Gas pipeline operator National Grid has scooped a prestigious industry award from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies. The Wolverhampton based Gas Alliance, a partnership between National Grid and leading utility company Morgan Est, beat off rival companies Rolls Royce and Carlsberg to gain the Best Partnership Award for 2005.
National Grid created the Gas Alliance at the beginning of 2005 to help the company meet its commitment to replace 45,000Km of metal main with plastic pipe over the next 30 years.
The new partnership has enabled National Grid to increase its productivity, improve safety by reducing injuries to employees and retain a workforce with the skills to carry out the work. These improvements have also helped to meet the increased demand from the public to lessen traffic disruption caused by streetworks.
Andy Hibbitt, National Grid Alliance manager said: ‘I’m delighted we have been recognised for such a prestigious award. Working as equals with Morgan Est in design, construction and risk management has given the Alliance the ability to improve safety, deliver our workload and reduce costs.
‘Our workforce is made up of 50% National Grid planning and design staff and 50% Morgan Est construction staff who work as a single team. Working alongside a company that shares our values means we have an enjoyable way of working that encourages innovation, teamworking and the exchange of ideas and best practice.’
The Alliance partnership, worth up to £320 million over the next eight years, will accelerate gas mains replacement across the West Midlands. The contract will aim to replace around 300 kilometres of gas main each year in Birmingham, Solihull, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall.
Morgan Est Plc is one of four partners undertaking gas mains replacement in alliance with National Grid across the UK. Together, these partnerships will be carrying out work to a value approaching £200 million a year.
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Media information: Jane Taylor on 0121 333 2640
Notes to Editors:
National Grid
National Grid is a leading international energy infrastructure business - the largest utility in the UK.
Through National Grid Gas plc (formerly Transco), it owns and operates over 6,800 kilometres of high-pressure transmission pipeline across Great Britain, and 132,000 kilometres of lower-pressure distribution gas mains in the North West, the Midlands, East Anglia and North London – more than half of Britain's gas transportation network, delivering gas to around 11 million homes, offices and factories. National Grid sold the four gas distribution networks covering the rest of Britain to other companies in June 2005.
Through National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, the company operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network across Great Britain, and owns the network in England and Wales.
National Grid will continue to manage the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.
Morgan Est Plc
Morgan Est plc is a leading provider of infrastructure services for tunnelling, specialist civil engineering, water and utilities across the public and private sector. It is a member of construction brands group Morgan Sindall plc that operates a national network of fit-out, construction, affordable housing and infrastructure services divisions.
Morgan Est specialises in complex and demanding projects that require a high degree of engineering innovation and expertise. Major works span the whole range of civil engineering activities using procurement routes such as partnering, negotiated, design and construct, PFI/PPP design, build, finance and operate.