opco wins £2m south Wales contract with leading edge ‘green’ firm Celtic Recycling

WALES and west construction firm opco is starting work on a £2m contract in Newport with leading UK ‘green’ business Celtic Recycling.

Celtic, a heavy electrical equipment and hazardous waste recycling firm, is creating more than 30 new high skilled jobs with its expansion at its Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate operation in Newport.

The firm, which has an existing base at Pyle, Bridgend, has chosen opco to construct two new industrial units, a security gatehouse and weighbridge together with new mechanical and electrical engineering installations and with associated drainage and external works at its four acre Newport site.

The foundations for the leading edge scheme, which is being built to BREEAM very good standard, are to be piled to take the large span steel portal frames. A new access road from the public highway is to be formed.

Celtic Recycling, which operates at the cutting edge of its industry, currently employs a workforce of eighty across its two sites in south Wales.

The company provides a “total package” approach for the electricity utilities sector and other major blue chip companies managing health, safety and environmental matters associated with the decommissioning of end of life heavy electrical equipment.

Managing Director Keith James said the business, established for almost two decades, has grown significantly in recent years. He said the new facility at Newport will give the business the space, equipment and skilled people its needs to expand.

Mr James said: “We’re delighted to be working with opco on this extremely important expansion project for Celtic Recycling.
“The development of the Newport site underpins our expansion plans and our commitment to providing innovative recycling and waste management solutions to the industry. As well as continuing to service our clients throughout the UK, we will be looking to develop our existing portfolio of services in order to address their future needs. To operate successfully we need the very best facilities which are what we’re confident opco will deliver.”

Opco Operations Manager John Pugh said: “Celtic Recycling are universally recognised as leaders in their field and so we’re proud to be working with them to deliver this important and significant contract in Newport.”

Architects for the 36 week scheme are Thraves, and Ashley Rogers Associates are structural engineers.

Opco has recently completed a £1.8m project for Becton Dickinson in Plymouth and has just commenced the upgrade of the existing manufacturer’s facility for the repeat client at £800K. In addition to this opco has completed the £3m fit out at Cardiff’s iconic St David’s shopping centre; a £3.5m redevelopment of the National Museum of Wales Upper West Wing galleries and Pinbrook Recycling centre Exeter for £1.3m, the client being Devon county council.

opco is currently working on a £4.1m development of 16 apartments and four town houses at Porthminster Hotel, St Ives Bay, Cornwall, a £1.25m medical centre in Gelligaer, south Wales and a  luxury apartment scheme in Tenby, west Wales as well as a 90 bedroom, £3.1m Travelodge hotel in Balham, South London.

opco has a forward order book of some £40m and employs 70 staff from its offices in Cardiff and Exeter.