Rachel Greasby, Managing Director of George Fischer UK, becomes President of the BPF Pipes Group in January 2025, taking over from Steve Richmond of Rehau. She was previously Vice-President and commented: “I am really looking forward to taking on this role as it’s an exciting time to be in the
New analysis from Excellion Capital, the boutique debt advisory and investments firm, reveals that developing agricultural Class Q land into residential dwellings can create a market value of £3.7m for savvy investors. As British farmers face the threat of a new 20% inheritance tax levy on all land and business assets worth
When it comes to modern manufacturing, precision and efficiency are paramount. The right machining method can make or break your project, whether you’re producing automotive parts, electronics, or custom furniture. Among the most commonly used machining techniques are CNC drilling and milling. These computer-controlled processes can deliver high levels of
Rachel Greasby, Managing Director of George Fischer UK, becomes President of the BPF Pipes Group in January 2025, taking over from Steve Richmond of Rehau. She was previously Vice-President and commented: “I am really looking forward to taking on this role as it’s an exciting time to be in the plastic pipes industry. I see three key areas of focus in the coming year: sustainability in manufacturing and operation, plastic pipes’ key role in the drive for clean energy, and encouraging more of our younger members to play an active role in the future of the industry.” Rachel has been at George Fischer for three years and prior to that was in the automotive after-market industry, based in the UK but working for a US company as Strategic Marketing Director. She has spent over 20 years in the automotive sector so brings a fresh approach to the pipes industry and the BPF Pipes Group. Joining Rachel as Vice-President is Mark Spacie, Managing Director at Brett Martin. Mark also becomes Chair of the BPF Pipes Group’s Strategy Group. The BPF Pipes Group is the leading trade association for the UK’s plastic pipes and fittings manufacturers. It strives to promote best practice in the construction and use of all types of plastic pipes and fittings and its website contains a wide selection of free-to-access technical documents and practical guidance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New analysis from Excellion Capital, the boutique debt advisory and investments firm, reveals that developing agricultural Class Q land into residential dwellings can create a market value of £3.7m for savvy investors. As British farmers face the threat of a new 20% inheritance tax levy on all land and business assets worth more than £1m, some farming families are looking at ways in which they can sell all or part of their land to pay inheritance tax bills, or at the very least mitigate the future cost of inheritance tax. But does such an investment make sense for developers? Excellion Capital has analysed the investment potential available to developers who purchase Class Q land for the construction of residential properties, to see what sort of return they can expect. Some farmers are selling the entire farm With the new inheritance tax proposal potentially disincentivising farmers from passing their businesses down to the next generation, some families are having to consider the idea of selling the entire farm. Excellion’s analysis of current market listings* has found that there are currently 112 farms currently listed for sale in England. Existing data shows that the average sale price of arable land over the first half of 2024 stands at £11,000 per acre, while the average sale value of pasture land stands at £9,600 per acre*. According to further data from the UK government*, the average size of a UK farm is 202.6 acres. As such, the estimated average value of an arable farm currently stands at £2.23m, while the average value of a pasture farm is £1.94m. The Class Q option To avoid having to sell their farms, or sell quality farming land, Excellion’s research reveals that thousands of farmers have the alternative option of selling agricultural buildings and their plots, otherwise known as Class Q land. Under Class Q permitted development rights, disused or current buildings located on agricultural units can be converted into residential dwellings, with the option to create as many as 10 homes from a single building. As such, plots that aren’t in regular or meaningful use and don’t contribute greatly to the ongoing success of the farm, can be offloaded to residential developers for substantial amounts of money. Excellion’s analysis of planning data* reveals that there are currently 8,892 Class Q sites in England eligible for change of use from agricultural to residential. These sites are not necessarily listed for sale. Instead, they are opportunities identified through the planning classification assigned to them. What investment potential does Class Q land hold for developers? As of 2024, developers can build a maximum of 10 homes on a Class Q plot across a maximum floor space of 1,000 square metres. As such, the average floor space of each home can be calculated at 100 square metres. According to the most recent figures (November 2024), the average value of developed land stands at £347 per square foot. 100 square metres is equivalent to 1,076 square feet, which means a 100 square metre home has an average market value of £374,019. Therefore, developers who build 10 homes on a Class Q site are looking at a potential total sale value of more than £3.7m. How much should an investor pay for undeveloped Class Q land? If the potential value of a developed Class Q site sits at £3.7m, how much can developers expect to pay to purchase the land in the first place? An average expected land cost can be calculated by taking the value of the developed land (£3.7m), and subtracting the estimated cost of construction* combined with the developer’s required profit margin (which sits at an industry average of 20%*). This means removing an average of £2.6m. The figure you’re left with is roughly £1.1m which is, therefore, the average price that a developer can expect to pay for a plot of undeveloped Class Q land large enough to build the maximum number of properties allowed. Who is currently buying farmland? In 2014, private investors, institutional investors, and overseas buyers purchased little more than 20% of English farms that were put up for sale. By 2023, buyers accounted for approximately 30% of all English farm purchases. This suggests that over the past decade, investors and developers have identified the potential returns available from purchasing and redeveloping farmland, and given the new situation that farmers find themselves in, it’s reasonable to assume that these numbers are going to increase further over the coming months and years. Robert Sadler, Vice President of Real Estate at Excellion Capital, comments: “Farmers are understandably concerned about the proposed inheritance tax changes, and the tax bills involved could put real financial pressure on them. But while many farmers might be cash poor, they are increasingly asset rich – there is a lot of hidden value in farmland – and that’s why Class Q opportunities present such a great opportunity to create cash wealth by selling off what is, in many cases, little more than brownfield land. And while these Class Q designated plots provide an income opportunity for farmers, they also make for a very promising avenue that investors and developers should now be exploring. Considering that many farmers aren’t even aware of the Class Q opportunities that exist on their land, it’s clear that investors have the chance to strike up some very interesting and lucrative conversations with farmers up and down the country. But Class Q opportunities aren’t the only thing that developers and investors should be considering when it comes to conversations about farmland. Land promotion – in which a land promoter agrees with a farmer to gain planning permission for a small portion of their land, at which point the land can become up to 100-times more valuable and can be sold to local developers and housebuilders – is also becoming an increasingly fruitful endeavour. I personally worked on four land promotion deals in 2023, all in local areas with a drastic shortage of housing. With planning permission obtained, the land value was projected to be between
When it comes to modern manufacturing, precision and efficiency are paramount. The right machining method can make or break your project, whether you’re producing automotive parts, electronics, or custom furniture. Among the most commonly used machining techniques are CNC drilling and milling. These computer-controlled processes can deliver high levels of accuracy and repeatability, but they serve distinct purposes. By understanding the differences and advantages of each, you can decide which is best for your specific needs. Read on to learn which machining technique is right for your project. What Is CNC Drilling? CNC drilling focuses on creating precise holes in a material. Using automated control, this process can ensure that every hole is positioned exactly where it needs to be, with uniform depth and diameter. Some key features of CNC drilling include: As such, using a CNC drilling service can be an excellent option. It’s often the go-to solution for projects that require accurate and efficient hole creation. Whether you need straight-through holes, countersinks, or complex patterns, this service is indispensable for many industries. Common Applications of CNC Drilling CNC drilling plays a critical role across various industries due to its precision and efficiency. In electronics, it’s indispensable for manufacturing circuit boards, which demand a high volume of small, intricately positioned holes to accommodate components and wiring. In construction and carpentry, CNC drilling ensures accuracy in creating consistent joinery points, such as dowel holes and screw placements, which are crucial for structural stability and aesthetic appeal. Its versatility makes it an essential tool for projects requiring precise and repetitive hole creation. What Is CNC Milling? CNC milling, on the other hand, is a machining process that removes material from a workpiece to shape or finish it. Unlike drilling, which is specifically designed for creating holes, milling offers a broader range of capabilities. Some key features of CNC milling include: With these features, you can get the most out of this machining technique for your project. Common Applications of CNC Milling CNC milling is a cornerstone in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and custom manufacturing, thanks to its ability to produce highly detailed and precise components. In aerospace, it’s essential for crafting complex parts like turbine blades and structural components that demand tight tolerances. The automotive industry also relies on a milling machine to create engine parts, transmission systems, and intricate designs for custom features. Additionally, milling excels in manufacturing molds and prototypes by enabling the creation of unique shapes and contours for innovative designs. CNC Drilling vs. Milling: The Key Differences While CNC drilling and milling share similarities in their reliance on computer control and precision, their fundamental purposes and capabilities set them apart. Some key differences include: Purpose Drilling is primarily used for creating holes with high accuracy, whereas milling is focused on shaping and finishing materials, enabling the creation of intricate patterns and designs. Tooling Drilling machines typically use single-point drill bits, while milling machines utilize rotating cutting tools like an end milling cutter or ball nose cutters, which can move along multiple axes. Complexity Drilling is straightforward and best suited for repetitive, hole-centric tasks. On the other hand, milling offers more flexibility for creating complex geometries and patterns. When to Use CNC Drilling If your project primarily involves creating holes, a CNC drilling service is likely the best choice. This is particularly true for high-volume tasks where consistency and speed are crucial. For example, furniture manufacturers use an CNC drilling process to produce precise holes for dowels and screws. Similarly, the electronics industry relies on CNC drilling for creating intricate circuit boards. When to Use CNC Milling CNC milling is better suited for projects that require detailed cutting, shaping, or finishing. For example, when developing a prototype, a milling machine allows for intricate designs and precise shaping. On the other hand, milling offers the flexibility to achieve the desired outcome if you need custom components with unique geometries. Combining CNC Drilling and Milling Many projects benefit from a combination of both processes. For instance, a CNC drilling machine might be used in the automotive industry to create mounting holes, while milling shapes the part’s overall structure. Combining these techniques ensures that both functionality and design requirements are met efficiently. Choosing the Right Process for Your Project When deciding between CNC drilling and milling, consider the following factors: By considering these factors, you’ll know whether drilling or milling is the appropriate process for your project. Conclusion CNC drilling and milling are indispensable tools in modern manufacturing, each serving unique purposes. A CNC drilling service is ideal for precise and efficient hole creation, while milling offers the flexibility needed for intricate shaping and design work. By keeping the information mentioned above in mind, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your project goals. Whether you choose drilling, milling, or a combination, the right CNC machining technique can elevate the quality, precision, and efficiency of your production process.
