Large practices reach a plateau, with no expected change in workload Confidence in private housing sector weakens Growth in workloads still positive at 8% The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index changed little in August 2015, dropping one point to +21. All nations and regions in the UK
18 June 2016 – by Mike Cobb Oaktree Capital Management’s winning bid for Nama’s projects Emerald and Ruby is to be backed by Citi group. Oaktree Capital Management’s winning bid for Nama’s projects Emerald and Ruby is to be backed by Citi group. It is Citi’s first major finance
With average house prices of £364,429 that are nearly 11 times (10.68) the gross average earnings in the city, Oxford is officially the least affordable place to buy a home in the UK. This is partly due to it’s attractiveness to commuters working in London. Winchester (10.54), London (10.06), Cambridge
22 September 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Organic revenue in the EMEA facilities management sector will grow in the low to mid-single digits (including market share gains) over the next two years on the back of increased outsourcing, says Moody’s Investors Service in its latest report. Moody’s report is
©Bloomberg Commodity prices have been on a tear of late. Last year’s dogs, such as oil and iron ore, have soared. With oil approaching $50 a barrel this week, Goldman Sachs has turned more bullish on its prospects, and Chinese speculators have pushed up the price of iron ore by
Book Course HSL is to run a 1 day course on Manual Handling for Assessors. 19 October 2016 Introduction Manual handling is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which are the second most common occupational injuries within the UK and make up nearly half of all work-related
A company known as Venture Lighting Europe is pleased to announce its all new collection of VLUMA luminaires to potential customers around the country. The firm itself is very pleased to announce its commitment and passionate enthusiasm towards technology that devotes itself to using light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) and is
Passengers and vehicle using commuters using the A556 motorway will receive the Christmas present of their lives when they find out that the dual carriageway linking Knutsford with Bowdon along the much-used A556 will finally be open for use. These ambitious intentions to improving the speed rates and consistency of
MAKITA CONTINUE TO EXPAND BRUSHLESS 18V POWER TOOL RANGE Increased power from Brushless motors Metal transmissions throughout for rugged reliability Unique reverse rotation auto stop mode Makita continues to expand, refine and finesse the market leading 18v Lithium-Ion powered power tool range that has driven the brand to market leadership.
It is clearly more important than ever before that the British Safety Council gets involved and committed to aiding various businesses in construction on how they can improve their safety measures in the workplace. Having been in place for an impressive total of 60 years, the British Safety Council will
Large practices reach a plateau, with no expected change in workload Confidence in private housing sector weakens Growth in workloads still positive at 8% The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index changed little in August 2015, dropping one point to +21. All nations and regions in the UK returned positive balance figures, with the North continuing to be the most optimistic about future workloads (returning a balance figure of +42). Practices in London (balance figure +17), the South (balance figure+12) and the Midlands and East Anglia (+14) are more cautious about workload growth over the next quarter. Large practices (51+ staff) indicated a plateau in workload levels, returning a balance figure of zero; small practices (1–10 staff) and medium-sized practices (11–50 staff) remain more confident about increasing workloads in the medium-term (balance figures of +18 and +36 respectively). Despite the recent change in our headline index, the forecast is firmly in positive territory; the value of actual work in progress is still growing at an annual rate of 8%. The private housing sector forecast continued its downward trajectory, falling to +18 in August (down from +23 in July). The public sector workload forecast also decreased, down to -4 in August from -1 in July 2015. The commercial sector workload forecast increased by one point to +14, while the community sector forecast was unchanged, standing at +1 in August. The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index saw a modest decline this month, falling to +7 in August (down from +12 in July). 96% of surveyed practices nonetheless expect their permanent staffing levels either to increase or to stay the same over the next few months, indicating that the employment market for salaried architects remains buoyant. Medium-sized practices (with a balance figure of +32) and large practices (balance figure +20) are more likely to be actively appointing new staff than small practices, which returned a balance figure of +2 in August. RIBA Executive Director Members Adrian Dobson said: ‘After an optimistic spring and early summer, the profession appears to have paused for breath after a period of significant growth. This note of caution is most prominent in the South and East, which have so far seen the greatest growth, whilst confidence now seems higher in the northern cities. There is also a noticeable loss in confidence about medium term prospects for the private housing sector, with our practices suggesting that a temporary peak is being reached in this sector. ‘Commentary from practices suggests that the majority of firms are seeing solid growth in workloads, with a number reporting that market conditions are enabling them to negotiate better fee levels. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of practices across the UK having difficulties in recruiting experienced staff with specific skill sets. The overall picture is one of continued increases in workloads, though with a consensus that in the coming months the pace of growth is likely to slow significantly.’ ENDS Notes to editors: 1. For further press information contact Callum Reilly in the RIBA Press Office: 020 7307 3757 callum.reilly@riba.org 2. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. Visit www.architecture.com Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates www.twitter.com/RIBA 3. Completed by a mix of small, medium and large firms based on a geographically representative sample, the RIBA Future Trends Survey was launched in January 2009 to monitor business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. 4. The Future Trends Survey is carried out by the RIBA in partnership with the Fees Bureau. Results of the survey, including a full graphical analysis, are published each month at: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Professionalsupport/FutureTrendsSurvey.aspx 5. To participate in the RIBA Future Trends Survey, please contact the RIBA Practice Department on 020 7307 3749 or email practice@riba.org. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete each month, and all returns are independently processed in strict confidence 6. The definition for the workload balance figure is the difference between those expecting more work and those expecting less. A negative figure means more respondents expect less work than those expecting more work. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index, which for August 2015 was +21 7. The definition for the staffing balance figure is the difference between those expecting to employ more permanent staff in the next three months and those expecting to employ fewer. A negative figure means more respondents expect to employ fewer permanent staff. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index, which for August 2015 was +7 Posted on Wednesday 23rd September 2015 Source link
18 June 2016 – by Mike Cobb Oaktree Capital Management’s winning bid for Nama’s projects Emerald and Ruby is to be backed by Citi group. Oaktree Capital Management’s winning bid for Nama’s projects Emerald and Ruby is to be backed by Citi group. It is Citi’s first major finance deal since two senior members of its team were made redundant in April. Oaktree won the deal for the non-performing loans last week with a bid of around €800m (£633m), beating Lone Star and Cerberus and securing loans on assets in Ireland, Germany and the UK. Citi is putting together a deal in which it will provide a €520m loan-on-loan structure for around 65% of the total purchase price. The margin on the loan is 350bps over Euribor. The deal reaffirms Citi’s commitment to lending for the non-performing loan market despite the departure of Stuart Hoare and Tom Jackivicz, and fears that the business was moving out of large-scale lending in an effort to cut costs. All the content from this weekís magazine, including this article, is available in the new app. It will be financing the two portfolios which Oaktree is understood to have bought at a discount of around 83% on the €4.7bn combined face value. Emerald had a face value of around €2.5bn when it was launched and was secured against 236 properties, of which 80% were commercial. Ruby, at €2.2bn, is secured against 253 properties. Of these, 115 are residential. In 2015 Citi also financed the Sun portfolio of loans secured against 177 German properties that Oaktree bought from Commerzbank for €250m. Source link
With average house prices of £364,429 that are nearly 11 times (10.68) the gross average earnings in the city, Oxford is officially the least affordable place to buy a home in the UK. This is partly due to it’s attractiveness to commuters working in London. Winchester (10.54), London (10.06), Cambridge (9.9) and Bath (9.77) make up the top five least affordable cities. The London average figure disguises considerable variations across the capital with central boroughs being significantly less affordable than the Greater London average. Lichfield (7.53) and York (7.50) are the least affordable cities outside southern England. At the other end of the scale, with average property prices of £113,302, 3.8 times average earnings for the city, Londonderry is both the UK’s most affordable and least expensive city. Northern Ireland cities Belfast (4.42) and Lisburn (4.64) are the 4th and 6th most affordable cities respectively, due primarily to the relatively low house prices in the country. Northern English and Scottish cities make up the remainder of the top 10 most affordable cities. Bradford (4.31), Hereford (4.55), Durham (4.73), Lancaster (4.89) and Carlisle (5.03) in England. Stirling (4.11) and Glasgow (5.07) in Scotland. Source link
22 September 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Organic revenue in the EMEA facilities management sector will grow in the low to mid-single digits (including market share gains) over the next two years on the back of increased outsourcing, says Moody’s Investors Service in its latest report. Moody’s report is titled Facilities Management – EMEA Corporates, Business Services: Increased Outsourcing to Drive Growth Despite Emerging Market Headwinds. The report focuses on food service, cleaning, security, workwear and laundry services, as well as property management and integrated services. Martin Hallmark, a Moody’s senior credit officer and author of the report, said: “Facilities managers’ organic revenues will grow by one to 2 per cent above GDP as more companies outsource non-core functions, particularly in emerging markets. Although, this is likely to be dampened in the next one to two years by weak commodities and oil and gas markets slowing emerging markets’ growth.” Margins will remain relatively low but stable or growing as companies drive scale efficiencies. Customer retention rates and revenue diversity will remain high, although with intense competition on contract renewal. These trends will result in firms retaining solid credit characteristics overall, says the report. The larger more diverse players, such as Compass Group Plc, ISS Global A/S and Sodexo, are predicted to continue to demonstrate positive growth well ahead of GDP – benefiting from their scale advantages and revenue diversity. Greater potential earnings volatility could hit smaller facilities management companies, such as La Financière ATALIAN S.A. and Manutencoop Facility Management S.p.A., however, as they have higher country and customer concentration. Merger and acquisition activity will continue apace in the sector, although firms will focus on smaller mainly debt and cash-funded bolt-on acquisitions because of the greater number of opportunities, lower integration complexity, and lower valuations. Technology will be a key area of focus in coming years, leading to more collaboration between technology and the larger facilities players, as seen with the recent ISS and International Business Machines Corporation partnership in integrated facilities services and building management, states the report. Facilities Management – EMEA Corporates, Business Services: Increased Outsourcing to Drive Growth Despite Emerging Market Headwinds, is available on www.moodys.com Source link
©Bloomberg Commodity prices have been on a tear of late. Last year’s dogs, such as oil and iron ore, have soared. With oil approaching $50 a barrel this week, Goldman Sachs has turned more bullish on its prospects, and Chinese speculators have pushed up the price of iron ore by as much as 50 per cent. This rebound has led to strong gains in related stock market sectors. Energy and mining share indices have risen fastest, after trailing the entire market in 2015. You need JavaScript active on your browser in order to see this video. What has lured in the buyers? For one thing, some very depressed valuations made the decision to dive back into commodity stocks a lot easier. One measure on which the two sectors look historically cheap is the price-to-book ratio. Some investors prefer this to other price ratios as the net asset (or book) value of companies tends not to change dramatically every year. In the case of the metals and mining sector, the PB ratio in February touched lows not seen since 1979. Of course, there’s a reason for that. Return on equity (profits as a percentage of book value) has also tumbled to historic lows, below zero. Understandably, the market will not pay up for companies apparently destroying value. Also, an ultra low PB ratio may simply indicate investor distrust of the value of that equity. But this measure does not capture the rising amount of debt in these companies. Nor does it take account of cash flow, which can be a useful indicator given the volatility of earnings at these companies, due to their occasional asset impairment charges. Looking at enterprise value (which includes net debt) together with a proxy of cash flow can give a better read of cheapness. And among energy and mining groups, EV as a multiple of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation has risen. For oil stocks, this ratio is near its high for this millennium. That makes sense: oil and gas producers carry a lot more debt than in previous cycles. Net debt to ebitda has soared. Of course, cyclicals usually look expensive at the bottom of the cycle and higher commodity prices would boost cash flows. What’s really needed, though, is years of balance sheet repair. alan.livsey@ft.com Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. Source link
Book Course HSL is to run a 1 day course on Manual Handling for Assessors. 19 October 2016 Introduction Manual handling is one of the main causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which are the second most common occupational injuries within the UK and make up nearly half of all work-related ill health seen by general practitioners (GPs) are MSD related. The most recent HSE statistics on MSDs show a 20% increase in MSDs with 184,000 new cases (2013/14), around 80 per cent of which are attributable to work conditions. Prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) is a major priority and as such HSE have published a simple but effective risk assessment method called the MAC tool. This enables risk identification of key manual handling risk factors so that these can be eliminated or managed in the most cost effective way. This course will equip you with the knowledge to help recognise, assess and reduce manual handling risks in your organisation. It is suited to employers and employee representatives who intend to begin the process of manual handling risk assessment and control within their companies. It will also benefit those already involved in manual handling risk reduction who require more formal or in-depth training in this subject, including training in the use of specific manual handling assessment tools. The course will cover: Principles of manual handling Understanding injuries Common types of injuries Legal aspects Key risk factors Manual handling risk assessment (MAC and L23) Pushing and pulling Control and reduction of risk Key principles of good handling techniques Case studies Presenters include: • Matthew Birtles, HSL – Ergonomics specialist in MSDs Venue The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport. Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk Cost The cost of this course is £425 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments). Book Course Please note the invoice option is not available within 4 weeks of the course date, or for overseas customers. If you are selecting the invoice option for payment, it will be mandatory to input a purchase order/reference number as we are unable to process booking forms without this. For further dates and additional information email: training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or contact the Training & Conferences Unitat HSL directly on +44 (0)1298 218806. Back to Health & Safety Training Courses Back to the top Source link
A company known as Venture Lighting Europe is pleased to announce its all new collection of VLUMA luminaires to potential customers around the country. The firm itself is very pleased to announce its commitment and passionate enthusiasm towards technology that devotes itself to using light-emitting diodes (or LEDs) and is positive that its new range of products will be a roaring success among clients. Some of the many advantages of using these VLUMA products are that they are energy and cost efficient, much more so than other products that Venture Lighting Europe has had in the past. With a market base that caters to all forms of lighting settings, whether they be for the grand outdoors or the great indoors, VLUMA lighting products are particularly appealing in their flexibility and adaptability to the needs of different customers. For example, such products are available in a wide range of different wattages that will correspond to what they are intended to be used for. Equally, many of the different models will enable customers to choose what angle they want them at, as well as what setting they require and the energy levels that they output. Most of the products also come with a year-long warranty guarantee, whilst others will be able to last for an impressive total of 50,000 hours. Other luminary designs in the catalogue will enable customers to utilize an all-new “plug-and-play” system that allows the products to be cleaned or handled by clients and customers in whichever way they see fit. What is evident is that VLUMA luminaires are bound to be extremely popular with customers and that VLE are pleased with the investments that they have made in developing these new and more efficient LED products that have managed to remain up to date with the differing advancements in LED technological processes. VLUMA will undoubtedly be on the agenda of every serious light buyer.
Passengers and vehicle using commuters using the A556 motorway will receive the Christmas present of their lives when they find out that the dual carriageway linking Knutsford with Bowdon along the much-used A556 will finally be open for use. These ambitious intentions to improving the speed rates and consistency of the roads along this route are seemingly coming to a close. Within the next 31 days, the penultimate processes to get the dual carriageway ready for operational use will be implemented for once and for all. Towards the middle of February however, commuters and travelers will need to be made aware that the A556 will require to be shut down in order that such essential renovations can take place. The road area located in between junctions 19 and 7 will obviously be affected by this and will necessitate the diversions of users so that the repairs can take place in order to ensure that the location is available for commuters to use by the closing days of March 2017. Mister Paul Hampson, one of the leading managers of the Highways England initiative, which dedicates itself every year towards ensuring the safeguarding and maintenance of motorways and roadworks across the country, is pleased that through the collaboration of affiliates in the road safety and help services as well as the airport of Manchester the plans are going ahead and the carriageway will become a success and effective means of transportation and construction planning. On the weekends in mid-February and early March, the A556 itself will not be available for use to the public at all, ensuring that Highways England can fully devote itself to the essential building works to enable the new carriageway to be a pleasure for all to use. Costing a pretty sum of 192 million pounds, the project is no cheap off-the-cuff initiative, and Highways England are set to do what they can to enable the project to work for users all along the A556.
MAKITA CONTINUE TO EXPAND BRUSHLESS 18V POWER TOOL RANGE Increased power from Brushless motors Metal transmissions throughout for rugged reliability Unique reverse rotation auto stop mode Makita continues to expand, refine and finesse the market leading 18v Lithium-Ion powered power tool range that has driven the brand to market leadership. Never satisfied with current performance the new machines are designed to improve and increase performance and delivery in power, speed and impact whilst constantly reducing overall size and weight. Makita’s innovation is highlighted by a special feature in the new Makita DTW285 LXT impact wrench. Reflecting Makita’s intention to meet the demands of operators across the world, this latest machine includes the reverse rotation auto stop mode. If, for example, an operator needs to undo a substantial fixing, such as a scaffold clamp or steel structure fastening several floors above street level, simply switching the DTW285 to reverse mode and pulling the trigger fully home, will achieve the function. This intelligent tool will run the nut or bolt until it is loose and then cut the impact and rotation within 0.2 seconds. This allows for the safe removal of fixings by hand, helping to prevent fixings accidentally falling off when working at height. Equally sensational is the tightening performance, and weighing just 1.7kgs, the new Makita DTW285 Brushless impact wrench will deliver 280Nm of fastening torque and a massive 400Nm of nut busting blitz. This tool will run from 1,600rpm up to 2,800rpm, and with three gears the impacts range from 1,800ipm to 3,500imp in a machine that measures just 147mm overall body length. This impact wrench is available with two 4.0Ah Li-ion batteries or as body only. Two new versions of the 18v LXT Brushless motor drill driver have been introduced: the Makita body only DDF083Z, a direct drive model, whilst the Makita DDF484 features a keyless chuck. Both models have two-speed, all metal drive systems; variable speed trigger; electric brake; ergonomic soft grip; LED job light and belt clip. The direct drive model, with ¼” hex drive, will run up to 1,700rpm in high mode and 500rpm in low mode; will generate 40Nm of tightening torque with 20 settings, plus drill mode, and weighs just 1.3kg with a compact overall body length of 124mm. The Makita DDF484 will run up to 2,000rpm in high mode; generates 54Nm max torque with 21 settings, plus drill mode, and weighs 1.8kg measuring 172mm from chuck to body back. This model comes complete with two 5.0Ah Li-ion batteries, and a Makpac case, and replaces the DDF480 model. The new Makita DHP484 combi drill with Brushless motor has improved performance over the previous model, the DHP480. It will run up to 2,000rpm in high mode, 500rpm in low mode, with a major increase of impact performance to 30,000ipm in high and 7,500ipm in low modes; a maximum torque of 54Nm with 21 settings and drill mode. This new combi drill will punch a 13mm hole in masonry, and with all-metal gear train and aluminium gear housing is ideal for rugged site operations. The new Makita DHP484 is available with two 5.0Ah Li-ion batteries and charger, in a Makpac case, or as a body only model for those users with existing stocks of Makita batteries. For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com. Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk
It is clearly more important than ever before that the British Safety Council gets involved and committed to aiding various businesses in construction on how they can improve their safety measures in the workplace. Having been in place for an impressive total of 60 years, the British Safety Council will deliver its event on the 22nd February of this year. Taking place over the course of half of a day, the event will feature various talks and speeches by leading professionals in the field that will range from members of the British Transport Police all the way to Olympic champions such as Nathan Douglas. It is evidently hoped that the site’s location next to Hilton Manchester in the Piccadilly area will act as a welcome reminder to businesses and individuals around the world that it is more important than ever for them to commit to installing health and safety measures. Indeed, with the hope that the event will be widely attended by members from all over the country, it is clear that the event is set to be a success and welcome news that the safety of businesses in the industry are being held in high regard. It is evidently clear that the British Safety Council is incredibly committed to ensuring and promoting the safety of individuals in the workplace all over the place. Through its investment in social media and concern for the promotion of such events as the Manchester conference, it is clear that the British Safety Council will consolidate its 60 years as one of the most dedicated services to enabling the security of workers all over the United Kingdom for the challenging years ahead that are to come. Indeed, it will be more vital than ever for them to do this what with the turbulence and civil unrest all over the country and the rest of the world today.
