Horbury Building Systems (HBS) - General Development - Manchester

Date: 19 Mar 2008

The complex drylining work of a South Yorkshire company on an astonishing piece of engineering and construction in Manchester city centre has clinched a leading national award.

The Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors (FPDC) announced Rotherham-based Horbury Building Systems (HBS) as winner of the 'drylinging contracts over £750,000' award at the 2007 Plaisterers Trophy for work on the £113m Manchester Civil Justice Centre.

The centre, an environmentally driven light and ventilation structure, is the first of its kind in Europe. HBS was tasked with creating a vast duct in the 11 storey atrium of the building, which transmits natural light and circulates air throughout the 300,000 sq ft development with requirements for it to be air tight, fire rated and load bearing.

Throughout the company's £14m contract at the centre, more than 250,000m² of plasterboard and 500,00m of metal section were used. Partitions consisted of 85 differing specifications.

The awards, organised by the FPDC with the support of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, culminate in a glittering awards ceremony held at the grand Plaisterers Livery Hall in London. HBS was congratulated by the judges at the event for achieving "a very high standard of finish on this impressive, complex and large drylining project."

Trevor Wragg, managing director of the Horbury Group, said: "The FPDC Plaisterers Trophy is one of the oldest industry awards, rewarding the highest standards of skill and excellence in plastering and drywall design and installation so we are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award. It is of real credit to the team from Horbury Building Systems who worked tirelessly to deliver this high quality project for such an impressive development.

"The award is a real refection on how far HBS has come and of the level of expertise and skill we have throughout the Horbury Group of companies."

The Civil Justice Centre is the largest project of its kind to be constructed in the UK since work began on the Royal Courts of Justice in London in 1870. Built in Manchester's Spinningfields legal district, the 16 storey building has 47 court rooms as well as tribunal and hearing rooms, offices and other facilities for the judges.

Manchester's £113m Civil Justice Centre

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