Investment into existing and new and branches drives further growth M.K.M Building Supplies Limited, the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant, is pleased to announce full year results for the period ended 30 September 2023. Highlights: Kate Tinsley, CEO of MKM Building Supplies, said: “2023 was another solid year for the
Marshalls has launched Modal X™, a lower-cost, lower-carbon alternative to granite paving, offering high durability, design flexibility and straightforward installation. Building on the company’s popular Modal collection, which launched in 2020, the new Modal X features eight colourways, smooth and textured finishes, fifteen plan sizes and five depths, including three
Agreement with BBVS leaves SCS only joint HS2 venture without union access agreement An agreement to allow trade union access to the HS2 Old Oak Common construction site has been signed yesterday (Tuesday 23 April) between joint venture company Balfour Beatty, Vinca, SYSTRA (BBVS) and Unite. The agreement secures the
Being a student can be a rollercoaster ride, filled with assignments, exams, and the constant need to juggle multiple responsibilities. With so much on your plate, it’s understandable if you sometimes feel tempted to seek help from a website that writes essays. However, amidst the chaos, it’s essential to find
Investment into existing and new and branches drives further growth M.K.M Building Supplies Limited, the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant, is pleased to announce full year results for the period ended 30 September 2023. Highlights: Kate Tinsley, CEO of MKM Building Supplies, said: “2023 was another solid year for the business. We saw MKM continue to outperform, against what was a more challenging market than recent prior years. This performance was driven by our strategic focus on new branch openings, investing in existing branches, ensuring product availability, a motivated team and our continued commitment to local communities and service.While we have grown into a national business, we have always kept to our roots, which is to work with local Branch Directors, meeting local needs and customer service at the individual branch level. We do this by incentivising local management and staff and by giving each branch significant autonomy. The result is that we have stronger relationships with our customer base, ensuring their repeat business and, through reputation, grow our market share.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Marshalls has launched Modal X™, a lower-cost, lower-carbon alternative to granite paving, offering high durability, design flexibility and straightforward installation. Building on the company’s popular Modal collection, which launched in 2020, the new Modal X features eight colourways, smooth and textured finishes, fifteen plan sizes and five depths, including three complementary sett sizes with a textured riven surface. Additionally, Marshalls’ market-leading Priora® paving is incorporated into the range, providing permeable options. The breadth of the Modal X range gives landscapers and their customers flexibility when developing mixed-use spaces including pedestrianised zones and high traffic areas. Different paving formats, such as modern linear units, help customers delineate spaces. At the same time, smaller elements can be used for finer detailing and edging, creating character and unique design elements. Likewise, Modal X offers a broad palette of warm, neutral and complementary colours, including a captivating pink granite, silver grey and light cream granite. This enables landscapers to create a contemporary finish that is aesthetically pleasing and hard-wearing. Modal X is crafted using Marshalls’ MaxiMix® Technology. This innovative technology produces an inseparable bonded layer, ensuring colour permanence and robust protection against the elements. Further, the patented surface technology creates a superior blend of aggregates and binders, resulting in an exceptionally durable, resilient paver, which is highly resistant to UV fading. Modal X is also ideal for budget-focused projects as it can be laid on a flexible, unbound bed requiring lower-priced materials, reduced installation time, and in turn, the labour costs, versus granite options. “While budgets are tightening, customers still want clever, creative and beautiful spaces,” said Tom Foster, Trading Director at Marshalls. “Our new Modal X range gives landscapers true design flexibility with hundreds of options and combinations, plus ease of installation and help towardreduced labour costs.” Modal X is the first new product range to be produced by the company’s innovative dual block plant in St Ives, Cambridge, which brings significant advantages in sustainability, lead times and bespoke ordering. “Our new dual block site delivers nearly double the output of a single plant, which is hugely beneficial to customers,” said Simon Magleave, Group Manufacturing Director at Marshalls. “As well as allowing us to cater for large-scale projects quickly, we can use the plant for smaller, morebespoke runs of made-to-order Modal X options with just-in-time delivery. “The dual block plant is partly powered by renewable energy sources, including solar array, plus a new state-of-the-art curing system which reduces carbon impact and speeds up drying times. We’ve also decreased the volume of water and cement used in the production.” For more details on Modal X, visit marshalls.co.uk/modal-x Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Agreement with BBVS leaves SCS only joint HS2 venture without union access agreement An agreement to allow trade union access to the HS2 Old Oak Common construction site has been signed yesterday (Tuesday 23 April) between joint venture company Balfour Beatty, Vinca, SYSTRA (BBVS) and Unite. The agreement secures the right of Unite representatives to visit the project’s inductions. It also allows Unite representatives access to rest facilities to talk to all the workers on the site during their breaks, in order to deal with any concerns or worries they may have. It was signed after a ‘relentless’ two-year campaign by Unite, which included regular demonstrations, leafletting workers and resolving their concerns. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This agreement is the culmination of two years of relentless campaigning by Unite to gain formal access to the Old Oak Common site. Construction workers can now speak directly to Unite about all employment and safety concerns. “Unite is now in a stronger position to help defend and improve jobs, pay and conditions for HS2 workers at Old Oak Common.” Unite now has site access agreements with four out of five of the joint venture companies working on HS2: BBVS, Align, EKFB and Mace/Dragados. The only joint venture company to remain without a site access agreement is Skanska, Costain, Strabag (SCS), which is responsible for the project’s London tunnels. Unite regional officer Declan Murphy said: “Agreeing trade union site access should be a matter of course for all construction contractors. But the successful campaign to achieve the agreement with BBVS shows that Unite will overcome any obstacle put in its way to ensure workers are not denied union access. Unite will now be turning its complete attention to securing a site access agreement for SCS workers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Being a student can be a rollercoaster ride, filled with assignments, exams, and the constant need to juggle multiple responsibilities. With so much on your plate, it’s understandable if you sometimes feel tempted to seek help from a website that writes essays. However, amidst the chaos, it’s essential to find time for creative outlets that allow you to relax, recharge, and express your unique personality. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects are an excellent way to tap into your inner artist, develop new skills, and create something truly unique. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of student-friendly DIY projects that are not only fun but also budget-friendly and highly rewarding. Customized Notebooks and Planners As a student, you likely have a never-ending supply of notebooks and planners. Why not add a personal touch to these essential items? Grab some acrylic paints, markers, or even washi tapes, and let your creativity run wild. Decorate the covers with your favorite quotes, patterns, or doodles, transforming them into one-of-a-kind masterpieces that will brighten your study sessions. Upcycled Jewelry Instead of spending money on expensive accessories or considering research paper writing services to make extra cash, why not get creative? With a few basic materials like beads, charms, and old jewelry pieces lying around, you can craft stunning and unique jewelry pieces. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also contribute to reducing waste by giving new life to discarded items. Personalized Phone Cases Your phone is an essential part of your daily life, so why not make it truly yours? With a clear phone case and some permanent markers or acrylic paints, you can create a one-of-a-kind design that reflects your personality. Get creative with patterns, quotes, or even your favorite cartoon characters. Embroidered Accessories Embroidery is a timeless craft that allows you to add a touch of elegance to everyday items. Start with simple projects like embroidering your initials on a tote bag or adding a delicate floral design to a plain t-shirt. As your skills improve, you can even try your hand at more intricate designs. Recommended materials: Embroidery floss, needles, fabric (canvas, cotton, or denim), embroidery hoops, and scissors. Decoupage Decor Transform ordinary objects into vibrant works of art with the art of decoupage. Gather magazines, wrapping paper, or even old book pages, and start layering them onto items like boxes, vases, or picture frames. Finish with a layer of decoupage glue or varnish for a glossy and long-lasting finish. Mosaic Coasters Tired of plain, boring coasters? Create your own unique set using broken tiles, glass pieces, or even seashells. Arrange the pieces on a sturdy base, such as ceramic tiles or wood, and secure them with grout or adhesive. Not only will they add a pop of color to your study space, but they’ll also make excellent gifts for friends and family. Potential materials: Broken tiles, glass pieces, seashells, ceramic tiles or wood for the base, grout or adhesive, and sealant. Macramé Plant Hangers Bring a bohemian touch to your living space with macramé plant hangers. This traditional knotting technique is easy to learn and incredibly versatile. Start with basic knots and patterns, and as you gain confidence, you can create more intricate designs to showcase your favorite plants. Handmade Candles Candles are not only cozy and relaxing but also make great décor pieces. With some basic supplies like wax, wicks, and essential oils (optional), you can create your own scented candles in unique containers like mason jars or repurposed mugs. Experiment with different scents and colors to find your perfect combination. Painted Planters If you love adding greenery to your living space but find traditional planters a bit boring, why not create your own? Grab some plain terracotta pots or even repurpose old containers, and let your artistic side shine. Paint them with vibrant colors, patterns, or even inspirational quotes to turn them into eye-catching pieces that will complement your plants perfectly. Recycled Bookends As a student, you likely have a collection of books that need to be kept organized. Create your own unique bookends by repurposing materials like bricks, stones, or even old bottles. Decorate them with paint, decoupage, or even mosaic tiles to add a personal touch to your workspace. These DIY projects not only allow you to express your creativity but also provide a much-needed break from the rigor of academic life. Embrace the process of creating something with your own hands, and don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Remember, the true beauty lies in the journey, not just the final product. So, gather your materials, roll up your sleeves, and let your imagination soar!
