2024 has been another great one for Exyte Hargreaves! I wanted to shape my final foreword of this year by addressing some of our success stories.
Consistency and Stability
Remaining true to our strengths has been a focus across Hargreaves. We’re an HVAC business and we engineer HVAC systems better than anyone else. That’s why you won’t find Hargreaves products on any supermarket shelf. We’re special and we understand that it’s why you (our clients) trust us with delivering on safety critical facilities across the UK. By re-establishing our business identity and direction we can focus on what matters most (our people, safety, quality and manufacturing excellence). Our end of year numbers don’t lie. It’s been a record-breaker for the business and I’m delighted about that.
Integration with Exyte
James Bevis Managing Director
2024 Highlights
Core Sectors and new Sectors
We are truly thankful to have some fantastic clients (you know who you are!) The projects we’re supporting in our core sectors of Energy, Transport and Defence are remarkable. I’m glad we can play our part in changing the landscape of UK infrastructure in partnership with you all. But that’s not all! Our partnerships with Exyte are opening doors into new sectors for our business. High Tech Facilities including Data Centres, Biopharma, Life Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing plants will all play a part in the future of Hargreaves.
Growing our Business Together
We all want to build on past success, and that was a tall order after how
We’re proud to be a member of the Exyte Group. It’s a hugely successful global name in our industry and growing closer to our international colleagues has only brought positive things. Each of our department functions is regularly interfacing with their talented counterparts across the world. It’s opening the doors to knowledge sharing, global initiatives and new ideas. By strengthening Exyte Hargreaves we’re now a key contributor to Exyte (and now Exentec) as we continue our shared journey.
we finished in 2023. I’m very pleased to report on some fantastic stories from this year which are helping Exyte Hargreaves to reach the Next Level. 17 new apprentices have joined us in 2024, as part of a hugely successful talent acquisition programme which has seen more than 50 new employees welcomed onto our team. Our London office continues to help us support southern based projects in the capital and further afield. Order Intake and Revenue has grown, supported by a programme of innovation making us more efficient and ready to deliver at the highest standard.
I look forward to building on the Exyte Hargreaves story in 2025. In the meantime, stay safe, thank you for all your support and I wish you a relaxing festive period.
Exyte launches new brand identity for its Technology & Services division
I want to inform you about an exciting strategic step taken by our parent company, Exyte. Within the internal structure of Exyte Group, there are four divisions: Advanced Technology Facilities (ATF), Biopharma & Life Sciences (BLS), Data Centres (DTC) and Technology & Services (T&S). Exyte Hargreaves is part of the Technology & Services division.
Exyte has announced a new name and brand identity for Technology & Services. It will now be known as ‘Exentec’, a leading global provider of advanced cleanroom and production environment solutions. This strategic transition, which encompasses existing brands and subsidiaries, signifies a continued commitment to excellence and innovation within the high-tech industries served by Exyte.
We want to assure you that the internal transition will not change the current relationship you have with Exyte Hargreaves. You will continue to work with your existing contacts. Our primary focus remains on maintaining the high standards of service and delivery that you rely on. Our parent company remains as Exyte and Exentec remains a part of the Exyte Group.
We want to assure you that the internal transition will not change the current relationship you have with Exyte Hargreaves.
We are committed to continuing to provide you with an even broader range of technologies and services. Our relationship with Exyte is one of our greater strengths as a business. There may be opportunities to provide enhanced support and services through the integrated capabilities of the Exentec brand in future.
You don’t need to take any action at this time. We will keep you updated on the ongoing transition and provide further details. There is a possibility that Exyte Hargreaves may change our name in future. However, should this decision be taken, we will of course inform you in advance.
You may see media reports in the next weeks which reference Exentec. Should you have any questions about the rebranding or if you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Exyte Hargreaves representative.
Managing Occupational Health in Construction (Apr ’24)
Why People are the key ingredient to Brand Voice (Sep ’24)
We Bid You Welcome
Navigating the Civil Nuclear Roadmap (Jan ’24)
An Apprenticeship A+
In September, we said ‘hello’ to 17 new apprentices who joined the Exyte Hargreaves Engineering Young Talent Programme. These talented young professionals are already making a huge impact on the business. Departments including Manufacturing, Quality, Safety and Engineering have welcomed their new recruits with open arms. We now have more than 27 learners working across the business to become the next generation of Exyte Hargreaves talent.
Our Business Development team has been red hot this year, driving an 85% increase in Order Intake for the current year. We’ve seen incredible support and projectgrowthfromourfriendsatHinkley Point C, as well as securing four assets with HS2. Thank you also to our key clients in the Defence sector (you know who you are). In collaboration with Exyte, we’realsopursuinganincreasingnumber of opportunities in a diversity of sectors such as Data Centres, Biopharma and Advanced Manufacturing. Finally, we’ve recently signed contracts on an exciting new project becoming the latest in a pantheon of British nuclear projects to add to the Exyte Hargreaves track record.
Making Winning a Habit
The team has had a successful year in many areas, and the industry agrees. At November’s 30th Anniversary of the H&V News Awards we collected two prizes. Our work at Hinkley Point C was recognised as the winner of Project of the Year. Leon Barker-Williams from our Quality Team collected Apprentice of the Year, with Beth Richards (Business Development) taking Highly Commended. A fantastic night for our business!
Excel
With a history of more than 150 years, we know what it takes to be the best in specialist HVAC. Here is Part 2 of our 2024 highlights. Up next is a look at how we’ve ensured that Exyte Hargreaves remains at the very forefront of our industry.
Safety First
Ensuring our people go home safe at the end of every day. It is our simplest and most fundamentally important promise made to our employees. We have enjoyed another flawless year for Safety with zero accidents and recordable incidents. It’s all part of our Incident Free Workplace initiative.
Hitting the Numbers
We’re proud to be making a consistent contribution to the financial performance of our parent company – the multi-billion pound turnover global business, Exyte Group. Consistency in our Gross Profit levels (11%) and EBIT (4%) means our strong record of project delivery is reflected in our excellent results for the current financial year.
Quality Controlled
It’s not just our perfect safety record we’re proud of. We’ve also secured a flawless audit record in 2024. Product quality and assurance is vital in a business such as ours. Whether it’s been an internal or external audit, we’ve demonstrated an unwavering commitment to governance and continual improvement.
Concept to Commissioning
There’s lots to celebrate in our Manufacturing facility and around our projects too:
Manufacturing
• 45% capacity increase in 2024
• Continued investment (Laser Cutter & Nitrogen Generator coming early 2025!)
• Hinkley Point C Nuclear Island Scope 50% complete
Defence Projects
• Top performing contractor at project board meetings
• Successful manufacture & fit out of external plant room in Bury
• 90% Right First Time
HS2
• 100% Right First Time
• First installation on HS2 West Assets using DfMA
• Recognised as SCS MEP Specialist Contractor of the Year
HPC
• 95% Right First Time
• Reduced working at height through DfMA
• First mechanical contractor to mobilise in each area
Exyte
Our people are the backbone of our business. There are so many employee highlights from 2024 that it would be impossible to list them all. Part 3 of our 2024 highlights selects some of our favourites.
The Train Never Stops!
We’ve made a firm commitment to Training and Development in 2024, with over £350k invested in our people. Alongside the 27 separate apprenticeship programmes, we’ve supported people development in a diversity of disciplines. This has included courses in:
• Robotic Structure Analysis
• Heating and Ventilation Ductwork & Planning
• 9001 Lead Auditor and Internal Auditor
• BEng Building Services Engineering
• ILM Level 3 And much more!
Better in the Eighties
A staggering 89 new employees have joined the company during 2024. We’ve recruited extensively in all areas of the business, but particularly for Operations, Manufacturing, Quality and Safety. Liz Bedford, our Talent Acquisition Specialist, has had an extremely busy year! We’re committed to finding the very best people to serve our projects and expect to grow our headcount further still in 2025 to support business growth.
Shared Rewards
Supporting our People is an incredibly important focus for the business and we’ve made some great strides in this area. We have looked to improve colleague health through a focus on wellbeing investment, including wellbeing kiosks, health assessments and a wellbeing space. We have also introduced a new Group Income Protection policy, plus 6 brand new employee benefits.
A staggering 82 new employees have joined the company during 2024.
DfMA visit!
John Prydderch Head of Marketing & Communications
I visited Hinkley Point C earlier this year to meet our project team and see the progress of our work. It had been several months since my last visit and the site was vastly different than I remembered. There were walls where previously there had been walkways, buildings had accelerated in their construction.
I’ve often described HPC to colleagues who have not visited site as like a living thing. It grows and evolves each day as site operations take their course. It presents an interesting logistical problem for contractors like Exyte Hargreaves when attempting to install product on site.
The traditional manufacture and install process was fairly linear for HVAC. Products and systems were designed, made and sent out to site for install. If the programme was delayed in some way, the products were simply stored on site until install could take place. That’s impractical on a site like Hinkley Point where space is at a premium. The answer for Exyte Hargreaves was off site, rather than on site.
The footprint of the Exyte Hargreaves manufacturing facility is roughly 8,000m2. It is the largest of its kind in the HVAC industry. At the far end of the factory, is our designated DfMA area. It’s one of the largest free areas
within our facility and with overhead craneage and excellent vehicle access provides us with flexibility needed to bringing together number of components to complete offsite modularised product. Currently, there are a number of large SHEV (Smoke Heat Exhaust Ventilation) modules going through the fabrication process. These roof ventilation modules varying in size with the largest up to 9mtrs in length and weigh around 3000kgs. The completed module include smoke ventilation louvres & fans including associated power & control wiring, mounted on support frame complete with weathering cowls across the complete module. With the completed module including roof finishes we are supporting the construction of roof works over 200 miles from site, eliminating what would be piecemeal installation works at roof level approximately 50 metres above ground level. We will be manufacturing 30 of these modules in total and eventually, they will be craned into place on the HM building roof at Hinkley Point.
Other than the obvious benefit of eliminating risks and practicalities of working at 50 metres, there are multiple benefits to pre-fabricate in Bury and then transport 30 mammoth ventilation modules over 200 miles to the Bridgwater site?
Quality control is a huge benefit to DfMA (Design for Manufacture & Assembly). The Exyte Hargreaves factory is a controlled environment, immune from the impacts of weather or other disruptive factors. It means that HVAC systems, of the size required by large nuclear facilities, can be fabricated more efficiently and accurately than if they were on site. The process is undertaken in conjunction with design and operational teams so that product quality is heightened – client inspections before products leave for site is also commonplace.
There is an efficiency gain when the products make their way to site also. The deliveries themselves can be reduced by up to 80% for offsite assembled solutions, compared to traditional onsite installation.
A proportion of testing can be completed in the factory, so there is a reduction in site testing and commissioning. Overall, delivery programmes become much simpler, reducing the construction cycle.
Critical to ensuring the benefits of DfMA are realised is a mature approach to Digital Engineering. It’s about much more than creating
models. Exyte Hargreaves has a commitment to digital innovation, with Hinkley Point C becoming our first fully paperless project delivery. For us, digital engineering is about unlocking knowledge and stimulating insight. Data becomes a platform for true project collaboration enabling us to interrogate to a point of ‘build before we build’. The design is improved, risks can be eliminated and the price, programme and delivery is far more predictable.
Finally, and most fundamentally, there is a real safety benefit to DfMA. Since site occupancy times are reduced and the install process simplified, there is less chance of an incident occurring. Exyte Hargreaves is committed to the principles of nuclear safety through an Incident Free Workplace (IFW). As one of our core business values, Safety is engrained within Hargreaves. Our recent safety record is exemplary.
There is another acronym which has been previously associated with DfMA, OSM or OSA. MMC or Modern Methods of Construction is a term which was a typical descriptor of this kind of off site procedure. It certainly doesn’t work to describe the approach taken by Exyte Hargreaves on our current and future projects. DfMA for HVAC systems is less about being modern, it is now a tradition and the demand for it from our clients is growing. Looking at its success on nuclear projects like Hinkley Point C, DfMA is now firmly a part of our nuclear DNA.
Welcome Ruth Riley
Tell us about your role as HR Director in your own words.
Like the rest of the Exec team, I like to split my time between the longer-term business planning and getting work done in the here and now, which I think mirrors how our business works too. I need to make sure I know what work we’re going to be winning in the future so we can start to consider the skills and colleague experience we want to have in place and develop the plans to get us there. Personally, I’m busy learning the business and the industry as I will always look for ways for us to build on our strengths and previous successes. I have had a great handover from Hilary and an amazing and experienced HR team so I’m confident and excited about where we’re going.
Right now, I see my role as two-fold: One, to make sure we’re continuing to attract the right people to the business so we’re growing our skills in the right places. Two, that we all make this a great place to work and that means building a culture with our values at the centre, where colleagues feel they have opportunities to progress and develop their skills for however long they build their career with us. Our recent engagement survey is the perfect jumping off point for actions next year.
I’ve heard some really great stories about people who have made choices to spend their career here, that Hargreaves is part of their family. I’d encourage all of our colleagues to continue to share your personal experiences so we build on our strengths and fix the areas which need attention.
What attracted you to join Exyte Hargreaves as HR Director?
My roots are in manufacturing as I started with Rolls Royce as a Graduate Trainee at the start of my career. I’ve gone on to work in different industries, developing my career in different parts of HR and different regions. When my most recent job came to an end in financial services, I started looking for something which would take me home to my roots.
I started conversations with the Exec team around this role and knew straightaway that this was a place I would feel I could make a difference. It felt like a good place to be. I’m excited to see where we can take the business in the next 5 years.
How have your first few weeks gone?
The first few weeks have gone incredibly quickly and that’s a good sign. It means there’s a lot to learn and although I’ve worked in manufacturing before, Hargreaves is also a project delivery business. There are areas of the sector that I need to get up to speed with. That’s critical and I want to get out and about in the new year to learn about the business.
I’ve met a lot of people who are so engaged and telling me some really positive stories about working here. They’ve described the real family feel around Hargreaves.
There’s a lot to do and I’m keen to roll my sleeves up and get into that. Certainly, at the beginning of next year with a plan around people that takes us forward.
What strengths do you bring to the HR Director role which will benefit the business?
I’ve worked in many different sectors and types of organisations. Fundamentally, life is similar because people are the biggest part of my job. In a really competitive, changing world, being thoughtful over the long-term about what we need to do to attract people to the business, invest in their development and provide opportunities for them to progress. I’ve delivered initiatives to meet those goals throughout my career and will use my experience to consider the right fit for Exyte Hargreaves.
Why is a strong HR and People function so important for a business like ours?
The HR team is critical of course, as we have the experience of knowing what works. But planning for people is something all leaders do, and our role is to provide the tools they need to be leaders, as well as coaching and learning for their growth and development. This is fundamental if we want our culture to be built on our shared values.
What would your message be to anyone looking for a new role and who are interested in joining Exyte Hargreaves?
We are an exciting business. We have a fantastic order book, with opportunities to take us into the next decade. I don’t think many organisations can say that and it’s a real positive. We get a lot of positivity from our clients and we’re a market leader in what we do, as you can see from the awards we have been winning. I’ve had a really warm welcome already and I know our colleagues will do the same for all our new joiners as we look to grow and develop our business in the future’
DuctWorld
Next year 1872 will have a new look and a new format. Our digital version will remain, but expect to see a copy on your desk once every quarter. Coming
• Engineering Innovations
• Manufacturing Masterpieces
• The People Behind Our Products
• Project Photography
• And much, much more!
Look out for 1872 Spring 2025 issue in March next year!