contracting Ltd. have picked up the final phase of ground works for Stacey Construction at the prestigious Torquay elderly care village site. This phase sees the construction of a 100 metre long 3 metre high retaining wall to enable the construction of foundations and ground floor slab for the final residential apartment block. The site is challenging, set as it is on a steep incline, making access difficult.
The architect has made the most of the setting and the finished apartments will have spectaculer views across Tor Bay however to achieve this C C Contracting’s experience was required to fulfil the exacting specifications. You can see pictures taken from earlier phases in the development on our projects page.
More pain more gain on the bike again
Its that time of year again when I (and 23 other friends) get around to pushing ourselves far too hard in an attempt to get fit and raise money for worthwhile charities.
Having just done a 100 mile training ride yesterday, completing just over 5000 feet of very tough climbs if poor weather and strong winds in the Peak District, I am beginning to feel somewhat more comfortable with our grueling challenge to cycle from Turin to Geneva, taking on 6 iconic climbs in the alps. We are cycling for four days, each day will involve one or two relentless climbs of up to 5000 feet in one go. I believe on day 3 we have 75 miles and two 5000 feet climbs.
This tough challenge starts on 16th June, so we only have a couple more training rides before the off.
This year we are raising money for the Wooden Spoon a charity that helps poor and underprivileged children. The Wooden Spoon have approached us with regard to a specific project and we have decided to assist.
Focus Birmingham in Harborne are looking to refurbish and restructure part of their current office/admin space to accommodate 15 disabled school leavers at the start of term after the summer break. The charity supports those with visual impairments and other physical and learning disabilities. The idea is to provide spaces including; personal care room, changing rooms, wet room and a stimulating sensory room. They would also like to provide a hub for youngsters with mild learning difficulties which would act as a base for them to access the wider community.
Existing disabled day resources are currently well oversubscribed and so a new centre is needed to create the additional space. The finished centre would be badged as the Wooden Spoon Hub, nice cycling connotation there! The new site could then be used by up to 65 youngsters on a daily basis.
The total cost of the refurbishment is 30,000 and Wooden Spoon have already raised 20,000. Our target therefore is to bridge the shortfall of 10,000. Hopefully you will all agree this is a most worthwhile project to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
I therefore ask for your help to raise sponsorship so please visit our Just Giving fundraising page. As it is a Team Page for all riders, please identify yourself with any donation you may make, as it is nice to see who the support comes from.