- Legacy left by Jones Bros following crucial coastal defence scheme
- Welsh museum bridging gaps in the nation’s history secures vital sponsorship
- Jones Bros celebrates 500,000 hours without lost time incident on wind farm
- Jones Bros makes significant improvements to higher apprenticeship scheme
- Jones Bros begins work on multi-million-pound Kinmel Bay defence project
Jones Bros’ in-house plant draws plenty of attention in Project Scotland25th Jul 2023
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK’s sizeable in-house plant has been in the spotlight courtesy of a Scottish construction news magazine.
Project Scotland’s Craig Quirie visited the company’s base in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, to find out more about the 500-strong fleet and its impact on developments around the United Kingdom.
A business decision when Jones Bros was founded back in the 1950s means the Ruthin-headquartered firm has been able to overcome current-day global supply issues and complete schemes on schedule.
One such example is the ability to pick up Evolving Energies’ (ERG) half-built Sandy Knowe Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway and deliver it to schedule, after the previous contractor entered administration.
Jones Bros contract manager David Nicolson, who spoke to Craig about the benefits of owning one of the largest single plant fleets in the UK, said: “It’s something we are very grateful to have, and the investment cannot be underestimated.”
Recent purchases include a trio of excavators, with two hybrid HB365LC-11s and one PC700LC-11 arriving in the 370-strong machine group.
The pair of HB365 earthmovers will be in operation at Benbrack Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway and Gwynedd’s Blaenau Ffestiniog Quarry.
The new PC700 – the biggest machine in the company’s fleet – is being delivered to Kings Cliffe landfill site, before making the move down south to work on the £167 million Havant Thicket Reservoir.
David continued: “Having our own plant allows a great degree of flexibility, should that be when it comes to utilising a window of improved weather, or the ability to take on projects that others can’t.”
Another area of focus in the two-page feature was the company’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme.
Producing nearly 40 per cent of its current 500-strong workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role, 100 have been recruited in the past three years.
David added: “There is a genuine pathway from apprentice to director. That can only happen if a company is truly invested in its staff, and Jones Bros certainly is.
“It’s fantastic to know that we have staff that are not only ready to step up a level, but that we have employees prepared to get their hands dirty when needed.”
The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.