Last Updated 14th April 2023
PC Harrington Group
PC Harrington (PCH Group) is a specialist contracting group working in all areas of in situ reinforced concrete construction, from concrete frames, including substructures and slipforming, to bridges and complex architectural features.
The bulk of its operations are in Greater London but it works across the UK and the company has worked on some of London’s largest commercial projects including 20, Fenchurch Street, the Gherkin, Wembley Stadium, Westfields Shopping Centre and Royal London Hospital.
Today, PCH Group trades through a series of companies; HPC Frames (reinforced structures), Slip Form, P & E Harrington Plant and PC Harrington Holdings.
In the group”s latest annual report published in July 2022, the group reported a fall in turnover to £3.73 million in the year to end-May 2021 reflecting a decision at its HPC Frames business not to pursue new work during the pandemic.
Previously, after falling into loss in 2013/14, administrators were appointed in May 2015 to a key subsidiary of the group, PC Harrington Contractors. Following this, the directors restructured the business and worked with the administrator of PC Harrington Contractors Ltd to negotiate a settlement which was cleared in full in December 2016. Administrators were appointed to a post-tensioning division Structural Systems (UK) Ltd in August 2019.
The group has worked on numerous landmark schemes. It provided the reinforced concrete sub structures and concrete on metal decking in the super structure for the 40-floor Swiss Re Building in London,(The Gherkin). Other major commercial schemes where the group worked include BP2 Phase 2 at Canary Wharf and HQ3 Canary Wharf.
The main locations for the group are in Southall in west London and Runcorn in the North West and Slipform has a base in Dubai.
Having completed its ‘onerous’ contracts and sold excess properties to eliminate borrowings, director Patrick Harrington says the group’s latest annual report it has: ‘never been in a better position to make the most of the current construction market with minimal borrowings and a stable management team.”
The directors were confident that the group companies – HPC Frames, Slipform, P & E Harrington Plant Hire and PC Harrington Holdings – will deliver on their forecasts.
Financials
To view the financials for P.C. Harrington Holdings Ltd., visit Companies House and use Company ID 02655872.
The group’s results for the year end-May 2021, reflect what the group says was a ”challenging year” due to the ongoing impact of Covid. But overheads were cut to £1.4 million, down from £2.5 million previously, and borrowings have been eliminated. An operating loss was eliminated and an investment property acquired in the Reading area. With the group returning to profitability, it says it well-placed to take advantage of the current market place. Group turnover fell to £3.7 million from £6 million previously and although the operating loss was just £4,000, this compared with a loss of £2.9 million previously. A heavy interest charge of £1.66 million, left the group with a pre-tax loss of £748,000 compared to a profit of £1.7 million previously. But the group’s cash at bank and in hand rose dramatically to £10.4 million from £177,000 previously.
PC Harrington (formerly HPC Frames)
HPC Frames is a specialist company involved in all areas of in situ reinforced concrete construction from concrete frames, including substructures. The firm”s services cover substructures and superstructures and major projects where it has worked include the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie building and Wembley Stadium. The business reported a turnover of £1.3 million in the year to May 2021.
Slipform
Slipform provides specialist equipment and knowhow for slipform construction, which the firm says is the fastest method of constructing tall or repetitive structures. Slipform worked on Europe’s largest retail development at Westfield. The business reported a turnover £2.2 million in the year to May 2021.
P & E Harrington Plant Hire
P&E Plant provides plant hire equipment and expertise to businesses across the group. The business reported a turnover of £215,000 in the year to May 2021.
Glenigan Data
Glenigan data highlights the group”s involvement in significant schemes in London. It shows that Slipform is the formwork contractor for the £17 million Carlton House Terrace Red-development in Westminster where work is due to run until spring 2024 (Project ID: 18443981).
Conclusion: Established brand and strong niche in reinforced concrete
In common with many sub-contractors PC Harrington has paid the price in the past of growing too quickly and gearing up rapidly. Yet with its ‘onerous’ contracts behind it and free of its borrowings, the company seems well-placed to take advantage of the recovery in many of its core markets. The group has a strong market niche in the reinforced concrete sector and an established brand, particularly in London, which should give it useful advantages as it pursues a less ambitious strategy.
Winning work with PCH Group
The group’s management systems are aligned with OHSAS 18001 and the group adopts innovative approaches to safety and conducts regular environmental and safety consultations and training for staff. It has received the British Safety Council’s sword of honour. Contracts are audited to the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 and the company quality manual.
On the environment, the company aims not just for legal compliance but to minimise its impact through best practice and continuous improvement. The firm’s environmental management system is certified to ISO 14001 and it issues individual site environmental management plans.
Contacts
Peter Grange, Design Manager, HPC Frames
020 8574 5431