With an excellent industry reputation, gained over twenty years, Orion lead the way in the delivery of building engineering and support services across South East England. Following their success in the Construction & Engineering Awards 2020, we got in touch with Scarlett Cruger to find out more.
Originally specialising in commercial and domestic heating, Orion were founded in 1998 by Simon Heller. Since then due to client demand and a growing reputation, Orion have expanded their services across a wider range. To begin with, Scarlett provides us with a brief overview and offers more insight into some of the firm’s specialisms.
“As you might expect, our experienced and approachable management team work alongside our skilled and qualified engineers to ensure that all of our projects are delivered to
the highest standards of completion. By clearly understanding the needs of our customers, we create cost efficient, well planned, and effectively delivered solutions. The amount of recommendations and long-term customers is proof of our quality, honesty, and approachability we bring to each and every project.
“Since we took the decision to expand our offerings, we are now able to assist clients in heating & ventilation, electrical services, plumbing, air conditioning, water hygiene and mechanical refurbishments.”
With any project Orion undertake, the business has an environment friendly approach which as Scarlett goes on to explain, not only ensures tenants are happy with projects but it also ensures of an environment’s happiness.
“By monitoring our environmental impacts and improving the efficiency of our processes, we aim to continually improve our environmental performance. Reducing the operational carbon and cost of operating the site also means we are lowering emissions and waste. In addition to our environmental ethos, we are committed to tenant welfare and as such we always ensure tenants have heating and hot water at all times.”
From the outset Orion have worked with honesty and professionalism, and as Scarlett goes on to explain, its these attributes which have seen the firm become a respected leader in building services and engineering across the South East.
“The business believe honesty, expertise and reputation for getting a good job done represent its strongest attributes. Customer feedback and consistent levels of recommendation further reflect this belief.
“To provide total peace of mind for our customers, we offer a fully traceable and trackable auditing trail, testing and maintenance plan, along with our HSE approved system. Your data and information should be available easily and quickly when you need it. Moreover, you also need the knowledge that our time and visits are planned when required, ensuring your building services are managed to the very highest standards.
“With a customer base that almost universally praises Orion for delivering quality, reliability, and value for money across their core building engineering services for commercial and public sector customers, Orion’s added value is the expertise they offer to those seeking to resolve specialist issues outside of their standard service requirements.”
Orion’s environment friendly approach was evident in one of its most recent projects (Pitt Court in Stevenage), as Scarlett explains further.
“The install included a combination of air sourced heat pumps and condensing boilers for the heating and a gas fired domestic hot water boiler. This was a 16-week programme and unfortunately as lockdown occurred, we were unable to work on site as the building was occupied with elderly tenants. During this period, we kept our mobile plant room on site which allowed heating and hot water to continue. On our return to site, Orion revised all of our risk assessments and method statements to include COVID-19 government guidelines.
“Part of the project was to renew heating, hot water, and main cold-water pipe work throughout the building up to the entrance of each flat. The pipework was a mixture of copper and steel and the system we used was Viega Megapress, therefore it eliminated the need for hot works certificates.
“For the hot water, we installed a condensing direct fired water heater manufactured by Andrews. Two Hoval condensing boilers were further installed for the heating system along with three air sourced heat pumps. Finally, to control the heating and hot water we installed a BMS therefore allowing our clients to manage it remotely.”
Finally, as we look ahead to the future, Scarlett shares one or two plans the firm have in place for 2021 and beyond.
“Naturally, our plan is to grow the business and develop our departments while applying for more contracts. In addition, we are moving office within the next three months for more space, taking on more staff and working closely with our bid writers to tender for more contracts.”
