Investment boosts security at construction materials supplier

Myers Group, a Huddersfield-based supplier of construction materials, has invested £200,000 to install artificial-intelligence (AI)-enabled CCTV systems across its sites to upgrade security and boost profits.

The technology – designed, installed and maintained by Huddersfield-based Centurion Fire & Security – now oversees operations at Myers Group’s 19 builders’ merchant sites, its three Readymix concrete sites and Johnsons Wellfield stone quarry.

Employing 350 people throughout West Yorkshire, the family-owned manufacturer supplies thousands of construction materials to housebuilders, renovators and commercial projects throughout the UK every day, meaning each site deals with high levels of vehicle and footfall traffic.

Paul Bradley, group operations manager at Myers Group, said: “We already had CCTV in place, but it was outdated and unreliable, with many cameras being out-of-action, meaning we experienced issues surrounding missed health and safety incidents, as well as trespassing.

“We were aware that better technology was available, and that we could improve staff and visitor safety, whilst simultaneously having an immediate and positive impact on the bottom-line.”

Centurion designed a complex network of 335 HD cameras, 22 HD recording units and a PA system – enabling direct communication with any trespassers – to observe the sites, and now carries out out-of-hours remote monitoring of the system.

Thermal imaging cameras were also installed at Johnsons Wellfield quarry to capture movements in the large, dark quarry during the night.

The AI-learning cameras are able to filter out false alarms and will distinguish between an animal and a human.

Previously, Myers spent £50,000 on security guards per annum.

Bradley continued: “As a Yorkshire-based business, we wanted to work with a local firm with a solid reputation. We were impressed with Centurion’s ability to meet the complexity posed by our multi-site network, in a short time-frame.

“They rose to the challenge, and the result is a technologically-advanced system which saves us the annual salaries of security guards; deters thieves and trespassing; and provides us with a paper trail for any health and safety incidents.”

Centurion Fire & Security designs, installs, commissions and maintains fire and security systems for some of the UK’s leading organisations.

It has recently delivered a £1.5m contract at the Sellafield nuclear plant.