GRAHAM and its supply chain have teamed up with Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) in a £1m investment to enhance the construction programme at Buchanan Wharf.

The leading regional contractor is currently delivering four projects, including the Student Loan Company’s new 75,000 sq. ft. headquarters, as part of the £500m multi-site redevelopment programme on the banks of the River Clyde.

RSBi is “one of the largest supported businesses in Europe”. More than 50% of its 260 employees are people with disabilities.

It operates from a 120,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art, purpose built manufacturing facility, equipped with the latest automated machinery, in the Springburn area of Glasgow.

It is owned on a 50/50 basis by both Glasgow City Council and Wheatley Housing Group and provides employment for people who might otherwise struggle to get work.

GRAHAM and its specialist joinery supply chain partner have linked up with RSBi as part of a collaborative partnership to create off-site manufactured products, such as kitchen components, that will be installed at Buchanan Wharf.

Approximately 75% of all GRAHAM projects feature elements of Modern Methods of Construction, pre-fabrication and standardised components.

With offices in Kinning Park and Tradeston, GRAHAM makes a significant contribution to the local economy through the provision of opportunities for a wide range of supply chain partners and suppliers from across Glasgow.

This £1m investment with RSBi is just the latest example.

Commenting on the partnership, Gary Holmes, GRAHAM Managing Director – Building North, said:

“At GRAHAM, we recognise that we are only as good as our supply chain. That’s why we continue to invest in and support local specialists, and it is why we are working with our supply chain and RSBi to enhance our project delivery. We share many of the values of RSBi and applaud its commitment to supporting people with disabilities in the construction industry and removing the barriers to entry. Equally, GRAHAM is committed to implementing Modern Methods of Construction across our project portfolio. We recognise the multiple benefits in terms of quality, efficiency and safety, but also the considerable environmental enhancements it offers. We look forward to developing this relationship with RSBi and its highly skilled workforce.”

Alan Burns, Executive Director from RSBi, added:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with GRAHAM and Branniff to enhance the programme at Buchanan Wharf which is set to become an iconic project for Glasgow when it is finished. RSBi is one of the largest supported employment businesses in Europe employing people with disabilities. We have a unique social ethos, which is reflected in our determination to give people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy sustainable careers in the construction industry. We also want to build sustainably, and we are driven to deliver excellence across our wide range of manufacturing operations.”