News

Gale Construction Co.Limited

Industrial Roofing & Cladding Contractors

Gale Construction Co Limited Interline House 29 - 39 Ayton Road Wymondham Norfolk NR18 0QQ

Tel (01953) 604537 Fax : (01953) 602680

Directors: B.W.Gale (Chairman) R.C.Plume (Managing) Company Secretary: W.A.Slade

Registered  in England No. 01578694 VAT Reg No. 106255204

Wholefoods Market Chain Comes To Glasgow

US health food chain Wholefoods Market continued their expansion into the UK market with the arrival of their new store in Giffnock in Glasgow. In keeping with the company’s natural, organic corporate image, their new premises was to be a departure from conventional high street architecture, converting a derelict commercial unit into a striking timber-clad health foods superstore. Although being based in Norfolk, such an excitng refurbishment project was too much of a temptation for us to resist, and so we duly relocated staff and management some 450 miles away for the duration of the project. Sourcing locally grown Scottish timber from sustainable woodlands for the cladding, the original drab pebble-dash and concrete facades were completely transformed into a stunning new premises which is at once both strikingly modern, yet which utilises the very best of the natural resources from the surrounding environment.

North London Bursts Into High Street Bloom As Sedum Roof Comes To The Capital

As with all forward-looking companies, Gale Construction are constantly evaluating new and innovative approaches and products, and the relatively recent appearance of the green or ‘Sedum’ roof, offers a highly versatile and effective alternative to more conventional cladded/flat roofing solutions. Our latest green roof project, a refurbishment of a student accommodation block in Islington (see photo, right), not only provides  this highly urbanized environment with a natural oasis for the local micro-fauna, but also with one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly roofing systems currently available in the UK today. With the tightest of sites situated on a one-way street and all roofing materials needing to be hoisted a full six floors to be installed, our project management expertise was seen working to its fullest efficiency, as with close co-ordination with a battery of other trades working in close proximity, nearly 200 tonnes of roofing materials were programmed and delivered and the 10-layer system was carefully laid by our team of specialist qualified installers. After the waterproofing system was electronically tested to ensure a complete weather tight seal, the landscaping architects were given a free-reign to design a planting scheme that should provide a stunning sight for the neighbouring offices and flats surrounding the site.

Our thanks as ever go out to our friends and colleagues at the RG Group, not only for the opportunity to provide our services on this project, but for their usual help and support throughout the build.

New Classroom Facilities Open At Basildon Upper Academy

Our latest academic project, a new classroom facility at Basildon Upper Academy opened last month. Working in partnership with our colleagues at H.Young Structures, we were contracted to lay SpeedDeck decking sheets for the main roof, and were very pleased with the speed and ease with which the system was installed.

Training And Health & Safety Updates

We are pleased to confirm our membership of the Norfolk Construction Training Group (N.C.T.G.). As an institution which exists to promote better understanding and training of staff in both best practice and safe working within the construction industry, we are pleased to be joining a membership of like-minded contractors and companies within the Norfolk area, and look forward to working with them to meet and enhance these objectives

Above: The Sedum Roof being prepared for the arrival of the sedum plugs. Note the shingle border, forming a ‘firebreak’ to avoid the propagation of the sedum blanket into the gutter. Pastel Turquoise copings also supplied and installed by Gale Construction

Gale Site Supervisor Andy Fitches has embarked upon a NEBOSH Construction qualification which, when gained, will be an extremely valuable addition to Gale Construction’s ongoing commitment to our total Health And Safety policy. We wish Andy every success in his studies.

It’s been a very busy time in the office recently with health and safety matters, as three employees volunteered to undergo a rigorous first-aid training course to provide a safe and healthy office working environment. A big thank you goes out from both management and staff to Site Supervisor Andy Fitches and Estimators David Poyntz and Michael Tobin for taking on the role of first aiders and participating in this very worthwhile course.