Acis Group and MRI Software have won a prestigious award in the ‘Most Innovative Property Service’ category at the National Housing Maintenance Federation (NHMF) Awards 2024 held on January 23. The annual conference is devoted to housing maintenance and is run by asset management professionals. Acis Group, is a prominent
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions
Boughton – the UK’s leading natural growing media supplier – is celebrating after its BLS Plus Topsoil was recognised as a finalist at the 2024 Society of Garden Designer (SGD) Awards in the brand-new Sustainable Product of the Year category. It was an exciting evening for Boughton at the SGD
A major fire at an industrial estate in Bridgend destroyed a huge 20,000m2 building used largely for warehousing, sending plumes of smoke into the surrounding area. One of the largest fires in Europe in recent times, the scale of the blaze was immense, impacting a number of businesses and highlighting
In response to the Halifax’s latest House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO at Propertymark comments: “It is positive to see that house prices have gone up gradually, especially as borrowing costs are being affected by higher interest rates on mortgage affordability. Before 2023 ended, the Bank of England’s decision to
As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds from February 5th to 11th, Platform Housing Group shares the impact of its apprenticeship programmes, highlighting the transformative journey of apprentices who are not just participants but drivers of success within the organisation. With a current cohort of 76 apprentices, forming 4.56% of Platform’s dynamic
Magnetic couplings, also known as magnetic drives, are contactless torque-transmitting devices with endless applications across a wide range of industries. Unlike mechanical couplings, magnetic couplings transfer torque through magnetic fields, eliminating issues with shaft misalignment, backlash, lubrication needs, vibration, etc. Nested within nonmagnetic containment shells, magnetic couplings consist of two
Today Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the February 2024 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of January 2024, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures
Phase 1A and 1B of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire are now finished. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1, and once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have a total of eight
Timber import volumes in 2023 continued to improve as the year progressed, with total volumes for the full year likely to be only slightly behind 2022’s figures, according to the latest TDUK statistics. Timber import statistics for November 2023 show the market continued to improve in 2023, relative to 2022,
Acis Group and MRI Software have won a prestigious award in the ‘Most Innovative Property Service’ category at the National Housing Maintenance Federation (NHMF) Awards 2024 held on January 23. The annual conference is devoted to housing maintenance and is run by asset management professionals. Acis Group, is a prominent housing, education, and skills provider operating in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire. The award recognises the success of its collaborative partnership with MRI Software, a provider of real estate software solutions, and the impact it has had on the repair and maintenance sector. The partnership named ‘Operative Autonomy,’ has redefined the approach to in-house engineers’ responses to repairs and maintenance tasks, achieving remarkable results in a mere 12-month period. This initiative has transformed operational efficiency and made a positive impact on customer satisfaction. “This award truly celebrates the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines our partnership with MRI Software,” remarked Greg Bacon, Chief Executive of Acis. “Together, we have embarked on a journey to revolutionise repairs and maintenance, empowering our in-house engineers to proactively address challenges and deliver exceptional outcomes for our customers. Congratulations to everyone involved on this well-deserved recognition.” The success of the partnership is evident in the improvement in customer satisfaction metrics. Since the introduction of ‘Operative Autonomy’, Acis has witnessed a significant reduction in missed appointment compensations and achieved an impressive 95% overall job satisfaction rate. Real-time feedback from customers is collected through monthly surveys via text and shows the positive impact of the partnership on enhancing their customer experience. “We are thrilled to have partnered with Acis in driving innovation and excellence in property maintenance,” said Lorna Given, Director of Product Management at MRI Software. “The ‘Operative Autonomy’ initiative has not only streamlined operations but has also demonstrated our collective commitment to delivering exceptional services and driving positive change in property management. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of both teams.” For more information about Acis Group and how we support our customers visit www.acisgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, is delighted to have once again been awarded a coveted position on the Climate Change ‘A List’, published by CDP. The global environmental non-profit measures corporate transparency and performance on climate change on behalf of over 740 financial institutions with over US$136 trillion in assets. Of the 21,000 companies that were scored by CDP, Kingspan was one of just 346 to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List. Figures published by CDP also showed that only 10% of disclosing companies – Kingspan included – have renewable energy consumption targets established.1 CDP’s annual environmental reporting and disclosure assessment encourages companies to be transparent about their environmental impacts, risks and progress and provide data that demonstrate action and performance against climate-related targets. Those on the ‘A List’ have been recognised by CDP for their comprehensive climate strategies and targets and must also achieve a minimum of 4.2% emissions reductions annually. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “To limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century and achieve a net-zero emissions future, we all have a responsibility to be transparent about our progress and what we are doing to play our part. We have set ambitious 1.5⁰C-aligned GHG emissions reduction targets within our 10-year Planet Passionate programme. Our dedicated teams across our business work tirelessly to make continued annual progress towards our goals and our position on the CDP A List is fantastic recognition of this dedication and our journey so far.” In a bid to achieve net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2030, Kingspan has already achieved a 26% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020 and has made significant strides again in 2023, with the latest results soon to be published in its annual Planet Passionate report. The company also aims to reduce the CO2 intensity of its primary supply chain partners by 50% by 2030. This climate ambition is aligned with a 1.5⁰C trajectory and places increased emphasis on emissions reduction over offsetting, with targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company also has measurable targets on harvesting rainwater, eliminating waste to landfill, increasing use of recycled materials and more. The number of companies choosing to disclose their sustainability targets and performance is on the rise as stakeholders seek confidence that companies are acting with longevity in mind. In 2023, CDP saw the volume of disclosures increase by 24% – a promising sign that more companies are taking all-important steps to close the gap between ambition and action.2 More information about Kingspan’s Planet Passionate programme can be viewed on the Kingspan Group website here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Boughton – the UK’s leading natural growing media supplier – is celebrating after its BLS Plus Topsoil was recognised as a finalist at the 2024 Society of Garden Designer (SGD) Awards in the brand-new Sustainable Product of the Year category. It was an exciting evening for Boughton at the SGD awards in London last night (February 2nd), where its top-performing BLS Plus – Natural Topsoil was shortlisted for the Sustainable Product of the Year Award, with the brand-new category making its debut exclusively at the 2024 event. Open to affiliated business partners only, the award was created to put the spotlight on “known or innovative products manufactured with renewable or largely recycled or reused materials, which minimise or reverse detrimental environmental impact during production and consider the product’s entire life cycle including how it is recycled/ repurposed at the end of its life.” Boughton’s BLS Plus Topsoil really resonated with this year’s judging panel, who shortlisted the product in the top three. Repurposed, single-source, screened and 100% natural, and usually of a medium clay loam classification, BLS Plus enjoys added natural, organic, vegetative digestate bi-product to create a premium topsoil. Rich in organic matter content and benefitting from excellent moisture and nutrient retention capabilities, BLS Plus is best suited to large scale, ground level, planting projects. Simon Hedley, Managing Director at Boughton said: “We are delighted to have our BLS Plus Topsoil named as a finalist for the Sustainable Product of the Year. It was a real honour to be shortlisted during the category’s inaugural year and we are absolutely over the moon.” Simon continued: “We are huge advocates for the use of natural soils and the value they bring to landscaping projects, so it is great to see our BLS Plus – Natural Topsoil in the spotlight and to receive recognition at such a prestigious awards event for our unwavering commitment to helping create sustainable and environmentally-responsible gardens and landscapes.” The celebration didn’t stop there for Boughton, as designer also Andy Sturgeon took home two awards on the night for his green roof gardens that formed part of the iconic redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station – a project that employed Boughton’s IN1 Intensive Green Roof Substrate. Described by judges as an “a quite extraordinary piece of work.” Andy’s Battersea Power Station roof gardens won both the UK International Roof, Podium or Raised Courtyard Gardens Award and the Grand Award. The judging panel said of the project, which features a cloud-like planting scheme, supported by Boughton’s green roof substrate: “The endeavour, scale of work and creativity are fantastic, and the execution is beautiful.” The awards were presented during a glittering ceremony on Friday, February 2 at the Landmark Hotel in London, with hundreds of industry peers in attendance to celebrate true innovation from the very best projects, designers, and products. To find out more about Boughton’s complete offering for the amenity, landscape and construction industries, please visit www.boughton.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major fire at an industrial estate in Bridgend destroyed a huge 20,000m2 building used largely for warehousing, sending plumes of smoke into the surrounding area. One of the largest fires in Europe in recent times, the scale of the blaze was immense, impacting a number of businesses and highlighting gaps in fire safety measures. The devastating fire broke out on January 19th in a building largely housing a warehouse owned by the Owens Group. This was also home to a number of businesses ranging from a tyre company and storage facility to a company selling paper products, the building was completely destroyed. The blaze required 10 fire crews, four water carriers and two aerial ladder platforms from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service who worked hard to contain it. Local residents had to contend with large plumes of smoke shortly after the fire broke out and there were also reports of explosions. Police have since opened an arson investigation. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries in the blaze but there will be repercussions for businesses within the warehouse, as well as adjacent businesses close to the main warehouse who lost access and power to their premises. There will also be disruption to all the other businesses that used the services of the affected companies. A training facility and a satellite operation of Bridgend College were also closed because of their proximity to the blaze. The impact on the local community and environment was significant with local road closures and nearby residents forced to close windows and doors. This former Sony factory was reportedly sold off in 2005 when the company ceased manufacturing televisions in Wales. It was then bought by a developer who turned it into units of varying sizes. There was no original change of use as it retained B1/B8 classification (i.e conceived as a factory/warehouse). It’s important to point out that unless the whole building was storage, automatic sprinklers would not have been required from a Building Regulations perspective. However, any partitions erected within the building to separate units and changing uses within the building were ineffective. It points to the fact that for such buildings the unit of control is the entire building and not a smaller compartment within it. The stark contrast between buildings equipped with sprinkler systems and those without becomes evident in the event of a fire. Recent statistics reveal the average cost of a large warehouse fire amounts to £5.9m1 and at least one warehouse fire occurring every working day in England alone. These figures underscore the critical importance for businesses to carefully consider the impact of fire and its devastating consequences. Quickly stopping the spread of fire when it is first detected is the best way to limit damage and minimise costs and impacts. Sprinklers have been shown to contain, control or extinguish fires in 99% of cases when caused to operate2. The affected business can be operational within hours, avoiding the economic and social costs. Fire incidents remain the primary cause of damage in warehouse buildings, and although the number of industrial fires may have decreased, the severity and cost of such incidents that do occur are on the rise. Implementing systems like sprinklers can effectively contain and extinguish fires, thereby safeguarding firefighters and preserving businesses, jobs, and the economy. This is why the Business Sprinkler Alliance campaigns for the inclusion of such sprinkler systems into warehousing units. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 1Fears pandemic-led e-commerce boom could spark rise in warehouse blazes 2Efficiency and Effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems in the United Kingdom: An Analysis from Fire Service Data – Optimal Economics May 2017
In response to the Halifax’s latest House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO at Propertymark comments: “It is positive to see that house prices have gone up gradually, especially as borrowing costs are being affected by higher interest rates on mortgage affordability. Before 2023 ended, the Bank of England’s decision to maintain interest rates should be providing further confidence to buyers looking to make their next or first home move in 2024. We would now hope that the the Bank of England gradually starts slashing interest rates in order to further to stimulate growth in the housing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As National Apprenticeship Week unfolds from February 5th to 11th, Platform Housing Group shares the impact of its apprenticeship programmes, highlighting the transformative journey of apprentices who are not just participants but drivers of success within the organisation. With a current cohort of 76 apprentices, forming 4.56% of Platform’s dynamic workforce, these apprenticeships extend beyond traditional job training. They embody a commitment to unleashing potential and creating opportunities for all to ascend the career ladder. What sets Platform’s apprenticeships apart is their inclusivity. Among the 76 apprentices, 24 are existing colleagues who chose to strengthen their skills and knowledge. This commitment to continuous improvement not only benefits individuals but contributes significantly to the collective growth of the business. Platform recognises that career paths are unique, and apprenticeships shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all. From entry-level (level 2) to advanced professional qualifications (level 7), these apprenticeship programmes ensure that the business is building a workforce that can deliver the skills needed now, and in years to come. Working with colleges and providers across the Midlands, Platform has an ambitious target of having 10% of the workforce studying for an apprenticeship by 2026. Dispelling stereotypes, apprenticeships at Platform are not confined to school leavers. A remarkable 61% of apprentices fall within the 20 to 29 age range, showing that apprenticeships are accessible and beneficial for those seeking to enhance their skills, regardless of prior experience or time since leaving formal education. Alice Sanders, a Category Specialist, and former apprentice, shares her success story. “After finishing university, I saw an apprenticeship opportunity within the newly established Procurement Department at Platform. With no prior experience in procurement, the apprenticeship offered me the chance to learn on the job while gaining the qualifications and experience necessary”. “Two and a half years on, my role has evolved and I’m now working as a Category Specialist having successfully completed my Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply. Platform has been supportive throughout and I’m looking forward to progressing my career here.” Find out more about Apprenticeships at Platform at https://www.platformhg.com/apprenticeships Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Magnetic couplings, also known as magnetic drives, are contactless torque-transmitting devices with endless applications across a wide range of industries. Unlike mechanical couplings, magnetic couplings transfer torque through magnetic fields, eliminating issues with shaft misalignment, backlash, lubrication needs, vibration, etc. Nested within nonmagnetic containment shells, magnetic couplings consist of two magnetic poles: a driving magnet rotor and a driven magnet rotor. As the driving magnet rotates under the influence of the motor drive, it causes rotation of the driven magnet while maintaining an air gap separation. This contact-free torque transmission makes magnetic couplings incredibly reliable and low maintenance. In the following sections, you’ll discover the six common industrial applications taking advantage of magnetic coupling. 1. Sewage And Wastewater Mixing You need dependable, rugged equipment to mix sewage and wastewater effectively. Submersible mixers prevent the escape of hazardous gases through vulnerable shaft seals. Magnetic couplings excel in these demanding mixing applications. Their enclosed design prevents abrasive solids and stringy materials from contaminating mechanical seals. Without routine seal maintenance to worry about, you’ll achieve reliable, quiet operation. Magnetically coupled mixers maintain their integrity even after prolonged exposure to grease, rags, grit, and corrosive substances prevalent in sewage tanks. Trouble-free operation translates to reduced maintenance costs and longevity of capital equipment. For mixing equipment able to withstand sewage plant conditions, look no further than magnetic couplings. 2. Chemical And Pharmaceutical Mixing You need specialized mixing equipment when handling volatile chemicals or sensitive pharmaceutical compounds. Magnetic couplings perfectly suit these applications because their completely enclosed design prevents vapors from escaping the mixer vessel. Without shaft seals that can leak, fail, or allow bacterial ingress, magnetic drives support sterile processes and hazard containment. They provide reliable, leak-free operation even when mixing volatile solvents, corrosive chemicals, or viscosity-sensitive pharmaceutical suspensions. By customizing magnetic drives to correctly match process loads, you will achieve optimal mixing efficiency without routine seal maintenance. 3. Food And Beverage Mixing Maintaining stringent hygiene standards is essential when mixing food or beverage ingredients. Magnetic mixers excel in these applications because their fully enclosed design eliminates shaft seals that can leak lubricants or allow bacterial ingress. Without worrying about mechanical seal failures or costly seal maintenance, you’ll achieve reliable blending and mixing efficiency. The leakproof operation prevents contamination between batches and supports robust HACCP compliance. Whether you need to stir vats of fruit juice gently, knead dough, or disperse powdered milk, magnetic mixers prevent leaks and keep the internal vessel surfaces smooth and easy to clean. Trust their clean-running, sanitary design for your food quality assurance and safety processes. 4. Pump Drives Pumping abrasive slurries or corrosive fluids poses reliability challenges for mechanical seals and packings. By eliminating the pump shaft seal—the most vulnerable component—magnetic drives provide a robust sealing solution. Without having to constantly maintain and replace leaky shaft seals, you will benefit from enhanced pump reliability and longevity. Magnetically driven pumps excel when handling demanding fluids like crude oil, mine tailings, acids, solvents, or any liquid with suspended solids. Their leakproof operation prevents hazardous leaks while reducing downtime. For pump applications involving hazardous, volatile, or abrasive liquids, magnetic drives keep pumps running efficiently without routine seal maintenance. Trust their uncomplicated yet ingenious design for your toughest pumping duties. 5. Metal Processing Transporting or mixing molten metals exceeding 1,100°F quickly destroys mechanical seals and packings. This renders shaft-driven equipment unsuitable for foundries and metal processing plants. In contrast, magnetic transfer drives reliably withstand extreme temperatures above 2,000°F. Thanks to their totally enclosed design, these drives won’t leak hazardous fumes or waste valuable metal alloys. Magnetically driven pumps, screw conveyors, and mixers improve safety and longevity while reducing maintenance costs associated with mechanical seals. When handling molten aluminum, bronze, or steel alloys, trust magnetic drives to endure high temps and keep equipment fully enclosed for leakproof metal transport. 6. Plastics Manufacturing Sealing extruders, kneaders, and mixing equipment against resin leaks is imperative for facility safety and to avoid wasted materials in plastic production. Magnetically driven equipment excels in these applications due to the fully enclosed design lacking vulnerable shaft seals. You can rest easy knowing resin leaks will not endanger employees or foul the production environment. At the same time, leakproof magnetic drives prevent lost revenue from wasted materials. Their reliable sealing effectiveness continues even after prolonged exposure to abrasive compounds and corrosive cleaning chemicals used in plastics manufacturing plants. Final Thoughts In demanding industrial environments, magnetic couplings tick all the right boxes—safety, reliability, longevity, and efficiency. By eliminating rotating seals, they keep equipment fully sealed off from corrosive, abrasive, volatile, and extreme process fluids. This prevents leaks and hazards while reducing maintenance. Though advanced in design, magnetic drives provide trouble-free coupling thanks to simple operating principles that have been unchanged for over 50 years. They’re built to handle the toughest tasks across every industry.
Today Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight experts, releases the February 2024 edition of its Construction Index. The Index focuses on the three months to the end of January 2024, covering all underlying projects, with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. Overall, project-starts nose-dived compared to 2023 figures, plummeting 36%. This included residential construction which, having rallied in the previous edition of the Index, weakened 34% on the year before. All other vertical performance was weak, with non-residential project-starts finishing 37% lower than the same period last year. This downhill trajectory is unsurprising given persistently high interest rates and intense economic uncertainty, keeping public and private investors cautious about committing to new projects. Commenting on the Index findings, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen says, “The February Index shows project-start performance remaining frustratingly slow across the sector, amid eye-watering economic conditions. This protracted period of depression is evident in sharp declines across the private residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. On a more positive note, civil engineering starts remain slightly more stable, posting a modest decline against the preceding three months. However, they remain sharply lower than this time last year.” Taking a closer look at the sector verticals and regional outlook… Sector Analysis – Residential Residential construction starts decreased 16% on the preceding three-month period to stand 34% lower than a year ago. Private housing similarly decreased 18% against the preceding three months, with starts 36% weaker than 2023 levels. Social housing performed poorly on both counts, with work starting on-site falling 9% against the previous three months, standing 28% down on the previous year. Sector Analysis – Non-Residential The value of starts across non-residential sectors fell 12% during the three months to January, finishing 37% lower than 2023 figures. All verticals experienced a decline against last year. Industrial project-start performance was especially poor, with project-starts weakening 11% during the three months to the end of January to stand 45% lower than a year ago. Offices also fared poorly, with the value of project-starts falling back 19% against the preceding three months and 39% against the previous year. It was a similar story for education, which saw the value of underlying project-starts fall back 17% against the preceding three months to stand 37% down on a year ago. Retail project-starts also slipped back abruptly, declining 18% against the preceding three months to stand 27% down on the year before. Health and community & amenity also decreased 10% and 14% against the preceding three months, to stand 33% and 11% down on the previous year, respectively. Hotel & leisure starts dropped by 45% compared with last year but increased a modest 3% on the preceding three-month period. Civils work starting on-site dropped 4% against the preceding three months to stand 39% down on a year ago. Infrastructure starts dropped 38% on the previous year’s figures, despite increasing 3% on the preceding three months. Civils general decline was also influenced by utilities activity, which declined 13% against the preceding three month-period, finishing 41% down on 2023. Regional Analysis Regional performance was poor, with project-starts weakening across most areas of the UK during the three months to January. The South East suffered the heaviest fall, declining 25% during the three months to the end of January to stand 54% down on a year ago. It was a similar story in the Scotland, with the value of project-starts decreasing 30% against the preceding three months and remaining significantly down (-38%) on the previous year. Project-starts in Wales experienced a sharp fall against both the preceding three months (-30%) and previous year (-50%). The North East was a mixed bag, with the value of starts increasing 1% against the preceding three months but falling back 18% on the year before. The East Midlands, on the other hand, experienced a 42% increase against the preceding three-month period, although starts in the region remained 30% behind last year’s figures. Northern Ireland and the West Midlands weakened against the preceding three months, falling back 9% and 12%, respectively. Both regions were down on the previous year, remaining 33% and 16% lower than a year ago. This was also the case in Yorkshire & the Humber and the North West, which both crashed compared to both the preceding three months and the previous year. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Phase 1A and 1B of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire are now finished. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1, and once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North). Phase 1A comprises two single-storey distribution warehouses (units 1 and 2) and sustainable features including solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points. The units have been constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. Phase 1A comprises two single-storey distribution warehouses (units 1 and 2) and sustainable features including solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points. The units have been constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. Phase 1B, involved the construction of units 4 and 5, alongside all subsequent mechanical and electrical works, office fit outs and external works to ongoing conference laboratory car parks. The contractor also delivered earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing, lift shaft and stair installations, nets for roofing works and office elevation cladding. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “We are delighted that works for both Phase 1A and 1B are finally complete. “Once all phases are finished, Horizon 29 will be a premier distribution centre for the region, and an ideal hub for quality tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south. “We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the second phase of this landmark scheme.” Dick Smallman, Equation Properties, said: “Despite a challenging site and weather, we are very impressed with the superb quality of the units and works that McLaren Construction has delivered to date. “The speed with which they’ve carried out particular elements of the work, the seamless design which blends into the countryside and the innovative techniques used have been fantastic.” McLaren Construction serves both the public and private sectors in core areas including commercial offices, residential, education, retail, distribution and logistics, hotels, and leisure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Timber import volumes in 2023 continued to improve as the year progressed, with total volumes for the full year likely to be only slightly behind 2022’s figures, according to the latest TDUK statistics. Timber import statistics for November 2023 show the market continued to improve in 2023, relative to 2022, with total import volumes for the full year likely to be only slightly behind 2022’s figures. Import volumes in the month of November 2023 were 0.9% higher than in November 2022. The deficit in the cumulative annual volume of the UK’s timber and panel imports after 11 months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, reduced once again to stand at around 117,000m3 – down from 123,000m3 last month. This cumulative reduction in volume of all imports in 2023 to November over 2022 was 1.3%. This is a significant improvement on earlier in the year, as during the spring import volumes were on track to be the lowest since 2013, but imports during the second half of the year allayed any fear of this being the case. The loss in volume peaked at 384.000m3 in May 2023 and has reduced each month since to stand at 117,000m3, or just 1.3%, below 2022. The 0.9% growth in the month of November completed six months of consecutive growth of the combined volume of the main timber, panels and engineered wood products imported by the UK. This better second-half performance has been realised largely through higher softwood, hardwood plywood, OSB and MDF imports. Solid wood imports over the first 11 months of 2023 remain less than 1% lower than over the same period in 2022, with imports of panel products around 3% lower. TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “It’s encouraging to see main timber import volumes have now seen six months of consecutive growth in the second half of 2023, with statistics for the year just 1.3% below 2022 levels. “This supports our belief – and the CPA forecasts – that while the market may be challenging for the coming months, particularly in the core newbuild housing and RMI sectors, better times lie ahead. “It’s important to remember that while 2024 may have started slowly, this is likely to be an election year and the political parties will soon begin to set out their manifestos and plans for the construction and housebuilding sectors. The industry is expected to see recovery begin in 2025 post-General Election, and we look forward to learning how the different political parties plan to support the move towards timber as a core low-carbon building material, as has already been set out in the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap.” This month’s statistics also contain a summary of the latest Construction Products Association’s forecasts for 2024 and beyond, with a focus on newbuild and private housing RMI. TDUK members can read the full report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
