Your Housing Group (YHG) has announced plans to build a 30-storey apartment building on Liverpool’s waterfront. Above: Location of Hive-City Docks at Princes Dock YHG is planning to build the 276-apartment tower block at Princes Dock on Peel’s Liverpool Waters development site. It has been designed by Brock Carmichael Architects.
The number of mortgages in arrears in the UK continued to fall in the second quarter of this year and is now at its lowest level since records began more than 20 years ago, the latest data shows. At the end of June 2016 there were 92,500 mortgages in arrears
Building materials supplier Aggregate Industries UK has signed a five-year deal with Eddie Stobart as its concrete products division’s new logistics partner. Above: Aggregate Industries’ concrete products director Simon Marriott and Eddie Stobart CEO Alex Laffey From October 2016, deliveries for Aggregate Industries’ concrete products division will transfer to Eddie
©Bloomberg Bovis Homes Group has reported record profits for 2015 as it looks to step up construction amid a favourable climate for UK housebuilding. The FTSE 250 group, which focuses on southern England, said pre-tax profit rose 20 per cent to £160.1m in the 12 months to the end of
18 July 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Office take-up across the ‘big nine’ office markets during the second quarter was 3 per cent below the five-year quarterly average for both the city centre and out-of-town, according to data from Bilfinger GVA. In the city centre markets there were a number
One of the world’s largest JCB dealers has broken new ground by commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz vans, most of which are being used by mobile service engineers who provide customers with round-the-clock back-up. Greenshields JCB sells and supports the manufacturer’s renowned range of construction and industrial machinery from headquarters
How many times have you stood in a store in front of a gorgeous arrangement of yarns, in all the colors of the rainbow, without being able to decide which one to choose for your next project? Many knitters choose their yarn based on color or texture, but there are
Before being sold to Kier, McNicholas Construction recorded a £36 million pre-tax loss in accounts. When buying the civil engineering firm for £24 million, Kier also acquired its debt in July last year. Latest private accounts for McNicholas, which were extended to cover a 15-month period to June 2017 to
A new joint-venture between Scottish Water Horizons and East Midlands-based SHARC Energy Systems will be delivering a first of its kind project in the UK at Campbeltown’s Aqualibrium leisure centre, operated by Argyll & Bute Council. The centre and swimming pool will be heated by the use of ground-breaking technology
National Flooring Equipment, the surface preparation equipment manufacturer, will be hosting two one-day training sessions on the 11th and 12th of April in Warrington, to help contractors in the UK. The sessions will take place at Multi-Hire Power Tools and anyone that would like to register for one of the
Your Housing Group (YHG) has announced plans to build a 30-storey apartment building on Liverpool’s waterfront. Above: Location of Hive-City Docks at Princes Dock YHG is planning to build the 276-apartment tower block at Princes Dock on Peel’s Liverpool Waters development site. It has been designed by Brock Carmichael Architects. The proposed £48m development would be YHG’s third build-to-rent development, although the first in Liverpool, and would be marketed under its Hive brand. YHG expects to submit a planning application for what it calls Hive-City Docks in early 2017 and begin work later in the year, subject to consent. News of the plans comes just a month after developer Moda Living received consent for a 34-storey tower on an adjacent site. Peel development director Lindsey Ashworth said: “Hive-City Docks represents a major milestone in our vision to create a stunning waterfront for Liverpool which will be a vibrant place to live, work and visit. There is now significant momentum behind our plans as investors realise the potential and opportunity which this site offers.” This article was published on 20 Oct 2016 (last updated on 20 Oct 2016). Source link
The number of mortgages in arrears in the UK continued to fall in the second quarter of this year and is now at its lowest level since records began more than 20 years ago, the latest data shows. At the end of June 2016 there were 92,500 mortgages in arrears of at least 2.5% of the balance, 0.84% of the total, down from 95,900 at the end of March, according to the figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The number of mortgages in arrears was 13.4% lower than a year ago, when the total stood at 106,800, and is now at its lowest level since the run of figures began in 1994. The number of properties taken into possession also fell in the second quarter, to 1,900, down from 2,100 in the first three months of the year. There was a decline in both the numbers of owner occupied and buy to let properties taken into possession. The CML says that if the present trend continues, the number of mortgaged property repossessions this year is on course to be the lowest since 1982 when there were 6.5 million mortgages, compared to 11.1 million today. A more detailed breakdown of the data shows that there was a fall in the number of borrowers in each band of arrears, apart from those owing more than 10% of the mortgage balance. The number in this category edged up from 23,500 to 23,700, the same number as at the end of last year. Ministry of Justice figures also continue to reflect a pattern in which the number of mortgage possessions is significantly lower than in the rental sector. Those figures showed, for example, that there were 42,729 rental evictions in England and Wales in 2015, compared to 5,592 mortgaged property repossessions, even though the rented sector accounts for only around one third of the housing stock. CML data also shows different patterns of arrears and possessions in the owner occupied and buy to let mortgage markets. As before, arrears rates are higher among owner occupiers than among buy to let landlords, while rates of possession are lower. The CML says that this is because lenders try to avoid repossession wherever possible to help owner occupiers recover from a temporary period of payment difficulty, but may move more quickly to protect their position on rental properties as tenants move out in the more commercial buy to let sector. ‘Another welcome reduction in arrears and possessions shows that borrowers are continuing to prioritise their mortgage commitments and that lenders remain committed to helping them through a period of temporary difficulty, wherever possible,’ said CML director general Paul Smee. ‘As ever, the key to success in dealing with any payment problems is to address them as soon as possible. Any borrowers anticipating difficulty in paying their mortgage should therefore speak to their lender at the earliest opportunity,’ he added. Meanwhile, new figures from the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) show that the number of second charge mortgage repossessions in the second quarter of 2016 was down 40.3% on the same quarter in 2015. ‘Second charge mortgage providers continued to support customers in financial difficulty in the second quarter of 2016, while meeting the demands arising from the implementation of new systems following the market’s move to the FCA’s mortgage regime in late March,’ said Fiona Hoyle, head of Consumer and Mortgage Finance at the FLA. Source link
Building materials supplier Aggregate Industries UK has signed a five-year deal with Eddie Stobart as its concrete products division’s new logistics partner. Above: Aggregate Industries’ concrete products director Simon Marriott and Eddie Stobart CEO Alex Laffey From October 2016, deliveries for Aggregate Industries’ concrete products division will transfer to Eddie Stobart’s manufacturing and industrial business unit. The haulier will carry Bradstone, Charcon and Masterblock products from 14 UK sites using a combination of specialist curtain-siders, flat trailers and mechanical off-load vehicles. Aggregate Industries, part of the LafargeHolcim Group, said that it needed a flexible haulage partner with specialist resources and equipment. Eddie Stobart’s in-cab telematics systems enable Aggregate Industries to monitor arrivals and deliveries for customers and to improve scheduling. Eddie Stobart CEO Alex Laffey said: “We are delighted to call Aggregate Industries our partner in the infrastructure sector. Our multimodal offering also presents a much broader opportunity for Eddie Stobart to support Aggregate Industries’ efforts in reducing the amount of product moved by road, and helping further our commitment to sector-leading sustainability.” This article was published on 21 Jun 2016 (last updated on 21 Jun 2016). Source link
©Bloomberg Bovis Homes Group has reported record profits for 2015 as it looks to step up construction amid a favourable climate for UK housebuilding. The FTSE 250 group, which focuses on southern England, said pre-tax profit rose 20 per cent to £160.1m in the 12 months to the end of December. Revenue was 17 per cent higher at £946.5m, slightly ahead of expectations. More On this topic IN Construction The company will increase its full-year dividend by 14 per cent to 40p a share. “We’ve seen the housing market move quite significantly in the past couple of years,” said David Ritchie, chief executive. “We are a bigger business with stronger volumes and stronger prices, which is generating stronger returns for our shareholders.” The Kent-based company built a record 3,934 homes during the year, lifting output 8 per cent; it sold its homes for an average price of £231,600 — 7 per cent higher than a year earlier. Bovis has battled with build cost inflation, however, saying costs rose 8 per cent per square foot. “There are a lot of people coming through our sites and they’re taking their opportunities in a rising market to ask for more money. We have to recognise that costs are rising,” said Mr Ritchie. But that is beginning to moderate, he added. “We don’t believe it will be as high as 8 per cent this year.” Bovis is seeking to increase output to between 5,000 and 6,000 units a year over the next few years but has struggled to improve margins, resulting in its shares trading more cheaply than the rest of the sector. It has split its operations into eight regional businesses in an effort to improve efficiency. The group’s operating margin rose from 17 per cent to 17.3 per cent in 2015. Forward sales were 14 per cent higher at 2,003. The company has also been seeking to expand its consented land bank as overall housebuilding continues to fall short of government targets. A Westminster drive to boost construction has aided companies such as Bovis through support for homebuyers — for example under the Help to Buy programme — and a rise in planning permissions. Mr Ritchie said Bovis was “cautious” ahead of June’s referendum on EU membership but had not so far seen any effect on the business. “The consumer continues to be very robust,” he said. 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
18 July 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Office take-up across the ‘big nine’ office markets during the second quarter was 3 per cent below the five-year quarterly average for both the city centre and out-of-town, according to data from Bilfinger GVA. In the city centre markets there were a number of sizeable deals agreed this quarter, with Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham recording well above average take-up. Conversely, other city centres saw some slowing in activity, as was expected in the run-up to the referendum. Overall take-up figures have held up reasonably well during the second quarter of the year in spite of the referendum uncertainty. Some significant deals have completed in the public and insurance sectors and underlying demand across the nine – Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh and Cardiff – remains strong, particularly given the reorganisation of the public sector estate and a large number of private sector lease events. Carl Potter, national head of offices at Bilfinger GVA, said: “Some occupiers have been reviewing their position in light of Brexit and it is likely that this will impact on take-up for the second half of the year, but it is too early to judge how significant this will be. We expect any impacts on the value of grade A stock to be insulated by the subdued development pipeline.” Source link
One of the world’s largest JCB dealers has broken new ground by commissioning its first Mercedes-Benz vans, most of which are being used by mobile service engineers who provide customers with round-the-clock back-up. Greenshields JCB sells and supports the manufacturer’s renowned range of construction and industrial machinery from headquarters in Farnham, Surrey, and six other strategically located depots throughout the South-East. The new fleet of 22 vehicles arrived via Rossetts Commercials, which represents the three-pointed star in Surrey and Sussex. They were painted on line at the Mercedes-Benz factory in their distinctive shade of yellow. All but two of the new vans are 3.5-tonne Sprinters, which have been distributed throughout Greenshields JCB’s branch network. They are assigned to members of its 65-strong team of field engineers, who undertake on-site maintenance and repair of equipment – storage conversion specialist Bott racked out the vehicles’ cargo areas to carry tools and a comprehensive stock of spare parts. The Sprinters are all Medium-length Sprinter 314 CDI models with fuel-efficient 143 hp engines, comfortable, well-equipped cabs, and reassuring safety armouries which include reversing cameras. The two other vans are a mid-sized Vito 114 CDI Long, which has been allocated to a senior technician-trainer, and a small Citan 109 CDI Long, now being driven by a workshop foreman. Greenshields JCB has previously favoured another high-profile van brand. Like the two other manufacturers’ dealers also vying for Greenshields’ business, Rossetts Commercials supplied a series of vehicles for trial before finally landing the prestigious order. Key to Greenshields’ decision to partner with Mercedes-Benz was the promise of efficient, 24-hour after sales support from Rossetts and its fellow franchisees with workshops in their new customer’s area of operation. They will be servicing Greenshields’ new vans under Repair and Maintenance Contracts. Simon Hoare, the JCB dealer’s General Manager – Aftermarket, explained: “We guarantee a four-hour response time to machine breakdowns, though we’re often at the customer’s site a lot more quickly. If we’re to make good on this pledge it’s essential that our own vans are reliable, and that if the worst happens we’ll get the support we need.” Like all Mercedes-Benz Vans, Greenshields JCB’s new fleet came with MobiloVan cover, which includes free emergency roadside assistance, as well as three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranties. “We liked the sound of the Mercedes-Benz back-up,” said Mr Hoare. “Its workshops are open through the night, which should mean that our vans are always available for work when we need them, while the MobiloVan breakdown cover was also an important ‘plus’.” He continued: “The Mercedes-Benz demonstrators were well received by our engineers, and they couldn’t be happier with their new vans. From the company’s point of view, meanwhile, the all-round quality and premium image of these vehicles can only complement our own brand.” Mr Hoare also praised the customer-focused manner of Rossetts’ response to Greenshields’ initial enquiry. “Of the three dealers we invited to tender, the Mercedes-Benz representative was the most professional, and provided the best experience by far,” he recalled. “Rossetts’ Van Sales Executive Tracey Stewart was always available and extremely efficient in replying quickly to our requests for information and quotations, while also providing product literature and other materials for our engineers that was much appreciated.” Greenshields JCB still operates another 50 vans by its previous vehicle supplier. “We plan to replace the balance of the fleet over the next 24 months, and if the manufacturer and Dealer deliver on their pledge then there is a strong likelihood that Greenshields JCB will become a significant Mercedes-Benz user,” added Mr Hoare. www.greenshieldsjcb.com
How many times have you stood in a store in front of a gorgeous arrangement of yarns, in all the colors of the rainbow, without being able to decide which one to choose for your next project? Many knitters choose their yarn based on color or texture, but there are many other factors that affect the quality of a yarn, not to mention the fact that different knitting projects can have specific yarn requirements. The yarn’s fiber is by far, the most important factor, as it indicates how easy it will be to work with the yarn, how the completed garment will feel, how it will drape and how well it will past the test of time. Animal fibers Wool – This fiber is made from sheep fleece. It is one of the most affordable choices, and it is also rather easy to work with, being perfect for all knitters, regardless of their skills. Wool is mainly used for winter clothes, as it breathes well, it has a great resistance to moisture and it is also extremely durable. It can be died in any color and it can be blended with other fibers to achieve a softer texture and more durability. There are also some types of wool which are naturally softer. For example, Merino wool is exquisite, being one of the most luxurious and resilient fibers. For incredibly soft, hand-died merino wool, we advise you to opt for Malabrigo Yarn. This is one of the most versatile and easy to work with types of yarn. Cashmere – This is a luxury wool obtained from the fleece of Cashmere sheep. Its main advantages are its incredibly smooth texture, and its light sheer. It is great for winter clothes as it has good insulation properties, but it doesn’t breathe very well. Moreover, like all types of wool, it is prone to pilling. Angora – Made from the fur of the angora rabbit, this light and silky fiber is the best choice for winter clothes, as it has great insulating properties and it feels amazing. Being a luxury fabric, it can be quite expensive, and it is not suitable for beginner knitters as it is quite slippery and difficult to work with. Alpaca – As the name suggests, this yarn is made from alpaca fleece. Due to its hypoallergenic properties, it is great for babies and people with sensitive skin. However, it is not very easy to work with, as it tends to overdrape. Mohair – Made from the fleece of the Angora goat, mohair is a more luxurious alternative to wool. It is fluffy, elastic, and it doesn’t wrinkle, so it is a great choice for most types of garments. Plant fibers Cotton – This natural fiber is very cheap, it has a smooth texture and a great drape, and it also breathes well. However, as a yarn, it is not very easy to work with, and it is not that durable either. Silk – Although it is produced by insects, silk is a plant based fiber, and one of the most luxurious fibers for that matter. It can be difficult to work with since it can catch easily, so it is better to choose a yarn variety with a high ply. Synthetic fibers Rayon – This type of yarn is very easy to work with. It has a great drape and a soft texture, and it doesn’t retain body heat, so it is perfect for summer clothes. Polyester – This is a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers. It has a good drape and it breathes well, but it can be difficult to work with. Nylon – Its properties are similar to silk, although its texture is not that soft. However, it is more durable, and easier to work with than silk. These are the most popular types of yarn fibers. There are a few other choices out there, but we advise you to stick to the basics, as these fibers have the most advantages. Image source: https://pixabay.com/photo-1479217/
Before being sold to Kier, McNicholas Construction recorded a £36 million pre-tax loss in accounts. When buying the civil engineering firm for £24 million, Kier also acquired its debt in July last year. Latest private accounts for McNicholas, which were extended to cover a 15-month period to June 2017 to bring it into line with Kier reporting, reveal underlying profitability from ongoing contracts remained strong in line with expectations. However, a detailed review of outstanding debtors and work in progress saw the firm book provisions on jobs where final accounts still needed to be agreed. In addition, the loss also took into account changes to estimates used in some long-term contracts and one-off costs in relation to the sale of the business. This re-evaluation of the contracts resulted in the firm’s net assets of £6.8 million in the prior year becoming net liabilities of nearly £32 million, including a £10.9 million pension liability. Over the 15-month period revenue rose £68 million to £248 million, due partly to the extended reporting term, while the average monthly turnover increased 10% to £16.5 million, driven by increased volume from ongoing contracts. McNicholas has secured three contract wins since being acquired by Kier, such as a five year £31 million ‘Gas to the West’ network distribution operation for SGN Natural Gas in Northern Ireland. Other contracts include a £40 million extension until 2022 to the Phoenix Natural Gas contract in Northern Ireland and a one year £30 million contract extension until 2020 for the Network Rail CP5 High Voltage and Electrification and Plant framework. Head of Kier’s strengthened utility division is now former McNicholas chief executive Barry McNicholas, who holds high hopes of securing more work in the upcoming rail and water capital spending period framework renewals.
A new joint-venture between Scottish Water Horizons and East Midlands-based SHARC Energy Systems will be delivering a first of its kind project in the UK at Campbeltown’s Aqualibrium leisure centre, operated by Argyll & Bute Council. The centre and swimming pool will be heated by the use of ground-breaking technology that places a focus on sustainability. “The Aqualibrium project is a significant step for the joint venture and SHARC, demonstrating how our technology provides a real, sustainable and renewable alternative heat service to customers in rural communities as well as urban centres,” said Russ Burton, Chief Operating Officer of SHARC Energy Systems. The £1 million project consists of a state of art installation that will intercept waste water from Scottish Water’s adjacent Kinloch Park Pumping Station. The technology will extract the naturally occurring residual heat, amplify it and transfer it to the clean water network to provide heating to the leisure centre. The low-carbon, sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy system will then heat the 25-metre swimming pool, fitness suite, steam room, sauna and library in the centre. “We are actively exploring ways in which we can utilise Scottish Water assets to facilitate green technology and through the joint venture with SHARC Energy Systems delivering heat from waste-water systems and the fantastic low-carbon benefits which are generated,” said Donald MacBrayne, Scottish Water Horizons Business Development Manager. “We are thrilled that after months of hard work and the launch of the joint venture we are able to bring the Campbeltown project to life. Once complete, the Aqualibrium Centre will benefit from significant carbon savings, helping Argyll & Bute Council meet their carbon reduction targets and lower their heat costs,” he continued. Expected to be completed by November, Aqualibrium is the first project to be delivered by the new joint venture between Scottish Water Horizons, a subsidiary of Scottish Water, and sustainable energy firm SHARC Energy Systems. The work also builds on Scottish Water’s £23m environmental improvement scheme in Campbeltown in 2012, which delivered a state-of- the-art waste-water system and key infrastructure upgrade in the town.
National Flooring Equipment, the surface preparation equipment manufacturer, will be hosting two one-day training sessions on the 11th and 12th of April in Warrington, to help contractors in the UK. The sessions will take place at Multi-Hire Power Tools and anyone that would like to register for one of the training days can contact the distributor. The first day of the training will focus on a range of National Flooring Equipment’s shot blasters, which can strip, clean and profile concrete in a single step, while on the second day attendees will work with a range of walk-behind and ride-one strippers that remove original coatings and prepare concrete for new coverings. As the company’s first large-scale training event in the UK, National Flooring Equipment hopes that all those participating will gain more knowledge, will understand what to consider when choosing the right equipment for each job and will have the opportunity to experience hands-on the company’s machines. “We want to support our customers across the world and this will be the first of many training sessions we host in the UK,” explained Nick White, UK and Ireland country manager at National Flooring Equipment. “Our employees all have years of expertise in the field and these training days allow us to pass on that understanding and knowledge to contractors. As their equipment understanding increases, it will also improve job efficiency.” During the training sessions, contractors will learn the basics of proper machine set up and how to operate each machine to get the desired results. Moreover, they will also learn how to properly clean and maintain machinery and the main health and safety considerations when using surface preparation equipment. Cutting concrete releases silica dust in the air, which is harmful when inhaled, therefore contractors must know how to reduce dust exposure in the workplace. National Flooring Equipment has manufactured equipment for over 50 years. It offers bespoke training to all its customers to suit their needs, with group, personal and online training offerings.
