Member Article

Projects help NE experts end year on high

County Durham specialist maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services Group (STS), have ended a successful year by completing a variety of unusual contracts across the North.

The company has been working on a range of structures from those dating back to Roman times to those in the high-tech in the petrochemical sector.

STS Lightning Protection has completed a number of installation and testing projects for Sir Robert McAlpine on gantries and signs on the A19 Tees Flyover, for BSkyB on satellite aerials and at the multi-million pound redevelopment at Byker Wall for Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat.

In addition, STS’s lightning protection division has recently finished a project for English Heritage working on Birdoswald Roman Fort in Gilsland in Cumbria to protect the ancient structure from the dangers of severe weather. The system had to be carefully designed to be sympathetic to the style and heritage of the structure, which offers accommodation and other amenities for tourists.

In contrast, STS Lightning Protection’s technical engineers have been working with Darlington-based MechTool Engineering to develop a major lightning protection and earthing system for one of their petrochemical sites in Holland. Over 1000 tonnes of metal was required for the project.

As well as lightning protection systems, STS Conservation has been busy working on masonry restoration at Cornton Bridge in Edinburgh, which forms part of the 17th Century Penicuik Estate, home to a leading family in Scottish cultural history, the Clerks.

MD of STS, Dave Stone, said: “The end of 2014 has proved to be a varied mix of work, utilising all of our skills across our divisions. From ancient Roman forts to the hi-tech petrochemical sector, our team has been carefully developing lightning protection systems to suit a range of needs, as well as carrying out vital conservation and restoration projects. It’s been a great end to the year as we continue to expand our team who can provide a full service throughout many, varied industries.”

STS is a leader in the specialist field of historic, high level and specialist maintenance as well as lightning protection and industrial steeplejack services and comprises four divisions: - STS Lightning Protection, STS Restoration, STS Maintenance and Facilities Management and STS Conservation.

Clients include St Paul’s Cathedral, Network Rail, York Museum’s Trust, the NHS, the National Trust, Darlington Council and Newcastle City Council, amongst others.

As well as its Darlington HQ, the company has offices in Edinburgh, central London and Cheshire. STS has a team of 37 with plans for this to increase by 10 in the first quarter of 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .