Eyes on the prize

Rock is Construction News Awards 2012 finalist

The Oscars may boast more glitz, and the BRITs may grab more headlines. But in our line of work, the Construction News Awards remains the biggest show in town. Which is why we are extremely pleased to announce that Rock has been named a finalist in the Specialist Contractor category in the Construction News Awards 2012.

These illustrious awards are a source of great prestige for any successful recipient. Becoming a finalist in this category is quite an achievement in itself, as each year sees many outstanding submissions from specialist contractors who are recognised leaders in their particular field. Rock clearly impressed the Awards panel, comprised of a number of renowned figures in the world of construction. Our submission detailed the transformation of our business, in part by driving innovation to create value, which has led to Rock becoming the first choice specialist roofing contractor for some of the biggest names in the industry.

The next stage will see us engage with the Construction News Awards judges in what will be a very rigorous face-to-face interview. It may seem daunting, but we are confident that our submission team will make a powerful and well-argued case for Rock. The winners will be announced on Tuesday 10 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane. Here’s hoping that Rock will discomfit our fellow nominees by taking home a little new silverware. If so, we’re sure to give it pride of place.

New Rock faces

Although the prolonged economic downturn has seen many in our industry struggle, Rock has continued to steadily grow. Importantly, this has been controlled growth, made possible by the careful reengineering of our business over the last three years. To meet our vision for future growth we are currently in the phase of expanding our team of professionals and have, in recent months, recruited 20 new full-time staff across the UK – a combination of young graduates and experienced site managers.

Since becoming managing director of Rock, John Walsh and his board level colleagues have focused on building Rock into an organisation which will support the kind of growth we are currently experiencing. “To prepare Rock for what might come,” John explains, “we implemented a strategic planning process which would ensure sustained and controlled growth. Effective monitoring, analysis and shrewd decision-making are all key, and have helped us recognise that this is the right moment to bring a significant number of fresh, highly qualified staff on board. I am very much looking forward to working with all of Rock’s new people across the UK.”

Kingspan joint initiative

Rock is scrupulous in implementing our comprehensive site waste management plan. Not only have we significantly reduced the quantity of waste material on site, but of the modicum of waste that is inevitably generated, 94% is recycled. Impressive as this figure is, there’ll be no rest until we meet our stated target of zero waste to landfill by 20 December 2012.

Now we come a step closer to realising this ambition, through our close involvement with education sector schemes in Birmingham, the site of the UK’s largest urban Building Schools for the Future project. There we have been able to take advantage of a service launched by our partner Kingspan Insulation, who will take back waste insulation materials and associated packaging from construction sites. As it is largely insulation board and panel offcuts which have proved an obstacle for Rock in achieving zero waste, Kingspan’s initiative is very welcome.

Undamaged insulation boards are earmarked for reuse, while the remainder are broken down into their constituent parts to manufacture new boards or are transformed into packaging materials. While Rock continue to work on the Birmingham schools programme, our partnership with Kingspan is helping make each project that much more sustainable.

Net Gains

Rock sponsors netball team

We can’t claim that fans of Formula One are likely to see a car bearing the Rock logo tearing round the streets of Monaco. And it may be some time before a Premier League squad has a home ground called the Rock Stadium. But as we do have a competitive streak, we are very proud to sponsor a group of dedicated sportswomen out on the netball court. So let’s hear it for Team Rock!

Team Rock plays in the Reading & District Netball League (RDNL) and the Berkshire Premier League. What they lack in newspaper headlines and huge transfer fees they more than make up for in passion, drive and team spirit – everything, in fact, that makes the game worth playing.

Last year Team Rock were runners-up at the national open tournament held annually in Bream Sands, and were promoted from Berkshire premier league Division 2 to Division 1. “We were also the winners of a recent tournament organised by the Army,” team member Elaine Harris told us, “beating the Army A, B and C teams made up of personnel who had flown in from as far as Germany and Cyprus for the occasion.”

Since October 2011 the ladies have been sporting their new black and white Team Rock kit, emblazoned with the Rock logo. But has it helped their form on the court? “We are currently sitting in fourth place in both the Reading and the Berkshire leagues,” revealed Elaine. “We love the new kit, and Rock’s support has given us a real boost. We’re driving for a strong finish to the season because, as always, top of the table is our ultimate goal.”

We wish Team Rock all the best. More details can be found by following this link.

Extending Rock’s reach throughout Scotland

John McGreavey

In January 2012 Rock appointed John McGrevey as its business development manager in Scotland to help maximise opportunities in the north of the UK. A respected industry figure in Scotland, John held the position of senior contract manager at W F Price Roofing before joining Grainger Building Services Ltd. His many years as Grainger’s contract director saw him gain vast experience and an excellent reputation on projects throughout Scotland, Ireland and the north of England. Based in Cambuslang, just southeast of Glasgow, John’s current mission is to bring Rock’s waterproofing technology and renewable energy systems to a larger UK market.

“In Scotland we are focussing on winning contracts that cover all aspects of cladding and roof finishes,” says John. “The pace is already quickening, and while looking after the contracting side I’ve found myself involved in every area, which can include producing site sketches. Establishing a firm foothold, where we are competing against more established contractors in this region, is the kind of challenge I relish. Already we have had considerable success in the education sector, with two significant projects for Miller Construction that include the Garthdee campus masterplan for Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. With the skill, experience and quality of service that we are known for, I see no reason why Rock cannot become the market leader here that it already is further south.”

To contact John McGrevey, please call 020 8956 2473 or email jmcgrevey@wearerock.co.uk

Bridging the skills gap with Rock’s apprentice programme

Rock’s apprentice programme is central to our strategy for future growth. On the one hand, it ensures that the skills of our workforce are renewed and extended for many years to come. On the other, it helps raise standards in general throughout our industry, and demonstrates our willingness to creating employment opportunities in areas neighbouring many of our projects.

Rock has been closely involved on a number of schemes in the West Midlands in partnership with Lend Lease, and in the London Borough of Southwark with Mace and Costain. The local authorities in each have specified the use of local labour and apprentices in their respective areas – an initiative which Rock fully supports. To this end, we have taken on two new apprentices, one from Birmingham and one from Southwark, to support them as they study at Hackney Community College for a Mastic Asphalt NVQ Level 2.

Hackney Community College is, in fact, the only further education institution in the country that offers this traditional skill. Hayden Vigers, our apprentice from Birmingham, told us, “The facilities are excellent, with a specialist workshop and all the equipment we need to master what is a highly skilled trade. The staff have been great too, as they’re friendly and helpful and clearly very experienced. I’ve also really enjoyed working with the team at Rock, and look forward to applying my new mastic asphalt skills to a variety of projects, especially those that involve regeneration.”

Rock provides case study for co2balance

At Rock, we help building owners and developers reduce and mitigate their contributions to climate change through more intelligent use of roof areas. Green roofs and renewable technology incorporated into the design of roofs can play an important role in helping buildings significantly reduce any negative impact on the environment.

Established in 2003, co2balance is an organisation which offers carbon footprint calculation, carbon management and reduction services and an ethical way to offset greenhouse gas emissions through Gold Standard energy efficiency projects.  Rock spoke to co2balance about our own environmental programme and the ways in which we are meeting the demand from those customers wishing to embrace the CarbonZero agenda.

To read the article, please click here, where you will find a piece titled ‘Rock’ among those listed.