Latest News
Keep up to date on the latest activities of GHI, with news updates on projects, people and events. For further specific information on GHI you can access both our Annual Reviews and Newsletters, which are available for download.
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Issue 14 of GHI's quarterly newsletter, is now available for download in PDF Format.
GHI’s sustained competitiveness coupled with client retention based upon exceptional service, has been rewarded by several new project awards.
These successes, gained during one of the most turbulent periods in our sector’s history, have fuelled GHI’s optimism for the future and hopefully indicate general improvement in the industry.
GHI has now commenced work in Edinburgh, on our third phase of the Saughton House refurbishment programme for the Scottish Government, each phase having been won by stringent competitive tender through Space Solutions.
Further repeat business was awarded to GHI, by Ingeus (formerly Work Directions, a privately owned company that delivers high-quality, flexible employment programmes), for their Galashiels office, following our success in fitting-out their new Edinburgh office.
Additionally, imaging professionals, Loxley Colour, (through James Barr) have appointed GHI to fit out their new Cumbernauld premises, and Cadence (through DTZ) have awarded GHI the contract for refurbishing the Watermark building on the Alba campus in Livingston.
Further announcements are in the pipeline and will appear soon.
The National Trust for Scotland, after a far reaching procurement process, have appointed GHI to manage the Design and Build contract for their new offices at Hermiston Quay in Edinburgh.
GHI, (with Haa Design and Hurley Palmer Flatt in their design team), successfully impressed the Trust’s management panel with their vision and capability to create a high quality working environment at a reasonable cost. The Edinburgh based charity’s move from Wemyss House in Charlotte Square to this 30,000 sq.ft., three storey property, will “provide staff and members with a highly efficient administrative building, and allow the Trust to make considerable revenue savings in the coming years.”
International banking group, BNP Paribas has awarded the contract for fitting out their new 16000 sq.ft. offices at 141 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, to GHI.
Their occupation of the ground floor will complete the letting of this prestigious property, and the project will commence mid-January. The award follows GHI’s successful completion of the recent 7th floor project in the Aurora building, for this expanding finance organisation.
GHI are due to commence the fit-out of St Kenneth’s Primary School in East Kilbride after the Christmas break.
Again working with Management Contractor, Bovis Lend Lease, this follows previous success at Kirktonholme Primary in East Kilbride, as part of South Lanark Council’s Schools Framework.
GHI’s increasing range of Education projects includes the recently completed refurbishment works for Stirling University’s Logie Theatre, Glasgow’s Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre, refurbishments for Edinburgh Academy and Queen Margaret University and the soon to be completed fit-out of Argyll College in Oban.
GHI continues to excel in the education sector, having recently completed an impressive list of school and university projects throughout central Scotland.
These challenging projects were delivered in tight timescales to varied but demanding clients, creating new classrooms, offices, sports facilities and I.T. training areas.
Working in conjunction with Bovis Lend Lease we fitted out the new Kirktonholme Primary in East Kilbride for South Lanarkshire Council, and with Faithful & Gould and Richard Murphy Architects we successfully refurbished several areas of Edinburgh Academy.
Furthering our track record within universities, we have refurbished and upgraded the Boyd Orr Lecture Theatre for the University of Glasgow, with CRGP Architects, and also the Logie Lecture Theatre for the University of Stirling through consultants, Brownriggs.
Each of the above has expanded our growing client portfolio and reinforced our position in the education sector, adding to previous successes with: Napier University, Stevenson College, The University of Strathclyde and the University of St. Andrews.
GHI’s accreditation to ISO 14001, the principal international standard for Environmental Management, was achieved in March 2009.
This typifies the company’s proactive and progressive approach to all industry standards with the previous achievement and re-accreditation of both ISO 9001 and IIP over several years.
As well as a strong track record in environmental awareness GHI have recently introduced several new energy saving measures, throughout office and site activities, and are already conforming to waste management legislation, which has yet to come into force.
This is of increasing importance, where both public and private sector clients require proof of a contractor’s commitment to the environment, and seek “green” solutions for their next fit-out.
GHI remain innovative and caring in the search for Excellence in Interiors.
GHI Fit for Purpose of Office Revamps
Gordon Cairns, the managing director of Lanarkshire-based corporate refurbisher and fit-out company GHI Contracts, said the growing preference of firms to revamp their office space - rather than move into a new one - will keep the profits rolling in, despite the ravages of the commercial property slump.
GHI's predicted successes are noteworthy because they serve as a reminder that the demise of a sector - and even global economies - can sometimes act as a springboard for those companies in the right place at the right time.
Cairns said GHI, which specialises in the fitting-out and refurbishment of corporate, commercial and public sector premises, had in recent months seen a marked "reduction in corporate fit-outs and these ... replaced by building refurbishments, as occupiers and landlords look to make the most of the current space they have."
Cairns, a former rugby player, said first-quarter sales at Bellshill-based GHI were up 37% already on the previous quarter, with gross profit up 23% - the company's best quarter to date - largely thanks to the growing number of refurbishment contracts.
He said: "There's no doubt that our market sector is going to be much tougher than in 2008.
"However, I believe we are suitably placed with a diverse enough client base to seek out and secure the required workload to keep the business strong. In addition (to the refurbishment contracts) there will be a greater emphasis on public sector opportunities, in particular healthcare and education, and our track record in these areas allows us to adjust our strategy accordingly."
Prior to the shift in strategy, the company, which has trebled turnover over the past four years, was responsible for fitting-out much of Scotland's most prestigious office space.
GHI last year turned over £26.5m, a 14% increase on 2007, and has won contracts with established corporations, such as Clydesdale Bank, Maclay Murray & Spens, Morgan Stanley, Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as public sector organisations such as Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Court Service.
The company won contracts to re-fit part of the Aurora building in Glasgow's International Financial Services District for French bank BNP Paribas, and Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.
Nonetheless, the Scottish commercial property sector has been hammered by the credit crunch.
Commercial property values in Scotland are estimated to have slipped 20% over the past year, thus aggravating an already precarious situation.
Bob Serafini reports on the effect of the downturn in the Property sector, with research showing that "nearly half of occupiers (45%) intend to stay put".
"There is clear evidence that more occupiers are not only delaying relocation decisions but are looking at refurbishing their current premises". This trend has the effect of increased success for “fit-out and design specialists such as GHI Contracts, as well as the project management and building consultancy wings of Property Consultants".
The survey by Lambert Smith Hampton shows that "many organisations are looking to reduce the cost of their office accommodation with 25% intending to consolidate their premises into one building, but 30% still planning to move, due to lease expiry or premises upgrade".
Each of the above are key specialist areas for GHI Contracts.
GHI Contracts, Principal Contractors and specialists in the fit-out and refurbishment of commercial properties, won their bid
to fit-out the Commonwealth Games Committee's new offices, which have been successfully completed at Monteith House in Glasgow's George Square. 
This prestigious and high profile project, has enabled GHI to provide the committee with a modern, vibrant environment to meet their requirements for the busy period ahead.
GHI wish Glasgow, the Commonwealth Games Committee and all our athletes, every success in the preparation, organisation and delivery of the Commonwealth Games.
Belgrave Court, GHI's new office development in Bellshill North Industrial Estate, centrally located between both Edinburgh and
Glasgow, was completed in November 2007, and provides 16,500Sq Ft of premium quality office space split over three floors, with 11,000Sq Ft available for occupancy.
Further information on this prestigious property can be obtained from Reith Lambert, (0141 221 7575) or by clicking on the website link below.
See More: Belgrave Court Website
