UK construction materials group GRS has rebranded and relaunched its specialist contracting business as ISC, creating a platform for expansion in enabling works, earthworks and civil engineering projects nationwide.
The newly branded ISC (Integrated Solutions – Contracting) was previously known as Walsh Contracting and has grown 80% in the past 18 months with a series of contract successes across the UK.
Most recently, ISC secured the final phase of infrastructure works at Westcombe Park in Heybridge, Essex, for residential developer Countryside, now part of the Vistry Group. This project award is ISC’s third package of works on the site, worth more than £26 million.
Matt Smith of Vistry Major Projects said: “ISC is currently working with Vistry Major Projects (Previously Countryside Strategic Land) on the North Heybridge Garden Suburb, known as Westcombe Park. Westcombe Park will comprise 1,138 new homes, a Neighbourhood Centre, a Primary School and 26 hectares of publicly accessible open space.
“Split over three phases, ISC are building a 1,800m bypass, a 2,100m spine road, two complicated S278 junctions and foul and surface water systems that take into account difficult existing constraints. Phase 1 is complete, and we are very pleased with the result. Phase 2 and 3 works remain on programme and to budget despite challenging ground conditions. We look forward to working with ISC and closing the project out in 2024.”
Founded in 1972, London-based construction services firm S Walsh & Sons – of which Walsh Contracting was part – was acquired by GRS in 2018, with its materials processing, road haulage and marine freight businesses incorporated into the main GRS Group in 2022.
Meanwhile, Walsh Contracting underwent a complete restructure – including the appointment of Darren Quinton as ISC Managing Director at the start of 2023 – and it became part of GRS’s Integrated Solutions division. That has led to fresh growth, not just in London and the South East, but in the South West, Midlands and North.
Quinton said: “I am proud of what’s been achieved in the last couple of years, and the launch of ISC is a whole new chapter for the business. It’s not just about a new name; it’s about positioning ISC as a distinct business within GRS with a clear mission to construct a legacy of excellence through the delivery of enabling works, earthworks and civil engineering projects across the UK. We are building an expert workforce that transcends customer expectations, with the aim of setting new industry standards for quality, innovation and sustainability.”
Jon Fisher, GRS Chief Executive, said: “Our ISC contracting business is the perfect complement to our other core businesses, especially the removal of demolition and excavation waste and the delivery of primary, secondary and recycled aggregates via our road, rail and marine freight network. Now, having restructured and rebranded the business as ISC, and with a number of successes already under our belts, we’re in the strongest position to expand nationwide, and I am confident that under Darren’s leadership, we will see this business rapidly grow from strength to strength.”
