Kingspan Group, the global leader in high performance insulation and building envelope solutions, has today released its third annual report for its 10-year sustainability programme, Planet Passionate. 2022 marked another milestone year for the programme, as Kingspan unveiled a 26% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions relative
Heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi and H2GO Power, hydrogen-based software and hardware solutions innovators, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their commitment to develop innovative green hydrogen-based technology that will tackle both heat decarbonisation and energy reliability. The MoU was signed by Baxi’s MD Karen Boswell
A new homes development in Leicestershire is the first by Bloor Homes to have energy efficient air source heat pumps installed. The technology is being used for every home at the housebuilder’s Brooksby Spinney development in Brooksby, north-east of Leicester. Air source heat pumps are a low carbon technology, that
In an industry that has traditionally been predominantly dominated by men, Cannock-based housebuilder Jessup Partnerships is looking to encourage talented women into the workforce and has produced a video to mark International Women’s Day to help inspire other women to consider a career in construction. Site Manager, Kirsty Lynch, originally
Leading contractor shines a light on its dedicated apprentice scheme throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 The Scottish construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage and in a bid to bridge the gap, GRAHAM is investing in its dedicated apprenticeship scheme to future-proof the talent pipeline. As part of Scottish
Construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with the UK sector growing at a rapid annual pace of 3.7%. If you are a construction business owner, now is the perfect time to set some goals, develop a plan to take your company to the next level, and
It’s no surprise that construction is one of the most high-risk professions in the world. This is a real concern for employers, who must be constantly conscious and proactive about dangers that they may ultimately be liable for in case something goes terribly wrong. Accidents can happen on a construction
Kingspan Group, the global leader in high performance insulation and building envelope solutions, has today released its third annual report for its 10-year sustainability programme, Planet Passionate. 2022 marked another milestone year for the programme, as Kingspan unveiled a 26% reduction in absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions relative to its 2020 base year marking significant progress against its target of a 90% reduction by 2030, that it had completed over 100 Planet Passionate projects in 2022, and that, as of January 2023, it has implemented an internal carbon charge of 70€/tCO₂e.[2] In addition, the estimated emissions savings benefit from Kingspan insulation systems sold in 2022 is 173 milliontonnes of CO2e, enough to power a major airline for 15 years.[3] Other key highlights: The Group also continues to make efforts to progress towards its verified science-based target to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 42% by 2030, as it continues to pursue its decarbonisation strategy for its key raw materials from its upstream supply chain. By collaborating with suppliers on absolute carbon reductions across its value chain, Kingspan aims to reduce the carbon intensity of its key products and make progress towards its target of a 50% reduction in product CO₂e intensity from its primary supply partners by 2030. As Kingspan looks to put absolute carbon reductions at the centre of its Planet Passionate programme, the Group has introduced an internal carbon charge across its global business as of January 2023. The starting price will be 70€/tCO₂e (scope 1&2 GHG emissions, excluding process and biogenic emissions). The incorporation of Derbigum into the Kingspan Group, as part of the new Roofing and Waterproofing Division, is a notable highlight as the Group looks to lead the way in circularity in roofing and waterproofing. Derbigum’s “No Roof to Waste” enables the collection and recycling not only of production waste and cut-offs, but of old roofs, which are fully recycled; an exciting scheme which aligns with Kingspan’s portfolio of Planet Passionate programmes. The Group also completed the acquisition of Troldtekt in March 2022, a Danish producer of acoustic insulation containing wood fibre, marking Kingspan’s first significant step into the ‘bio-based insulation’ category. As in the two previous editions of the Planet Passionate Report, the Group has demonstrated substantial progress against the majority of the programme’s targets in carbon, energy, water and circularity. These include: Energy: An increase in the direct use of renewable energy from 19.5% to 33.4% relative to the 2020 base year as the Group aims to meet its target of 60% direct renewable energy by 2030. In 2022, the Group also implemented an increase in the percentage of wholly-owned facilities with solar PV up to 35.2% from 21.7% in the 2020 base year. Carbon: Significant investment in the reduction of embodied carbon in the Insulated Panels division following the launch of Quadcore LEC, a product which demonstrates a circa 17% reduction in embodied carbon (in life cycle modules A-C) when compared with the existing product. Quadcore LEC will be formally launched in the first-quarter of 2023. The Group has also seen an increase in the percentage of conversions to zero emissions company cars from 11% in the 2020 base year to 58% in 2022. Circularity: A reduction in company waste to landfill of 7,814 tonnes, as well as recycling 803 million PET bottles into its manufacturing processes in 2022 as the Group makes significant inroads into its target of 1 billion annually by 2025. Water: In 2022, the Group announced its third partnership project with clean tech start-up ClearbotTM, as it remains on track to complete five ocean clean-up projects by 2025. The Group also harvested 26.1 million litres of rainwater in 2022, an increase of 25.9% relative to the 2020 base year, as it remains on track to harvest 100 million litres annually by 2030, to help reduce the Group’s impact on local water supplies. Gene Murtagh, CEO of Kingspan Group, said: ‘As a Group, Kingspan remains steadfast in our commitment to help accelerate progress towards a net zero emissions future. In 2022, we again made significant progress towards most of our Planet Passionate targets. Since 2020, we have reduced our absolute scope 1 &2 GHG emissions by 26%, doubled our rainwater harvesting capacity and reduced our landfill waste by 42%. I am immensely proud to see our Planet Passionate programme evolving and maturing and I am confident that our talented and passionate teams across our business will do their utmost to help Kingspan play a key role in the transition to a net-zero emissions built environment.” Bianca Wong, Head of Sustainability of Kingspan Group, said: ‘As we conclude the third year of the programme, it’s fantastic to see the wholehearted commitment of our all across the Group to help achieve continued annual progress towards our ambitious Planet Passionate targets. It’s a testament to the enduring efforts of our colleagues that we completed over 100 projects in 2022. We will continue to build on our progress to date and aim to further accelerate our strategies in the coming years.’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Heating and hot water solutions provider Baxi and H2GO Power, hydrogen-based software and hardware solutions innovators, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising their commitment to develop innovative green hydrogen-based technology that will tackle both heat decarbonisation and energy reliability. The MoU was signed by Baxi’s MD Karen Boswell and Enass Abo-Hamed, H2GO’s CEO, at a presentation of their carbon-neutral heat-in-a-box system held at Baxi’s Dartford Training Centre. The partnership includes an upcoming industrial scale trial of this unique containerised pre-heating solution which will be hosted by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) at its Low Thornley test facility. Pre-heating is an essential part of distributing gas. Before it can be transported to homes and businesses through the network, the pressure of the gas must be reduced. This process can cause it to freeze, so pre-heating takes place to allow the gas to flow. Traditional pre-heating units are highly energy and cost intensive. Heat-in-the-box will lower the cost of pre-heating, while delivering the supply at much lower costs for applications at a massive scale. The aim of the trial is to demonstrate how the heat-in-a-box system can supply heat for gas pre-heating in a safe and carbon-neutral manner, with the potential to supply renewable heating for other operations. Heat-in-a-box combines electrolysis, hydrogen storage technology and Baxi’s hydrogen boiler, the first-ever pure hydrogen boiler for commercial applications. The end-to-end system will be powered by solar photovoltaics and supported by an AI-enabled optimisation software platform. As heat-in-a-box can help maximise self-generated renewable electricity, it offers an interesting solution for multiple use cases – including decarbonising heat in off gas grid non-domestic buildings. Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Baxi UK & Ireland, said: “This partnership will deliver the world’s first commercial pure hydrogen boiler that will provide customers with greater flexibility in meeting their emissions reduction targets. Innovation projects like this are critical to understanding the role hydrogen can play in helping to decarbonise a range of sectors – including the difficult ones like heat.” Dr Enass Abo-Hamed, H2GO Power CEO, said: “We are pleased to be part of this world-first initiative. Today’s demonstration is a significant step as we explore the opportunities that could be unlocked through Heat-in-the box. Demand for heat is three times higher than the demand for power, while responsible for 40 percent of all global emissions. And we are determined to deliver a carbon neutral solution without compromising on cost and productivity to be used across key industries including as ceramics, glass, cement, food and beverage and chemicals.” For more information visit the Baxi and H2Go Power websites. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new homes development in Leicestershire is the first by Bloor Homes to have energy efficient air source heat pumps installed. The technology is being used for every home at the housebuilder’s Brooksby Spinney development in Brooksby, north-east of Leicester. Air source heat pumps are a low carbon technology, that uses the environment to generate 75 per cent of heating and hot water. Just 25 per cent comes from electricity, which also means that the user is not reliant on other forms of energy. Mike Kelly, Managing Director for Bloor Homes East Midlands, said: “The air source heat pumps are exciting for a number of reasons. Firstly, the heating system will protect homebuyers’ from spiralling energy bills, removing the stress and strain so many are feeling. “The technology is also more sustainable, allowing buyers to reduce their carbon footprint – an aim that many of us share. 75 per cent of the energy that a buyer will use comes from a sustainable source, which makes a huge difference. “We are also very pleased to be building the first development for Bloor Homes which will use the technology here in the Midlands. It’s a blueprint which may well become more prevalent in the coming years, so we are delighted to spearhead the use of the technology here.” The Vaillant aroTHERM plus air source heat pump is designed for a peaceful home, with sound levels as low as 54 decibels. The technology will also be compatible with apps, meaning that users can control their heating on the go. Steve Cipriano, Commercial Director at Vaillant adds: “Ahead of the introduction of the Future Home Standard in 2025, it’s encouraging to see national housebuilders, such as Bloor Homes, already leading the charge when it comes to creating homes that have energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies at their heart. “The Brooksby Spinney development is a shining example of the how UK homes will support a sustainable future, and we’re delighted to have worked alongside Bloor Homes on this project.” For more information on the homes at Brooksby Spinney, visit bloorhomes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In an industry that has traditionally been predominantly dominated by men, Cannock-based housebuilder Jessup Partnerships is looking to encourage talented women into the workforce and has produced a video to mark International Women’s Day to help inspire other women to consider a career in construction. Site Manager, Kirsty Lynch, originally from Edinburgh was one of those featured in the video alongside her colleague Michelle Howe, a Health and Safety Advisor. Kirsty, 50, worked at Jessup five years ago and recently returned as Site Manager at the housebuilder’s Lower Valley Road development in Dudley. Kirsty previously worked in Health and Social Care for over 20 years, however, decided to take the plunge into the construction industry in her 40s. “After a long and successful career in Health and Social Care, I decided I needed a new challenge so, I retrained, and gained the necessary qualifications for site management. I applied for around 500 jobs to get myself onto site- having no trade background and being female, I did not feel like I was taken seriously. After a while, I eventually obtained a role, but I had to travel around 600 miles a week for work. This position was for a Trainee Assistant Site Manager which led to me being promoted to Assistant Site Manager within two years,” said Kirsty. “I’ve had to work incredibly hard to prove myself. Being a woman brings a different dynamic to a construction site. For the most part, all the sub-contractors, the supply chain and the community, embrace and support my role, however a minority have to be challenged with education and training. Equality and diversity are the starting points ensuring we have equal rights such as pay, career progression and a voice. “This journey has not always been easy, near impossible at times, with archaic and outdated attitudes. Like all good career paths if you want something you have to work at it. Having a supportive employer makes a massive difference, one who supports and embraces the diversity we bring to the role. Changing the rhetoric, change the perspective.” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in Q4 of 2022, 2,171,000 people in the UK worked in construction1. Out of those people, just 321,000, 14.7 per cent, were women2. With a number of female employees already in a range of roles across the company, the developer is keen to break the stereotype around women working in construction. Michelle Howe, who joined Jessup Partnerships in 2022 as Health and Safety Advisor, previously worked for a large precast concrete manufacturer as a Health and Safety Co-ordinator. Michelle, who works on sites across the West Midlands said: “Since joining Jessup, I have felt well-supported in my career progression and have received the relevant training to enable my transition from manufacturing to construction. “I feel well supported by my manager and the site teams that I work with on a daily basis, and my opinions are listened to and valued. I have never felt anything other than welcomed and accepted by the site personnel. If I could give any advice to women thinking about starting a career in construction, I would tell them that they absolutely should pursue it. I think that working in construction is far more inclusive than it was five years ago, and there are now a lot more women actually working on site.” International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the achievements of women, promoting equality and raising awareness about discrimination. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading contractor shines a light on its dedicated apprentice scheme throughout Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2023 The Scottish construction industry is experiencing a significant skills shortage and in a bid to bridge the gap, GRAHAM is investing in its dedicated apprenticeship scheme to future-proof the talent pipeline. As part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week and Women in Construction Week (6 – 13 March), the contractor is shining a light on the invaluable academic and workplace opportunities it provides to encourage people from non-traditional routes into construction. Five GRAHAM apprentices joined forces at the flagship Candleriggs Square development in Glasgow’s Merchant City, currently under construction by GRAHAM to deliver a luxury urban quarter, to celebrate Scotland’s next generation of the construction workforce. This includes Michelle Jeffrey (20), who currently works on the PLATFORM_ Glasgow scheme as a trainee engineer whilst completing a graduate apprenticeship in civil engineering at University of Strathclyde. Lucy Threlfall (16) joined GRAHAM as an apprentice administrator before also going on to become a trainee engineer at PLATFORM_ Glasgow, whilst starting a NC Civil Engineering apprenticeship at Glasgow Kelvin College. After completing her HNC in Civil Engineering at Glasgow Kelvin College, Alexis Smith (21) now works at GRAHAM as a trainee planner and is enrolled on the civil engineering graduate apprenticeship course with University of the West of Scotland. Morgan Williams (17) joined fresh from secondary school as a trainee quantity surveyor (QS) and is now enrolled on the graduate apprenticeship programme with Heriot-Watt University whilst also working on GRAHAM’s student accommodation scheme on Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh. Swapping the skies for construction sites, Lynsey Kirk (22) was made redundant from her air hostess role during the pandemic before realising her potential as a quantity surveyor. GRAHAM originally onboarded Lynsey as a framework-coordinator before supporting her into a role as trainee QS and she is now progressing with the graduate apprenticeship programme at Glasgow Caledonian University. Lynsey, from Hamilton, said: “After being made redundant from my air hostess role during Covid, I was at a crossroads looking for the best next step for my career. In my early 20s, it was challenging to know what to do next, but after I was introduced to the GRAHAM team, they opened a door to a career in construction that I’d never considered before. “The mix of on-site practical experience and degree-level education is a fantastic way to get to grips with the role properly, and I will feel confident stepping into a full-time role with GRAHAM after graduation in 2026. It gives me great peace of mind to know that I have guaranteed employment after completing my degree and I’m excited to progress a successful career in the Scottish construction industry.” In total, GRAHAM has 27 young people in Scotland signed up to a formal apprenticeship programme and has a further 10 opportunities coming available throughout 2023 in engineering, site management and planning. Given the number of young people in its Building North region, last year GRAHAM established the Young Persons Forum, which is led by Building North managing director, Gary Holmes. The group meets on a quarterly basis to ensure that the voices of tomorrow’s construction leaders are heard and that they have the opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the future of GRAHAM. Within the region, GRAHAM also has 25 science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) ambassadors, who actively visit schools and colleges to promote the industry. Debbie Rutherford, Social Impact Manager at GRAHAM Building North, said: “The construction industry is experiencing a real skills shortage. There is a concerning lack of qualified people available to fill vacancies, and in a bid to address this, GRAHAM has made a significant investment in the training and upskilling of colleagues with the aim of building future talent – and retaining existing skills for the company. “It has been well documented that the candidate pool of construction workers is shrinking at an unsustainable rate, and long-term solutions are required. Therefore, earn as you learn schemes, such as the Graduate Apprenticeships, are critical for employers. “We are finding many benefits. Our apprentices are not only obtaining qualifications, but they are also gaining invaluable experience which benefits us as an employer. The knowledge our colleagues are acquiring is being applied on sites, which brings positive change through fresh new methods and different ways of thinking. Very importantly, Graduate Apprenticeships are also opening up the industry to new demographics and creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.” For more information about the GRAHAM Academy, please visit: https://www.graham.co.uk/careers/graham-academy Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, with the UK sector growing at a rapid annual pace of 3.7%. If you are a construction business owner, now is the perfect time to set some goals, develop a plan to take your company to the next level, and outshine your competitors. Here are some tips to help you do just that: Exceptional customer service is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. Whilst happy customers are more likely to refer your company, bad customer service can cause clients to leave negative reviews, and with Reputation X estimating that 86% of customers hesitate to buy from companies badly reviewed, this could be detrimental to your business. The following points are examples of common gripes customers have with construction companies: There are a number of measures you can take to improve your customer satisfaction rates. One method is by using ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software. ERP helps companies manage and automate business processes by improving response times, order accuracy and access to customer information. The smoother your internal processes are, the better you can communicate with your clients and focus on delivering great construction work. 2. Be Selective about Sourcing Materials Cutting corners is not recommended when finding suitable building materials. Customers should rely on the safety and durability of the project they’ve paid for. However, high quality and cost-effectiveness are not mutually exclusive, many builders merchants, such as Builder Depot, offer bulk buy discounts or loyalty schemes which can help you save on construction supplies. 3. Develop a Strong Online Presence In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for any business. To do this you can: The Head of Digital at Builder Depot commented that: “The importance of having a digital footprint and immersive experience of one’s store from anywhere in the world should not be underestimated – especially in the world of tomorrow.” 4. Network with Other Professionals Networking with other professionals in the construction industry can help you build valuable relationships and generate new business opportunities. To do this, you can attend industry events and join local business organisations. In 2023 there are over 94,500 construction contractor businesses in the UK, so building positive industry relationships is more accessible than ever. 5. Hire the Right Team Creating a positive environment where your workforce feels valued, respected, and heard is critical for the growth of any business. According to Construction Skills Network (CSN), an extra 225,000 construction workers may be needed by 2027 so the importance of finding and retaining a passionate team of skilled professionals should not be understated. You can find construction-based employee surveys online that focus on developing inclusive, engaging cultures while avoiding a high staff turnover. Companies can also implement continuous performance management, which involves one-on-one check-ins between managers and employees. Continuous performance management has been shown to increase employee engagement while encouraging honest, open communication, thereby reducing employee turnover. 6. Stay Up to Date with Industry Trends Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the construction industry is vital for maintaining steady growth. Not only can following trends help you stay one step ahead of your competitors, but the industry too; by following trends carefully, you can more accurately predict what will happen within the construction trade and act accordingly. There are several ways you can stay informed about new technologies, best practices and emerging trends: Growing a construction business requires a combination of hard work, dedication and strategic planning. It’s a tall order, but these tips can position your business for success in 2023 and beyond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
It’s no surprise that construction is one of the most high-risk professions in the world. This is a real concern for employers, who must be constantly conscious and proactive about dangers that they may ultimately be liable for in case something goes terribly wrong. Accidents can happen on a construction site for a number of reasons, including health and safety breaches, inadequate training and equipment failure. In fact, construction has been named the UK’s most deadly industry. In the past, there have been some devastating incidents that have resulted in death and disability, including one occasion at Caterpillar, which was blamed on poor training and work conditions. Such tragedies leave a lot of devastation in their wake, and employers have a responsibility to take all measures possible to prevent them. Common injuries that employees sustain within the construction industry include electrocution, burns, eye injury, broken bones, neck, shoulder and back injuries and spinal cord injuries, to name just a few. In the most serious cases, such injuries can result in death or life-altering disabilities. Of course, it’s entirely possible for employees on a construction site to file a personal injury claim if they feel it’s warranted. To prevent this from happening and to ensure safety for employees, as well as making sure employers within the construction industry are well-informed, below are a few examples of the most common injuries that happen on construction sites. Most construction businesses have very strict rules and follow government guidelines to ensure the stability and safety of scaffolding, but unfortunately, things can go wrong, and when they do, the results can be terrible. As an example, we can point to a very recent example of a scaffolding collapse that killed three people in North Carolina, which has shed new light on the importance of scaffolding safety. Furthermore, in January 2023, there was a scaffolding collapse in Stoke Newington that brought down part of a building on a busy road. We know that safety glasses, personal protective equipment and hardhats should always be worn on a construction site in order to prevent injury. Failure to do so can result in traumatic brain injuries if a falling object strikes a worker on the head, which can have a significant, permanent impact on someone’s life, causing brain damage, functional impairment, mobility and cognitive issues. Unsurprisingly, accidents can often occur when employees work with power tools, machinery, generators and electrical wiring. Construction workers are at risk of suffering electric shocks, electrical burns and electrocution. Third-and-fourth degree burns often require surgery and skin grafts, or other intensive medical treatments, ultimately affecting quality of life and the ability for the worker to earn a living. Exposed wires and improper use of electrical gear are common causes of electric shocks. To reduce the chance of such injuries occurring, it’s necessary for employees to be given basic safety measures and training, as well as applicable safety equipment. All employers have a responsibility to ensure the site is safe for all workers – failure to do so could certainly provide grounds for a personal injury claim. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that falls from a great height and ‘slips, trips or falls from the same level’ were the most common causes of non-fatal injuries for construction workers. Accidents can happen when workers fall from a building or scaffolding or off a piece of machinery. Sometimes, workers might fall into holes or ditches, leading to broken bones and fractures, sometimes requiring weeks of healing, loss of mobility, paralysis and, occasionally, lifelong pain. While falls are common, there are measures employers can take to help minimise risk, including using appropriate equipment such as guardrails, harnesses and safety net systems, while enforcing safety regulations. Workers should also be encouraged to wear the correct footwear and to keep workspaces free of any clutter. Trench collapses can prove fatal, especially when the collapse causes a worker’s air supply to be cut off. Equally, such incidents can lead to crushing injuries, including spinal injuries and nerve damage, leading to intense pain and loss of function. As an example, we can look at the trench collapse in Stafford in 2022, which led to VolkerRail being fined £550,000. Employers must take great care to ensure trenches are fully supported and that any defects in the support structure are reported immediately. RSIs occur when the body has to perform the same action over and over, leading to the muscles and soft tissues becoming worn and damaged. Construction activities such as sawing and using jack-hammers can potentially result in RSI. To prevent RSI, workers must take regular breaks and employers must take note and enforce preventative or relief measures if employees report feeling uncomfortable or in pain. Employers need to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians can coexist on site in a safe manner, given that when conflict occurs, the result is almost always serious – and in most situations, the fault would more than likely be on the part of the employer. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
