Success Portfolio - Archive

Stepping into theWorld of Espionage

It could be a scene straight out of a spy thriller.

A mysterious sealed cargo is shipped to Moscow as diplomatic baggage, then X-rayed when it arrives to check for bugs.

Then it's on to the heart of the city and its final destination at the British Embassy, where the precious freight is carefully unloaded by security-vetted staff.

It may sound like the opening sequence of a James Bond movie - but in fact it's the arrival of 155 linear metres of elegant maple handrails, made by a local firm of specialist manufacturers.

Haldane UK Ltd. has won the prestigious contract to supply the handrails for the new British embassy currently being built in the Russian capital.

The project consolidates the firm's reputation as a global market leader in the manufacture of specialist handrails, glazing beads and decorative wood products, whose impressive portfolio of customers includes Windsor Castle, Euro Disney, and the new Scottish football stadium at Hampden Park.

The new British embassy is being built at a cost of £80million and replaces the existing 170-year-old mansion, situated across the river from the Kremlin, which will now be used as the Ambassador's residence.

The Cold War era may be consigned to the history books, but extreme security precautions are being taken since the US embassy, built in 1985, was found to be riddled with so many listening devices that it had to be demolished and re-built.

Said Haldane's director, Forrester Adam: "The British embassy contract is a significant achievement for our workforce and underlines the high standard of workmanship and efficiency that has become our trademark the world over.

However, the Secret Service has imposed the strictest security conditions on the construction of the building.

This means that the handrails have to be X-rayed to ensure they have not been bugged before they are shipped as diplomatic baggage to Moscow, where they are X-rayed again to make sure they haven't been tampered with.

Every individual and component - right down to the last nail - has to be thoroughly checked both in the UK and on site, so although we are usually also responsible for the installation process, in this case the security procedures are such that we left it to the main contractor.

For more information on our services contact our sales team