Grassroots rugby league clubs are being given the chance to win building materials to spruce up their facilities and receive a visit from England stars in a new campaign. Selco Builders Warehouse, one of the UK’s leading builders merchants, has launched its ‘Growing Grassroots’ campaign in conjunction with the Rugby
Midlands-based homebuilder Spitfire Homes has secured planning permission for 371 homes across the Midlands in just one week. Leading the plans is a 280-home scheme in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, along with a further 61 properties located at a former Sandvik HQ in Halesowen, Dudley, and a collection of 30 new homes
LEADING multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy EDGE has been reappointed to the NHS Shared Business Services’ (SBS) new £2 billion Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework. As the leading supplier of corporate services to the NHS, the new four-year framework is divided into 11 service lots that are
Baxi has appointed James Matthews as the new Head of Public Health to lead its technical specification and sales team in supplying energy-efficient low-carbon hot water solutions involving Heatrae Sadia and Andrews Water Heaters products. James joins Baxi with a wealth of experience gained from previous roles within the construction
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has partnered with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) – a new and innovative Higher Education Institution that is revolutionising engineering degree education in the UK. Based in Hereford, NMITE has designed its curriculum to mirror real-world working environments with students
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is urging a fresh review of the pre-insulated pipe and duct market following the recent release of BS 5422:2023 and ahead of a raft of secondary legislation relating to the Building Safety Act. TICA, together with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), first raised
What: ThermoSphere Ultimate® is an award-winning electric underfloor heating cable with guaranteed reliability and the first and only cable to combine TwistedTwin construction and in-line joint technology, making it the strongest and most robust cable on the market. Who: ThermoSphere, a leading British-based electrical heating manufacturer, has been using its
In the world of defence engineering, where cutting-edge technology and precision are paramount, renowned defence contractors play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of military capabilities. The military industry is continually looking for new ways to improve its infrastructure, hardware, and overall capabilities. Defence contractors contribute significantly to the
Grassroots rugby league clubs are being given the chance to win building materials to spruce up their facilities and receive a visit from England stars in a new campaign. Selco Builders Warehouse, one of the UK’s leading builders merchants, has launched its ‘Growing Grassroots’ campaign in conjunction with the Rugby Football League (RFL), of which it is an official partner. Any grassroots rugby league club is entitled to enter the competition for the chance to win a top prize of £2,000 worth of building materials, a visit to the club from England players and tickets to one of the national team’s Autumn Series internationals against Tonga. Clubs must explain in no more than 100 words how the £2,000 donation would benefit them and entries can be made at https://www.selcobw.com/info/growing-grassroots-rugby-league-competition Carine Jessamine, marketing director of Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “We have a long and proud record of supporting the sport of rugby league over the last decade. “We’ve backed a number of different professional clubs, including Salford Red Devils currently, are supporting the national team through the RFL and were an official partner of the Rugby League World Cup last year. “Throughout our time being involved in rugby league, we have always looked at different ways we can support local clubs because they are the lifeblood of the sport. “Our Growing Grassroots campaign is designed to help a local rugby league club which does outstanding work in its local community carry out vital work to its playing or training facilities. “Each of our branches has thousands of products under one roof so, whatever the needs of the club, we will be able to supply the materials to get the job done. “We know money is tight across all amateur sports so we have no doubt there are many clubs across the country for which this prize would make a huge difference to the way it operates, both now and in the future.” Bobby Bahadori, head of partnerships for Rugby League Commercial, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for grassroots clubs and typifies Selco’s commitment to supporting rugby league at all levels. “An injection of £2,000 into a grassroots club will create opportunities for vital work to be done which, without this funding, may otherwise be left to go into a state of disrepair. “With the England player visit and tickets to one of the big games against Tonga included in the prize, it’s a fantastic all-round package for a grassroots club to win.” With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s 75 UK branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver and Click & Collect services and a new app – as well as a ‘Dial & Deliver’ telephone service – to make life as convenient as possible for tradespeople. For more information on Selco visit www.selcobw.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands-based homebuilder Spitfire Homes has secured planning permission for 371 homes across the Midlands in just one week. Leading the plans is a 280-home scheme in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, along with a further 61 properties located at a former Sandvik HQ in Halesowen, Dudley, and a collection of 30 new homes in the Worcestershire village of Crowle. This latest success showcases Spitfire’s continued investment in the region, strengthening its pipeline of homes, meeting the demand from a range of buyers for quality, sustainable properties in the Midlands, and also supporting the employment of 1,150 people*. Despite the recent announcements, Ben Leather, Managing Director at Spitfire Homes, says the process of securing planning permission has been an extremely difficult and drawn-out process. “Despite our recent planning success, as an SME housebuilder we experience significant struggles with the current planning system on a daily basis – something that is felt throughout the industry. “Reserved Matters permission for one of these developments took almost 12 months to secure, despite being an allocated site in the Local Plan with Outline Permission already in place, and no objections from any statutory consultees. Another development on a brownfield site was challenged by unjustified design and highways requests, whilst staffing changes within the planning department further slowed the process which took over a year. “These are just some recent examples of how the current system prevents housebuilders from delivering homes that are needed in strategic locations within acceptable timeframes.” Housing Secretary Micheal Gove recently set out new measures that he hopes will unblock the planning system and enable the building of more homes in the right places where there is local consent. Developers will be asked to contribute more through fees, to help support a higher-quality, more efficient planning service, but Leather doesn’t think the changes go far enough to provide a deliverable mix of homes, of all tenures, to solve England’s housing crisis. “We support the principle of paying higher planning fees if it means Local Planning Authorities spend those additional fees on increasing the resources within their teams and it isn’t diverted to other Council departments. “With increases in interest rates, the cost for SME housebuilders to put sites on hold whilst waiting for planning approvals can be crippling for small businesses, so this change is absolutely essential to promote the future success of these businesses and ensure their continued contribution to the economy. “The recent Save Our SMEs campaign championed by the HBF further demonstrated the sentiment from housebuilders similar to Spitfire Homes, with 166 businesses signing the open letter to Government in response to recent policy amendments which remove the requirement for mandatory local housing targets, further throttling the amount of planning permissions granted for new homes. It’s vital housing targets are reinstated and are not reliant on conversion of commercial and agricultural buildings to provide more homes as advocated by Gove. “Increasing the quality and level of resource within the planning system is a significant step forward in the delivery of much-needed new homes.” To find out more about Spitfire Homes, please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy EDGE has been reappointed to the NHS Shared Business Services’ (SBS) new £2 billion Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services Framework. As the leading supplier of corporate services to the NHS, the new four-year framework is divided into 11 service lots that are utilised by both NHS and Social Care organisations along with other authorised public sector bodies. As part of the company’s reappointment, EDGE’s service provision has been expanded from its previous single-lot remit to Lots 2, 4, 8 and 11, spanning Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and Ancillary Services respectively, with a combined estimated project value of £600 million. Matt Hill, director at EDGE, said: “We are really pleased to announce our reappointment to the leading NHS SBS Framework, building on our strong healthcare workflow through a compliant delivery vehicle for clients – which forms part of the best-in-class service we provide.” “As experts in health and social care property and construction consultancy, we have an ever-expanding range of expertise in the sector and are proud to have not only been reappointed, but to have had the scope of our services broadened widely to the framework’s range of healthcare and public sector partners.” EDGE has successfully delivered a series of diverse projects over the gestation of the previous 4-year framework, including Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s new Urgent and Emergency Care Department, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS’ new-build adult acute care unit, Nottingham University Hospitals’ NHP funded National Rehabilitation Centre, and Northern Care Alliance’s new surgical ward block at Royal Oldham Hospital. To further support the framework requirements under Lot 11 Ancillary Services, EDGE recently made the strategic appointment of Paula Atkin as healthcare estates lead, strengthening the EDGE health and social care service offer. Building on Paula’s 22 years working within the NHS enables EDGE to offer business case facilitation, healthcare planning and estate strategy support to their NHS clients. Marc Chapman was also recently recruited as national head of building surveying, strengthening EDGE’s position to provide Lot 8 in accordance with RICS professional standards through his 35 years working across the property and construction industry. Matt continued: “EDGE has found the framework particularly beneficial for NHS organisations to quickly and directly call on our professional services, knowing that they will receive an experienced, agile and professional service that can evidence high quality services and value for money. “We’ve expanded rapidly as a business in recent years and are proud of the position we’ve created for ourselves as a young but incredibly competent consultancy with the ability to deliver high-quality results. Maintaining a presence for EDGE across public sector frameworks is really important to the continued strategic growth of our regional offices, and we are confident that our appointment will help us to build on our strong position going forward.” NHS SBS is one of seven national frameworks and 16 regional frameworks that EDGE is currently part of, which will help to expand its framework and healthcare project portfolio over the next four years. For more information on EDGE and its services, follow the link below: https://www.edgeps.co.uk/
Baxi has appointed James Matthews as the new Head of Public Health to lead its technical specification and sales team in supplying energy-efficient low-carbon hot water solutions involving Heatrae Sadia and Andrews Water Heaters products. James joins Baxi with a wealth of experience gained from previous roles within the construction industry, most recently as Business Development Director at Polypipe. Rob Erwood, Commercial Sales and Specification Director at Baxi, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James as our new Head of Public Health, working alongside Anne Wraith, our Head of Building Services, and Michelle Wright, our Head of Key Accounts. Commercial hot water generation is a vital service with unique challenges and opportunities, and James’s appointment reflects our commitment to providing exceptional support for our customers in this sector.” Experts in hot water systems and renewable/LZC technologies, Baxi’s Public Health team assists public health and mechanical engineers, contractors and commercial end-users in achieving the best solutions for every commercial hot water application. The company’s comprehensive commercial hot water portfolio includes Heatrae Sadia electric hot water solutions, Andrews Water Heaters gas-fired water heaters, buffer vessels and cylinders, Remeha air source heat pumps, and prefabricated packaged plant rooms. James said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Baxi, given the increasing focus on decarbonising heating and hot water in buildings. From specification to supply and commissioning, I am looking forward to leading my team in providing the best solutions and technical support for our existing and new customers as they transition to a low/zero carbon future.” For more information on the Baxi range of commercial hot water products, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has partnered with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) – a new and innovative Higher Education Institution that is revolutionising engineering degree education in the UK. Based in Hereford, NMITE has designed its curriculum to mirror real-world working environments with students engaged in projects to enhance their practical experience, arming them with critical skills and industry knowledge. With an innovative accelerated degree programme and more flexible entry requirements which includes no prerequisites of Maths or Physics at A-level – this is embedded within the curriculum and students are taught what they need to know – the forward-thinking institution opens the doors for a broader and more diverse range of students to pursue careers in engineering. Currently comprising 60 students, NMITE has ambitious plans to grow its student body to approximately 300 by 2027, having received vital funding from the UK Government in 2017. Through the partnership, Balfour Beatty will actively contribute to the NMITE curriculum, ensuring a seamless integration of industry expertise with academia. The collaboration will see the company provide industrial placements for students on some of Balfour Beatty’s most exciting and inspiring projects across the UK, as well as host seminars that provide technical insights into the construction and infrastructure industry. Paul Raby, Balfour Beatty Group HR Director said: “We are thrilled to join forces with NMITE and contribute to their ground-breaking approach to engineering education. By combining our industry expertise with NMITE’s innovative curriculum, we can empower the next generation of engineers to excel in practical skills and meet the evolving demands of the construction industry. “With this partnership, we can open doors for a diverse range of young people to enter the construction industry by catering to a variety of learning abilities that equips students with a well-rounded skillset.” James Newby, Chief Executive at NMITE, comments: “Our breakthrough, interdisciplinary model of higher education involves, at every stage, engagement with employer partners and work on real life projects. What better experience for our students to have than to hone their skills with a partner of the calibre of Balfour Beatty? Joining forces with this leading international group will be another fundamental part of shaping tomorrow’s engineers so that students leave NMITE not only work ready but as true game changers.” This latest partnership is a further example of Balfour Beatty’s commitment to attracting the next generation of talent, with 6.5% of the company’s UK workforce now made up of Apprentices, Graduates, Trainees and Sponsored Students as part of its membership of The 5% Club – a dynamic movement of employers committed to providing ‘Earn & Learn’ positions.
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is urging a fresh review of the pre-insulated pipe and duct market following the recent release of BS 5422:2023 and ahead of a raft of secondary legislation relating to the Building Safety Act. TICA, together with the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), first raised their concerns over the suitability of pre-insulated pipework and ductwork product, when utilised inside buildings, in July 2022. Chris Ridge, TICA’s Technical Policy Manager said “Twelve months after our initial communications it has become necessary for TICA to raise this issue again. BS 5422:2023 now defines Reaction to Fire in terms of the Euroclass system and states a minimum performance of Euroclass C-s3, d2 in dwelling applications and B-s3, d2 in non-dwelling applications. Many pre-insulated systems that are being marketed for use inside of buildings simply do not meet these criteria.” In addition, TICA is raising questions over the testing regimes employed by some manufacturers of pre-insulated pipe and duct systems. “We are seeing vastly differing reaction to fire results for products that appear to be of a similar nature,” added Chris. “In some cases, the testing processes adopted by manufacturers of pre-insulated product appear to have diverged from the agreed testing methods commonly understood for traditional thermal insulation products. “Ultimately, manufacturers are marketing a system by combining pipe and duct products with an insulation product – this cannot negate the responsibility of testing the insulation element to the prescribed standards.” TICA has also highlighted the fact that some pre-insulated products are being marketed for applications where they simply cannot meet the required maximum heat loss requirements prescribed in BS 5422:2023 and Approved Document L Volumes 1 & 2. Chris said: “Those responsible for specifying and installing pre-insulated systems should be prepared to ask some detailed questions first. Ultimately, this is not just a combination of products but a junction of trades. “No-one would automatically assume that a thermal insulator is competent to install or specify pipework and ductwork – why, then, should we assume that a ductwork contractor or pipework contractor is competent to install or specify thermal insulation?” BS 5422:2023 applies to thermal insulating materials for pipes, tanks, vessels, ductwork and equipment operating between-40ºc and +700ºc. The first update in since 2009, it is the cornerstone of UK thermal insulation standards, setting out minimum levels of performance for different operating conditions. TICA can provide further information, complete with a list of questions that can be put to manufacturers and distributors of pre-insulated products, upon request. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
What: ThermoSphere Ultimate® is an award-winning electric underfloor heating cable with guaranteed reliability and the first and only cable to combine TwistedTwin construction and in-line joint technology, making it the strongest and most robust cable on the market. Who: ThermoSphere, a leading British-based electrical heating manufacturer, has been using its technical expertise to drive innovation for over 25 years. Why: In electric underfloor heating installation, most faults occur at the connection or ‘joint’ where the hot underfloor cable meets the cold cable running to the thermostat. These joints are typically crimped or soldered and then heat shrink wrapped, making them three times thicker than the cable. Their bulky size forces installers to carve holes into the subfloor, insulation, and membrane mats using sharp blades and even grinders. ThermoSphere Ultimate®drastically improves installation time and removes all these issues installers currently face: How: ThermoSphere have incorporated the hot-to-cold joint connections into the primary manufacturing process, creating invisible joints and a reliable, award-winning cable that’s uniform in thickness from end-to-end ThermoSphere Ultimate®offers many benefits to installers and merchants: If the cable fails in first 12 months due to manufacturing, ThermoSphere will replace the system and flooring*. The guarantee means merchants and installers never need to worry about damage or dead stock. Where: For more information on cable specifications, pricing and to get your hands on ThermoSphere Ultimate® visit https://www.thermosphere.com/products/floor-heating/ultimate Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the world of defence engineering, where cutting-edge technology and precision are paramount, renowned defence contractors play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of military capabilities. The military industry is continually looking for new ways to improve its infrastructure, hardware, and overall capabilities. Defence contractors contribute significantly to the creation and delivery of cutting-edge defence systems in order to accomplish this. We shall examine the developments and difficulties in military engineering contracting in this blog, illuminating the vital role it plays in defending countries and preserving international security. The Importance of Defence Engineering Contracting Defence engineering contracting combines the skills of government organizations, military personnel, and contractors from the commercial sector. These collaborations are essential because they help different stakeholders transmit information, technology, and resources. Defence contractors frequently lead the way in research and development and are essential in making abstract concepts a reality. Advancements in Defence Engineering Contracting 1. Technological Integration Modern technology’s seamless integration into military systems is one of the main developments in defence engineering contracts. Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, robots, and cyber capabilities have proliferated quickly in recent years. Defence contractors embraced new technologies quickly and incorporated them into their designs, giving armed forces better situational awareness, increased productivity, and improved decision-making. For instance, the deployment of AI-driven autonomous systems has revolutionized several facets of defence operations. Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have grown into indispensable tools for operations including reconnaissance, surveillance, and information gathering. These devices extend mission endurance, decrease dangers to human operators, and enable operation in hazardous or inhospitable locations. 2. Additive Manufacturing Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been another game-changer in defence engineering contracting. The technology allows for rapid prototyping, cost-effective production, and on-demand manufacturing of complex components. Defence contractors have embraced additive manufacturing for creating custom parts and components, optimizing supply chains, and reducing lead times. Furthermore, the ability to print spare parts in the field has drastically improved logistical support for deployed forces. This technology ensures that military equipment remains operational for more extended periods, even in remote or challenging environments. It also reduces the reliance on traditional supply chains, making the military more agile and self-sufficient. 3. Cybersecurity Solutions With the increasing reliance on interconnected and network-centric systems, cybersecurity has become a critical aspect of modern defence engineering. Contractors now invest significantly in developing robust cybersecurity solutions to protect military infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber threats. Defence contractors work closely with cybersecurity experts to develop secure communication networks, encryption algorithms, and intrusion detection systems. The goal is to build a resilient and impenetrable digital fortress to safeguard critical defence assets from cyberattacks. 4. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Advancements in defence engineering also encompass a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Military operations are energy-intensive, and traditional sources of energy can be cumbersome during deployments. Defence contractors are now actively developing and implementing greener solutions to reduce the environmental impact of military activities. Military bases and stations are using renewable energy sources, such solar and wind power, to run more effectively and responsibly. In order to reduce fuel consumption and increase operational range, military equipment and vehicles are also being equipped with energy-efficient technologies. Challenges in Defence Engineering Contracting While advancements in defence engineering contracting have brought about significant improvements, the industry also faces several challenges that must be addressed: 1. Budgetary Constraints Defence projects are often expensive endeavors, and budgetary constraints can pose significant challenges. Governments and military agencies must strike a delicate balance between investing in cutting-edge technologies and staying within allocated budgets. This challenge requires contractors to be innovative and cost-conscious in their approach to project execution. 2. Regulatory Compliance Defence engineering is subject to strict regulations, both in terms of technology transfer and compliance with national and international laws. Export controls and restrictions on sensitive technologies can impact the flow of information and materials across borders, making collaboration and international partnerships more complex. 3. Intellectual Property Protection Intellectual property (IP) protection is a critical concern for defence contractors. The research and development efforts put into creating advanced technologies and systems need to be safeguarded from theft or unauthorized use. Balancing the need for collaboration with the protection of valuable IP requires meticulous planning and well-defined contractual agreements. 4. Evolving Threat Landscape As technology advances, so do the threats faced by military forces. Defence contractors must continually adapt to the evolving threat landscape and develop solutions that can counter emerging challenges. This requires staying ahead of adversaries and investing in research and development to maintain a competitive edge. Final Thoughts Defence engineering contracting is a dynamic and complex field that continually evolves to meet the challenges of modern warfare. Advancements in technology have significantly impacted defence systems, making them more efficient, intelligent, and sustainable. Renowned defence contractors play a crucial role in these advancements, leveraging their expertise to enhance national security.
