Collaboration is fundamental to how McLaughlin & Harvey approaches intricate civil engineering developments, influencing its interactions with clients, supply chains, and technical challenges right from the initial phases. The company firmly maintains that project delivery is enhanced when clear communication, practical construction experience, and shared objectives are established from the outset.

This philosophy was a central theme for the contractor at this year’s ICE: Working in the Wet conference. Centred around innovation and technology, project showcases, buildability and delivery, and climate change resilience, the event served as an important platform for exchanging best practices and discussing the realities of executing major infrastructure schemes across Ireland and the UK.

For the McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering team, the conference offered a chance to showcase how collaborative delivery models, early procurement involvement, and Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) can drive successful results on intricate infrastructure projects.

The Janet Harvey Hall Case Study

Technical Director John McCarey led a keynote speaker session titled 'The Power of ECI and Collaboration when Commissioning Infrastructure Projects', utilising the recently completed Janet Harvey Hall for BAE Systems as a core case study.

The presentation explored how ECI and collaborative delivery shaped the scheme from its inception. Originally designed to accommodate a single vessel, the project evolved considerably to support two Type 26 frigates side by side. This change introduced significant technical, logistical, and programme-delivery hurdles.

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Overcoming these challenges required more than just technical engineering skills. It demanded consistent communication, efficient decision-making, and clear objectives across the client, contractor, and supply chain teams throughout the lifespan of the project.

Executing Complex Infrastructure Works

The construction of Janet Harvey Hall featured an array of complex civil engineering operations, such as dock infilling, dredging operations, piling works, and building heavy quay infrastructure inside a live, operational shipbuilding environment.

The initial phase required draining and infilling the wet basin where the structure now sits. This process utilised over 430,000 tonnes of sand and stone, which included roughly 318,000 tonnes of sand dredged directly from the River Clyde. Following this, more than 5,000 metres of steel piles had to be installed before the reinforced concrete foundations could be built.

The hall is named after World War II shipyard electrician Janet Harvey. Measuring 170 metres in length and 80 metres in width, the building is now a prominent feature on the Glasgow skyline.

McCarey’s presentation emphasised that ECI allowed construction and programme issues to be tackled much earlier in the design and delivery phases, meaning practical solutions could be established before problems worsened on site. Major infrastructure works are rarely simple, particularly when technical complexity rises, project scopes grow, or timelines alter. In these instances, aligned project teams and strong working relationships are vital to maintaining momentum.

The Significance of Early Engagement

This core principle was central to the presentation and reflects McLaughlin & Harvey's ongoing operational philosophy. Successful project execution relies on more than just technical capability or the scale of a project; it depends on establishing the correct environment for teams to collaborate effectively from the very first day.

The Working in the Wet 2026 event allowed the business to display its construction achievements and share its methodology for delivering complex infrastructure projects that support the UK armed forces and the wider supply chain.

For the company, the takeaway remains clear: early procurement, early contractor involvement, and strong collaboration frequently represent the dividing line between merely delivering infrastructure and delivering it successfully.