Local civil engineering and infrastructure contractor, DSD Construction, has won two lots on National Highways’ £1.3 billion, five-year Pavement Delivery Framework.
Local organic development leads growth
This success is testament to the commitment from the Nugent family in developing DSD Construction over the last three decades as a leading, national civil engineering and infrastructure contractor, employing over 150 local people and contributing around £6 million per annum to the local economy. The business is operated from its Carlisle-based Head Office, a purpose-built facility on Kingmoor Park that opened in 2019. This new infrastructure, additional plant and resources represent an investment of c.£5 million pounds over the last three years.
A simple and clear mission has underpinned the Company’s growth: to deliver safe, sustainable high-quality projects and services. As an Investor in People, organic development has created a positive culture where retention of staff remains high. The senior management team has a combined experience of over 150 years.
The local offer with a diversified national reach
DSD Construction supports a diversity of key sectors including highways, aviation, rail and nuclear. Delivery of works on nuclear licensed sites is served by over one hundred multi-disciplined security-cleared personnel.
Continuous development of products and services within these sectors has also supported this consistently successful and growing company:
- Surfacing and cold milling – Self-delivering a wide range of surfacing projects with the latest plant and equipment whilst continually investing in new technologies
- Civil engineering – Self-delivering a range of diverse and complex civil engineering projects including structures, flood prevention and transport infrastructures
- Construction recycling – Pioneering ‘in-situ’ recycling in construction alongside deployment of specialist materials such as graphene;
- Sustainable products – Deploying hybrid solar/ wind powered lighting solutions with no connection to the mains electricity supply.
DSD Construction’s Operations Director, Martin Tweddle, said:
“We are thrilled to have been selected as one of the twelve organisations selected for National Highways’ Pavement Delivery Framework and we look forward to delivering works for Lots covering both the Northwest and Northeast regions. This result is underpinned by our commitment to sustainably support a growing economy, a low-carbon environment, a developing workforce and thriving communities.”
DSD Construction’s Managing Director, Shaun Nugent, said:
“We are delighted that a number of these lots have been awarded to comparatively smaller organisations like DSD Construction. This is testament to National Highways’ aim to encourage applications from SMEs through greatly reduced turnover requirements. We are also happy to be working with some organisations that we have not worked with previously, and we look forward to building these new relationships.”
Local social value support for sustainable growth
DSD Construction also recognises the importance of contributing and giving back to communities where it operates. In terms of supply chain, in the last twelve months, the Company has spent over £2.2 million with micro-SMEs.
Local colleges of further education have benefitted through the provision of civil engineering and business apprentices and partnering with Inspira has identified local feeder schools for STEM support. By example, the team showcased career opportunities in construction and engineering at All Together Cumbria’s Festival of Work hosted by Lakes College. Numerous local charitable and sporting events have also been sponsored.
As a tribute to its founder, the Company has created the Dennis Nugent Foundation to fund its apprenticeship programme and social value commitments, the latter being accredited through the nationally recognised Constructionline Gold.
The Carlisle office also hosts the organisation’s Pavement Construction Innovation Centre, a training and R&D facility supporting development and innovation across the business.
