We are I&G
It’s been quite a year so far for I&G. Completing one of our technically most complex build programmes to date – the £6m+ Critical Care Unit at Barnsley Hospital – has been just one of a series of highlights for our northern construction company. But who are I&G, and what do we do? Let’s take a closer look into what makes us tick…
We’ve been around a while…
I&G is over 50 years old – and still looking good! The company was founded in 1972 by John Illingworth and David Gregory, as specialist joinery contractors involved in manufacturing doors and windows, and fitting out shops and pubs. Since those early days, we’ve diversified over the years, and we’re no longer just joiners. We’ve moved into refurbishments, design and build, especially in the healthcare, education and food sectors. We’re also extremely proud to have retained the core staff and long serving professionals who have been with the business many years. Since joining the Sewell Group in 2017, we continue to be specialists in multi-million pound complex construction projects that others would think twice about tackling, such as acute care ward refurbishments and working in live food production environments.
…but you won’t even know we’re there
I&G are experts at working in complex and occupied spaces. Walk onto an I&G project, and it won’t look like a standard building site. We’ve worked in live hospital environments, food production factories and even specialist educational labs. We’re experts in sensitive construction that means you can carry on with business as normal, while your brand-new hospital ward, factory extension or lab takes shape in the background. Need us to remove a football-pitch sized roof from over your live working area? No problem, we’ve done it before!
We’ve grown by 350% in 6 years…
Before we joined the Sewell Group in 2017, I&G were turning over about £6m a year. Five years on to the end of 2022, and our reputation and planned growth has increased massively, taking on multi-million pound projects and with turnover now around £21.3m annually.
We work on some exciting projects
I&G’s most complex and demanding project to date has been the new £6.1m Critical Care Unit at Barnsley Hospital. By doubling the hospital’s number of critical care beds, we’ve helped them care for more of the most poorly patients, as well as giving extra space to allow physiotherapy and rehabilitation to be delivered at the bedside.
This was a challenging project, as the site was in the middle of a live hospital environment, with all materials and equipment for the project, including structural steel, having to go through a 2mx2m doorway – that’s like having to put all your building materials through the back doors of an ambulance!
We help you achieve your vision
Another significant project in I&G’s portfolio is the £6m refurbishment of the ophthalmology unit at St James Hospital in Leeds. A 2500m2 facility was created by I&G, with new consultation and diagnostic rooms, a refractive unit, virtual clinic room and laser surgery facilities. As well as an improved medical offering, we also worked hard to make the building as accessible as possible for partially sighted people, including voice activated lifts, different coloured waiting areas and wide corridors with lots of natural light.
Our people are in it for the long haul
I&G stalwart Garry has just completed twenty years at I&G, and he’s seen many changes over his two decades in the business. Starting as a site foreman, he’s now worked his way up to become a senior site manager, so has seen life at all levels of the business.“Whilst I’ve been with I&G we’ve always taken on some big projects,” he said. “But we’ve seen conditions, such as the welfare and site set up, improve dramatically, and everything now looks a lot more professional, from our sites and cabins to our new offices.”
Where to next?
The company has got some great projects coming up in the future, and a new regional office opening in the North East to cater for the increasing number of projects we’re being asked to undertake there.
Where will I&G in another six years’ time? The sky’s the limit!
