Structural steelwork contractor Cleveland Bridge UK has ramped up its structures team with a number of senior recruits from across its major competitors. Above: Left to right are Tim Outteridge, Patrick Jackson, Guy Laws, Gursharun Thind, Andy Limbert, Steve Quinny and Gary Kipling With five new technical recruits Cleveland Bridge
According to the latest data released by Knight Frank on house price sentiment, households in all UK regions perceived that the value of their home rose in April with those living in the capital perceiving the strongest rate of price growth over the course of the month. The report found
Innovations are crucial in every industry for supporting business growth and success. Here Jake Sinna, vice president of international sales at surface preparation specialist National Flooring Equipment, explains why innovative technologies are important in surface preparation. When electrical engineer, George De Mestral and his dog returned from a hunting
Watford Borough Council has granted planning consent for the first phase of its £1.6 billion regeneration masterplan for Watford Junction. When complete, the masterplan will create just under 3,000 dwellings, 75,000 sqm of commercial space, 6,000 sqm of retail, two primary schools and a range of community uses. The 4,338
Boulting Ltd, Warrington-based engineering solutions provider, has promoted human resources (HR) manager, Michelle Stott, to the position of HR director. With over 20 years HR experience, Stott will take up the role to reinforce the organisation’s commitment to its staff across the country. “Boulting Ltd is committed to its employees,”
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions provided the award-winning refurbishment plan of the Grade II listed Hackney Town Hall with customised wall panels. The folded bronze anodised aluminium panels were selected by regular Armstrong specifiers HawkinsBrown architects for the end walls of two underused interior service courtyards that have been transformed into full-height
Construction Technology has received £420 million cash to speed up property building. This is the biggest public and private investment into construction for at least a decade and the strategy aims to boost the government’s ambitions of building 1.5 million new homes by 2022. The money will help the current
Structural steelwork contractor Cleveland Bridge UK has ramped up its structures team with a number of senior recruits from across its major competitors. Above: Left to right are Tim Outteridge, Patrick Jackson, Guy Laws, Gursharun Thind, Andy Limbert, Steve Quinny and Gary Kipling With five new technical recruits Cleveland Bridge has brought in experience from William Hare, Severfield, Rowecord, Bourne Steel, Hollandia and others and project experience from the Shard to the Dubai Emirates Towers. Joining the team are engineering manager Patrick Jackson, senior projects manager Andrew Limbert, production manager Gary Kipling, construction manager Guy Laws and proposals manager Steve Quinney. Patrick Jackson joins Cleveland Bridge from William Hare UAE, where he worked as engineering manager on the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai and Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. Senior projects manager Andrew Limbert joins from Severfield UK and has been involved in the management of the redevelopment of Kings Cross Station in London and construction of the Prestige Trade Tower in Bangalore, India. Production manager Gary Kipling joins from Hambleton Steel and previously worked for William Hare and Severfield Rowen, where he began as an apprentice fabricator. Proposals manager Steve Quinney previously worked for TEMA Engineering and Rowecord Engineering and has been involved in steelwork elements of developments at the British Museum, the Cardiff City Stadium and Swansea City FC’s Liberty Stadium. Construction manager Guy Laws was previously a site manager for Severfield. His past experience includes working as construction supervisor with Hollandia on the Wembley Stadium development, eight years with Bourne Steel and working for AIC in Abu Dhabi. The team is lead by international sales director Tim Outteridge and technical director Gursharan Thind, who was appointed last year. Tim Outteridge said: “Expanding our building structures team with experienced engineering professionals from both the UK and international will enable us to increase our presence in this growing marketplace. Through the end-to-end design, fabrication, project management and delivery service, we have the capabilities and experience to meet the steel structure requirements across the construction industry.” Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Al Rushaid Petroleum Investment Company. This article was published on 21 Oct 2016 (last updated on 21 Oct 2016). Source link
According to the latest data released by Knight Frank on house price sentiment, households in all UK regions perceived that the value of their home rose in April with those living in the capital perceiving the strongest rate of price growth over the course of the month. The report found that households in all UK regions expect house prices to rise over the next 12 months, with the strongest growth expected by households in the South East. However, both current and future sentiment on house prices moderated in April compared to March. Grainne Gilmore, Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank, said: “Slightly weaker house price sentiment follows a period of healthy market activity between January and March which was in part promoted by purchasers trying to complete purchases ahead of the April 1st introduction of the extra 3% stamp duty on additional homes. Activity across the market may now become more muted, and in addition, the debate around the EU Referendum may convince some buyers to adopt a wait-and-see approach, although the UK’s position in the EU will not affect one of the key fundamentals in the market – an undersupply of new homes being built and existing homes for sale when compared to demand.” Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: “After a strong start to the year, UK property market conditions appear slightly more subdued in April, especially in relation to households’ expectations for price growth. While perceptions of current price growth are still firmer than at any time in 2015, expectations for the next 12 months moderated in April and were among the lowest recorded over the past three years. This divergence between relatively brisk current price momentum and softer expectations ahead in part reflects heightened uncertainty about the nearterm economic outlook. Moreover, the latest survey highlights another brake on the number of UK households intending to purchase a property over the next two years, with this index down appreciably from its peak in February 2015.” Source link
Innovations are crucial in every industry for supporting business growth and success. Here Jake Sinna, vice president of international sales at surface preparation specialist National Flooring Equipment, explains why innovative technologies are important in surface preparation. When electrical engineer, George De Mestral and his dog returned from a hunting trip in 1941, he noticed several spiny seeds stuck to his clothes and the dog’s fur. Close investigations of the seeds led to his invention of sticky strips, which were patented under the name Velcro in 1955. Although it took more than a decade, De Mestral’s innovative idea brought him huge success. Innovation is also important in the surface preparation industry. There are three main reasons why it’s important to maintain an awareness of the updates in the field and spot the innovations that will benefit your business. Competition The construction industry is highly competitive — the number of construction firms in Great Britain increased to a record high in 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics. In addition, due to improvements in transport links, communication platforms and economic developments in other countries, competition is emerging from further afield. The increase in competition is not a bad thing. It means that the industry standard is consistently being driven to improve. However, it does mean you must keep one eye on your competitors to ensure that you don’t fall behind. There’s more to innovation in surface preparation than using the most advanced, intelligent and powerful machines. It’s also important to consider the customer’s continually evolving needs. Customer fashions, expectations and economic pressures are never static and businesses can gain a competitive edge by adapting their equipment and processes to suit the current customer demands. In general, contractors can expect that by using the latest technology, the quality of their surface preparation work will be higher. Businesses can improve their reputation even further by demonstrating high productivity. Productivity For five decades before the recent economic downturn, the average output for each employee in the UK rose by approximately two per cent per year, according to the Office for National Statistics. This growth has now slowed to an average of 0.5 per cent per year, giving rise to an industry challenge commonly referred to as the productivity puzzle. To increase their productivity, surface preparation contractors must make sure they are using the best machines for the job. For example, National Flooring Equipment’s scrapers run with a greater torque than those of its competitors — almost double in some cases — which translates to greater productivity. In particular, the company’s 5700 battery ride-on scraper and 6280 Commander hydraulic walk-behind scraper demonstrate very high torque and therefore productivity. Many other industries, especially manufacturing, are looking to automated equipment to increase productivity. It’s possible that the surface preparation industry will follow suit in the future, which would allow National Flooring Equipment to further increase the productivity of its machines. Facing challenges There are some common challenges that surface preparation contractors face. For example, following the repair of a cracked concrete surface, contractors often find that the repair concrete de-bonds from the substrate. The reason for this is insufficient or ineffective surface preparation prior to making the repairs. Another challenge is that some flooring materials are notoriously difficult to remove, requiring extremely powerful machines. Scrapers with a greater weight make stronger contact with the floor and are ideal for these applications. Most of the practical difficulties that contractors face with surface preparation jobs can be overcome by using high quality, well maintained and modern machinery. National Flooring Equipment’s customers receive personalised face-to-face advice on how to overcome their individual challenges, as well as tips on getting the most out of their machinery. On top of the face-to-face service, the company’s YouTube channel provides video tutorials giving information about how to use its machines. What does innovation look like? Dual lift ride-on scrapers are one of the most recent innovative technologies in the surface preparation industry. The angle of the blade allows the machines to be much lighter and more productive than alternative scrapers, helping contractors to tackle the productivity puzzle. The 5700 battery powered ride-on scraper pairs dual-lift functionality with a high torque, giving extremely high productivity. National Flooring Equipment does not rely on Velcro for its success but is constantly introducing more recent innovations to its product portfolio. The company is currently working with some of its customers in the US to develop the next generation of surface preparation technology that will reset the market. The specifics of the new technology remain a well-kept secret for now, but contractors should certainly watch this space.
Watford Borough Council has granted planning consent for the first phase of its £1.6 billion regeneration masterplan for Watford Junction. When complete, the masterplan will create just under 3,000 dwellings, 75,000 sqm of commercial space, 6,000 sqm of retail, two primary schools and a range of community uses. The 4,338 sqm first phase, located in a prime position on St Albans Road, will be developed by GS8, the design-led residential and commercial property developer, and will comprise a 146 unit, mixed-use development. Work is scheduled to start on site by the end of 2018, with phase one expected to complete towards the end of 2020. In addition, Berkeley Homes is undergoing public consultation for a separate site in the area at St Albans Quarter, reflecting a growing confidence in Watford among developers. Nick Fenwick, Deputy Managing Director of Place Shaping and Corporate Performance, Watford Borough Council, said: “This development marks the beginning of our Watford Junction Masterplan and will set the tone for future regeneration work. We are committed to transforming Watford into a place where current residents and future generations can call home and where local businesses thrive. “The current site overall has a mixture of uses and land ownership and there is a firm commitment to regenerating and developing this area, including future improvements to the station. There will be some landmark buildings including several taller buildings over 20 storeys closer to the station. “GS8 have done a tremendous job in bringing together a number of land owners and driving the development forward. Similarly, Berkeley Homes have started in earnest with its community consultation and we will be working very closely with them to shape the scheme.” Ben Spencer, Director at GS8, commented: “We are delighted to be delivering the first phase of the much-anticipated Watford Junction Masterplan. There is a need for new affordable housing in Watford which is why 25% of the development will be available for affordable and social rent with a small element of shared ownership.” GS8 St Albans Road development The GS8 St Albans Road development of one, two and three-bedroom properties, comprising four buildings, ranging from three to 11 storeys, will have integrated features that will enable residents to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on bills. The site will include c. 330 sqm of commercial space, 16 car parking spaces including 10 car club bays, cycle parking, and a children’s play area, with improved public realm access and landscaping. The Grade-II listed Old Station House – formerly the waiting room for rail travel which saw the likes of Queen Adelaide, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert pass through its doors – will be converted into an artisan tap room and community exhibition space, bringing one of the town’s last remaining breweries, Pope’s Yard, back to Watford.
Boulting Ltd, Warrington-based engineering solutions provider, has promoted human resources (HR) manager, Michelle Stott, to the position of HR director. With over 20 years HR experience, Stott will take up the role to reinforce the organisation’s commitment to its staff across the country. “Boulting Ltd is committed to its employees,” said Josh Groake, deputy managing director at Boulting. “By promoting Michelle into the role of HR director, she will lead a dedicated human resources team that will work to support and guide our staff across the UK and beyond. Michelle will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to our directorial board and some of the ideas and plans she has moving forward will continue to set Boulting apart as a dedicated and valuable employer.” Michelle joined Boulting Ltd in 2013 as HR and resourcing manager, supporting the organisation with employee relations and ongoing recruitment requirements. She is Charted Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualified and also holds numerous employee management accreditations, including Myers & Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and 16 personality factors (16pf). “In the five years that I have worked for Boulting, I have always been impressed with the future prospects of not only the company, but the organisation’s employee skills set too,” said Michelle Stott. “As HR director I will look to reaffirm the company’s people management processes as well as solidify new schemes, such as a formal mentorship programme and increased school liaison work.” “Government studies report that the engineering sector is facing a skills crisis like never before,” she continued. “The industry needs around 186,000 skilled recruits each year, until 2024, to help bridge the gap. At Boulting we understand the need to develop our current staff as well as consider new ways to tackle the skills gap and improve diversity across the engineering sector as a whole.” “Our dedication to our employees continuous p95rofessional development (CPD) and our ongoing apprenticeship scheme is just the starting point of our investment in engineering careers and the evolving industry in which we work,” Stott concluded.
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions provided the award-winning refurbishment plan of the Grade II listed Hackney Town Hall with customised wall panels. The folded bronze anodised aluminium panels were selected by regular Armstrong specifiers HawkinsBrown architects for the end walls of two underused interior service courtyards that have been transformed into full-height multi-functional atria as part of the redevelopment. The wall panels mimic the original walls behind, including aged brickwork, Crittall windows, drain pipes and services. Their purpose is to conceal new ducts linked to the smoke ventilation system, featuring an acoustic fleece behind the panels to absorb sound. Specialist Omega sub-contractor Roskel Contracts installed some 110m2 of the 1.5mm WH-1000 2m x 1m panels, for contractor Osborne onto a lightweight steel framing system on the walls at the eastern ends of the north and south atria. These were then complemented by anodised trough boxes containing continuous strips of LED lights at the top of each three-storey wall. “We wanted to choose a standard proprietary acoustic wall cladding system for which we could customise the perforation pattern and selected the W-H 1000 Armstrong product after advice from the representative that this would meet our performance requirements and design intent,” said Chloe Marshall, HawkinsBrown associate director. “It was important to us that the perforation pattern could be customised to create a new feature within the rooms rather than a dominating plain rear wall. A bronzed finish was selected to link to the historic building materials of the 1930s interior and to interface well with the London Stock brickwork and painted steel structure of the new ETFE roof,” she added. Hackney Town Hall was built in 1937 by architects Lanchester and Lodge in an Art Deco-style design and for 12 years it has been subjected to an exhaustive 12 year and 12,500m2 restoration and refurbishment programme throughout which it has remained fully open. As well as creating 66% more office space, the refurbishment of Hackney Town Hall is part of a wider masterplan for the London Borough of Hackney, which has made the building more energy efficient. During the programme, 97% of waste was diverted from landfill.
Construction Technology has received £420 million cash to speed up property building. This is the biggest public and private investment into construction for at least a decade and the strategy aims to boost the government’s ambitions of building 1.5 million new homes by 2022. The money will help the current housing supply shortage by developing new, innovative construction materials and techniques. The government has contributed with £170 million, while the rest of £250 million came from industry investment. “The construction industry is fundamental to growing our economy as we build to invest in our future. Major infrastructure projects like HS2 and the commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes by 2022 mean that we need a construction sector that can drive innovation, delivering homes and infrastructure quicker,” said Greg Clark, business secretary in a speech to the Northern Powerhouse Summit. “As buildings account for around 30 per cent of total emissions, we also want to ensure that we are at the global forefront in designing and building smart, energy efficient and affordable homes and buildings through the Clean Growth Grand Challenge, saving families money on their bills,” Clark added.
