Cole Waterhouse and Taurus Investment Holdings have now achieved completion at ‘Eda’, Erie Dock Apartments, the landmark 290-bedroom Build-to-Rent (BTR) scheme at Salford Quays. At 29-storeys the BTR building is the highest residential tower on the Salford Quays skyline and has been completed on budget and three months ahead of
COWI, a leading international engineering consulting group, has been awarded a contract by renewable energy company Drax. COWI, in collaboration with the Owner’s Engineer, Studio Pietrangeli, will provide consultancy services to support works in advance of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) of the expansion of Drax’s existing pumped storage hydro-electric
Fusion Steel Framing, the award-winning manufacturer of light steel framing solutions, has been brought on board as a contractor for 5-star housebuilder The Hill Group and L&Q’s large-scale redevelopment of the former Citroen garage, Kew Bridge Rise, in West London. Fusion will be fabricating 13,720 square metres of its innovative
Leading flexible workspace announces third Management Agreement in London in just three months to create further modern flexible office space in prestigious location. Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed another new Management Agreement to create further high spec flexible workspace at 70 Gracechurch Street, EC3. The new space will
Caddick Construction Group has opened new premises in Birmingham, marking the business’ expansion into the Midlands following the appointment of Ray O’Sullivan as Regional Director. The new office, located at Northspring, will be home to a team tasked with replicating Caddick Construction Group’s success in the North East, North West
Leading East Midlands Homebuilder, Fairgrove, is aiming to attract new recruits to its existing workforce as the country’s demand for housing continues to grow amidst an ongoing and entrenched labour shortage. The family-run homebuilder currently has three development projects under way, which include the Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in
The global market for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles is forecast to reach over $380 billion by 2034, driven primarily by demand for battery electric cars but with rapid growth to other sectors too, including electric vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and off-road vehicles. Electrification and emissions targets, improving battery performance,
The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed how house prices surrounding schools across the capital with an Ofsted rating of Good or Outstanding are going against the grain of a lethargic London property market, with a far higher rate of growth when compared
Taconova UK, a leading provider of intelligent building technology solutions, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Behfar Abedinia as General Manager. Behfar will lead the UK team as it continues to champion the adoption of sustainable heating technologies, offer comfort solutions, and support customers in their
Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, has announced a multi-million pound investment in 400 new truck loader cranes. These new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are the first of their kind and will replace the existing cranes on the Group’s heavy side delivery vehicles in the
Cole Waterhouse and Taurus Investment Holdings have now achieved completion at ‘Eda’, Erie Dock Apartments, the landmark 290-bedroom Build-to-Rent (BTR) scheme at Salford Quays. At 29-storeys the BTR building is the highest residential tower on the Salford Quays skyline and has been completed on budget and three months ahead of schedule by contractor Domis Construction. Last month the team secured the first letting for the building with numerous units also now under offer having received over 500 enquiries in the first four days of marketing. Designed by Chapman Taylor architects, Eda is a 250,640 sq ft, L-shaped residential building comprising one, two and three-bedroom apartments which are now available to let. Three show apartments, designed and furnished by Project FF&E, are open for walk-in viewings throughout September. A series of curated events for residents and prospective occupiers is also planned through the autumn with partnerships from local retail and leisure operators. Commenting on the partnership with Taurus and achieving early completion of Eda, Simon Gallanders, Managing Director of Cole Waterhouse Residential, said: “We’ve worked in close partnership with our joint venture partner Taurus and our contractor Domis to achieve this milestone, taking a highly collaborative approach from start to finish which has had a significant impact on the speed and quality of delivery. We have some exciting collaborations planned with local food and drink establishments, leisure, retail and transport operators to provide discounts and exclusive deals for our new residents who are looking forward to moving into the building this month.” “The delivery of Eda really has been a great example of a best-in-class partnership working together to achieve a superb sustainable project,” stated Nick Jacobs, Managing Director of Taurus UK. “We started this programme in Covid and despite the continued economic turbulence and the associated supply and skills issues Domis has completed a remarkable job to be able to achieve such an early handover of the building.” “I am grateful for the incredible efforts and execution of all our partners who have helped to bring to life our unique and distinctive vision for Eda.” He added: “We are already working on our second joint venture partnership with Cole Waterhouse at Upper Trinity Street in Digbeth, Birmingham and look forward to bringing the first phase forwards in 2024.” Lee McCarren, Managing Director of Domis Construction, added: “We’re proud to have completed the tallest tower in Salford Quays well ahead of time and that achievement is down to the dedication and commitment of our superb team working in close collaboration with Cole Waterhouse and Taurus. “The team developed an incredible bond during the delivery of this prestigious scheme, taking a real partnership approach, with flexibility and trust shown on all sides. This is our second highly successful project with Cole Waterhouse and Eda will be a fantastic addition to the residential offer in Salford.” Eda is Cole Waterhouse and Taurus’ first joint BTR targeted development in the UK. The entire project team celebrated the delivery and handover of the building with an on-site event on 31st August which saw the unveiling of a specially commissioned plaque to celebrate the roles of all the project partners. Eda residents will benefit from access to biodiverse green spaces, including two landscaped terrace gardens on the mezzanine and level 19, plus private terraces for each rooftop penthouse apartment. Built with integrated energy-efficient design principles in mind, Eda uses high grade insulation for a thermally efficient construction with low air permeability, energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting to minimise energy consumption and reduce utility costs for residents, as well as MVHR systems to reduce heating loads. The development is close to Anchorage Metrolink station and local bus routes to encourage public transport use. Bicycle storage and EV chargers are also available to residents. At ground level there is 4,000 sq ft of commercial space already pre-let to Co-op Food, as well as extensive areas of internal amenity including a co-working space, residents’ lounges, cinema room, bookable private dining and entertaining facilities along with a fully equipped gym and a dedicated on-site concierge and management team. The Eda delivery team also includes Jon Matthews Architects as delivery architect, WSP Planning, structural engineers Renaissance, M&E consultants Novo, landscape architects Exterior Architecture, project managers/quantity surveying services by Henry Riley, Project Four Safety Solutions providing CDM and Principal Designer services with legal advice from Ward Hadaway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
COWI, a leading international engineering consulting group, has been awarded a contract by renewable energy company Drax. COWI, in collaboration with the Owner’s Engineer, Studio Pietrangeli, will provide consultancy services to support works in advance of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) of the expansion of Drax’s existing pumped storage hydro-electric generation station located beneath Ben Cruachan in Argyll, Scotland. The expansion of Cruachan (known as Cruachan 2) is set to play a crucial role in strengthening UK energy security by offering long-term, large-scale energy storage to the UK’s electricity system, helping to reduce costs and prepare for a renewable-led future. Cruachan 2 is set to be built within a new, hollowed-out cavern which would be large enough to fit Big Ben on its side, to the east of Drax’s existing 440 megawatt (MW) pumped storage hydro station. The project will bring an additional 600 MW of power – increasing the site’s total capacity to over 1 gigawatt (GW). The new plant could be operational as soon as 2030, with almost 900 jobs created and supported during construction both directly and indirectly across the supply chain. Drawing upon its local expertise in Scotland as well as its UK-wide proficiency, COWI will play an important role in providing technical advice for the geotechnical, jetty / marine structures and tunnelling elements of the project. COWI’s involvement in the project will also extend beyond the power station to the wider Cruachan area by tapping into its extensive experience in rail to support considerations made for the railway line beneath which the new access and tailrace tunnels will run. Cruachan 2 will help support the UK goal of 30 GW of energy storage by 2030. As the UK integrates more renewable energy sources into the grid, storage facilities like this will be vital for balancing supply and demand and providing key services to stabilise the Grid. Andy Sloan, Managing Director at COWI UK comments: “We are delighted to have been selected to support Drax with this project. Scotland is undergoing a hydro-pumped storage renaissance. There’s a profound opportunity for hydroelectric developments in the UK, particularly in Scotland, which will not only address our need for long-term storage in the UK energy market but support our journey to net-zero by 2045.” Steve Marshall, Drax’s Development Manager, said: “Pumped storage hydro plants play a critical role in stabilising the electricity system, helping to balance supply and demand through storing excess power from the national grid. When Scotland’s wind turbines are generating more power than we need, Cruachan steps in to store the renewable electricity so it doesn’t go to waste. With the right support from the UK Government, Drax is ready to invest around £500m to more than double Cruachan’s generating capacity and support almost 900 jobs across the supply chain during construction.” Spanning a period of six years, a comprehensive construction program is expected to start in 2025 with ambitions to complete the project by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fusion Steel Framing, the award-winning manufacturer of light steel framing solutions, has been brought on board as a contractor for 5-star housebuilder The Hill Group and L&Q’s large-scale redevelopment of the former Citroen garage, Kew Bridge Rise, in West London. Fusion will be fabricating 13,720 square metres of its innovative TraxTM product to form the steel frame system infill across five buildings of up to 18 storeys on the development. Kew Bridge Rise, located within the heart of the Brentford regeneration area, will deliver 441 new homes, of which 50% will be affordable. Construction of the steel frame system has already begun on site, with the development expected to complete in 2026. Since its foundation in 2000, Fusion has delivered more light steel residential structures than any other European producer and worked with some of the largest contractors and developers in the UK construction industry. In 2022 Fusion was acquired by Hill to advance Hill’s progress in Modern Methods of Construction practises (MMC) and more efficiently integrate light gauge steel frames on developments such as Kew Bridge Rise. Mike Fairey, Managing Director at Fusion Steel Framing, comments: “We are delighted to be providing our industry-leading TraxTM product on this significant residential scheme, and to support our partners at Hill and L&Q in bringing their vision for the project to life. TraxTM’s custom design, high-precision engineering, and exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation mean our product aligns perfectly with their ambition to deliver high-quality residential units across the development.” TraxTM is a highly economical non-load bearing infill system which helps to create rapid dry building envelopes on a range of building types using steel framing. The works at Kew Bridge Rise will involve Fusion forming the openings, applying RCM DensGlas external board, Kingspan K-Roc insulation and fitting of brick tie channels. Fusion expects to be working on-site for around 12 months. Fusion will manufacture TraxTM at the company’s high-grade 80,000ft2 manufacturing facility in Northampton, which has the capacity to deliver over 30,000m2 of light steel each year. The company’s expert engineers will then deliver and install the TraxTM system at the Kew Bridge Rise site. The development will have a concrete frame structure and TraxTM will be used for the infill between floors, sitting on the floor slab up to the ceiling. In addition, Fusion will create the window apertures, providing a complete solution for the project. Cain Peters, Regional Director at The Hill Group comments: “The key advantage of using Fusions’ trail-blazing TraxTM system is the ability to rapidly accelerate construction projects while de-risking the process of installing a structural framework system. The system also reduces fire risk which is always at the forefront of our construction design. This extensive redevelopment project will be an impressive example of the capabilities of delivering pre-fabricated steel frame systems at scale.” Hill and L&Q began on-site in Brentford in September 2022. The project also includes a new public square, alongside significant investment in local infrastructure improvements. The joint venture partnership will also provide a range of social benefits for the local area during construction, including investment in significant employment, training and community focussed opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading flexible workspace announces third Management Agreement in London in just three months to create further modern flexible office space in prestigious location. Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed another new Management Agreement to create further high spec flexible workspace at 70 Gracechurch Street, EC3. The new space will open in January 2024 The 37,000 sq ft of flexible workspace will be newly refurbished to provide around 650 workstations on the 4th and 7th floors of the building. In addition, there will be substantial collaboration spaces and meeting room services. Orega already has management agreements in the building and operates 50,000 sq ft. of flex space on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The scheme has been hugely successful to date and is consistently at 95+% occupancy. Orega plans to manage the new space in a similar successful way. The new space means Orega will therefore be managing over 87,000 sq ft of flex space at Gracechurch Street, a testament to how successful it has been with its current flex space in the building. 70 Gracechurch Street is a 200,000 sq ft building located in the heart of the City, just minutes from Bank tube station. It is close to many local amenities including restaurants, coffee bars, gyms and retail and is situated next to the historic Leadenhall Market, one of London’s oldest marketplaces. The new workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for the area’s professional and financial businesses, and will offer brand new: The new space will help consolidate Orega’s offering of flexible workspace in the City. Orega recently announced the acquisition of 27,832 sq ft at 70, Mark Lane, EC3 and approx. 36,000 sq ft at 51, Lime Street EC3 in August. The expansion at Gracechurch Street therefore is the third management agreement it has announced in the City in the last three months. The company now offers flex space from six locations in London, where it now runs over 220,000 sq feet of space out of its total portfolio of around 605,000 sq ft across the UK. It is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “Given the changing nature of working patterns, high quality flex space in London is increasingly popular. Latest research from the Instant Group* shows that occupancy rates in London are higher than average, as are occupancy rates for higher end quality space. Our current space at Gracechurch Street has been in high demand, particularly post the pandemic. We are excited about the opportunity to operate further high-quality state of the art flexible office space in this prestigious location.” Alan Pepper, CEO at Orega added, “We will now be managing over 87,000 sq ft of flex space from Gracechurch Street, a testament to how successful we have been with our current flex space in the building. This latest announcement means Orega’s London portfolio represents over 36% of our total portfolio and illustrates our belief that despite current uncertain market conditions, the demand among London businesses for high end quality flexible workspace remains high.” Allsop advised the corporate occupier on the management agreement. *The Instant Group has also forecast that by 2030 the flexible workspace market will have grown by over 500% and make up at least 25% of the UK office market”.
Caddick Construction Group has opened new premises in Birmingham, marking the business’ expansion into the Midlands following the appointment of Ray O’Sullivan as Regional Director. The new office, located at Northspring, will be home to a team tasked with replicating Caddick Construction Group’s success in the North East, North West and Yorkshire. Taking a 5-year lease at the Temple Street office, the Group is set to target new projects in both the public and private sectors, building its portfolio of commercial, education, industrial, leisure, residential, care and retail projects. The launch of the new office closely follows the appointment of Ray O’Sullivan as Regional Director for the Midlands, becoming the latest move in the Group’s ambitious growth strategy. Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director, commented: “Launching our Midlands office is an important milestone in our growth strategy; it’s a move that has been in the pipeline for some time and allows us to bring our business’ financial stability, expertise and quality to the regional market. Central to this is our appointment of Ray O’Sullivan to lead the team, and his expertise in the region sets us on a very strong footing as our business embarks on an exciting new chapter.” Ray added: “There is a wealth of opportunity in the Midlands and Caddick’s established position in the industry places it as the perfect construction partner in the region. Launching our new office is just one piece of the puzzle, and myself and the team here in Birmingham will be spending the coming months building our project pipeline and working with the regional supply chain to support our growth.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading East Midlands Homebuilder, Fairgrove, is aiming to attract new recruits to its existing workforce as the country’s demand for housing continues to grow amidst an ongoing and entrenched labour shortage. The family-run homebuilder currently has three development projects under way, which include the Brewery Yard and Nine Corners in Kimberley, Notts as well as Swanwick Fields in Alfreton, Derbyshire. To support school leavers and help ease the current skills shortage in the sector, Fairgrove invests in the next generation of construction industry workers through its apprenticeship programme that it runs each year, which provides recruits with industry standard qualifications and experience. It isn’t just apprentices and school leavers who Fairgrove is recruiting. Fairgrove’s Trainee Site Manager, Will Brownett, is passionate about the sector and believes it is a rewarding industry to get involved in. He currently focuses on running the homebuilder’s different sites and maintaining the company’s high standard of work, alongside ensuring that all trades are lined up and that his team have the materials required for upcoming projects. Will said: “I started my career by working in the finance industry for five years, but then decided I wanted more, and was interested in trying something new, which is when I took a risk and became an Assistant Site Manager at Fairgrove. “After working here for over a year and progressing in my role, I have found the pay rate to be a good one, and that the construction industry is a hugely rewarding area to work within. The process of seeing a house come together into a finished product is a great feeling, and I’m proud that I can drive past these properties in the future and tell my friends and family that I worked on them. It makes all those stressful moments on the job really mean something.” According to new research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), at least 225,000 additional workers are required by 2027 to meet demand, with the Government’s long held ambition of delivering 300,000 homes per year by the mid 2020’s seeming difficult without urgent action. Construction workers were also recently added to the Government’s ‘Shortage Occupation list’, which makes it easier for builders from abroad to apply for a working visa to help ease the skills shortage. According to Randstad, the construction industry is one of the highest paying sectors in the UK, with an average salary of £45,000, 33% higher than the national average. Will continued: “My favourite part about working at Fairgrove is that every day is different; the job never becomes mundane, and it keeps you on your toes which is an important highlight. The amount of progression in the industry is also appealing as there is so much opportunity to grow, which gives you something to work towards. I hope to become a fully qualified site manager and then continue to progress higher throughout the ranks. “With the skills shortages at the moment, there is so much work available and we are always open to taking on new recruits.” Managing Director at Fairgrove, Steve Midgley, added: “Will has become a valued member of the team since he joined us and we would encourage more people to make that career change if they are interested in getting involved in the industry, especially with the challenges the housing sector is currently facing. We look forward to seeing how Will progresses and develops in his career at Fairgrove.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The global market for Li-ion batteries in electric vehicles is forecast to reach over $380 billion by 2034, driven primarily by demand for battery electric cars but with rapid growth to other sectors too, including electric vans, trucks, buses, 2-wheelers, and off-road vehicles. Electrification and emissions targets, improving battery performance, and an increasingly attractive total cost of ownership for some vehicle segments are driving this growth in demand for battery electric vehicles (EV). Nevertheless, improvements to battery performance and cost are sought after and while developments may become increasingly incremental there are various avenues for the continued improvement of Li-ion battery technology. The new research report from IDTechEx, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, offers analysis of the technologies, designs and trends surrounding Li-ion cells, packs, and battery management systems (BMS), including Li-ion demand forecasts by EV application. The new research report from IDTechEx, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, offers analysis of the technologies, designs and trends surrounding Li-ion cells, packs, and battery management systems (BMS), including Li-ion demand forecasts by EV application. Cells Over the short term, EV battery cells are likely to see a continuation of existing trends. For example, the average nickel content of NMC and NCA chemistries continues to increase as a means to increase energy density and reduce cobalt content. Possibly the largest trend is the general shift towards LFP, a cheaper and safer option than NMC and NCA (though not inherently safe). While the energy density of LFP can be 30-40% lower than NMC or NCA, the benefits of its lower cost have become unavoidable in recent years. As such, the share of LFP in electric cars has grown, though it needs to be noted that the vast majority of this has been driven by re-adoption in China. NMC and NCA are still favored in Europe and North America, though LFP has started to enter the market. NMC chemistries are also still favored in turnkey packs for other vehicle segments. Nevertheless, cost and material supply pressures, alongside technology improvements, mean LFP is forecast to grow its share of the EV market. More transformative developments are also on the horizon. Announcements of solid-state battery developments continue while early commercialization is already taking place, for example, via the likes of Blue Solutions’ polymer type solid-state batteries. The use of silicon anode material is expected to increase with the development of more advanced silicon anode solutions and commercially ready products, promising improvements to energy density and fast charging. New cathode chemistries continue to be explored too. For example, lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) offers an interesting alternative with the potential to offer many of the benefits of LFP while increasing energy density closer to that of NMC type batteries, though commercial deployment is still limited. Pack design In light of the increasing LFP adoption within EVs, cell-to-pack battery designs take on added importance. These designs offer improved packing efficiency, increasing energy density to help reduce one of the primary disadvantages of using LFP versus NMC or NCA type batteries. CATL and BYD have implemented CTP designs alongside Tesla, Stellantis, and various other manufacturers. To improve gravimetric energy density, lightweight polymer battery enclosures are being pushed as an alternative to the incumbent steel and aluminum enclosures. Dual-chemistry designs are also being explored by the likes of CATL, NIO, and Our Next Energy. Our Next Energy presents the most extreme example with plans to couple a high energy density but low cycle life chemistry as effectively a range extender LFP. Ultimately, combinations of different Li-ion chemistries, or even combining Li-ion with Na-ion, could help to optimize the inevitable trade-offs between power, energy density, cycle life and low temperature performance. Thermal management Thermal management and fire protection have become critical considerations for EV batteries in light of safety concerns, high-profile fires, and battery recalls. While early electric vehicle models utilized passive air cooling, liquid cooling has become more prominent across various vehicle segments in recent years. According to IDTechEx data, active liquid-cooled designs made up 90% of the electric car market, compared to just over 50% in 2015. This trend applies not only to electric cars. Most turnkey batteries for commercial vehicle segments are offered with liquid cooling too. As developments in cell technology start to become increasingly incremental, developments in aspects such as thermal management become increasingly important to not only maintain safe operation but also maximize the available performance from Li-ion batteries. Battery management systems The battery management system (BMS) plays a critical role in the safe and reliable operation of any Li-ion battery. While the main functionality of a BMS is relatively well-defined, it also offers a route to expanding the performance envelope of Li-ion batteries. Improvements to safety, lifetime, fast charging, and even energy density are possible through developments to the BMS and, importantly, with minimal need to sacrifice one for another. Critical to enabling the performance improvements is the development and implementation of more accurate battery and cell state estimation (e.g., state-of-charge, state-of-health, state-of-power), allowing the maximum performance to be safely extracted from a battery. Beyond developments to BMS software and algorithms, wireless BMS solutions are also being commercialized. By implementing wireless solutions, much of the wiring and cabling can be omitted, helping to reduce weight and eliminate potential failure modes. Though deployment is relatively slow, with GM’s initial announcement for their wireless BMS in 2020, BMS semiconductor manufacturers are now offering solutions for wireless BMS designs. The new IDTechEx report, “Li-ion Batteries and Battery Management Systems for Electric Vehicles 2024-2034”, provides analysis on key innovations, advancements and trends in li-ion batteries and BMS in EVs, including discussion of performance data. The report provides an overview of some of the key drivers, challenges and battery technology choices for multiple electric vehicle segments. For more information, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/EVLithium. To see IDTechEx’s wider portfolio on the Li-ion and electric vehicle sectors, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Energy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of
The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed how house prices surrounding schools across the capital with an Ofsted rating of Good or Outstanding are going against the grain of a lethargic London property market, with a far higher rate of growth when compared to their wider boroughs. Benham and Reeves analysed house prices across London postcodes home to schools with Good or Outstanding Ofsted ratings, how they have performed over the last year and how this performance compares to the wider borough in which they are located. The London market has held fairly firm over the last year despite the wider economic landscape, although house prices have cooled by a marginal -0.6% over the last year. However, the research by Benham and Reeves shows that, on average, house prices in postcodes home to schools with an Outstanding Ofsted rating have increased by 1.9% annually. In contrast, the average annual rate of house price growth seen across the wider boroughs in which these schools are located sits at just 0.2%, meaning that postcodes with schools rated as Outstanding have seen house prices increase by a far higher margin over the last year alone. At the same time, postcodes home to a school with an Ofsted rating of Good have seen house prices climb by 2.3% over the last year, while the rate of growth across their respective wider boroughs has averaged an increase of just 0.6%. But it’s not just house price performance where top Ofsted rated schools are helping to stimulate the market. House prices within postcodes home to schools with an Outstanding command a 1.9% premium versus the average across their wider boroughs. While this may not particularly seem significant, this house price premium has grown considerably since last year when it sat at just 0.1%. Last year, house prices in postcodes home to a school rated by Ofsted as Good actually came in 1% below the average across their wider boroughs. However, today they now command a marginal premium of 0.7%, a swing of almost 2% in a single year. Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Such is the demand for schooling within London that homes within any catchment area can be sought after, even if those schools don’t hold a gold star from Ofsted. However, most parents will understandably be keen to secure a spot within a school with a favourable rating, even more so following this week’s news that so many schools have been closed due to structural issues. This can drive an unusually high level of competition within confined pockets of the London market. As a result, house price growth within these postcodes is going against the grain of the wider London market which has remained largely static over the last year and these homes are also commanding a premium when compared to the average price across their wider boroughs.” You can access the full data tables and sources for this release online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Taconova UK, a leading provider of intelligent building technology solutions, has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Behfar Abedinia as General Manager. Behfar will lead the UK team as it continues to champion the adoption of sustainable heating technologies, offer comfort solutions, and support customers in their drive to reduce carbon emissions. With distinguished roles at large organisations such as EDF, SSE, and E.ON, Behfar has a proven-track record of navigating intricate regulatory environments. By establishing collaborations with industry stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and government departments Behfar has previously secured funding for energy efficiency initiatives, particularly those backed by government schemes. His profound understanding of heat network technologies will fortify Taconova UK’s commitment to delivering sustainable, cost-effective metering and billing solutions. “We’re thrilled to welcome Behfar to the Taconova UK team,” said Ralph Seewald, Managing Director of Taconova. “With over two decades of deep-rooted experience in energy efficiency, Behfar’s expertise is an invaluable addition to Taconova UK.” Reflecting on his new role, Behfar remarked, “Being appointed as the General Manager for Taconova UK is a tremendous honour. The company, distinguished for its high-quality, resource-efficient products, caters to a diverse range of sectors – from residential properties to commercial edifices and public facilities. I am keenly looking forward to offering unparalleled service to our customers, harmonising sustainability with fiscal prudence.” Under Behfar’s leadership, Taconova UK is well-positioned to continue its mission of offering reliable, low-maintenance, and highly efficient solutions that save customers time, effort, and money. For more information about Taconova, its products and services, please visit http://www.taconova.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, has announced a multi-million pound investment in 400 new truck loader cranes. These new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are the first of their kind and will replace the existing cranes on the Group’s heavy side delivery vehicles in the Travis Perkins merchanting and Keyline Civils Specialist businesses over a three year period. This version of the HIAB iX.162 crane is around 150 kgs lighter in weight than the previous model, HIAB X-HIDUO 162. This allows the truck to increase its payload and lower its fuel consumption. To further reduce carbon emissions, the new cranes have been developed so the engine can be stopped and restarted from the crane remote control. This results in a significant reduction in idle time emissions and noise. Despite being lighter, the new crane model is stronger than the previous model. This gives operators more flexibility and enables them to deliver heavy loads in even the most challenging customer environments safely and with greater accuracy. They also come with Hiab’s all-new CombiDrive 4 remote control, which has confirmed view sensors and automatically detects operator positioning to minimise accident risk and promote better safety for operators, customers and the public. “These new cranes represent a significant investment. They support our plans to innovate and grow, and they cement our place as a leading partner to construction by serving our customers with improved safety and efficiency. All new cranes will come with a maintenance contract, which means they will be maintained to the highest standards by Hiab. They also support our own commitment to net zero and the decarbonisation of our customers’ supply chain; a commitment we share with Hiab, whose values very much align with our own,” explained Richard Byrne, Travis Perkins Group HSE & Fleet Director. Gage Roberts, Hiab Key Account Manager – UK & Ireland, said: “We are all very excited to introduce the first HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 to Travis Perkins and get this unit out working in the field. It became very apparent that when specifying a crane for our customers, the safety features alongside the environmental factors are much more prominent considerations than they ever have been previously. The new crane has an abundance of innovations that will all work towards this crane being the safest, most efficient and most productive crane in the industry. It is also great to work alongside a strategic partner such as Travis Perkins plc; a company that always demands the very best – something that benefits both businesses enormously.” “There has never been a product on the market before like the HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 in its category. Our innovation teams have been working on this round-the-clock for several years and no stone has been left unturned, from hose routing and weight savings, to enhanced safety features and technology that will help companies achieve sustainability targets. When the new HIAB iX.162 HIPRO BSS-2 cranes are rolled out, we expect the crane operators to see immediate benefits. We look forward to working with Travis Perkins and bringing about real change to the wider UK industry,” Vice President for Sales & Product Management, Loader Cranes Light & Medium, at Hiab, Alexander Gelis, added. The new 400 HIAB cranes will be rolled out from January 2024, and will be supplied to Travis Perkins and Keyline with HiConnect telematics in order to monitor the performance and safe operation of the crane. They will also be supplied with, the comprehensive service contract solution ProCare, available for Hiab equipment. It provides proactive maintenance and expert assistance to maximise equipment performance, reliability and lifespan. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
