Bristol groundworks and land remediation specialist Churngold is celebrating 30 years as a leading player in the construction and contaminated clean up industry, having evolved from a small start up to a multi-million pound business with more than 200 employees.
The firm was formed in 1985 with a handful of employees, and initially based in Filton. Over three decades it has survived a number of deep recessions which have caused havoc in the construction sector by diversifying into new business areas.
It has worked on land clearance for many of the city’s landmark construction projects including the Cribbs Causeway regional shopping centre and the MoD’s giant Abbeywood development in the late 1990s.
More recently it has worked on the almost completed new Southmead Hospital complex and the Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff.
Now headquartered in Avonmouth, the group operates three divisions – construction, remediation and building services.
It has also widened its reach into Wales – now the company’s largest operating region – and the West Midlands, with offices in Newport and Walsall.
The company has also worked internationally – the furthest flung contract to date was the clean-up of a chemicals site in Cape Town’s docks area by Churngold Remediation.
Over the years the company has operated in fields spanning waste collection and recycling, plant and tipper hire, refuse derived fuel exports to Scandinavia, building services, bulk waste logistics and black top surfacing.
At a recent event to mark its 30th anniversary, a number of long serving employees were recognised, including site foreman Simon Chilcott who has worked for the company for over 25 years.
Chairman Ross Ancell said: “I am very proud that we have more than 20 employees with over 15 years of service. Churngold values experience and loyalty and we have seen generations of the same family come through the business.”
The company has had three major phases in its development. It was run by its initial founding team until acquired in 1996 in a management buyout led by Ross Ancell. In 2003 it sold Churngold Waste Management and EnviroScot, a Glasgow-based waste and recycling business.
Since then, Churngold Construction has expanded to become the largest company in its portfolio, which also includes Churngold Remediation and MDS Technologies, a specialist data centre operator.
Churngold Construction today has annual sales of £40m and is overseen by the management team of Churngold Construction and Churngold Remediation managing director Andrew Brown, commercial director Richard McCabe, finance director Richard Tredwin and South Wales director Martin Best.
Since 1997 the company has given away over £400,000 to small local voluntary and community organisations via its charitable arm, the Churngold Environment Fund.
Mr Ancell added: “We have seen huge amount of change in the industry over the past three decades, not least adapting to trade successfully through a number of major economic downturns.
“The business is in great shape for the next 30 years with plans to continue developing existing core services and invest in related activities. Churngold has, over the years, started and developed various businesses using cash flows from a successful contracting business to fund its investments.”
Other long serving employees who joined Simon Chilcott at the event at Leigh Court were Tracey Hunter, creditor ledger supervisor, who joined the company in 1991 and site manager Steve Robinson-Wildman, who joined in 1995. A further four employees – Gary Wiltshire, Colin Foley, Colin Attwell and Darren Coleman -have achieved the 20-year milestone.
Picture, from left: Churngold Construction and Remediation MD Andrew Brown, Tanya and Steve Robinson-Wildman, Tracey and Paul Hunter, Sharon Chilcott, Churngold chairman Ross Ancell, and Simon Chilcott
