Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company
{{Short description|Former bridge works and structural steel contractor based in Darlington, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company
| logo = Cleveland Bridge logo.svg
| logo_size = 160px
| location = Darlington
| industry = Construction
| products = {{ubl|Bridges|Structural steelwork}}
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
}}
Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company was a British bridge works and structural steel contractor based in Darlington.
It built various structures including the Victoria Falls Bridge, Tees Transporter Bridge, Forth Road, Humber Bridge and Tsing Ma Bridge.{{Cite web |title=CBEME Profile |url=https://www.clevelandbridge.ae/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Pre-Req-CLEVELAND-BRIDGE-ENGINEERING-MIDDLE-EAST-Pvt-Ltd.-1.pdf |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=Cleveland Bridge CBEME |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407220357/https://www.clevelandbridge.ae/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Pre-Req-CLEVELAND-BRIDGE-ENGINEERING-MIDDLE-EAST-Pvt-Ltd.-1.pdf |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Ellison |first=M.H. |date=27 May 2003 |title=Wayback Machine – Newcastle University – A to Z Cleveland Bridge Structures |url=http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/m.h.ellison/nera/khoole/clevelandcat.doc |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030527161020/http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/m.h.ellison/nera/khoole/clevelandcat.doc |archive-date=27 May 2003 |url-status=dead}} Cleveland Bridge's Dubai subsidiary built the Burj Al Arab and Emirates Towers.
In 1967, the company was acquired by The Cementation Company, which was then bought by Trafalgar House. In 1990, it merged with Redpath Dorman Long, another Trafalgar subsidiary, to create Cleveland Structural Engineering. In 2000, it was bought by management backed by Saudi Arabian interests. However, legal disputes on projects such as The Shard and Wembley Stadium pushed the Darlington business into administration and the business closed in 2021.
History
Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company was founded in 1877 in Darlington with a capital of £10,000. Seven years later, the assets were sold to Charles Frederick Dixon, who registered the company on a Stock Exchange in 1893. By 1913, it had 600 employees.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co – Graces Guide |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Cleveland_Bridge_and_Engineering_Co |access-date=15 May 2022 |website=Graces Guide |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525092956/https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Cleveland_Bridge_and_Engineering_Co |url-status=live}}
During 1967, the company was acquired by The Cementation Company.{{cite book |last=O'Driscoll |first=Dick |title=100 Years of Cementation |url=http://www.skanska.co.uk/Global/Sevices/Piling/100%20years/100-Years-Of-Cementation.pdf |publisher=Skanska |page=45 |access-date=15 December 2013 |archive-date=15 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215235335/http://www.skanska.co.uk/Global/Sevices/Piling/100%20years/100-Years-Of-Cementation.pdf |url-status=dead}} Three years later, Trafalgar House purchased Cementation; it also acquired Redpath Dorman Long from Dorman Long Group in 1982, after which the two subsidiaries were merged in 1990 to create Cleveland Structural Engineering.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-34389873 |title = Dorman Long: The Teesside firm that bridged the world |publisher = BBC News |first = Duncan |last = Leatherdale |date = 3 October 2015}} That business was renamed Kvaerner Cleveland Bridge following acquisition of Trafalgar House by Kværner in 1996.{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/kvaerner-ousts-chief-as-debt-pile-grows-1178402.html |title = Kvaerner ousts chief as debt pile grows |work = The Independent |first = Michael |last = Harrison |date = 14 October 1998}}
During 1999, it was reported that Kværner intended to sell the business amid a wider restructuring away from heavy manufacturing activities; at the time, the company employed roughly 600 staff following a series of job losses.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/apr/14/12 |title = Kvaerner to sell off top British bridge-builder |work = The Guardian |first = Terry |last = Macalister |date = 14 April 1999}}{{cite web |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/kvaerner-sells-cleveland-bridge-15-04-1999/ |title = Kvaerner sells Cleveland Bridge |publisher = New Civil Engineer |first = Andrew |last = Mylius |date = 15 April 1999}} Despite appeals for financial assistance being made to the British government, it refused to intervene in the matter.{{cite web |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/sale-looms-for-cleveland-bridge-as-government-refuses-aid-22-04-1999/ |title = Sale looms for Cleveland Bridge as Government refuses aid |publisher = New Civil Engineer |first = David |last = Hayward |date = 22 April 1999}} One year later, the company became independent through a management buyout that involved a payment of $12.3 million.{{citation |url=http://www.clevelandbridge.com/news/list.html?index=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010927031516/http://www.clevelandbridge.com/news/list.html?index=4 |archive-date=27 September 2001 |title=Cleveland Group Receives Substantial Investment from Al Rushaid |publisher=clevelandbridge.com |date=21 September 2000 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url = https://www.bridgeweb.com/Cleveland-Bridge-buy-out/102 |title = Cleveland Bridge buy-out |website = bridgeweb.com |date = 5 July 2000}} In addition to the UK-based operations, the same management team also acquired the company's Dubai subsidiary that had been established in 1978. Saudi Arabia's Al Rushaid Group provided finance to the firm which rose to an 88.5% stake by September 2002.{{citation |url=http://www.clevelandbridge.com/news/sept2002group.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031121141948/http://www.clevelandbridge.com/news/sept2002group.html |archive-date=21 November 2003 |title=Buying into Success – Al Rushaid Investment Group Increases Stake in Cleveland Bridge Group |publisher=clevelandbridge.com |date=September 2002 |url-status=dead}}
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the company's headcount varied considerably, often rising soon after the awarding of key contracts to the business.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20756593 |title = Cleveland Bridge wins Forth Bridge contract |publisher = BBC News |date = 17 December 2012}} It undertook activities including road and railway schemes, and contributed to major construction projects such as The Shard and Wembley Stadium.{{cite web |url = https://www.building.co.uk/news/cleveland-bridge-set-to-end-nearly-150-years-of-business-and-close-later-this-month/5113639.article |title = Cleveland Bridge set to end nearly 150 years of business and close later this month |first = Dave |last = Rogers |website = building.co.uk |date = 9 September 2021}}
=Final years=
In July 2021, Cleveland Bridge sought further funding from Al Rushaid Group and warned 220 staff of potential redundancies. That same month, the firm was reported to be on the brink of administration as a result of contract delays and negative economic consequences that were partially attributable to COVID-19.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Cleveland Bridge heads for administration |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/07/21/cleveland-bridge-heads-for-administration-threatening-220-jobs/ |access-date=22 July 2021 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=22 July 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722000844/https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/07/21/cleveland-bridge-heads-for-administration-threatening-220-jobs/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Cleveland Bridge on brink of collapse |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/cleveland-bridge-on-brink-of-collapse |access-date=22 July 2021 |work=The Construction Index |date=22 July 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722071615/https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/cleveland-bridge-on-brink-of-collapse |url-status=live}}
Al Rushaid Group did not provide the requested resources; instead, FRP was appointed as the company's administrator and the business was put up for sale.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Administrator puts Cleveland Bridge up for sale |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/07/22/administrator-puts-cleveland-bridge-up-for-sale/ |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=22 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723081541/https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/07/22/administrator-puts-cleveland-bridge-up-for-sale/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='Flagbearer' Cleveland Bridge put up for sale |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/flagbearer-cleveland-bridge-put-up-for-sale |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=The Construction Index |date=23 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723062144/https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/flagbearer-cleveland-bridge-put-up-for-sale |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url = https://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_385013.html |title = Saudi-owned Cleveland Bridge up for sale as Covid crisis bites |website = tradearabia.com |date = 25 July 2021}} Consequently, 51 workers were made redundant in August 2021.{{cite news |last1=Thomas-Alexander |first1=Tiya |title=Cleveland Bridge staff angry as a quarter are made redundant |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/administrations/cleveland-bridge-staff-angry-as-a-quarter-are-made-redundant-05-08-2021/ |access-date=5 August 2021 |work=Construction News |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805055115/https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/financial/administrations/cleveland-bridge-staff-angry-as-a-quarter-are-made-redundant-05-08-2021/ |url-status=live}} Around 25 staff continued to assist FRP, and 128 staff were furloughed under the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme pending restart of production.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=53 jobs axed at Cleveland Bridge |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/08/04/53-jobs-axed-at-cleveland-bridge/ |access-date=5 August 2021 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805074856/https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/08/04/53-jobs-axed-at-cleveland-bridge/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url = https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/cleveland-bridge-six-iconic-projects-the-steel-specialist-has-worked-on-22-07-2021/ |title = Cleveland Bridge: Six iconic projects the steel specialist has worked on |first = Tim |last = Clark |publisher = New Civil Engineer |date = 22 July 2021}}
FRP was ultimately unable to secure a buyer for the business. Accordingly, on 10 September 2021, it announced the company would permanently close with the loss of a further 133 jobs.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58570630 |title = Cleveland Bridge: Covid and political coup caused firm's failure |publisher = BBC News |date = 15 September 2021}} FRP stated £12m would be required to fund the business to the end of 2021. The company assets were sold off in November 2021.{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Poppy |title=Cleveland Bridge equipment and assets to be auctioned off as iconic company disappears into history |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/darlington-cleveland-bridge-auction-sale-21757869 |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Teesside Live |date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015202213/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/darlington-cleveland-bridge-auction-sale-21757869 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url = https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/21165156.new-owner-reveals-future-huge-darlington-cleveland-bridge-factory/ |title = New owner reveals future of huge Darlington Cleveland Bridge factory |website = The Northern Echo |date = 9 September 2022}}
Controversies
=2016 death and HSE fine=
In 2022, Cleveland Bridge & Engineering was fined £1.5 million by the Health and Safety Executive, with a further cost judgement of £29,000 against them. An inadequately secured crane access panel gave way in a 2016 fatal fall. The fine related to four breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 leading to the death. FRP stated it was unlikely the fine or costs could be paid.{{cite web |url = https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/legal/defunct-cleveland-bridge-fined-1-5m-for-electrician-death-on-site-01-03-2022/ |title=Defunct Cleveland Bridge fined £1.5m for electrician death |date=1 March 2022 |first = Joshua |last = Stein |website=Construction News}}{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=Cleveland Bridge death: £1.5m Keith Poppleton fine unlikely to be paid |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-60574872 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=29 May 2022 |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529234820/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tees-60574872 |url-status=live}}
=The Shard=
In 2013, Cleveland Bridge was ordered to pay Severfield-Rowen plc £824,478 compensation for delays to their subcontracted work on The Shard. The judge accepted there was a very high incidence of poor workmanship in the steelwork Cleveland Bridge delivered. Cleveland Bridge's own internal correspondence highlighted an extraordinary work overload in 2010, and Judge Akenhead concluded it had taken on more work than it had capacity.{{Cite web |url=https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10147801.thirsk-firm-wins-800-000-rival/ |title=Thirsk firm wins £800,000 from rival |website=Darlington and Stockton Times |date=9 January 2013 |access-date=2 June 2022 |archive-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602114047/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10147801.thirsk-firm-wins-800-000-rival/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url = https://www.bdasweb.com/case-law/construction-articles/successful-delay-claim-actual-proof-delay-needed-not-merely-inference/ |title = FOR A SUCCESSFUL DELAY CLAIM – ACTUAL PROOF OF DELAY IS NEEDED – NOT MERELY INFERENCE |website = bdasweb.com |access-date = 26 June 2024}}
=Wembley Stadium=
In 2002, the company won a £60 million steelwork contract for the bowl of New Wembley Stadium. Part way through construction, relationships between main contractor Multiplex and Cleveland Bridge broke down. Multiplex stripped Cleveland Bridge of their erection role, handing it to roof steelwork contractor Hollandia. Two hundred of Cleveland Bridge's on site erection staff and subcontractors transferred to Hollandia and were sacked after going on strike. The situation escalated when Cleveland Bridge unilaterally repudiated its remaining stadium fabrication contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff7c560d03e7f57eb1f82 |title=Multiplex Constructions (UK) Limited versus Cleveland Bridge UK Limited and Anor |publisher=Case Mine |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811052317/https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff7c560d03e7f57eb1f82 |url-status=live}}{{citation |url = http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2008/2220.html |title = Multiplex Constructions (UK) Ltd v Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd & Anor [2008] EWHC 2220 (TCC) |date = 29 September 2008 |website = bailii.org |publisher = British and Irish Legal Information Institute |access-date = 16 April 2012 |archive-date = 24 November 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211124235305/https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2008/2220.html |url-status = live}}{{citation |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3618250.stm |title = Sacked workers in Wembley protest |date = 1 September 2004 |publisher = BBC News |access-date = 16 April 2012 |archive-date = 2 June 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220602114210/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3618250.stm |url-status = live}}{{citation |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3590412.stm |title = Picket over sacked Wembley staff |date = 23 August 2004 |publisher = BBC News}}
Both sides blamed each other for extra costs; delays; poor workmanship; missing or incorrect steelwork; damaged, missing or incorrect paintwork; chaotic record-keeping; and state of the near site stock yards. Litigation ensued and Cleveland Bridge was ultimately ordered to pay Multiplex £6,154,246.79 in respect of net earlier overpayments; breach of contract, and interest. Cleveland Bridge was also ordered to pay 20% of Multiplex's legal costs.{{cite news |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/multiplex-wins-up-to-8m-in-wembley-case-29-09-2008/ |title=Multiplex wins up to £8M in Wembley case |date=29 September 2008 |newspaper=New Civil Engineer |access-date=3 June 2022 |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604160911/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/multiplex-wins-up-to-8m-in-wembley-case-29-09-2008/ |url-status=live}} It was claimed, in evidence, that some Wembley steelwork had been fabricated in China for Cleveland Bridge and that it had been diverted to the Beijing National Stadium.
Mr Justice Jackson's 2008 judgement in the Technology and Construction Court was highly critical of both parties unwillingness to settle earlier in such an expensive case where the core evidence extended to over 500 lever arch files, and photocopying costs alone were £1 million. He highlighted the large number of items at dispute where the sums involved were substantially exceeded by the legal costs involved in resolving them.
Notable bridges
See also
{{Portal|Companies}}
{{ubl|British Constructional Steelwork Association|Severfield|William Hare Group|Dorman Long|Rowecord Engineering}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Structurae firm|id=f000071|title=Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20030527161020/http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/m.h.ellison/nera/khoole/clevelandcat.doc A to Z of bridges built by Cleveland Bridge]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company}}
Category:Construction and civil engineering companies of England
Category:Companies based in County Durham
Category:Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1877
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1877
Category:1877 establishments in England
Category:Borough of Darlington
Category:British companies established in 1877