Construction and Engineering Awards 2021

BUILD Construction and Engineering Awards 2021 46 or almost 30 years, ESS has been supporting businesses by reducing their risks, project times and costs while helping to enhance their compliance, safety and security. As a rental and project specialist, the firm has become established and renowned as a safe, reliable and expert pair of hands. The company’s clients include big names such as Balfour Beatty, Colas, J.N.Bentley, Altrad Group and the National Grid amongst others who all rely on ESS as a partner for efficient supply so they can continue to concentrate on managing their workforce and their project plans. Working with everyone from small, local businesses to national operators in selected industries, ESS builds a relationship with each of its clients to make sure it gets it right every time while offering fair, pragmatic expert help and advice whenever it’s needed, along with the reassurance working with an industry leader brings. “We pride ourselves on our well informed, highly motivated staff who can provide expert advice to direct our clients towards the most relevant, latest technologies from leading manufacturers, while offering the superior customer service that is expected from the VP Group,” explains Marketing Manager, Anthony Pulsford. ESS recognises that the key to good rental is not just about having a good range of products and services, but also about understanding the reasons why its clients need their support. This ensures that it provides a level of service that is second-to-none while being the reason that sets the company firmly apart from competitors in the industry and distinguishes it as a clear market leader. “We understand that not having the right equipment can increase project downtime and costs,” Anthony elaborates. “That’s why we take time to understand our client’s challenges upfront, to allow us to advise the right equipment for their job on the first attempt.” Wherever possible, ESS will integrate itself into a client’s worksite to make sure that it is on hand when a clients may need assistance. “We also make sure that we get any necessary equipment to them as quickly as possible, in many cases as soon as the next day. We strive that our customer service is world class which is why we are relied on time and time again in a highly competitive industry.” A large challenge within the construction sector over the last few years is a clear skills shortage due mainly due to an ageing workforce. In 2020, construction vacancies increased by a huge 213% while the volume of applications per vacancy decreased by almost half (source: CHAS, 2020). This means that businesses within the industry are having to increase their efforts and spend to try and recruit new staff while also having to inflate salaries to retain existing employees. A lack of experienced staff can have an impact VP ESS ESS is an expert in specialist equipment hire, sales, training, technical support, industrial project turnarounds & outage planning. Following its recognition in the programme, we spoke to Anthony Pulsford to find out more about the firm and its ethos. F Jul21495 on the ability for work to be delivered and have repercussions on their reputation in the industry. “ESS is proud to be trying to address this challenge by training the next generation of workers as one of the leading training providers in the construction industry,” Anthony enthuses. “From Health and Safety to Confined Space Training, ESS upskills over 30,000 delegates a year delivered at our onsite training centres located across the UK or via our mobile training centers, which bring the training courses to our customers on site.” ESS’s largest project this year and by far the most challenging, has been a Refinery Turnaround that ran from February 2021 through to May 2021. The scope of the project reached across three main supply chains: Supply of Rental Equipment - small plant, radio communications, gas detection, breathing air equipment and supporting product. Product rental – surpassing 3,500 items, the majority of which were in use constantly throughout the project in harsh conditions. All products were managed by ESS’s onsite management team, while support was provided both onsite and remotely. Personnel - Skilled team members recruited to support the clients Safety Team & Fire Hall. Confined Space Monitoring System (CSMS) – Installation of the system commenced in December 2020 and was live by January 2021, ahead of the project start date. The CSMS managed the confined space and hazardous area access to over 183 entry points, the largest ever undertaken wia CSMS. This enabled the 80-strong CSMS team to safeguard contractors with cameras positioned to follow the work path whilst monitoring atmospheric gas conditions. “The key challenges to any project of this scale is ensuring that all the moving parts align with clients and contractors requirements, from both a specification and delivery date to site. It was unfortunate that this project coincided with Brexit and operated during a global pandemic. These issues proved to be the most challenging ESS has ever had to address from a product supply and employee safety point of view.” With such commitment to clients and dedication to the task at hand, it’s no surprise that ESS received two accolades in the BUILD Construction and Engineering Awards 2021, including Best Safety Equipment Rental Company – UK, and also clinching the BUILD Excellence Award for Safety & Rescue Support Services. Contact: Anthony Pulsford Company: VP ESS Web Address: www.vp-ess.com ESS: Best Safety Equipment Rental Company – UK & BUILD Excellence Award for Safety & Rescue Support Services