February 17, 2021
Partnership to Create New 'Future of Living'

Partnership to Create New ‘Future of Living’

MyGlobalHome, a collective of experts shaping the future of living, is pleased to formally announce its partnership with open automation company, Beckhoff, as it prepares to unveil its latest innovation in the smart home sector. The partnership, formed in early 2020, has been funded by UK Research and Innovation through

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Winners of Camden Highline Project Announced

Winners of Camden Highline Project Announced

The design of Camden Highline, the UK’s latest green infrastructure project, has been awarded to a team led by James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind South Park at Q.E. Olympic Park and New York High Line, in collaboration with vPPR Architects, following a two-stage international competition. They will now work

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6 Qualities of a Good Roofing Company

Every homeowner requires a trustworthy roofer whom they can count on when they need roof repairs. Finding the best roofing expert can be challenging if it’s the first time you are hiring. Roof replacement isn’t a frequent activity, and thus many companies do not care about offering quality services. Therefore,

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Garden buildings and the Party Wall Act

The Party Wall Act 1996 governs building work that affects a shared wall, boundary or structure between adjoining properties. It sets out the specific process that must be followed to protect the interests of both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners. The Act typically applies to loft conversions, basement excavations, building

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Tips To Choose The Correct Pallet Rack For A Warehouse

New businesses are springing up as people are finding ways to earn money. The increase in eCommerce, warehousing as well as the logistics industry can be seen. There are many warehouses present in some countries which try and meet the requirements of online retailers as well as consumers. It is

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

February 17, 2021

Partnership to Create New 'Future of Living'

Partnership to Create New ‘Future of Living’

MyGlobalHome, a collective of experts shaping the future of living, is pleased to formally announce its partnership with open automation company, Beckhoff, as it prepares to unveil its latest innovation in the smart home sector. The partnership, formed in early 2020, has been funded by UK Research and Innovation through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and is fully aligned with the governmental pledge for carbon neutrality by 2050. Beckhoff brings precision engineering and a wealth of automation experience to the project, perfectly complementing MyGlobalHome’s deep understanding of user experience within the home and enabling a fresh new approach to smart home design, deployment and development. “Beckhoff is incredibly well-established in the world of open automation, having built up a reputation for delivering robust hardware and processes for brands like BMW who are themselves recognised for precision engineering by consumers. In short, they were the natural choice of partner for MyGlobalHome and it has been a pleasure working alongside them to re-imagine the future of living,” said Lee McCormack, CEO, MyGlobalHome. As a result, MyGlobalHome has been able to create a suite of smart home products which are able to respond seamlessly to residents’ needs as they evolve, whilst maintaining the reliability and quality of industrial automation hardware which Beckhoff is renowned for. This responsiveness encourages greater energy and space efficiency in line with users’ needs, thereby acting as a positive step towards more sustainable homes. “MyGlobalHome’s vision for accommodation that can dynamically adapt to the user’s requirements, incorporate new and emerging technologies, remain easy to deploy and maintain at large scale and offer up the same reliability and security demanded by the industrial world perfectly matches Beckhoff’s ethos of a single control platform that can only be realised with open PC-based technology,” added Karl Walker, Market Development Manager at Beckhoff. Sam Stacey, Challenge Director, Transforming Construction, Innovate UK, also commented: “UK homes account for up to 15% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, so it’s vitally important we financially support projects which are taking meaningful steps towards a future of sustainable living. The partnership between MyGlobalHome and Beckhoff is one such project, and we believe that their development of sustainable smart home solutions will play a key role in bringing this future to life.”

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Winners of Camden Highline Project Announced

Winners of Camden Highline Project Announced

The design of Camden Highline, the UK’s latest green infrastructure project, has been awarded to a team led by James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind South Park at Q.E. Olympic Park and New York High Line, in collaboration with vPPR Architects, following a two-stage international competition. They will now work with the local community to reimagine a three-quarter mile of disused railway viaduct as a new walking route, park and open space for community activity. Grassroots charity, Camden Highline, has announced a winner following their five-month search for the design team who will deliver London’s new elevated park, linking Camden Town to King’s Cross. The highly sought-after prize saw a distinguished jury deliberate 76 entries and 5 shortlists before allocating the successful bid to James Corner Field Operations. First stages will see the winning design team consult with the local community and key stakeholders to create an inclusive design plan for the ambitious new walkway and advance it through the planning process. Camden Highline will be a positive example of London’s post-Covid recovery, connecting neighbourhoods, increasing local access to green space, and enticing national and international tourists back to the capital. It will build community pride and sense of place, providing much-needed greenery and opportunities for cultural programming. “Camden Highline has the potential to become a really important new asset for the local community in Camden and people across the capital. This is exactly the sort of innovative, environmentally sustainable and locally-driven project which could make an important contribution to London’s recovery from the pandemic. I really look forward to seeing these ambitious plans take shape,” commented Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The competition winners have brought together an alliance of applied and creative specialists, including Kentish Town-based vPPR Architects, London artist Hew Locke, community consultation organisation Street Space and Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, among others. This multidisciplinary team incudes newly emerging local talent and internationally experienced firms, working together to design the Camden Highline as a considered resident amenity and ground-breaking visitor’s destination.

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6 Qualities of a Good Roofing Company

Every homeowner requires a trustworthy roofer whom they can count on when they need roof repairs. Finding the best roofing expert can be challenging if it’s the first time you are hiring. Roof replacement isn’t a frequent activity, and thus many companies do not care about offering quality services. Therefore, a homeowner should be careful while settling for a roofing contractor. Services from a good roofing company will give you peace of mind and help you save money on constant repairs. Check the following qualities of a good roofing company. Use of Quality Materials A good roofing company will ensure the client uses the best quality materials when roofing. Many companies are after money and not the client’s interest. Cheap is expensive, and if the roofing materials are substandard, the homeowner will be at a loss. Good Communication Skills A homeowner should know the progress of the roofing project. Therefore, a reputable contractor should be transparent and honest. They should also be available to answer questions at any time with relevant facts. A good company should also have a website where you can reach them when not at the site. Check how they respond to other clients and their reviews. Do they have positive or negative reviews on customer service? From there, you will be able to gauge them. Local Referrals Hiring a local company comes with lots of benefits. First, the company is well known in your area and so is its reputation. The company is also aware of the area’s weather conditions, so they are best in advising you of the right roofing materials. In addition to that, a local company will be easy to follow in case something comes up. On the contrary, a far company may not always respond to problems quickly. Lastly, a good company that offers services for roofing Edmonton has a reputation to maintain, and therefore, quality roofing is what they strive to offer to their clients. Experience Experience is non-negotiable when looking for a roofing company. Poor installation is the leading cause of roofing problems. You may buy standard materials, but if the contractor is inexperienced, your roof will have issues. Check the number of years the company has been operational to determine its experience level. Consider companies with more than five years’ experience. License and Insurance A good company should have insurance for its employees and subcontractors. You can ask for a copy of the insurance certificate for validation purposes. Uninsured employees can cause extra charges to a homeowner in case he/she gets an accident at the site. Most states require licenses from roofing companies. If you are in such a place, ensure the company has a valid license. Warranty A roofing project is an expensive venture. Therefore, a good company should provide a warranty on material quality and workmanship. It is advisable to know the number of warranty years a company is offering. You can always shop around and compare with other companies before making a decision. You will have peace of mind and assurance that the company will provide nothing but excellent installation.

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Garden buildings and the Party Wall Act

The Party Wall Act 1996 governs building work that affects a shared wall, boundary or structure between adjoining properties. It sets out the specific process that must be followed to protect the interests of both Building Owners and Adjoining Owners. The Act typically applies to loft conversions, basement excavations, building extensions and similar types of construction work in terraced or semi-detached homes.  But what about building work in the garden? You may well think that a new building at the bottom of the garden would not fall within the scope of the Act, but you could be wrong. Take the example of a homeowner wishing to build a standalone garden office.  Building a garden office As a result of the recent lockdowns, home working is now not only far more widespread than ever before, but many people are expressing a desire to work from home permanently, at least some of the time. And with living space in the home under increasing pressure, the creation of an office in the garden is a popular solution. The good news is that a garden office less than 2.5 metres in height that is used as a home office (as opposed to business premises) is likely to fall within permitted development rights. However, it is always worth checking with the local authority to obtain confirmation that no planning consent is required. When it comes to the garden, the Party Wall Act does not apply to boundary fences, however it does apply to a garden wall that either abuts or sits astride the boundary line, even if the wall does not form part of any building. It also applies to brick-built sheds, though not timber sheds. And it applies to excavations in the garden near a neighbouring property. Is Party Wall Notice required? The Party Wall Act states that any work that could affect the structural integrity or support function of the party wall or structure, or could damage the neighbouring side of the wall, must be notified. This includes Demolishing and/or rebuilding a party boundary wall Increasing the thickness or height of the party boundary wall Excavating within 3 metres of a neighbouring building or structure and to a greater depth than the foundations of the neighbouring building or structure Excavating within 6 metres of a neighbouring building or structure and to a depth that is below a 45° downward line drawing from the bottom of the foundations of the neighbouring building. “The first point to consider is whether there are any shared or adjoining structures within 3 metres of the foundations to the proposed annexe,” advises party wall expert Peter Barry Surveyors. If the answer is yes, and the foundations are deeper than those to the shared or adjoining structure, Notice under section 6 of the Party Wall Act must be served. “If the external walls of the annexe are at the boundary, Notice will need to be served under section 1 of the Act.” How to serve Notice For building works in the garden, Notice must be served to all affected adjoining owners, following the process set out in the Party Wall Act. It must include the following details: Property address Details of property owners Full description of the proposed garden construction works Proposed start date for the work Date the Notice is being served Clear statement that Notice is served under the Party Wall Act Detailed drawing for any excavations Furthermore, there are clear timescales to be observed in order to comply with party wall legislation. If the planned works affect a garden boundary wall or excavation, Notice must be served at least one month before the intended start date. Each neighbouring party has 14 days in which to give their written consent, otherwise the Notice is deemed to be in dispute.  If there is a dispute, the parties can appoint a single Agreed Surveyor, or each party can appoint their own surveyor, who will determine a fair and impartial Party Wall Award in line with their statutory responsibilities. Once you have agreement, all works carried out in the garden must comply with the Notice. Clearly, as with any building work affecting neighbours, it is best practice to reach a friendly agreement in the first instance, regardless of whether Notice needs to be served for the creation of a garden office. In the interests of continued harmonious neighbourly relations, it is advisable to informally discuss the intended works, consider the neighbours’ comments and amend the plans if at all possible, before serving formal Party Wall Notice.

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Starting A Business That Makes Products For Other Companies

When it comes to starting a business, there are various realms that you can look to go down, from selling services to making and selling products, there are a lot of options to choose from. However, if you are not someone who wants to create and sell their own brand of products but still wants to create product ranges, you might want to consider starting a business that manufacturers products for other companies.  There is very high income potential within this area; there’s fantastic potential for success, it’s just a case of taking the time to think about how you can go about launching this kind of business. It’s the kind of startup that takes a lot of time, effort and money and can take time to get going. However, with the right approach you can see some fantastic levels of success and amazing growth in a short period of time. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to the steps that you can take to make your new concept a success. Read on for all of the best tips and pieces of advice that you need! Find the right location  The first step to seeing success from starting a business that creates products for other companies is to find the right location. You need to select a location that’s accessible and has good transport links, it’s also worthwhile selecting somewhere that’s close to major distribution centres as this may make product distribution and logistics simpler and more affordable. You also need to think about the size of your facility and how large you would like it to be; do you plan on fulfilling mass orders or do you want to simply work with small, bespoke orders?  Create a strong ethos that sets you apart  It’s also a good idea to take the time to create a strong ethos that sets you apart from your competitors. If you want to boost your chances of seeing success, it’s worth thinking about creating a niche for your business, such as being an eco-friendly and sustainable product producer, for example, or being a producer that only manufacturers vegan approved products. Having a niche can help to define your success, so it’s something that it’s worth thinking about.  Invest in key tools  If you are going to build a viable business, it’s vital that you take steps to invest in the key tools that you need to see success. This means thinking about your budget and how much vital tools like chemical scales for instance, will cost you to invest in. If you want to give your business a good chance of success, you need to have the right tools in place. If you’re worried about your budget, perhaps you could consider looking into sourcing some financial backing to help make your business concept a more viable one.  There you have it, a few simple tips to make starting a business that manufacturers products for other companies a little easier. 

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Tips To Choose The Correct Pallet Rack For A Warehouse

New businesses are springing up as people are finding ways to earn money. The increase in eCommerce, warehousing as well as the logistics industry can be seen. There are many warehouses present in some countries which try and meet the requirements of online retailers as well as consumers. It is important to have inventory management if you want to be efficient in your business. Prompt and the right delivery of products helps the business out. An area of warehouse management includes the pallet rack systems. This store organizes, as well as keeps products secure from harm. It is important to choose the right pallet racks if you want the business to run smoothly. The following points can be considered if you are looking for good Pallet Racks: Storage requirements Look at the type of products that your business has. These can be classified by looking at their density, weight, shelf life as well as the frequency of delivery. By keeping in mind this data, it is possible to figure out the rack and shelving which you will require. It is important to note that drive-on racking systems will be good when wanting to store items classified as bulk. These are not good for products with high selectivity. When looking at selective pallet racking, this is better for storing a large inventory of varying products and in small quantities. Your budget All businesses and departments possess a budget that has to be followed. The warehouse is no exception to this. You need to keep in mind how much the pallet rack will cost the company. Expenses get divided into three areas, i.e., the storage system, design, as well as installation. You may want to get the low-priced merchandise so that money can be saved. However, you need to be conscious of buying these and not looking at quality. It is better to consider pallet racks which are available at competitive prices instead of getting cheaper ones. Investing in good pallet racks can be cost-effective as you will not have to replace these often. You can have a look at second-hand Dexion pallet racking. If you are on a budget consider buying from a good brand and an excellent-quality second-hand product. Consider adaptability When a business grows, its storage requirements increase also. a business may create new products that they want to sell. The pallet racks should adapt to alterations to handle whatever changes occur. It is better to select storage racks that can be adjusted when slight alterations and major changes to the present system occur. Durability A collapsing pallet rack claims to be a major cause of warehouse accidents. People can get debilitating injuries or damage to merchandise. You can stop these issues from occurring by selecting durable as well as robust pallet racks. The storage system must be able to handle bumps. Look at the weight capacity of shelves which are chosen. Warehouse management is important for any business. This can impact how successful the daily activities are. Select a good pallet racking system which will keep your merchandise safe.

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