Leading civil engineering company Jones Bros is helping to provide an economic boost to communities in mid and south Wales thanks to a multi-million pound contract it secured with Natural Resources Wales.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is currently into the third of a four-year framework contract worth £5m to carry out forestry work for Natural Resources Wales.
Whilst Jones Bros has earned a reputation for providing most of its services in-house, it is also keen to support local communities in the areas in which it is working across the UK.
Small construction companies are benefiting by undertaking some of the work on behalf of Jones Bros, employing local plant drivers, labourers and fencing firms to assist with the work.
One such company that has benefited is Carmarthenshire-based Watkins Contractors. Gary Watkins, whose grandfather Irfon started the family firm more than 50 years ago, said: “We are very grateful to Jones Bros as this work has enabled our company to continue. It can be difficult going for contracts when you are up against large companies, even when you have the knowledge and expertise.
“Working on behalf of Jones Bros means that I am then able to recruit labourers, plant drivers as well as other firms to assist us.”
Neil Beresford, manager of Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK’s Swansea office, said: “We are passionate about working with a small, very local supply chain, and the associated benefits, particularly around local knowledge and social sustainability issues, make it extremely worthwhile.
“We are delighted to be working with long-established companies such as Watkins Contractors because as well as providing a boost to them, there is a ripple effect because they recruit local labour and enlist help from other local firms.”
The forestry works being carried out for Jones Bros includes developing tracks and access roads to enable forestry workers to undertake woodland management and tree felling, with some of the wood products being used for the renewable energy sector including biomass.
Founded in the 1950s and employing approximately 300 people, Jones Bros has grown rapidly in the last decade. It is currently working on contracts including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects around the UK.