Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Thu, Apr 14th 2016 Representatives from Temple Learning Academy and main contractor ISG gathered on site in East Leeds to mark the commencement of a project that will transform a disused leisure centre into an innovative free
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Aug 31st 2016 The construction site entry experience is transformed by MSite. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A next-generation fingerprint reader which transforms the site entry experience for construction workers has been launched
The Track Partnership is an alliance between Balfour Beatty Rail and London Underground that will see the contractor responsible for delivering track renewal work across London’s tube network. The company was first awarded the contract in 2010. With the two-year extension, the contractor will continue work until March 2018. Balfour
Neil Cooper of MLM Group gave his views on the Building Regulations and ‘where are we now?’ at an event in Guildford hosted by the southern regional branch of CABE. Cooper is ideally placed to provide perspective on an industry that is under the microscope as he is the CEO
Edward Quigg, the director and head of procurement at Quigg Golden, speaks about the policies that every company should have in place in order to be guarded against procurement corruption. With this form of corruption still alive and well in the construction industry, it is important for companies to know
The Tees Valley Combined Authority has announced the delivery of a vital new road in Hartlepool. At a meeting of the Combined Authority Cabinet, members agreed to invest the cash into the £18 million scheme for Hartlepool’s Western Growth Corridor, which will provide an extra route into town and unlock
Integrated building solutions company J Tomlinson has solidified its growth across Yorkshire with the opening of a new support office in Wakefield and the creation of 60 new jobs. The expansion follows a number of significant contract wins and a surge in the number of new staff employed in the
Automated transport and logistics technology could be adopted on a wide scale at UK airports in the future. A report commissioned by Aberdeen Standard Investment’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust) produced jointly by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy, ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International GmbH, explores the potential
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Thu, Apr 14th 2016 Representatives from Temple Learning Academy and main contractor ISG gathered on site in East Leeds to mark the commencement of a project that will transform a disused leisure centre into an innovative free school. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday The ceremonial event is a key milestone for staff and pupils at the Temple Learning Academy, which currently occupies temporary accommodation at the site, converted by ISG from existing offices at the leisure facility last year. The Academy opened at the start of the academic year in autumn 2015 in this temporary accommodation as a through-school for 1,020 students aged 4-16 years. The scheme aims to re-use as much of the existing infrastructure from the former leisure centre as possible. ISG will demolish the swimming pool but retain the steel frame building, and re-use the existing sports hall facility. The internal layout of the leisure centre will be significantly reconfigured to create modern teaching accommodation and ISG will also retain and repair the building’s façade – installing additional windows to bring natural light into the structure. ISG is set to build a new three-storey steel frame extension with ribbon glazing and metal cladding elevations, which will be primarily used by older students. Facilities will include SEN (Special Educational Needs) provision, a learning resource centre (LRC), a kitchen, dining area and sports facilities. The project also includes the construction of a new MUGA pitch and significant hard and soft landscaping with new paths and play areas, a car park for 90 cars and designated drop off areas. Matthew Browne, Principal from Temple Learning Academy, commented: “Today marked the start of the next phase of our journey as an academy. It’s great to bring meaning and purpose to this particular building in the heart of the community. What’s been wonderful is having the most important people, our pupils, here to celebrate the start of the construction and dig that first hole in the ground.” Danny Murray, ISG’s Northern regional managing director, added: “This event marks a key milestone in the creation of a permanent home for Temple Learning Academy in East Leeds, and is a great opportunity for key stakeholders to come together and celebrate this transformational project. “The demand for high-quality learning space has never been higher and the EFA Framework has proved the perfect procurement vehicle to drive innovation, vision and efficiencies into the construction process to bring this scheme to site quickly.” Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Wed, Aug 31st 2016 The construction site entry experience is transformed by MSite. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday A next-generation fingerprint reader which transforms the site entry experience for construction workers has been launched by MSite*, the UK’s leading developer of access control and workforce management solutions. Whereas most fingerprint readers on contemporary construction sites have only a red/green (stop/go) function and often play up due to dirty hands, the MSite fingerprint touch screen system from HRS combines a rugged, all-weather fingerprint sensor with an intuitive, interactive touch screen to revolutionise the access algorithm. Designed specifically for the foibles and harsh environments of the construction industry, identification speed takes under a second while the MSite fingerprint touch system can match up to 10,000 fingerprint templates. It can even be reconfigured via the MSite website to ask users if they are arriving or leaving before they complete the transaction. The latest option to the market-leading MSite portfolio, the touch screen system supports access control and time and attendance modes and accepts input from the user to confirm they have understood safety messages before proceeding onto the site – highly beneficial for Health and Safety directors to ensure they get the latest procedural messages across to the workers on the ground. It even gives users feedback about why they may have been denied access, such as an expired accreditation. Available in multiple languages to cater for the construction industry’s diverse workforce as well as wall-mounted and desktop-free; and wireless, cable connected or via 3G/4G, the system can be loaded with a main contractor’s bespoke questions. It can also be configured to allow certain users to enter a PIN code for access, instead of presenting a finger. Built to operate in temperatures ranging from -20˚C to 40˚C, the 12-volt system outputs Wiegand data for integration with standard access control systems. MSite’s head of product design Simon Appleton said: “The MSite touch screen represents a huge leap forward in the technology required to make fingerprint reading in the construction industry a quick and accurate event. The touch screen element also adds a whole new dimension of interactivity between individuals arriving and leaving site and the management team. “Add to this biometric advancement the access control and workforce management functions of the original MSite system and you have a system which outperforms anything else on the market.” ENDS * Powered by Human Recognition Systems (HRS). Source link
The Track Partnership is an alliance between Balfour Beatty Rail and London Underground that will see the contractor responsible for delivering track renewal work across London’s tube network. The company was first awarded the contract in 2010. With the two-year extension, the contractor will continue work until March 2018. Balfour Beatty will continue to provide design, labour, plant, and materials, as well as surveying, supervision and management of the renewal works. Over the next two years London Underground said there would be a focus on enhancing efficiencies including measures which will see project managers given more accountability for driving down costs. Balfour Beatty Group chief executive Leo Quinn said: “With world-class expertise in track, electrification and power supply systems, Balfour Beatty Rail is a significant player in the UK rail infrastructure market. ”We have utilised these market-leading skills and expertise working with London Underground over the last 13 years. ”This extension is a clear sign of London Underground’s confidence in the capability of Balfour Beatty within the Track Partnership.” Source link
Neil Cooper of MLM Group gave his views on the Building Regulations and ‘where are we now?’ at an event in Guildford hosted by the southern regional branch of CABE. Cooper is ideally placed to provide perspective on an industry that is under the microscope as he is the CEO of MLM Group, a leading multidisciplinary design, compliance and specialist practice, and Chair of BRAC, The Building Regulations Advisory Committee. With many in the industry acknowledging that processes need to be improved, the industry turned to the much anticipated review of the Building Regulations by Dame Judith Hackitt – Building a Safer Future – which looked set to provide the industry with a clear direction of travel and provide clarity on next steps. Cooper addressed a few areas from the review, including the fact that whilst there was broad agreement with the findings and direction of travel, workstreams will need to be prioritised and this isn’t something that can be addressed quickly, it will take years. Meanwhile, although focussed risk management is starting to happen as part of a cultural change that ensures clear accountability, risk management will require legislation. One of the key issues the report did highlight which has been welcomed, was the golden thread of design, construction and occupation and what happens to buildings once they are handed over. “Record keeping and duty holder principles are crucial but we need regulation to create clear gateways through the design, construction, handover and occupation stages to ensure that standards are maintained,” said Cooper. One area that did raise concern was the report’s recommendations of a new regulatory system for tower blocks. Whilst change is needed, the concern is that the industry would end up with a system that is even more complex than the current one. If this new regulatory system is to work it needs to be managed centrally by government and be much more collaborative in its approach. Cooper also mentioned short term priorities, such as consultation of fire test and desktop studies, issues over combustible materials, clarification of Approved Document B (ADB) and its potential for a full technical review next year. Even though the Hackitt review has been a turning point, there is still much more to be done.
Edward Quigg, the director and head of procurement at Quigg Golden, speaks about the policies that every company should have in place in order to be guarded against procurement corruption. With this form of corruption still alive and well in the construction industry, it is important for companies to know how to protect themselves. As stated on the Action Fraud website, procurement fraud is a criminal offence and is regarded as “any frau relating to a company purchasing goods, services or commissioning construction projects from third parties”. The fraud can occur at any point during the procurement and contract management processes, including price fixing, market sharing and bid rigging. Procurement fraud could cost a construction business millions of pounds and damage its reputation; therefore Edward has created a list of eleven preventative actions: As part of the risk management process, acknowledge that fraud and corruption is a business risk, include it in the corporate risk register, assess the likelihood of risk occurring, have it on the board meeting agenda and establish an operational strategy to minimise such risk. Increase the awareness of all members of staff and the supply chain in counter-fraud and anti-bribery and make sure they are aware of the consequences at corporate and personal levels. Have clear conflict of interest, anti-bribery and confidentiality internal policies and get all involved in the procurement to sign a statement that they will comply with them. Ensure that the internal policies and processes are transparent to enable you to detect and investigate any suspected fraud and bribery. Ensure that procurement procedures are in line with best practice. Exclude suppliers on the grounds of mandatory and discretionary exclusions in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Do not let one person make the decision because it is much harder to bribe a team of three. Include a covenant provision in employment contracts to prevent employees using the knowledge they have if they move to a possible supplier or client. Regularly audit, scrutinise and improve resilience of the internal fraud prevention process. Run an effective whistleblowing arrangement to encourage fraud and corruption reporting. If fraud and bribery is suspected, escalate it to the management level and take action immediately to secure evidential records against removal or alteration.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority has announced the delivery of a vital new road in Hartlepool. At a meeting of the Combined Authority Cabinet, members agreed to invest the cash into the £18 million scheme for Hartlepool’s Western Growth Corridor, which will provide an extra route into town and unlock land for housing development. The town’s Local Plan has set out the building of around 1,500 new homes, which is also leveraging at least £200 million in private sector investment into homes, infrastructure and facilities. “The new road, which is a key part of our Local Plan, will play a vital part in the continued growth and prosperity of the borough and unlock land for housing development. It will also substantially reduce traffic through Elwick and help to improve road safety,” said Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and Cabinet Member for the Combined Authority. Hartlepool currently has only two main rod routed in and out of the town for the A19. The new road proposals would create a bypass for the village of Elwick and deliver an upgrade to the current Elwick North junction to the A19, in order to give a third route into Hartlepool. The funding from the Authority is set to be delivered from 2019 to 2021 and it is joined by an investment of £9.65 million from Hartlepool Borough Council. The Combined Authority will also work alongside Homes England to secure a further £4.18 million funding to drive the scheme forward. “This funding shows we are fully committed to this new road, which will unlock new, good-quality, affordable homes and vitally, make getting around safer, quicker and easier for years to come,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “There’s huge change happening in Hartlepool where we’ve already invested £4 million for CCAD’s new campus and £5 million to revamp Church Street – but there’s so much more to do. The new bypass for Elwick is just another example of how we’re delivering for the people of Hartlepool.”
Integrated building solutions company J Tomlinson has solidified its growth across Yorkshire with the opening of a new support office in Wakefield and the creation of 60 new jobs. The expansion follows a number of significant contract wins and a surge in the number of new staff employed in the region by the contractor. As well as being appointed to deliver repairs and maintenance works by social landlord, emh homes, at the beginning of the year, J Tomlinson has also begun working in partnership with Home Group – one of the largest housing associations in the UK. The Nottingham-based company was appointed as repairs and maintenance contractor for Home Group’s Yorkshire region in April. The contract, which includes gas servicing, will see J Tomlinson working in partnership with Home Group to support the housing association’s continued commitment to ‘providing a quality repairs and maintenance service’ for its customers. The contract officially commenced on June 1st, with J Tomlinson working across a significant geographical coverage comprising over 5,000 properties stretching from Keighley, West Yorkshire, to Scarborough, East Yorkshire. To support the Yorkshire extension, the business has opened a new office in Wakefield, located off Junction 40 at Silkwood Park. It is the third office for J Tomlinson, which launched a West Midlands regional office in Canwell, near Sutton Coldfield, in 2016. Martin Ardron, operations director (pictured back right), commented: “J Tomlinson has a wide range of existing partnerships across Yorkshire, and – over the years – has opened a number of smaller depots to support the delivery of existing contracts. We are pleased to have inhabited a new base at Wakefield, which not only marks significant growth of the business, but also represents the beginning of what we hope to be an excellent relationship with Home Group and its Yorkshire-based residents.” During the contract mobilisation period, the company recruited 60 new staff from office-based Customer Liaison Officers (CLOs) to skilled tradespeople. One such employee is 25-year-old Adam Barker who joins the company as an Apprentice Electrician having recently started his fourth year of studying for an NVQ Level 3 diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment. Adam commented: “I’m looking forward to my time at J Tomlinson, I’ve been made to feel very welcome already. I feel that J Tomlinson will provide the support I need to finish my apprenticeship.” Margarita Morrison, director of maintenance at Home Group, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with J Tomlinson. This new appointment forms part of our commitment to continuously improving the quality of services for our customers when it comes to maintenance and repairs. We’re confident J Tomlinson will help us offer the best service possible.” Other Yorkshire-based clients of multi-service company J Tomlinson include North Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Housing Association and East Riding Council. J Tomlinson, which was founded in the 1950s, is based in Nottingham and works primarily across the West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire, increased its turnover from £74 million in 2016 to £87 million in 2017. It employs more than 400 people. It provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management, and works across all major sectors, including healthcare, social housing, student accommodation, commercial and industrial. For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk.
Automated transport and logistics technology could be adopted on a wide scale at UK airports in the future. A report commissioned by Aberdeen Standard Investment’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust) produced jointly by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy, ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International GmbH, explores the potential efficiency gains from automation across airport-related functions such as cargo-handling and logistics operations, as well as passenger transportation both to and within airports. This includes London’s Heathrow, which recently received the formal support of Parliament for its third runway plans. Nick Smith, AIPUT fund manager, said: “Autonomous technology promises enormous benefits to airports and the service companies that support them, transforming the way airports work and improving efficiency and safety, both for passengers and other airport users. At Gatwick, for example, 90 per cent of the airport’s airside vehicles are stationary at any one time, which is both hugely inefficient and demands a vast amount of space. A much smaller pool of electric-powered autonomous vehicles would drastically cut costs, free up land, reduce emissions, and improve safety. In Düsseldorf, a newly developed robotic car parking system has demonstrated a 60 per cent reduction in required parking space compared with human drivers. He added: “Airports and airport real estate providers need to be ready for the introduction of automated technology as soon as operational and safety regulations permit. AIPUT intends to stay ahead of the curve by embracing automation, working with our tenants and partners to build autonomous technology into our site masterplans; which we believe will adapt and future-proof our UK estate assets, ensuring that our clients’ buildings and facilities will be able to accommodate and benefit fully from the rapid development of autonomous technology.” Trials of a variety of autonomous technological applications have already taken place at several UK airports, says the report. The first trials of automated airside vehicles have been completed at Heathrow in collaboration with IAG Cargo and Oxbotica. Gatwick, meanwhile, recently became the first airport in the world to trial the use of autonomous vehicles to shuttle staff across the airfield, demonstrating that autonomous vehicles can operate safely in highly complex airfield environments. This winter in Norway an autonomous snowplough was tested at Fagernes Airport – a single machine was able to clear an area of 68 acres in an hour. Autonomous technology increases the precision with which snowploughs operate, improving safety during the removal of snow and while driving in formation and low visibility, says the study. The UK Government has signalled its support for the industry, with the announcement of £22.4 million of funding under the Industrial Strategy for off-road self-driving vehicles, which it believes will revolutionise productivity in a range of sectors, including mining, ports and airports. As in many other fields of technological development, airports provide the test bed for a plethora of different autonomous applications, say the researchers. AIPUT, which currently holds two million square feet of buildings at Heathrow, dedicated to supporting the airport’s freight and logistics service providers states that it will ensure “it is at the forefront of planning for and providing the cutting-edge facilities that greater automation will require”.
