The UK Division of the TÜV SÜD Group has acquired 100 per cent share capital of PMSS, a global renewable energy consulting firm. Founded on a successful track record spanning almost 20 years, Southampton-based PMSS have built up a wealth of experience and expertise providing products, services and insights to some of the world’s leading renewable energy businesses and institutions.
The acquisition supports the Munich-based TÜV SÜD Group’s continued focus on sustainable and renewable energy consulting services. PMSS’s front-line renewable energy experience and deep industry knowledge in all aspects of project design, bid management, engineering, and construction, complements the TÜV SÜD Group’s existing expertise in renewable energy technologies and creates a leading global provider of consulting, engineering and advisory services to the renewable energy sector. The transaction also expands TÜV SÜD’s geographical reach creating the opportunity for further development of their services portfolio in new markets.
PMSS offers project development, due diligence, engineering, environmental and consenting, health & safety, and construction services to the renewable energy sector including both onshore and offshore wind, wave, tidal, solar and biomass. The company has resources of around 70 experienced and technically qualified staff in the UK, Germany and US. TÜV SÜD is a leading technical services provider and employs over 17,000 people worldwide.
“The important acquisition of PMSS widens our product offering and extends our client base. In particular, PMSS has in-depth expertise and industry knowledge to address critical issues affecting the renewable energy sector. Together, TÜV SÜD and PMSS will provide the highest level of service and expertise to the global renewable energy market. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the TÜV SÜD Group,” said Michael Valente, Group Managing Director of TÜV SÜD in the UK.
“PMSS is delighted to be part of the TÜV SÜD Group,” said Alan Chivers, President and CEO of PMSS. “We have declined numerous prospective partners in the past, but TÜV SÜD’s principles of reliability, safety and quality and environmental protection was an ideal combination for PMSS. This is a great opportunity to become part of a growing larger entity with huge potential for the future, both for our staff and clients. We see great prospects in further expanding our business internationally and providing even more wide-ranging services through the TÜV SÜD network.”
Alan Chivers will continue to lead the business and, as Divisional Director, be responsible for future growth of PMSS. The entire PMSS senior management team will continue developing the business within the much broader TÜV SÜD global platform.
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Civil, Structural, Geotechnical and flood risk assessments2011 saw Melo establish a new division within the practice undertaking:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical
- Flood risk assessments
This division is lead by Ian Robson a vastly experienced chartered engineer who has been working in the South West and South Wales for the past 30 years. 2012 should see this division grow and establish itself in both Bath and Newbury.
We were pleased to be appointed on a select list of consultants providing Project Management and Quantity surveying services to West Berkshire Council.
Already the benefits of this arrangement are being seen by both parties.
Essencia Homes
Melo are pleased to have been appointed by Essencia Homes as the QS and CDM-C on their Burderop Barns development, this project is coming to completion and the units becoming occupied by their new owners.
Solar energy
2011 saw us entering into the solar PV market and providing support services to a number of specialists in this area, the FiT review may have slowed the process down; but the skills and experience gained are already being utilised for the benefit of new and existing clients.
Wind energy
2011 saw us involved 5 wind farm projects providing commercial and contracts management from pre contract phase through to handover, 2012 looks like seeing this market growing strongly with 5 appointments already received this year.
This has included reviewing the contractual position, providing advice to the Client regarding their position and reviewing / responding to the Contractor in respect of their claims.
Sovereign’s Lea House is shortlisted for LABC Award
Sovereign South+West, in partnership with West Berkshire Council, has been celebrating after its Lea House development was shortlisted in both the best community building and best sustainable project categories for a Local Authority Building Control Award.
The Lea House development in Bradfield Southend, opened in October 2009, features a post office and village shop as well as five affordable one and two-bedroom apartments. The unique £1 million development also saw the return of a permanent post office to the village, which was very popular with local residents.
Back in 2004 local campaigners pressed for new retail facilities and a not-for-profit community store was then set up, with donations from local people and some grant funding, and run from temporary premises in a portacabin in the village hall car park. After consultation with local residents Sovereign South+West decided to include a permanent new post office and shop in the Lea House development, which is just next door to the village hall.
David Ingram, Estates Development Director for Sovereign, commented, “It is great news for everyone involved in the Lea House development to see it shortlisted for a LABC award. The development was also an excellent example of brilliant partnership working between Sovereign, West Berkshire Council and the Bradfield Village Stores Association.”
Gary Lugg, Head of Planning and Countryside at West Berkshire Council, said,“Being shortlisted for this award is an excellent recognition of the importance of this project to the local community. I am pleased that West Berkshire Council was able to help the other partners in delivering what is clearly a useful and well designed facility.”
MELO celebrates 10 years
January 2010 saw the 10th anniversary since MELO Associates was formed by Mark Dykes. Mark set out with the intention of providing Client's with a value for money, bespoke service to fulfil their commercial and project management requirements. By sticking to these initial principles, MELO has grown and evolved in a controlled manner and now has a number of repeat Clients across a diverse range of projects. In 2009 they bucked the national trend by having a better than average year and their formal association with PMSS will see them going from strength to strength in 2010.
29 Craven Road
MELO Associates were appointed to provide Expert Witness support in respect of a Client's dispute with a builder. MELO provided the reports requested by the Solicitor and dealt with the questions arising from the defendant. The information was submitted at Court and formed an integral part of the Client's case. The Judge found in favour of our Client and when summing up made comment that the information provided MELO Associates was 'Concise, clear and complete'.
Locarno
MELO Associates have been providing Project Management and Quantity Surveying services to one of their repeat Client's on the multi-million redevelopment of a listed building complex in the Old Town area of Swindon. The project is mixed use and comprises a basement car park, 42 apartments, a 90 bed hotel, shops, commercial space, town houses and a new registry office. MELO Associates have been involved in the resolution of agreements with the existing owner of the land and the local Council. They have also assisted with the planning process. MELO have worked closely with the Client to programme the project and provide alternative options for the different organisations involved. MELO have also produced a number of feasibility studies which have involved extensive market testing together with consideration of the building methods to be utilised. The scheme is due to commence later in 2010.
Lea House
MELO Associates have fulfilled the Quantity Surveying role for a local housing association on a small redevelopment project. The project comprised the demolition of an existing house and construction of 5 apartments together with a shell facility for the local shop and Post Office. The apartments were for rental / shared ownership and ensured that a dire need for affordable housing within the village was fulfilled and at the same time a permanent home was provided for the local community run shop and post office which had been running from a portakabin. This ensured that an essential local service was maintained and extended for the village residents.
MELO were involved from the conception of the design and were involved in the procurement of the project. Due to programming issues associated with the discovery of bats within the existing building, the Client followed MELO's advice and procured the demolition on a separate contract so that the new build works were not hampered. MELO were also responsible for the selection of the procurement route. The Client had commissioned a landmark design for the building and were anxious that this not be diluted within the construction process. This meant that MELO recommended a traditional form of procurement complete with a Bill of Quantities. This ensured that the design would not be diluted by the Contractor, as may have been the case in a Design and Build contract, as well as providing the Client with the cost certainty they required. The scheme recently completed on site, delighting local residents and the Housing Association.
Downs School
MELO have been appointed by West Berkshire Council to provide Quantity Surveying services in respect of a secondary school redevelopment. The works comprised the production of numerous feasibility studies for the Client which produced a total cost for the long term redevelopment of the whole school site to ensure that the currently inadequate buildings provide a more suitable environment for students.
In the short term, MELO have been heavily involved in the construction of a new science block for the school. This has included producing numerous feasibility studies for alternatives designs and value engineering the scheme. MELO have also investigated an alternative method of construction utilising a highly efficient, timber framed solution which should reduced the programme and costs associated with the works. This should mean that the scheme can be delivered within the Client's budget and programme requirements, whilst also achieve the required BREEAM 'Excellent' rating required as part of the planning consent.
South Thatcham Children's Centre
MELO have been appointed a Quantity Surveyors and CDM Coordinators for the refurbishment of an existing Children's Centre facility for the local Council. This is the third Children's Centre on which the Council have appointed MELO to provide professional services.
The works comprise the internal remodelling of the existing structure together with provision of new lighting, heating and protective installations. MELO have been working closely with the Client and design team to cost plan and value engineer the project to meet the Client's budget whilst also meeting the various stakeholder's requirements.
85 Marsh Lane
MELO were appointed as Quantity Surveyor for the asbestos and demolition works on the above site for Haringey Council. The site comprised an extensive office and industrial development (circa 10,500m²) which had been previously occupied by the Saint Gobain adhesives company which the Council were demolishing to make way for a new waste transfer station.
The existing buildings were heavily contaminated with asbestos and MELO were responsible for tendering the Type 3 asbestos survey of the building and ensuring that the survey was conducted within the Client's timescales so that the main demolition works could be tendered in line with their programme.
MELO were also responsible for collating all of the information for the main tender package and producing the Activity Schedule as the works were based upon an NEC3 contract. MELO worked closely with the Project Manager for the works and attended numerous meetings with the tenderers and Client throughout the process before producing the final tender report.
Windfarms, Claims Defence
MELO have been providing commercial assistance to PMSS in relation to a number of claims being made by the contractors on one windfarm developments.