Pictured: (l-r) Michael Edwards (Kier) with Mark Robinson (Scape)

Scape - the Nottingham based local authority controlled company which brings economy and efficiency to the whole building process through standard designs and strategic procurement arrangements - is delighted to announce Kier as the sole contractor appointed to deliver a range of construction projects throughout the UK.

Kier, which has offices in Nottingham and Rushden in Northamptonshire, will be responsible for delivering the ScapeNational Minor Works framework. This is set to run for four years and is valued between £750m and £1bn. Over that period, it is estimated that Kier will carry out over 2,500 projects valued under £500,000 and over 350 projects valued between £500,000 and £2m.

Projects will include refurbishment and new build works on every public sector building type including schools, town halls, leisure and community buildings, police and fire stations. The framework can be accessed by any public body - not just those in the East Midlands.

As Mark Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at Scape explained: "Scape is at the forefront of driving down public sector building procurement costs, and we have a number of regional and national frameworks in place to achieve this. 

"The appointment of Kier to what is our first £1bn framework and the only one in the UK to deliver a national offering for projects up to £2m is great news for public sector organisations. It means they can buy in smaller scale construction work contracts without having to go through a costly and time consuming compliant procurement process.

"This is beneficial in many ways. It not only means that public bodies can save money at a time when budgets are being squeezed, it also offers value for money for the taxpayer, greater economies of scale and sector expertise in delivery of client expectations." 

Kier Strategic Alliances Director Michael Edwards commented: "We are delighted that the benefits of the Kier approach have been recognised. Delivering through our nationwide network of local offices means we can create work for local SMEs who in turn can offer local employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

"This, coupled with our national buying power and resources, will ensure that our local authority clients get value for money on all our Scape Minor Works projects, invigorating local economies, benefitting the SME supply chain and the local communities where we work."

Many regional and UK-wide projects, due to start before the end of the year, will be delivered through Kier's regional businesses which form a strategically placed network of locally based and managed offices throughout the UK.