Blackwell Earthmoving has the specialist expertise that transforms challenging landscapes into sites ready for growth and progress. As one of the UK’s largest earthworks experts, we prepare the ground for the nation’s most significant construction and infrastructure projects.
Our expertise
Established
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Pieces of heavy earthmoving machinery in operation
Joined the Hargreaves group
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Colleagues working on several projects
With nearly 70 years of industry experience, Blackwell Earthmoving has been involved in numerous large-scale projects across the UK such as motorway development, Heathrow Terminal 5, HS1 and HS2 rail projects and the Sizewell C nuclear power station.
Blackwell is synonymous within the industry with major and complex earthmoving. Blackwell has worked, at some point in our 70+ years, with just about every major civil engineering contractor and client. We provide our services in accordance with our company values: Respectful, Responsible, Resilient & Relentless.
Respectful
We emphasise the wellbeing of those whom we encounter by understanding and recognising the sensitivies and values of other project parties, stakeholders and our people.
Responsible
We share ownership and accountability for project outcomes at strategic, corporate and individual levels by engendering a collaborative, honest and transparent approach.
Resilient
We ensure that we persevere when challenges and obstacles arise.
Relentless
We adopt a high energy, delivery-focused approach throughout the lifecycle of the project without faltering. We provide our earthmoving services to public and private sector clients, normally as a subcontractor to the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors, in all infrastructure sectors including highways, railways, aviation, water and energy.
Services
How we help our clients
At Blackwell, we have been a leading supplier of specialist earthworks contracting services across the UK for over 70 years. We have the scope and the expertise to take on projects of any size or complexity and have been trusted to move the earth for leading infrastructure projects in the motorway, aviation, transportation and other sectors, including HS2, Sizewell C, Lower Thames Crossing, Heathrow Terminal 5 and more.
On any given day, over 450 items of heavy earthmoving equipment can be operating across Blackwell's projects, supported by hundreds of professionals.
We're extremely proud to have Europe's largest fleet of 60 tonne articulated dump trucks, and our investment in our technology ensures Blackwell is equipped to find the how to any challenge that presents itself.
Our team is also equipped with the latest technology; from pioneering 3D terrain drone mapping to in-cab GPS tracking and real-time data sharing, teams across Blackwell can operate efficiently, safely and deliver projects at scale.
Safety is at the core of Blackwell's operations. Whether it's in the office, planning the day's activities or out on-site, moving the earth, every employee at Blackwell has a responsibility to ensure the safety of others while at work.
Our industry-leading PoVPi (Plant, object, Vehicle, People Interface) programme provides robust guidance on all hazard eventualities that could arise, and the correct procedure to avoid these happening. PoVPi is embedded within team culture at Blackwell, with regular safety gatherings to ensure any concerns are flagged and rectified before they become a more serious issue.
At Blackwell, we are constantly researching and implementing new methods to ensure the work we do is as sustainable as possible, with the aim of our work being completely carbon-free by 2040.
Our sites now have several battery electric plant machines operating, with more machines planned for arrival in the next few years.
Blackwell Earthmoving benefits enormously from the backing of our parent company, Hargreaves Services plc.
Hargreaves' extensive experience and financial backing allows Blackwell to complete the work we are contracted to do with efficiency and with industry-leading equipment.
As part of the wider Hargreaves group, Blackwell also regularly works alongside teams from other arms of the business.
Our Mineral Trading team are working with Blackwell to source and supply high quality, carbon-saved minerals for use at Sizewell C, while the team at Hargreaves Logistics also support with delivery of these aggregates and the movement of Blackwell vehicles using our heavy haulage trucks. Hargreaves Services also regularly work with the Blackwell team, implementing solutions such as over-road conveyor systems which were used on the HS2 project.
70+ Years of Specialist Earthmoving Expertise
At Blackwell, we have been a leading supplier of specialist earthworks contracting services across the UK for over 70 years. We have the scope and the expertise to take on projects of any size or complexity and have been trusted to move the earth for leading infrastructure projects in the motorway, aviation, transportation and other sectors, including HS2, Sizewell C, Lower Thames Crossing, Heathrow Terminal 5 and more.
Modern Fleet & Technology
Industry-Leading Safety Approach
Pioneers of Sustainable Earthmoving
Backed by Hargreaves Services plc
Proud history, bright future
The Company was established by Chris Blackwell in 1956 with activities focused on providing subcontract earthworks capabilities to main contractors engaged in the national motorway network construction programme. The business developed to become a major earthworks subcontractor and one of the largest plant fleet operators in the UK.
Subsequently the company has engaged in a wide range of civil engineering projects and also developed a soils stabilisation activity.
Hargreaves Services plc acquired the company in January 2016 and has re-focused activities towards Blackwell’s traditional skill set of major earthworks.
In 2017 the company began work on a £50 million scheme to widen the A14 near Cambridge and was appointed into a strategic partnership to develop the earthworks programme for two significant sections of HS2. Significant earthworks operations commenced on HS2 in the spring of 2021.
Historically Blackwell was involved in flagship projects such as the Olympic Park, HS1, Heathrow Terminal 5, and that track record now looks set to be perpetuated in to the future.
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