Top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat has today announced it has become the latest strategic partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with a commitment to build 4,000 additional new homes in the West Midlands. Keepmoat has also committed to aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions when building on brownfield
The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that industrial land plots are the only land type to have seen an increase in property development interest since the first quarter of this year. Searchland’s Land Development Demand Index monitors appetites for land plots across England based
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants working in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association (STA) is offering the wider industry valuable clarity on the fire safety design of mass timber buildings. Publishing its research into cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour in Volume 6 of the STA’s Fire Safety
Sherburn2 is set for further expansion, with detailed plans submitted for 515,990 sqft of prime logistics and manufacturing space, with a gross development value of £67.9 m. Family-owned, Yorkshire property company Glentrool Estates Group Limited is transforming the 85-acre Sherburn2 at Junction 42 of the A1(M) into a first-class logistics
The creation of a new landscape-led garden village on the Durham Coast is underway as three housing developers lay the foundations for the development of a new thriving community. Existing infrastructure works are underway on the new Seaham Garden Village development, which will see 1,500 new homes built over the
A £100m project which is set to deliver new homes, offices, food outlets and leisure facilities in Falkirk is on course to commence next year, following the signing of a new development agreement. The move, which comes as joint venture partners Hargreaves Land and Fintry Estates have reached agreement with
Material-efficient construction requires high-quality and high-performance products, especially when long spans and thinner cross-sections are needed. Kerto® LVL is lightweight, but highly durable with low deformation. It is used for construction that requires superior strength qualities or greater cross-sections or lengths while using less wood material. German timber construction company
Welcome news for Hampshire homebuyers, as leading social enterprise Places for People has launched a selection of 91 new homes in Bordon, at Whistle Wood as part of the NHS Healthy New Towns programme.[1] As a town with a distinct military history as a garrison town, Bordon and the neighbouring
Mr Shinsuke Kubo, Hochiki Europe’s Commercial Director steps into the role of Managing Director from 3rd July, with Graham Lowe, the outgoing MD, remaining in the business part time to support Mr Kubo during his first year in the role. Shinsuke Kubo has been part of the Hochiki global operation
Following the launch of Speedy Hire’s new Velocity strategy announced earlier this month, the UK’s leading construction equipment hire and service provider has partnered with leading global mobile elevating work platform manufacturer Niftylift, to design, manufacture and bring to market the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platform. Through the three-year
Top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat has today announced it has become the latest strategic partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with a commitment to build 4,000 additional new homes in the West Midlands. Keepmoat has also committed to aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions when building on brownfield sites and to increase their housebuilding by 50% across the West Midlands. As a strategic partner, Keepmoat will build a range of homes across different tenure types in the West Midlands, creating hundreds of new jobs for local people and generating at least 250 new apprenticeships. At least 70% of the workforce needed to deliver the homes will be employed from within a 30-mile radius, while building supplies and materials will be purchased from West Midlands-based businesses wherever possible. The memorandum of understanding between Keepmoat and WMCA also supports the Combined Authority’s wider aim of creating a fairer, greener and more prosperous West Midlands. In March, a ground-breaking Deeper Devolution Deal was secured between WMCA and Central Government, giving WMCA wide-ranging new powers and additional funding in excess of £1.5bn to level up the West Midlands. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair for Keepmoat West Midlands & East Midlands, commented: “We are delighted that we have been named as a strategic partner of the WMCA and that our work in the region continues to go from strength to strength. As part of our development work with WMCA, we’re already building a minimum of 1,000 new homes at price points that are accessible to people including first-time buyers. “Building sustainable communities is also a core value at Keepmoat. Working as a strategic partner of WMCA, we are actively pursuing net zero carbon developments, with schemes incorporating climate adaptation measures that respond to the short and long-term impact of climate change. These zero carbon standards go above and beyond the 2025 Future Homes Standards and help contribute to WM2041.” Keepmoat’s £360m Spirit Quarters development has so far delivered 979 new homes, with 275 of these allocated for first-time buyers. Supported by WMCA’s £1 million investment of devolved funding, this scheme continues to transform the former Wood End estate in Coventry, putting regeneration and place-making at the heart of a local community. The homebuilder’s investment into the West Midlands will support the West Midlands target of delivering 215,000 new homes by 2031. In December last year, WMCA announced that the number of new homes being built in the region had surpassed pre-Covid levels, with 16,730 new additional homes delivered in the 12 months to March 2022 – 203 more than in the year up to March 2020. The latest Strategic Partner MoU also bolsters the West Midlands’ Plan for Growth – a roadmap to develop eight specific industrial clusters where the region already has a competitive advantage. Manufacturing of future housing is one of the West Midlands clusters, reflecting the expertise arising from millions of pounds of public investment in brownfield regeneration across the region, which is also home to the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands has been incredibly successful in recent years at regenerating old brownfield sites to build new, affordable homes – so much so that we are currently on track to meet our ambitious 2031 housing target. “However now is the time to double down on our success – not ease off – and so I am delighted we have been able to sign this deal with Keepmoat that will see even more homes, jobs, and investment come to the region. “Working together with Keepmoat we will breathe life into derelict brownfield sites, helping to protect our precious greenbelt while providing affordable, energy efficient, good quality homes and jobs for local people.” Cllr Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio lead for housing and land and leader of Solihull Council, added: “Keepmoat is the latest Strategic Partner who we have signed an MoU with – progressive developers and investors who share our vision of a more sustainable West Midlands where people have the opportunity of a decent job and a good quality, affordable home. “The commitment to use derelict industrial sites for eco-friendly, energy efficient housing is exactly the sort of future-looking approach our region needs. Not only does this help protect our precious greenbelt while creating high quality and sustainable communities, it also boosts the local economy and supports the wellbeing of residents.” WMCA was founded in 2016 and is made up of 17 local councils to deliver an ambitious plan to drive inclusive economic growth across the West Midlands. Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70% of its current developments are on brownfield sites and over 70% of its customers are first-time buyers. In the last survey year, Keepmoat achieved HBF five star builder status, receiving a rating of at least 90% in the National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. For more information, please visit www.keepmoat.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that industrial land plots are the only land type to have seen an increase in property development interest since the first quarter of this year. Searchland’s Land Development Demand Index monitors appetites for land plots across England based on the number of available opportunities within the market that have already been snapped up by developers.* The latest index shows that developer demand has cooled during the second quarter of this year, down -2% since Q1. However, demand remains robust with 45% of all available land plots having already been sold subject to contract. The East Midlands (+1%) and London (+0.4%) are the only regions to have seen positive movement when it comes to the quarterly change in developer demand across the board. Land only plots remain the most in-demand development plot with current demand at 46%, although the appetite for such opportunities has cooled by -2% since the start of the year. London is the only region to have seen a quarterly boost in land only development demand. Farm land also remains popular with current demand at 43%, although again, this is some -4% off the pace set during Q1. However, the North East (+23%), East of England (+17%), North West (+10%) and East Midlands (+7%) have all seen positive growth in demand for farm development opportunities. Industrial development sites are not only the third most in-demand in Q2 at 38%, but they are also the only development type to have seen positive quarterly growth overall. Demand for industrial development opportunities has crept up by 0.4% since the start of the year, with Yorkshire and the Humber driving this growth where all industrial development plots are currently sold subject to contract. Demand for commercial and residential plots sits at 35% a piece, with both sectors seeing a respective reduction in demand of -1% and -4%. Co-founder and CEO of Searchland, Mitchell Fasanya, commented: “Developer appetites remain highest for land only plots as it allows them the freedom to realise their ambitions from the ground up, however, it’s clear that the wider economic picture is starting to dampen their enthusiasm with demand declining since the start of the year. In fact, industrial plots are the only land type to have seen a marginal uplift in this respect although there is positive movement across almost every land type when breaking the market down on a regional level. Demand remains lowest for both residential and commercial plots and with interest rates continuing to climb while market values stagnate, we expect this to remain the case throughout the remainder of the year.” Data tablesData tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading fire engineering consultancy, OFR Consultants working in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association (STA) is offering the wider industry valuable clarity on the fire safety design of mass timber buildings. Publishing its research into cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour in Volume 6 of the STA’s Fire Safety in Use Guidance, OFR has shared the findings of its study which set out to establish the relationship between different building heights, uses and consequence classes as well as performance expectations of structures in the event of fire. Recognising that the main challenges for the industry in delivering mass timber buildings has been due to confusion on the routes to compliance with the Building Regulations, in addition to what evidence designers should provide when seeking to demonstrate how they comply, the new revised guidance provides important information for designers and building control bodies. It allows parties to approach the design of mass timber buildings with consistent expectations of what types of solutions and analysis should be expected based on a building’s height and use. Speaking about the project, OFR Technical Director and co-lead author Dr Danny Hopkin explained: “OFR is the lead research partner delivering the STA special interest group (SIG) project on cross laminated timber (CLT) compartment fire behaviour. The study identified that higher consequence buildings should survive the full duration of a fire, whilst lower consequence buildings should survive long enough to facilitate the escape of occupants and fire service activities. Understanding this distinction is important in ensuring engineers develop the correct evidence to support their designs when demonstrating compliance with the Building Regulations. “We’re thrilled that this study has been developed into industry guidance via Volume 6 of the Fire Safety in Use Guidance. Working with my co-lead author and OFR colleague Research Leader, Mike Spearpoint, we advise that the guidance should be considered on a project-by-project basis, considering the specific fire safety strategy for that building and the input of all key stakeholders.” Andrew Orris at STA added: “This new guidance encourages dialogue with approving authorities to establish the structural fire performance objectives, considering fire strategy first principles, such as the evacuation mode, fire service provisions, and the inclusion of additional fire safety systems such as sprinklers. It also provides an appendix of application examples to aid designers in their use of the guidance.” Once completed, the guidance was independently reviewed by a stakeholder review panel. Building on two and a half years of use by designers, the STA has updated the document to incorporate feedback from users. OFR has retained oversight of these changes to ensure that the document aligns with the original intent, and by reviewing and editing the second edition. The standardVolume 6 of the fire safety in use guidance can be accessed here: https://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/libraries/technical-documents/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sherburn2 is set for further expansion, with detailed plans submitted for 515,990 sqft of prime logistics and manufacturing space, with a gross development value of £67.9 m. Family-owned, Yorkshire property company Glentrool Estates Group Limited is transforming the 85-acre Sherburn2 at Junction 42 of the A1(M) into a first-class logistics and manufacturing park. Collectively, the £157.9 million development has the capacity to create over 1450 quality, sustainable, full-time equivalent jobs. The Reserved Matters detailed planning application for the North and South phases of Sherburn2 will open the remaining 25.5 acres. The South phase (S2 374) can accommodate up to a single unit of 374,000 sqft, whilst the North phase (S2 North) will provide 141,990 sqft in 5 units with sizes from 2,850 sqft to 48,330 sqft. The development will boast strong sustainability credentials with extensive landscaping, including new combined cycle and footpaths, communal areas, a woodland walk and an Excellent BREEAM target. Construction is already underway for the £87m 660,000 sqft East phase, due to be complete in October 2023. Director of Glentrool Estates Group Limited, Jeremy Nolan, said, “With the growing success of the East phase, Glentrool Estates Group Limited has invested in the reserved matters planning application for the North and South phases to accelerate delivery for occupiers. The submission of the Reserved Matters application reinforces the regional importance of this significant employment site which compliments the emerging housing supply and large, skilled workforce in the Selby District. The continued success of Sherburn2 reflects the superb location, quality of product and Glentrool’s proven track record of delivering buildings to cater for the forward-thinking occupier. With the completion of the Spine Road in May 2023, S2 North and S2 374 are gearing up for delivery; we anticipate high levels of interest in the variety and flexibility of space available.” Cllr. Derek Bastiman, North Yorkshire Council Executive Member for Open to Business, said, “We welcome this significant investment into the Sherburn2 site. There has been a long and positive relationship with Glentrool to unlock the potential of this site, which will bring significant new business and jobs into North Yorkshire. We also applaud the commitment to sustainable design and see great potential to attract high-quality jobs at this premier logistics and manufacturing park.” Colliers and Carter Towler are the appointed agents for S2 North and S2 374. Ian Greenwood of Carter Towler said, “It is excellent news that Glentrool Estates Group have committed to lodging this application. The market continues to be characterised by demand materially outstripping supply. The lack of supply of quality new premises, particularly in the mid-box sector within West and North Yorkshire, is a major frustration to the expansion plans of many of the region’s companies. We are certain that once these units are brought to market that they will be occupied very quickly.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The creation of a new landscape-led garden village on the Durham Coast is underway as three housing developers lay the foundations for the development of a new thriving community. Existing infrastructure works are underway on the new Seaham Garden Village development, which will see 1,500 new homes built over the next ten years. There will be a range of homes available, with 750 of the homes being developed for private sale by Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes and the remaining 750 homes, being developed by Karbon Homes, will be available for a mix of both affordable rent and affordable home ownership options through shared ownership and rent to buy. Sarah Robson, Director of Development and Regeneration at Karbon Homes said: “It’s great to see work getting underway at Seaham Garden Village. There’s been lots of work to get to this point and starting on site is testament to the hard work of multiple parties, including the developers, Durham County Council and Homes England. “Working with Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes is a great opportunity and between us we are focused on delivering a great place to live with different tenure options and various types of homes. This partnership will ensure Seaham Garden Village offers something for everyone and with the large scale of the site, we hope it will provide a great home for many people.” The 78-hectare garden village, located on the A182 going into Seaham town centre, has sustainability and community spirit at its heart. In addition to the planned housing, to take advantage of the beautiful location and views out to sea, around 50% of the garden village will be dedicated to managed green space and a range of landscapes and spaces for residents to use. Residents will also benefit from over 3 miles of landscaped paths and cycle routes. Steve McCann, Technical Director at Miller Homes, said: “Seaham Garden Village is an outstanding opportunity to create an attractive and sustainable new community in a highly accessible location. The commencement of work on site is the culmination of several years of design development and we are delighted to be working alongside Karbon Homes and Taylor Wimpey to deliver this high-quality scheme.” To help build a thriving community, the village will also include associated community facilities including a primary school, a local shopping facility, an innovation centre and a health and wellbeing hub. All homes will also be built to the very latest energy standards. David Abercrombie, Technical Director at Taylor Wimpey North East said: “This is an exciting development and is a great example of collaboratively working with our consortium partner Miller Homes, and also Karbon Homes, a fundamental partner to the development. This Garden Village project will deliver all the aspects of a thriving community set in a high-quality landscape.” Both Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes have begun work on their private sale properties, with first homes expected to become available from Autumn 2023. Karbon Homes is currently in the process of appointing a new contractor and hope to be on site with homes being built later in the year. The delivery of the 750 affordable homes by Karbon is supported by funding from Homes England, through Karbon’s Strategic Partnership with the government’s housing delivery agency. The strategic partnership has provided Karbon with funding to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire over the next few years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £100m project which is set to deliver new homes, offices, food outlets and leisure facilities in Falkirk is on course to commence next year, following the signing of a new development agreement. The move, which comes as joint venture partners Hargreaves Land and Fintry Estates have reached agreement with Falkirk Council, paves the way for a planning application in late summer 2023 for the 27-acre residential and commercial scheme at Falkirk Gateway. The development will see an area to the east of the town, adjacent to the new Forth Valley College and Falkirk Stadium, transformed with an ‘ambitious’ scheme featuring a mix of 100 new homes, a pub/restaurant and a 120-bedroom hotel. More than 120,000 sq. ft. of commercial floorspace to provide retail and leisure facilities, are proposed as part of a package of initiatives that will support the ongoing regeneration and development of Falkirk over the coming few years. News of the agreement signals a further boost for plans to create new opportunities for the local economy and upwards of 400 full and part-time jobs in the construction, retail, office, and hospitality and leisure sectors over the next 15 years. The Council is also carrying out a programme of major road improvements to support the Falkirk Gateway, including upgrading roads around Falkirk’s Westfield roundabout in a multi-million-pound investment to improve the flow of traffic in and around the area. If the developers’ plans get the green light from Falkirk Council’s planning committee later this year, onsite work is expected to start in the second half of 2024 with completion of the scheme anticipated in 2026. Duncan McEwan, director at Fintry Estates, who is a former pupil of Falkirk’s Graeme High School, is the project lead. He said: “I’m very proud and excited to be working back in Falkirk, investing in the area and contributing to another significant chapter in the town’s long and illustrious history.” David Anderson, group property director at Hargreaves Land, added: “We are delighted to secure an agreement with the council, which sees our ambitious plans set to move to the next phase. We are working with Fintry as JV partners to bring forward a fantastic scheme that will deliver new homes and growth for Falkirk, with new jobs and prosperity to follow for years to come.” Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “This is a significant step forward for the economic regeneration of the Falkirk area and brings massive investment as well as hundreds of jobs. “It will transform an area that has been empty for many years and we look forward to seeing the delivery of the project by 2026.” Development advice to the developer was provided by Alastair Biggart of Biggart & Co., to whom all occupational enquiries should be directed. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Material-efficient construction requires high-quality and high-performance products, especially when long spans and thinner cross-sections are needed. Kerto® LVL is lightweight, but highly durable with low deformation. It is used for construction that requires superior strength qualities or greater cross-sections or lengths while using less wood material. German timber construction company Holzhaus Fabrik has found an efficient way to implement a new window lintel solution to meet these complex challenges. They replace the massive cross-section of the lintel with a slim, strong and sustainable Kerto LVL Q-panel. High windows require low lintelsHolzhaus Fabrik specialises in timber-based multi-storey residential buildings and public buildings. The window area and especially the height of windows have increased in recent years. “Floor-to-ceiling windows are popular in both multi-storey residential buildings and single-family homes leaving little space for the lintel. At the same time, the lintel must be aligned with the façade from the outside. And of course we want to avoid thermal bridges and we need adequate shading options,” explains Heiko Dietzenbach, Founder and Managing Director of Holzhaus Fabrik. Smart lintel solution based on Kerto LVLHolzhaus Fabrik replaces the massive cross-section of the lintel with beams made of Kerto LVL Q-panel. “Laminated veneer lumber is installed vertically with a small, slender cross-section. At the same time, it has a high structural load-bearing capacity. Window widths of up to four meters can be constructed without any problems. We form the lintel into an L-shape. A support strip is screwed onto the edge beams, and slabs with a maximum span of six meters lie on the L-detail,” Dietzenbach explains. Dietzenbach points out, that Kerto LVL is easy to process in the factory: “The high dimensional accuracy is an important factor for us, as we run a fully automated production. With its material properties, Kerto LVL also enables a high degree of standardisation for different requirements. The material is very straight and has no warping. Reworking is therefore not necessary, so that the production speed can be maximised. The material itself can either be screwed, nailed or glued and processing can be done with standard tools. We always recommend Kerto LVL for the window lintel and rely on our standardised detail,” Dietzenbach explains. Lowering the costs and reducing the use of construction materials It is important to use materials as efficiently as possible. Because Kerto LVL is strong and material-efficient, it offers reduced material consumption. Holzhaus Fabrik has calculated that a low lintel made with Kerto LVL can bring cost savings of up to 20 percent compared to traditional methods. Due to the optimised use of materials and thinner wall structures, the components have a lower overall weight. This means that the quantity of wall elements per transporter can be increased and a lighter crane can be used on the construction site. This also has a positive impact on costs and carbon footprint. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Welcome news for Hampshire homebuyers, as leading social enterprise Places for People has launched a selection of 91 new homes in Bordon, at Whistle Wood as part of the NHS Healthy New Towns programme.[1] As a town with a distinct military history as a garrison town, Bordon and the neighbouring Whitehill are currently undergoing a complex £1billion regeneration programme to transform the area into a green, healthy and well-connected place for local residents to live. If this sounds like something you are interested in, speak to a Mortgage Broker and spend more time enjoying the search for your new property and less time stressing about the finances. Offering the perfect opportunity to live in this exciting new community, the collection of traditional two to five bedroom homes at Whistle Wood will be available through private sale and Shared Ownership, offering homebuyers a variety of options to step onto, or move up the property ladder. All properties include a garage or parking, cycle storage and a range of energy saving features including A rated boilers, low energy lighting and electric car charging points. Greg Hilton, Regional Managing Director for the South West at Places for People comments: “We are proud to launch our new collection of homes at Bordon and are thrilled to be playing a part in the town’s incredible transformation. With a rich military history dating back to the 1800s, Bordon is a truly unique place to live, and the extensive regeneration programme brings with it even more positive elements to the area, such as new leisure and retail facilities and improvements to local green space. With new homes available through private sale and Shared Ownership, buyers can select the buying option that best suits their needs, to purchase an energy efficient home within this well connected, healthy new town.” Every home at Whistle Wood will be built to a high standard, with elegant interiors throughout. Sleek kitchens will be designed by Symphony Group and will include Amtico flooring and stylish under cupboard lighting, alongside a variety of integrated appliances such as a washing machine, fridge/freezer and dishwasher to selected plots. Living spaces are designed to be light and spacious, with an ample number of double-glazed windows, and selected homes also feature French doors opening onto a private garden from the kitchen or dining room – perfect for bringing the outside in come rain or shine. The highly-anticipated transformation of the former Ministry of Defence land in Whitehill & Bordon is a collaborative multi-partner regeneration programme with a 15-year masterplan. Aiming to create a vibrant new community in the heart of Hampshire, the evolution of the former garrison town will bring over 3,350 new homes, 3000 new jobs and nearly 100,000sqm of new commercial, retail and leisure space. New community facilities will be built as part of the scheme, including a new and improved town centre, schools, a cinema, a public service hub and a new leisure centre with sports pitches. In addition to reaping the rewards of the fantastic new community facilities, residents at Whistle Wood will be able to take advantage of the plethora of local countryside. The development is located within close proximity to the Royal Woolmer Forest, a woodland area that is a designated site of special scientific interest and an outstanding wildlife sanctuary – home to at least twelve known species of reptiles and amphibians. With a selection of paths to enjoy by bicycle or on foot, residents can enjoy the perks of a countryside lifestyle. Those who choose to settle down at Whistle Wood will have a variety of cafes, local pubs and retail stores including Bordon Stores, Tesco, Lidl and Wilko just a few moments from home. Fitness enthusiasts can make the most of the local Anytime Fitness gym, whilst the drive-in Ticket Cinema and Phoenix Arts theatre are ideal places to spend some evening down-time. For families, there are a selection of local schools to choose from for all ages including Bordon Garrison Pre School, Bordon Infant School, Bordon Junior School and Oakmoor Secondary School. Commuting residents will be well-placed in Bordon. Alton rail station is a 17-minute drive away, offering direct services into London Waterloo in just over an hour (66 minutes). By road, the neighbouring cathedral towns of Winchester and Guildford are just 20 miles away, whilst the South Coast towns of Portsmouth, Southampton and Chichester are all within easy reach. The inclusion of a brand new relief road in the town’s regeneration plans will make travelling to and from the area even smoother. Prices at Whistle Wood start from £365,000. For further information, please visit https://homestobuy.placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/whistle-wood-bordon/.
Mr Shinsuke Kubo, Hochiki Europe’s Commercial Director steps into the role of Managing Director from 3rd July, with Graham Lowe, the outgoing MD, remaining in the business part time to support Mr Kubo during his first year in the role. Shinsuke Kubo has been part of the Hochiki global operation for close to three decades, moving from Japan to the US and Middle East before joining the UK team a year ago. He takes over from Graham Lowe who has stood at the helm of the European operation for the last 6 years and has taken the organisation to the very front of Hochiki’s global offering, overseeing sustained growth across the European territories during his tenure. Mr Kubo will call upon his passion for customer experience, along with his extensive knowledge of both the Hochiki product and the fire industry to continue this trajectory and build on the strong legacy he inherits. Of his new role Shinsuke says: “I have enjoyed a fantastic career with Hochiki for the last 29 years (in Japan for 17 years, US for 7 years, Dubai 4 years and UK for the past year) and have gained experience of the industry and our customers across the globe. I’ve learnt a great deal about UK and European markets during the last year and have grown to understand how this region differs from the US, Middle East, and India markets. I think it’s time to bring all this knowledge together in my new role to continue to grow the business here.” Hochiki Europe continue to commit to ensuring the best people are in place in order to deliver the best life safety technology and customer experience. Kubo’s breadth of experience and the firm foundations he has to build from will undoubtedly stand him in firm stead. To find out more about Hochiki Europe and its range of market leading life safety products visit hochikieurope.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the launch of Speedy Hire’s new Velocity strategy announced earlier this month, the UK’s leading construction equipment hire and service provider has partnered with leading global mobile elevating work platform manufacturer Niftylift, to design, manufacture and bring to market the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platform. Through the three-year exclusive partnership, customers will be able to order the zero-emission technology exclusively through Speedy Hire, providing a ground-breaking solution for the construction and related sectors on the journey towards net zero. The zero carbon MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) is the first viable alternative to diesel-powered equipment available on the market, especially during the early stages on construction sites where electric infrastructure is virtually non-existent. The hydrogen-electric platform can typically be operated for up to five days on a single electric charge, with additional range available from the hydrogen fuel cell, emitting zero carbon into the atmosphere without compromising on reliability. The launch is part of a £9m investment in sustainable powered access products, and the exclusive partnership provides an insight into Speedy Hire’s Velocity business strategy, where the company has pledged to continuously innovate and collaborate with the value chain to deliver sustainable specialist products and solutions for customers to meet their carbon reduction targets, whilst also being commercially sustainable. Manufactured in Milton Keynes at Niftylift’s facility, with technical support from Speedy Hire, the world’s first hydrogen-electric powered access platforms will roll off the production line at Niftylift and be delivered to Speedy Hire’s Innovation Centre in Milton Keynes during July. Dan Evans, Chief Executive at Speedy Hire, said: “We have a strong history of leading the market in combining product innovation and sustainability, and our collaboration with NiftyLift is yet another example of that. Our sustainable growth strategy, Velocity, sets out a clear direction for the business to deliver long term benefits to our customers, our people and our investors and this is a strong example of Velocity in action.” “Our investment and collaboration with Niftylift enable us to accelerate the sustainable and technological evolution in the sectors where we operate, and supports our ambitious plan to become a net zero business by 2040, ten years ahead of the government target, whilst also enduring commercial sustainability against traditional alternatives for our customers.” Andrew Briggs, Powered Access Managing Director at Speedy Hire, said: “This is an exciting new addition to our specialist products and services offering. The phenomenal single charging capability of the Niftylift hydrogen-electric powered access platform is the powered access equivalent of launching a new vehicle with a thousand-mile range, and that is before you add the additional capacity of the hydrogen fuel cell. This innovation will enable our customers to hire a game-changing and repeatable on-site solution, that helps them meet their operational net zero targets of the future.” John Keely, Managing Director at Niftylift: “Working with Speedy Hire on this latest product innovation has been an incredible experience. Speedy Hire’s vision, collaborative support, and willingness to commit to such an important project has helped us to solve a huge issue facing the powered access industry. With our new hydrogen-electric HR15E and HR17E, Speedy can provide its customers with a long-term net zero solution for on-site machine charging – a world-first and a massive step forward for the powered access industry.” Speedy Hire will be hosting product-led events to demonstrate the new hydrogen-electric access platform, to learn more contact: hydrogenelectric@speedypoweredaccess.com
