Net Zero Update

of Strathclyde to build a case for the project and the full-time employment of a specialist KTP associate who will be based within Mackenzie Construction, working under the supervision of Contracts Director, Mark Wilson and supported by Dr Matteo Pedrotti and Professor Alessandro Tarantino. Having been successful with the funding application in April 2021, the focus will now be on recruiting the KTP associate and setting out the road map for the project.

The KTP will embed valuable capability in geomechanics and hydromechanics to test and capture the performance characteristics of our binder under a range of environmental and loading conditions, both in laboratory and field environments. This will generate robust evidence to demonstrate the performance and benefits of Smart Surface, across a range of environmental profiles. Andy Dalrymple, Managing Director at Mackenzie Construction said:

“Ultimately, our goal is to support our clients with their net zero targets by implementing sustainable practices and developing environmentally friendly services that facilitate carbon reduction. The KTP will enable us to offer our clients a more sustainable and circular surfacing solution and a progressive service resulting in greater reduction in costs, project timings, carbon outputs and environmental impact.”

Matteo Pedrotti, Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Strathclyde said:

“Our research group has been investing significantly towards the development of low-carbon design in geotechnical engineering via a range of novel bio-chemical technologies. We were excited to learn about the concept of Smart Surface from Mackenzie Construction and are looking forward to contributing towards its further development. Our research thrives on the synergy between Industry and Academia and this project will allow our research to make a tangible impact in today’s society.”

From HSE Advisor and in-house Carbon Champion, Ryan Taggart

We continue to make progress towards our net zero targets and have been considering innovative ways to build more sustainable practices. We have been exploring options for in-house software solutions that are helping with our move towards ostensibly paperless sites over the next two to three years. As part of our digitalisation strategy, we have recruited software developer, David Payne, who has been working on developing a common data environment which will ultimately cut our carbon emissions versus traditional information sharing. By building our software in-house we are able to tailor our systems to suit the needs of our people and our clients rather than relying on standardised software which often requires a degree of compromise. We’ve also continued with agile working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen a dramatic reduction in our office power consumption and reduces the amount of traffic travelling to and from the office. We are aiming to have our head office running on fully renewable power by 2025.

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Supporting Irvine Meadow Football and Community Club

With giving back to the local communities in which it operates a core principle of the Mackenzie Construction business, it has helped to improve and support many local causes over the last 40 years of its operations. One of these deserving local causes, is Irvine Meadow Football and Community Club.

Former Managing Director of Mackenzie Construction, Brian Lamb, joined the club in 2016 and took on the role of General and Commercial Manager of Irvine Meadow on his retirement. His commitment to the role over the last few years has brought much improvement to the club, which has become increasingly involved in supporting the local community in Irvine. In 2016, Irvine Meadow Football Club moved from an Unincorporated Club to a Not-For-Profit Community Interest Club (CIC), with a renewed focus on creating tangible community benefits to the area. To further enhance this strategy, a Community Club (IMCC) was formed, with the doors of the stadium being opened for the local community to use. In the early stages of this transformation, the facility required some immediate maintenance in a number of key areas and there were real concerns over security and safety for those using the club’s facilities. In order to engage with new groups, a range of upgrades and improvements were proposed, and Mackenzie Construction gladly stepped in to lend its support for the project. Whilst Mackenzie Construction is Glasgowbased, it has many long-serving and highly skilled employees from the Irvine area and therefore, the transportation of building materials and support from the team was easily accommodated. One of the first tasks carried out, was to bring the playing surface up to standard. For this, Mackenzie Construction donated turf and seed to patch up the surface, using excess from a recent environment project it had completed. It also arranged for one of its suppliers to provide grass cutting equipment. Excess hardcore was then supplied to fill potholes around the pitch, creating a usable and safe environment for club staff and players. Another challenge which required immediate attention was that the main entrance gate pullers were unstable, and Mackenzie Construction provided the expertise of its Bricklayers to repair them. In the months that followed, a former training area which had been neglected was returned to prime condition through external funding secured by the team at Irvine Meadow. Mackenzie Construction supplied some plywood Boards, sponsored large Stadium Boards and sourced new strips for the 1st team with sponsorship and backing from some of its key suppliers, who were also keen to support the initiative. Another site of repair was the main stand, which was in poor condition with areas of cracked and crumbling concrete. The Mackenzie Construction structural repair division made quick work of this and repaired and sealed these areas, as well as replacing shattered glass panels with Perspex windows. With the support from Mackenzie Construction and other local businesses to bring the amenities up to standard, The Irvine Meadow Community Club profile was enhanced, and this enabled more Community Groups to be actively involved in using the facilities.