The Story

The GWD story starts now!

From 01 June 2010 GWD has 2 operating divisions, GWD Building Services and GWD Engineering Services. The new divisions have a common name to harness the relationships, knowledge and experience developed by Gill & Wilkinson and Dunham Engineering Services over a combined 69 years of service to the construction industry.

Gill & Wilkinson and Dunham merged in December 2008 and moved in together in March 2008. There was a period of adjusting to each other (just like in a modern day marriage) and finessing what GWD will offer its clients from June 2010.

So how did it all start ......

 

In 1968 Gill & Wilkinson set up offices in York Place, Leeds. This was followed in 1973 by a move to East Street Mills, close to the centre of Leeds and adjacent to the College of Building where all the companies apprentices have studied over the years.

Gill & Wilkinson went from strength to strength, providing a comprehensive service committed to quality craftsmanship, value and customer care. During this time they have built up a good safety record along with a sound reputation for completing works on time, to specification and on budget.

The company moved to the current location in Hunslet in 2003 after an exhaustive search.  

Originally an electrical contratcor, Gill & Wilkinson established mechanical and electrical project management teams and gained extensive experience of combined M&E projects with a portfolio of successful schemes in Retail, Commercial, Health, Leisure, Industrial and Education.

The company was a long standing partner on the B&Q Plc framework for projects throughout the UK and undertakes combined M&E works in schools, hospitals, offices, commercial buildings, retail parks and airports.

Dunham Engineering Services was formed in 1983 to provide mechanical services installations to end users in the Process and Retail industries. From this background the new company became involved heavily in the provision of services to manufacturing.

Work included the design and installation of steam services, coal, oil and gas fired boiler plant, compressed air, vacuum, chilled water, lubrication and cooling water. It even extended to such divers services as jacketed chocolate pipework and stainless stell edible fat and glucose pipework! All carried out for end users and manufacturers.

Throughout this period Dunham became active in the design, supply and installation of specialist air conditioning services and provided a maintenance services to various clients including some High Street giants.

From the late 1990's Dunham added a client base who required a more specialised design and build service. This client base included end users, general building contractors, developers and corporate clients.

Further growth moved the company firmly into areas of design, project management, cost control, installation and maintenance for various blue chip companies, architects, consulting engineers, developers and end users.

Dunham maintained steady growth and developed an enviable reputation for quality work coupled with a high level of technical and professional ability, all supported by a strong balance sheet and positive cash flow.

 

How we can add value

We believe we can help enhance the value of our Client's Building Services to their business by working closely with the whole construction & maintenance team to complete operations with minimal disruption and maximum impact.

We can achieve this as:

  • We are accustomed to working closely with our clients from concept stage through design development, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
  • We have long term experience of framework arrangements and our company ethos fits well with ‘partnering’ ideals.
  • We have reliable and experienced operatives who have worked extensively in framework agreements with clients nationwide.
  • We have a corporate understanding of private & public sector building requirements and needs
  • Our Project Managers have trade backgrounds and understand the practicalities of achieving results within demanding parameters.
  • Our Mechanical & Electrical management teams operate from the same premises so can communicate efficiently and co-ordinate their works effectively.
  • Our Project teams are accustomed to working out-of-hours to meet overnight deadlines to maintain daytime services.
  • We can draw on the complimentary experience of our sister companies in the Leisure, Social Housing and Residential sectors
  • We have resources and capability to manage work on individual projects to £3.5m.

Future Plans

GWD has developed strong Project Management teams gaining experience and expertise each year on larger schemes.

GWD undertakes many energy saving schemes for cost aware clients and we intend to extend the range of Environmental Services we can offer.

Accreditations

Our commitment to quality is enforced by our accreditation to BS EN ISO9002 and our membership of:

Electrical Contractors Association (E.C.A.)
Heating & Ventilation Contractors Association (H.V.C.A)
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (N.I.C.E.I.C.)
GasSafe
Joint Industry Board (J.I.B.)
Construction Line
CHAS