A WHITCHURCH-BASED company has won a contract to build new storage areas for the largest salvage business in the country.

M Downes Earthworks, in Whitchurch, will carry out the work for SYNETIQ, reconstructing the holding yards for the thousands of scrap and salvage vehicles that pass through the SYNETIQ car transplants site in Nantwich, Cheshire, every year.

Earthworks will use its state-of-the-art machinery and the latest groundworks technology to resurface the yards where the vehicles are stored in four-storey-high racks. Sister company, MD Aggregate Supplies, is also supplying the aggregates and concrete for the job.

Martin Downes, managing director of Earthworks, says the project is eco-friendly and is delighted to be on board.

“This project not only sees us supporting the development of a successful, growing business, but it also shows our commitment to working with companies that help the environment," he said.

“SYNETIQ handles 100,000 vehicles a year across its 16 sites in the UK. And its recycling and recovery rate is more than 95 per cent of the weight of each of the 40,000 vehicles it scraps – which exceeds the target set by Europe.”

"According to a European Commission (EC) directive, all end-of-life vehicles should have a reuse and recovery rate of no less than 95 per cent. The aim of this target is to make vehicle dismantling, reuse, recovery and recycling more environmentally friendly.

“Our work is continuing at SYNETIQ, where our team is resurfacing the heavy-duty storage yards with the minimum of disruption to the company’s day-to-day operations.”

Mark Schofield, Director of SYNETIQ, added: “We called on Earthworks because we had two yards that were 40 years old and in need of being replaced.

“Their efforts will support us in our drive to continue meeting – and exceeding – our recycling targets, and growing our business for the benefit of the UK.”