Phil Pluck, Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Group Chief Executive raises his concerns after the collapse of Carillion. He mentions that this tragedy raises fundamental issues in terms of protecting the smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chain, as well as the jobs that may be lost as
Salix Homes, a social housing provider, sought legal action against Francis O’Donnell, a man who threatened housing workers at a gypsy and traveller site in Salford. He manifested aggressive and violent behaviours towards members of staff. “He began clenching his fists and I could see he was becoming very agitated
A £120 million deal facilitated by HSBC in partnership with ABN AMRO will support the leading heavy plant hire specialist Ardent Hire Solutions in its period of accelerated growth. Each partner will provide a £60 million funding in the shape of an asset-based lending facility which will go into Ardent’s
Phil Pluck, Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) Group Chief Executive raises his concerns after the collapse of Carillion. He mentions that this tragedy raises fundamental issues in terms of protecting the smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chain, as well as the jobs that may be lost as a result. Delivering major build projects on the decreasing Government funding creates a race between companies in a sense that the major contracts are awarded to those that offer the lowest price. He calls this a “poor, short term approach which causes companies throughout the supply chain to operate at almost impossible margins”. The fixation with cost savings has built a clear risk for major construction projects. Talking for the GGF members, Phil adds: “A cost cutting approach to the awarding of contracts puts at risk build quality, safety and jobs. In doing so, no legal protection is afforded to those in the supply chain that are now the victims of the Carillion Collapse. This in turn could result in further company failures and consequent losses of jobs and talent.” Government’s rescue packages offered to a few selected companies do not reassure GGF Member companies of anything and they won’t allow them to plan a long term sustainability based only on the packages. “A lasting negative effect on Government tax revenue would be the result,” said Phil. Phil Pluck advises the Government to give up on this tactic because it will cause further damage to the industry and to other companies. “I urge the Government to assess the long term damage that short term cost savings creates and to take heed that Carillion may not be the last company to collapse as a result. There are other major supply chains also operating at near impossible margins.”
Salix Homes, a social housing provider, sought legal action against Francis O’Donnell, a man who threatened housing workers at a gypsy and traveller site in Salford. He manifested aggressive and violent behaviours towards members of staff. “He began clenching his fists and I could see he was becoming very agitated and potentially violent by his body language. I felt intimidated and felt in danger for the safety of myself and my colleague,” said a housing worker in a witness statement. At the court hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, it got found out that O’Donnell shouted expletives and threatened to ‘bang’ a housing worker and get him sacked during one incident at the Duchy Road Caravan Park in Salford on the 3rd of January this year. The court also heard that during another exchange, Salix Homes advised the man to complete an application form so he can move on to the site, to which he replied he would move there ‘whether you like it or not’ and said in a threatening manner to one of the workers that he would ‘see you again’. O’Donnell was granted a six month Injunction Order, with Power of Arrest, which prohibits him from entering the gypsy and traveller site and from threatening or being violent with any employees or contractors of Salix Homes. This decision will stay in place until the 4th of July. “Salix Homes will not tolerate violence or aggressive behaviour towards our employees, when they are simply doing their job,” said Sue Sutton, Executive Director of Operations at Salix Homes. “We welcome the judge’s decision to grant an Injunction Order in this case and I hope it sends out a very clear message that we take all reports of anti-social behaviour incredibly seriously and we will not hesitate to take swift action where necessary.”
A £120 million deal facilitated by HSBC in partnership with ABN AMRO will support the leading heavy plant hire specialist Ardent Hire Solutions in its period of accelerated growth. Each partner will provide a £60 million funding in the shape of an asset-based lending facility which will go into Ardent’s receivables, plant, and machinery assets. The flexible access to working capital will give the company the chance to purchase further machinery and maintenance for its existing high quality fleet. Ardent provides telehandlers, excavators, dumpers, and rollers, to civil engineering and residential building businesses across the UK. Headquartered in Enfield and Middlesex, it has 14 depots nationwide, including Glasgow, Leeds, and London. “This substantial Asset Based Lending facility is a mark of HSBC’s appetite and ability to lead the implementation of structured finance arrangements tailored to client needs, and has been a magnificent team effort between our Asset Based Lending specialists and Leveraged Corporates team. Working with ABN AMRO, we have collectively delivered a solution that will not only provide the working capital that meets Ardent’s current needs, but which will also provide them with the foundation for future growth,” commented Nigel Smith, Head of Large Corporates, HSBC Global Trade and Receivables Finance UK, on the generous offering. The new facility will provide Ardent Hire with the financial capacity to respond to the customers’ demand and to provide market growth. “We are pleased to have worked in partnership with HSBC and provided Ardent Hire with a flexible funding solution. It will help support the company’s accelerated growth, enabling them to achieve their business ambitions,” said Pierre Vinci, Head of Origination at ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance. Formed in 2017 through the acquisition of One Call Hire Limited and Fork Rent Plc. made by Searchlight Capital Partners, L. P. and Duke Street, Ardent Hire Solutions has now the largest telehandler fleet in the UK and one of the largest excavator fleets, with over 5,000 machines available for hire.
