Sustainability – GS Contracts

Category: Sustainability

18 July 2022 Bespoke JoinerySustainability by Hannah Steel 0 Comments

Why source ethically & sustainably?

Over the last 30 years, we have been manufacturing joinery work for some remarkable projects. Our 20,000 sqft manufacturing space and team of machinists, bench joiners and sprayers provide bespoke joinery services for all our valued clients.

As a business, we understand the importance of sourcing our materials from ethical and sustainable retailers as we are conscious of the environmental impact we have on our planet.

What makes timber sustainable and why do we use it?

Sustainable timber is simply timber that comes from well-managed forests and are harvested responsibly. They ensure new trees are planted to replace those harvested, which helps protect the surrounding environment.

Sustainable timber helps buildings to meet government regulations – the UK government is increasingly making use of legislation to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. The environmental credentials of sustainable timber can help to ensure that projects meet government requirements, future-proof planned projects against future legislation and even give projects a better chance of getting through the planning process.

One of the main benefits of why we supply sustainable timber is that it can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which reduces the impact of global warming, and improves our environmental footprint. However, there are also many other reasons as to why we use sustainable timber in our fit-out projects.

For example, it takes less energy to produce sustainable timber products than other building materials such as concrete and brick. The amount of energy used in timber production and transport is far lower than these alternative materials. For us, this means it reduces the overall carbon footprint of a project.

Working with suppliers

By working with suppliers that we value and trust, we can feel confident in the services we are then able to deliver.

We are all for saving the planet. One of our frequently used suppliers requires us to request the materials we need in advance- stopping them from holding unnecessary stock and end-users from over-purchasing.

Great efforts are being made across all of the suppliers we use, ensuring that their products are acquired sustainably whilst limiting the waste generated when distributing these products.

As a result, the suppliers we source our materials from all support the responsible trading of the products they sell; and by working with the appropriate waste management companies, they aim to increase the proportion of waste sent for recycling.

Once our joinery team have acquired the necessary materials to begin manufacturing, it’s our responsibility to ensure that any waste we create is recycled and dealt with accordingly.

Our Workshop

All of our joinery is manufactured in our workshop, giving us full autonomy and allowing us to ensure all bespoke joinery is of the highest quality.

We are lucky to have built a reputation for manufacturing and installing luxury bespoke items on many of our fit-out projects over the last 25 years and have developed an efficient and structured delivery process from the initial manufacturing to delivery on site.

As much as our joinery team works to support full fit-outs, they can also help when a client wants a unique standalone piece.

Take a look at some of our favourite pieces below:

If you are searching for a reliable contractor to carry out your future project, why not get in touch today?

21 April 2022 DecoratingInteriorSustainabilityTips and Advice by Hannah Steel 0 Comments

Our top 5 tips: How to create a Timeless Restaurant

We have now been fitting out restaurants for over 25 years, so we thought it was about time to share with you what really makes a timeless restaurant.

Working alongside some of the industry’s most reputable architects, designers, and industry professionals, we have uncovered what makes a long-lasting restaurant that everyone will love!

We all love keeping up with the latest design trends, but is it always the best approach to follow when fitting your restaurant out?

Below are our top 5 tips on how to create a timeless restaurant- that will impress over and over again!

1) Be Unique

First up, one of the most notable tips-be unique! Nobody wants to see two of the same restaurants along the same street!

Pinterest boards and Google searches are great places to begin your restaurant design inspiration. But if you’re continuing to see the same style, maybe you should reconsider your choices.

You want to stand out from the crowd, so come up with something original that will invite new people and make them want to visit over and over again!

The last place you want to visit is an outdated restaurant with no character. Keep in mind that trends come and go, so ensure the design of your restaurant will hold its value throughout the years.

2) Durability

Durability is a vital part of maintaining a timeless restaurant. Ensuring you are using high-end quality materials on the fit-out of your restaurant lengthens the time in which it remains looking fresh and pristine.

Undoubtedly, you will face wear and tear; glasses get smashed, and tables get messy. You need to invest in good quality, durable materials that will withstand the abuse.

Our workshop team are constantly working with a variety of easy-to-clean, durable materials. For more information on why you should implement solid surfaces into your restaurant fit-out, click here.

3) Branding

A strong brand is arguably what creates the personality and identity of a successful restaurant.

We have worked with both chain and individual restaurants over the last 25 years, and have found that a solid brand strategy is vital for the success of their business.

ITSU, Coco Di Mama and Ottolenghi are prime examples of well-established brands, with multiple different restaurant locations.

The shopfront of your restaurant is one of the main focal points to broaden your client base. Continuing the same theme throughout the restaurant creates a memorable brand for your business.

Take a look below at some of our favourite shopfronts we have completed:

4) Structure & Efficiency

Considering the structure and efficiency of a restaurant is extremely important for your customers to be comfortable and content.

Think about your seating efficiency; you don’t want your customers feeling trapped or too close to others. You want to maximise the space whilst maintaining a suitable distance between other diners and the staff moving around.

Your restaurant should be structured with careful thought put into it. Your floor plans should allow for easy circulation of both staff and customers and should flow naturally.

5) Location

The location in which you are planning to open your restaurant plays a massive factor in its success.

The food market is a thriving yet competitive industry- You should think about who you’re trying to attract, its accessibility and what other shops are located around it.

Is the area busy enough for you to attract your target consumers? Does the location fit the design of your restaurant? Do you have a great deal of competition around you?

All of these factors should be taken into consideration before finalising the location for your restaurant.

You not only want to target the right people but generate enough business for it to be worthwhile.

By taking into consideration our top 5 tips, we can assure you that your restaurant will be well on its way to success.

If you are looking to open a restaurant but don’t know where to begin, get in touch today and our team will be happy to help.

28 January 2021 Sustainability by dom_admin 0 Comments

Nurturing future talent in construction

At GS Contracts our talented team are our very best asset. Always looking to the future, we continue to keep an eye out for emerging talent to help us take our business to the next level.

With a growing number of the construction workforce reaching retirement age – 22% are over 50 and 15% are in their 60s – and fewer young people choosing a career in construction, the need to spot and nurture fresh talent has never been more important.

One way we work to develop this future talent is through the construction apprenticeship scheme. Not only does this allow us to harness the enthusiasm of promising newcomers, it also gives young people the chance to gain skills and experience with the very real possibility of a career at the end of it.

A great example of the opportunities that can come from following the apprenticeship programme is Liam Saunders, our senior site manager.

Liam first joined GS Contracts when he was just 14-years-old, to carry out work experience.

He clearly caught the bug for construction, returning first for a Saturday job in the workshop, and then to complete an apprentice with us.

Over time Liam has worked his way up to the position of senior site manager and is a valued member of the GS Contracts family.

Liam is just one of a number of our employees who have started their career with us via an apprenticeship, gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the construction sector, while at the same time benefiting from hands-on experience.

Although apprenticeships are traditionally aimed at school leavers, this doesn’t mean older candidates are excluded.

Take for example one of our talented workshop employees, Martyn Rhodes. Martyn was 31 when he joined us. After being made redundant from his previous job he decided to sign up for an apprenticeship in bench joinery, spending part of his week at college and the rest gaining crucial experience as part of the GS Contracts team.

As in many cases, once Martyn had successfully completed his apprenticeship, he was offered a permanent job offer with us and six years on he is a key player in our joinery team.

Apprenticeships offer us a great way to invest in our people, while building a team of talented individuals with spark, enthusiasm and a real understanding of our business.

Interested in finding out more about apprenticeships with GS Contracts? Call us on 01206 793053.

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