Troika Contracting Limited
Winners of the 2007 Plaisterers Trophy
Troika have won the Plaisterers Trophy 2007. Their work at the Meadowhall Centre has been judged the best example of the art and craft of plastering. The refurbishment of the Meadowhall Centre that has been awarded the Trophy was carried out from May 2005 to May 2007 but the time line goes back much further. A key element of the success of the project was the early involvement of Troika, not only with the Contractor and the Design Team, but also with other trades. Troika's involvement with the shopping Mall dates back to when Troika won the trophy for their work at the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
The refurbishment of Meadowhall is an exemplar for the way contracts should be carried out. Involvement of the Specialist Contractor from the very earliest stage is essential. On a refurbishment the unexpected is the norm. Troika gave the other members of the team options not problems. We believe that the project raises the profile of GRG to a new level in the UK; a material of both the present and the future.
The Project was completed on budget, ahead of time, to the highest level of workmanship under difficult working constraints because all of the parties worked as a team led by the Main Contractor Laing O'Rourke Ltd. Many friendships have been made during the course of the works that will continue long beyond. Troika believe that the spirit that the contract was completed in shows in the quality of the end result.
Fibrous Plaster/GRG Companies are not Subcontractors, they are Specialists. The industry now rightly expects them to provide the lead in achieving the full potential of the materials they work in. Troika are recognised leaders in the use of GRG in a retail environment. Troika draughtsmen have produced all the 80+ installation drawings under the direction of Andy Reed. As a time served plasterer turned designer, Andy has a unique understanding of the immense capabilities of the product. Every unit had to be designed to make time to install a minimum. Troika's mould department has been pushed to the limit and beyond, achieving Andy's solution to the Architect's problems.
Troika's Joiners let by Scott Deakin and Specials Team let by Shop Foreman Kevin Ludlam have achieved innovative mould solutions that has enabled the casting of some of the largest and most complex units possible inn GRG.
Troika's Contracts Manager Frank Dixon ran the site team ably assisted by his foremen David and Paul. With NO storage in the Malls, which remained open throughout, a "just in time" philosophy had to be adopted . Bringing the project in 2 1/2 weeks ahead of programme without a single reportable accident was just result for the team.
Overall the Meadowhall refurbishment is the largest single GRG job carried out in the UK in the past 3 years. The final account was agreed in November 2007 without any dispute from any party.
Troika produced mock-up Mall Finishes in their 50,000sqfoot factory and then on site for Client approval. This allowed the design to be developed in full size 3D before most people were even aware that the Malls were to be refurbished.
