Ad
Saturday, September 6, 2025
13.6 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  U.K. Edition

00Days
00Hours
00Mins
00Secs

Centre Square Helps Businesses Scale New Heights

- Advertisement -

JMAC Scaffolding says working on a new landmark development will both build its reputation and provide a foundation for its apprentices’ careers. 

The Stockton-based firm is one of a dozen Northeast businesses involved in the construction of the four-storey 6 Centre Square in the heart of Middlesbrough.

When it is finished early next year it will become the regional HQ of insurance giant AXA UK and 450 of its staff will move there.

They will join around 1,000 office workers who are already based in Centre Square’s two completed buildings.

Work on the new multi-million-pound building began in January.  The main contractor is Bowmer+Kirkland and the combined value of contracts awarded to sub-contractors, such as JMAC, is nearly £5m.

JMAC Construction Director Aaron Kitson said securing the Centre Square contract represented a major breakthrough for his company: “We’d wanted to work with Bowmer+Kirkland for a long time and we were also determined to be involved in one of the biggest projects in Middlesbrough, which is right on our doorstep.”

JMAC was founded by James McCarthy Senior in 1981.  His grandson Luis is the current managing director for JMAC Group, which includes JMAC Scaffolding and JMAC Safety Systems.  The group employs 170 people from the Teesside area, including five apprentices, and plans to recruit a further five apprentices later this year. JMAC are looking to increase the apprentice intake to 15 per year.

“Our best scaffolders are ones that we’ve homegrown.  We bring them through, we train them ourselves and within five years we shouldn’t have any problems with a shortage of skilled labour,” said Mr Kitson, who joined the company as a scaffolder and rose through the ranks to become a director.

All of the apprentices start their careers with a stint at JMAC’s yard.  There – as well as beginning their training – the company makes sure they demonstrate the right attitude and work ethic.  “We can’t teach that,” said Mr Kitson.

“You have to enjoy what you do, otherwise it’s a long day – particularly in the winter.” With the most workplace deaths caused by falling from a height, safety training for the young scaffolders is a priority.”

The new recruits spend time with different teams of experienced scaffolders working across JMAC’s residential, industrial and commercial contracts, such as Centre Square.

Eighteen-year-old apprentice Tom Payne from Hartlepool said: “You’re learning something new every day.” Louie Peebles, also 18, who lives in Stockton, said: “It’s outdoors.  It’s very physical.  The people and supervision are nice and friendly.  I get on with them really well and they’re willing to teach you.” Cameron Blyth, 17, from Billingham, said: “I wasn’t that keen on heights when I started, but I’m getting used to them now.”

The Centre Square development was launched six years ago by developer Ashall Projects in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.

Managing Director Mark Ashall said: “The benefits are already being felt – from the young scaffolders starting out on their careers to the firms of professional services and consultants looking forward to growing their businesses after moving into Centre Square.

“We are creating high quality and sustainable office environments which are proving highly attractive to employers who have quickly transformed Centre Square into the business hub of Teesside. They are providing well-paid jobs and that new spending power will also benefit the shops and restaurants which are just a short walk from the offices.”

Although AXA has taken much of the space in 6 Centre Square, 14,000 sq ft is still available.  Details of the next phase of the development are due to be announced soon.  Outline planning permission is already in place.

- Advertisement -
Scaffmag Newsdesk
Scaffmag Newsdeskhttps://www.scaffmag.com
The staff at ScaffMag.com the leading scaffolding site for a digital generation.

Popular Categories

Most Read

Major shake-up in scaffolding training governance announced

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has unveiled...

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Layher UK set to unveil show-stopping ScaffEx25 stand in exclusive preview 

Scaffmag has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Layher...

Leaked Drone Footage Shows Giant ScaffEx Screen Over Manchester

Leaked drone footage has revealed a giant video screen...

SMART Scaffolder to unveil new mobile app at ScaffEx25

SMART Scaffolder will launch its latest mobile app, SMART...

Related Articles

SEP Culant and JMAC Team Up to Transform UK Work-at-Height Services

SEP Culant and JMAC Group have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing work-at-height and access support services across multiple industries in the UK. The collaboration brings together SEP Culant’s rope...
- Advertisements -

Latest Topics

Leach’s partners with DeWalt to launch tools tailored for scaffolders

Leach’s has announced a new partnership with power tool...

Major shake-up in scaffolding training governance announced

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has unveiled...

Layher UK set to unveil show-stopping ScaffEx25 stand in exclusive preview 

Scaffmag has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Layher...
- Advertisement -