FORDINBRIDGE
INNOVATION IS KEY
FOR ENGINEERING AND
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR
FOR OVER 50 YEARS, FORDINGBRIDGE PLC, AN INDEPENDENT FIRM IN WEST
SUSSEX, HAS BEEN PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE OUTSIDE SPACE
From humble beginnings manufacturing polytunnels for
commercial horticulture, the company has evolved to design and
build an industry leading portfolio of bespoke canopies, covered
walkways and pre-fabricated statement buildings.
Working in multiple sectors including education, commercial,
healthcare and leisure, Fordingbridge have a team of industry
experts in each field, providing information and design notations
from an early phase throughout to programme delivery. “The
ethos we work to is very much a collaborative approach with our
installation process,” explains Fraser Dixon, Business Development
Manager at the firm. “We ensure the clients requirements are fully
understood, from both a design purpose and also to the works
schedule. Our team achieve this through clear communication,
engaging with the programme team as a whole and working with
both the architects and end client. With a large volume of our
work coming from education and healthcare, we understand the
importance of a tight works programme, so always pre-fabricate
our structures offsite to allow for a smoother installation with
minimal disruption to the site. Our work in healthcare especially,
which has included a number of ambulance bay canopies, requires
careful planning. Working closely with other contractors, the
paramedic unit and of course the NHS Trust themselves, means
that we can stage a build to ensure the department can continue
to function and crews and patients can access emergency
departments.”
The team also take the longevity of the end product into account,
meaning that the claims of ‘industry leading guarantees’ are
valid. “Our complete process is in-house, from design through
to manufacture and installation,” Fraser continues. “This means
that we can take ownership of the brief, and monitor quality of our
output closely. We understand that the value of a product isn’t just
about price, it’s about how well it delivers over time. Our clients
understand that while something may cost a little more, they will
see the return on that investment through the overall lifespan of
the product. If we take a school canopy as an example, where ours
may cost a few per cent more initially, our steel structure would
be guaranteed for an additional 15 years when compared to a
competitor; 25 years in total. Add to that the point that we always
ensure our education canopies are subject to full site-specific
structural calculations, the overall value of our offering is very
attractive.”
Fordingbridges’ experience in the leisure industry also adds to
team have chance to flex their drawing metal when working with
architects and planners. Building with steel and glulaminated
timber as primary construction materials, Fordingbridge specialise
in the creation of statement buildings which are as efficient as they
are aesthetic. “We understand the buildability aspects of design, so
it is always beneficial when we are engaged early,” Fraser explains.
“As we have the design capabilities in-house to complement the
construction and engineering aspect, we can help alleviate some
of the pressure architects face on more complex installations.
Similarly, we can assist in initial planning. A good example of this is
some forthcoming work we have at a popular zoo. We have worked
closely with the businesses architect and owners to come up
with a design which will be functional, environmentally conscious,
deliverable and stunning! Sometimes the buildability aspect may
be overlooked which can lead to extra costs for the client, but
working with us from the outset means these aspects can be
incorporated into the design. We want to bring architects works
to fruition, and we want to do it as safely and cost effectively as
possible.”
the diversity of the firm. With projects including roof-top skybars,
Zoo Visitor Centres and animal enclosures, the businesses design
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