Tristan Davison, Construction Manager at Wharton Construction
Can you tell us about Wharton Construction and your role?
Wharton Construction is a Darlington-based building contractor working throughout the North East and North Yorkshire. We specialise in commercial and public sector projects and have a dedicated small works team for maintenance requirements and shorter projects. We offer a wide range of construction services in a large variety of sectors.
My role predominantly involves overseeing the projects we have on site, assisting the site teams where required and being a representative of Wharton Construction for any client needs. Being a small team means that my role is not limited to the current projects, I assist the estimating department looking into new project enquires and the logistics associated with these. I organise our fleet of vehicles and allocate all our own labour resources.
When was the company established?
The business was established in 1984.
What projects is the company currently undertaking?
A mixed range of current projects which includes:
Large factory storage facility for George Allinson Transport.
Private new build house for a client, consisting of a large property in a rural location, to include gym, sauna and 25m pool.
Second amenity block for AV Dawson.
Factory extension for Country Valley Foods in Billingham.
Conversion of a large retail unit into 7 smaller units in Peterlee.
Numerous smaller projects for various councils / school trusts / local businesses.
Which areas of the UK does Wharton Construction operate within?
Ideally, we try to operate within around 20 miles of Darlington but, dependant on the scheme or the client, we sometimes go slightly further afield.
What are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the construction sector?
The biggest challenge for me has to be the skills shortage, both retaining current operatives and, more importantly, bringing younger people into the industry. We are losing the hands-on knowledge of the older generation being able to pass this down to those learning their trades.
Opportunity wise, as ever, there are a wide variety of projects for us all to chase, creating new challenges and achievements but if we don’t have the operatives, new and old, to carry out the works, we simply won’t succeed as an industry.
What can be done to bridge the skills gap in the construction sector?
As a member of Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF), the organisation is encouraging businesses to see the potential in young learners across the region, they are attending college each day, wanting to learn and develop their skills, they just the need the opportunity to progress with local employers to give them hands on training. Apprenticeships may not always be an option but any form of work experience is critical for these learners to progress.
You are a member of Northern Counties Builders Federation. How does being aligned to a sector body support Wharton Construction?
NCBF brings together a number of SMEs from across the region, we discuss local issues and then collaborate to find solutions. Trying to solve these issues alone simply does not work, but being part of a larger group gives us a stronger voice in the region that does get listened to and solutions and actions are implemented correctly for the best outcomes.
What’s your proudest business achievement?
Honestly there have been too many, but it must be getting my first project to do, alone as a site manager, 23 years ago. For management and colleagues to believe in your abilities and allow you the opportunity to deliver your own projects was amazing and I will always be grateful to them.
Seeing any project from start to finish and then seeing the end user occupy and use the building as intended, is priceless. If we then go on to get repeat business on the back of a project, you know you and the team have done a great job.