Two major projects for Ipswich builders SEH French

East Anglian Daily Times: Princes Street, Ipswich - demolition work taking place to make way for new multi million pound office development, being built by SEH FrenchPrinces Street, Ipswich - demolition work taking place to make way for new multi million pound office development, being built by SEH French (Image: Archant)

A Suffolk based construction company is celebrating after securing two of its largest contracts in the firm’s more than 30 year history.

SEH French has secured two projects with a combined value of £18m.

The first will see the company construct a prestigious new four and five-storey, 55,000 sq. ft. office in Princes Street, Ipswich, which commenced last month.

The project, which will take 64 weeks to complete, involves the demolition of the existing Riley’s pool hall, to construct a new 4 and 5-storey office development. This will be a combination of brick façade; curtain walling and glazed finishes, incorporating an open plan office on each floor.

SEH French is working closely with client Churchmanor Estates Co. PLC and Cambridge based architect Barbara Casanova Ruffles on the project. The company’s new site manager, David Bloomfield, who recently joined SEH French, will join the company’s project manager, Phil Girling.

In addition, the Ipswich based company has now started work on the construction of a new 129,000 sq. ft. purpose built facility manufacturing, production and office facility in Snetterton for Natures Menu. Work on the project commenced in June and is expected to take one year to complete.

SEH French’s 40 strong workforce is 95% Suffolk based. With these two projects now underway, the company has already exceeded its 2015 turnover figure, with four months of the year remaining.

Simon Girling, director of SEH French, said: “These two new major contracts wins are the making of a long-term, strategic plan and we’re absolutely delighted to see it come to fruition.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve undergone a change in management structure, becoming part of One Group Construction. We have also made a number of staff changes by bringing in new staff and by promoting from within.

“This has enabled us to develop a robust and structured approach to projects, with the support of the Group, and has ensured we’ve maintained the strong company ethos on which SEH French has been built.

“The contract wins are testament to the whole team’s skill, knowledge and expertise that has seen us become positioned as one of the leading construction companies in the region.”