Latest numbers from builders’ merchants indicates a rise in sales in the second quarter of 2016. Sales figures collated by GfK for the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) show sales April to June sales were up both on the previous quarter and on the same quarter of 2015. The second quarter
Britain’s low-carbon and renewable energy (LCRE) economy generated £46.2 billion in revenues and accounted for 1.3 per cent of all non-financial business activity in 2014, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The survey found that around 96,500 companies were involved in the
Squire & Partners, the architects behind Landmark Manchester (Landmark), a 180,000 sq ft office development, have revealed the key features being implemented in the Grade A, BREEAM Excellent building to ensure that it tops occupiers’ tick lists ahead of its Summer 2019 launch. Currently under construction in Manchester’s central business district
The Paris-based global real estate operator, Groupe IDEC, has bought a minority stake in Simons Group Ltd, it was announced today. The agreement reinforces the trading relationship between the two businesses and comes several months after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding, based on a “shared vision” of being able
Force drying specialist ForceDryA has conducted a new study that looked into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators, showing that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two
Yorkshire-based luxury house builder Duchy Homes has won the prestigious title of ‘Best Residential Developer of the Year 2018’ at the Yorkshire Residential Property Awards last week. Celebrated for their commitment to delivering ‘excellence as standard’ across all their exclusive new housing developments, Duchy Homes was confirmed as having “nailed
The Dulux Academy has been officially recognised as an outstanding provider of training by becoming a CiTB Approved Training Organisation (CiTB ATO). The endorsement is a result of the exceptional training provided by the Dulux Academy where courses designed to help decorators upskill, build their business and hone their design
Across New York City, high rise buildings, skyscrapers and unique statement designs are nothing new, but next year is to see a new venture taking place, that aims to redefine luxury high rise living. The latest in sky scraping buildings has been proposed through a superior luxury residential development in
Latest numbers from builders’ merchants indicates a rise in sales in the second quarter of 2016. Sales figures collated by GfK for the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) show sales April to June sales were up both on the previous quarter and on the same quarter of 2015. The second quarter report covers the three months leading up to the Brexit vote but despite reports of pre-referendum jitters, builders’ merchants’ turnover remained robust. Total merchant sales in Q2 were up by 6.2% on the same period last year with total ex-Vat sales of £1.44bn compared to £1.36bn in 2015. This was, however, assisted by two additional trading days in the 2016 quarter. Year-on-year sales growth was particularly strong in Ironmongery (+7.8%), Landscaping (+7.7%), Heavy Building Materials (6.5%) and Plumbing & Heating and Electrical (+6.4%). Five other categories grew more slowly but still exceeded the same period last year. Only the volatile category of Renewables and Water Saving saw sales fall. Quarter-on-quarter, total Q2 sales were 13.7% ahead of Q1, driven by Landscaping in its peak season (+58.1%) and Heavy Building Materials (+14.8%), the latter being the largest single category accounting for almost 45% of all builders merchant sales by value. The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) for Q2 2016 was 113.6, its highest level over the past four quarters. BMF managing director John Newcomb said: “Economic and political uncertainty in the run-up to the EU referendum was expected to cause a slow-down in the construction sector. However, sales data from the Builders Merchants Panel is telling a different, and far more positive, story. “That said, the BMBI report includes various macro indicators supplied by GfK including a dramatic post-Brexit 11 point drop in consumer confidence in July. But with the Bank of England reacting quickly on borrowing rates, and the continuing need for housing this may be no more than a blip. The pattern will become clearer in the autumn when we have the Q3 figures to hand, but in the meantime we remain confident that the market will continue to perform strongly.” This article was published on 24 Aug 2016 (last updated on 24 Aug 2016). Source link
Britain’s low-carbon and renewable energy (LCRE) economy generated £46.2 billion in revenues and accounted for 1.3 per cent of all non-financial business activity in 2014, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The survey found that around 96,500 companies were involved in the LCRE economy in 2015, employing 238,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. With a combined turnover of £21.9 billion, energy efficiency related activities were responsible for the largest share of economic output. The roughly 52,000 companies operating in this area provided 155,500 FTE jobs, more than half of the overall total. Low-carbon electricity also made a significant contribution, with approximately 27,000 firms generating revenues of £12.4 billion and employing around 40,500 FTE workers. The other areas covered – low-carbon heat, energy from waste and biomass, low-carbon services and low-emissions vehicles – all made far more modest contributions. The numbers are based on a survey sent out in 2015 to a sample of almost 42,000 businesses in the UK. Preliminary figures were published in December, which have now been finalised. Source: ONS The UK’s green economy was a net drag on the country’s balance of payments. It imported £5.9 billion of products and services but exported only £4.8 billion. Low-emissions vehicles made the largest contribution to exports, accounting for more than 60 per cent of the total. The figures showed that the LCRE economy in Scotland was proportionately larger than in the rest of Britain. It generated revenues of £5.6 billion, employed roughly 21,500 FTE workers and made up 2.4 per cent of all non-financial business activity in the country – almost twice the UK wide figure. The attractiveness of the UK as a destination for investment in renewables is in decline according to a recent report by accountancy firm EY. Source link
Squire & Partners, the architects behind Landmark Manchester (Landmark), a 180,000 sq ft office development, have revealed the key features being implemented in the Grade A, BREEAM Excellent building to ensure that it tops occupiers’ tick lists ahead of its Summer 2019 launch. Currently under construction in Manchester’s central business district at St Peter’s Square, Landmark aims to deliver a world-class professional environment to its occupiers. Barings Real Estate along with development manager Castlebrooke Investments, enlisted award-winning architects Squire & Partners to bring the pivotal scheme to life. Meeting the BREEAM Excellent, Grade A, EPC ‘A’ target rating criteria was a natural start and the Platinum WiredScore accreditation and spectrum of connectivity management features that have followed on will ensure that all potential occupiers can move in and start work immediately with ease. “The overall design and finishes at Landmark are about so much more than just meeting set criteria. The double height reception, with approximately 90 ft glazed frontage onto Oxford Street, was influenced by the previous art deco cinema which sat on the site. The double height interior is treated as a contemporary interpretation of the cinema lobbies of the period, emphasising a sense of theatre and drama upon arrival. The whole building is being constructed with an offset core to enable virtually column-free office space across approximately 14,000 sq ft floor plates, unlike any other in the city centre. The offset core will deliver maximum flexibility for occupiers the majority of which will benefit from uninterrupted views towards the south of the city,” explained Murray Levinson, Partner at Squire and Partners. Barings’ Landmark team includes Castlebrooke Investments as development manager, award-winning architects Squire & Partners, acclaimed lead contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, Gardiner and Theobald as project manager and leasing agents CBRE and Colliers International. The Barings Real Estate team offers a broad range of investment opportunities globally across the public and private debt and equity markets. The team invests across all major property sectors with a focus on global relative value and trend-backed preferred strategies.
The Paris-based global real estate operator, Groupe IDEC, has bought a minority stake in Simons Group Ltd, it was announced today. The agreement reinforces the trading relationship between the two businesses and comes several months after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding, based on a “shared vision” of being able to reach customers in the UK and internationally with their combined strengths and capabilities. Signing the deal in Paris with Simons’ Chairman Paul Hodgkinson and Deputy Chairman, Philip Hodgkinson, Groupe IDEC said the move underlined its commitment to international expansion, with the partnership enabling both Groups to capitalize on their respective strengths and expertise to target new business opportunities. Simons Group Chairman Paul Hodgkinson said the move was a reflection of the growing and important relationship with Groupe IDEC. “We are delighted to welcome this dynamic European business as a Simons shareholder,” he said. “We are looking forward to increasing our opportunities and workload through working together on projects and expanding our reach into the international markets.” Established in 2000, Groupe IDEC builds three / five million square feet of real estate each year for international corporate and commercial customers, two thirds of whom are in the logistics sector. Tom Robinson, Simons’ Chief Executive, said: “European and international coverage as well as combined resources, shared best practice and solutions can only be of benefit to customers and strengthen our commercial proposition. It’s an exciting step for both businesses.” For further information, contact Lisa Evans, Head of Communications and Marketing, email: lisa_evans@simonsgroup.com, t: 07789 942721
Force drying specialist ForceDryA has conducted a new study that looked into the installation costs of underfloor heating versus traditional radiators, showing that the underfloor heating option is far more economical than is generally perceived. The study was based on data from leading contractors for installations in a one, two and three bedroom property. Three specifications were included: traditional radiators and 75mm sand & cement screed, traditional radiators with a 50mm flowing screed, and a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating. The findings showed that, for an 80m2 dwelling, installation costs for the sand and cement approach range from £3,003.72 to £3,483.10; for a 50mm flowing screed with radiators costs start at £3,163.72 to £3,563.10 and for a 50mm flowing screed with underfloor heating costs range from £3,464.63 and £4,082.30. The costs for the underfloor heating approach also includes force drying, which facilitates fast, safe drying of liquid screed floors. This approach reduces drying time typically from around 90 days to as little as 28 days, representing a significant time saving and additional cost saving in the construction process. “There is a perception that underfloor heating is expensive and only practical in commercial terms for installation in higher end properties. However, our study shows that the underfloor heating method is only marginally more expensive to install than radiators, but when combined with force drying with the considerable cost benefits of the time saved factored in, the overall costs could actually be less. This means underfloor heating with a flowing screed can be a viable solution for all kinds of housing, including social and affordable,” said Ross Verity, managing director of ForceDry. Verity also points to the environmental benefits of using liquid gypsum screed flooring, which comprise 98% recycled waste material, require less energy to produce and, because it is thinner, uses less material. These factors result in a carbon footprint over 70% lower than that of sand and cement screeds. “This approach is economical to install, environmentally friendly and performs very efficiently. It can save developers and property owners time and money during build and allows them to offer a superior product specification. Homeowners and tenants then benefit from the comfort, economy and low maintenance this kind of system offers,” he concluded.
Yorkshire-based luxury house builder Duchy Homes has won the prestigious title of ‘Best Residential Developer of the Year 2018’ at the Yorkshire Residential Property Awards last week. Celebrated for their commitment to delivering ‘excellence as standard’ across all their exclusive new housing developments, Duchy Homes was confirmed as having “nailed it” by the event organiser Variety, the Children’s Charity, at the black-tie awards ceremony on Thursday 11th October 2018. As well as Duchy Homes’ consistently high standards in building craftsmanship, including its insistence in premium interior specifications, a superb customer care ethos and strong home buying support services, the house builder has significantly invested in the customer experience over the last 12 months with new tools such as an enhanced website, personalised Handover Manuals, and an online portal to guide clients from the point of reservation through to aftercare – all of which is testimony to Duchy Homes being deserving of the title ‘Best Residential Developer’. The annual property event, held at Bowcliffe Hall with Gethin Jones as guest presenter, proved that the region’s property industry is rich in talent, innovation and expertise. The best in the business were rewarded and the awards evening also helped Variety, the children’s charity, raise funds for its work with disabled and disadvantaged children in Yorkshire. Jim Cropper, Managing Director of Duchy Homes’ Yorkshire Division, comments: “We are very proud to have won this award! When we established Duchy Homes just seven years ago, everyone in the company agreed that we would only ever build high-quality houses in great locations and it’s fantastic to be celebrated at these awards for having achieved this and being recognised as the best! It really reflects our attention-to-detail and the value we place in our customers’ satisfaction, and it’s a great reward for the hard work and dedication everyone at Duchy Homes delivers.” Duchy Homes has already provided high-quality homes to some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful settings, from idyllic market towns and quaint villages such as Penistone, Sprotbrough, Chesterfield and Braithwell, to locations rich in history and prestige such as Wetherby. Continuing to build homes of which buyers and the local communities can be proud, Duchy Homes’ current Yorkshire developments can be visited at Swanland and Ranskill, plus more prestigious schemes are coming soon across Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cheshire, Lancashire and Warwickshire. For more information about Duchy Homes and its developments, visit www.duchyhomes.co.uk
The Dulux Academy has been officially recognised as an outstanding provider of training by becoming a CiTB Approved Training Organisation (CiTB ATO). The endorsement is a result of the exceptional training provided by the Dulux Academy where courses designed to help decorators upskill, build their business and hone their design knowledge are continuously delivered to defined and industry-agreed standards. Now approved courses – which include spray (Introduction, Advanced HVLP, Advanced Airless), craft skills (Gilding, Marbling, Graining) and wallpapering (spanning five courses from Digital Murals and Feature Walls, to Relief Papers) – will carry the coveted CiTB endorsement. This new status will also allow the Dulux Academy to pass on financial benefits to attendees. All attendees, who are registered with the CiTB and meet the general grants scheme eligibility requirements, will be part of the CiTB’s automated grant payments system. Short course grants are also available for all directly employed Pay As You Earn (PAYE) staff and all sub contractors, with between £30 and £70 available per individual. “Becoming a CiTB Approved Training Organisation is a key milestone in our ambition to develop skills across the decorating industry. Setting ourselves up provides instant benefit for our customers who are CiTB contributors and confirms our reputation for delivering quality training meeting the needs of the construction industry,” said Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy Manager. When enrolling on a course via www.duluxacademy.co.uk simply register your CITB registration number and the names of who you wish to claim for and Dulux Academy will manage the reimbursement. Launched in March 2016, Dulux Academy is the UK’s first dedicated academy for professionals in the domestic and commercial decoration industry. It offers a range of courses designed to help decorators develop their skills and expertise, putting them in the best position to set themselves apart from their competition and provide peerless – and in demand – services to their customers. To date, more than 4,500 individuals have trained with the Dulux Academy across their numerous UK locations.
Across New York City, high rise buildings, skyscrapers and unique statement designs are nothing new, but next year is to see a new venture taking place, that aims to redefine luxury high rise living. The latest in sky scraping buildings has been proposed through a superior luxury residential development in Midtown, Manhattan, NYC. Sporting 179 high end units and standing at a whopping 1,550ft tall, the new Central Park Tower will be the second huge scale project to come from the Extell Development Company taking place on 57th Street. This will be the tallest apartment building in the city so far, and with asking prices hitting the $100 million mark per unit, it could very well be the most expensive too. A decade of planning with some of the world’s most talented architects, in collaboration with renowned engineers and designers, has formed the new structure. Alongside housing, the tower will offer 50,000 sq ft of amenity spaces, that include an indoor pool and club lounge on the 100th floor. The ground floor will be home to a 320,00 sq ft department store already bought by Nordstrom. The marketing group at Extell Development expect the first residents to move in late 2019 and are hoping that the building will house a whopping 8 bedroom unit over 17,500 sq ft that will carry a hefty nine digit price tag. Extell Development are co-developing the new tower in collaboration with affiliates of China’s Shanghai Municipal Investment Group, SMI USA, and aim to introduce a level of design never seen before. With the luxury apartments not standing cheap, the development comes at a similar time to JDS’s latest venture, who aim to open 46 new units, also on 57th Street, with prices ranging from $18 million – £57 million.
