Pyeroy has boosted its growing North Sea industrial contract work with the opening of a new Aberdeen office.

The move will lead to the creation of dozens of new jobs this year across all areas of the company’s operations in Scotland and the North Sea which include scaffolding, protective coatings, insulation and asbestos remediation services.

Pyeroy, which has its head office in Gateshead and operates with a current turnover of £75 million, employs 1,200 people working on industrial, construction and marine projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

Operating from the new Aberdeen office will see the company improving the services provided to customers in the North Sea sector and around Northern Scotland.

These include the main oil and gas production companies, energy producers,  process industries and operators in the burgeoning renewables' sector.

Over the last few years, the company has been winning multi-million pound infrastructure support and maintenance services contracts from global operators while growing the work undertaken in both the onshore and offshore sectors.

Hugh Pelham, Pyeroy’s managing director, said: “This is an important strategic investment for us as we go for growth this year and drive the company forward to open up new opportunities.

“We will be able to improve the scope and quality of the specialised skills, services and experience we offer to customers in Scotland, adding to our reputation for delivering the highest standards of service and technical support.”

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It’s a very warm welcome to the latest edition of our popular newsletter, Pyeroy Post. Last year saw us finish in great style with the completion of the painting work on the Forth Rail Bridge.

As you know, we had been involved in painting this structure, a testament to the longevity of Victorian engineering skill, for the last nine years, and our expertise and success will ensure the bridge remains in good shape for future generations to marvel at.  We also finished repainting Tower Bridge – the eye-catching new look a fitting tribute to one of the country’s most iconic structures as the capital gets ready to welcome the world to the London 2012 Olympics.

Today, we look forward to seeing work progress on painting the Royal Navy’s new generation of QE aircraft carriers while several new ventures and partnerships will see us expanding the scope of services offered to our existing and new customers.

So, enjoy catching up with the latest news and here’s to continued success for everyone.

Hugh Pelham

Managing Director

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Pyeroy continues to grow its services to the marine sector after winning the latest contract to support the refit of the Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Torbay.

HMS Torbay is currently undergoing major maintenance and refit, which will see her re-enter active service with the latest technological upgrades when complete.

The work, being undertaking at Babcock Marine’s Devonport Royal Dockyard facility, involves skilled Pyeroy operatives providing access scaffolding and containment systems in and around the submarine while the vessel is in dock.

Jack Hayton, director of Pyeroy’s Marine Division, said: “This is another major contract that showcases the expertise and workmanship of our workforce.”

This latest contract win follows the earlier provision by Pyeroy of scaffolding and containment systems, along with painting services, to support the refit of the Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland also undertaken at Devonport Dockyard.

Pyeroy also supports Babcock Marine at its Rosyth facility and was recently involved on HMS Illustrious’ 18 month refit that completed in June. These services formed part of an £8 million contract which included the provision of painting, specialist marine coatings, deep cleaning, insulation, fire sentries and scaffold systems.

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Jim Anderson has been appointed to Pyeroy's Board of Directors.

Jim, who has almost 40 years experience in the industrial services sector and previously worked for Cape Industrial Services has been promoted from regional director to divisional director – industrial at the Gateshead-based firm.

Over the last three years, he has been instrumental in winning several major multi million pound contracts and growing the amount of work the company now undertakes in the offshore renewable energy sector for clients such as Heerema among others.

Hugh Pelham, managing director, said: “Congratulations to Jim, who in his new role as divisional director – industrial will play a pivotal role in driving the company forward and developing new opportunities

“His operational experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand, while also adding to our reputation for delivering the highest standards of service and technical support.”

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A substantial new contract has been won by Pyeroy to service and maintain the large potroom floor at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth aluminium smelter on the Northumberland coast.

The three year contract will see Pyeroy’s contracting team undertaking ongoing repairs to sections of concrete flooring worn or damaged by the movement of aluminium ingots, which can weigh up to 10 tonnes.

The work will involve identifying and replacing the damaged sections with a new harder wearing concrete and resin binder solution for added strength and longer term impact resistance.

The Lynemouth smelter, commissioned in 1972, is one of the largest of the UK's smelters with a production capacity of 180,000 tonnes per annum.

The potroom, which has a flooring area in excess of 7,000 sq m – larger than a football pitch – is where workers are involved in preparing large cast iron pots to smelt aluminium oxide into ingots ahead of shipping to customers around the world.

Pyeroy was awarded a multi-million, long term contract by Rio Tinto Alcan  in April 2010 to provide access scaffolding and industrial cleaning services to support work within the dedicated power station at  Lynemouth as part of its planned shutdown and maintenance schedules.

This latest work was secured in the face of stiff competition following the company’s recommendation for a new improved, high quality flooring solution supported by a project management proposal focused on delivering the highest level of health and safety standards necessary for working in this high risk environment.

Fraser Thompson, Pyeroy’s head of flooring services, said: “Our ability to win this and other work has strengthened our position as a leading provider of specialist flooring solutions in the North East.

“Our versatility and expertise ensures that we are among a handful of flooring providers capable of meeting Rio Tinto Alcan’s demanding requirements, which includes a 24/7 emergency call out service.”

Pyeroy has widespread expertise in the provision of specialist floor screeds for all building types. It works in close collaboration with architects, building specifiers and site personnel to ensure the provision of a floor installation in keeping with the individual needs of each project.

This includes bespoke screeding advice and installation services to architects and building engineers to ensure that hard wearing floors are installed meeting the required performance specifications and aesthetic appearance for all factory, production engineering and other industrial premises.

The use of the most appropriate screeds and proven on-site installation skills ensure that long term floor performance requirements are maintained in all working environments.

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Pyeroy has won the £1.5m contract to re-paint one of the country’s oldest railway bridges - the Ouseburn Viaduct located in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The work is part of a £10 million project being undertaken by main contractor Carillion on behalf of Network Rail to strengthen and repair the Grade II viaduct, which carries the East Coast railway line over the Ouseburn Valley.

The viaduct, which towers 108 ft above the River Ouseburn, was constructed in 1839 using laminated timber before being replaced in 1869 with a nine span structure featuring five central wrought iron arches.

This latest contract success for Gateshead-based Pyeroy follows completion of re-painting and refurbishing several other iconic Tyneside bridges – the Tyne Bridge, the lower level Swing Bridge, the QE II Metro Bridge and the High Level Bridge.

It also follows completion of the multi million pound contract to repaint London’s iconic Tower Bridge and Southwark Bridge after three years of work.

Repainting the viaduct is expected to take 10 months and will see a team of Pyeroy contractors grit blast all the ironwork on the 918 ft long structure before final surface preparation and the application of at least three coats of high performance paint coatings to meet Network Rail specifications.

Brendan Fitzsimons, director of Pyeroy’s Infrastructure Services Division, said: “This is another prestigious project demonstrating how we deliver cost effective solutions with unparalleled experience in bridge refurbishment.

“The expertise and knowledge we bring, particularly when working in difficult locations at height, is based on our experience on projects like repainting the Forth Rail Bridge and Tower Bridge among many others.

“This unrivalled experience ensures that we are able to fully appreciate and understand what’s involved and can therefore design and deliver real added value solutions.”

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The painting of the Forth Rail Bridge will come to an end this December after a ten-year marathon project. Traditionally a job that never ends, the project is due to finish ahead of schedule and the iconic structure will not need another coat for at least 20 years.

Pyeroy has been blasting away over 40 layers of paint before repairing the steelwork  and applying a tough new long lasting protective coating. And to mark the occasion, the BBC sent a reporter from the popular tea time One Show to find out what was involved in painting the world’s first ever steel bridge, which spans more than 2,500 m over the Firth of Forth and took seven years to build before being opened in 1890. 

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Welcome to the new edition of ‘Pyeroy Post'

Once again it’s been another busy quarter marked by some spectacular contract wins
and on-going success for Pyeroy. Leading the way is the Marine Services Division, which has won a major contract in the face of some very stiff competition to
deliver a range of support services at Rosyth Dockyard for the Aircraft Carrier Alliance work.

We’re also working hard on sites right across the UK on dozens of other contracts for customers operating in a wide range of industrial sectors. Also, be sure to catch up on the latest from around the Pyeroy offices including news of safety awards, a sponsored cycle ride, the company golf day and the impressive achievements of our young apprentices.

I hope you enjoy ‘Pyeroy Post’ – we’d love to hear from you with news of your own for future issues.

Hugh Pelham

Managing Director

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The vessel used to ferry passengers out to RMS Titanic as she lay anchored off the port of Cherbourg on her ill-fated maiden voyage is undergoing refurbishment using scaffold access containment and protective coatings’ expertise provided by Pyeroy.

The 1,273 ton SS Nomadic steamship (pictured here on the left alongside RMS Titanic), used by the White Star Line as a tender for the liners RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic, has returned to the Harland & Wolff yard in Belfast to undergo a £2 million restoration 100 years after she was constructed there.

Industrial services specialist Pyeroy has enclosed the vessel in a protective sheeted structure while the hull is being repaired, internal sections removed and replaced and a new wooden top deck installed.

This will be followed later this year by the repainting the 67 metre long hull and refurbished superstructure to return the SS Nomadic’s original black and white livery using a special, long lasting protective coating.

Pyeroy won the £150,000 contract in the face of stiff competition because of its cost effective solution to complete the refurbishment programme.

Fraser McAlees, Pyeroy’s regional manager for Northern Ireland, said: “This shows how our extensive marine services expertise can be brought to bear on a unique project to ensure an important historical vessel is restored to its former glory for future generations to enjoy.”

SS Nomadic, along with her sister ship SS Traffic, were based at Cherbourg, France where they ferried passengers to and from the 52,000 ton Titanic and Olympic passenger ships because they were too large to berth in the port.

She then went to serve as a troop carrier during both World Wars before eventually becoming the tender for RMS Queen Elizabeth followed by a conversion into a floating restaurant on the river Seine in Paris. Following this restoration, she will become a visitor attraction located in Belfast’s Hamilton Dock.

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Pyeroy’s presence in the offshore support sector has been further boosted by new work for the Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG), which is completing the new Ensign platform at its Hartlepool yard.

This major access contract was secured by Pyeroy to provide scaffolding as well as powered and rope access services to support the fabrication of a 700 tonnes jacket and 550 tonnes topside module being built for energy operator Centrica.

More than 20 Pyeroy operatives are onsite at the Hartlepool yard providing access systems to enable Heerema engineers to safely and quickly complete work on the 70 metre high structure.

The new 1,250 tonne Seaharvester-type platform will be installed in the new Ensign gas field, which lies 80 km off the Norfolk coast and is scheduled to come on stream during the second half of 2011.

Additional access services to support the platform’s offshore hook-up later this month (July) will also be provided by Pyeroy specialists.

Pyeroy is also providing access to support the hook-up of the Sheringham Shoal Windfarm modules being installed by Statoil in the North Sea just off Harwich. This contract started at the end of May and is due for completion in early September.

Pyeroy’s regional director Jim Anderson said: “Our burgeoning presence in the offshore sector is reflected by this and other contracts where customers appreciate the added value we bring.

“Access services utilising the latest developments in scaffolding and alternative access systems are ensuring we deliver safe, high quality and productive support services to Heerema.”

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Multi-million pound work packages to provide access and protective coating services were among the new contracts driving growth at industrial services company Pyeroy in 2010.

Despite continued difficult trading conditions, the Gateshead-based firm recorded a turnover of £59.5m in 2010 – a 2% increase on 2009 – while pre-tax profits were up by £0.5m to £3.5 m (an increase of almost 17% over the previous year).

Pyeroy’s forward order book also looks healthy with over £120m worth of work secured for the next five years.

The last year has also seen the company boost its health and safety management systems after being been awarded OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation by NQA, covering its head office in Gateshead and network of regional offices and sites.

The latest set of results follow reports of strong performances across all of Pyeroy’s sectors of operation covering marine, construction, industrial and environmental services.

This includes securing more than £14m of new work by the Industrial Services Division after winning a number of major contracts in the UK.

Chemicals manufacturer Fine Organics Ltd awarded a contract which will see Pyeroy operating on-site at its Seal Sands facility on Teesside providing access, insulation and protective coating services as part of a planned maintenance programme.

Elsewhere, work on a £3m contract at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth site to install access scaffolding and clean the coal fired power station was completed.

Pyeroy’s expertise in refurbishing large ships led to further success for the expanding Marine Division, which won £2m worth of work to support contracts for Babcock for the refit of the Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Kent at the Rosyth Royal Dockyard.

Ireland’s electrical instrumentation and data communications engineering contractors, CEI, was also acquired for an undisclosed sum in a move which saw Pyeroy integrate the Cork-based firm’s contracting team into its own operations to improve electrical services to customers throughout Ireland and the UK.

Work is also well advanced on the £100m contract to provide painting and access services for the construction of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers.

Pyeroy formed a 50/50 joint venture with Cape Industrial Services Ltd in 2009 - Ship Support Services Limited - to undertake the work which will last at least eight years and secure dozens of jobs within Scotland, the North East of England and Portsmouth.

Hugh Pelham, managing director of Pyeroy, said: “This is a good set of results despite the continuing economic pressures and we are well placed to see strong growth continue well into the future.

“Our strategy of focusing on providing added value solutions is clearly succeeding and paying dividends as we have continued to win major work across the board cementing our position as a leading provider of specialist industrial services.

“We now have in place a highly skilled and motivated workforce, which together with a continued focus on delivering quality, is seeing us emerge strongly from the some of the worst trading conditions for decades.”

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Pyeroy has been awarded OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation as a result of a detailed independent assessment of its health and safety management systems by NQA at the end of 2010.

The accreditation covers the company’s head office in Gateshead as well as its regional offices and sites across the UK.

This is another important step for Pyeroy as it continues to grow and expand its operations and ensure its management systems comply with the latest European standards.

OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognised assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems.

It provides a framework within which Pyeroy can identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce accidents, meet the requirements of legislation and improve standards of customer service as well as overall company performance.

Areas covered by the assessment included planning for hazard identification, undertaking risk assessments and their control, emergency preparedness and response procedures, operational control and performance measuring, monitoring safety and establishing improvement proceses.

This latest OHSAS 18001 certificate is the latest accreditation achieved by Pyeroy and follows their ISO 9001 award for quality control and ISO 14001 for its environmental management systems.

The company’s quality manager Shirley Haskett said: “This is an important award for us and demonstrates our absolute commitment to improving health and safety standards.

“It’s a significant step, reflecting the strength, professionalism and quality of our team, management systems and expertise.”

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Pyeroy has completed its contract to repaint London’s iconic Tower Bridge after three years of work.

The last stages of the substantial refurbishment project undertaken for the City of London Corporation (at no cost to tax or local rate payers) - the re-painting of the bascule balustrades and underside structure - finished at the end of March and the bridge is now back in full operational mode and open to river traffic.

Pyeroy won the multi-million pound contract after the Corporation decided to refurbish the landmark London structure ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Repainting the bridge will extend its life expectancy for another 25 years and was essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge  for future generations.  

A team of specialist contractors from Pyeroy have been involved on the project since they first erected access scaffolding and environmental containment systems in March 2008.

More than 1,500 tonnes of expendable abrasive were used to blast the structural sections back to their bare metal framework before 22,000 litres of paint was applied to provide six protective layers.

The bridge has been repainted in the red, white and blue colour scheme originally prepared for the Queen’s 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations while 40,000 motorists and pedestrians continued to cross it every day.

During the latter stages of the work a team of specialist abseilers were used to install temporary access gantries to enable the repainting of the two high level walkways to be undertaken.

Brendan Fitzsimons, director of Pyeroy’s Infrastructure Division said: “This has been an extremely prestigious project for us and has gone extremely well - the City of London Corporation are delighted with the new paintwork.

“It has shown our extensive capability in delivering projects of this importance and our ability to work over water and at height. It also reinforces our reputation for quality of work, safety standards and professionalism.”

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Pyeroy’s Marine Division was recently presented with Babcock’s annual Devonport Naval Contractors Safety Award (DNCS).

Pyeroy provides scaffolding access, painting and cleaning services to Babcock for its naval ship and submarine refit programmes and this award recognises that Pyeroy has demonstrated a positive safety culture on Babcock’s site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

Malcolm Irving, Babcock’s safety manager at Devonport said: “Pyeroy have established a track record of working closely with Babcock on safety, readily accepting comment and suggestions for improvement, supporting safety improvement initiatives and sharing experiences gained from working at other sites.

“Pyeroy’s managers demonstrate visible leadership on safety and their workforce are well motivated to meet our safety requirements. They place great importance on protecting Babcock employees working alongside them”.

Pyeroy’s recent safety initiatives have included the introduction of new scaffolding to improve safety whilst working at height and improved safety clips which secure scaffolding during transport to site.

Each of its contractors has been equipped with a new paint safety box, which includes safety tape, signage and advice to encouraged improved working practices. Pyeroy is also sharing best practice with Babcock, driving up standards and improving all round safety levels.

Pyeroy is committed to safety, investing in new initiatives and training to raise standards and reduce accidents. It places strong emphasis on ‘behavioural safety training’, designed to further enhance an already developed safety ethos and encourage people to take more personal responsibility for on-site safety.

Kevon Daymond, Pyeroy’s marine service regional director - South West, said: “This is a great reward for our hard work and I would like to thank all involved for their efforts in helping to reach this mark.

“Customers like Babcock see the value of the safety practices and initiatives we offer, which can help to prevent injuries, improve the long term health of our workforce and avoid on-site accidents from occurring.”

Pyeroy was recently awarded a series of support contracts by Babcock, worth over £2 million, to provide a range of services for the major refit of the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent at its site in Rosyth, Scotland.

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The Industrial Services Division of Gateshead-based Pyeroy has secured more than £14 million of new work after winning a number of major contracts in the UK.

The UK manufacturer of high quality chemicals, Fine Organics Ltd, has awarded a three year framework contract which sees Pyeroy operating on-site at its Seal Sands facility on Teesside providing access, insulation and protective coating services as part of a planned maintenance programme.

The contract, potentially worth £1.5 million, was secured after Pyeroy identified several areas where significant cost savings could be achieved and sees several contractors from the previous industrial services provider transferring across under TUPE regulations.

Elsewhere, work has begun at Rio Tinto Alcan’s Lynemouth site to install access scaffolding and clean the coal fired power station as part of a planned shutdown and maintenance schedule. The contract is worth approximately £3 million.

Pyeroy secured the three year contract after identifying a number of cost savings while ensuring standards of service would be maintained. Upwards of 20 workers will be involved on the project over the next few years, many of whom will be transferring across from the previous contractor under TUPE arrangements.

Pyeroy has also recently secured a £10 million contract to provide access, insulation and painting services for a large industrial site in Scotland.

Siemens, the global engineering and technology company, is also among Pyeroy’s key customers.

The news comes as Pyeroy reports strong performances across all sectors of its operation this year, which also includes marine, construction and environmental services.

Julian Gammage, director of Pyeroy’s Industrial Services Division, said: “Despite tough times, we have maintained growth in the face of strong competition and decreasing margins to secure these very prestigious contracts.

“Our ability to win this and other work has strengthened our position as a leading provider of specialist industrial services.

“We also have a highly trained and dedicated work force in place, which together with a strategy of adding value, is helping us to emerge strongly from the worst recession in decades.”

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Pyeroy has started work on the final stages of repainting Tower Bridge as well as Southwark Bridge.

The last stage of the refurbishment of Tower Bridge for the City of London Corporation follows completion of the two high-level walkways in October that saw Pyeroy using an innovative under slung cradle system to allow full access to the walkways without the need for fixed scaffold, thereby allowing normal traffic flow over the bridge during the day and especially during rush hour periods.

Pyeroy’s site painting team also took advantage of the recent night time maintenance closures of the bridge to carry out early painting work of the lower surfaces of the two bascules not normally accessible.

This additional effort will now ensure that no further disruption of vehicular traffic will occur and will see the final re-painting of the bascule balustrades and sides while they remain fixed in the lowered position until March 2011 - only one footpath will be closed at any one time as Pyeroy’s site team undertake this necessary re-painting work on these elements of the bridge structure.

The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the iconic structure for future generations.  More than 22,000 litres of paint will eventually be used as the bridge is being repainted in its white and blue colour scheme

Over 1,500 tonnes of expendable abrasive is being used to blast the structural sections back to their bare metal framework before full re-painting while 40,000 motorists and pedestrians continue to cross the bridge every day.

Further upstream, Pyeroy has started to repaint the key centre span of Southwark Bridge after completion of the other four steel arches, which are supported by turreted piers.

The bridge is being returned to its original bright colours of yellow and green and the work includes the use of 1,000 tonnes of abrasive to blast the spans back to their metal framework and the application of 13,000 litres of protective paint.

Brendan Fitzsimons, director of Pyeroy’s Infrastructure Division said: “Work on these prestigious projects has gone very well, and the City of London Corporation are happy with progress and the results achieved to date.”

“It shows our extensive capability in delivering projects of this importance and our ability to work over water and at height. It also reinforces our reputation for quality of work, safety standards and professionalism.”

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Pyeroy Limited has been awarded a series of support contracts by Babcock worth over £2 million to provide a range of services for the major refit of the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent over the next 11 months at the Rosyth Royal Dockyard.

The work will see Pyeroy’s Marine Division providing scaffolding access, containment, painting, insulation and cleaning services at the Rosyth Dockyard facility based in East Scotland, where the 133 m long vessel, displacing 4,900 tonnes, has entered one of the large dry-docks to begin her refit.

This is being undertaken for the main refit contractor and dockyard operator, Babcock, and is an essential part of a maintenance programme that will improve the physical coatings throughout the ship as well as all her weapon and machinery systems allowing HMS Kent to re-enter the fleet in a year’s time as a fully capable Royal Navy warship.

This latest set of contracts follows on from a similar series of work packages carried out by Pyeroy on her sister Type 23 frigate, HMS Argyll, which underwent a major refit at Rosyth Royal Dockyard from September 2009 through to July 2010.

The services were an essential part of a multi-million pound maintenance programme to enable the frigate to remain in service for at least another five years, continuing to carry out a number of roles including counter-piracy and counter-terrorism in the Gulf.

A re-dedication ceremony marking HMS Argyll’s return to the operational front line after the £20m upgrade was held at Devonport Naval Base in December last year.

Pyeroy’s site-based team at Rosyth blasted and re-painted the warship’s hull, upper decks and superstructure. A special new protective coating has also been applied below the waterline to prevent the build up of fouling, thereby minimising resistance, improving speed and making the ship more fuel efficient.

The company has also provided a range of similar services at Babcock’s Devonport Royal Dockyard facility in Plymouth, where the large Albion-class amphibious assault warship, HMS Bulwark, recently received a 25,000 litre re-paint as part of an eight-month long £26 million maintenance programme.

This latest work means that Pyeroy’s Marine Division has won over £15 million worth of new contracts in the last two years and now operates in all the UK’s major naval dockyards and shipyards.

Jack Hayton, director of Pyeroy’s Marine Division, said: “These are prestigious contracts and our ongoing success in undertaking these projects for Babcock and the Royal Navy recognises the skills and workmanship of our workforce.”

“The market continues to be extremely challenging with constant pressure on delivery of cost improvements and efficiency, so we are particularly pleased with the relatively strong prospects and market share we have achieved within this sector.”

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Pyeroy has started to apply a long lasting protective coating to the centre span of the wrought iron Blackfriars Railway Bridge as part of its multi-million pound contract to refurbish the 120 year old structure.

London Blackfriars railway station is being completely modernised for passengers, as part of the £6bn congestion-busting Thameslink Programme, and will become the first in the capital to span the River Thames, with a new roof and extended platforms to accommodate 12-carriage trains plus a new entrance constructed on the south bank.

The bridge is also being significantly widened to create more space for passengers, to allow more trains to stop at the station during busy periods and to cater for the construction of terminating bay platforms on its western side.

The widening of the western side is being achieved through the addition of three rows of rib arches to the outer sides of the existing five span bridge structure.

The Network Rail project is being designed by Jacobs and Tony Gee & Partners, with construction being undertaken by Balfour Beatty.

Pyeroy Ltd has enjoyed a long working relationship with Balfour Beatty and was awarded the major support contract for the provision of scaffolding, painting and steelwork repairs on this major refurbishment project.

Over 400 tonnes of scaffold stock have been delivered and erected on this project so far by the Pyeroy Site Team which numbers over 30 operatives.

Site storage space is at a premium and deliveries have to be carefully planned outside the rush hour periods to minimise traffic disruption in the area. Work is being carried out with dozens of trains crossing every hour as well as accommodating river traffic travelling under the bridge.

Brendan Fitzsimons, director of Pyeroy’s Infrastructure Division said: “Work on this prestigious project has gone very well, and Balfour Beatty is very happy with the results to date, reinforced by the award of additional significant work.”

“It shows our extensive capability in delivering projects of this importance and our ability to work over water and at height. It also reinforces our reputation for quality of work, safety standards and professionalism.”

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Expanding industrial services group Pyeroy has acquired the Cork-based electrical instrumentation and data communications engineering contractors, CEI, for an undisclosed sum.

The move will see Pyeroy integrate CEI’s expertise and team of skilled industrial contractors into its own operations, enabling Pyeroy to provide electrical services to customers throughout Ireland and the UK.

CEI was established in 1988 and has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading electrical engineering and communications companies with a current turnover of £3 million. The company has worked for GlaxoSmithKline for over 20 years.

The company works across industrial and commercial sectors with customers also including Pfizer and Pepsi, providing electrical and instrumentation construction and commissioning services.

CEI’s managing director, Derek Byrne, has been appointed as board director of Pyeroy and will be responsible for all its operations in Ireland. Pyeroy’s managing director Hugh Pelham said: “This is a key strategic acquisition for us in an important geographical market.

“CEI is a well established business and the new arrangements will enhance the range of services available from Pyeroy in the Ireland and the UK industrial services market.”

Derek Byrne, CEI’s managing director, who has over 20 years experience in the industrial environment, said: “We’re delighted with the acquisition as it provides us with the ability to supply a range of alternative solutions to customers in difficult economic times.”

Pyeroy has also acquired the scaffolding assets along with several running contracts from failed Stockton-on-Tees firm, Spectrum Access Ltd. The move will enable Pyeroy, who bought the assets from the receivers Tait Walker to boost its access and scaffolding capacity while also taking on and supporting the contracts for Spectrum’s clients at short notice.

This acquisition will be used to add support to several private and public sector contracts being undertaken in the North East and across the UK, including the refitting of Royal Navy vessels and the construction of new ones like the next generation of aircraft carriers currently being built at yards around the UK.

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Industrial services specialist Pyeroy has invested £250,000 in a new HAKITEC 750 weather protection system to improve its services to marine customers.

The move will enable the fast growing Gateshead-based firm to increase its capacity to support the refitting of Royal Navy vessels and the construction of new ones like the next generation of aircraft carriers currently being built at yards around the UK.

The HAKITEC system will enable Pyeroy to span much wider areas to provide improved access and protection for its teams of contractors, ensuring projects can be completed easier and quicker. 

Part of the latest investment included some specially designed and manufactured components enabling Pyeroy to overcome some of the more complex areas of the vessels.

The new equipment will used on the multi-million pound contract to provide specialist coatings for the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers where it will be used to span the 70 m wide flight decks - twice the width of the existing Invincible class aircraft carriers.

Pyeroy is the UK market leader in the provision of specialist protective coatings within the marine sector, and has extensive experience in undertaking large Royal Navy projects having undertaken in excess of £100m of contracts over the last seven years to a multitude of vessels including the three present aircraft carriers: HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Invincible.

Jack Hayton, director of Pyeroy’s Marine Division, said: “We are working on many contracts and our ongoing success in undertaking these projects for the Royal Navy recognises the skills and workmanship of our workforce.

“So, we have made the investment in new HAKITEC equipment to ensure our shipyard operations are capable of meeting existing and future customer requirements and delivering high standards of service.”

HAKI is the European marketing leader in weather protection and containment systems and, in addition to manufacturing its own products, provides training and engineering support to Pyeroy.

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Industrial services specialists Pyeroy Ltd has secured a £600,000 contract to refurbish the Beauly Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands.

The contract will see Pyeroy engineers erect a combination of bird cage and suspended access scaffolding over a plan area of some 1300 sq m followed by shot blasting and repainting of the 150 metre long steel superstructure, which carries the Inverness to Wick railway over the River Beauly.

The work is expected to take six months to complete and is being carried out for main contractor TRAC Engineering Ltd, which is undertaking the maintenance and engineering work for Network Rail.

This will see the strengthening of the viaduct’s main lattice girders over the river span and associated steelwork repairs alongside the repainting work.

The Inverness and Ross-shire railway originally crossed the River Beauly on a timber bridge which was replaced by the current structure in 1909.

Pyeroy’s Rosyth-based infrastructure director Alex Brown said: “We won this contract because we offered the most cost effective solution together with unparalleled experience in bridge refurbishment”.

“The expertise and knowledge we bring, particularly when working over water, is based on working on major projects like the Forth Rail Bridge and Tower Bridge among others.

“This ensures that we are able to fully appreciate and understand what’s involved and can therefore design and deliver real added value solutions.”

Pyeroy  has also refurbished the High Level Bridge, which carries an upper rail deck with a lower road deck beneath across the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead and is working on a £6 million contract to refurbish London’s 120 year old Blackfriars Railway Bridge for main contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of Network Rail.

Pyeroy holds accreditation with Achilles Link-up, including Audit, and also complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001, BS EN ISO 14001 and OHSA 18001 and uses SHEQ management methods to develop these systems further through a process of continual improvement and audit.

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Ship Support Services Limited (SSSL), a joint venture between Cape Industrial Services Limited and Pyeroy Limited, has started work on the largest ever Royal Navy paint job.

Erection of access scaffold and the application of specialist high performance marine coatings has started on the first sections of the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers to be manufactured.

More than 1.5 million sq m of paintwork will be completed by the time the first vessel HMS Queen Elizabeth enters service in six years time – more than enough to cover the 350 acres of London’s Hyde Park.

The work is being undertaken at six ship yards around the UK: Rosyth in Fife, Merseyside, Tyneside, Glasgow, Portsmouth and Appledore in North Devon and sees the painting of bulkheads, engine and machinery spaces, decks and keel sections of the carrier with specially development protective coatings.

Once applied, the specialist coatings are expected to protect steelwork against the ravages of sea and weather for over 10 years.

SSSL has signed a multi-million pound contract with BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd to provide access and specialist coatings services.

Cape will be providing access services, while Pyeroy Limited will undertake blasting, specialist containment and coatings application on what will be the largest and most powerful warships ever to set sail for the Royal Navy.

The contract, which is expected to last nine years and will create and sustain hundreds of jobs at key naval yards throughout the United Kingdom, will generate revenues for the joint venture company in excess of £100 million, in which both Cape Industrial Services Limited and Pyeroy Limited have an equal stake.

The integration of the vessels will take place at Rosyth in Scotland and significant dock modifications have been completed to accommodate both ships, with the first sections of Ship one expected to arrive in summer 2011.

The first ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth will enter service in 2016.

Carrier facts
• Displacement: 65,000 tonnes - over three times the size of the existing aircraft carriers
• Length: 280m - 90m longer than the existing aircraft carriers
• Width: 70m - twice the width of the existing aircraft carriers
• Range: 8,000 to 10,000 nautical miles (15,000 to 18,500 kilometres)
• 56m from keel to masthead - 6m taller than Nelson's Column
• Four acres (16,000 square metres) of sovereign territory provided by each ship
• Capacity for 40 aircraft - double that of the existing aircraft carriers
• 110MW power station on board each ship - enough to meet the entire power requirements of Portsea Island
• 80,000 tonnes of steel is on order for the two ships - three times the volume used in Wembley Stadium.

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Pyeroy has started work on the penultimate stage of repainting London’s iconic Tower Bridge. Repainting the high-level walkways will take approximately five months to complete and will be carried out seven days a week.

Pyeroy has constructed a temporary access staircase on the south east tower, which will be used by the contractors during the restoration of the walkways.

Two 12.0 x 7.5 metre cradles have been attached to the underside of the eastern walkway which will be transferred to the western walkway in early September and dismantled in late October.

The Port of London Authority by-laws require that a bundle of straw by day and a white light by night to be suspended from the bridge to alert marine craft passing under the bridge to the reduced headroom.

Originally it was expected that two extended closures of Tower Bridge - one for two months and one for three months - would be required in order to complete these works.

However, the City of London Corporation has worked with Transport for London, the Port of London Authority, the Local Councils and painting contractor Pyeroy to ensure this has been reduced to 36 night time closures.

The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations.

Pyeroy won the multi-million pound contract in 2008 after the City of London Corporation decided to refurbish landmark structures and other key gateways ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Brendan Fitzsimons, director of Pyeroy’s Infrastructure Division said: “Tower Bridge is a prestigious project, which has gone very well, and the City of London Corporation is very happy with the results to date.

“It shows our extensive experience in undertaking projects of this importance as well as a reputation for quality of work, safety standards and professionalism.”

City surveyor Peter Bennett said: "We are at the end of our three-year programme to re-paint Tower Bridge.

"It is vital to ensure this important London landmark, built in 1894, stays in good working order for decades to come – for all of us to use and enjoy.

"We have been working very closely with Transport for London in particular to ensure the refurbishment is undertaken with as little disruption to local residents and traffic."

The overnight closures will take place between 11pm and 5am and will be completed by November.

The closures have been scheduled to avoid any planned closures to Rotherhithe Tunnel, London Bridge and Southwark Bridge, as well as the forthcoming weekend closures of the Blackwall Tunnel.

Some key facts about the contract:

• 22,000 litres of paint will be used
• Tower Bridge is being repainted in its red, white and blue colour scheme
• Pyeroy will use a revolutionary new paint system, which is designed to last for 25 years, with a top-up every 12 years
• 1,500 tonnes of expendable abrasive will be used to blast the bridges back to its metal framework before repainting
• 40,000 motorists and pedestrians cross Tower Bridge every day

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A team of specialist abseilers from industrial services specialist Pyeroy have attached the gantry suspension brackets to the underside of the walkways on Tower Bridge prior to installing the temporary access gantries.

The repainting of the high-level walkways will take approximately five months to complete and work will be carried out seven days a week. Night-time closures will take place between 11pm and 5am.

The new paintwork, which has a life expectancy of 25 years, is essential to protect the steelwork and preserve the bridge for future generations.

Pyeroy won the multi-million pound contract in 2008 after the City of London Corporation decided to refurbish landmark structures and other key gateways ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Some key facts about the contract:

• 22,000 litres of paint will be used
• Tower Bridge is being repainted in its red, white and blue colour scheme
• Pyeroy will use a revolutionary new paint system, which is designed to last for 25 years, with a top-up every 12 years
• 1,500 tonnes of expendable abrasive will be used to blast the bridges back to its metal framework before repainting
• 40,000 motorists and pedestrians cross Tower Bridge every day

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Industrial services group Pyeroy is investing in its future with a six figure commitment to training, apprentices and staff development programmes.

The company has earmarked a budget of over £300,000 this year for the recruitment of new apprentices and a company-wide training programme aimed at equipping its workforce with the skills and expertise needed to grow the business even further.

Already the company has taken on six new apprentice scaffolders from the North East for work on projects around the country and now four modern apprentices have also been recruited at its Rosyth dockyard base, with two further trainees joining by the end of the year.

The four new 18 year-old apprentices at Rosyth will train in marine, industrial and construction sector painting and decorating for the next four years.

Working in collaboration with the local Carnegie College in Dunfermiline, the apprentices will combine on-site experience in the dockyard with college based tuition to complete the enhanced SVQ Level 3 Painting and Decorating course.

While in the dockyard the apprentices join Pyeroy’s 200 strong workforce and will gain experience on some of the company’s most prestigious marine painting contracts with work underway on HMS Illustrious, HMS Argyle and HMS Blyth currently underway.

Alongside the new Pyeroy modern apprenticeship programme the company is also involved in an internal programme to further develop the skills and knowledge of company managers and operatives.

In addition various courses and programmes are being made available to Pyeroy project managers on issues such as contract law, employment law and similar matters.

Hugh Pelham, Pyeroy Managing Director, said: “We recognise that our people are this company’s biggest asset and we are taking significant steps to ensure that they have all the knowledge and understanding they need to be able to perform effectively.

“We are also delighted to be able to give young people new opportunities and hope that they will be able to build a successful career with us.”

Pyeroy recently announced a 7% increase in turnover during 2009 to £58 million with strong performances across all sectors of its operations, which include marine, construction, industrial and environmental services.

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Gateshead’s Pyeroy Ltd, a leading supplier of industrial services to the chemical, petrochemical, energy, marine, infrastructure and construction services sector, has won a new £2.5 million contract with a major global client. 

The contract, with Huntsman, a worldwide manufacturer of commodity and differentiated chemicals, sees the Gateshead-based firm extending further its fabric maintenance services work.

Pyeroy is integrating its fabric maintenance services into its management organisation within the Industrial Services division located in the North East. 

This latest contract is for an initial three year period with a two year option and is with Huntsman’s Polyurethanes manufacturing plant at the Wilton Integrated Chemical Park on Teesside. 

The plant produces Aniline and Mononitrobenzene and is the largest of its type in the world. 

Pyeroy is responsible for the delivery of multi discipline services, including access provision, thermal insulation, industrial coatings, fire protection and standby at Huntsman Polyurethanes.

The contract builds on previous contracts awarded to Pyeroy by Huntsman in the North East at Huntsman’s titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing facility at Greatham.

Duncan Peel, Huntsman Polyurethanes engineering manager, said: "We are delighted at the prospect of working with Pyeroy and developing a good teamwork philosophy between them and ourselves." 

Hugh Pelham, managing director of Pyeroy, said: "We are delighted to have secured a third contract with Huntsman, reflecting our expertise in providing an integrated bundled services’ proposition which was compelling for Huntsman.”

The Pyeroy Group is based in Gateshead and employs 1000 people working on industrial, construction and marine projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

The company provides a range of industrial services, which comprise contract scaffolding and equipment hire, surface preparation and application of marine/industrial protective coatings, insulation, civil engineering / building works and environmental management services such as asbestos removal.

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New multi-million pound work packages to repaint navy warships, bridges and railway stations were among the many contracts propelling industrial services company Pyeroy to continued growth over the last year.

Despite tough trading conditions, the Gateshead based firm had sales of £58m in 2009 - 7% up on the previous year.

The company’s forward order book has also increased from £50m in December 2008 to £125m at the end of 2009. Margins have been affected by current economic conditions and as a result pre-tax profits at £3m were lower than in 2008.

Safety standards have been maintain and improved with an accident frequency rate of only 0.1 accidents per 100,000 hours worked representing over a 100% reduction compared to 2008.

The news comes as Pyeroy reported strong performances across all sectors of its operation, which includes marine, construction, industrial and environmental services.

Completion of a £6 million contract to provide insulation, scaffolding and mechanical services at the £380 million new build Marchwood power station in Southampton was one of several projects the firm was involved with for major national clients involved in infrastructure and utilities.

Others include a £2 million contract to provide specialist re-painting services as part of the refurbishment of London’s Victoria Railway Station.

Three contracts, worth several million pounds, have been won from Teesside-based commodity and differentiated chemicals company, Huntsman. 

The work there is expected to last for the next three years and sees the delivery of building and civil works alongside ongoing fabric maintenance across the site to maintain the integrity of both the buildings and plant.  

Pyeroy’s expertise in refurbishing large ships has led to further success for the expanding Marine Division which has won contracts to provide scaffolding and painting services on a number of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels at yards around the UK including Babcock Marine at Devonport and Rosyth Dockyards as well as Cammell Laird at Birkenhead.

In December 2009, Ship Support Services Limited (a 50/50 joint venture between Cape Industrial Services Ltd and Pyeroy Limited) secured a £100m contract to provide painting and access services for the construction of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers.

Work is now underway on the contract with 100 staff and operatives. The work is likely to last 8 years and will create or maintain hundreds of jobs within Scotland, the North East of England and Portsmouth.

Hugh Pelham said: “This is a positive set of results given the current economic climate and the outlook for the next 12 months looks good”

“Despite hard times, we have maintained growth in the face of strong competition and decreasing margins to emerge with a healthy order book.

“Our ability to win major contracts in the marine, rail and industrial sectors has strengthened our position as a leading provider of specialist industrial services.

“We also have a highly trained and dedicated work force in place, which together with a strategy of adding value, sees us well placed to emerge strongly from the worst recession in decades.”

The Pyeroy Group is based in Gateshead and employs 1000 people working on industrial, construction and marine projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

The company provides a range of industrial services, which comprise contract scaffolding and equipment hire, surface preparation and application of marine/industrial protective coatings, insulation, civil engineering/building works and environmental management services such as asbestos removal.

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Pyeroy founder Bob Thompson’s commitment to the North East and contribution to building a market leading company has been recognised by the region’s business community.

He has been presented with The Lifetime Achievement award at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum gala dinner following its annual business conference at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

The Forum’s annual awards recognise the cream of the region’s business talent. Mark Hatton, senior partner of Ernst & Young, who presented Bob with his award said he was a true Geordie patriot, and added:

“Bob has been in business almost 40 years and his business is recognised as the best in its class, doing fantastic work across the UK. He is highly astute, fiercely loyal, fantastic company and is Magpies’ mad.”

Surrounded by more than 300 of the region’s top entrepreneurs and their guests, Bob said he was ‘humbly embarrassed’ and that his success was down to the people who have worked for him over the years.

Bob started Pyeroy in 1973 and over the years has seen the company rise from humble beginnings to become one of the foremost protective coatings and industrial services’ specialists in the UK.

Today, the company has contracts to paint some of the biggest warships the navy has ever built and iconic bridges like Tower Bridge and the Forth Rail Bridge

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A 21-year-old apprentice scaffolder from Hebburn is scaling new heights on one of the world’s most famous bridges thanks to Gateshead industrial services firm Pyeroy.

Ryan Wade has been recruited by Pyeroy for its apprenticeship scheme to be trained in the latest scaffolding skills and techniques.

He is already working on several Pyeroy contracts, including London’s historic Tower Bridge where he is part of a team erecting access scaffolding to enable repainting work to be undertaken as part of a multi-million pound refurbishment scheme.

Ryan is one of six local youngsters who have been recruited as apprentices to enable Pyeroy to the meet the demand for highly skilled scaffolders.

Anth Lewis, 21, from Mackley, Jack Howell, 16, from Washington, Daniel Knight, 22, from South Shields, Joel Williams, 21, from Gateshead and 23-year-old Chris Bell from Wallsend are also being trained to join the company’s skilled workforce.

The apprentices will gain first-hand experience working on various construction projects the company is involved with including Northern Rock’s new headquarters building in Gosforth.

Practical experience will be supplemented by studies at Newcastle College where the six will be aiming to gain their Scaffolding Basic (Part 1 and Part 2) awards.

Pyeroy will also be recruiting two more apprentices in Scotland as it aims to expand its workforce there to handle several ship refurbishment contracts at the Rosyth Dockyard among other projects.

Pyeroy’s regional director Lindsay Harle said Pyeroy currently employs upwards of 300 scaffolders depending on workload and demand.

He added: “Pyeroy is committed to having a highly skilled workforce to meet customer requirements.

“To achieve this we have a policy of recruiting competent and enthusiastic apprentices, so I real look forward to Ryan and his colleagues having a successful career with Pyeroy.”

Ryan Wade said: “I’m learning some really good skills and enjoying working on some really big projects.

“Helping to put up the scaffolding on Tower Bridge - one of the most famous bridges in the world - has been very rewarding and something I’ll not forget.”

The Pyeroy Group is based in Gateshead and employs 1000 people working on industrial, construction and marine projects throughout the UK and Ireland.

The company provides a range of industrial services, which comprise contract scaffolding and equipment hire, surface preparation and application of marine/industrial protective coatings, insulation, civil engineering / building works and environmental management services such as asbestos removal.

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Railway infrastructure refurbishment requires specialist expertise, skills and an effective project management capability, says Brendan Fitzsimons, director at Gateshead based Pyeroy, which has extensive experience in undertaking projects throughout the railway sector.  Here, he looks at what’s involved and highlights some of the key projects his company has completed.

Applying protective coatings to railway structures like bridges requires highly skilled and adept teams of engineers, technicians and craftsmen to ensure the painting requirements of the most demanding projects, however large or technically complex, are delivered on time.

The use of turnkey management solutions, which can include pre-survey work, coating specification, grit blasting or UHP water jetting, surface preparation and the application of high quality coating systems, is recommended best practice as it provides clients with clear benefits in project planning, control and cost effectiveness, while quality and contract monitoring systems ensure projects are completed on time.

It’s also important to consider a contractor’s expertise in anti-corrosion techniques and experience of working at height over water. This can have a major bearing on the how well a project is completed and, if not properly addressed, can have implications in terms of project overruns and health and safety issues. 

For instance, working over water creates difficulties - the movement of materials is reliant on barge or rail and ensures there is very little mechanical assistance with set-up, access and movement, making the process labour intensive. These factors, together with the need to liaise closely with rail operators and other contractors, make the work extremely challenging and logistically complex.

Pyeroy’s list of successful projects includes ongoing work on what is probably the most famous re-painting job in the world – the Forth Rail Bridge, with its 54,000 tons of steel held together by 6.5 million rivets, all of which need to be painted by hand. The company’s contract is part of a ten year rolling civil engineering and structural refurbishment programme being undertaken by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Network Rail and the complex work involves the repainting of southern sections of the bridge where more than 30,000 metres of the major tubular beams and structural steelwork on both the South Queensferry and Inchgarvie cantilever sections are being repainted. Specific requirements include the abrasive blasting of the structure to SA 2½ standard and the application of primer (50um), glass flake (400um normal/800um splash zone) and polyurethane (50um) coatings.

The success of Pyeroy’s strategic partnership with Balfour Beatty and quality of work was reflected when it was awarded a further long term contract for ongoing painting work – a move that broke with the previous custom of awarding contracts on an annual basis.

Part of Pyeroy’s growing success in gaining more railway work is its ability to provide single source refurbishment solutions by linking painting services with the provision of scaffolding, containment, structural repairs and traffic management. The advantages of this for clients are obvious - linking re-painting with the supply of ancillary services such as scaffolding streamlines the supply chain allowing more efficient control in terms of project planning and cost.

The success of this single source approach is reflected in the work Pyeroy did on refurbishing the High Level Bridge,  a six-span, cast iron tied arch bridge which carries an upper rail deck with a lower road deck beneath across the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead.

There Pyeroy, who undertook the work for main contractor May Gurney, provided all scaffolding, access and containment systems as well as carrying out the repainting. The work involved removing 30 layers of paint from the cast iron beams, columns, balustrades and drainage gullies before returning the bridge to its original light brown colour scheme. It was undertaken as part of May Gurney’s replacement of the old timber decking beneath the conventional tarmac road surface for Newcastle City Council.

The contract involved blasting, surface preparation, the addition of a weldable primer coat (to facilitate on-site metalwork repairs) and finishing with three coats of high performance coatings to Network Rail specifications. Specialist anti-corrosive coatings are also being spray applied to areas inside hollow columns and other bridge areas.

In London Pyeroy is working on a £6 million contract to refurbish London’s 120 year old Blackfriars Railway Bridge for main contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of Network Rail.The refurbishment work is being carried out as part of the Thameslink Programme to extend the station’s platforms across the Thames and sees Pyeroy providing scaffolding and steelwork support ahead of applying a new long last protective coating to the wrought iron bridge.

Pyeroy’s railway expertise does not only cover bridges but extends to stations. Also in London, it is a partner in a project to refurbish Victoria Station, a Grade II listed hub railway station which caters for around 350,000 pedestrians passing through on a daily basis. Pyeroy specialists are repainting the roof and lower level canopies for main contractor May Gurney on behalf of Network Rail.

The full programme of work, which is being undertaken while the busy station remains open and includes providing encapsulation of the scaffold systems and abrasive blast cleaning of the arched roof trusses, includes the application of a new coatings system comprising epoxy primer, glass flake epoxy hi-build and urethane acrylic topcoat to provide extended protection of the roof structure over a 25 year period.

In summary, the work associated with protecting against the effects of corrosion is never straightforward and the answer lies in finding optimal solutions which combine coating performance with cost, minimal disruption to transport networks and safety of personnel. So developing effective refurbishment and maintenance programmes with a partner like Pyeroy, which has the requisite skills and experience, can only be an advantage in the ongoing, long term protection of assets.

Pyeroy holds accreditation with Achilles Link-up, including Audit, and also complies with the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001, BS EN ISO 14001 and OHSA 18001 and uses SHEQ management methods to develop these systems further through a process of continual improvement and audit.

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Ship Support Services, a joint venture between Cape Industrial Services Limited and Pyeroy Limited, has signed a multi-million pound contract to provide access and specialist coatings services for the Royal Navy’s new generation of aircraft carriers.

Cape Industrial Services limited will be providing multi user access services, whilst Pyeroy Limited will undertake blasting, specialist containment and coatings application, to what will be the largest and most powerful warships ever to set sail for the Royal Navy.

The contract has been awarded by BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited and will generate revenues for the joint venture company in excess of £100 million, in which both Cape Industrial Services Limited and Pyeroy Limited have an equal stake.

Preparatory work has already started on the contract, which is expected to last nine years and will create and sustain hundreds of jobs at key naval yards throughout the United Kingdom.

The integration of the vessels will take place at Rosyth in Scotland and significant dock modifications have been completed to accommodate both ships, with the first sections of Ship one expected to arrive in August 2011.

The first ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in 2016 with the second, HMS Prince of Wales, following in 2018.

The managing director of Ship Support Services Limited and Pyeroy Group Limited, Hugh Pelham said: “Securing this contract represents the culmination of over two years of planning and detailed contract negotiations, and is fantastic news for Ship Support Services, Pyeroy and Cape.

“Our collective experience in the marine sector is second to none, and we look forward with confidence to working on the largest ships ever constructed by the Royal Navy.”

Martin May, CEO of Cape PLC added: “Cape are delighted to receive this prestigious contract award, and look forward to working closely with our partner in delivering a safe and successful project, supporting the future fleet defence strategy.”

Pyeroy is the UK market leader in the provision of specialist protective coatings within the marine sector, and has extensive experience in undertaking large Royal Navy projects having undertaken in excess of £100m of contracts over the last seven years to a multitude of vessels including the three present aircraft carriers: HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious and HMS Invincible.

Cape are the international market leader in the provision of essential industrial services to the energy, natural resources sectors, whilst having a rich history working within the military marine environment spanning some 35 years.

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 Pyeroy has been awarded a £2 million contract to provide specialist re-painting services as part of the refurbishment of London’s Victoria Railway Station.

Pyeroy will be responsible for the re-painting of the roof and lower level canopies for main contractor May Gurney on behalf of Network Rail.

The full programme will include the replacement of existing roof coverings, significant steelwork repairs and associated M&E system upgrades.

The area to be re-roofed covers eight platforms, major communication boards, an entrance to London Underground, and many concessionary outlets and major retail units.

The busy station will remain open during the work and Pyeroy’s involvement will see the Gateshead-based firm’s infrastructure services division providing encapsulation of the scaffold systems and abrasive blast cleaning of the arched roof trusses.

This will be followed by the application of a new coatings system comprising epoxy primer, glass flake epoxy hi-build and urethane acrylic topcoat. The new system will provide extended protection of the roof structure over a 25 year period.

The work is expected to begin soon with completion scheduled for February 2010.

Victoria Station is a Grade II listed hub railway station and has around 350,000 pedestrians passing through on a daily basis.

Created by the combination of two stations serving the former London Brighton South Coast (LBSCR) and South East and Chatham (SECR) railways it has undergone a number of extensions and modifications over the years.

The work to be carried out at Victoria by Pyeroy follows the company’s recent success in winning an extensive refurbishment contract on Blackfriars Bridge for Balfour Beatty and Network Rail, as well as undertaking considerable repainting works on Tower Bridge and Southwark Bridge for the City of London Corporation.

As well as the range of services provided by its infrastructure division, Pyeroy carries out work in a range of other sectors.

These include marine (painting and re-fit of naval and commercial ships), industrial (power stations, pharmaceutical plants, chemical plants, refineries) and construction (commercial, residential development and environmental services) sectors.

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Pyeroy Ltd, the provider of industrial services to the chemical, petrochemical, energy, marine, infrastructure and construction services sector, has won a multi-discipline maintenance services contract with a major global client.

The new contract, which is expected to be earnings enhancing from inception, is with Huntsman Ltd, a global manufacturer and marketer of commodity and differentiated chemicals.

The contract is for an initial two and a half year period with a further two-year option and builds on the company’s ongoing strategy of expanding its market share of long-term industrial maintenance contracts.

Pyeroy will take up a management role within the maintenance services team at Huntsman's Tioxide site at Greatham in the North East of England.

The Gateshead-based firm will be responsible for the delivery of multi-disciplined services including, but not limited to, access provision, thermal insulation and industrial coatings across the facility.

Hugh Pelham, managing director of Pyeroy, said: “The safety and innovative working methods proposed to Huntsman was a significant factor in winning this contract.”

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Pyeroy has renewed its contract to manage the post-fabrication painting and finishing activities at a leading manufacturer of offshore engineering structures.

It also includes the application of insulation materials by specialist mould and injection techniques used to keep the structure at specific temperatures and minimising heat loss.

Pyeroy has been operating the paint shop activities at the Dunfermline, Scotland engineering and manufacturing plant of FMC Kongsberg Subsea for the last three years and now, after considerable investment in equipment and training, will now continue to do so.

Responsibility for managing FMC’s in-house painting and finishing operations has been Pyeroy’s since 2005. This involves both shot and bead blast chambers, spray painting facilities and systems, a PTFE coatings facility and an insulation area. It also advises on paint shop equipment purchases, COSHH compliance and QA inspection.

Permanent on-site staff, supported by additional skilled resources for particular projects or production increases, will continue to be provided. Since FMC’s products are destined for in the main for the Norwegian sector of the North Sea oilfield, all paintwork is undertaken in full compliance with NORSOK standards.

Industrial services divisional director Brendan Fitzsimons said: “This prestigious contract relies on the substantial technical expertise we provide. We’re supporting FMC as it moves ahead in a competitive market with a high level of quality and service.”

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