The family run business has been successful at winning work on HS2, and has manufactured, transported and installed office and welfare accommodation to a site just outside of London where HS2 will be launching its first tunnel boring machines.
The HS2 contract, awarded by HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor Align JV – a joint venture formed of three companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – has supported jobs for the company which employs over 170 people from the local area. Earlier this year, the company completed the manufacture of the building modules at the factory in Port Talbot and these were transported to the site near the M25 and installed.
It is not just Wernick Buildings that benefits from these contracts, but other local businesses that can win work on the HS2 project indirectly. Wernick uses other local suppliers including Trefoil Interiors, who provided the internal fit outs for the accommodation units. This can have a big impact on the local economy, providing opportunities for many small and medium sized enterprises across the UK.
HS2 Ltd’s Procurement and Commercial Director, David Poole said:
“The HS2 project is attracting businesses across the country to help us build Britain’s new high speed, low carbon, railway. It is fantastic to see that companies in South Wales are already benefiting from contracts on HS2, which now more than ever are providing a welcome boost for the construction, and other related, sectors.”
Speaking about the benefits of working on HS2, Ben Wernick, Managing Director of Construction at Wernick said:
“HS2 is giving us a pipeline of work which is allowing us to invest in our infrastructure here in Port Talbot enabling us to improve, increase production and employ more local people.
"With 90% of our supply chain being within a 50-mile radius of our factory, this work is also having a real positive impact on the local community.”
Wernick Buildings are one of over 2,000 companies across the UK that are already benefitting from work on HS2. Earlier this year, Government approval for HS2 to move into the next phase of the HS2 work meant that HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractors (MWCCs) are now leading the transition from scheme design and preparatory work, to full detailed design and construction. This progress has unlocked a huge amounts of new contract opportunities for the construction sector. Contract opportunities for businesses interesting in working on the project are advertised on the Compete For portal.
