Derry-based Ideal Form Limited is a progressive and dynamic company providing the highest level of service to clients across all sectors of construction.
Ideal Form Limited is the Civil Engineering and Crawler Crane Hire division of the O’Kane Group and specialises in sophisticated concrete structures and the hire of plant and equipment.
A family run business, managed by three directors, Dominic, Liam and Paschal O’Kane, Ideal Form Limited has completed various projects over the years including bridges, reservoirs, sea defence walls, dam walls, water treatment and sewage work structures and concrete frame structures (multi-storey car parks, office blocks and shopping centres).
Examples of their exemplary work can be found throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.
A consistent track record of completing on time and within budget has given the company a solid base of repeat business from satisfied customers while in the last ten years they has invested considerably in both heavy machinery and customer support services extending to the supply of Crawler Cranes for hire.
As a result, the company currently boasts one of the largest crawler crane fleets in Ireland, with cranes ranging from 80T to 280T capacity for hire.
Crawler cranes deliver excellent mobility over soft surfaces and these multiple-purpose cranes can be used in a broad range of applications, ranging from construction to civil engineering and port cargo handling.
Ideal Form both hire and sell crawler cranes and have been involved in many projects in Ireland, Great Britain and abroad. These projects have include bringing clean water to Belfast, the positioning of the London Eye and improved transport links between North and South Dublin across the River Liffey.
They have a fleet of modern hydraulic crawler cranes available up to 280T, all operating with main boom, fly jib and luffing jib. They comply with European standards using sophisticated load systems to ensure safe lifting practices.
Ideal Form’s management team have been involved in shuttering/formwork for over thirty years and throughout this time they have gained a vast knowledge and understanding with no project too big or too small.
Current and previous clients for both Formwork and Crane Hire includes Graham Construction, Graham Lagan JV, Mc Laughlin & Harvey and L&M Keating Limited.
Ideal Form has approximately 25 personnel in key roles within the organisation and these roles consist of QSs, accounts managers, project managers and supervisors, plant manager and service team/crane riggers and operators. In addition, Ideal Form appoints various sub-contractors under the watchful eye of its own project managers.
In 2014 and 2015, Ideal Form made significant investments in both plant and machinery to meet the requirements of several large scale civil engineering projects which were to commence, which included the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal and the Gladstone Biomass Facility.
Ideal Form has an extensive fleet of crawler cranes available for hire ranging from 80 ton machines to 280 ton machines available with main boom, fly and luffing boom.
These cranes are available for hire throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe with rigging and servicing of all the company’s cranes carried out by their own personnel in order to meet the needs of their hire customers.
Some of the cranes available to hire include: 80T Kobelco cranes / SCX1500 Hitachi Sumitomo cranes / SCX2500 Hitachi Sumitomo cranes/ SCX2800 Hitachi Sumitomo cranes.
With the demise of the construction sector in Ireland over the past ten years, Ideal Form moved to markets further afield in England and Scotland working as a sub-contractor to Graham Construction.
Currently they are on site on four large scale projects in England with the possibility of additional contracts being awarded later this year. The outlook for the future is promising with both the formwork and crane hire division looking forward to a busy year ahead.
Ideal Form’s Completed Projects
Edinburgh Tram Network
Ideal Form secured the Formwork and Rebar package from Main Contractor Graham Construction. The package consisted of ten structures which included bridges and retaining walls and 1200 metres of concrete track line which was completed to tolerances of +/- 1mm. The project was completed within program and within budget.
Grimsby River Terminal
Ideal Form was awarded the Formwork, Rebar and Crane Hire for the Grimsby River Terminal by Graham Construction. The project included the construction of an 80Mtr x 30Mtr x 5Mtr floating pontoon in a dry dock in Newcastle, which was floated in to position in Grimsby. A 250 metre approach jetty was constructed as well as a 70 metre finger pier.
Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal
Ideal Form was appointed by Graham Construction to construct 10 No Silos at the Port of Immingham. Ideal Form was responsible for the Rebar and Formwork package as well as providing the Crawler Cranes, with machines ranging from 100 Ton to 250 Ton. The silos were slip formed and were approximately 37 metres in diameter with an average height of approximately 54 metres. The first five of the ten silos were completed in 2013 and the final five silos completed in late 2014. The slip form was operated on a 24 hour basis with the shutter rising approximately 300mm per hour.
Rosie Hackett Bridge, Dublin
Ideal Form is proud to have carried out the Rebar and Formwork on the Rosie Hackett Bridge, Dublin. The structure was voted the Best Engineering Project of the Year by the Irish public in the Engineering Ireland Excellence Awards. At mid-span the depth of the structure is only 45 centimetres and links the North and South of Dublin City. The bridge was completed in early 2014.
Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin
The Samuel Beckett Bridge was constructed in 2006/2007, Ideal Form was awarded the Formwork and Rebar packages as well as providing the crawler crane hire required onsite. The project began with the construction of reinforced concrete abutments on each quay wall and a support pier in the River Liffey. A large sheet piled cofferdam was constructed to enable the pier to be built. The cable stayed bridge is unique in Ireland as it can rotate through 90 degrees to allow the navigation of marine traffic on the River Liffey.
Ideal Form Limited
40 Curragh Road
Dungiven
Co. Derry
BT47 4SE
Tel : 028777 42580
Fax: 028777 42022
Mob: 07872464865
Mob: 07872464853
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.idealformltd.com
Taken from Building Ireland magazine, May/June 2016, Vol 2, No 2
