Balfour Beatty’s joint venture in Hong Kong, Gammon Construction, has been awarded a £364m contract to develop a superstructure. Source link
The prestigious international Partnership Awards that took place at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London, named the Dalbeattie Learning Campus, an ‘all through’ campus consisting of nursery, primary and secondary education set in an innovative landscaped setting, the ‘Best Social Infrastructure’ project. Delivered for Dumfries and Galloway Council in a
Haley Sharpe Design, a design agency based in Leicester, has led the final stage in the regeneration project of the iconic Gateway Arch and the surrounding National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It is working on a new museum situated at the base of the monument, which, upon its
Fletcher Longstaff Limited, the residential conveyancing and property law firm, is investing in Lexis Visualfiles, legal workflow and case management solution, to drive profitability. By streamlining and automating business processes, the firm will achieve time savings and efficiency gains that will improve productivity and enable the business to easily scale
More and more companies are looking for ways to use connected devices to improve field service and George Walker, managing director of field service management software provider Novotek UK and Ireland, explains how the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing field service. Field service management has traditionally been responsible for
A recent poll conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (21st – 27th of May) by the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, IronmongeryDirect, showed that despite the rise in popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. Nowadays, nearly 30%
When designing your print marketing strategy in the building and housing sector, do you consider where you’re going to place your ads when they’re complete? Many in the industry don’t think about banner placement — but put them in the wrong spot and your ROI could plummet! In order to
A luxury development of townhouses and apartments in the West End of Glasgow has officially sold out. The Botanics, from David Wilson Homes, launched in 2015 and has proven hugely popular with househunters looking for modern and spacious accommodation in the heart of one of the city’s most prestigious areas.
The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) has today announced it will go ahead with its application to become a licensed member of the Engineering Council. This decision comes following a successful members’ vote. Licensed Member status would pave the way for CABE members to be formally eligible for Chartered
Balfour Beatty’s joint venture in Hong Kong, Gammon Construction, has been awarded a £364m contract to develop a superstructure. Source link
The prestigious international Partnership Awards that took place at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London, named the Dalbeattie Learning Campus, an ‘all through’ campus consisting of nursery, primary and secondary education set in an innovative landscaped setting, the ‘Best Social Infrastructure’ project. Delivered for Dumfries and Galloway Council in a collaborative partnership approach with hub South West, the learning campus features multiple ‘learning bases’ that provide flexible and functional spaces aimed at a focus on lifelong learning and vocational qualifications, as well as traditional school subjects. “This has been a fantastic evening, and a just recognition of the work hub South West, GRAHAM and Dumfries and Galloway Council have put into the Dalbeattie Campus, as well as a clear indicator of what can be achieved in partnership,” said Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive of hub South West. Valued at £24 million, the project saw 58% of all sub-contracting work packages going to local businesses as part of hub South West’s commitment to ensuring that local construction projects support businesses and employees within local communities. As part of the project’s additional development benefits 13 delegates were upskilled, 2 graduates were recruited, 9 N and SVQ completions for subcontractors were achieved, and 17 work placements were secured. “Providing the best start in life for all of our children is a priority for our Council. So, I’m delighted that our Council is being recognised for the excellence of the first of our new learning campuses. Dalbeattie Learning Campus is a first class facility that is appropriate for the 21st century and transforming education in Dalbeattie,” said Councillor Jeff Leaver, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Children, Young People and Lifelong Learning (CYPLL) committee. The Awards took place on Thursday, 10th of May, and were attended by over 700 people to celebrate the best in Public/Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The Partnership Awards, now in its 20th year, is the largest event in the industry and covers projects across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Haley Sharpe Design, a design agency based in Leicester, has led the final stage in the regeneration project of the iconic Gateway Arch and the surrounding National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It is working on a new museum situated at the base of the monument, which, upon its opening in July, will mark the completion of the nearly £275 million regeneration project that could offer an urban renewal blueprint for cities across the world. The project has already attracted investment to the area around the Arch, estimated at around £1.45 billion, as well as visitors to St. Louis at a time when the city is building a reputation as the new ‘hipster’ capital of America. The regeneration project was conceived in 2009 and it was funded through local business philanthropy and funds from the public sector. The design competition to redevelop the entire area was won by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. The new design included the creation of a new park over the highway that connects the city to the Arch and the Arch to the Mississippi River, creating a single, open and easily accessible space. As part of the project, St. Louis’s central riverfront was raised to reduce flooding closures and provide biking and walking connections. “The Arch is iconic and beloved by St. Louisans, however, day to day, it was increasingly less attractive to visitors. People began to gather and use the park almost as soon as the landscaping work was completed, and we are seeing local businesses and leisure operators start to thrive from the increased volume of visitors. By linking the Arch to the city and to the river in a way that is sustainable and accessible, this new project marks a new phase in the development of St. Louis as a great place for everyone,” said Eric Moraczewski, Executive Director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation. Further development around the Gateway Arch Park has already been plans, with options including a commitment to becoming the first 100% renewable energy national park in the US by 2020.
Fletcher Longstaff Limited, the residential conveyancing and property law firm, is investing in Lexis Visualfiles, legal workflow and case management solution, to drive profitability. By streamlining and automating business processes, the firm will achieve time savings and efficiency gains that will improve productivity and enable the business to easily scale in tune with strategic objectives. The Visualfiles Conveyancing Accelerator provides access to a comprehensive suite of conveyancing workflow, from quotation and instruction through to linked sale and purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity. Fletcher Longstaff will also be able to use the flexible tools within Visualfiles to integrate it in third party applications and enable customisation of their business processes where necessary. Moreover, the Visualfiles Online web portal will provide 24/7 accessibility for clients and work providers via mobile and web. “We are investing in Visualfiles to enable us to stay a step ahead in the game,” said Adam Cheal, Director at Fletcher Longstaff Limited. “We are taking a comprehensive and long-term view for technology adoption. While initially, Visualfiles will help us to get off the ground quickly, the flexibility it gives us to customise the platform and deploy other complementary applications is something no other solution on the market is able to offer. In adopting Visualfiles, we are future-proofing our technology; and over time, as we create our own unique workflows and processes, we will be developing our own IP. For a firm of our size, this would not be possible without a system like Visualfiles.” By using a combination of the Visualfiles Pro2SQL reporting warehouse and Microsoft’s Power BI solution, the firm will be able to provide access to any data within the system, including real-time reports, management insight and key performance indicators to internal and external parties as necessary. “Despite what we hear about the property market in the UK, our business is on an upward trajectory. The business insight that Visualfiles will give us will play a key role in enabling us to grow our competitive advantage,” Adam added.
More and more companies are looking for ways to use connected devices to improve field service and George Walker, managing director of field service management software provider Novotek UK and Ireland, explains how the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing field service. Field service management has traditionally been responsible for activities such as locating fleet vehicles, scheduling maintenance work-orders and dispatching personnel. However, the advent of the IoT means that much of this model is shifting to real-time, predictive maintenance and those companies that adapt their businesses will benefit the most from the resulting competitive advantage. In the next few years, the number of IoT connected devices is set to surge, going from 27 billion in 2017 to 125 billion in 2030. Sensors help engineers to remotely diagnose problems in many instances, as well as help to remotely repair or prevent further damage to equipment. These hardware sensors however, are just the beginning. Better software will make businesses realise the true potential of IoT in field service management. Modern field servicing software needs to go beyond the basics and offer better and wider integration with the company’s inventory, billing and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. For this reason, Novotek partnered up with ServiceMax, the leading vendor in the industry, and became the sole distributor of GE’s ServiceMax field servicing software in the UK and Ireland. It creates solutions for the people who install, maintain and repair machines across dozens of industries, as the leading provider of complete end to end mobile and cloud-based technology. By using this service, you avoid situations where some technicians are overloaded, while others have white space in their schedules. Moreover, a machine on a customer site can send an alert to the service team, warning them of an imminent failure and potential downtime. Technicians can then be proactively dispatched to site with the right parts to carry out urgent repair and mitigate costly downtime. IoT has already drastically changed other sectors of the industrial landscape and is now making waves in the field service management sector. Whether you’re a utility business, a healthcare provider or even a telecoms business, it’s about time you looked at how IoT will change field servicing for you.
A recent poll conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (21st – 27th of May) by the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, IronmongeryDirect, showed that despite the rise in popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. Nowadays, nearly 30% of UK homeowners own at least one smart home product and the sales are expected to more than double this year. A previous national research showed that almost 90% of tradespeople are not confident when advising customers on smart products. Only one in ten said they felt ‘very confident’ when it comes to offering guidance on smart products. “Smart products are redefining the way that a property functions, and there is a clear need for tradespeople to keep abreast of the developments involving smart technology. With basic burglar alarms now enhanced to monitor, control and interact with a home or business premises from a smartphone or tablet, we are just at the beginning of this smart tech revolution,” said Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect. “There is still a demand for traditional products, but these new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some fantastic products on the market, whether you want to specialise in security, lighting, heating or household appliances,” he continued. Smart Home Week is now in its second year and it aims to raise the profile of smart home technology and to inform, educate and reassure consumers about the benefits and opportunities of living in a smart, connected way. To help themselves with the ever changing nature of the market, tradespeople can take part in courses in smart technology, offered by training organisations around the UK. AWE Smart Home Academy in Surrey, for example, equips tradespeople with the skills and confidence they need to advise customers on the technology. Its Foundation Workshop is aimed at the less experienced residential smart technology installer and focuses on the fundamentals of custom installation.
When designing your print marketing strategy in the building and housing sector, do you consider where you’re going to place your ads when they’re complete? Many in the industry don’t think about banner placement — but put them in the wrong spot and your ROI could plummet! In order to attract the greatest number of potential customers as possible, check out this guide to promoting products and services effectively in the building, construction and housing sector. From store window to trade show, you will receive key tips on banner placement to ensure you maximise your marketing ROI. Shop foyer If your potential customer has been enticed enough by your products and services to visit your store, don’t stop encouraging them to buy from you by not utilising your reception area for further marketing purposes. Celebrating X amount of years in business? Just opened a new shop to keep up with demand? Tell your visiting customer this by placing your banner in the foyer of your building. Achievements matter, and the beauty of a pull-up banner is that you have the space to advertise snippets of success stories — unlike with a small leaflet, for example. In as little as a tenth of a second, consumer create an impression of something. Therefore, you don’t have long to portray your brand in a positive light. Designing an eye-catching pull-up banner that not only features complementary colours — perhaps matching your reception décor — pleasant fonts and nice imagery, but also highlights interesting information about your company might be another helpful marketing factor to convert sales from new customers and boost brand loyalty among current clients. But, are there any other reasons that this section of your shop offers an ideal location to engage with your customers? Apparently, the part directly inside a shop is called the ‘decompression’ zone. This is according to an article by the Economist, and is because customers need to momentarily ‘slow down’ to assess their new surroundings. As a result, this is a great place for promotional material. Even if you don’t have a reception area, you can simply place your pull-up banner just inside the entrance for the same powerful marketing affect — another way to boost ROI. Corporate exhibitions and events To gain exposure and promote your brand among peers, competitors and potential new staff; use your banner at your next business event. According to Eventbrite, the UK events industry is worth £42.3 billion and 1.3 million business events are held annually. Corporate hospitality accounts for around £1.2 billion, while exhibitions comprise £11 billion and conferences make up the lion’s share at £19.9 billion! While many believe digital ads offer the best ROI, it appears that print could be the way to go if you truly want to make a memorable impact. According to a study carried out in the US, participants that viewed print media showed a greater emotional response for it and were able to recall its details better than they could for digital ads. If you want to stand out against your competitors at a major recruitment exhibition and create that bond to entice people to come over, why not design an attractive, descriptive pull-up banner and place it next to your stand? If it’s eye-catching enough, it will draw potential partners and employees to your table where you can begin discussing the key details of your business. High-footfall, public places Location plays a large part in how many customers you attract to your store each day. But will people spend time trying to find you if you’re not in a high-footfall area? According to a study published in The Independent last year, employees in the UK are working more overtime than ever before with 60% of those asked stating that they don’t have a good work-life balance. Could this affect how much time they spend trying to find you unless you make locating your store as easy as possible? If you think it’ll benefit, try placing your banner in a busy, public place and use it to direct people to your location. Slightly off the high street? Tucked away around a sharp corner? Sandwiched between two larger stores? You could run the risk of clients giving up on finding you. By placing your pull-up banner in a location that signposts your building, you can direct your customers, as well as advertise your brand to the general public. Use bold fonts and colours to highlight your address and tell people which other shops you’re next to or opposite so they can quickly work out where you are. If you’re thinking about placing these outdoors, make sure you opt for a quality PVC or vinyl banner to make sure your ad can endure the weather for maximum return on your spend. Windows Maximise your ROI by utilising any window space you have with your banner. According to store design and display consultant, Linda Cahan, in an article published in Entrepreneur: “Each window should tell a story”. Are you making the most of this key piece of promotional space? If you have floor-length windows, simply angle your pull-up banner so it is clearly visible to people and cars coming from all directions. Or, use a platform to give your advert height so it can be easily seen. If you have a seasonal discount or special offer, make sure when you place your banner in your window that it is shouting about them! Did you know that 80% of consumers describe themselves as ‘promotion sensitive’? Highlighting a special discount on your pull-up banner placed in your store window will give your offer excellent visibility to help bring foot traffic in-store. Also, research shows that discounts can make it less probable that people will then compare your range with your competitors’! Remember to use contrasting colours and large text to highlight your offer on your banner. Awards events An award show is a great way to get yourself recognised by consumers and potential staff — but
A luxury development of townhouses and apartments in the West End of Glasgow has officially sold out. The Botanics, from David Wilson Homes, launched in 2015 and has proven hugely popular with househunters looking for modern and spacious accommodation in the heart of one of the city’s most prestigious areas. And while the development is fully sold out, potential buyers should not be disheartened with plans for a new development in the sought-after southside of the city. David Wilson Homes’ sister company, Barratt Homes, has recently started work on the Riverside @ Cathcart. Located on the grounds of the former Scottish Power headquarters, the development will feature a range of two, three and four bedroom homes. Estelle Sykes, Sales Director, David Wilson Homes said: “The sales success that we have experienced at The Botanics further reinforces the demand for high quality homes within Glasgow. “I am positive that the Barratt Homes development at Riverside @ Cathcart will prove just as popular with househunters because of its prime location and selection of quality homes.” The site, located on Spean Street, has an assortment of apartments, townhouses, semi-detached and detached homes and are likely to appeal to both first time buyers and those looking to take a step up the property ladder. Riverside @ Cathcart benefits is within walking distance of a number of amenities, including several parks, train stations, bars and restaurants . For further information on Riverside @ Cathcart please visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/glasgow-city/H719201-Riverside-@-Cathcart/
The Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) has today announced it will go ahead with its application to become a licensed member of the Engineering Council. This decision comes following a successful members’ vote. Licensed Member status would pave the way for CABE members to be formally eligible for Chartered Engineer status on equal terms with other engineering professional bodies. Following four years of development and consultation, 91% of CABE members who voted were in favour of the association changing its by-laws to become a full member of the Engineering Council and offer the Chartered Engineer (CEng) qualification without disadvantaging existing suitably qualified chartered building engineers. Dr Gavin Dunn, CEO of CABE said: “This clear mandate for change puts CABE within touching distance of the industry top table and gives recognition of building engineering as a defined engineering discipline in its own right, both in the UK and internationally.” This will enable the association to maintain the existing title Chartered Building Engineer and enable members to pursue the additional CEng qualification if they wish. They will also have a clear and defined route to gain international recognition. The membership vote is very timely in light of current events within the built environment and the need for more effective application of regulations and standards, providing members clear and robust ways to demonstrate their competence. “CABE is the only engineering body to cover the whole ‘golden thread’ of standards across the regulatory, design, compliance, construction and operational management functions, making us uniquely placed to play a critical role in raising standards to ensure buildings are safer and perform as expected in practice,” Dr Dunn added. At a time when the UK celebrates the Year of Engineering – a Government-led campaign to boost the engineering skills gap – CABE’s members would, for the first time, have access to a route to the top tier of engineering qualifications and help secure the next generation of Building Engineers. CABE membership has grown 40% in the past five years with notable increases in student and international members. The CABE is playing a larger role within building engineering in the USA, Middle East, Asia and New Zealand. Full membership of the Engineering Council will further the international recognition and ability of members to demonstrate competence within this globally-minded and internationally-recognised association. Formed in 1925 as the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) is a leading body for professionals specialising in the design, construction, evaluation and maintenance of buildings. Its members practise across the UK, mainland Europe and around the world, and work in both the private and public sectors. For more information about CABE visit www.cbuilde.com.
