Excalon logo, Manchester

One of the country’s leading infrastructure contractors Salford-based Excalon has managed to sustain its pivotal work servicing the utility services throughout both lockdowns.

Its design and supply work has been crucial during the pandemic and it is also involved in working to lower city-centre carbon emissions.

Excalon work in Manchester
Image credit: Excalon

Managing director Kevin O’Donnell started the company alongside Dessie Donnelly 18 years ago and they have been considered a major contractor for more than 14 of those.

He said: “We’ve built our reputation up over many years resulting in gaining the major projects we’re currently working on.

“The quality of our work is now known throughout the industry.”

Despite two lockdowns, and a battle to keep all of the staff safe, the team have persevered with only a few of the office-based personnel being put on furlough.

Mr O’Donnell said: “It’s been very difficult, but we’ve all worked hard to keep everyone safe throughout; with one- way systems plastic partitions between desks, hand sanitiser and thermometers being used.”

Excalon work in Manchester
Image credit: Excalon

Having the company based in Salford allows Excalon to be at the centre of the motorway network, and tap into external staff based in Manchester.

This enables it to tender favourably for contracts all over the UK. At present it has major projects as far away as Scotland and Southampton.

“Currently our biggest jobs include a treble 132 kilovolt circuit overlay in Bradford which is approximately 15 kilometres, plus a quadruple 132 kilovolt project to Lostock Energy Park in Northwich which is approximately 5 kilometres,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“It’s been very difficult, but we’ve all worked hard to keep everyone safe throughout; with one- way systems, plastic partitions between desks, hand sanitiser and thermometers being used.”

Excalon was recently approached by Vital Energi, a major energy solutions company, to carry out work to improve the country’s carbon emissions.

Mr O’Donnell explained: “In 2019 the company was approached to carry out district heating works. That involves excavating and inserting heating pipe systems in major city centres to reduce carbon output. This will be a major contribution to becoming carbon neutral in the future.”

With help from Excalon and other companies such as Vital Energi, the UK is expected to be on track to become somewhat carbon neutral by 2038.

Vital Energi in partnership with Excalon outside Manchester Central (Video credit: Excalon)

 

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