Telford-based Dodd Group's Arena Central work passes £40 million mark

The Government recently revealed that it had taken a pre-let on 3 Arena Central, the largest pre-let in Birmingham in a decade.

That has allowed Galliford Try construction, which will be delivering the 240,000 sq ft, 14-floor commercial building, to appoint the Telford-based group for the design and installation package for the project's construction phase.

This new flagship building will be located next to 1 Centenary Square, the new headquarters of HSBC’s ring-fenced banking division, on which Dodd's Midlands Projects team has almost completed the construction phase. It will also then move on to the fit-out contract.

The latest announcement means the total value of works awarded to Dodd Group at the Arena Central site in the city centre is now £40 million.

Demolition and site clearance work will begin imminently with the building scheduled to be handed over for fit out in spring 2020. Dodd Group’s design will be to BIM level 2.

Managing director John Kavanagh said: “This is fabulous news for Dodd Group as it represents our largest single project to date – a record breaking win in our 70th anniversary year goes to show just how far we have come.

“Birmingham particularly is undergoing massive transformation which is great for the local economy and its long term prospects. With the investment that Birmingham is currently attracting, the construction industry is flourishing, and the legacy that it will leave behind in terms of both employment and improved quality of city living should not be underestimated.”

Dodd Group was this year’s Business of the Year at the Shropshire Star Excellence in Business Awards, and will be employing over 250 people on this new project, many of whom move over from 1 Centenary Square.

Mr Kavanagh said the latest contract win provides "an excellent employment platform for the West Midlands", with work spanning five years.

Owned and managed by the Dodd family since it was founded in 1947, Dodd Group has its head office in Telford, with other branches in Wolverhampton, Southampton, Smethwick, Stockport, Northampton, Exeter, Southampton, Plymouth, Redruth, Kings Lynn, Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Stockton-on-Tees, Cambridge and Bridgend

The company currently employs more than 766 staff and has a turnover of £145 million. It provides installation and maintenance services on a national basis including electrical, heating and ventilation, plumbing, refrigeration and data design in specialist construction sectors including public housing, defence, health care, education and utilities as well as for private sector clients.