Project: Wiri Logistics Warehouse
Size: 22,000sqm – 900 tonne of structural steel
Steel & Tube product used: HST Purlins and Girts
George Grant Engineering (GGE) celebrated 33 years in business in August. They specialise in manufacturing and installing structural steel in commercial, industrial, civil construction and infrastructure projects. They strive to deliver products in the safest way possible and to be on time with the projects their customers want, while still delivering high-quality construction. GGE was founded by Bob and Cheryl DeLacey as a family company. It has since grown to have 70 employees with a breadth of skills supported by a great management team.
Keeping the team safe on site is highly prioritised. GGE are always looking for new ways to build and looking at different products, contractors and companies to be safer and more efficient with the work they provide. “I personally enjoy the planning and execution of projects, engaging with the teams, and our teams, the contractors, the trades, and the clients. Trying to find ways to deliver our projects safely which is our main priority, within the quality specs, and on time.” Says Brahm Turck, project manager at GGE.
Delivering high-quality work and construction are just as important as building in a safe way, the two go hand in hand. It is difficult to have a safe workplace without using good quality materials. Delivering high-quality projects also means that the end result is safe for the client to use, and they can continue to use it for a long time.
Having a good team spirit on site is a key focus for Brahm and Janani Grant, contracts director for GGE, and for GGE in general. “GGE has always been a very strong dynamic, particularly around toolbox meetings, we are really encouraging our staff to get involved. They've found their voice, and they are engaging, it's great to see the team work together” says Janani.
Photo: Janani Grant, Contracts Director for George Grant Engineering
They want their employees to know and feel that they have a voice. This makes it easier to plan and execute projects. If they come across issues, they know that the team will speak up about it and we all can find a way to solve it. “We can't achieve these jobs without our teams, and everybody playing their integral parts in the business” says Brahm.
For the project manager, Brahm, it is very important to have business partners and to work with different teams and contractors. They have found great value in working with Steel & Tube.
Steel & Tube was formed more than 70 years ago when three steel merchandising companies merged. Since then, Steel & Tube have kept on growing, to now having more than 850 employees and 27,000+ products. This scope of product and knowledge allows Steel & Tube to support businesses such as George Grant Engineering, to achieve their goals in construction. We want to see our customers succeed, and when they achieve their goals, we have achieved ours.
The project George Grant have been tasked with is a 22,000 Square meter, 900 tons warehouse for LOGOS. GGE was approached by Apollo Projects to execute the structural engineering within a short four-month timeframe.
GGE rose to the challenge by creating a method and using a particular Steel & Tube product, HST Purlins, that allowed the team to achieve Apollo’s timeframe without compromising safety or structural integrity.
One of the key elements to George Grant’s success was Steel & Tube’s purlin manufacturing capabilities. With 23-meter long fast brace Purlins from our HST range, GGE were able to assemble large double bay roof sections on the floor and with the help of Ashton Crane Hire, lift them into place once ready for installation. An added bonus that helped GGE pick the HST Purlins is the bolted connections, and this added great value to them as it meant they didn't have to redesign bolted constructions into the braces.
Having a fairly short time frame meant that GGE needed to find the most efficient and safe way to structure this building. Having these 23-meter purlins meant that they could cover a large roof area while still using high-quality materials, and they could complete it from the ground, helping to keep their workers safe.
“At the end of the day we are, creating spaces for people to operate safely. So quality is a major, because we need to ensure that we are working in the parameters of 5131 to ensure that the structure is sound, it is maintaining its integrity and that the occupants have a safe environment to complete their work in.” Says Brahm Turck.
Being in business for one-third of a century has led GGE to be part of many projects. With these projects, they have learned the importance of working with different contractors to learn new things and to teach others what they know. It is important to work with a good team and for the team to communicate with each other, creating a safe workplace.
Find out more about Steel & Tube's HST line here, or contact a specialist.