Yorkon - Products and Company Details

Design tool for off-site

Yorkon will be demonstrating its approach to off-site construction on stand 2449 at Ecobuild 2010, and will be launching a new version of its highly successful design tool. In response to demand for its interactive design tool, Yorkon is launching a new edition which will feature its high performance floor, more building examples and links, as well as practical tips and advice about designing off-site. For the first time, the tool will also be downloadable from the Yorkon website, and will include module sizes, and options for staircases and lifts.

Largest off-site hospital

Portakabin subsidiary yorkon has handed over what is thought to be the largest complete UK hospital to be built off-site. The Emersons Green Treatment Centre, run by private firm UK Specialist Hospitals, will treat NHS patients as well as offering elective surgery. Comprising 114 steel modules, the unit was designed to be "highly sustainable."

Keeping shoppers served

A new record for speed of construction has been set by yorkon in order to help Tesco ease some of the problems facing the flood-hit community of Workington in Cumbria. A new 13,300 square foot purpose-built interim Tesco supermarket was delivered and installed on a brownfield site in 18 hours, and open for trade just 13 days after start on site. Yorkon and main contractors, Johnson Construction, worked through the night completing the installation at 6am ready for fitting. David Johnson, general manager of Yorkon said: 'The entire building was manufactured less than a week after we received the order from Tesco and we worked around the clock to install the store on time and in less than 24 hours.' Yorkon craned 26 14 m-long modules into position every 30 minutes.

Building for the Future

A building constructed off-site by Yorkon for Christ College in Brecon, has won an award for its design. Designed by P+HS Architects, The Hubert Jones Science Centre provides facilities "unrivalled in Wales" as part of a commitment to develop the next generation of young scientists. The Building Schools for the Future Award, part of the Builder and Engineer Awards, was made to the project, recognising its "high quality design and how it applied education construction best practice to a scheme built offsite." The construction method ensured completion in just five months, despite the challenging site, minimising any disturbance to staff and pupils.

Keeping shoppers served

A new 10,000 sq ft modular store for Tesco has been developed by Yorkon. The modular supermarket has been engineered to increase the level of off-site fitting out and to minimise the number of internal columns to create maximum clear spans. The building is constructed from 26 14 m-long steel-framed modules which are manufactured and substantially fitted out off-site in York. The building was installed in just three days, featuring pre-installed ceramic floor tiles, roller shutters, freezers and chillers, shelving, internal walls, plumbing, electrics, mechanical ventilation, sanitaryware, doors and shop front glazing. The modular supermarket is currently being used in Barnsley, South Yorkshire while the existing store is redeveloped. It will then be moved to its permanent location in Aberdeen.

Care that performs

The new Acute Admissions Unit (AAU) at Watford General Hospital, which was built offsite by Yorkon, is now among the best performing emergency care units. Constructed as part of a 25m GBP ProCure21 contract, the new building comprises 142 steel-framed modules. These were manufactured and substantially fitted out offsite by Yorkon, helping to reduce build time and minimise patient disruption. Designed by Murphy Philipps Architects, the AAU provides 120 beds for emergency admissions, two cardiac catheterisation laboratories, diagnostics including x-ray, ultrasound and CT scanning, and a new hospital pharmacy with robotic dispensing. Graham Ramsay, medical director at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We are delighted with new facility. This is the largest of a new generation of acute admissions units and forms part of the Department of Health's new 'Model of Care' initiative."

31-week construction

A three-storey scheme at the University Hospital of Llandough has been awarded to off-site construction specialist Yorkon. The company has been awarded the contract to provide a new outpatients department at the hospital. The off-site approach has meant that build time will be reduced to 31 weeks on-site, minimising patient disruption. The building will provide 2,000 m2 of accommodation, comprising 45 steel-framed modules manufactured in York and then craned into position. The contract was awarded by Interserve Project Services and is Yorkon's third project with the company. The scheme is part of Welsh Health Estates' 'Designed for Life: Building for Wales' framework programme, which aims to deliver "21st century healthcare facilities" for the people of Wales.

Good behaviour award

Yorkon has achieved a second Considerate Constructors 'Performance Beyond Compliance' certification in six weeks, for the construction of an NHS treatment centre in Bristol, thought to be the UK's largest complete hospital to be built off-site. The Emerson's Green NHS Treatment Centre, which will be run by independent healthcare provider, UK Specialist Hospitals, was manufactured at the Yorkon production facility in York. The Considerate Constructors scheme assesses site operations across the UK against factors including environment, site cleanliness, safety, responsibility, respect and accountability. Yorkon's score of 84 per cent exceeded the UK average of 75 per cent. The Yorkon team was commended for a "positive and proactive attitude," as well as for its communications, energy use initiatives, waste segregation, site welfare and 'good neighbour' policy.

Quick treatment by Yorkon

Two new NHS treatment centres in Bristol and Wiltshire have been delivered by off-site specialists Yorkon. Both centres have been constructed off-site by Yorkon and craned into position around 70 per cent complete. The two new centres, run by UK Specialist Hospitals (UKSH), chose Yorkon following the success of a previous UKSH project. Commenting on the projects, Fiona Calnan, chief executive of UKSH said: "Yorkon was our preferred contractor for these treatment centres following the success of another similar project in Shepton Mallet, which they delivered on programme and on budget in partnership with UKSH. She continued: "We wanted the security and reassurance of working with a health care construction specialist that had already delivered."

Third award for NHS unit

The team responsible for the off-site construction of the new Emergency Assessment Unit at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, has been presented with its third award. Yorkon, and main contractor Interserve Project Services, has won a Highly Commended Award in the Value Category at this year's Constructing Excellence in the North East Awards. David Johnson, director and general manager of Yorkon said: "We are delighted that achievements of the Trust, Interserve and Yorkon – and the success and value of the off-site approach – have been recognised with this third award for the North Tees ProCure21 project". Minimising disruption at the hospital was a major concern for specifiers. “We believe the project has raised the bar in terms of what off-site construction can deliver and how it can add outstanding value for the contractor and the client�, commented Johnson.

A sustainable new build

The building of York High School has recently been completed which utilises off-site construction systems from Yorkon. The modular building comprises of 52 steel-framed units in three different sizes, which was craned into position in six days, minimising disruption. Completed in six months, the new two-storey 1900 m2 scheme has replaced a number of older buildings. Architectural features of the building include a barrell-vaulted roof with central lighting well, an oversailing roof which forms an entrance canopy and a range of external claddings. A key criteria for the new school was based around its sustainability credentials. As a result the building features a number of sustainable products; biomass heating, passive ventilation, the use of light wells, a high level of glazing to maximise natural light and rainwater harvesting. It was also important to specifiers that sustainably sourced timber was used for the cladding.

Yorkon gives quick treatment

Two new NHS treatment centres in Bristol and Wiltshire have been delivered by off-site specialists Yorkon. Both centres have been constructed off-site by Yorkon and craned into position around 70 per cent complete. The two new centres, run by UK Specialist Hospitals (UKSH), chose Yorkon following the success of a previous UKSH project. Commenting on the projects, Fiona Calnan, chief executive of UKSH said: “Yorkon was our preferred contractor for these treatment centres following the success of Shepton Mallet, which they delivered on programme and on budget in partnership with UKSH. We wanted the security and reassurance of working with a health care construction specialist that had already delivered.�

System in local vernacular

Yorkon has completed a new science building for the long-established Christ College in Brecon, Wales. Designed by P+HS Architects, the two-storey building expands the science facilities at the school, with a locally sympathetic finish. The design incorporated local materials such as Welsh sandstone from Llangorse Quarry, together with render and timber cladding to complement the surrounding architecture. 16 steel-framed building modules were manufactured off-site in York and craned into position during school holidays. The scheme features several sustainable measures such as solar water heating, energy efficient lighting, natural ventilation and high levels of insulation. The flexible design of the building allows teaching spaces to be re-configured if required.