Support at tender

Contractor Carmichael & Baxter, supported by Keyline Civils Specialist, tendered for a project to convert the former school Madras College into 450-bed student accommodation in 2023. 

Keyline Dundee’s Branch Sales Manager, Garry Aitchison, engaged early to provide support during this process, collaborating with the customer and providing pricing for the tender. Keeping close communication throughout, the Dundee branch checked in for updates and helped to re-price areas of the job as needed.

Carmichael & Baxter won the tender, and Keyline was immediately onboard to help deliver the project thanks to the established relationship. As the project developed, Keyline worked closely with the contractor and the product supplier Wavin, ensuring the correct solutions were provided to meet both the client’s specifications and the challenges of the site.

Challenges and constraints on site

Initial designs for the conversion included five of Wavin’s Aquacell Core R tanks to be used for stormwater management. However, site conditions and logistical constraints made this solution less viable. 

The installation required a more cost-effective and efficient option, particularly as space on-site was limited and managing the storage and transportation of materials presented a challenge. There was also an opportunity for the project to reduce its carbon footprint; minimising transportation emissions was a critical factor. To move forward, a solution that would address both the technical requirements and practical limitations of the site needed to be identified.

Adapting the specification: a more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable solution

Keyline engaged with the customer at the initial enquiry stage and identified a solution that would be more cost-effective, sustainable and easier to install. Keyline proposed switching from the originally specified Aquacell Core R tanks to Wavin’s new Aquacell NG units – this redesign was approved by the consulting engineers and brought several key advantages. 

The Aquacell NG units could be installed 30 percent faster than the original specification, reducing labor and installation time on site. The new units also provided significant cost savings and required only a quarter of the storage space compared to the original tanks, which was particularly beneficial given the tight site constraints. 

In terms of logistics, Aquacell NG’s ability to deliver four times as much storage per lorry meant fewer deliveries, reducing the project’s carbon footprint by a quarter compared to the original plan. Working closely with Carmichael & Baxter’s Managing Director, Neil Cameron, and the supplier Wavin, Keyline ensured that the tanks were delivered on time in June 2024. 

As a result, the project stayed on track, and the large-scale installation of the tanks was set for August 2024, with all necessary materials efficiently managed on-site for the work to proceed smoothly. Thanks to working through Wavin’s StormForce installation service, which we introduced early in the project, the transition from delivery to being implemented was efficient. 

By collaborating early and being proactive with solutions, Keyline has helped make this project a success for Carmichael & Baxter.