Refurbishment and Restore Issue 07 2017 | Page 29

1st Horizon opens new purpose-built HQ A leading surveying and engineering company has invested £500,000 in a new purpose-built headquarters in Yorkshire. 1st Horizon, which specialises in 3-dimensional laser scanning of buildings and surveying for underground pipes and cables, has turned a former fizzy drinks factory into its new home. The company will officially open ‘The Old Pop Factory’ on 6 July where it will invite customers to see the new premises and watch demonstrations of its full product range in action. The company was one of the first in the UK to invest in 3D scanners which are used in anything from sewage works and reservoirs, to supermarkets and schools. It has recently completed a large survey for the M1 Smart motorways scheme – one of the largest survey projects in the UK currently. Jim Garside, 1st Horizon’s managing director, said: “We have always placed a strong focus on the use of the very latest technologies and techniques available and continue to invest in our staff and facilities to enable us to apply the most efficient, versatile and cost-effective service for our clients’ survey requirements. “Over the past few years we have rapidly grown our client base and team which has seen us outgrow our previous office space.” 1st Horizon has spent the last two years restoring the former Beardsall Bros soft drinks factory in Barnsley and has retained the history of the site by formally naming the building ‘The Old Pop Factory’, as it was known locally. Jim said: “Purchasing the old pop factory site allowed us to design and construct our own, purpose-made facility – it just seemed to make sense! “It’s taken two years of hard work to sympathetically restore the 18th century barn into a bespoke and contemporary office space which will enable us to develop the 1st Horizon brand and expand our service portfolio, while providing an inspiring workplace for employees. “Our new location in Dodworth, Barnsley also provides excellent local facilities and better recruitment opportunities, with good links to nearby towns and cities.” Set up in 2006, 1st Horizon employs 30 staff inclu ding five apprentices who now work at the state-of-the-art facility. The company offers a complete survey, 3D laser scanning and engineering service - providing expertise for anything from simple reduced level surveys, to detailed laser scans and intelligent 3D modelling. 1st Horizon is able to provide both nationwide and global support for construction, design, development and infrastructure. For more information about 1st Horizon go to www.1sth.co.uk www.refurbandrestore.co.uk - 29