Brickwork specialists, VB Contracts, has become the first company in Scotland to scoop a prestigious industry award.

The firm, established just seven years ago, was crowned Specialist Brickwork Contractor of the Year 2009 at the annual Brick Awards.

It is the first time in the Brick Award’s 22 year history that a Scottish contractor has won this category. Entries for the awards came from projects as far away as Kuwait, Japan and India.

As specialists in providing full subcontract brick and blockwork packages to main contractors across all new build and refurbishment sectors, VB Contracts was rewarded not only for their expert brickwork, but was also praised for their commitment to staff training and development, despite the economic downturn.

VB Contracts was recognised for its outstanding work on three of their recent projects; the refurbishment of the Scottish Museum of Natural Heritage at Summerlee in Lanarkshire, the redevelopment of the old Fountainbridge brewery and the new Queen Margaret University campus, both in Edinburgh.

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All three projects called for specialist brickwork, the most challenging of which was the redevelopment of the old Fountainbridge brewery into 250 luxury apartments. The new development includes the challenging brickwork of hanging soldier course around the window openings and balconies.

VB Contracts also demonstrated how a palette of bespoke brick bridging the previous industrial context with the colour, hue and texture of the existing tenemental stone, defined the characters of the building form.

Kenneth Walters, VB’s managing director, said: "The UK construction sector has been among one of the industries hit hardest by the recession. To be the first company that brings this award to Scotland is a huge achievement and one that we hope will act as a boost, not just for us, but for all of the country’s construction firms currently struggling to survive."

The firm, which offers the very best in value building, fought off stiff competition from Preston-based PLF and Nottingham-based Advanced Brickwork.

The award judges said: "VB Contracts presented three contrasting schemes which proved that the company is producing quality brickwork in a variety of situations ranging from repair and refurbishment to new build. The full submission demonstrated a commitment to training and welfare that is impressive.

"There is a comprehensive set of documents available to employee's which contains an induction pack, instruction on health and safety, an employee's handbook and an attendance management programme. The judges were impressed by the quality of the work and the management systems that underpin it."

And while VB Contracts can already count the likes of B&Q as well as retail giants Morrisons and Sainsbury among their clients, the company says their win will stand them in good stead for winning future contracts. They are already looking to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games for upcoming opportunities.

(GK/BMcc)