K2 opens Middlesbrough base

The firm, which is working to deliver the £450m SeAH Wind project at Teesworks, has launched a strategic headquarters in the town.

K2 Construction Management started work in the region less than 12 months ago and now directly employs 45 people, with a further 400 currently working through the local supply chain on site.

The Middlesbrough base is at Commerce House, Exchange Square.

K2 said that the increased demand for construction management and consultancy expertise linked to the growing number of major developments proposed across the North East made establishing a strategic base a natural choice.

Construction began in July 2022 on the offshore wind monopile manufacturing facility, a 1.13m sq ft complex that is expected to produce between 100 and 150 monopiles – the foundational elements that support wind turbines – each year.

K2 is the principal contractor, project manager and designer of what will be the world’s largest monopile factory on behalf of South Korean firm SeAH Wind.

The initial professional team on the project of architect Ashton Smith Associates, civil, structural and geo-environmental engineer Clarkebond and building services engineer Waterman has been added to by Corstorphine & Wright, WSP, BGP and SES.

K2 claims a track record of more than £1bn, including the £500m regeneration of Hale Village in London, a £10m scheme to transform Nile House in Brighton and extensive student accommodation blocks across the north, such as Artisan Heights Manchester, in partnership with Unite.

Director Steve Porter said: “Our expertise lies in the fundamentals of construction management, a model that allows large and sometimes technically complex projects, often with much final design work still to do, the ability to mobilise early and commence phases of work.

“Developing jewel in the crown schemes such as SeAH Wind comes with immense scrutiny, but it’s an environment in which we thrive, ready and hungry for the next venture.

“The Tees Valley is a hotbed of activity, so it naturally made sense to strengthen our position here by investing in our teams. We’re excited by the relationships we’ve already built across the supply chain, and we look forward to strengthening those in years to come creating even more local job opportunities.”

K2 also works from a London office, and is part of the HanmiGlobal group, like SeAH a South Korea-headquartered business. SeAH Wind represents a venture into the renewable energy market for SeAH Steel, a powerhouse in the steel industry.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said that despite being “a relatively new kid on the block” in Teesside, K2 had wasted no time in supporting the local supply chain.