Bouygues Travaux Publics

FABRICATING SOLID FUTURE FOUNDATIONS

FABRICATING SOLID FUTURE FOUNDATIONS

As an innovative construction business with a diverse workforce underpinning a creative approach to its extensive project portfolio, Bouygues Travaux Publics is thriving. We explore further with Executive Vice President, Vincent Avrillon

Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

“Reliable Solutions where service matters”

IndependEnt Substation Services Ltd

Independent Substation Services Ltd (INDSS) was established in 2011 as a specialist High Voltage and Low Voltage electrical engineering company. We offer a varied range of services such as:

• Transformer and switchgear maintenance

• Transformer and switchgear supply, installation, commissioning and testing

• Cable jointing and terminating

• Fault finding / emergency call out

We work within private networks offering services to end users and operators of electrical equipment. Our customer base varies from biomass sites, high rise buildings and hotels to construction projects and everything in between. Recently our larger projects included a major HV and LV systems retrofit at the Lanesborough Hotel in London whilst keeping the hotel operational; and the installation and commissioning of the entire HV supply to the HS 2 South Portal site in Rickmansworth.

Europe’s construction industry is intrinsically bonded to the prosperity of the European economy.

This plentiful sector provides 18 million direct jobs, contributes to around nine percent of the EU’s overall GDP, and possesses the crucial ability to create new employment opportunities, drive economic growth, and provide solutions for social, climate and energy challenges.

Part of this vast network is Bouygues Travaux Publics (BYTP), who has evolved efficiently to secure its esteemed standing as a global player in construction. Founded in 1952, BYTP remains family owned to this day.

The vastly experienced company designs, builds and operates projects in the building, infrastructure and industrial sectors, and as a responsible and committed leader in sustainable construction, BYTP sees innovation as its primary source of added value. This crucial quality is viewed by the company as “shared innovation” that benefits its customers, whilst simultaneously improving its productivity and the working conditions of its 32,400 employees.

“I was immediately attracted to the construction industry, as it’s

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

As a local development player, BYTP is committed to the following principles:

• Respecting the fundamental human rights, interests, cultures and values of its employees and the communities in which it operates.

• Developing and valuing the skills, diversity, quality of work life and cohesion of all its employees.

• Participating in the social and economic development of the territories where it operates through employment, integration, training and community partnerships.

• Addressing environmental issues at every stage of the company’s projects, in particular by reducing carbon footprint, preventing pollution, preserving biodiversity and sourcing responsible resources.

• Limiting waste through the promotion of the circular economy.

Boss Cabins

SITE WELFARE - THE NEXT GENERATION

The construction and infrastructure industries are undergoing a massive shift. With pressure from shareholders and the need to comply with a growing raft of legislation, work sites are increasingly insisting on net zero and carbon neutral operations. One way to help achieve this is to choose site welfare products which minimise fuel use and emissions.

Over the past two years, UK manufacturer Boss Cabins has been helping sites to go carbon-free with their patented Deep Green 2030 range of welfare cabins and portable toilets, proven to operate almost entirely from solar energy, slashing fuel use and producing virtually zero emissions. Also incorporating rain harvesting, water recycling and vastly reducing the need to visit the site to service the cabins, the Deep Green range has had its carbon savings verified by respected independent industry watchdog Carbon Footprint as well as being shortlisted for two prestigious sustainability awards –edie’s ‘Net Zero Product of the Year’ and ‘Product Innovation of the Year’.

Now after 24 months of data proving how successfully Deep Green units reduce fuel use and emissions on site, Boss Cabins has taken its solar innovation one step further with the launch of the patent-pending GenFree range. This 100 percent silent running welfare cabin range is the world’s first towable welfare range with no on-board generator at all. With all electrical power supplied by an advanced solar system with extendable arrays and vertical panels, this breakthrough in site welfare is available for demo now.

For more information, contact Boss Cabins on 01778 300475.

bosscabins.co.uk

something that I believe some people just have in their blood,” introduces Vincent Avrillon, Executive Vice President of BYTP.

“I started off by resisting many other career paths, such as joining a car manufacturer or chemistry company. Banks at that time were also starting to recruit lots of engineers, but I was attracted by construction only, and the nature of seeing the things being built every day was really important to me.”

Having joined the company in 1990 as part of an overseas training programme, launched as a specific French opportunity, Avrillon travelled to Australia to continue his development, later moving to Hong Kong, then back to Australia once more, before

returning home to Paris with BYTP.

“I now focus on managing tenders, delivering projects, trying to build success and training people to be the future of the company,” he sets out.

DEFYING AN INDUSTRY IN CRISIS

Avrillon believes that the European construction market finds itself in a difficult position at present. The UK, for example, is having to navigate the ever-increasing difficulties left in the wake of the complicated fallout from Brexit and now more recently, the war in Ukraine.

These challenges continue to have a negative effect and slow progress on all current projects for the entire construction industry.

Victor Products Ltd

Victor Products Ltd is the world’s leading manufacturer of electrical connectors and lighting for the global mining and tunnelling industry.

Trust is Earned, Never Given. Nowhere is this truer than at the bottom of a mine shaft. Victor Products Ltd, established in 1929, has over 90 years’ experience offering world class customer service, technical support and outstanding engineering services and support. Victor Products is able to specify and provide the specific solution to suit our customer’s requirements.

The electrical connector range covers voltages up to 11,000V and currents up to 750A. Victor Products Ltd has developed a range of LED lighting designed specifically for the arduous environments found in mining and tunnelling.

www.victor.co.uk

“I WAS IMMEDIATELY ATTRACTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, AS IT’S SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE SOME PEOPLE JUST HAVE IN THEIR BLOOD”

– VINCENT AVRILLON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BOUYGUES TRAVAUX PUBLICS

A trusted manufacturer of electrical connectors

Find

Victor Products Ltd.

Unit 3A

Tyne Dock East Side

Port of Tyne

South Shields

Tyne & Wear

NE33 5SQ

Tel: +44 (0) 191 280 8000

Email: sales@victor.co.uk

Web: https://www.victor.co.uk

Victor Products Ltd manufactures an extensive range of explosion protected electrical connectors and lighting primarily for the underground coal mining and tunnelling industry We have been proudly nominated as a key partner by Vincent & Anne-Sophie DUC DODON, Project Management Officer of ALIGN JV & Bouygues. Our products for the tunnelling industry increase efficiency and improve safety. This further recognition increases Victor’s reputation throughout the mining/tunnelling industry that the products we design, and manufacture are second to none.

Victor Products Ltd is the global headquarters of the Victor Group of companies with manufacturing facilities in the UK and South Africa. In addition, there is a network of agents available throughout the world to supply local solutions. Research and development are a constant, with the portfolio of products expanding, and the addition of individual country’s approvals of the existing product range.

One of the most distinguishing features of Victor Products is its quality level which is recognised throughout the world. In addition, customers regularly comment on the depth of product knowledge the team at Victor Products Ltd can draw upon to provide engineering solutions.

Victor Products is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Federal Signal Corporation of Chicago. Registered Office: Victor Products Ltd, Unit 3A, Tyne Dock East Side, Port of Tyne, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 5SQ. Reg. in England No. 06531201.

“Despite these obstacles, the French market remains prosperous, mainly thanks to the Grand Paris Metro Project. Apart from that, however, it’s not a booming market across Europe right now,” he explains.

Ever since it was founded, BYTP has consistently sought to bring people together by combining aesthetics, technicality, practicality, and safety for users through total mastery of all the techniques involved in the construction of bridges, tunnels and other projects.

“We have always tried to be at the forefront of the market in terms of innovation, safety, the equipment we

are using on site, and design,” Avrillon informs us.

“We are very proud of our design approach, as when we look at a project, the first thing we do is try to challenge the design, change it, modify it and find alternatives that will save time and money, and we regard this as our greatest strength.”

Some of the bridges that BYTP has built have become casebook examples for the construction industry, such as the Hong KongZhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world’s longest sea bridge between Macao and Hong Kong, the Avignon Viaducts and the New Coastal Road viaduct,

Tanks-UK

TANKS-UK has successfully partnered with Align JV to provide Firewater Reserve Tank Systems. In addition, they have supplied the HS2 project and other large construction projects with Portable Bowsers for Water or Fuel Dispensing, Combination units with AdBlue®, Trailed Bowers for dust suppression and Static High-Volume Storage Tanks in plastic or steel.

To provide a seamless and complete service, TANKS-UK carries a comprehensive range of pumps, fittings and accessories, giving turnkey liquid handling solutions for your requirements.

We look forward to your call. Sales helpline +44 1953 665 948 or sales@ tanks-uk.com

www.tanks-uk.com

linking Saint-Denis to La Grande Chaloupe.

One particularly successful project that remains very special to the company is the Grand Paris Express, Metro Line 15.

“Paris is our garden, so we definitely wanted to be involved with building the Grand Paris Metro. When the project started five years ago now, we had not built tunnels in France for maybe 10 years, so one of the challenges for us was to upskill a new generation of tunnellers, workers and young engineers,” Avrillon illustrates.

“Traditionally, we are very good at design and building when we work overseas, but we were not always so successful in France, so it’s the start of a new era and a new way of delivering major projects in France,” he details passionately.

Another key area of development for the company is through investment in the offshore wind farm business.

Bulk Fuel

TANKS-UK is the leading supplier for a range of Tanks and Liquid Handling Systems across Construction, Agriculture, Industry and Domestic

Supported by a wide selection of pumps, fittings and accessories, we tailor systems to meet each customer’s requirements on request. We provide free technical support, friendly advice and unrivalled service levels.

Bespoke Precision Engineers

Ducrocq Engineers specialises in the design and manufacturing of equipment dedicated to extremely challenging environments, including infrastructure construction projects (tunnels and railway works), energy markets (oil, gas and hydroelectricity) and industry.

Learn more

“We acquired a design concept of a floating solution last year, as the offshore wind farm market is an important target for us. It is a marine works, heavy concrete structure, and will allow industrialisation of the construction as well as being a way to demonstrate our ambition in terms of our ongoing carbon emissions reduction strategy.”

PLACING TRUST IN PEOPLE

Above all, BYTP is committed to building a workplace in which all individuals feel supported and respected. To get the best from its highly valued staff, the company knows that it must nurture a culture and an environment that embraces difference.

“To remain competitive and to differentiate us in the construction market, we know that our people will be more productive and engaged if they feel ‘well’ at work,” explains Avrillon.

“We aim to educate all members of staff about the importance of a diverse and inclusive workplace to achieve business success, and we focus on providing career opportunities for all key talent in a fair and equitable way,” he adds. BYTP’s diversity and inclusion goals are supported by graduate schemes and comprehensive learning and development programmes throughout the employee life cycle, including mentoring and recruiting activities.

“To be even more specific, in a male dominated industry, we aim at realising gender equality throughout

all key employee experiences including recruitment, performance and remuneration reviews and development opportunities,” Avrillon elaborates further.

Additionally, BYTP has envisioned several key gender balance objectives, as the company remains convinced that it needs to change. Today, all executive leader bonuses are tied to different targets, including gender balance goals, as BYTP strives to ensure that its workforce is free of any harassment or discrimination.

As a company, BYTP believes that whatever the level of someone’s profession within its structures,

“WE MUST SEDUCE US CONTRACTORS TO WORK WITH US AND DEMONSTRATE WHAT WE CAN BRING TO THE TABLE”

– VINCENT AVRILLON, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BOUYGUES TRAVAUX PUBLICS

you need to achieve your goal with the support of our expert team.

Whether you are starting from a trench, working your way up, or giving a structure a new lease of life, we can provide you with the support you need to bring your structure to life in the most efficient, cost-effective and safe way.

training is a key driver in the development of people. In this way, careful attention is paid to every individual’s needs to help them develop towards their highest potential. Everyone’s career path is treated in an individualised way, which opens the maximum number of opportunities for career development within the group.

ESTABLISHING SUCCESS IN THE UK

One of the signature projects of BYTP’s ever-expanding portfolio is HS2, a high-speed rail line that will provide a non-stop link between Birmingham and London, UK, which

is a prosperous market for the company.

The Align joint venture, consisting of BYTP, Sir Robert McAlpine and Volker Fitzpatrick, is managing the design and construction of the 21.6 km Central 1 (C1) section, to the northwest of London, which includes a 3.4km viaduct over the Colne Valley and a twin-bore 16km tunnel through the Chiltern hills.

“HS2 is the longest tunnel we have ever built, and together with the viaduct it is quite a sophisticated and iconic project. The project is on-track with reference to budget and timing, so it’s a real success in the UK, and we are very proud of it“ Avrillon acclaims.

Align is using variable-density tunnel boring machines, a technology that has already been used by BYTP across projects in Hong Kong and on the Grand Paris Express project, which adapt excavations to the specific geological conditions of the terrain. The complex work carried out also included the construction of cross passages between the two tunnels, as well as the installation of five ventilation shafts.

Also located in the UK, BYTP is particularly proud of the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project. This sizeable undertaking consisted of the construction of a power station that

©

HS2 Ltd

© HS2 Ltd

houses two nuclear reactors.

EDF Energy awarded the project to BYTP, working as part of a larger consortium with the British company Laing O’Rourke, taking on the contract to construct the buildings that will house the two European pressurised reactor (EPR) nuclear reactors at HPC. With a total capacity of 3.2 gigawatts, the plant will supply a staggering seven percent of the UK’s electricity consumption and provide power to over five million homes.

EXPLORING BROADER MARKETS

BYTP has identified that the key to growing the business further, is to constantly endeavour to develop a diverse pool of international talent.

“The construction industry is not what it once was, and we now need to make sure that our partners, suppliers and contractors will stay in the business with us for 10, 20 or even 30 years to help build mutually advantageous

relationships,” Avrillon outlines.

Looking forward, North America will certainly play a crucial part in BYTP’s expansion strategy for new projects, as the company has collectively decided to focus more on the US market.

Now, with a strong team established in Miami, BYTP has secured several ongoing tenders, which are mainly tunnels because of the positive reputation that the company has forged in this project category.

“We are well established in Australia, Hong Kong, France and of course the UK, so now the focus is on the US,” he continues.

“The competition is sophisticated, with many local and European contractors working out there, and the level of the financial returns is good so it’s a place where we really want to work more regularly. We must seduce US contractors to work with us and demonstrate what we can bring to the table.”

Continuing to build prosperous

relationships with local partners will be at the forefront of the new strategy across the US. Similarly, thanks to the HS2 and HPC projects, BYTP now boasts an impressive and growing pool of talent in the UK, and offers to relocate staff to the US, Australia, Hong Kong or elsewhere for future jobs and new contracts if they are interested.

“Ultimately, we need to make sure that we are not only a French contractor employing French people working overseas. Instead, we must be seen as a more international company with international talents at our disposal,” he concludes.

© HS2 Ltd

FABRICATING SOLID FUTURE FOUNDATIONS