Millcroft's Construction Division continues to grow by building on long-standing client partnerships, taking on increasingly complex projects, and expanding its range of services.
While we're perhaps best known for our scaffolding and access expertise, construction has been part of Millcroft's business for more than 50 years. Today, our Construction Division works with major industrial clients, including Tate & Lyle, Johnson Matthey, Procter & Gamble, Etex ICL delivering refurbishment, maintenance and complex construction projects.
And as our clients' requirements have evolved, so have our capabilities.
Taking on greater responsibility at Procter & Gamble
Our relationship with Procter & Gamble continues to develop, with Millcroft now taking on the role of Principal Contractor for more turnkey projects. This means we're involved from initial concept and design stages through to construction and completion. We coordinate everything from structural appraisals and temporary works to steel fabrication, cladding, fit-out, and mechanical and electrical (M&E) services.
By managing each stage, we give clients a single point of contact, so they don’t have to oversee multiple contractors. This approach eases project management, improves coordination, and controls costs, particularly in busy operational facilities.
Delivering construction projects in tough environments
Our ongoing work at Procter & Gamble demonstrates the variety and complexity of projects we're now delivering.
Recent and current projects include:
- New offices and welfare facilities: Constructing offices, a control room, and a break room with lockers and toilets, with steel structures above existing warehouse conveyors
- Production command centre: Building a new command centre above a busy production area, with work carefully planned around tight 10-hour weekend windows to minimise disruption of operations
- Specialist lifting and logistics: Supporting the installation of heavy conveyor components within a new high-bay storage facility, working alongside our lifting partner, and using specialist equipment, including spider cranes
Each project has its own challenges, including working around operational production lines and existing infrastructure, and coordinating specialist trades within restricted working periods.
Meticulous planning, communication and an experienced team are essential to deliver these works safely and efficiently.
Building relationships with new industrial clients
Our work with Procter & Gamble has also created opportunities with other major industrial businesses.
A current project involves a team of three working with Lambert Joseph, our supervisor decorator, to repair defective steelwork inside concrete bunds for chemical facility. We've been working on this project for several months, with further orders continuing to come through.
The working environment is challenging as our operatives must wear full chemical protective equipment, including suits, masks, helmets, gloves and specialist boots. This work has been physically demanding, especially during this summer’s heatwaves.
Projects like this demonstrate our teams' experience and commitment, and our ability to undertake specialist work in tough industrial environments.
Supporting the preservation of London's heritage
Our Construction Division's expertise isn't limited to industrial facilities. Completed projects include the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London and residential refurbishments in Kensington and Chelsea.
We've also worked at the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, where we acted as Principal Contractor for repair works around the Royal Steps beside the River Thames.
The project involved installing temporary handrails, repairing the ironwork, and repainting the gates and railings. Following this project, we also worked on the platform below the steps. Tidal action had eroded the clay supporting granite slabs on the riverbed, causing instability and potential trip hazards.
Working within restricted tidal windows, our team lifted the granite slabs, rebuilt the supporting base using stone-filled gabion baskets and carefully reinstated the slabs. This required close coordination with the Port of London Authority and thorough planning around changing river levels.
It's another example of our ability to manage technically demanding works in sensitive locations, combining practical construction expertise with detailed planning and coordination.
Expanding our services and building our team
As the division continues to grow, we're developing our capabilities to meet an increasingly wide range of client requirements.
In addition to our established construction, refurbishment, and maintenance services, we can now take on more projects involving structural steelwork, M&E, roofing, and specialist industrial painting.
Our ability to manage projects from concept to completion also means we can take on greater responsibility for the overall delivery. Rather than appointing and managing several contractors, clients can work with one experienced team that coordinates the different trades, specialist services and stages of construction.
And we're investing in the people needed to support this growth. We've recently welcomed a trainee estimator and surveyor to the division, and plan to expand the team further as our workload increases, which we’re confident will happen over the coming year.
