CBC Cemplas Celebrates 40 years of Business
Cemplas looks back at its most celebrated and impressive projects, as the company completes its 40th year in business.
Cemplas Waterproofing & Concrete Repairs Ltd was formed in 1969, working out of a garden shed in Carshalton. Cemplas has grown steadily over 40 years and now occupies three floors of offices within Holbrook House, Croydon.
Turnover began at around £3,000 p.a and grew steadily to £300,000 in the mid- eighties. It was then that current owner and M.D, Tony Blencowe, purchased the business from the original owners. Since then the company is turning over nearly £4,000,000. Cemplas is now celebrating its 40th anniversary and is drawing on its decades of experience and knowledge within the construction industry to plan the next step of its business life by building on the high quality service for which they have become renowned.
Lying at the heart of the success of Cemplas is a strong team of Contract managers, site operatives and administration staff, many of whom have at least 15 years service with the company.
In 2006, Paul Stacey was appointed 'Business Development Manager' to develop and maximise future opportunities. At the beginning of 2007 the company launched a new brochure to coincide with the launch of its new web site. In 2008 Tony made further appointments of a senior estimator and contracts co-ordinator, together with Jerry Robertson being appointed from Manager to Commercial Director.
The most recent addition to the company is Tony’s son Liam who has started at the bottom in the role of administration assistant, with the aim to learn all aspects of the business.
To mark this special anniversary, Cemplas is looking back at some of its most memorable projects.
Royal Albert Hall - The principle Main Contractor Taylor Woodrow were tasked with creating a new concrete construction beneath the existing south steps, the area was excavated to provide a below ground structure that would be used for parking and plant rooms. On completion and prior to the original south steps being reinstated Cemplas were awarded the £300K contract to waterproof over 7000 square metres of the new suspended deck, steps, and vast planters.
To meet the demands of today's fast track programmes without compromising on performance, Cemplas used Procor, a self curing spray applied waterproofing system which can be applied as early as three days after pouring, and sets within 24 hours to form a monolithic, flexible rubber waterproof membrane.
The Royal Albert Hall is one of London's most prestigious historic buildings and Cemplas are proud to have played a part in prolonging the life of this historic structure.
The Treasury Building (GOGGS) - Cemplas are also proud to have been involved in the major refurbishment to the Grade II listed building known as the 'Government Offices Great George St' (GOGGS). Built in the early 20th century, by 1994 its condition had deteriorated, and refurbishment was needed to meet modern environmental and operational standards, while respecting its heritage and position in the Whitehall landscape.
Working closely with Waterman consultant engineers, Cemplas was appointed to carry out a variety of tasks to this grand structure, including undertaking in excess of £230K of multi-discipline remedial repair works. Repairs to the buildings many light wells, staircases, and in many of its 2.1 miles of corridors were completed, as well as the confined locations under the Cabinet War Rooms. Additional works undertaken by Cemplas involved repairing and treatment to the structural steelwork, together with investigation and substantial reinstatement of all defective concrete including repairs to the Portland stone, and crack injection repairs to brickwork.
Bovis Lend Lease were the principle appointed contractor, and the completed refurbishment, which will enable all HM Treasury staff to work in the same building for the first time in over 50 years, was delivered on budget, and two months ahead of the program.
Cadogan Hall, Chelsea - The first permanently dedicated home for a London orchestra, after the multimillion-pound restoration made possible by a gift from one of the capital's wealthiest landlords, Cadogan Estates Ltd. As a part of the restoration project, Cemplas were successful with their £130k tender, and were appointed by the main contractor Walter Lilly to provide a cost effective solution to transform over 1500m2 of dilapidated basement areas.
Cemplas operates a dedicated Sika1 workforce, and provides a full design, planning, and installation service, to waterproofing any below ground structures.
The work was carried out by applying Sika1, waterproofing multi-layer render and slurries system. To cater for the expansion joints, Sikadur-combiflex was installed to the junctions of the walls and floor.
Cemplas’ work transformed the previously unusable basement areas into fully useable dry storage areas, allowing the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to store their instruments in a damp-free environment.
Addenbrookes Hospital MSCP, Cambridge - As an expanding hospital, the Health Trust needed to provide additional parking for its staff. The project was put out to open tender for a new design and build structure, which needed to be fairly lightweight in its construction. The main contract was won by Laing O'Rourke, and Cemplas were appointed the £180K package to waterproof the top deck car parking area.
Cemplas provides an uncompromising approach to quality of service, and pride themselves with their knowledge and experience gained since they were formed in 1969. Recognising that 'one size fits all' is not the correct approach to providing clients with a premium parking area, Cemplas will always seek to ensure that the best value and most cost effective solutions are implemented.
Croydon-based Cemplas can be contacted on 020 8654 3149
Or visit http://www.cemplas.co.uk
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