Partner Article

SURGO look back on a positive 2011

Despite challenging market conditions in 2011, profits and cash balances remained strong for SURGO Construction, one of the region’s leading privately owned construction companies. Now the company is looking forward to continued success in 2012.

Diverse in-house resources and a tried and trusted local supply chain, enables SURGO to carry out projects ranging from £35,000 to £35,000,000. The contractor, who is regarded by its clients as a ‘safe pair of hands’, continues to win work across a range of sectors including education, healthcare and social housing as well as bespoke projects in the leisure sector – most notably last year the £4.7million restoration of the Theatre Royal.

This is borne out by the level of repeat business SURGO secures which equates to two thirds of its workload.

Last year SURGO’s site teams worked on GP surgeries, a number of regeneration projects and a range of schools. The first of the surgeries to be completed was in Dipton, County Durham and the second was the rebuilding of Adan House, Spennymoor for St Andrews Medical Practice, after the original building was destroyed by fire.

Working for longstanding client, social housing provider Isos, the contractor has constructed a much needed refuge in North Tyneside, for women who have suffered from domestic abuse.

Other contracts included a refurbishment project for South Tyneside College, construction of several new schools including the innovatively designed Jesmond Gardens Primary School, Hartlepool for Hartlepool Borough Council and St Joseph’s Primary School, for Sunderland City Council.

According to director, Jeff Alexander, this continued success is down to realistic pricing, solid reputation and build quality. He said:

“I believe SURGO’s approach to winning work and looking after its clients is something that sets us apart from other contractors. The diversity of the projects we are appointed to demonstrates, quite clearly, that we excel in a number of sectors rather than confining us as experts in one or two.

“We have had the great privilege of carrying out a full and detailed restoration of the Theatre Royal, returning it to its original gilded splendour. Similarly, we have also had the pleasure of working on other projects such as the construction of a new sporting academy for local community football club, ‘Gateshead Redheugh 1957’ combined with supported accommodation for young people on development led by social housing provider, Four Housing.

“Just before Christmas we put the finishing touches to The Beacon on the West Road, Newcastle for charitable organisations Centre West and Ground Work (South Tyneside and Newcastle). The Beacon will be a landmark, for use by the racially diverse community living nearby. Our involvement in projects of this type make SURGO Construction one of the key players in the region’s construction industry and supports our localism ideals, of working with a local supply chain and providing local employment , to make our contribution to the local economy. “

In the south of the region in Redcar, SURGO is working for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council on construction of the Redcar Digital Hub, a key regeneration project for that area. On Teesside it is currently on site for Durham University at its Queens Campus, on a research and development facility.

Mr Alexander continued:

“Further to winning this work, SURGO’s efforts have also been recognised by the industry body Considerate Constructors Scheme with a number of plaudits including the presentation of ‘Performance Beyond Compliance’ certificates for six of our projects and a National Bronze Award for our work on construction of the new Dipton Surgery, mentioned earlier. Needless to say we will continue to build on this going forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leigh Chelton .