G F Tomlinson has been successfully selected as an approved partner for the NHS Shared Business Services PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which launched on 17 December 2020. The framework will provide a compliant procurement route to market for all NHS and wider public sector construction works requirements across
Isio, one of the country’s leading independent pensions advisory firms, has signed a lease for 9,183 sq ft of offices at Royal London’s 3 Hardman Square office building in Spinningfields, Manchester. CBRE and Colliers International represented Royal London and Cushman & Wakefield acted for Isio. Isio was formed following the
Berkeley is aiming to build one of the most biodiverse developments in the UK by transforming an industrial site into a 3,750-home development with over 13 acres of new green space Located in the London Borough of Ealing, it has fantastic transport connections and will benefit from the arrival of
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App.
East Midlands based fire and security installation and maintenance company Tecserv UK has revealed it is optimistic of achieving its year-end targets having secured a forward order book of over £1m heading into 2021. The company, which is privately owned, was founded in January 2001 and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The winter holidays always carry a symbolic meaning of family, togetherness, and helping each other. People go back to visit their hometowns and spend time with their loved ones. It is the time we look forward to and gladly reminisce after many years. However, many of us don’t have that
A new look has been unveiled for a Newcastle former office block as scaffolding is removed by Kapex Construction. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Construction work is three months ahead of schedule and
O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has taken delivery of the very first C50R-5A tracked carrier sold in the UK. Retailed through Taylor & Braithwaite, Yanmar’s official dealer for Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham (including Tyneside and Teesside), the new model will be used for a wide range of earthmoving applications. Added to
Specialist building solutions firm increases spend by 80% in the past 12 months A Northern Ireland based producer of high-value specialist building products is increasing its investment in Research and Development as part of a business development strategy throughout the UK and Ireland. Fivemiletown headquartered, AG (formerly Acheson + Glover)
Construction companies can now benefit from a ‘UK first’ innovation which allows three-metre aluminium flagpoles to be installed onto standard shipping containers used as site offices and stores. The new container flagpoles system enables contractors to make building sites highly visible to visitors and passers-by as soon as work starts
G F Tomlinson has been successfully selected as an approved partner for the NHS Shared Business Services PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which launched on 17 December 2020. The framework will provide a compliant procurement route to market for all NHS and wider public sector construction works requirements across the UK, and G F Tomlinson has been appointed to deliver projects up to the value of £5million across the East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire regions. Bidding for the framework, which lines up trusted construction partners for the next seven years, started in February 2020, with 82 UK contractors vying for limited places of up to 10 for each regional lot. 41 contractors in total have been selected to work on projects up to the value of £5million across the UK including G F Tomlinson, and projects to be delivered will include healthcare, education, housing, social care, leisure, libraries, blue light, transport, recycling and waste, industrial and commercial facilities, as well as mixed use regeneration projects. As part of the complex bidding process, G F Tomlinson was required to prove innovation and sustainability in its delivery, as well as consistency of engagement with stakeholders. Following its successful appointment to the framework, the contractor must embrace and commit to eight core framework objectives when delivering projects, which include: value for money, collaboration, approved organisation satisfaction, quality, sustainable procurement, social value, modern methods of construction and an integrated supply chain. Additionally, contractors must provide the NHS and wider public sector authorities with pre-approved supply chains with suitable levels of training, experience and compliance for master planning, integrated design and construction works. Providing social value to local communities is a key framework driver, which includes the use of local supply chains to focus on SME impacts and sustainable local outputs, whilst being actively managed to ensure efficiencies and innovation are being delivered. G F Tomlinson has a strong focus on social value, and its policy and processes focus on four key investment areas including: 1. Employment, training and skills 2. Sustainable procurement 3. Environmental protection and enhancement and 4. Community support. In the last three years, the contractor has generated £22.5million of social value, investing £1million in terms of corporate time, expertise and funding to local community projects and charities. 59% of local labour is sourced within a 20-mile radius of recent projects and 89% within 40 miles of sites. The contractor also diverts 97% of all waste from its projects away from landfill. Chris Flint, director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are very pleased to have been appointed to this major NHS Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which is streamlining the procurement route to market of all NHS and wider public sector construction work requirements across the country. We look forward to delivering significant healthcare and public sector projects for the next seven years. “G F Tomlinson has already delivered in excess of £640million projects through public sector frameworks to date and as a hardworking and tenacious team, we fully embrace the opportunities this provides in extending our reach across the UK, leaving a positive legacy in the regions in which we operate. “With our experienced management team, commitment to high-quality project delivery, collaborative working, together with the provision of social, economic, environmental and sustainable benefits for local communities, we are ideally positioned to deliver projects up to the value of £5million, as part of this NHS Framework.”
Isio, one of the country’s leading independent pensions advisory firms, has signed a lease for 9,183 sq ft of offices at Royal London’s 3 Hardman Square office building in Spinningfields, Manchester. CBRE and Colliers International represented Royal London and Cushman & Wakefield acted for Isio. Isio was formed following the sale of KPMG UK’s Pension Practice to a private equity firm in March 2020 and the firm has around 500 staff working from eight regional offices. At 3 Hardman Square, Isio will occupy part of the fourth floor. Royal London has undertaken a comprehensive investment programme at 3 Hardman Square to upgrade the ground floor reception area with the addition of a two-tiered business lounge, providing occupants of the building with informal meeting space and coffee making facilities. In addition, an impressive shower and cycle hub has been provided in the basement, which incorporates cycle racks, a drying room, lockers and shower facilities. Isio will join existing tenants the General Medical Council (GMC) and In-Touch Networks who occupy the 8th and 3rd floors respectively at 3 Hardman Square. Neil Mort, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester, commented; “Royal London’s investment into 3 Hardman Square has attracted yet another high-profile organisation to the refurbished building. To have concluded this deal during lockdown is a great result and we are confident that this will be an excellent base for Isio’s Manchester team.”
Berkeley is aiming to build one of the most biodiverse developments in the UK by transforming an industrial site into a 3,750-home development with over 13 acres of new green space Located in the London Borough of Ealing, it has fantastic transport connections and will benefit from the arrival of Crossrail to Southall Station Parkside is the first of four neighbourhoods to launch for sales, starting from £297,500 for a studio, with Help to Buy available Berkeley West Thames has officially launched its first homes for sale at The Green Quarter, a significant new development in west London aiming to be one of the most biodiverse in the UK. The 3,750-home scheme combines modern city life and outdoor living, with nearly 50 per cent of the 88-acre site comprising open green space and close to two-thirds of the homes overlooking water or green areas. Located in the London Borough of Ealing between Southall and Hayes, The Green Quarter benefits from excellent connectivity with the arrival of Crossrail at Southall Station, which is opposite the development, providing direct services to Bond Street in 17 minutes, Canary Wharf in 31 minutes and Heathrow in just 8 minutes. The Green Quarter has nature at its heart. Once complete, it will provide access to more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined. This includes over 13 acres of parkland across two new parks – Central Gardens, part of which will be open to the local community in the coming months, and an 8-acre wetlands being delivered in partnership with biodiversity experts London Wildlife Trust. Berkeley is also creating a series of footbridges to open up the neighbouring 90-acre Minet Country Park, enabling easy access for the whole community, while 1.2km of towpath along the Grand Union Canal has been reinstated to create a more attractive and enjoyable pedestrian and cycle route. A new town square will welcome people to The Green Quarter and lead directly to a new commercial neighbourhood, which will provide a mix of day-to-day amenities for the whole community to enjoy. As part of the development a brand-new primary school will be built, adding to the area’s strong educational facilities, which includes OFSTED Outstanding rated primary and secondary schools, such as Beaconsfield High School and Dormer Wells High School. World-renowned universities, including Royal Holloway University and Brunel University, are also within close proximity. So far, over 300 homes have been delivered at The Green Quarter, all of which are affordable, and have been offered to existing Ealing residents under either affordable rent or shared ownership. Ashley Kensington, Managing Director at Berkeley West Thames, said: “The Green Quarter is a scheme that is remarkable by nature, a place that encourages healthy living while providing easy access to central London and beyond. It is one of the most ambitious regeneration schemes Berkeley has undertaken, transforming a redundant industrial site into potentially the most biodiverse development in the UK. “The sales launch is a significant milestone and we’re excited to showcase a product which we’re extremely proud of. With two new parks, a wetlands and new access to the neighbouring 90-acre Minet Country Park, The Green Quarter is perfect for those wanting local green space – at a time when this has never been more important to buyers.” First new homes available in Parkside The first homes available for sale are in the Parkside neighbourhood. Looking out over the new park, Central Gardens, Parkside offers stunning views across landscaped grounds, trickling waterways and areas for recreational activity. Surrounded by the first of up to 2,500 trees to be planted at the development, Parkside smoothly combines modern life with the natural world. Each building benefits from podium gardens with residents also set to have access to a swimming pool, gym, co-working space, screening room, concierge and cycle store and hire. Parkside includes suites, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, all of which have been designed for practical living, with smart heating systems and expansive French windows that open out onto a private balcony. Residents will be given the chance to personalise their home with options for carpets, timber floors and overall style palettes (subject to stage of construction). Homes at Parkside can be purchased in Arber, Edwin, Sibley and Watson house, named after local historical figures who inspired the design of the buildings. The new homes will be available to move into from February 2021. Prices and contact details The Green Quarter will include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Prices start from £297,500 for a studio, £370,000 for a one-bed, £487,500 for a two-bed and £642,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. The new Help to Buy is available on selected properties. While social distancing restrictions remain in place, visits to the new Sales & Marketing Suite and Show apartments are available by appointment only. We continue to offer phone calls, video calls and where possible, virtual tours of our homes. Appointments are available daily from 10 am to 6 pm (10 am to 8 pm Thursday); call 020 4502 3995 or head to The Green Quarter website to book an appointment. The Sales & Marketing Suite is located on Randolph Road, UB1 1BL, a short walk from Southall station.
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App. The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as Blue Monday because it is supposedly the saddest day of the year due to the impact of post-Christmas blues, poor weather and stretched finances. With latest HSE figures showing mental health issues at work are on the rise and coronavirus exacerbating the issue, Blue Monday 18th January 2021, has the potential to be a particular low point. CHAS is using the day to raise awareness of the availability of free resources to help construction businesses and workers take positive action around the awareness of and management of mental health. The Lighthouse Club, which provides mental, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community, has several free resources including a free helpline, free training programmes and a free app, described as the ultimate self-help tool in the palm of your hand. CHAS has pledged an annual donation through the Lighthouse Club’s Company Supporter programme for several years and donates £1 for every satisfaction survey that a contractor completes. In addition, in 2021 CHAS will be highlighting the Lighthouse Club to its 30,000 contractors and 2,000 clients in every monthly newsletter and on the My Contractor Portal as a reminder that the charity is there whenever construction workers need them. Sarah Still, Marketing Communications Manager at CHAS comments: “The work of the Lighthouse Club is so important and like so many other charities at a time when their work is needed funding is squeezed. We have supported them for several years, during which time their work has touched many people’s lives and helped numerous construction workers and their families. “When we heard that they had lost £750,000 in 2020 due to the cancellation of all its events and organisations being unable to hold planned ‘Lighthouse Days’ we wanted to help ensure they could keep shining their light brightly even in these difficult times. In 2021 we will continue our financial support for the Lighthouse Club and we have also pledged to help them raise awareness of the essential work they do and the resources they provide.” Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with CHAS to ensure that their members can access all the support they need and deserve, whether that’s support with mental, physical or financial wellbeing. As well as helping us spread the word they are also one of our valued Company Supporters who pledge an annual donation to ensure that we have predictable and sustainable income going forward. Thank you so much to everyone at CHAS for making sure that we achieve our mission of ensuring that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis.” Find out more about the Lighthouse Club at: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/ For more information on improving mental health in the workplace, see: https://www.chas.co.uk/blog/six-steps-to-improve-mental-well-being-in-the-workplace/
East Midlands based fire and security installation and maintenance company Tecserv UK has revealed it is optimistic of achieving its year-end targets having secured a forward order book of over £1m heading into 2021. The company, which is privately owned, was founded in January 2001 and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. It believes it has managed to stay on track due to a consultative approach towards helping office and school building facilities managers, retailers, hotel owners and restaurant operators to fully understand their legal and compliance obligations in regard to fire safety whilst adhering to covid-19 restrictions. The new projects that company has won include Akeley Wood School in Buckinghamshire and several London based hotel and restaurants fire alarm system upgrades. The company has also been appointed to install fire and security systems into temporary buildings that have been erected in order to expand capacity at schools and health centres in order to ensure the requirement for social distancing measures can be accommodated. The £1m pipeline of new projects includes system installation and maintenance contracts for several retail outlets, more schools and a number of new build installations comprising fire, security, CCTV and access control systems. Commenting, Grahame Tilley, Chief Operating Officer, who was one of the founding directors said, “As soon as Government announcements were made in March 2020 we got on the front foot and started to advise our customers on how to maintain their fire and security systems, particularly in buildings that might not be occupied for some time. As a result of these discussions, many customers decided to use the building closure as the ideal opportunity to carry out upgrades to existing systems. This was a reaction we did not anticipate, but we are extremely grateful for this additional work as it is one of the reasons we were able to keep our team of service engineers operating at full strength.” Sales & Marketing Director Colin Milligan added, “Our company is built on care, dedication and a passion for delivering honest advice, great results and excellent customer service. The entire team has pulled together to help to ensure we reached this important milestone anniversary and can be optimistic about our future.” Tecserv UK is based in Underwood, Nottingham and employs 50 people including a team of field bases service engineers who work 24/7 on a UK wide basis 365 days a year. As well as maintaining fire and security systems for schools and businesses of all sizes, some of the more prestigious and high profile buildings Tecserv projects include, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Harvey Nichols stores, M&S Foodhalls, The Bvlgari and Ritz Hotels, Pinewood Studios and many National Trust Heritage sites.
The winter holidays always carry a symbolic meaning of family, togetherness, and helping each other. People go back to visit their hometowns and spend time with their loved ones. It is the time we look forward to and gladly reminisce after many years. However, many of us don’t have that luxury. Many are either unable to leave home due to medical issues or have no family members. As much as we want to spend our time with our families, what better time to give back than for the holidays? What Is A Caregiver? If an elderly person is having medical difficulties, both mental or physical, they need assistance with daily tasks. A senior may be unable to walk, has trouble with dementia, or just needs company from time to time, so they don’t feel alone. There are many complex circumstances that make them feel left out and sometimes even afraid. A person who would take care of them part-time or would be fully devoted to them can be two different types of caregivers – a paid professional and a volunteer. Volunteering as a caregiver is not the same as taking this obligation as a professional. Certified professionals are already in the know with all their tasks and various approaches to work. A volunteer, on the other hand, is just that – someone who wants to help someone physically and emotionally but has no educational background. Responsibilities Of A Volunteer Caregiver Having certain skills is very much welcome especially when they need daily assistance such as feeding, bathing, transportation, and others. If you want to be prepared as much as possible, do research and learn before deciding to take responsibility for an elderly person. They have to fully rely on you so consider proper training and certifications. If you plan on helping others in the long run, take up caregiving training such as certified nursing assistant (CNA). However, a legitimate certification in CPR and First Aid is a good start and makes a difference in emergencies. Training such as this one can be attended online, so you can be flexible with your time. Seniors who don’t have any medical issues also need our help. If they have no one to turn to for simple daily errands or for pure company, volunteers from their community take the role of a friend. Here the tasks would be running errands, walking, medication reminders, chatting, playing board games, and so on. Their mental health is equally important, so doing all these activities improves their cognitive function and their mood. Also, there are many cases where the elderly person became a significant part of a volunteer’s life. After some time spent together and sharing stories, caregivers consider them family and include them in important milestones. Benefits Of Volunteer Caregiving Firstly and most importantly, the main reason you should be volunteering is helping a senior in need. They will be thrilled to have you as a caregiver but also as a friend. On the other hand, there are a lot of advantages for the caregiver as well. You will develop social skills and increase your self-esteem which will work for you later, both in your private life and career. When you look after someone, you may realize you should be caring for yourself more and start prioritizing what is important to you. The amazing feeling of purpose shakes you up and shows you what life is all about – being good to yourself and helping others. We are caught up in the day-to-day tasks, work, school, and fast-paced life. The amount of stress nowadays is immeasurable and it takes a toll on our health. Working as a volunteer caregiver, you clock off from your problems and leave everything behind you, even just for an hour. You focus on the person you are taking care of and make sure your time together is well spent. Through different activities such as a simple walk and a conversation can significantly reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and bring your mind and body into a peaceful state. To Conclude If this is new to you and you want to contribute, start step by step. Go to your local volunteer community. They will introduce you to all the possibilities and how you should start. You’ll meet members who can tell you their background and how it has changed their lives. The experience will benefit both the volunteer and the senior person. With these programs, you’ll be able to help many elderly people this holiday season. The feeling of having someone to call whenever they need assistance or a chat makes them feel safe, welcomed, and important. It is good to know someone thinks you are a reliable, kind, and giving person.
A new look has been unveiled for a Newcastle former office block as scaffolding is removed by Kapex Construction. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Construction work is three months ahead of schedule and is due to complete in early 2021. Kapex Construction, part of Newcastle-based Morton Group, was appointed by Regent Centre owners Omnia Property Group to deliver its 2nd phase of its residential scheme, with Broadfield Project Management acting as client representative. Construction work started on the Eldon House development, which will create a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments over 8 floors, in March 2020. The extensive redevelopment project was originally due to complete in Spring 2021 but despite lockdown it is scheduled for completion in early 2021. Work on the scheme involves the complete removal of the existing façade, new cladding of the existing structure, along with thermal upgrades, a complete new MEP installation and internal fit out. It will be the second ‘office to residential’ conversion at the Regent Centre – the first being Northumbria House – and will be available to rent through Omnia Space. The area is known to be popular with students and employees based within the business park. Gary Morton, CEO of The Morton Group, said: “It’s fantastic to see the scaffolding come down on Eldon House and I hope people are pleased with the transformation so far. Work will continue on the development and we’re pleased to be able to deliver this office to residential development three months ahead of schedule. “Our track record in converting concrete frame office blocks into sleek, high quality living spaces is second to none, and we have drawn on our experience gained through the conversion of Eagle Star House into Regents Plaza apartments just 300 metres away.” Dave Lovatt, Commercial Director at Kapex Construction, said: “It’s exciting to see the progress starting to take shape at Eldon House, which will breathe new life into the 1970s office building and provide much needed housing in a highly sought after residential location. “In the past, Eldon House has been home to tenants such as Rolls Royce so it’s exciting to prepare the building for a fresh wave of tenants who will benefit from the close proximity to Gosforth High Street and bus and Metro transport links into Newcastle. It will be a thriving space tailored to modern, active lifestyles.”
O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has taken delivery of the very first C50R-5A tracked carrier sold in the UK. Retailed through Taylor & Braithwaite, Yanmar’s official dealer for Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham (including Tyneside and Teesside), the new model will be used for a wide range of earthmoving applications. Added to the Yanmar portfolio in 2020, the next-generation C50R-5A can transport up to 3,800kg (standard) and 3,500kg (turning vessel). With a total width of 2.2 meters, length of 4.54 meters and ability to turn 360 degrees on the spot in seven seconds, it sets the standards for performance and productivity. Featuring Yanmar’s Stage V-compliant 111hp (83.2kW) 4TNV94FHT direct-injection engine, the carrier delivers 410Nm of torque at 1700rpm. Fitted with a common rail system and full electronic engine control, power is delivered precisely when needed. Recently delivered to the O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd Penrith headquarters, the C50R-5A is already proving a valuable investment. Tom O’Malley, Director, commented: “With demand for groundworks high, continuing to expand our fleet with the latest and most innovative compact equipment is hugely important. “When we heard about Yanmar’s all-new Stage V-compliant C50R-5A tracked carrier, we knew it would be a valuable addition. The perfect partner for a six, eight or even thirteen-tonne excavator, its capacity, speed, power and capability guarantees maximum productivity. With carefully designed tracks and an innovative hydraulic tensioning system, it’s perfect for moving heavy loads without damaging the ground – an important feature considering most of our work is delivered in environmentally-sensitive areas. “With site safety paramount to our daily operations, having the option of turning the seat 180° (to further improve visibility when reversing) is also hugely valuable. This, alongside a steel grid protecting the operator’s side, ground-accessible service areas and full ROPS/FOPS certification, makes the C50R-5A a great addition to almost every job.” The C50R-5A is the fifth Yanmar model that Tom has purchased in the past 12 months, adding to the SV26, ViO17, C30 and C12 units he specified in 2020. He continued “We’ve used Yanmar machines for years and have always been hugely impressed with their performance, reliability and comfort. “The C50R-5A is no exception. It’s the perfect blend of Japanese style and build quality, supported with state-of-the-art operator technologies and unique design features. “We have a 2006 C50R-3 tracked carrier, which is still working flawlessly 14 years later, so we’re confident that the all-new C50R-5A will be another excellent purchase. What’s more, thanks to the support of Taylor & Braithwaite, we can be safe in the knowledge that our latest models are backed up by a knowledgeable and committed team.” Ian Burton, Director of Sales at Taylor & Braithwaite, added: “We’ve worked in close partnership with Tom and the team for a number of years, providing class-leading equipment to suit a wide range of applications. The C50R-5A is an excellent addition to Yanmar’s compact portfolio and we’re confident that it will deliver over and above expectations for O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd.” Established in 1968, O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has delivered plant hire, groundworks, civil engineering and haulage services across Cumbria, Dumfriesshire, Co Durham and Lancashire for more than 50 years. Undertaking an extensive range of contract work, including excavating, drainage, concreting, formwork, reinforcement, kerbing and paving, the company is renowned for its experience, enthusiasm and attention to detail. For more information about O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd, visit www.omalley-groundworks.co.uk. For more information about Taylor & Braithwaite, visit www.t-and-b.co.uk. For more information about Yanmar’s latest range of compact equipment, including the C50R-5A, visit https://www.yanmar.com/gb/construction/.
Specialist building solutions firm increases spend by 80% in the past 12 months A Northern Ireland based producer of high-value specialist building products is increasing its investment in Research and Development as part of a business development strategy throughout the UK and Ireland. Fivemiletown headquartered, AG (formerly Acheson + Glover) confirmed today that its spend on Research and Development had grown by 80% in the past 12 months. AG Chief Executive, Stephen Acheson, said he believed innovation and new product development were key sources of competitive advantage for the 60-year old firm. “From our earliest days AG has been synonymous with innovation and the pioneering of new technology within the concrete industry. Now, more than ever, we see this as being of crucial strategic importance as we seek to strengthen partnerships across our customer base in the creation of walling, paving and facing brick solutions that truly add value for clients across the UK and Ireland. “Innovation is one of our core company values and within the past 12 months we’ve had great success from several new product launches including our Long Stone paving and Woodward facing brick solutions, both of which have already established themselves as amongst our best sellers. We have also received UK-wide recognition for our Anchor® Vertica® Machine Install Segmental Retaining Wall system which has won a number of prestigious awards for both innovation and health and safety.” As part of AG’s drive towards best-in-class innovation it has established a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Queens University Belfast. This has included the provision of a new Associate Engineer, Catherine Campbell, who is supported by a team of academics. As part of the increased focus on Research and Development AG has recently invested more than £0.5m in a new processing line at its Toome facility to produce surface protected flagstones. Stephen Acheson said that the factory-sealing process will improve its flagstones in number of ways. “The factory-sealing means our products will be of a higher quality and they will be easier to maintain once installed. This innovation, coupled with the plans we have for this year and beyond, will further reinforce our products as being amongst the best in Europe from both an aesthetic and performance perspective. “We expect 2021 to be a big year for us in terms of product development, with a number of significant enhancements and additions being made to our portfolio of walling, paving and brick solutions that have been created to make construction better, faster and safer.”
Construction companies can now benefit from a ‘UK first’ innovation which allows three-metre aluminium flagpoles to be installed onto standard shipping containers used as site offices and stores. The new container flagpoles system enables contractors to make building sites highly visible to visitors and passers-by as soon as work starts and before main site branding is installed. The innovation has been launched by Harrison Flagpoles, which is the UK’s only independent manufacturer of glassfibre, aluminium and stainless-steel flagpoles. Featuring a proprietary ‘twist and lock’ mechanism, the company believes it is the first manufacturer in the UK to design, build and launch a shipping container flagpole system. National housebuilder Redrow was the first company to benefit from the innovation and is initially using the container flagpoles for both branding and wayfinding at a number of sites in England’s southern and eastern regions. Harrison Flagpoles sales and marketing director, Anthony Leonard, commented: “Our container flagpole system enables construction companies to become highly visible as soon as work starts on site. As far as we are aware, we have achieved a UK first by being the only company in the country to design, build and launch this type of flagpole innovation. “Once a site is up and running, our container flagpoles can also be used as wayfinders to various locations on site such as first aid stations or security. We are able to provide clients with an integrated service from supply to installation and service, whilst also providing custom designed, branded and manufactured flags for the containers.” According to the company, the aluminium container flagpoles are easily installed and a one metre swivel arm top with a white mushroom finial means flags remain seen even if there is no wind. Founded in 1987, Harrison Flagpoles operates nationally and internationally from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The company serves the construction, housebuilder, automotive, retail, hospitality, leisure and public sectors. For more information visit www.flagpoles.co.uk
