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While many were putting their feet up, teams from across J. Murphy & Sons Limited were hard at work over Christmas completing vital projects across the country.

Here are just of some of the impressive works carried out over the last few weeks:

Bridge replacement – Three Colts Lane
Working within a physically constrained location surrounded by residential flats and businesses, the Murphy team demolished and replaced the bridge at Three Colts Lane, London. Despite adverse weather conditions the original structure has now been replaced with a new steel bridge.

Strengthening works – Bishopsgate Tunnel
Bridge strengthening works involved the installation of heavy steel components lifted and installed using Road Rail Vehicles fitted with manipulator attachments. The scope involved the installation of preassembled needle & spreader beam assemblies, coring into the brick substrate, installation of top needles, grouting of all needles, installation of Cintec Anchors and earthing & bonding to the newly installed steelwork.

New track connection – Holbeck Depot Leeds
Colleagues in the TRU East Alliance successfully installed a new scissors S&C unit as part of the major engineering works at Holbeck. The new track layout will ease access and egress from Holbeck Depot and free up much needed capacity on this critical section of route. The project is a key enabler for future planned works in the Leeds area, improving diversionary routes and minimising disruption to passengers over the coming years.

Platform reinstatement – Liverpool Street Station
At Liverpool St Station, Murphy completed the reinstatement of platforms in time for passengers return to the office. 

Additional works included the installation of a Road Rail Access Point in Cambridge that will allow strategic access for future projects; while in Broxbourne, Herts colleagues prepared the Nazeing New Road bridge for the upcoming replacement in January 2023.

As the rest of the business returned following the festive break, Daniel Hickey, Project Director for the works at Three Colts, Bishopsgate, Liverpool St and Broxbourne, praised the efforts of his teams and all those who ensured vital works were completed on time:

“Yet again, our people and partners have impressed with their commitment, skill and expertise in safely delivering these critical works. Whilst others were enjoying their Christmas dinner and toasting the New Year, our teams were busy renewing vital rail infrastructure. A big thank you to them for sacrificing time with their family and friends to deliver these works!”

Andrew Ball, J. Murphy & Sons Limited Sector Director Energy, has been appointed as the National Chair of The Pipeline Industries Guild.

The Pipeline Industries Guild was formed in 1957. Since then, it has evolved to be the only association world-wide to cater directly for the needs of the pipeline industry, regardless of engineering discipline, application, or qualification.

The Guild’s membership comprises those with interests in pipelines world-wide, all are governed by the industry’s twin need to combine quality with safety, while at the same time meeting all the latest environmental and legislative requirements.

This winter, in lieu of Christmas parties, we will be donating £100,000 amongst 20 foodbanks local to our projects and offices in the UK (Trussell Trust) and Ireland with the hope of providing some Christmas cheer to those most in need.

With our company’s purpose to ‘improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure’ this extends to supporting the communities in which we work.
We are very pleased that we are fortunate enough to be able to make this donation and sincerely hope that it makes a difference to those in hardship this Christmas.

In addition to this donation, a big thank you to our project and office locations who have also been collecting donations of food and toys from employees and our supply chain partners to support other local charities.

This includes our office in Golborne who have held a raffle raising £600 of funds to buy food for The Brick charity and toys for Compassion in Action.

In Ollerton, our team has arranged a food collection to support the Lifespring Centre and Community Action Project helping families within the local area.

In Leeds, the team is donating food hampers to St George’s Crypt for the homeless as well as to local families in need.

In Cannock our teams are collecting food for Cannock District Food Bank and supporting animal charity CAARS Rescue with a collection of blankets and toys.

Whilst in London, our Kentish Town team and suppliers have collected food, toiletries and toys to be shared between Kentish Town Community Centre and the Camden New Journal Hamper Appeal.

Thank you to everyone for their support and taking part.

J. Murphy & Sons Ltd (“Murphy”), a leading specialist engineering and construction company, is pleased to have completed the construction of new storage tanks at the Oil and Pipelines Agency (OPA) oil fuel depot in Gosport, Hampshire.

Acting as Principal Designer and Contractor, Murphy upgraded the oil fuel depot for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Naval Command in order to meet the future requirements of the Royal Navy, including the new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.

Murphy’s scope of work included the design and replacement of fuel storage tanks, pipework, fuel delivery systems, gatehouse, control room, fuel sampling laboratory and stores. Works also included a new fire and foam system, with tank deluge and a new effluent treatment works.

Murphy self-delivered the vast majority of the project with direct resource and in-house Specialist Welding Services (SWS) and Pipeline Testing Services (PTS).

The project involved demolishing existing tanks and rebuilding a further eight tanks – including six new tanks and two return tanks – as well as new security fencing and new buildings constructed according to the MOD’s specifications.

To protect environmental sustainability, the new system allows the Royal Navy to recycle fuel from its vessels, including fuel that is contaminated or substandard, by filtering it and putting it safely back into production. The old tanks were recycled.

The site has been formally handed over at an opening ceremony to the operator, OPA, to enable supply of aviation fuel for Royal Navy aircrafts and helicopters, as well as diesel fuel for Royal Navy ships.

More than 800 people worked on the project, including Murphy employees and its supply chain partners, with over 970,000 hours worked throughout the project duration, which commenced in March 2018.

Peter Bartlett, Murphy Senior Project Manager, said:

“We are exceptionally pleased to have successfully delivered this critical defence infrastructure project safely through the pandemic with no interruptions and in line with the Royal Navy’s expectations. The oil fuel depot secures the bulk supply of fuels for the Royal Navy – both aviation fuel for aircrafts and helicopters as well as diesel fuel for ships – and underpins the UK’s energy security at a critically important time.

“This is the largest tank project Murphy has worked on in its history and involved multidisciplinary trades including pipework, tanks, civil works and electrical EC&I. It was a great team effort by all involved in the project, from the design team through to the site construction crews, engineers and commercial backup, as well as our in-house specialist units, Specialist Welding Services and Pipeline Technical Services. Together, we worked as ‘One Murphy’ by delivering the people, plant and expertise needed to make the project a success.”

Stephen Bunce, DIO Principal Project Manager, added:

“We are delighted to have completed this project to meet the Royal Navy’s fuel requirements.

“The upgrade work on the Gosport site was delivered on time and within budget and its success was achieved through good teamwork, communication and collaboration. It’s great to see this vitally important facility now in full operation.”

mua Group (“mua” or “the Group”), a 50:50 joint venture between SGN and J. Murphy & Sons Ltd (“Murphy”) that is responsible for utility asset ownership, is pleased to confirm that it has agreed a £30M non-recourse debt facility with Santander UK to fund orderbook rollout and other growth opportunities.

Following a period of substantial growth, mua has acquired an orderbook of 180,000 connections across a number of sectors serving and connecting residential, commercial and industrial properties and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

mua comprises multi-utility asset businesses including an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT), an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) and other non-regulated entities. The Group takes a holistic view of utilities to improve the speed, precision and efficiency of how new communities are energised.

The investment supports their vision to become the first-choice, multi-utility network operator in Great Britain and will help mua accelerate the transition to net zero by continuing to promote and adopt greener utility infrastructure.

Advisors on the transaction included:

• Debt: Mazars
• Lender: Santander
• Legal: Addleshaw Goddard LLP & CMS
• Technical and Commercial: PA Consulting
• Model: Operis
• Finance and Tax: Mazars
• Interest Rate Swap: Chatham Financial

Gregory Addison-Smyth, Managing Director at mua Group, said:

“We are very pleased to receive financing from Santander to fund growth in the acquisition of infrastructure assets to support our journey to net zero.

“This funding is an endorsement of our strategy which, through our clients and partners, allows us to continue to invest in long-life utility assets to connect homes and businesses across Great Britain to essential utility infrastructure, safely delivering energy and multi-utility services through our networks in the simplest, smartest and greenest way possible.

“I would like to thank Santander and all our advisors, in particular Mazars and Addleshaw Goddard LLP, for their support in concluding the transaction.”

Jamie McAinsh, Asset Investment Director at mua Group, added:

“The completion of this capex facility underlines our success so far and reinforces the confidence the financial community has in our business plan. This transaction marks the next stage in our evolution, creating a springboard for sustained future growth, as we ramp up to continue support the transition to net zero through smart acquisition of utility networks.”

Jonathan Corcoran, Director Specialised and Project Finance, Santander UK said:

“We are delighted to have supported mua with this funding which will support the company’s ambitious expansion plans. mua is critical in bridging the gap between energy supplier and energy distributors and our funding will support their transition towards net zero, a crucial part of our sustainability strategy too.”

J. Murphy & Sons Limited, a leading specialist engineering and construction company, has today published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, outlining the Group’s commitment to deliver a greener, cleaner Murphy community. The full report can be accessed on Murphy’s website at: https://www.murphygroup.com/about-murphy/who-we-are/publications

Murphy’s purpose is to improve life by delivering world-class infrastructure across the transportation, water and energy sectors in the UK, Ireland and Canada. Murphy is in full support of all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and aligns with SDGs 3, 7, 8, 9 and 13, where the Group can make the greatest positive impact.

• 43% emissions reduction since our journey began in 2009
• 6% of electricity renewable
• 100% of timber purchased from certified, sustainable forests
• 44% of company car fleet electric / hybrid

• 42% reduction in lost time injury rate
• 25% of employees from underrepresented groups
• £200k in charitable donations

John Murphy, CEO of J. Murphy & Sons Limited, commented:

“I am pleased to say that in 2021 our vision to be the leading family-owned construction business in the three geographies in which we work when we celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2026 has remained as steadfast as ever, despite the well-documented global and industry challenges.

“The reason for this is simple; our strategy is founded on our people and social value, collaboratively working with our clients, being safe and sustainable, driving continuous improvement in engineering and delivery excellence, and in turn enabling consistently strong financial performance.

“Our business model has also remained consistent, with self-delivery at its core. We have continued to strengthen our senior leadership team, and through our Brilliant Basics initiatives we are delivering the fundamentals better: to improve productivity and deliver operational excellence across all our construction activities.

“At the core of this, our focus on long term sustainable growth is enabling us to make great strides in our commitment to deliver a greener, cleaner Murphy community, and ensure the two are mutually inclusive.”

Murphy recognises that it has a vital role to play in enabling climate action and we have set ourselves the ambition of being a net zero carbon business by 2030 and carbon positive by 2050.

We are continuing to work towards our net zero carbon emissions’ goal aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi); reducing fuel use by 30% in 2021, minimising waste by diverting more than 99% from landfill, investing more than £21m in green plant and equipment throughout the year, and developing increasingly low carbon engineering solutions.

We also rolled out our 10 Steps to 10% campaign – a Murphy-wide fossil fuel reduction campaign targeting a 10% reduction in fossil fuel use through behavioural change and increased efficiency.

Murphy’s support for local communities is stronger than ever; we have offered more apprenticeships in 2021 and taken an active role in the UK government’s Kickstart Scheme to create jobs for 16-24-year olds, and support the long-term unemployed.

We launched our Murphy Roots education and tree planting initiative with 50 schools across the UK, given free volunteering days for our colleagues to engage with the communities they work in, and generated charitable donations for many good causes, including the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

We have also taken a lead role in the Ministry of Justice’s Employment Advisory Board programme within HM Prisons to ensure prison-leavers are job ready upon release and are offered a second chance.

Climate action and social value are key elements of our Murphy at 75 business strategy, with specific objectives, targets and action plans associated with each.

These targets were set by our Group Executive Committee and approved by Murphy’s Board of Directors in July 2020, as part of the annual review process of our business strategy and business plan. Our sole shareholder, Drilton Limited, also approved the Murphy at 75 business strategy in November 2020 as part of our governance process.

The Group Executive Committee and the Board of Directors review the performance of the business against its climate action and social value objectives and targets in the annual review of business strategy and plan, and approve any changes.

2021 ESG Report – https://www.murphygroup.com/media/luupow1a/murphy-esg-report-2021.pdf

2021 ESG highlights video – https://youtu.be/WjgUfzdYvOI

We look forward to welcoming John Cresswell as Murphy’s new Chairman of the Board in November and wish a fond farewell to Alastair Kerr whose leadership has guided us successfully over the last decade.

John Murphy, CEO, said: “I would like to thank Alastair for his leadership of the Murphy Board over the last 10 years, and for the impact he has made on our business.  Alastair has been instrumental in implementing Murphy’s good governance practices, building a professional family Board, and in demonstrating the importance of culture to the long-term success of businesses like Murphy.  I wish Alastair every success in the future.”

Alastair Kerr commented: “It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to help support the Murphy business over the last 10 years, and, in particular, to see it develop so strongly over recent years under the leadership of our founder’s grandson, John Murphy and his team. I wish everyone involved in it every success for the future; I am confident that the business will be wisely guided by John Cresswell for many years to come.”

John Cresswell brings substantial executive advisory experience to Murphy, having served as CEO of 215-year old family-owned business, Bibby Line Group, Arqiva and ITV.  His current tenures include Operating Advisor with Lazard Asset Management with the Sustainable Private Infrastructure Fund, and as Non-Executive Director of Capita plc.

Commenting on the appointment, John Murphy explained: “John has more than 30 years’ experience leading and developing organisations across a broad range of industry sectors, making him an ideal person for this role.  There is strong cultural alignment between John and the Murphy family, and I look forward to working closely with him to continue the standard set by Alastair Kerr.”  

John Cresswell, incoming Chair, commented: “I feel extremely privileged to take on this role at such a transformative time for Murphy and the construction and engineering industry.  Murphy is values-led, has a reputation for quality delivery, and a strong balance sheet. The Group has a clear longer-term ambition to be the leading family-owned construction business and a solid strategy to get there.  I am excited to be able to play a part in that journey.”

Alastair will stand down from the Board on 22 December 2022.

Please click here to read our official press release.

The opening ceremony for the Murphy Ireland built, state-of-the-art covered reservoir and associated works at Stillorgan Co. Dublin, took place yesterday with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien in attendance.

The Stillorgan Reservoir Upgrade project means that the water supply to over 200,000 people across Dublin and Wicklow is now safe and secure through 2031 and beyond.  

The upgraded reservoir can store over 160 million litres of treated drinking water and has replaced three open reservoirs at this site, which were no longer fit for purpose.

The project represents an investment of over €50m by the client Irish Water.

The Stillorgan Reservoir Upgrade is the latest in a number of major upgrades of water supplies in the Greater Dublin Area, designed to future-proof the supply to cater for increasing demand, population growth and the challenges that are likely to be presented by climate change.

Officially opening the new reservoir, Minister O’Brien described the project as a “critical element in the ongoing modernisation of the water supply for the Greater Dublin Area.”

Adding: “Congratulations to Irish Water and all their partners for delivering this landmark project.” 

John G. Murphy, Managing Director, Murphy Ireland said:

“This project is a testament to the great collaborative effort of everyone involved including Irish Water, Nicholas O’ Dwyer and of course all our own employees, who worked tirelessly to deliver this massively important piece of strategic infrastructure on time and to budget, despite external challenges including Brexit and Covid 19.

Over the last 54 years, Murphy Ireland has built a reputation for quality and excellence, offering industry-leading services in civil engineering, transport infrastructure, piling, tunnelling, structural steel, pipe fabrication and weld testing services, as well as fully integrated turnkey solutions to both the municipal and industrial water sectors, encompassing all aspects of design, construction and operation and maintenance. This reputation could not have been built without the wonderful work of our people and teams, supported by valued, long-standing clients like Irish Water.”

Niall Gleeson, Irish Water CEO said:

“We all recognise the need to improve our ageing water infrastructure and the completion of this project is another important step along the road to building a secure and sustainable water supply for the people of Dublin for generations to come.

We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support as we carried out this essential work, as well as our delivery partners in Dublin City Council, Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd and Murphy Ireland.”

The original Stillorgan Reservoir site comprised of three open reservoirs and was one of the last remaining uncovered treated water reservoirs in Europe, where treated drinking water was left exposed to the elements, with consequent risk of contamination.

The construction of the new covered reservoir will eliminate that risk and enable better management of the supply of water to customers. Construction work began on the upgrade project in 2018 with the draining down of the Gray Reservoir, which had not been fully drained since it was built in the late 1800s.

The new reservoir and associated infrastructure will have the capacity to support future water demand through 2031 and beyond.

For more on the Stillorgan Reservoir Upgrade see: Stillorgan Reservoir – Our Projects | Murphy Ireland (murphygroup.com)

The UK Government has today announced its new Energy Security Strategy which sets out how Great Britain will accelerate the deployment of wind, new nuclear, solar and hydrogen to support energy security and the transition to net zero.

J Murphy & Sons Limited has a long history of supporting clients to deliver better-engineered, sustainable energy solutions. We welcome the plan but say action is needed now if people of Britain are to see benefits anytime soon.

Jon Downs, Murphy Managing Director, Energy, said:

“The UK Government’s new Energy Security Strategy is an undoubted step in the right direction and outlines a credible path towards boosting the country’s long term energy independence and security at a time when our reliance on overseas supply is being brought into stark relief.  However, the focus must now shift towards providing the infrastructure that is so urgently needed in order to make this strategy a reality – a scaled up expansion of our nuclear, wind, solar and hydrogen plans, as well as improved domestic oil and gas capabilities will only be possible if investment is made today.  Today’s plan is a good outline, but we need the rest of the construction and engineering industry to get on board to make the Government’s plan a reality – what we need now is action.”

You can find the full Government strategy here.