FP McCann has recently strengthened its structural building precast concrete arm with the acquisition of Bell & Webster formerly part of the Eleco group of companies. Based in Grantham Lincolnshire, the well-established market leader in design, manufacture and build, is renown for its range of bespoke concrete products used on large scale construction projects from hotels, military, custodial and student accommodation, to football stadia, conference centres and multi-screen cinemas.
The proprietary 'RoomSolution™' system, takes precast concrete units which link together to form a Crosswall construction, a now common method of build, first introduced into the UK in the early 1990's. Precast concrete wall panels are formed to suit design requirements. Most window & door openings can be accommodated, as can other wall penetrations by design. Off-site modular building structures including internal walls, floors and ceilings, are manufactured to a high quality finish which are suitable for direct decoration with minimal preparatory work. No plaster finishes are required. All horizontal and vertical sections are designed for ease of build, linking together with hidden tie rods and joints are finished with a high-strength non-shrink grout, fully conforming with Building Regulations.
Significant first fix time savings combined with the quality fair-faced finish to the walls, results in major cost benefits from early completion. The 'just-in-time' manufactured and delivered precast concrete 'RoomSolution™' reduces wet trades and second fix trades benefit from cast-in electrical conduit, door and window frames. The experienced design team, works with the customer to ensure the modular room dimensions and build criteria match the client's specifications. The 'RoomSolution™' system also offers excellent acoustic and thermal mass properties.
In hotel construction, Bell & Webster have built some 50 Holiday Inn Express hotels, totalling 5300 rooms and also projects for Ramada, DeVere, Travelodge, Ibis and Radisson. Currently a new Mercure Hotel in Edinburgh is under construction.
To date, over 35,000 precast concrete rooms have been manufactured by Bell & Webster and erected on a variety of projects with one of the most prestigious being the 788 room University of East London campus at Royal Albert Docks. 28 student accommodation projects have been completed nationwide providing 18,000 room solutions. On-going contracts are at Newcastle University for Northern Developments and New Buckinghamshire University with Galliford Try.
Construction is also well underway on the 457 student room accommodation project for the phase 3 development at Reading University. The £22 million project consists of five four storey blocks, four of which will utilise the 'RoomSolution™' system. The Bell & Webster design team have developed and implemented some process improvements evolved from phases 1and 2.
For all 'RoomSolution™' enquiries contact Bell and Webster (an FP McCann company) on 01476 562277. www.fpmccann.co.uk