To help businesses streamline heavy lifting operations with safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions, Hendrik Veder Group UK has strengthened its strategic alliance with Lift-Tex®. This partnership will ensure that industries reliant on heavy lifting across the UK, including maritime, shipping, construction, oil and gas, and renewables, will gain direct
The ‘unintended consequences’ of High Street Rental Auction powers given to local councils must be considered by the UK Government, the NAEA Propertymark Commercial Advisory Panel has suggested. The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHLCG) has confirmed that more vacant shops and other empty premises will be
Valor and QuadReal Secure £79m Financing for Tesco Distribution Hub Acquisition Valor Real Estate Partners and QuadReal Property Group have successfully secured a £79m loan from PGIM Real Estate to support their recent acquisition of a Tesco-let distribution centre in Purfleet, Essex. The 630,000 sq ft facility at Dolphin Park,
Abloy UK and HKC are set to make a significant impact at The Security Event 2025, inviting visitors to their collaborative stand 5/F50 to explore the latest innovations in integrated security solutions. The event takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 8th – 10th April 2025 and will feature the
Women in construction are breaking barriers, driving change, and shaping the future of the industry. Their voices and experiences prove that progress is happening – but there’s still more to be done. This International Women’s Day, British Gypsum and Isover – businesses that are part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions –
The adoption of solar energy has reached critical mass, and going into 2025 looks to be an important inflection point for homeowners to support renewable energy. With electricity prices increasing and more incentives being introduced by governments, installing solar panels is more viable than ever. But to get the most out of
To help businesses streamline heavy lifting operations with safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions, Hendrik Veder Group UK has strengthened its strategic alliance with Lift-Tex®. This partnership will ensure that industries reliant on heavy lifting across the UK, including maritime, shipping, construction, oil and gas, and renewables, will gain direct access to the Lift-Tex® advanced Extreema® round sling product line, known for its superior strength, flexibility, and ease of use. As a key supplier of Lift-Tex® Extreema round slings in the UK, Hendrik Veder Group UK has reinforced its position as a provider of premium heavy lifting solutions. This collaboration is particularly valuable for the growing renewable sector, where the slings play a critical role in handling and transporting the blades used in offshore wind farm foundations. Manufactured in the Netherlands, the Extreema® slings incorporate cutting-edge ‘parallel laid fibre technology,’ making them up to eight times stronger than steel on a weight-for-weight basis. They also reduce overall weight by up to 80% compared to wire rope, making lifting operations safer, more flexible, and more cost-efficient. By integrating these high-performance slings into its offering, Hendrik Veder Group UK enhances its ability to support businesses in achieving safer and more efficient lifting operations. Bertwin Zonneveld, Managing Director of Hendrik Veder Group UK, commented: “This collaboration is a strategic step forward for our customers. By bringing Lift-Tex®’s innovative Extreema® slings to the UK market, we provide industries with a lifting solution that is lighter, safer, and more durable than traditional alternatives. Whether for long-standing marine and shipping clients or those developing the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure, this partnership ensures that our customers receive the best lifting technologies available. We look forward to connecting Lift-Tex® products to our loyal customers.” Bert Snel, Director of Lift-Tex added: “We are committed to supporting lifting requirements worldwide, and the long-term partnership with Hendrik Veder Group allows us to do just that. Our Extreema® slings have already proven their value across Europe, and through Hendrik Veder Group UK’s strong network, we are confident they will make a difference to UK industries, particularly in the fast-growing renewables sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The ‘unintended consequences’ of High Street Rental Auction powers given to local councils must be considered by the UK Government, the NAEA Propertymark Commercial Advisory Panel has suggested. The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHLCG) has confirmed that more vacant shops and other empty premises will be transformed as councils use their new powers to revive high streets throughout England, which is part of the UK Government’s growth mission. High Street Rental Auctions powers, which provide local councils the power to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been vacant for a considerable period, will be implemented by eight more local councils that have committed to this programme. Councils include Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Broxtowe Borough Council, Camden London Borough Council, Hillingdon London Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, North Northamptonshire Council, North Somerset Council and Westminster City Council. This brings the total number of councils signed up to the programme to 11, as Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils became Early Adopters in November to set an example to other councils. Propertymark supports the scheme, but when the professional body responded to the public consultation on the measures back in July 2023, they recommended that local authorities should have the power to design and implement High Street Rental Auctions as they see fit depending on their area. It also encouraged councils to guarantee that properties subject to a High Street Rental Auction have a reserve price to safeguard market prices and to ensure the price covers the costs of any mortgages. Michael Sears, NAEA Propertymark Commercial Advisory Panel member, comments: “The UK Government needs to consider the main unintended consequence of these measures. In areas where there are high numbers of vacancies, by auctioning off property where supply outstrips demand, this could only result in rents being driven down further, and investment in town centres where returns would be low would cease. The effect of this would be negative towards regeneration and inward investment. “When a commercial rent review is due, are the results of high street auctions going to be used as evidence of market price by tenants’ surveyors? In which case commercial property investment and lending on commercial property could become problematic, given the heightened risk. There needs to be protections in place to avoid this downward spiral.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Valor and QuadReal Secure £79m Financing for Tesco Distribution Hub Acquisition Valor Real Estate Partners and QuadReal Property Group have successfully secured a £79m loan from PGIM Real Estate to support their recent acquisition of a Tesco-let distribution centre in Purfleet, Essex. The 630,000 sq ft facility at Dolphin Park, purchased for £130m in January, plays a crucial role in Tesco’s supply chain, serving approximately 550 stores across London and the South East. The transaction marks the largest single-asset acquisition to date for the Valor and QuadReal joint venture and represents the biggest single-let, last-mile logistics deal in the UK since 2022. The financing, provided through PGIM’s senior debt platform, is the fifth collaboration between the lender and Valor. Demand for UK last-mile logistics assets remains strong, driven by the continued expansion of ecommerce and urbanisation trends. James Mathias, senior portfolio manager for European core debt at PGIM, commented: “The recovery in European real estate is progressing well, creating favourable conditions for income-focused debt investment. We remain optimistic about the London Gateway and the resilience of UK logistics, buoyed by long-term structural drivers such as ecommerce and the rise of green energy industries.” Thomas Blangy, senior vice-president at QuadReal, added: “This investment aligns perfectly with our global strategy of targeting high-growth urban logistics hubs, particularly in key UK markets. Partnering with Valor and PGIM Real Estate to acquire this Tesco-let distribution centre further strengthens our position in this high-performing sector.” Miles Muthu, vice-president at Valor Real Estate Partners, also highlighted the asset’s strategic importance: “Its prime location and integral role in Tesco’s supply chain make this a compelling long-term investment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Abloy UK and HKC are set to make a significant impact at The Security Event 2025, inviting visitors to their collaborative stand 5/F50 to explore the latest innovations in integrated security solutions. The event takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 8th – 10th April 2025 and will feature the world’s leading security brands. HKC Security is presenting its range of market-leading intruder alarm products, and Abloy UK is showcasing the latest in electromechanical and digital access solutions. Abloy UK As a pioneer and market-leader in access control technology, Abloy UK will offer attendees the opportunity to experience its comprehensive range of security solutions firsthand and learn more about how they can integrate with other products within the ASSA ABLOY portfolio. The stand will feature live demonstrations of advanced systems, including: Abloy UK’s presence at the event highlights its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art solutions that enhance security, access control, and operational efficiency across a wide range of sectors including critical infrastructure. HKC HKC is offering an immersive, hands-on experience to demonstrate the full potential of its SecureWave 10270 intruder alarm control panel. Attendees can witness first-hand the powerful integration capabilities of the SW10270 panel, featuring seamless interoperability with leading security solutions, including Abloy UK’s SMARTair wireless access control system and Optex external alarm sensors. Each of these integrations will be fully operational, allowing visitors to explore the advantages of a unified security approach. In addition, HKC will showcase its latest security innovations, including the brand-new SecureHub Panel, Wireless Keypad, Solas Outdoor Siren, Video Doorbell, and Chime. The SecureHub panel will be linked to various sensors on the stand, providing a live demonstration of its capabilities via HKC’s SecureComm app. Showcasing innovation Pip Courcoux, Technical and Product Director at Abloy UK, said: “We are excited to return to The Security Event 2025 to showcase our latest innovations in access control and security. As a trusted advisor in the industry, this event allows us to get face-to-face with visitors to give hands-on demonstrations of our wide portfolio of products and explain their features and benefits. “We can also advise on which systems can be combined into bespoke solutions to suit individual requirements – whether that’s securing premises for SMEs, or providing access control for environments such as healthcare estates, university accommodation, commercial offices, utilities infrastructure, and many more. “Our team will be on hand to help visitors understand how our innovations integrate seamlessly into modern security ecosystems, providing superior control, flexibility, and reliability.” Damian Lloyd, Marketing Lead at HKC, added: “The security landscape is evolving rapidly, and integration plays a key role in future proofing systems to protect customer investments and stay ahead of emerging technologies. “Our goal at The Security Event this year is to offer an interactive and engaging experience for visitors. By setting up functional integrations, we’re allowing security professionals to see our technology in action and understand how our solutions can enhance their security infrastructure. “We believe that hands-on demonstrations are the best way to showcase the reliability, efficiency, and ease of integration that our systems provide. We want visitors to leave with a clear understanding of how HKC’s solutions can work within their own security setups, offering seamless protection and peace of mind.” Join HKC Security and Abloy UK at stand 5/F50 at The Security Event 2025 to explore cutting-edge security solutions and experience the future of integrated intruder alarm technology and digital access control. For more information on HKC Security, please visit: hkcsecurity.com For further information on Abloy UK, visit https://bit.ly/4hN2iOO, call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Women in construction are breaking barriers, driving change, and shaping the future of the industry. Their voices and experiences prove that progress is happening – but there’s still more to be done. This International Women’s Day, British Gypsum and Isover – businesses that are part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions – are proudly celebrating the women who are making an impact in the construction sector. By sharing their stories, we’re championing their achievements, amplifying their voices, and paving the way for an even more inclusive industry. Katie Anderson is Performance Manager at British Gypsum East Leake Works which produces bagged plaster and plasterboard. She has seen the business take proactive steps to help more women into its workforce. “We have got a lot more women coming through which is great,” she said. “It will take a while to change but I definitely see positive movement in that regard.” Katie joined British Gypsum in 2019 as a project leader and has progressed rapidly through the ranks. She is encouraging other women to consider construction manufacturing as a fulfilling career. “British Gypsum has really helped me with my training,” she added. “So even if you don’t have the skills initially, they can help you to develop those skills.” However, Katie says she still occasionally encounters gender bias. “Sometimes it can take a bit more time to build up a rapport or respect with people, it’s important to get to know people as individuals and learn to communicate with them in the most appropriate way.” Last year, Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions supported the launch of I am a Housebuilder. Founded by a cross-parliamentary group, it aims to grow the number of women working in the housebuilding industry. It is fronted by seven women who hold prominent roles in construction – dubbed the Magnificent 7. One of them is Xuan Meng, CEO of Cozy Haus. She started in property development after taking maternity leave from an investment fund. “It took me a lot of effort and mental determination to plunge myself into building Cozy Haus because it is something I’ve never done,” she said. “I thought to myself, if I could make this a success, it could give me the flexibility to be my own boss and also the flexibility to look after my daughter and the financial stability I wanted for my family. This was my chance, I took it, and I think that it was the best decision I ever made.” Cozy Haus now employs over 30 people and has more female staff than male. “I think that 60% of our staff members are female and a lot of them are single mums,” added Xuan. “I believe that, because you are a mum, you have more reasons to work hard not only because you have to provide financially but also because you have to lead by example.” As part of their mentoring programme, each of the Magnificent 7 will give one-to-one mentoring to women taking their first steps into the housebuilding sector. Georgina Hammond, Co-Founder of Beau Property, has taken 21-year-old graduate Abbi Bird under her wing as her mentee. Abbi saw the Magnificent 7 announced on LinkedIn and reached out to them about mentorship. She first became interested in construction aged 13 when her dad asked her to help with a building project. As a teenager she relentlessly pursued her passion, even switching schools to study construction and engineering before going on to complete a university degree. She is now shadowing Georgina while looking to start her career in construction management. “I really want to help her to navigate her career, to grow within her next role and be able to set goals for what her career is going to look like,” said Georgina. “I hope that she achieves becoming an MD of a PLC housebuilder because I know that she’s got it in her. She’s incredibly determined, she’s so enthusiastic, and she loves building houses. She’s incredibly technically minded. “It is so amazing and encouraging that people from that next generation have the enthusiasm and want to get into this industry because they feel so passionately about it and love it. So, I think from Abbi’s perspective, the sky is the limit and she can achieve anything. “Women need this support in an industry that is male dominated. I think that if we had this conversation again in ten years’ time, that would look very different. But while we go through that transition period, there needs to be role models and support for women that are making the move to enter this industry, to help them thrive.” The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Accelerate Action, focusing on driving progress for gender equality. Rachel Kelly, Head of Brand for British Gypsum and Isover said: “We are proud to support International Women’s Day and are accelerating our efforts to bring talented women into our workforce. “Women remain underrepresented in construction, facing barriers such as gender bias, lack of career visibility, and limited opportunities for progression. We are committed to addressing these challenges by amplifying female voices, promoting inclusivity and providing pathways for women to thrive in the sector.” The Building Better Hub provides resources and talking points on workforce gender diversity and other major industry issues. To hear more from some of the industry leaders featured in this article or to discover more about what women in construction have to say, visit the Building Better hub: https://www.saint-gobain.co.uk/building-better-hub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The adoption of solar energy has reached critical mass, and going into 2025 looks to be an important inflection point for homeowners to support renewable energy. With electricity prices increasing and more incentives being introduced by governments, installing solar panels is more viable than ever. But to get the most out of solar energy, proper installation is crucial. This is where certified solar panel installers come in. Why 2025 is the Year for Homeowners to Install Solar Panels If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to solar power, 2025 is the perfect year. There are several reasons this year is particularly appealing for homeowners: However, in order to get the most of these benefits, it is best to work with certified solar panel installers who are trained and knowledgeable when it comes to getting your system set up properly. A Homeowner’s Guide to Buying Solar Panels in 2025 Solar panels are a big purchase and must be an investment for the long haul, so it’s critical to make the right decisions. Here are the main things to know: 1. Understanding Your Energy Needs Scrutinize your electricity usage before purchasing solar panels. Look at past utility bills to see how much power your household uses, and select a system that meets that need. 2. Choosing the Right Solar Panels There are 3 types of solar panels: 3. Considering Solar Panel Micro Inverters Micro inverters are usually small inverters mounted on each solar panel, which increase efficiency compared to traditional string inverters Micro inverters maximize power output if your roof has shading problems or panels face different directions. 4. Hiring Certified Solar Panel Installers Correct installation is essential to system performance and safety. Make sure that your installation is done by certified solar panel installers to keep away with faulty wiring, poor panel placement, or inefficiencies that can affect energy output. What Are Solar Panel Micro Inverters, and Should You Install Them? Micro inverters are used in comparison to solar panel inverters. Micro inverters are set up at each panel, as opposed to string inverters, which link more than one panel, internationally. Here’s why they could be a good fit: Benefits of Micro Inverters: Are Micro Inverters Right for You? If your roof is partially shaded or you’d like more control over energy monitoring, micro inverters can be a welcome addition to your solar system. But these are usually pricier than standard inverters, so budgetary consideration should also weigh in. Why Choosing Certified Solar Panel Installers Matters Installing solar panels is a technical task involving electrical work, roofing, and energy optimization. Expert solar panel installers guarantee that: Correct System Design: With a strong focus on design, they also finalize how if your home needs energy outputs and suggest the right placement of your panels for the maximum energy output. Safety and Compliance: Certified professionals adhere to all local building codes and safety standards. Warranty Protection: Most solar panel manufacturers will only honor their warranties if a professional installs the product. Saves you money in the long run — with proper installation, the risk of malfunctions is minimized and maintenance costs over time are reduced. Final Thoughts As they look to further reduce energy bills and lessen their carbon footprint homeowners have started to invest in solar energy. Whether you are installing traditional panels or you are thinking about micro inverters, here are some more reasons to work with certified solar panel installers: safe, efficient, and long-lasting system. If you’ve considered going solar in your own home, there’s no better time than now, as 2025 brings fresh opportunities and incentives for solar adoption. Do your research, and seek out experienced professionals, so you can reap the rewards of clean, renewable energy for years to come.
