Category: Commercial over €10 million
Project: Dorset Point Student Accommodation
Contractor: Bennett Construction Ltd
Client: Hines UK
Contract Value: €27.5 million

Bennett Construction was the Design and Build contractor on Dorset Point Student Accommodation. Located at Dorset Street Lower, the project consisted of 447 student bed spaces over 102 clusters in five blocks ranging from four to six levels high (including a basement plant room in Block C). The development included communal kitchens, break out spaces, launderette, cinema, and reception and secure landscaped external courtyards.

The successful delivery of the second Student Accommodation development to an exacting standard marks a real success for BCL. It has been instrumental in the establishment of BCL as a solid provider of high quality student accommodation in the Irish market. It was delivered to an extremely tight timeline, to exacting standards and is a shining example of quality, which is an integral part of the project delivery process for BCL.

Category: Commercial over €10 million
Project: 30-32 Molesworth Street
Contractor: Collen Construction
Client: Green Reit
Contract Value: €10 million

The building is located on Molesworth Street and connects through to School House Lane, taking up the gardens of the adjoining building onto Molesworth Street.

A new 4-storey over basement office accommodation was constructed following works to the existing build, the demolition of all buildings to the rear and included a reduced level dig to 1 basement level. The project included glazed atrium to internal landscaped courtyard, CAT A fit-out to landlord areas, construction of new ESB substation, installation of car lift to basement and two new passenger lifts. In addition to conservation and full internal finishes to the existing building, reclaimed features were included within the new extension.

The building has achieved many best in class energy innovations. At design stage extensive analysis was undertaken to deliver a highly sustainable building. The project joins a select group of innovative buildings that have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability in Ireland.

Category: Industrial over €10 million.
Project: Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical
Contractor: P.J. Hegarty & Sons UC
Client: Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Ireland

This project was divided into four phases; enabling works, a Biopharma manufacturing facility, head office and administration block, research and development laboratory and facility.

There was a programme overlap between the different phases and the overall project duration was twenty-two months. At its peak there were 350 construction operatives from 25 contractors working on site, carrying out work on three concurrent phases. The overall budget and final cost for the project was in excess of €50 million.

The contractor was audited by the International Standards Organisation in 2015 and 2016 during the project and passed with flying colours. Their Project Quality and Environmental Plan set out stringent processes to ensure that the project was executed correctly, the first time.

On this project P.J. Hegarty & Sons UC demonstrated their ability to complete a complex multi-phase project to a high level of safety and quality on programme and within budget.

Category: Commercial/Industrial Under €10 million
Project: Gilead Sciences QC Laboratory Extension
Contractor: John Paul Construction
Client: Gilead Sciences UC
Contract Value: €5 million

John Paul Construction were appointed to construct a new quality control laboratory adjacent to Gilead Sciences existing live facility at their Cork site. The extension is comprised of a steel structure with concrete slabs cast on metal deck, benefiting the client with speed of construction and increased ceiling void space for the services installation, which followed construction.

The main distinguishing factor of the project according to John Paul Construction was the collaborative approach between client, design team and contractor, ensuring that the handover was smooth and incident free.The project was a services intense project and the coordination of dense services within the building itself, rooftop and plant room was a critical factor in successfully completing and handing over.

The entire project was designed, coordinated, planned and installed using BIM Level 2. BIM coordination of services proved invaluable in early detection and avoidance and also ensured that the building would successfully meet client requirements.

Category: Civil Engineering
Project: Galway Wind Park
Contractor: Roadbridge
Client: SSE/Coillte Joint Venture
Contract Value: €35 million

Galway Wind Park is a cluster of four individually consented wind farms, which have grid capacity to generate 169MW of energy. The project is split into 2 phases and was therefore constructed under 2 contracts: Phase 1 (CGT): 22 turbines (64MW) for client SSE. Phase 2 (Cloosh): 36 turbines (105 MW) for client’s SSE and Coillte. 

As well as carrying out the role of main contractor role, Roadbridge were also appointed as Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS) for the full Galway Wind Park Project including electrical and turbine installation works. As appointed PSCS, Roadbridge were required to manage the health and safety aspects of all contractors and works on site. Due to many separate activities occurring on site concurrently,
One of the factors that led to this project being completed successfully and on time, was through the collaborative relationship built up between Roadbridge and the SSE Renewables personnel on the project.

Category: Engineering
Project: Luas Cross City
Contractor: Sisk Steconfer JV
Client: Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Overall Project Value: €370 million

Construction works for Luas Cross City were carried out by a joint venture between John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd, Ireland’s No1 provider of construction services with extensive operations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, and Steconfer, a global railway construction company based in Portugal.

The main infrastructure works project for Luas Cross City project started in February 2015 with enabling works commencing in June 2013 and has delivered 5.9km of track with 13 new Luas stops taking Luas through the city centre and north to Broombridge. The project was scheduled to run over a 32-month time period; this included all design, construction and commissioning activities to allow for passenger service. The project was delivered within this schedule.

Over half the project was constructed in a live city environment whilst maintaining traffic and pedestrian corridors throughout. This was achieved through considered planning and extensive engagement with local authorities, local business and transport providers.

Category: Education Healthcare
Project: New Ross Junior & Senior Schools
Contractor: Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd
Client: Department of Education & Skills
Contract Value: €8.15 million

This project involved the construction of two schools circa 3,000m2 each and associated site works at a Greenfield site at New Ross, County Wexford for New Ross Junior & Senior Schools. The schools consisted of eighteen classrooms incl. home school liaison rooms. There are two fully spec’d class room special needs units within each school catering for students with varying levels of special needs.

The school buildings at New Ross far exceed all energy and performance criteria. They are A rated with an exceptionally high level of air tightness. A Mac Wall System was used to replace existing and retaining walls to substantially reduce the schools carbon footprint. By utilising a non-concrete wall system and reusing rock from the earlier excavation of the site, they were able to provide an economical and environmentally sound solution to the schools needs.

Category: Education Healthcare
Project: Ferndene Nursing Home Extension
Contractor: Collen Construction
Client: Willis Care Group
Contract Value: €3.2 million

This 1,200 m2 project involved the construction of 26 additional bedrooms on top of an existing facility at second floor level above a fully occupied nursing home in Blackrock.

The project involved an extension to the west wing of the existing three-storey nursing home in the form of infill extensions at ground and first floor levels and a vertical extension over the existing west wing to provide a second floor level accommodation.

The design of the day and bedrooms were carried out using BIM and 3D virtual reality software to model and develop the design for the client. This allowed the client to quickly visualise concepts and give direct design feedback.

In order to maintain a comfortable living environment during the works, prefabricated components were used where possible to minimise noise and visual obstruction for the live-in residents. Considering all the factors that affected site logistics was crucial, and a logistics manager was appointed throughout the programme.

Category: Public or Heritage
Project:  GPO Witness History
Contractor:  P.J. Hegarty & Sons UC
Client: An Post

In preparation for the commemoration of the centenary of the Easter 1916 Rising An Post appointed P.J. Hegarty & Sons to carry out façade restoration works on the North Elevation of the existing East courtyard of the GPO with the view of restoring it to its former glory.

As these works progressed and the evidence of the restoration showing spectacular results, PJH were instructed to proceed with restoring the East, West and South elevations also. Following on from the successful completion of the façade works, they were successful in tendering for and winning the contract for the construction of the new Exhibition Centre (Witness History) in the East courtyard.

P.J. Hegarty & Sons delivered the project with the final account being agreed at an amount significantly less that the contract sum, thereby providing excellent value to An Post.

Category: Public or Heritage Building / Conservation or Restoration
Project: INMO Former Richmond hospital
Contractor: Townlink Construction
Client: Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO)
Contract Value: €3.1 million

This Townlink Construction project involved the complete refurbishment of the former Richmond Hospital building to form a new teaching, training and event hosting facility. The building is a protected structure, constructed in the 1890s, that has accommodated a hospital and a courts service. Townlink had to ensure that all works undertaken within the building were carried out with due care and attention to the historic nature of the building.

The project cost was €3.1 million. Client requirements to complete on time and on budget were achieved. The key stakeholders are impressed by the standard of workmanship. The Client expectations around the quality and standard of restoration work were met and exceeded with regard to the number of original features that were uncovered and incorporated into the finished restoration.

Category: Refurbishment/Retrofit/Fit Out
Project: 1 George’s Quay
Contractor: mac
Client: Irish Life
Contract Value: €23 million

1 George’s Quay – Irish Life wanted to bring to life the reincarnation of 1GQ by developing a ‘best in class’ office building which is held as a long-term investment. mac were chosen to deliver this vision. The project was a €23 million full building refurbishment 141,000 sq ft over 6 floors and a CAT A landlord fit out. The project came in on budget and got building BCAR certified quickly. The building has achieved an A-rated BER and a LEED Platinum certification. This project marked a milestone in mac’s evolution into the construction industry.

Category: Refurbishment / Retrofit / Fit Out
Project: Doyle Shipping Group, Alexandra Road, Dublin Port, Dublin 1, (former Burmah Castrol Building)
Contractor: Kilcawley Construction
Client: Doyle Shipping Group

Kilcawley Construction managed the adaptive re-use of the former Burmah Castrol Building, an existing concrete frame 5 storey office building for Doyle Shipping Group (DSG). This building of 1,214m2 in Dublin Port dates from the early 1970s. It is one of the tallest buildings in its industrial surroundings, and a landmark in the Port. Originally a 3 storey-building, with 2 additional floors added later.

The new façade design has given the client an increased identity within Dublin Port, and one which is fully integrated within the completed building design. It also provides higher thermal performance and building comfort than anticipated. The project was delivered on time and to budget to a quality which goes beyond what the client had hoped for. It is now fully operational and a hive of activity from where the Doyle Shipping Group drive its continued growth and expansion.

Category: Refurbishment / Retrofit / Fit Out
Project: Thurles Municipal Library Fit Out Project
Contractor:  Conack Construction Ltd
Client: Tipperary County Council
Contract Value: €3,058,530

The Thurles Municipal Library project involved refurbishment and upgrade of the existing library HQ, which is a 200-year-old protected structure, as well as the construction of a new extension to the rear of the property. The building now provides a home for the District Council Chamber, a public reception and exhibition space, hi-tech meeting rooms and offices, including a book depository and support offices for the library services.

Conack has a proven track record in delivering prestigious fit outs. Conack Construction took the lead from the Client which ensured the fit out was above and beyond the Client’s expectations. Conack have developed the necessary resources and management systems which enabled them to successfully deliver this project that was designed, constructed and commissioned to the highest quality standards and delivered 4 months earlier than scheduled and within budget.

Category: Specialist Contract
Project: Borlin Valley Embankment Works
Contractor: Pat O’Driscoll Civil Engineering Ltd
Client: Cork County Council
Contract Value: €197,002

15km north of Bantry, the Borlin Valley Embankment is a 120m long, 25m high bank with the L – 47245 (cul-de-sac) running along its toe. The Coomhola River is immediately to the east of the road. An initial slip failure of the embankment occurred in December 2015 – blocking the road for 12 days.

The objective was to stabilise the embankment so that the road is no longer at risk. 6 options were included in the preliminary report ranging from €170,775 to €753,500. Pat O’Driscoll Civil Engineering Ltd were the successful tenderers in August 2016 at €197,002. The objective of stabilising the embankment was achieved, despite the difficult ground conditions and weather.

Category: Specialist or Specialist Services Contract
Project: Combilift Manufacturing Facility
Contractor: King & Moffatt Building Services
Client: Combilift
Contract Value: €4 million

This Combilift production facility is now Ireland’s largest single manufacturing plant under one roof, measuring 46,000 m2 on a 40-hectare site. It is Combilift’s new global HQ and production facility and includes a dedicated Research & Development building and administration offices.

King & Moffatt’s scope of works on the project consisted of the full electrical services installation. Collaboration with the Client and main contractor was an enormous success on this project. The major obvious successes of the Combilift project were that it was completed on time, within budget and to the Client’s satisfaction – key ingredients to a successful project.

Category: Residential Project
Project: Ardlea Crescent
Contractor: O’Malley Construction Company
Client: O’Malley Construction Company
Contract Value: €22.5 million

The client and developer on this project was O’Malley Construction Company. The requirement involved securing a viable Planning Decision on the 5-acre site and Designing a suitable mix of High End Houses and Apartments, suitable for the market and setting of this unique location. A 2.5 to 3 year programme was required to complete the entire project. Phase 1, which involved the Construction and Handover of 21 houses was successfully completed within the first 2 years.

The team utilised digital tools throughout the programme. The use of laptops, portable devices, cloud services, scanning, photographic records and digital record keeping were utilised throughout all stages of works. Full broadband services were used for the main form of communications through email, cloud server collaboration and record keeping.

Throughout the project the build programme and budget control were fully adhered to. The Building Energy Designs, Calculations and Specifications required ongoing adjustment and calculation. Securing and negotiating with suitable Contractors was necessary in the procurement phase.

Category: Residential
Project: Charlemont Regeneration Project, Block 3 – Ffrench-Mullen House, Charlemont Street, Dublin 2
Contractor: JJ Rhatigan & Company
Client: McGarrell Reilly in partnership with Dublin City Council
Contract Value: €27.2 million

Charlemont Regeneration Project – Block 3, Ffrench-Mullen House is a residential development of 79 high-quality social housing units and a range of community amenities in Dublin City Centre. The building is in a prominent location on Charlemont Street, Dublin 2 and was completed in October 2017 for Dublin City Council under a partnership agreement between McGarrell Reilly and the Council. JJ Rhatigan & Company as the main contractor completed this to an exceptionally high standard.

The project has been delivered ahead of programme and provides a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes for Council tenants, including six ground floor, own door duplex homes. The feedback from both the Client and the residential occupants has been very positive. The Client has noted its appreciation with the way in which the contract was managed on site and the smooth proactive nature of all the team involved.

Category: Leisure / Tourism
Project: Adare Manor
Contractor: John Paul Construction
Client: Tizard Holdings
Contract Value: Confidential

Adare Manor is a major project undertaken in a constrained timeframe, recreating a luxury 5-star hotel and golf resort on an 840-acre estate in Limerick. Client requirements were to create an unrivalled experience for guests; to open on time with no defects working collaboratively with the design team and contractor; achieve this project on budget to the highest of standards and maintain the old charm of the Manor.

The quality of the completed finishes from all aspects is world-class and the design concept, with a mix of the old and the modern, does not take from the original aesthetics of the original Manor. This project demonstrates construction excellence in that the Client’s expectations were surpassed – and the project was handed over on time and within budget.

Category: Leisure/Tourism 
Project: Brewing Floor, Guinness Storehouse
Contractor: Townlink Construction
Client: Guinness Storehouse
Client Value: €550,000

This Townlink Construction project in the Brewing Floor of the Guinness Storehouse involved the remodelling of the first floor to form a new brewing exhibition space. Townlink were engaged early by Guinness Storehouse and invited to participate in the design. Most of the fit out involved development of high quality, complex, bespoke, medium – large scale structures, requiring specialist expertise and testing in the fit out process. The Client’s vision was to create a world-class visitor experience – Townlink brought it to life.

The handover was completed on time. All snags had to be complete as part of handover – as the floor was going to be immediately operational. This successful project surpassed the Client and end-users expectations. Tourists on Tripadvisor regularly comment on the smooth flow and the impact of the brewing floor.

Category: International Project
Project: Britannia Point, Colliers Wood, London
Contractor: JJ Rhatigan
Client: Colliers Wood Investment Limited
Contract Value: £26 million

Britannia Point is one of the best-known landmarks in Colliers Wood, London. The Client’s brief was for the conversion of this disused 17 storey office block to a residential development for the private rental market. The finished building consists of 182 apartments, ground floor retail units and extensive landscaping works which have been coordinated with Merton Council. This development has completely changed the skyline and daily lives of those who reside, work and visit Colliers Wood and in fact London as a whole.

This project necessitated a very close and collaborative working relationship between JJ Rhatigan’s team, the Client and the design team. This is the kind of relationship JJ Rhatigan endeavours to nurture with all their clients at home and abroad.

Category: Innovation in Construction Process
Innovation: Offsite Construction
Contractor: Adston Ltd
Client: Dublin City Council
Contract Value: €5.18 million

For the Cherry Orchard project in Ballyfermot, Dublin City Council requested the provision of 24 two storey rapid delivery housing units consisting of 12 two-bed and 12 three-bed units. There was a great housing need in the area and time was of the essence. Adston delivered a superior quality modular home that was completed in 50% less time than the traditional build.

Adston delivered two houses per week to the site and completed the 24 homes in half the time of traditional build.

The key advantages of off site construction for this project were:

• Dramatically reduced on-site construction time;
• Programme predictability and control;
• High-quality factory assembled units delivered direct to site;
• Significantly less on-site waste;
• Factory-built, tested and approved systems, delivered on time.

Category: Innovation in Construction Process
Innovation: MHI’s Offsite Volumetric Unit Manufacturing Process
Contractor: Modern Homes Ireland (MHI) Ltd

MHI manufacture ultra-high quality offsite volumetric residential units for the Irish and UK markets. Their current output is up to 10 full dwellings per week, which are 80% complete leaving the facility. This gives their clients a distinct quality and time advantage over traditional build methods, with completion works from installation to handover typically taking just 4 weeks.

MHI have invested heavily in technology, people and processes and use a robust NSAI certified factory production control system from design through to manufacture.  This innovative and industry-changing build process has also been awarded Irish Agrement Board accreditation.

Category: Health, Safety & Wellbeing Initiative
Initiative Name: WorkSafe HomeSafe Programme
Contractor: John Paul Construction

John Paul Construction is an industry leader in the areas of health, safety and wellbeing. The company’s management systems are accredited to OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 by the National Standards Authority of Ireland and they have achieved numerous recognition awards including NISO Higher Distinction and Consistent High Achiever awards in 2017, RoSPA Gold Medal in 2017, NISO All-Ireland Supreme Award 2016 and All-Ireland Occupation Health Award 2016.

The company’s WORKSAFE – HOMESAFE behavioural safety programme is developed to enhance their management systems and create a safe work environment where every worker goes home safely each day. The programme aims to change people’s attitude to safety and through positive communication and engagement encourages greater involvement in health, safety and wellbeing by all.

John Paul Construction operates various health and safety initiatives across all sites with specific emphasis on health and wellbeing.

Category: Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Initiative: Clonee Data Centre, County Meath
Contractor: Mace
Client: Confidential

Mace recognise that controlling risks on the Data Centre project in Clonee required a robust safety management system, one that is based on high standards of leadership and accountability supported by effective mechanisms that record trending events with appropriate feedback and improvement processes. Thereby developing a positive, trusting, and open safety culture. Mace pride themselves in leading the way for wellbeing in the construction world, as people are their most important asset, both those working directly for the project and those they work with indirectly.

To date, Mace have worked just over 5.1 million man-hours on the project, recording one reportable accident. Overall they have achieved 2.7 million man-hours accident-free prior to the reportable accident and are currently at 2.4 million man-hours, accident-free and counting.

Mace believe that in challenging the norm and consistently improving standards through initiatives like the ‘Visual Standards’ campaign and POV(point of view) videos and ‘Wellbeing Week’ they can continue to deliver a world-class project of this scale, to the highest standards in health, safety and wellbeing.

Category: BIM Excellence 
Project: Clonee Data Centre, County Meath
Contractor: Mace
Client: Confidential
Contract Value: Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract

The Clonee Data Centre is currently viewed as the leading project for BIM innovation in the Mace portfolios.

Implementing BIM relies on a philosophy of project team communication and collaboration. Working closely with their Client, the Mace team at Clonee concentrated on two key goals, model management (with emphasis on tying the design review process into the construction programme), and field management (with emphasis on using the data collected in the field, to help achieve the project milestones).

Due to automated workflows and the use of APIs, Mace has a live and transparent view of all clash reports and coordination issues, as well as snag counts and O&M information hosted on a centrally located project website. This increases project progress visibility, identifying root causes and mitigating risk in the programme.

BIM workflows and procedures at the project were created with lean thinking, alongside modularised construction innovations. Data Halls C&D were handed over with zero defects with all O&M associated documentation issued to the Client in advance of practical completion.

Mace is now sharing best practise on BIM innovation and implementation with the Client and contractors across the Client’s global supply chain.

Category: BIM Excellence
Project:  Museum of the Future, Dubai 
Contractor: BAM
Client: Dubai Future Foundation
Contract Value: $200 million

The Museum of the Future aims to create a permanent centre to engage the public in different conversations about what the future might look like. This $200 million, 30,000 m2 iconic building will have an instantly recognisable form like no other, epitomised by its futuristic stainless steel facade, integrated with illuminated glazed Arabic calligraphy.

There is no project that epitomises the leading edge of fully digital project delivery in the Middle East than the extraordinarily complex design of the Museum of the Future. Without BAM’s experience in BIM led projects and 3D integrated elemental design modelling, this project would not have been possible to coordinate between the main design and engineering disciplines including surveying and the information for construction to the contractor and the supply chain.

Category: Third Level Course – Postgraduate, Special Purpose or Distance Learning
Course Title: Higher Diploma in Engineering in Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Course Level: Level 8
Provider: Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

The Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) Higher Diploma in Engineering in BIM is addressing the need for leadership in this transition by using innovative pedagogical approaches in an interdisciplinary learning environment to address competency and skill gaps in the industry. The total cost of the course is €5,000. The course is available to all stakeholders working in the construction and built environment sector. A reciprocal learning framework has been developed to merge industry best practice and feedback, curriculum innovation and evidence-based research into a set of learning resources for the course.

Over 100 RPS Group staff have been upskilled since 2013 with 18 graduating from the Higher Diploma in Engineering in BIM in 2016 and 2017. Since September 2016, 68 non-RPS industry stakeholders have commenced the course in GMIT.

Category: Third Level Course – Postgraduate, Special Purpose or Distance Learning
Course Title: Revit and Level 2 Building Information Modelling
Course Level: NFQ Level 6
Provider: Dublin Institute of Design

The course ‘Revit and Level 2 Building Information Modelling’ is available in the Dublin Institute of Design on Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The course is part-time and runs over an 8-week period; classes are lecture-based with practical exercises and project-based, aiming to teach students how to manage BIM models and procedures on a BIM Level 2 project.

Approximately 270 people have taken the course since November 2015. Feedback from students has been extremely positive. Each taught element is reinforced by a practical example and students say the course is of excellent quality and provides a great quantity of information. The course lecturers, have fine-tuned the pacing of the course over time as the standards and contracts adapt.

Category: Construction Product Innovation
Product: Kooltherm Lower Lambda Range
Company: Kingspan Insulation

Kingspan Insulation are always striving to improve their products to make sure customers get the best solution for their project. They understand that the industry continues to evolve and so do their products. With that in mind they have revolutionised their rigid insulation technology with the introduction of their Kooltherm lower lambda product range for floor, wall and soffit applications; delivering premium thermal performance with a minimal construction thickness. This new range offers a thermal conductivity as low as 0.018w/m.k. The advanced composition of Kingspan Kooltherm lower lambda products ensures architects and engineers now have even greater freedom to achieve spectacular designs, with inherently outstanding fabric performance, without having to compromise on internal living or working space.

Category: Construction Product Innovation
Product: The Erosion Control Armour Block (ECAB)
Company: Erosion Control Protection Solutions Ltd

Erosion Control Protection Solutions Ltd (ECPS Ltd) is a Cork-based company formed in 2013 specialising in providing an alternative coastal erosion solution to rock armour. The Erosion Control Armour Block (ECAB) is their product for coastal protection.

Erosion and accretion are part of the natural processes that have been shaping our coastline for centuries. Although coastal protection works are nothing new there does seem to be an increasing demand and necessity for such works in recent times. In choosing this technology Cork County Council have become early adopters of this revolutionary technology. The Council’s Garrettstown Beach Coastal Protection Works was completed in June 2017.

Category: Construction Product Innovation
Product: The Survipod
Company: Survipod Engineering Solutions Ltd

The Survipod provides a stable and secure platform for the engineer, enabling them to set out the structure accurately and also preventing costly insurance claims from falling instruments.

The equipment used for setting out or surveying a structure can range in cost from €500 to €100,000. Instruments are regularly knocked over accidently. This can result in a large insurance claim for repair or replacement. Using the Survipod removes this risk. Customers have expressed their satisfaction with its reliability and are delighted with the savings on insurance claims which had previously been costly to their business.