Construction site wages were down by an average of 0.7% in 4Q2023 compared with the previous quarter, and up by 3.1% on an annual basis, the latest data from the Hays/BCIS Site Wage Cost Indices shows. Compared with 3Q2023, unskilled and semi-skilled workers’ wages showed the only growth, while all
WITH the sale of the BT Tower in London being announced this week, the opportunity to re-imagine the UK’s most iconic buildings is back in the zeitgeist. Bill Webb, co-founder and director at Able Partners highlights the importance of repurposing buildings around the UK to extend their lifespan into the
Practical Completion has been achieved at Stadium Retail Park, a commercial development in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, that will be home to new locations for Lidl GB and Wickes. The site has been brought forward by Clowes Developments. IMA Architects (IMA) has worked with Clowes Developments to provide all architectural services
The Building Safety Act has been described by government as the ‘Biggest Changes to Building Safety for a Generation’. Arguably, the most impactful change at project level is the implementation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the building control authority for all Higher Risk Buildings. We have identified four
More than £20m will be invested to improve the Metrolink network over the next 12 months, to ensure services remain safe and reliable for years to come. The UK’s largest light rail network has 99 stops across 64 miles of track – more than 700 million journeys have been made
Bouygues UK and Carmarthenshire County Council have marked 12 months of construction of the landmark Pentre Awel project by completing the steel structure of the first Zone of the development. The significant milestone in the project comes just a year after building work started and marks a pivotal stage of
The final concrete terracing panel has been installed to complete the structural work within the bowl of Everton Stadium. The final piece of the huge jigsaw was lowered into place in the east stand this week, ending 18-months of complex work since the first concrete terrace was positioned in August
Following the appointment of a new President for Europe, Aggreko has formalised its plans for 2024 and beyond with the launch of Energising Change, its new sustainability framework which places supporting the energy transition front and centre. Robert Wells – former Managing Director of Aggreko’s businesses across Africa, Middle East,
Commissioning machine rebuilds is already an integral part of Heidelberg Materials UK’s fleet management plan. This month the company welcomed a rebuilt Cat® 988K XE with electric drive back to its Whatley asphalt plant following a Cat Certified Powertrain Rebuild, giving it a new lease of life and many more
International architectural and interior design practice, CPMG, has announced the official opening of a new London studio, in the heart of the city’s design district. Seven years after first establishing a base in the capital, CPMG has taken residence in its new office located next to Exmouth Market on Roseberry
Construction site wages were down by an average of 0.7% in 4Q2023 compared with the previous quarter, and up by 3.1% on an annual basis, the latest data from the Hays/BCIS Site Wage Cost Indices shows. Compared with 3Q2023, unskilled and semi-skilled workers’ wages showed the only growth, while all other index values decreased or remained static. Skill Level Percentage change 4Q2023 on: 3Q2023 4Q2022 All-in -0.7% 3.1% Building Trades Skilled -2.8% 1.8% Mechanical and Electrical Trades Skilled -0.8% 5.7% Plant Operatives 0.0% 0.0% Unskilled and Semi-skilled 0.4% 7.7% Source: BCIS, Hays The greatest annual growth was also seen among unskilled and semi-skilled workers, whose pay was on average 7.7% higher than in 4Q2022, while plant operatives’ wages remained unchanged for the year. BCIS Solutions Architect Paul Burrows, who compiles the indices for BCIS and Hays, said: “While unskilled rates are being pushed upwards by increases to the National Living Wage, declining workload is pushing rates down for the higher skilled roles and in the middle we have no movement. “Overall, this is compressing the wage scale for construction site labour, effectively reducing the gap between the highest and lowest paid grades.” Hays also reported fewer construction job placements in 4Q2023, continuing a decrease which has been seen since 2Q2021. Burrows said: “The latest figures from ONS show that overall output in the construction sector in 4Q2023 was in negative territory, which was a significant contributor to the UK economy entering into recession in the same period. “New orders data, which is a snapshot of future work, was down 30.2% in 4Q2023 compared with 4Q2022, so upwards pressure on wages isn’t likely to be an issue in the short-term.” The Hays/BCIS Site Wage Cost Indices are produced using market data from Hays Recruitment, generally representing labour requirements for immediate fulfilment. Because of this, the indexes tend to be more volatile and faster to react to changes in market conditions than other labour indices. The BCIS Labour Cost Index, for example, incorporates the movement in nationally agreed wage awards, which are generally updated annually, across the industry. Promulgated rates that took effect in January 2024 include a 7% increase for plumbers and electricians in England and electricians in Scotland, and a 1.5% increase for asphalters. Notes: BCIS works with Hays Recruitment to track movement in the cost of site labour in the construction industry by providing the Hays/BCIS Site Wage Cost Indices. The indexes were launched at the beginning of 2020 and are based on market data provided by Hays, reflecting movement in the market for agency labour on a quarterly basis. For more information about BCIS, visit the website at www.bcis.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WITH the sale of the BT Tower in London being announced this week, the opportunity to re-imagine the UK’s most iconic buildings is back in the zeitgeist. Bill Webb, co-founder and director at Able Partners highlights the importance of repurposing buildings around the UK to extend their lifespan into the future and manage embodied carbon – all while protecting much-loved buildings and providing opportunity for architects to stretch their creative muscles outside of client work. As well as being an iconic part of the London skyline since the 1960s, the BT Tower contains a huge amount of embodied carbon. That’s two very good reasons for not demolishing the structure, even though its original use is now facing obsolescence as communication becomes digital. That opens a wealth of opportunity to re-imagine the space and make better use of it into the future. The reality will see a hotel developed in the 177m high tower for new owner MCR Hotels, and with the nature of the Grade II listed structure, the industry will be looking forward to seeing the designs from Heatherwick Studio. The architects of the world especially, knowing it’s bound to be a rewarding and interesting design process ahead. The protective nature of repurposing This change of use reminds us of the importance of evaluating space – is it still serving its purpose, or has it served its successful lifespan? If the answer is no, then the possibilities are endless, but the benefits are clear. We all know the important role the built environment has to play in a more sustainable world. Most of the building that will make a difference to meeting net zero already exist, but the solution isn’t to simply knock down old buildings and start afresh. Not only would this need a great deal of consideration and management when it comes to embodied carbon, it creates a great deal of work that isn’t necessary. Lots of buildings hold potential as varied as the BT Tower within them, and it’s all about unlocking what works into the future for an owner or occupier. Not only this, but the UK’s buildings also – especially older ones – have a great deal of heritage and often hold a place in people’s hearts. Simply put, it’s not always the most practical solution, but to knock them down would in many people’s eyes be close to sacrilege – especially when we can create something really special with unique character that also suits future requirements. For architects, these buildings provide a fun, creative and challenging approach to making better, more sustainable use of what we have. Any existing building holds potential to be reworked into something extraordinary, but historic buildings have another level of potential bringing up to modern standards, protecting against release of embodied carbon and erasure from our current streetscapes. Whether it’s a hugely iconic London building, or a particularly well-loved town centre building – demolition is not the answer, and repurposing not only protects, but enhances what any building has to offer. At Able, we’re passionate about spreading this mentality to wider assets and all projects that pass through our doors – as well as re-imagining our most iconic and much-loved buildings to extend their lifespans into the future. Research and development Many architects focus on simply producing their client work, but a great deal of enjoyment lies in an architectural challenge – even one outside of client work. Dedicating time to designing simply to design is a fantastic creative development opportunity for architects, and one we focus on here at Able. Indeed, the BT Tower has captured our own imagination for many years, especially being just around the corner from our base in Fitzrovia. It’s one of the buildings we have produced our own visualisations of in the past alongside WSP – and the difference between what we came up with and what is now in the works with MCR Hotels and Heatherwick Studio shows the wide scope of opportunities that lie in these buildings. To give the building a new lease of life, we leaned into using the building’s unique structure and height, stripping away the telecoms functions that are no longer needed, placing these elements into new casing and reusing as much existing material as possible. By replacing them with demountable, modular structures, as well as circular water strategies and PVs, our goal was to ensure the circularity of the building well into the future. Our ideas begin with a safe but exciting route up the structure for those ‘Instagram moments’. This provides plenty of opportunity to maximise the views up its 177m height from co-working, office and hotel spaces – the possibilities are endless. A series of indoor and outdoor galleries would provide 360 views of the London skyline via raked seating, along with a restaurant space – adding a new spot to the capital’s ‘must-see’ sights. A final note Ultimately, the re-imagining of any building is an exciting prospect, providing so many different avenues to take it forward into a new chapter of its life, even if – like with the BT Tower – its original use is no longer needed. And with sustainability and meeting net zero targets front of mind, it doubles the importance of making what we have much better. There are so many great buildings out there that are not quite attractive enough for the modern tenant, or simply no long serving a purpose. What we can do as architects is make them fantastic again – creating more sustainable developments and making sure they don’t disappear from our streetscapes and skylines. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Practical Completion has been achieved at Stadium Retail Park, a commercial development in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, that will be home to new locations for Lidl GB and Wickes. The site has been brought forward by Clowes Developments. IMA Architects (IMA) has worked with Clowes Developments to provide all architectural services and act as Principal Designer on the scheme. The company has also worked alongside Millward Consulting Engineers and Roe Developments to deliver the site for Lidl and Wickes. The retailers will now bring in their own teams to carry out the bespoke fit out of the two stores. The 1.68-hectare Stadium Retail Park site has been built on a brownfield former industrial site that was derelict since 2014, located just off Nottingham Road. All amenities, landscaping and boundary treatments are now in place including car parking for 170 vehicles, including EV charging, parent and child parking and disabled spaces, and a service yard. It is expected that the new Wickes store will open before the Easter Weekend, and that the Lidl supermarket will open this summer. Marc Freeman, Director at Clowes Developments said: “The site had been derelict for 10 years and in the planning stage since 2018, so it’s positive that the site has now been developed and turned into an asset for the local community, creating jobs and bringing economic benefits to the town. We are sure the new Lidl and Wickes stores will be very popular.’’ Joe Travers, Associate Director at IMA Architects said: “This is our latest project with Clowes Developments, and we are pleased that the site has been delivered on time and will soon be a thriving retail location. Given the close proximity of residents, we were considerate to their needs throughout the construction phase and our designs for the site include additional landscaping, boundary treatments and acoustic mitigation measures to improve aesthetics and to ensure the scheme does not adversely impact people going forward.” Sarah Taitt, Property Director at Wickes said: “We are looking forward to opening our doors in Long Eaton in the coming months. We have been involved in the creation of the site from inception to completion which has meant that we could develop a location that perfectly suited our needs, and we are delighted with our new store at Stadium Retail Park.’’ Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Dominic Bryan, commented: ‘’There’s been much anticipation for this new Lidl store and its great that we are now able to enter the next stages of development. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received so far and look forward to bringing our high quality and best value produce to the local community.” Clowes Developments is one of the UK’s largest and strongest privately-owned property investment and development organisations. Headquartered in Ednaston, Derbyshire, the company are experts in land acquisition and promotion, property development and asset management, with 18,000 consented residential plots and 3,000 acres of development pipeline across the UK. IMA is an award-winning firm of architects based in Blaby, Leicestershire. The firm has completed more than 200 projects nationally and is actively working on 75 large-scale projects across the UK, Ireland and further afield. IMA works across all sectors and with a range of FTSE 100 companies – such as Marks & Spencer – as well as other global brands. The company is a proud Community Partner of Leicester City Football Club and a sponsorship partner of both Leicester Tigers RFC and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Building Safety Act has been described by government as the ‘Biggest Changes to Building Safety for a Generation’. Arguably, the most impactful change at project level is the implementation of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the building control authority for all Higher Risk Buildings. We have identified four key factors that project stakeholders need to understand about how the BSR will operate, and how it might impact on the delivery of projects under their remit. Note: the following information will be most relevant to projects in England. KEY PROJECT CONSIDERATIONS: 1.What is a Higher Risk Building (HRB)? Section 65 of the Building Safety Act 2022 states, with respect to buildings in design and construction: (1) In this Part “higher-risk building” means a building in England that – (a) is at least 18 metres in height or has at least 7 storeys, and (b) contains at least 2 residential units. Examples include residential buildings, mixed-use residential, care homes, hospitals, and student accommodation. Excluded are hotels, military barracks, prisons, and other secure residential institutions. Note: the criteria are slightly different for existing buildings. When establishing height, there are some parameters to consider: 2.Level of Scrutiny Although the BSR are focused on fire safety, which they define as spread of fire and structural failures posing a threat to life, they will have full responsibility over compliance with all parts of the building regulations, not just parts A and B. The BSR require several new documents at each of the 3 planning gateways, including construction control and phase plans, several other safety documents, and handover strategies. The BSR will essentially require a complete multi-disciplinary design, aiming for projects with no changes or variations. What this means for design and build contracts is not yet fully understood, but the type of documents the BSR requires will likely drive an increase in PCSAs being used to get to detailed designs. 3.Programme Implications It is clear that more time and effort will be required in the design stages to submit complete applications and secure the BSR’s approval. The BSR will have a 12-week statutory period to review and respond to applications. This means they will operate like other statutory parties such as planning authorities and consultees, who cannot be consulted throughout the design process and will only provide feedback once their full review is concluded. Current understanding is that all applications, clarifications, and re-submissions to the BSR will be subject to the 12-week turnaround. For example, securing approval after one round of feedback and resubmission would take in excess of 24 weeks. It is imperative that project teams account for this lengthy engagement process, making allowance for the likelihood of rejected applications, within their pre-construction programmes. To mitigate this programme (and associated cost) risk, clients/project teams are advised to retain an approved inspector as part of the consultant team to assist the design and review it for compliance prior to submitting a BSR application. It is strongly recommended that only Class 3 registered approved inspectors are engaged, as the BSR has indicated its own inspectors will be Class 3. New guidelines here: Registered building inspectors – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 4.Cost Uncertainties Cost planning through the design stages is likely to be more uncertain because the scope, materiality, and methodology cannot be fully frozen until final approval by the BSR is secured. Typically, the design and costs would undergo an element of value engineering as a project progresses through the stages. Project teams will either need to allow for those exercises at design freeze, prior to BSR application; or run the risk of needing to re-submit and wait a further 12 weeks for subsequent approvals. This new protracted route to design approval, driven by the BSR’s strict application and response process, will manifest a slower and more expensive pre-construction journey. Clients and project owners will need to account for this in business cases and project briefs; and may find that projects on the borderline of viability are harder to justify as a result. Finally, while only a small part of the overall costs of any significant project, there is also inherent uncertainty of the BSR’s fees. There is an up-front £180 to be paid at the time of application, with BSR inspectors then charging £144 per hour spent reviewing applications. Forecasting these fees will be difficult, and only time will tell how the BSR will justify and seek to recover those fees. Watts are currently delivering projects that fall under the BSR’s remit, and we have a good understanding of how to meet the BSR’s needs so that you can plan accordingly. Please get in touch with our dedicated team at Watts should you need support navigating this new landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than £20m will be invested to improve the Metrolink network over the next 12 months, to ensure services remain safe and reliable for years to come. The UK’s largest light rail network has 99 stops across 64 miles of track – more than 700 million journeys have been made on the trams since opening in 1992. The £21.4m funding – from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) – will ensure the network keeps on delivering safe, reliable and accessible services for millions more people into the future. Approved by the Bee Network committee on Thursday, the work is part of a planned £147m package to maintain, upgrade and improve the network up to 2027. Immediate priorities for this summer include track replacement in several parts of the city centre, including Piccadilly Gardens and London Road, and on parts of the Altrincham and Bury Lines. This will mean quicker, smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers. Plans also include a programme of modifications to the trams themselves, installing state-of-the art systems to keep passengers safe. These include sensors in the middle of double trams and speed warning devices. New electrical substations are being added along parts of the Bury Line, providing additional power so that more doubles trams run in future. Metrolink is also replacing much of the communications network critical to the operation of its signalling and control systems. TfGM is also looking into the replacement of overhead lines on some of the older parts of the network such as the Bury Line, which caused several prolonged disruptions in 2023. Long-term benefits to passengers include better reliability and an improved experience for customers. The work will mean some short-term disruption, which will be planned to minimise inconvenience to passengers. Information about service changes and replacement bus services will be available well in advance of the work. Metrolink passenger numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels during the weekday peak times and even busier on weekends. With 130,000 journeys on an average weekday, work on the network is planned carefully to keep disruption to a minimum. Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Metrolink is an integral part of the Bee Network, and it’s really important that we invest in it so that we can continue to provide a safe, reliable and positive experience for the thousands of people who travel with us every day. “This is a coordinated package of planned works to maintain, renew and improve the network and help to keep Greater Manchester moving, and while we understand any disruption can be frustrating, we’ll be doing everything we can to keep it to a minimum. “We will make sure passengers know what’s happening well in advance and I’d ask people to please bear with us while the works are carried out, as the benefits will be there to be enjoyed for years to come.” Upcoming works include: Further works are planned to take place throughout this – and subsequent – years. For full details of tram improvement works planned for this year, visit tfgm.com/tram-improvement-works Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK and Carmarthenshire County Council have marked 12 months of construction of the landmark Pentre Awel project by completing the steel structure of the first Zone of the development. The significant milestone in the project comes just a year after building work started and marks a pivotal stage of the build. The multi-million-pound development is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council. It will bring together life science and business innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at the 83-acre Delta Lakes site on the Llanelli coastline. It is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million) and is the largest regeneration scheme in south west Wales. Lead contractor on Zone 1, Bouygues UK is dedicated to using local subcontractors as part of its commitment to provide employment, training and skills opportunities to local people and underrepresented groups. Dyfed Steels provided the reinforcement bar for the project’s foundations which has 98% recycled content, and the structural steel for the building which has 80% recycled content, was supplied by Shufflebottom. With a commitment to the heritage of the area, the steel frame also provides the historical link to the previous industrial buildings that were located on the site, namely the South Wales Tinplate Works and the Richard Thomas (Tinplate) Mills. Peter Sharpe, Bouygues UK’s Pentre Awel Project Director, said the completion of the steel structure marks a significant milestone in the project: “In just 12 months the site has been transformed as the development has rapidly taken shape. The completion of the steel frames for all buildings has been a key activity during this period. The hydrotherapy, learner and main pools have been cast and successfully undergone water testing ready for the next stage.” Cllr. Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said, “It is remarkable how far construction has come in just a year. Bouygues UK have shown their dedication to the Pentre Awel masterplan, not only through their outstanding engagement with local schools, but by employing Carmarthenshire businesses to undertake the work on site. The community is truly at the heart of Pentre Awel, I congratulate everyone involved in the construction of Zone 1 and I look forward to opening.” As well as Shufflebottom and Dyfed Steels, other local companies contracted to work on Pentre Awel include: Green4Wales, Redsix Partnership, Gavin Griffiths Group, Davies Crane Hire, Dyfed Recycling Services and Owen Haulage. As part of Bouygues UK’s commitment to provide significant social value and engagement to surrounding schools, colleges and universities, Pentre Awel also has a school ambassadors scheme, where children from local schools visit the site to share their ideas and help shape the project. A broader programme of community benefits is also being delivered during the development of Zone 1 of Pentre Awel to realise social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. This includes targeted recruitment and training, community engagement (such as community ambassadors), STEM activities and supply chain engagement. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The final concrete terracing panel has been installed to complete the structural work within the bowl of Everton Stadium. The final piece of the huge jigsaw was lowered into place in the east stand this week, ending 18-months of complex work since the first concrete terrace was positioned in August 2022. And with all 1,988 double-stepped units now installed, on schedule, all four stands of the stadium are intact. Gareth Jacques, Laing O’Rourke’s Project Director, confirmed: “Structurally, that is the stadium bowl complete. “When you consider that alongside the terracing, the team have also done the structural steel and precast concrete in the four stands, it is a fantastic achievement. “Because we use modern methods of construction and need to fix our design to go to fabrication early, the team worked really hard in the early stages of the project. “The rate of progress we have achieved within the stadium meant that we were nearly 40% ready to go with precast components when we took possession of the site, so it’s been a great piece of work and a great product from our supply chain partner Banagher, in Ireland.” The terrace units, averaging just under 9.5 tonnes in weight, have each been meticulously lifted into place over the past 18 months, secured with a high-strength grout and then made weatherproof with a special sealant. And the installation of the bespoke, double-stepped units – ranging from 0.73m to 14m in length – is a first for Laing O’Rourke, who pivoted from more traditional single-stepped blocks due to a combination of factors. Jacques explained: “The double-stepped units are something we haven’t done before. In previous stadiums we have built, it has been a single-step arrangement, but there are a few reasons for developing the new method here. “One was that we were always aware of the exposed location of the site, and plenty of our engineered solutions have been done to reduce the risk of weather and lifting. “The double-stepped terracing significantly reduces the amount of lifts needed and cuts down the time working on site, often at heights. “The by-product is that when you are building a football stadium, all the internal works and fit-out are generally underneath the terracing, so getting weathertight is on the critical path. “The infill joints are really important and here at Everton we have 33km of Mastic sealant within the bowl, so by having double-stepped units we need less of that too.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the appointment of a new President for Europe, Aggreko has formalised its plans for 2024 and beyond with the launch of Energising Change, its new sustainability framework which places supporting the energy transition front and centre. Robert Wells – former Managing Director of Aggreko’s businesses across Africa, Middle East, & Asia Pacific and head of global events– has been appointed by the business as European President as well as retaining responsibility for Global Events. With a focus on enabling European customers to access new, greener technologies to support with their decarbonisation process, Wells is set to embed the Energising Change framework in the region. Energising Change shapes how Aggreko works both internally and alongside its diverse portfolio of customers across the world. It allows Aggreko and the companies it works with – from a wide range of sectors with varying requirements – to embed low-carbon power and temperature control technologies and more efficient ways of working. The framework forms a core part of the business’s proposition in a time when clearer action is needed to balance energy resilience, economic viability and action on climate. Central to the framework is a series of major investments that give industry more immediate access to cleaner and greener energy sources, such as the expansion of its fleet of small, mid and large-size battery energy storage solutions (BESS). BESS, giving energy intensive sectors such as manufacturing, data centres and construction the opportunity to integrate cleaner power sources on site, in addition to providing vital resilience, an area that is increasing in importance for companies across Europe. They will also play a key role in decarbonising the European construction sector, which is typically reliant on diesel power, though hybridised applications. The latest investment is part of the over $140m earmarked in 2023 and 2024 to expand Aggreko’s Greener Upgrades™ fleet, which included new boilers, Stage V generation, batteries and chillers. Aggreko will use these investments to support the decarbonisation of many of its key sectors such as manufacturing, PCR. Events, construction and data centres. The approach is already being evidenced in projects across the continent including a refinery in Romania where using a Greener Upgrade solution has already reduced carbon emissions, waste and operating costs by a substantial amount. The hybrid solution of solar photovoltaic and combined heat and power recovers waste heat from exhaust gases and uses a gas byproduct from the company’s process and produces electricity for the grid and onsite operations. Energy resilience is another core driver of Energising Change, reflecting a world where high energy costs and grid limitations continue present a challenge to economic development. Supporting energy intensive sectors such as manufacturing, construction and data centres, the company is set to continue work with customers to introduce solutions which improve onsite resilience in addition to reducing environmental impact as they transition to a renewable energy model. Energising Change builds on Aggreko’s reputation as a provider of bridging energy solutions. The new framework commits to supporting the move to renewables by using temporary solutions to support the construction and commissioning of tomorrows energy systems. Working with key construction customers, Aggreko has been able to trial the use of BESS in conjunction with alternative fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to see emissions and fuel consumption reductions of 45%. Commitment to being energy efficiency also forms part of the framework, with the company expanding its approach to digitalisation via remote monitoring and data analysis services. This will ensure equipment is running optimally, no matter where it’s deployed. Robert Wells, Europe President at Aggreko, added: “Energising Change explains our vision, purpose and objectives. It sets targets and creates action for our business and signals to customers we are committed to positive change that’s delivered pragmatically. As the focus on building resilience and making the renewable energy transition intensifies, Aggreko is committed to continuing its support of customers across Europe.” For more information on Energising Change, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commissioning machine rebuilds is already an integral part of Heidelberg Materials UK’s fleet management plan. This month the company welcomed a rebuilt Cat® 988K XE with electric drive back to its Whatley asphalt plant following a Cat Certified Powertrain Rebuild, giving it a new lease of life and many more hours of operating capability. The electric drive machine has been operating at the plant in Somerset since 2018 when the company bought it from Finning, the world’s largest dealer of Cat equipment and parts. It was purchased with one of the top-level warranty packages offered by Finning, which included a full servicing and maintenance programme and remote asset condition monitoring so any faults could be identified and fixed before the machine is at risk of failure. As the machine began to reach 18,000 hours, the operational team began discussions with Finning to identify the best solution for replacement that fulfilled both the company’s commercial needs and sustainability objectives. Having had a full service and maintenance programme meant the machine was in good condition to be rebuilt. “Finning guided us through the process of comparing the benefits of buying a new machine with having the machine rebuild instead,” explained Luke Morgan, Fleet Manager for Heidelberg Materials UK. “We carefully considered all the benefits and concluded that the rebuild was the best option for us at this time. Doing so not only supports our company-wide commitment to sustainability and enables us to reduce our carbon footprint, but crucially, choosing to have the machine rebuilt also meant we could have it back operating on-site within 12-weeks. Finning was also able to provide a five-year warranty giving us reassurance that the machine will continue to operate effectively during its next life.” The Cat 988K XE was first launched in the UK in 2017 and is the first wheel loader from Caterpillar® fitted with an electric drive. It makes use of switched reluctance technology –an electric motor that runs by reluctance torque, and is equipped with a powerful Caterpillar engine, providing up to 579 horsepower enabling the operator to drive the machine at up to 40km per hour. It also provides optimised performance and serviceability, allowing operators to move material on site efficiently and safely at a lower cost per tonne. The 988K XE also emits up to 37% less CO2 an hour than its predecessor – the Cat 988K – and 45% less CO2 per tonne of material used. In 2022, Cat launched an upgraded version of the Cat 988K XE. The newer version can deliver up to 10% faster downhill speeds, improved rim pull, and increased hydraulic breakout force resulting in a further increase in productivity on the previous model of around 5%. The latest version also improves cycle times in load and carry applications and offers faster manoeuvrability as a result of having an optional counterweight which increases stability. Mark Tudball, Engine & Drivetrain Product Manager at Finning explains the additional benefits of choosing a rebuild for this machine: “The electric drive transmission in the Cat 988K XE means there are fewer moving parts than on a manual transmission. This means there are less components – around 20% fewer – and therefore less moving parts to recondition and replace as part of the rebuild process. “Although there are more electrical inspections needed once the rebuild is done, a large proportion of the electrical components, such as the power inverter and drive motors, can be removed from the original machine and reused making it a more circular, sustainable option for customers. Caterpillar reuse and salvage guidelines ensure we can offer a second life to components if they pass this process. “A further advantage is that the rebuilt machine benefits from having the latest engineering updates, which may include parts or electronic software. So despite being built originally in 2017, the rebuilt machine has the same functionality and performance of the later 2022 model, ensuring maximum longevity and efficiency.” “Rebuilding the latest technologically advanced machines shows a rebuild is not purely for older machines, the rebuild offering is aligned with newer technologies and is moving with the times to ensure the latest new machines sold have a rebuild solution in place when needed”. Gary Huxley, Product Support Sales Manager at Finning, said: “Managing machines throughout their operational life is a key part of Heidelberg Materials UK’s fleet management approach. We’ve worked with the company for more than 20 years with Cat machines making up a large proportion of its total fleet. “They typically take advantage of the engineering support and warranty packages we offer to ensure their machines are maintained and serviced and kept operating effectively, while minimising unexpected downtime. “Rebuilt machines are becoming a mainstay in the company’s fleet. Between 2021 and 2023 they have had 14 machines rebuilt, including a Cat 988K that had a Cat Certified Powertrain rebuild at 17,000 hours and is still going strong at 28,600, and a Cat 988H which has been rebuilt several times and is still operating with 47,000 hours on the clock. The company has also previously commissioned rebuilds of a Cat 972, five Cat 980s and seven Cat 775s. “The success of previous rebuilds was certainly a factor in their decision to choose to have this latest machine rebuilt and they have already commissioned the rebuild of their second Cat 988K XE machine operating at the asphalt plant in Whatley.” Luke Morgan, Fleet Manager for Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. We have set ourselves ambitious targets and we are already making significant gains, having reduced our operational CO2 emissions by more than 50% since 1990.” “ We’re always looking for new processes and technologies that will enable our transport and heavy equipment fleet to be more efficient. A big part of this is increasing the use of products that have a lower carbon footprint.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International architectural and interior design practice, CPMG, has announced the official opening of a new London studio, in the heart of the city’s design district. Seven years after first establishing a base in the capital, CPMG has taken residence in its new office located next to Exmouth Market on Roseberry Avenue in Farringdon. The move has been completed to increase business resilience, encourage further growth and gain access to a wider pool of architects, technologists and designers. The move also represents CPMG’s progress in the South East as the business continues to grow in line with its strategy – based on delivering and winning more work in the region. Chris White, director and London office lead, said: “Opening our new office in London is something that the team and I are all extremely proud of. When we first set up in the region, the office was simply a business development hub, but now we’re welcoming clients to a design studio that truly represents who we are and what we’re capable of. “Over the past seven years, the foundations have been laid for an even more successful future and this latest step will only support our ever-increasing presence in London. Our repeat client percentage is nearly 80%, so we’re pleased to have a base which continues to offer us excellent access to all parts of the city – and our project sites too. Farringdon is an ideal place for us and the working environment we have created certainly matches all the perks London has to offer.” The CPMG team in the capital now boasts 10 members, including both senior specialists and graduates. The business’ pipeline of work includes commissions in several key sectors, including education, residential and commercial. Key projects currently underway include schools for the Department for Education, adult social living and care homes, and the reconfiguration and extension of offices. Richard Flisher, managing director at CPMG, said: “The London team’s talent and hard work has enabled us to grow our reputation both in the city and nationwide and with additional work comes the need to expand the London studio. We plan to continue growing sustainably ensuring the team structure is where it needs to be for everyone to flourish. The way we see it, growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about having the right people: the employees need to be right for CPMG, but even more importantly, CPMG need to be right for them for the business to thrive.” CPMG now has 60 staff across its offices in Nottingham, London, Birmingham and Hangzhou, China. For more than 30 years, the practice has been creating award-winning spaces that prioritise human needs, support growing communities, and embrace sustainability and innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
