The annual construction contract award figures highlighted in real-time on the BCLive league table for 2021 from research gathered & validated by Builders’ Conference, were down on the previous 12 months and fell well short of the £90 billion that had been predicted early in the year. But the table
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in
CONTINUING OUR TRADITION FOR INNOVATE TOOLS, THE MX FUEL™ POWER SUPPLY IS CURRENTLY THE BEST TEMPORARY POWER SOLUTION FOR THE JOBSITE. SUPPLYING 3600 PEAK WATTS/ 1800 RUNNING WATTS OF PURE SINE WAVE ENERGY, THE POWER SUPPLY POWERS EVERYTHING FROM HIGH DEMAND 16A TOOLS TO SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS. Historically, generators have been
The need for new homes continues to rise, with an average 200,000 new houses being built each year. This increase has resulted in added pressure being placed on construction companies, and their supply chains, to keep up with demand. One solution which is aiding the industry and enabling houses to
One of the most important elements in a house are the walls. This is where you can see what kind of house it is and, above all, what kind of style and design it should have. This is because there are often things that are out of place, a sign
The annual construction contract award figures highlighted in real-time on the BCLive league table for 2021 from research gathered & validated by Builders’ Conference, were down on the previous 12 months and fell well short of the £90 billion that had been predicted early in the year. But the table ended on an unseasonal high to send the UK construction industry into the New Year with its tail up. Neil Edwards CEO of the Builders’ Conference looks back over a roller coaster year and a surprisingly upbeat month. LINKS TO CONTRACT NOTICES…. Construction contract awards TOP50-BCLIVE Table Rolling YR Jan-21 to Dec-21 researched by Builders Conference Construction contract awards FULL- BCLIVE Table December 2021 researched by Builders Conference Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Region for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Region for 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Private or Public Sectors for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Private or Public sector for 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Category for December 2021 Builders’ Conference research of Construction Contract Awards by Category for 2021 First the bad news. The annual BCLive league table for 2021 was down around £8.0 billion on the previous 12 months, coming in at £75.8 billion. But the good news is that the figures for 2020 were skewed somewhat by around £12 billion of HS2-related work that was awarded at the end of the year. Furthermore, even though December is traditionally a quiet month that is greatly curtailed by the festive holidays, December 2021 still delivered £4.4 billion in new contract awards, above the established £4.0 billion monthly benchmark. In addition, the statistics for the final month of 2021 show an encouraging geographic spread of forthcoming workload. Climbing to the top of the heap in December 2021 is French-owned joint venture company CNIM which won a landmark £480 million energy centre new build for client Tata Chemicals Europe. The project involves the construction of a new Energy from Waste (EfW) facility located at Lostock Gralam near Northwich in Cheshire that will produce 69 MW of clean, renewable energy while diverting 600,000 tonnes of waste per year from landfill. In second place on the BCLive league table was BAM, which secured three new contract awards during the month worth a combined £302 million. The largest of these is a £250 million mixed use development at Gateshead Quays on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. That development will include an indoor arena and exhibition space, public realms, and hotel, leisure and residential space. It had been previously reported that this contract had been secured by Sir Robert McAlpine. The client is Ask Property Developments. Claiming third position on the BCLive league table for the month of December 2021 was Wates with a combined haul of six new contract awards worth a total of £297.6 million. The most notable of these is the new build of a research and development laboratory for client Public Health England in Harlow that is valued at £160 million. Maintaining the dominance of the house-building sector, Hill Partnership took the fourth spot on the BCLive league table with three new housing contract awards during the month that together were worth £187.7 million. The largest of these is a £95 million project to create 547 new dwellings as part of the Marleigh Phase 1 development in Cambridge. In addition to the new housing, that project also includes a new primary school, a nursery, a market square and a new community centre. Claiming fifth position and simultaneously regaining the crown for the most projects in the month was Morgan Sindall. The company picked up a creditable 18 new contract awards during the month worth a combined £152.3 million. The largest of these was picked up by group company Lovell Partnerships; a £43 million housing new build for client Norfolk County Council on a site at Bowlers Green in Hopton. Despite month being shortened by more than a week due to the Christmas holidays, 11 companies picked up more than £100 million in new contract awards to further reinforce December’s positivity. Although it failed to pass the £1.0 billion mark for the first time in a long while, London reigned supreme in the regional run-down, netting 82 new contract awards worth a combined £776 million. The North West (£644 million) and the North (£549 million) enjoyed upbeats months, while the West Midlands (£201 million) and East Midlands (£138 million) were down on recent highs. Scotland reported 22 new projects valued at £340 million to end the year on a high while Wales continues to languish, serving up £71 million split across just 13 new contract awards. Of course, while 2021 is now at an end, 2022 begins with a hangover. The construction sector still faces the triple threat of skills shortages and both materials and fuel price hikes however, £4.4 billion in a short month in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic still feels like something close to a Christmas miracle. Quick review of BCLive table for December 2021 214 no companies were detailed as winning new contracts during December 2021 321 no new construction orders were researched by Builders’ Conference all detailed on the UK’s only Live league table of construction contract awards BCLive CNIM secured overall top spot with a single contract worth £480 million Morgan Sindall Group was the company with the most number of new construction orders in the month with 18no totaling £152.3 million The importance of independent, live construction information, sales leads and bespoke construction sector analysis has never been more important and the Builders’ Conference delivers this real-time service, via one of the most digitally advanced platforms on the UK market. To keep the UK’s only independent and transparent construction project information service available WE NEED YOUR HELP! By becoming a member today – Your business will then have the ability to critically analyse thousands of projects
Exclusive polling conducted for the not-for-profit trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is hitting ‘Red Wall’ voters hard, with an astonishing 79 per cent saying the Government does not understand the financial pressures on working families. EUA and YouGov polled 1600 voters in 18 Red Wall constituencies across the north of England, covering seats won by the Conservatives for the first time in 2019 on a range of energy issues. The figures will put pressure on the Government to relieve the pressure of escalating energy bills. The joint poll also found that 80 per cent of Conservative voters in 2019 now believe the issue of energy bills to be important to them, with nearly 60 per cent stating that rising energy bills are having a big impact upon their personal finances. EUA’s analysis of the polling found that 17 of the 18 seats would switch back to Labour if there were to be an election now. The survey comes a few weeks away from a predicted £719 (56 per cent) increase in energy bills, as the Price Cap is reviewed, taking effect in April. Commenting on the findings, EUA’s Chief Executive Mike Foster said: “These numbers confirm just how deeply the cost-of-living crisis is hitting working families. And at the heart of this crisis are escalating energy bills. When there is such strong sentiment expressed by the public, the Government must listen. Sky-high energy bills are not the fault of consumers, but they are paying a heavy price. It is also very clear that politicians will pay a price for not tackling sky-high bills.” “In October, the average Price Cap bill rose by £140, another £700 is simply not affordable. Voters will expect action before April’s figures kick in. There is plenty the Government can do but in the short-term, their options are limited. Cutting VAT on energy bills and switching environment levies onto general taxation will help. They could increase the Winter Fuel Payment paid to pensioners too, but they do need to act.” “To provide long-term relief from high energy bills, the Government needs to prioritise energy efficiency measures such as insulation. It also needs to confirm its intention to switch away from fossil fuel gas to hydrogen for home heating. This will meet the UK’s net zero obligation without adding further financial burdens to consumers.” The constituencies polled as part of the research were: Barrow and Furness, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Valley, Burnley, Darlington, Don Valley, Great Grimsby, Hartlepool, Leigh, North West Durham, Penistone and Stocksbridge, Redcar, Rother Valley, Scunthorpe, Sedgefield, Stockton South, Wakefield, and Workington. For more information, visit the EUA’s website: https://eua.org.uk
CONTINUING OUR TRADITION FOR INNOVATE TOOLS, THE MX FUEL™ POWER SUPPLY IS CURRENTLY THE BEST TEMPORARY POWER SOLUTION FOR THE JOBSITE. SUPPLYING 3600 PEAK WATTS/ 1800 RUNNING WATTS OF PURE SINE WAVE ENERGY, THE POWER SUPPLY POWERS EVERYTHING FROM HIGH DEMAND 16A TOOLS TO SENSITIVE ELECTRONICS. Historically, generators have been a frustrating jobsite nuisance. Not only do they have to be operated outdoors due to excessive noise, but users must also worry about dangerous emissions, hazardous extension cords, petrol “ The new MXF Power Supply powers everything from high demand 16A tools to sensitive electronics. ” Additionally, users who are reliant on shared power sources such as spider boxes are often met with the frustrations of tripped breakers, extension cords, and voltage drops. The MX FUEL™ Power Supply is not only safer than petrol-powered generators, but it can also be used indoors, eliminates the need for petrol and extension cords, and doesn’t require engine maintenance, thus reducing downtime and allowing users to get jobs done faster! The compact size, zero emissions, and quiet operation of the power supply allow users to safely operate the unit in confined, indoor spaces and a roll cage provides durability for outdoor jobsite use. With a push button start, users can start it in seconds, getting up and running faster than ever before by eliminating the repetitive motions of pull starts. The MX FUEL™ Power Supply delivers enough power to run one 16 Amp tool and one lower wattage device simultaneously and can be powered by a single battery or two batteries for double the run time. A great advantage of the MX FUEL™ Power Supply is the interchangeable battery system, resulting in no downtime for the user. The Power Supply also will be forward compatible with any new MX FUEL™ batteries launching in the near future. As an added benefit, ONE-KEY™** provides the ability to track the power supply with community tracking and alerts, complete inventory management, and industry leading smart-equipment technology to secure the user’s investment. *The MX FUEL™ Equipment System: This groundbreaking cordless system revolutionises the light equipment market by delivering the performance, run time, and durability demanded by the trades without the hazards associated with emissions, noise, vibration, and the frustrations of petrol maintenance. Each of the solutions on the MX FUEL™ system go beyond the limitations of petrol and power-cord units and operate off one completely compatible system all on the same battery. This is Equipment Redefined. **ONE-KEY™ is the first digital platform for tools and equipment. By integrating industry-leading tool electronics with a custom-built cloud-based program, ONE-KEY™ provides a new level of control and access to information that revolutionises the way work gets done. The ability to customise, track, and manage through ONE-KEY™ fundamentally changes the way users interact with their tools. Specifications MX FUEL™ Power Supply (MXF PS-602) • Running wattage: 1800 W • Starting wattage: 3600 W • Weight with two MXF XC406 battery packs: 28.2 kg • ONE-KEY™ compatible: Yes • Integrated charger: Yes • Push button activation: Yes Kit Includes MX FUEL™ Power Supply, (2) MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ XC406 Battery pack, Integrated charger Milwaukee Tool will remain unwavering in their commitment to delivering disruptive innovation by working alongside trade professionals to identify challenges and provide solutions that are unparalleled in enhancing jobsite safety and productivity. The future of the jobsite is cordless. milwaukeetool.eu For further information please contact: Joe Wicks – Digital Marketing Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1628 894477 Email: joe.wicks@tti-emea.com
The need for new homes continues to rise, with an average 200,000 new houses being built each year. This increase has resulted in added pressure being placed on construction companies, and their supply chains, to keep up with demand. One solution which is aiding the industry and enabling houses to be built more quickly is the off-site manufacture of prefabricated building component products. Andrew Almond, Marketing Manager at Stormking, a UK-based manufacturer of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) prefabricated products for the construction industry, explains how building off-site can benefit the new home construction supply chain and keep projects on track: “GRP building products are helping to revolutionise the way new homes are built. These products range from door canopies to chimney stacks and are manufactured off-site before being delivered to, and installed, onsite. They can be ‘dry-fit’ into place, which requires no specialist knowledge, training, or tools. “This ease of installation is saving construction companies both time and money – especially when compared to using traditional building materials and methods. However, this is only one advantage that is drawing the sector towards off-site manufactured products. “Safety, choice and – in our case – UK-based manufacturing, are all benefits cited by construction companies when opting for off-site manufactured components. “Firstly, safety. GRP products are substantially lighter than their conventional counterparts. This means they are easier to manoeuvre around site and at height, helping to reduce the potential for handling hazards. There is also no need for additional scaffolding or machinery, which again helps to mitigate against any associated dangers. “Secondly, choice. GRP component products can be produced in a wide variety of styles, colours, and textures. This allows for more creativity with regards to design and enables specifiers to easily source products required for specific planning requirements. Overall, GRP off-site manufactured products offer greater scope in terms of look and feel than traditional tile or brick. “Lastly, but definitely not least, is the ability to source these products from UK-based manufacturers. Here at Stormking we have over 500,000sq ft of manufacturing capacity spread over five sites in the Midlands. This, together with our 300 plus strong work force and fleet of over 20 delivery vehicles, means we can support the industry nationwide, from the Isle of Wight to Northern Scotland. Being based in the UK is also helping us to reduce our carbon footprint. “We understand that environmental credentials are now an important consideration for many companies when choosing a supplier. Here at Stormking, we believe that GRP products offer more environmental and sustainable benefits than traditional building materials. Transportation is reduced as components are delivered in one piece and from one supplier; less resources are required to install the products which reduces the need for more deliveries to site; and the products have a long lifespan, of over 35 years at present, so need replacing less frequently. In addition to this, and to further reduce our carbon footprint, we are working with fleet operators on testing electrical vehicles for our service teams. “So from cost efficiencies and safety, to ease of installation and sustainable credentials, it is clear to see why the construction industry is choosing to use more GPR prefabricated products to keep projects moving – and we believe this trend will continue to grow as more companies realise the many benefits off-site manufactured GRP products can offer.” Further information about Stormking and its GRP product offering can be found at www.stormking.co.uk or email your enquiry to sales@stormking.co.uk or call 01827 311 100 to discuss your next project.
One of the most important elements in a house are the walls. This is where you can see what kind of house it is and, above all, what kind of style and design it should have. This is because there are often things that are out of place, a sign that the attention paid to the furnishings is not up to standard. In fact, it is not uncommon to find minimalist styles but multicoloured, almost baroque walls. In such cases, it means that the fact that the walls are an integral part of the home is not taken into account. Same style as the room you have them in When deciding which exclusive wall stickers to put up, you have to start from the source. We said it at the beginning, and now we’ll say it again: before choosing which ones to put, it’s important to understand the style of the house. Because it’s really bad to see a meaningless mix of styles that only lead to confusion. That’s not to say it can’t be done, of course. But you have to make sure that everything is done in a linear way and, perhaps, in steps. So, if the style of the house is baroque, it is unthinkable to create a minimal style for the walls. Or, if you want to do it, it is important to rely on someone expert who can create a winning mix. And that will leave your guests stunned. A touch of customisation never hurts Make something unique! Want personalised wall stickers to make everything special? You need to follow two basic points. The first is to see where you need to apply them. It’s one thing to put them in the baby’s room and another in the bedroom. In the first case, in fact, top priority is given to cartoons or, in any case, anything specific to children. In the second case, you should focus on something more mature. So maybe a trip you’ve taken or an experience you’re particularly fond of. Or a map of a city you’ve seen, or even a continent. This is just an idea, but the theme can also be something else, not necessarily about travels. In any case, the advice is always to personalise with a certain criteria because, even in this case, it must absolutely not ‘clash’ with the style and design of your home. Of course, it’s not easy. But you have to succeed. Otherwise, you will get exactly the opposite effect. Pay attention to quality This seems trivial, but in fact it is not at all. Quality is crucial and if you only look at the price you won’t always be able to find the right solution. And you will realise this when you want to change the wall to put in another one. Because you will see that there may be stains on the wall when you remove them. Those stains that were difficult to remove and that you let slide. Also, it’s going to be really difficult to take it off because it could tear in an instant. These are all complications that you would not have if you choose a quality product. As much as you spend, you get. It’s always like that. In all fields, even in this one.
