West Midlands, United Kingdom Jan 24, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - Fortel is one of the UK's largest suppliers of agency labour to the construction industry, offering high volumes and a very fast response across the whole spectrum of labour, trades and professionals. Recent achievements include MSDUK ScaleUp award, Walsall Works Bronze Partnership award and finalists in The Growing Business Awards and finalists in The British Construction Industry Awards.
Trading successfully since 1998, Fortel celebrated its 20year anniversary with 20 charitable fundraising events to promote its values and ethos throughout its business. ‘By improving our workforce, we're investing in yours’ has been one of their eclectic key moto’s of late.
Over the course of their20-year history, Fortel has developed three distinct operating models:
- People - individuals and teams to work under your supervision.
- Projects - delivering specific contracts for a pre-agreed price.
- Process outsourcing - ongoing support for your labour requirements.
Unlike many labour suppliers, they are not a CV farm but assess and select each applicant individually with a view to making them part of the team. Fortel aims to look after all of their people properly, though industry-leading pay and conditions, comprehensive training, and a strong commitment to their wellbeing, as well as language training for those whose mother tongue isn't English.
Collaborative Innovation
Supported by state-of-the-art labour management technology that provides clarity and transparency while improving efficiency, Fortels open book approach is designed to be fair to clients, to them and throughout their supply chain.
Assured delivery
Fortels whole way of working is designed to guarantee the Right First Time delivery of a clients project. They aim to give them the confidence to take on risk and the peace of mind that they will meet schedules and budgets. A completely safe pair of hands throughout the UK and in any sector.
Productivity
Fortel transport fully briefed and qualified teams to project sites, which means they can get to work immediately and achieve more productive hours in a day, often using fewer men, which saves clients money. Fortel does great work, efficiently, repeatably and sustainably, which helps clients make faster and more effective progress.
Technology
The use of the latest staff and payroll management technology provides clarity and efficiency while offering an open book approach. By allowing Fortel to plan ahead effectively, their bespoke ‘LEAF’ IT systems maintain continuity with their workers, saving clients and owners time and money by enabling them to redeploy their most experienced people where they are most needed as new projects arise.
Value
Fortel is convinced that the best value is rarely simply equal to the lowest price. So their services aim to deliver consistently high quality and productivity for the fairest price they can make it. This means Fortel offer the best value of any supplier in their sector.
Safety
Fortels track record in safe working is second to none, and they've been singled out by major contractors for their performance. Training and Educatingtheir people in key areas such as Health and Safety, PPE, Drugs and Alcohol, and English language, so they don't waste time on site relearning the basics, which saves clients money.
Legal compliance
Extreme rigor goes into vetting and assessing their people, so clients never have any problems with work permits, work status or the qualification of staff. Fortel manages all aspects of HR and PAYE effectively so they can get on with the job immediately, with the minimum of admin and red tape required from clients.
Accreditations
CITB Construction Skills, UK Trade & Investment, Building Confidence, Family Business Proud, RISQS, NGA, National Federation of Builders, Builders's Profile, Construction Line, Concrete society, Constructing Better Health, SIA Approved Contractor, CCAS
Sectors
Another of Fortel’s recent eclectic slogans has been ‘We bring teams to you and hit the ground digging, so we’re more productive’
Fortel offers a safe pair of hands, routinely working with major names and in high-pressure situations. They've successfully delivered projects in a wide range of environments around the country, with particular experience in a number of key sectors.
Roads & Motorways Rail
Retail Defence
Commercial Power
Utilities Hotel & Leisure
Exec Board
Chairman: ShindaNijjer
Shinda founded Fortel in 1998 after more than 20 years in the construction industry, where he originally started out as a labourer. As the then owner and Chief Executive of the company, he led its early growth and development and was responsible for securing major client relationships, developing quality and workforce testing initiatives, and for launching the contracting division. He became Chairman in 2009 and now divides his time between overseeing the business and running a major Corporate Social Responsibility programme in the UK and India.
Vice Chairman: John Pilkington
John joined Fortel's board in 2012, bringing 40 years experience with major international companies including Ove Arup, Tarmac, Carillion and Amey, where he was Managing Director of the Investments business and led the Strategic Development Unit. Trained as a structural engineer, John chaired the CBI's working group on PFI for three years and was seconded to the DFES to help design the Building Schools for the Future programme. He now provides strategic advice to a range of clients, particularly in relation to sustaining effective public-private partnerships.
Chief Executive: Sat Nijjer
Sat joined the family-owned business as operations director in 2005 after a BSc in Computer Science and a career in investment banking with the US company, Bear Stearns. A major shareholder in Fortel, he became chief executive in 2012, the second generation of the family to lead the company. He is involved in the economic development of Walsall Borough through a seat the Walsall Economic Board an Alumni Member of The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and Vice-Chairman of the Asian Sports Foundation. He is married with three children and is an avid Manchester United fan.
Finance: Ian Smith
Ian was appointed to the Board in September 2014, after more than 20 years of experience in senior finance roles. He has spent over 10 years in the construction sector, including three years as FD of the UK's largest in-situ concrete flooring contractor. Before moving into construction, he held senior positions in various financial service institutions, including the West Bromwich Building Society.
Labour Supply & Recruitment: Andy Berry
An Engineer with 35 years experience of delivering projects for Principal Contractors, Network Rail and London Underground. Self-motivated with a proven record, Andy spent 10 years in Carillion's recruitment business SkyBlue initially heading their Rail business and ultimately running Carillion Managed Service. His experience of delivering projects and heading working teams for both Carillion and Volker Fitzpatrick gives him a real insight into what's required by our customers in terms of quality and value for money. Andy has a particular interest in the use of technology for the control of the purchase to pay process and is a BSc of Combined Engineering and holds IOSH Safety and Risk Management.
FM: Amar Sandhawalia
Having graduated in Aerospace Engineering (BEng) at Queen Mary University of London, Amar joined Chartered Accountants Bowker Orford of Cavendish Place, London - working swiftly towards being a member of the Association of Tax Technicians. In 2011 he was headhunted by Fortel and joined as Financial Accounts Manager and then through a succession of internal promotions he was appointed to the board in 2014. As Vice-Chairman of the Employment and Skills Board of Walsall Council, he is passionate about supporting the local community. Amar is a keen follower of cricket and holds a certificate from IRCA in Quality Management Systems Auditing.
Governance & Wellbeing: Lyn Redsell
Lyn has worked with Fortel for many years and acts as Company Secretary. Appointed Head of Governance and Wellbeing in 2014, she is leading innovative initiatives to ensure Fortel's growing workforce is both compliant and happy. She has substantial experience in the wholesale, retail, manufacturing and construction industries, holds CIPD, IOSH and IIRSM memberships, and is accredited by organisations including AAT, BTEC, NEBOSH, IOSH and ROSPA.
Latest Achievements
Kier M6 J16 – J19 Smart Motorways
As part of plans by Highways England to improve our motorways and relieve pressure on the existing framework, a 20-mile section of the M6 between Crewe and Knutsford has been going through recent expansion and conversion into a Smart Motorway. The improvement works will significantly reduce delays and congestion with work along other sections continuing for approximately a further two years.
Fortel’s CEO Sat Njjijer has commented that whilst the project is challenging, due to the restrictive nature of working alongside a busy motorway, the teams work collaboratively, building strong relationships with the client and other sub-contractors on site. Fortel currently provides a workforce of 50+ into the project, covering a multitude of trades from plant operatives, drainage specialists, pipelayers and groundworkers, many of which have gone through further development at the Fortel Training Academy.
Kier Mersey Gateway Project
Fortel is proud to have played such a significant role in the development of one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, the Mersey Gateway Project. The highly complex project involved building a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey and upgrading the road structure leading to and from the bridge.
At the peak of the project, Fortel had a 100+ strong team working on the demolition of existing structures, major earthworks and construction work.
Fortel’s owner has stated that the project has been so successful largely down to our involvement being from day one of the project and remaining part of the project throughout its entire life cycle 5 years later. It has enabled our teams to build strong relationships, built on trust with Kier and the local authorities.
Media Contact
Fortel Services Limited *****@fortel.co.uk 01902603409 33-35 Wednesfield Road Willenhall https://fortel.co.uk/
