Two of Tata Steel’s sites, in Shotton and Llanwern, have been long listed as potential Offsite Construction and Logistic Hubs (OCLH) to serve Heathrow Airport’s expansion programme.
Heathrow has committed to create four logistic hubs in order to widen the supply chain and ensure the extensive build programme is resilient, sustainable and cost effective.
The aim is to ensure the economic benefits of the £14 billion Airport’s expansion project are spread more evenly across the UK.
Tata Steel’s proposal has been developed in partnership with the Welsh Government, with Welsh Economy Secretary Ken Skates championing Welsh sites as the “perfect choice.”
Offsite construction delivers an array of benefits; it can improve health and safety, increase the speed of construction on-site, reduce waste significantly, minimise disruption and most importantly, projects can be completed on time and to budget.
Tata Steel’s OCLH proposal has demonstrated the company’s construction product and offsite capabilities, as well as the role it can play in the circular economy by supporting the project by reusing existing material, for example.
Kamal Rajput, Business Development Manager – High Value Opportunities, at Tata Steel, commented: “As all components are factory built and will not be subjected to weather-related delays or the skills shortage. The opportunity to establish an OCLH is consistent with our construction strategy, which focuses on innovation through the supply chain."
He added, “We hope that a successful bid will help us to raise the profile of all our UK-wide sites, which have access to excellent transport links and can help to deliver shorter supply chains, while attracting further partners to the OCLH.”
Following visits to both sites, there will be a further pre-qualification process for the Heathrow Airport OCHL scheme before a final shortlist is issued at the end of 2018.
It is anticipated that the successful parties will be informed early 2019.