Demolition experts plan expansion after move to UKSE Centre

September 12th 2024

A Tees-based company, meeting growing demand from across the UK for its demolition and asbestos removal services, has ambitious plans to double its current turnover to £5m in the next two years.

GLC Projects, set up by Graeme Cochrane in 2019, is set for expansion from its new base in UKSE’s Innovation Centre at Hartlepool. With a 20-strong highly skilled team the company now has the space it needs to continue growing and create more jobs.

 
An impressive list of contracts has seen GLC Projects involved in demolition work around the UK including site clearance, mechanical demolition and dismantling, material processing and civil engineering. Its expertise in asbestos removal is also in particularly high demand.

 
The company recently secured its largest contract to date with Northumbrian Water Group which will see it working on projects across the region for up to 12 years. Other clients in residential, commercial and industrial sectors include North Yorkshire Council, Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council, Synchronicity Care, NHS hospitals, local authorities, schools and development corporations as well as works for Strabag UK Ltd as part of the HS2 Segment Factory in Hartlepool.

“Demolition, decommissioning and the removal of asbestos are particularly specialised jobs that can be complex and are obviously highly regulated,” said Graeme. “We are accredited contactors and members of a number of safety associations including ACAD, ASESA and British Safety Council. Our aim is to be one of the main players in specialist enabling works so professionalism and integrity are vital.”

The company also carries out civil engineering works across the North East as a subcontractor and principal contractor.

Graeme, a chartered engineer and surveyor who built up twenty years of experience in construction and management before starting GLC Projects, nursed an ambition to be a business owner from his early school days. One of his aims is to improve the image of the sector and provide apprenticeships to encourage young people to look on demolition as a sound career choice.

“The Innovation Centre is an ideal environment for us,” he said, “and we may well be needing additional space quite soon. The facilities and support from the UKSE team are excellent and mean we can concentrate on growing the business.”

Joan Cook, Workspace Manager for UKSE, said; “There are more than fifty businesses based in our Hartlepool Innovation Centre and it’s a friendly and supportive business community. It is good to hear that GLC Projects is doing so well and planning to create more jobs. We will do everything we can to see they have the space and support they need to do that.” For details of UKSE’s support for businesses (finance and workspace) see www.ukse.co.uk. GLC Projects is at www.glcprojects.co.uk.

PICTURE: Joan Cook, UKSE Workspace Manager, with Graeme Cochrane of GLC Projects, now based at the Innovation Centre in Hartlepool with plans to expand.