Forth and Tay members
GAP GROUP LTD
Business type: Hire Company
Contact: AGNES WATSON, BIDS & PROPOSAL COORDINATOR
Address: CARRICK HOUSE, 40 CARRICK STREET, GLASGOW G2 8DA
Email:
Countries worked in: England, Scotland and Wales
GAP is an equipment supplier with locations within approximately 25 miles of another, providing a full support network across the UK. We primarily hire equipment to the construction industry but we also have specialist divisions which supply lifting and height safety equipment for hire or sale to various other industries. Furthermore, we have the expertise to test, inspect and certify lifting equipment, offshore davit systems, cranes and fall arrest systems. With regards to GAP becoming a supplier to the NnG Offshore Windfarm in particular – we have 12 depots onshore within easy travelling distance to both Dundee and Dunbar so we can supply a wide range of equipment quickly and efficiently. We are already supplying a number of subcontractors on this project already so we can tie in deliveries and ensure that we are providing a cost effective solution for all companies involved in constructing the NnG Offshore wind farm.
Capabilities
Good capacity and some experience in supplying the sector
- DEVEX - Project Management & QA Services: Specialist tools, parts, PPE, lifesaving, chandlery
- CAPEX - Turbine Services: Shoreside Lifting Services
- CAPEX - Balance of Plant - Manufacture / Supply Services: Civils support services including plant hire & QS services
- CAPEX - Balance of Plant - Manufacture / Supply Services: Accommodation & Transport Services
- CAPEX - Balance of Plant - Manufacture / Supply Services: Offshore Equipment Services
- OPEX - Operations & Maintenance: Fuel & Consumables
- OPEX - Operations & Maintenance: Lifting, climbing & safety equipment & inspections
Capabilities to supply, but no/limited experience in the sector
- DEVEX - Project Management & QA Services: Health & Safety Training
- OPEX - Operations & Maintenance: Wind turbine blade access, Inspection & Repair
- OPEX - Operations & Maintenance: Testing and Certifications
Ambitions to diversify in the sector
- OPEX - Operations & Maintenance: Turbine Maintenance & spare parts
Other services offered
- GAP Hire Solutions (GAP) is the UK’s largest independent equipment hirer in the UK with 10 divisions specialising in their own areas. I have listed these below:- Plant Hire- Tool Hire- Lifting Hire & Sales- Non-Mechanical Plant- Survey & Safety- Trenching & Shoring- Welfare Services- Tanker Services- Event Services- Vehicle HireWith regards to GAP becoming a supplier to the NnG Offshore Windfarm in particular – we have 12 depots onshore within easy travelling distance to both Dundee and Dunbar so we can supply a wide range of equipment quickly and efficiently. We are already supplying a number of subcontractors on this project so we can tie in deliveries and ensure that we are providing a cost effective solution.GAP has the capability and expertise to ensure that the project is delivered successfully. We have a specialist lifting division which has the expertise to test, inspect and certify lifting equipment to ensure it is compliant with UK LOLER legislation.Furthermore, our Tanker Services division would have the capability to remove waste onshore from the various onshore sites. GAP is a registered SEPA & Environment Agency Waste Carrier with consent to discharge your waste safely and legally throughout the UK.
Case studies
Trinity House are responsible for the fabrication, supply and maintenance of buoys and navigational aids in UK waters. They operate from 3 premises in England & Wales and operate a fleet of 3 vessels whose activities include wreck location and marking, aid to navigation maintenance, towing, buoy handling and surveying. In 2016 GAP were made aware that Trinity House had issued a tender for the thorough examination of lifting and safety equipment covering the above locations and vessels. We submitted a tender and a technical proposal and were successful in our bid.
Contract type: 3 year contract
Value: £40k per annum
GAP carry out c2,500 thorough examinations per annum for Trinity House at their workshops in Harwich, Swansea and Lands End and onboard vessels THV Alert, THV Galatea and THV Patricia. As the vessels are required to respond to emergencies the schedule and location can change with little notice as they may need to divert to a different port. Due to GAP’s national coverage we have been able to respond accordingly, and vessel inspections have been completed in Harwich, Swansea, Southampton, Liverpool, Holyhead and Plymouth. The vessel inspections are normally completed whilst in port but occasionally our engineers have had to sail with the vessel on a job in order that the inspections are completed on schedule. Certification is made available instantly online via Sitecert – our online certification system. In 2019 the contract was renewed for a further 3 years.
MPM North West, a Marine & Civil Engineering specialist approached GAP regarding the thorough examination and proof load testing of davit systems and eyebolts on site at Barrow Offshore Windfarm (a Dong Energy project). The requirement was engineers covering a shift pattern of 10 days on, 4 days off for a minimum of 12 weeks. Whilst GAP did not have engineers with the necessary offshore qualifications at the point of enquiry we quickly investigated and advised that engineers could be trained to the required standard within an acceptable timescale.
Contract type: Fixed term contract.
Value: £40,000
GAP Engineers worked as part of a team alongside MPM’s engineers, once installed the davit and eyebolts would be thoroughly examined and proof load tested. It was important that certification was easily accessible and promptly following completion. This was achieved by utilising Sitecert, our online certification system. Engineers updated the system via a downloaded app on their tablets and certification was available to anyone with login rights within 24 hours. The contract was impacted significantly by inclement weather and shift patterns were regularly disrupted and abandoned mid-shift. This required significant flexibility to meet revised schedules, but we worked with MPM and their client to achieve an amended schedule that was acceptable to all parties and at no point during the contract did we not meet their requirements. As a result, the contract ran for a period of 23 weeks but critically all works were completed before MPM’s deadline.
