North West-based groundworks specialist, M Downes Earthworks, has won the contract to build new storage areas for the UK’s largest salvage and dismantling company, SYNETIQ.
Earthworks has already started work on the project to reconstruct the holding yards for the thousands of scrap and salvage vehicles that pass through the SYNETIQ car transplants site in Nantwich, Cheshire, every year.
Based in Whitchurch, Shropshire, Earthworks is using its state-of-the-art machinery and the latest groundworks technology to resurface the yards where the vehicles are stored in four-storey-high racks. Sister company, MD Aggregate Supplies, is also supplying the aggregates and concrete for the job. Due to the heavy duty use on the yard the concrete had to include structural fibres which replaces the mesh reinforcement.
Martin Downes, Managing Director of Earthworks, comments: “This project not only sees us supporting the development of a successful, growing business, but it also shows our commitment to working with companies that help the environment.
“SYNETIQ handles 100,000 vehicles a year across its 16 sites in the UK. And its recycling and recovery rate is more than 95% of the weight of each of the 40,000 vehicles it scraps – which exceeds the target set by Europe.”
According to a European Commission (EC) directive, all end-of-life vehicles should have a reuse and recovery rate of no less than 95%. The aim of this target is to make vehicle dismantling, reuse, recovery and recycling more environmentally friendly.
Martin adds: “Our work is continuing at SYNETIQ, where our team is resurfacing the heavy-duty storage yards with the minimum of disruption to the company’s day-to-day operations.”
Mark Schofield, Director of SYNETIQ, said Earthworks was the obvious choice for the project thanks to the quality of its equipment and expertise.
Mark comments: “We called on Earthworks because we had two yards that were 40 years old and in need of being replaced.
“The project involves site drainage, interceptors and the laying of reinforced concrete, and we’ve been able to keep our business going throughout, which is absolutely crucial.
“Earthworks has kept to the timescale and have operated professionally and efficiently. Their efforts will support us in our drive to continue meeting – and exceeding – our recycling targets, and growing our business for the benefit of the North West and the UK.”