Released on: October 17, 2008, 6:42 am

Press Release Author: Portakabin

Industry: Construction

Press Release Summary: Portakabin, the UKEUR(tm)s leading modular building supplier, has
provided Derby City Council with three new ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centres, as part of phase two
of the GovernmentEUR(tm)s Sure Start ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centre initiative.

Press Release Body: Portakabin, the UKEUR(tm)s leading modular building supplier, has
provided Derby City Council with three new ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centres, as part of phase two
of the GovernmentEUR(tm)s Sure Start ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centre initiative.

Having used traditional buildings to complete phase one of the project, the Council
opted for the reassurance of a timely delivery of a modular building solution for
phase two, citing minimal on-site disruption as another key reason for the switch to
modular.

Children Centres provide multi-agency services for families, incorporating
everything from childcare and health services to employment support and training.
The Council inspected a number of existing Portakabin Lilliput ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centres
and was extremely impressed by the high-quality modular buildings which are designed
around the needs of children.

Councillor Sara Bolton, Cabinet member for Children and Young People at the Council
says: EURIn Phase one we were under a great deal of pressure to get some major
building work finished in a very short timescale, trying to manage all the variables
of traditional building projects around the needs of operational school sites.

EURFor Phase two we wanted to be certain that we could comfortably complete the
projects on time. For that reason we decided to create stand-alone buildings, rather
than school extensions, and to choose modular buildings, which would give us much
more certainty, reduce the risk of unexpected delays and keep disruption on site to
a minimum.EUR

Portakabin worked closely with the architect, Morrison Design, who had been involved
in the project from the outset, helping the Council to identify suitable sites and
drawing up plans for the three modular ChildrenEUR(tm)s Centres. Working together with the
architect, Portakabin was able to adapt original designs to incorporate wrap-around
care for three to four-year-olds, training rooms, midwifery rooms, crèches and
community rooms.

Additionally, Portakabin liased with Hallam Contracts, the main contractor, to
ensure the buildings were delivered and installed on schedule. All three buildings
were craned into position and set up in a matter of days, without any disturbance to
the nearby schools.

Nigel Herrington, Contracts Manager at Hallam Contracts, says: EURWe developed a very
good working relationship with Portakabin, based on honest and open information
sharing. Consequently the project ran very smoothly and won a lot of praise from the
Council, who were exceptionally happy.EUR

Portakabin offers an array of design features, architectural structures and
aesthetic finishes, which enable its clients to create modular buildings that meet
their precise requirements. Flexible designs include a choice of striking colours to
blend in or contrast with existing structures along with a wide choice of canopies
and distinctive roofs to either match the profile of the surrounding area or create
a stunning design statement.

Utilising the extensive design options available, Derby City Council chose to finish
the buildings with a brick skin or rendered blockwork to blend in with the school
buildings. Two had stylish bull-nose fascias and one had a pitched roof, to complete
its traditional appearance.

The Council opted for a full turn-key package from Portakabin, including everything
from groundworks through to service connections and fitting out the building. A
Project Manager, supplied by Portakabin was on site at all times to ensure the
buildings were completed on time and to the highest of standards. The individual
modules were craned into place in a matter of days, minimising disruption to the
daily running of the school.

Renowned for exemplary customer service, Portakabin received 100 per cent scores for
each of the three projects within the customer satisfaction surveys completed by the
Council following the delivery of the projects.

Councillor Bolton adds: EURWe found it a very easy project to work on, thanks to
excellent co-operation from the contractors, architect and Portakabin. Everything
was made so straightforward for us and we are extremely happy with the finished
buildings. Everyone has been surprised and impressed by the quality of the
facilities EUR" and the end users are delighted. ItEUR(tm)s the attention to detail and the
thought that has gone into the finishing touches that have impressed people the most
EUR" details like the finger guards on the doors to protect childrenEUR(tm)s fingers. The
buildings will be operational very soon and we canEUR(tm)t wait to start using them.EUR

The Portakabin modular buildings were also delivered with a five-year product
warranty and 20 year structural warranty¹ as well as the pioneering Portakabin
Customer Charter. This states that if Portakabin fails to deliver a project on time
and to the agreed contract sum, the customer will be entitled to an additional
twelve months product warranty².

To find out how Portakabin can benefit your business call 0845 355 5359 log on at
www.portanews.co.uk or email news@portakabin.co.uk


Porta and Portakabin are all trade marks.

For further media information please contact Robert Stebbings, Louise Wylie or at
Ptarmigan Consultants on 0113 242 1155, or email robert@ptarmiganpr.co.uk /
louise@ptarmiganpr.co.uk

¹All Portakabin buildings that are purchased come with a five-year product warranty,
which covers the external fabric of the building and a 20-year structural warranty,
which covers the load bearing elements of the building.
² Terms and Conditions apply. A copy is available on request.


Web Site: http://www.portakabin.co.uk/

Contact Details: Blackthorn House, Northminster Business Park ,Poppleton,
York,UK,YO266QW
Tel:01904780030
E-mail:pr@webcertain.com