Rubb Buildings Ltd has been praised for its professionalism, flexibility and safe working practices after providing three storage solutions to three growing companies.

Rubb UK delivered a new storage facility to power and gas giant E.ON. Plant and Consumable Services Ltd approached Rubb to complete a 16m wide span x 25m long building project for E.ON UK on the Isle of Grain, Rochester, Kent.

The client wanted to utilize as much of the existing concrete plot but that presented its own challenges – Rubb had to carefully design and install the structure to avoid all the underground service docks and cables at the site.

The storage facility features Rubb’s signature post production hot dip galvanized steel frame and grey and white PVC coated polyester covering membrane. Rubb’s design engineers added a 4m x 4m roller shutter door to the side of the building at the client’s request.

John England, Power Utilities Director at PACS, said: “The project ran very smoothly from start to finish and E.ON is delighted with the result. Site safety is paramount on E.ON sites and they praised the Rubb team for their professionalism and safe working throughout their time there. We are optimistic that this success will be a springboard for further opportunities for the Rubb PACS partnership in the near future.”

Rubb UK also rose to the challenge to design, manufacture and install a custom overspill storage solution for Rockwool’s state-of-the-art insulation production line and packaging facility in South Wales.

Rockwool is a leading manufacturer of non-combustible stonewool insulation, with a factory and offices in Pencoed, just outside Bridgend. Rubb beat off competition to win the contract to provide a custom structure featuring an assymetrical roof truss. The building includes a 15.25m wide front span for the first 25m of the building’s length. It then extends out to a 20.25m wide span for the remaining 15m of the structure’s length towards the rear gable end.

Technical Sales Engineer Ian Mackleysaid: “We came up with a flexible solution to meet the specific perimeters set by the client, including higher sidewalls and an extended assymetrical 20m rear gable end. The client also required a 4m wide x 5m high sliding door which we were able to provide. Rockwool liked Rubb’s flexibility of design and approach.”

Neil Perry, Projects and Energy Manager at Rockwool, said: “Rubb, and in particularIan Ian Mackley, were very flexible with regard to Rockwool’s specific requirements and timescale and provided the best value for money approach and consequently price. The installation team were very professional, quick, and also flexible, to suit Rockwool’s changing demands. The result was an excellent looking and fine, robust structure. We are impressed!”

Meanwhile a leading provider of mechanical equipment returned to Rubb Buildings Ltd when seeking a solution to a storage space expansion in Scotland. Aberdeen based EnerMech came back to Rubb to place a repeat order for an additional 15m x 40m NV storage facility in 2011. Technical Sales EngineerIan Mackley said: “They were running out of space at his site and needed an additional building to run alongside a retaining wall. Part of the building frame was mounted on the retaining wall, which became the foundation for the structure’s right side legs for 28m of the building’s length. It was completed with a 5m x 5m roller shutter door and two personnel doors. This provided the extra space that they needed flexibly, quickly and cost effectively.”

To learn more about Rubb Buildings Ltd’s flexible storage buildings please visit http://www.rubb.co.uk/content/bulk_storage/bulk_storage.htm

Rubb UK’s new sales executive journeyed to St James’s Palace to collect his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award for completing a six-week expedition to Ecuador where his group climbed two volcanoes, spent one week building a school playground and three weeks trekking. His Royal Highness Prince Philip presented Grant Davidson with his award on March 14, 2012.

“It was brilliant to meet him,” said Grant. ”I was quite nervous but he made everyone feel at ease.” Grant started working in the sales department at Rubb Buildings Ltd in January. He explained: “I was brought up in an engineering business environment and it always appealed to me. I wanted to make my own way in life. I used to help out at my parents’ company Rotational Engineering but it was never an ambition to stay long term. I later took on a variety of different roles at Astrum and developed my sales and marketing skills there. I gained experience dealing with the defence sector and long term supply contracts. Liaising with defence professionals takes time and patience but it is worth it in the end.”

Grant cut his sales and marketing teeth at Rotational Engineering Ltd, a leading steel tool maker, while working towards his BA Hons degree in Marketing Management at the University of Northumbria. He is a welcome addition to the sales team at Rubb Buildings Ltd, which has a long 34-year history providing military buildings to the UK Ministry of Defence. Rubb also supplies its respected Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System (EFASS) to the USA, Canadian and UAE forces. The company provides a wide range of building solutions to other sectors including sport, aviation and general industry.

Grant added: “I am looking forward to working with the experienced team at Rubb and building on the skills I have learnt in my short career so far to help drive Rubb towards an even brighter future.” Rubb UK’s General Manager Ian Hindmoor said: “We think Grant will bring a wide range of sales and marketing skills to the company and that he will be an asset to the team. We are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Netball and tennis are on the curriculum at a new Rubb UK sports hub in Cornwall. Gateshead based Rubb Buildings Ltd beat off competition to become the main subcontractor responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the facility at Budehaven Community School, a specialist sports college. Rubb came onboard after main contractor Leadbitter won the contract following a competitive tender process.

The sports hub has won praise from teachers, pupils and the community. Mrs Denise May MBE, Director of Sport and Assistant Headteacher at Budehaven said: “The new facility is an iconic building for both the school and wider communities. It has enabled us to enhance the sporting provision for our 1300 students and feeder primary schools; support the development of two growing sports of netball and tennis in the town, creating centres of excellence and generating new sporting opportunities for all. The centre is now at the heart of our school and community leisure provision and in the lead up to 2012 will provide a lasting legacy.”

The project started out as a one court tennis hall which grew into a two court hall after more funding was secured. Then the design was changed to also accommodate two netball courts. This involved increasing the height of the building while maintaining the overall footprint. The custom designed sports hall measures 39.5m x 35m with 7.2m high sidewalls of which three metres are steel clad.

Rubb was responsible for providing the steel framed superstructure which is clad with a PVDF coated polyester fabric membrane. General Manager Ian Hindmoor said: “The steel clad sidewalls add protection and the white fabric allows natural light to penetrate into the hall to provide a light and airy atmosphere ideal for both sports. This is the third project of its kind in the area. Rubb has already completed sports complexes for Paignton Community and Sports College and Taunton Vale Sports Club. We are looking forward to seeing the latest facility being used by the pupils of Budehaven School and the local community.”

Rubb training advisers John Borlace and David Cromarty (centre) with (left to right) Corporal Tom Brown, Sergeant John Watt, Corporal Jay Corn and Chief Technician Paul Griffiths from 5001 Squadron

Military personnel from RAF 5001 Squadron attended a training session about the EFASS internal crane at Rubb’s UK plant in Gateshead.

The roof mounted crane system is a highly regarded accessory associated with Rubb’s Expeditionary Forces Aircraft Shelter System range of rapid erect buildings. Its addition was based on feedback from Ministry of Defence staff who work with Rubb structures out in the field.

5001 Squadron, an award winning UK Air Combat Support Unit, routinely deploys around the world to provide and maintain expeditionary airfield facilities to support deployed air operations, so it is essential that the team receives the best training on the equipment used in theatre.

Four men from 5001 visited Rubb in September to learn all about the crane technology for the ‘invaluable’ EFASS range. Rubb’s rapid deployment military shelters are used by defence organisations to house a variety of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft as well as UAVs, military equipment and supplies. The company’s Training Advisers Dave Cromarty and John Borlace were on hand to provide training on installing, dismantling and using the crane which has a Safe Working Load of 1,500kg.

5001’s Sergeant John Watt was joined by Corporals Jay Corn and Tom Brown and Chief Technician Paul Griffiths. Sgt Watt said: “We have been learning about installing the crane system and testing it out. It has been useful and everyone has enjoyed it. Having seen it in action I think it is a really good bit of kit. We will pass our experience on to other Squadron members on our return to Wittering.”

The crane is available with alternative SWLs. For more information please visit www.rubbmilitary.com

Bill Wood with John Borlace

John Borlace is the thirteenth employee at Rubb Buildings Ltd to receive a commemorative watch for 25 years of service.

The 13 loyal members of staff, many of whom all still work for Rubb, have together contributed more than 325 years to working for the Gateshead-based company. John was presented with an Omega Constellation watch at the building manufacturing plant on the Team Valley Trading Estate.

Mike Mote

Quantity Surveyor, Quality Control Captain, Health and Safety Chief and Estimating Manager – all jobs in themselves – but at Rubb UK one man did them all.

Manager of many hats, Mike Anthony-Mote, has retired after 27 years of service at Gateshead based Rubb Buildings Ltd.

Ian Hindmoor with Rubb Group Chairman Finn Atle Haldorsen

Ian Hindmoor has taken the helm at Rubb Buildings Ltd after scaling the ranks from Trainee Design Draftsman to General Manager in just 12 years.

Ian said: “I would like to pay tribute to my mentor and Rubb former Managing Director Bill Wood and thank him for everything he did for me and the company. I think I speak for everyone when I wish him all the best in his retirement.

“I am proud to become General Manager and very excited about the company’s future and I am looking forward to being part of it. After working on contracts over the years I know our products inside and out.

“We have already secured a significant number of military orders which will keep us very busy for the rest of 2011, with 15 EFASS buildings scheduled for delivery in the New Year.”