Edition 17 - Autumn 2008

Welcome to the Autumn 2008 edition of “Connected” the Charlestown Newsletter. We hope there is something of interest for everyone in the Newsletter. Just to prove we have had a summer! This picture was taken on the 18th July at 1.30pm.  Charlestown Ltd continues to increase market share. Although the recent downturn in the residential house construction market and bank mergers has made for a difficult trading climate.  Charlestown Ltd’s clear strategic policy of working in separate but mutually beneficial work streams has limited the impact on growth.

Latest News

During the past three months Charlestown Ltd has undertaken CHAS, ISO14001, and Investing in People accreditations as well as gaining new staff and updating existing employees’ qualifications.

The Investing in People assessment gave the following comments.

“The Company has a clear strategy with objectives that can be clearly measured and evaluated. Equality of opportunity is clearly evident within the company. People feel that development opportunities are available to all and strategies in place support this. The culture and ethos of the Company is good with people speaking about the support from Managers and the consistency of practice shown by these individuals.”

The above is particularly pleasing. Our Initial Investors in People assessment in 2005, was carried out when the company had 10 staff, we have know doubled that number.

Charlestown Data and Telecom Services
 

CDTS continues to provide data services to a large main contractor who is carrying out a large extension to a beverage production company. This contract includes CAT6 installation in both offices and production areas. CDTS has also designed and installed a CAT5e / Power solution in a new office for a multi-national company. This project included floorbox, data, power and server room elements.

Cooper Electrical Services

CES has handed over a large project this month.

Matthew Everard has managed a 10,000 sqft new warehouse fit-out in Rochdale. This project was based on an 18 week schedule and includes, High Bay – Low Bay lighting, Busbar Trunking and Distribution all installed at a height of 9m above the floor. As well as new Power Distribution, small power, emergency lighting, fire alarm, intruder alarm, and access control in the warehouse. The 7,500 sqft offices also require a fit-out with CAT5e data wiring, LG7 lighting, small power and air-conditioning provision. The project has been completed on time and within budget.

CES has also completed the new extension of a local primary school.

Richard Storr continues to manage the 30 apartment new build in Bradford that is scheduled to be completed in early October. This project includes Electrical, CCTV, Access Control, Intruder Alarms, Fire Alarms, Emergency Lighting and Sub-mains Distribution.

Technical Height Services

THS has been busy carrying out tower surveys throughout the North of England. This work is usually carried out in the summer months to try and avoid bad weather, unfortunately this has not been the case this year!

THS has also been removing antennas and steelwork from a number of towers. This reduces the wind loading on towers and enables the owners to rent valuable space to third party users.

Festival Light Services

FLS has carried out three contracts already this year. FLS carries out bolt testing of the fixings used to suspend catenary wires and festive lights. These have to be periodically inspected and tested as per the County Surveyors Society Code of Practice for the Installation, Operation and Removal of Seasonal Decorations.

FLS use the Scafftag, Unitag system, this allows clients to confirm fixings have been tested are in date without the need for access equipment.

FLS is gearing up for the installation season which is due to start on the 22^nd of September. This season looks like it will be the busiest season yet.

Health & Safety/ Personnel

Congratulations to Sabine who has gained the ISO14001 accreditation. This environmental standard confirms Charlestown’s commitment to carrying out our business in an environmentally friendly manner.
Charlestown Ltd was inundated with applications for apprenticeships. Charlestown looked at all the applications and invited several applicants to spend a week with Charlestown to experience life as an apprentice. Congratulations to Liam Eccles who has joined Charlestown Ltd as an apprentice electrician.

All six electricians passed the 17^th Edition update course this is a major undertaking due to the cost and duration of the course’s with the addition of 20 days lost on site.

Four members of the team have also been on IPAF courses enabling them to operate 26m Vehicle Mount Platforms (VPM’s).

Another four members of the team have also been on PASMA courses enabling them to erect mobile tower scaffolding.

All staff have also attended a 1-day First Aid at Work course.

The above training enables each team to be self sufficient and able to carryout multiple roles having gained the required training.

As the photos below show, the development of the new offices at Eccleshill in Bradford is now well and truly on the way.

Gill will be managing the financial and administrative side of the build to enable Bob and myself to continue to grow the business.

It is a 20-week build programme with Charlestown looking to take possession of the new offices on the 3^rd November.

Light Hearted info

The winner of the caption competition is: Phil on the phone to Unibond...“…all I was doing with the ‘no more nails’ was trying to stick some small wooden poles together…..now I can’t get the flaming’ tube of glue off my foot !!!!” The Bottle of Champagne is on the way. Since we had such a good response, here is a photo of James, one of our apprentices, and no, we have no idea! I’m looking forward to the captions.

Our next issue of “Connected” will be out just before Christmas, which will be packed with news, views and events.

Richard Lofthouse and Robert Chapman