As the Paris Olympics 2024 is about to get underway, millions of fans will travel to the French capital city to attend one of the world’s largest sporting events. Thanks to the latest technology from Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), they will enjoy a more comfortable experience at some of the smartest and
Construction work is progressing well at Balfour Beatty’s brand-new site off Old Road in Chesterfield, where the first showhome is set to officially open its doors to visitors later this year. The development is being built on the site of the former DXC Technology Manor Offices, with demolition work on
Contractor Clegg Construction has completed a £10.3m contract to deliver a care home in Peterborough for Avery Healthcare. The 80-bedroom, three-storey building on Waterhouse Lane is the third care home built by Clegg Construction for Avery Healthcare and is a key part of the Hampton Gardens development, which includes a
Two years on from the UK’s hottest ever day, the Fire Brigades Union has issued call on the new Labour government to “urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. The call comes as a yellow heat alert is issued for parts of England. Since 2010, the fire
Beard, an award-winning contractor in the south of England, has announced the promotion of Paula Baleson to social value manager. In the newly-created position, Paula will take the lead in defining a new company-wide strategy and provide support to a team of social value coordinators, ensuring Beard’s work and actions
We are delighted to announce that the Cable Services Group, one of the UK’s leading specialist electrical distributors, has donated an incredible £80,000 in support of 25 national charities. In 2019, we established our own charity to support local causes close to the hearts of the people who work in
Spencer Bridge Engineering has been recognised for its outstanding work on the historic Union Chain Bridge with a prestigious industry award. The company received the Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 for its work on the iconic structure which crosses the
A Warwickshire manufacturer of solar-powered lighting that does not need to be connected to the grid is hoping to grow its team following advice from a business support programme. Ryton-based Solar Vision Lighting Technologies (SVLT) designs green street lighting and CCTV solutions for main roads, residential developments, industrial sites, and
Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group today revealed its financial accounts for 2023, representing another period of record-breaking performance during which the company surpassed revenues of £1bn for the first time. Hill posted record profits before tax of £70.1m from revenues of £1,145.9m for a 15-month period ended 31 March 2024. The
Brick manufacturer Forterra has recently launched a load selector calculator to allow customers to tailor their brick orders to the precise mix of products they require. With the ability to choose the exact number of bricks they need from Forterra’s entire range of London Bricks, plus Ecostock’s Atherstone Red and
As the Paris Olympics 2024 is about to get underway, millions of fans will travel to the French capital city to attend one of the world’s largest sporting events. Thanks to the latest technology from Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), they will enjoy a more comfortable experience at some of the smartest and most energy-efficient stadiums on the continent. By integrating advanced building automation systems, HVAC and fire suppression technologies across eight venues, the company not only is helping the International Olympic Committee prioritise safety and operational efficiency but also is contributing to the Committee’s ambitious goal of reducing the event’s carbon footprint by 50% compared to previous Games. Achieving this goal required making the building infrastructure behind the games’ venues more energy efficient and sustainable. For example, two of the latest innovations of Johnson Controls’ York 3.3 MW industrial chillers are in operation at the new cooling production plant, the La Chapelle plant, located in the Adidas Arena sports and cultural complex. As the twelfth power plant in the city of Paris’ cooling network, it meets the cooling needs of the Adidas Arena and the surrounding area. This equipment provides sustainable and energy-efficient cooling at one of the flagship sites of the Olympic Games. “With temperatures rising year on year and heatwaves becoming the norm, the need for sustainable cooling technology is critical to ensure optimal conditions in venues while minimising the impact on the planet,” said Marc Vandiepenbeeck, CFO and EMEALA President for Johnson Controls. “Chillers are one of the most energy-consuming pieces of equipment in a building and represent an important opportunity to cut energy use and cost, while minimising carbon footprint and delivering a healthier indoor environment.” A further example is a renowned tennis stadium where the Johnson Controls Metasys building automation system links the most vital building equipment including HVAC, lighting control and energy management. The system controls and monitors performance and provides real-time data so facility managers can identify potential issues, make adjustments and ensure the stadium is running as efficiently and sustainably as possible. “We are proud to work with these prestigious venues and help our customers achieve their desired outcomes in energy efficiency, carbon reduction emissions, safety, security and building management. Our expertise in smart stadiums and large venues has made Johnson Controls the partner of choice for stadiums across the world and we continue to innovate in this space to further elevate the fan experience,” continued Vandiepenbeeck. Johnson Controls drives fan engagement, operational efficiency and sustainability with innovative building technology at sports and entertainment venues across the globe. The company provides smart buildings solutions to Intaleq in Doha,Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, O2 Arena in London, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Chase Centre in San Francisco, Borussia Dortmund at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, and more. It offers its full range of technologies for this sector including its OpenBlue digital platform, building automation system, HVAC, fire detection and suppression Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work is progressing well at Balfour Beatty’s brand-new site off Old Road in Chesterfield, where the first showhome is set to officially open its doors to visitors later this year. The development is being built on the site of the former DXC Technology Manor Offices, with demolition work on the old buildings taking place in late 2023. Balfour Beatty Homes is set to build up to 60 new homes at the site, with enhanced biodiversity and public green open space for the whole community to enjoy, as well as homebuyers. Gill Sabin, Sales and Marketing Director for Balfour Beatty Homes, said: “It’s always wonderful to see building work begin to take shape, particularly as this site had become rather run-down and dilapidated – we’re set to bring it back to life with our collection of new homes. “There are so many reasons why someone would want to move to the pretty town of Chesterfield or buy a new home there if they’re already a local, including its 800-year-old open air market and unique ‘Crooked Spire’ church. “It’s a wonderful gateway town to all the rugged majesty of the Peak District, with fantastic hikes and scenic views that the whole family can enjoy. Not only that but it’s perfectly located for great access to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham – meaning that city workers can benefit from a rural lifestyle with great connections. “We urge people to register their interest on our website, to be among the first to find out more about the new homes coming to Chesterfield as soon as it’s released.” To find out more information on the new homes and register your interest, go to balfourbeattyhomes.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Clegg Construction has completed a £10.3m contract to deliver a care home in Peterborough for Avery Healthcare. The 80-bedroom, three-storey building on Waterhouse Lane is the third care home built by Clegg Construction for Avery Healthcare and is a key part of the Hampton Gardens development, which includes a convenience store, residential accommodation, and a children’s nursery. Waterhouse Manor Care Home will provide a high quality, dementia-friendly environment for older people, including suites for couples, a lounge, hair salon, café and therapy facility. Managing Director at Clegg Construction, Michael Sims, said: “I am very pleased that Clegg Construction has handed over this superb modern facility which will provide first-class care accommodation. “Clegg Construction has wide experience of working in this sector and this is the third care home scheme that we have delivered in partnership with Avery Healthcare. Everyone involved in this excellent development can be proud of what has been achieved.” Previously, Clegg Construction delivered Middleton Lodge Care Home in Littleover, Derbyshire, and Mousehold View Care Home in Norwich for Avery Healthcare. Other key members of the project team that built Waterhouse Manor Care Home, which will provide residential, respite, and dementia care for residents, included Harris Irwin Architects, project manager and quantity surveyor Holden and Lee, and mechanical and electrical engineer Harniss. Director of developments at Avery Healthcare, Adrian Doyle, said: “Our long-term relationship with Clegg Construction is based on consistently high quality results, the strength of our partnership, and the expertise of the team that continues to deliver successful care accommodation. It’s been great to work again with Clegg on this scheme and I am delighted that our partnership has created valuable care facilities for the local community of Peterborough. “Waterhouse Manor Care Home is part of an extensive development programme being undertaken by Avery Healthcare and we are proud that this is the latest in a number of new care homes that will be opening over the next year, with others in Sheringham, Burley in Wharfedale, Downham Market, Eastbourne and Gravesend all under construction.” Natalie Maxwell, home manager at Waterhouse Manor Care Home, added: “I’m absolutely thrilled with how Waterhouse Manor Care Home turned out. Working with Clegg Construction and project manager Stacey was such a joy—they communicated wonderfully and were both professional and supportive throughout the whole process. I can’t wait for our first residents to move in soon and experience the amazing, homely atmosphere we’ve created together.” During the course of the build, Clegg Construction held site and office-based collections for Peterborough Foodbank which resulted in more than 250kg of food and toiletries donated by staff and supply chain partners. As part of Clegg’s commitment to the local area, a group of Prince’s Trust students and job centre clients visited Waterhouse Manor Care for a tour ahead of completion. Project manager Stacey Humphries and site manager Kevin Gamble led the tour and gave a presentation. This scheme is the latest in a string of care homes built by Clegg Construction over the past five years, including the £9m, 65-bedroom Highfield Care Home in Tadcaster handed over to Barchester Healthcare in May. Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialties across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk For more information about Avery Healthcare visit https://www.averyhealthcare.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two years on from the UK’s hottest ever day, the Fire Brigades Union has issued call on the new Labour government to “urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. The call comes as a yellow heat alert is issued for parts of England. Since 2010, the fire and rescue service has lost 1 in 5 firefighter jobs and more than 30% of its central government funding. As climate change accelerates, firefighters are warning that a failure to put resources back into the fire service could cost lives. On 19 July 2022, temperatures hit 40.3 degrees in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Fifteen fire and rescue services declared major incidents due to wildfire, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Suffolk. The London Fire Brigades had its busiest day since the Second World War. In the capital alone there were: The LFB ran out of fire engines, with 39 appliances sitting idle because of a lack of firefighters to crew them. Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Firefighters know first-hand that the climate emergency is real and getting worse. Wildfires, flooding and heat are a growing threat to lives, homes and communities. “But in recent years, austerity has robbed fire and rescue service of the resources it needs to respond effectively. One in five firefighter jobs has been lost, hundreds of fire engines have been axed and dozens of fire stations closed. “It is welcome that Labour has committed to introducing national standards to address fragmentation. But the new government must urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard, an award-winning contractor in the south of England, has announced the promotion of Paula Baleson to social value manager. In the newly-created position, Paula will take the lead in defining a new company-wide strategy and provide support to a team of social value coordinators, ensuring Beard’s work and actions deliver wider social, economic and environmental benefits. One of her first duties has been developing the company’s new social value framework. This will set out social value targets for the business for 2030, and will be rolled out across Beard’s entire team and its five regional offices in the coming months. Paula joined Beard in 2022 as communications manager, having previously spent five years at building firm Midas Group. Having emigrated from South Africa in 2016, Paula joined Midas’s residential division, Mi-space, as business development and office coordinator, before moving into a central role as group marketing executive. She has also spent time as marketing communications manager for water solutions company SDS Limited. Across its 130-plus year history, Beard has been committed to social value through its sustainable construction, its charitable work and good relationships with the local communities in which it works. But social value is becoming both more formalised in the construction sector, and increasingly important from both an ethical and business perspective, with a growing number of tender opportunities, including Government contracts, now having social and environmental requirements. Beard’s social objectives and ambitions align well with the new Government’s agenda of supporting SMEs, increasing their spend with social enterprises and providing best value to customers. Alongside the introduction of the new Procurement Act in October this year – which is designed to make public procurement more accessible, efficient and beneficial for councils and suppliers – the Government has used its first King’s Speech to set out imminent plans to change planning regulations and increase infrastructure delivery. Speaking on her promotion, Paula Baleson said: “I am incredibly proud to be taking this next step in my career with Beard and taking on such an important role. While Beard’s community, environmental and charitable spirit has always been clearly visible, the focus this new role brings enables us to really strengthen our efforts, particularly as social value continues to play an even bigger part in the construction sector in the UK. “I’m hugely passionate about supporting everyone at Beard to create positive social, economic and environmental outcomes for local communities. The development of our social value framework will certainly help to facilitate this and I look forward to sharing this with all our colleagues, partners and customers very soon.” Mike Hedges, company operations director at Beard, added: “As a proud family-run firm, Beard has always been a business with social consciousness. Our ongoing commitment of adding value to the communities in which we work and taking care of the planet, highlights the broader benefits of our projects. Beyond constructing buildings, we focus on ensuring that every project lives on beyond its site boundaries, delivering meaningful value to the entire community. Paula is a fantastic fit to lead this initiative, and along with her talented team, will ensure our work and our actions have a clear social footprint and a lasting legacy.” Beard is a family-owned and run construction company based in Swindon, with a wealth of experience in both public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, sports, leisure and the arts. Alongside its head office in Swindon, Beard has regional offices in Bristol, Oxford, Guildford and Southampton. For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
We are delighted to announce that the Cable Services Group, one of the UK’s leading specialist electrical distributors, has donated an incredible £80,000 in support of 25 national charities. In 2019, we established our own charity to support local causes close to the hearts of the people who work in our branches in Wrexham, Stone, Liverpool, Glasgow and Swindon. The aim of the charity is to enrich and improve people’s lives by making a positive difference at a local level. Throughout 2023, our fantastic employees raised funds by organising various events and initiatives, including dress-down days and raffles. They also ran a competition where three lucky people won a day off work! The Cable Services 150 Club, a monthly prize draw, has been running successfully for many years and has contributed significantly to the total amount raised. Employees at each branch nominated the charities. As well as choosing to support national causes, including the Alzheimer’s Society, Teenage Cancer Trust and SANDS Stillbirth and Neonatal Charity, they also selected a wide range of local organisations. These included Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham, Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Carla Lane Animals In Need in Liverpool, the Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow, and the Swindon Hydrotherapy Pool. Food banks were also popular choices, with many employees wishing to support local people in crisis. Huw Evans, Marketing Manager for Cable Services, commented on the impressive amount of money raised for these important causes: “Since launching the Cable Services Charity, we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of our colleagues across the Group. We are incredibly proud to be supporting 25 charities in total, all of which provide invaluable support to communities across the UK. It is heartwarming to see the results of our fundraising efforts spread far and wide across the communities in which we operate. By choosing and contributing to the charities we support, our employees have helped us make a positive difference to countless lives across the country.” The Cable Service Group Charity (Charity Reg No. 1179915) promotes civic engagement in the communities in which the Group operates. Employees will continue to support the following charities in 2024, all of which have benefited from a share of the £80,000 raised in 2023: Wrexham Stone Liverpool Glasgow (Smith Electrical) Swindon Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spencer Bridge Engineering has been recognised for its outstanding work on the historic Union Chain Bridge with a prestigious industry award. The company received the Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards 2024 for its work on the iconic structure which crosses the border between England and Scotland. Opened in 1820, Union Chain Bridge crosses the River Tweed. It’s the world’s oldest suspension bridge still carrying traffic and was the longest wrought iron suspension bridge in the world when it opened. Designed and built by Royal Navy officer and bridges design pioneer, Captain Samuel Brown, the crossing was credited with being a catalyst for bridge innovation and influenced the design and construction of suspension bridges around the world. Spencer Bridge Engineering was appointed by Northumberland County Council to dismantle the bridge and carry out a complete refurbishment and rebuild, ensuring the 200-year-old structure continues to provide safe passage for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for many years to come. A key element of the project was to ensure all modifications were in keeping with the heritage and historical significance of the bridge and, where possible, structural elements, including the main suspension chain rods, links, pins and hanger caps, were refurbished rather than replaced. The existing masonry towers were also refurbished using stone from the same quarry that was originally used. Working in partnership with local stonemasons and heritage bodies, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team conducted masonry trials to determine the exact stone facing and pointing techniques required to best match the existing structure. Using a combination of bespoke temporary works and a highly-skilled workforce, the Spencer Bridge Engineering team was able to carry out the refurbishment, giving the structure a new lease of life in a sustainable way and ensuring future access for maintenance and inspections. The Spencer Bridge Engineering team has been recognised for its work on the bridge on several occasions, after recently winning the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Infrastructure Award. This followed accolades for “Gold Winner” of the Restoration Project of the Year Award and the “Silver Winner” of the Community Engagement Award for the Union Chain Bridge project at the National Building and Construction Awards 2023. Joe DiMauro, Engineering Director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been honoured with prestigious industry awards for our work on Union Chain Bridge. “This recognition further reinforces Spencer Bridge Engineering’s reputation as an industry leader in specialist bridge works, including the delivery of projects on historic structures. “Our expertise, experience and wide-ranging capabilities across the company mean we can be trusted to complete complex bridge works to exceptional standards. “I’d like to thank the team for their tremendous work which made this project so successful and these awards possible.” The New Civil Engineer Bridges Awards judges paid tribute to Spencer Bridge Engineering’s delivery of the project and positive collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The citation for the winning entry said: “The judges found this to be a particularly exciting project which demonstrated an excellent example of stakeholder engagement and collaboration across a broad range of organisations. “The project scored very highly across all categories, and the panel particularly liked the innovative solution to temporary work implemented within this project. “The extensive refurbishment rather than replacement really helps to keep its sense of place in the local environment and has significant carbon saving. Well done!” Spencer Bridge Engineering’s emergency works project on the Menai Suspension Bridge, between the Welsh mainland and the island of Anglesey, was also shortlisted in the same Historic Bridge Project of the Year Award category at the awards ceremony. The project saw the Spencer Bridge Engineering team carry out emergency works on the historic bridge to protect users and allow time for engineers to consider ways to solve the problem at hand, while once again preserving the original structure and functionality of the bridge. The project is another outstanding example of preservation of a historic structure, using innovative techniques and solutions developed under high pressure and at pace. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Warwickshire manufacturer of solar-powered lighting that does not need to be connected to the grid is hoping to grow its team following advice from a business support programme. Ryton-based Solar Vision Lighting Technologies (SVLT) designs green street lighting and CCTV solutions for main roads, residential developments, industrial sites, and more, which customers can either buy outright or rent as needed. The lighting can be used without a grid connection and is charged by a solar wrap during the day, and the process is much more eco-friendly and simple to use compared to permanent lighting. SVLT is hoping to get equity investment and grow its team from four to eleven in the next 12 to 18 months – following advice on a number of commercial topics from Rod-Roberts Dear at the University of Warwick Science Park’s fully funded business support service Business Ready – saw its order book balloon overnight. Rod worked with Greg to rework the company’s business plan and value proposition to be as attractive as possible to potential investors and then went on to overhaul its website and approach to SEO. Greg Ketteridge, Managing Director of SVLT, said: “Before working with Business Ready, we simply did not realise how many potential customers we were missing out on. I do not have a background in marketing, so working with Rod was a real eye-opener for me and the company. “We weren’t measuring where the money was going and how it was working for us. Rod encouraged us to better track that data, which showed us we ought to be focusing much more on B2B sales, such as housebuilders and local authorities involved in roadworks and open space areas. “Our approach to our website also changed to ensure our SEO ranking enabled us to appear on the first page of Google. “This new strategy has really boosted our sales growth, and it means we can now look at growing our core team of four by hiring some of our contractors full-time – something that was simply impossible before. This will allow us to take on more work and grow even further.” Rod is also hopeful that SVLT’s new business plan and value proposition could take it to greater heights. “SVLT’s original business plan was somewhat loose, which is not what investors are after,” he said. “We worked with Greg to tighten up the plan, and really dig into the data to work out what is worth presenting to possible investors. “In the past the sector has faced some issues of poor product reliability and so we helped them come up with the succinct and slightly challenging tagline ‘off-grid solar products that actually work’. We then helped them to make their website more attractive and streamlined. “It’s great to see the strategy working for SVLT, and I’m confident its new business plan could see even more external investment come its way.” Councillor Martin Watson, portfolio holder for Economy at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are delighted that the Business Ready programme has supported Solar Vision Lighting Technologies to improve order numbers, their website and approach to SEO, all with the intention to position itself for equity investment which will enable them to create additional job opportunities and grow their team. “Supporting Warwickshire’s businesses is a key priority, and the Business Ready programme can provide businesses in need of support with free, tailored advice, expertise, business workshops and much more to help them grow and develop.” Cllr Louise Robinson, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth, investment, digital and communications, said: “The expert advice on offer from Business Ready aims to help businesses in the borough develop robust plans for growth, creating new jobs, securing investment and supporting the borough’s economy. “Solar Vision Lighting Technologies has really benefited from the holistic approach taken by Business Ready, from strengthening the company’s business plan and identifying new markets to maximising the opportunities online. It’s delivered immediate results with an influx of new orders and plans to create more full-time roles, putting in place a business strategy which can support SVLT’s growth in the future.” Business Ready forms part of the Business Growth Warwickshire programme. It is delivered by University of Warwick Science Park on behalf of Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire’s five District and Borough Councils. The support is part funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (via the District and Borough Councils), and Warwickshire County Council. Find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group today revealed its financial accounts for 2023, representing another period of record-breaking performance during which the company surpassed revenues of £1bn for the first time. Hill posted record profits before tax of £70.1m from revenues of £1,145.9m for a 15-month period ended 31 March 2024. The Hill Group chose to extend its reporting period to March 31, 2024, to align its financial year-end with that of its many joint venture partners. This strategic move will strengthen collaboration and enable better coordination on shared goals with partners, both for current and future projects. Joint ventures have become a significant pillar of Hill’s recent success, and this alignment will further enhance the Group’s continued growth. A total of 2,886 new homes were delivered in the period, with considerable expansion to the company’s development pipeline, which now stands at 12,900 homes with detailed or outline planning permission, from an overall development pipeline of some 27,000 units. Hill’s controlled pipeline now represents £10bn of potential future revenues, up from £6.7bn in 2022. A further £155m was invested in new land over the reporting period. As a consequence of the Group’s substantial growth in the period, net assets are up 14% to £368.9m with net cash at bank closing at £86.4m on 31st March 2024, net of borrowings. Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, comments: “These outstanding results, recorded during a challenging political and economic market, are testament to the resilience of our business, the high quality of our developments, and most importantly the dedication of all our staff and supply chain partners. Achieving revenues in excess of £1.1bn and record profits is an important milestone for The Hill Group, which together with our strong balance sheet and impressive development pipeline positions us for further sustained growth in the years to come.” Andy Hill said: “This year, we celebrate our 25th year in business and I am delighted we can mark this occasion as a dynamic, forward-thinking business achieving high standards in all that we do. With these excellent results, we are on course to surpass the targets we set ourselves for this current business cycle, and as we begin plotting new heights to reach for over the next five years, we are well positioned to continue delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders. Our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence remains steadfast, and I am confident that the future holds even greater success for The Hill Group.” Hill was recognised by the industry as Housebuilder of the Year at the 2023 WhatHouse? Awards, marking the third time the company has won this prestigious accolade. Hill was also awarded Best Large Housebuilder at the awards, the first time the company has entered the category. FINANCIAL RESULTS SUMMARY FOR 2023: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brick manufacturer Forterra has recently launched a load selector calculator to allow customers to tailor their brick orders to the precise mix of products they require. With the ability to choose the exact number of bricks they need from Forterra’s entire range of London Bricks, plus Ecostock’s Atherstone Red and Hampton Rural Bricks, a selection of Butterley bricks, Thermalite blocks and Conbloc aggregate blocks, customers can benefit from increased stock flexibility and potential reduction in invoice value. Other benefits include reducing the environmental impact of transport by streamlining deliveries to one truck, which also eases traffic on customers’ sites. The online calculator gives Forterra’s customers the opportunity to create a visual representation of their Load Selector order, as they choose their products and determine how much of each product they require to make up their latest load. Once the truck is at capacity, customers will see a breakdown of the order which they can download or send straight to Forterra’s sales office to receive a quote. Load Selector is the latest service designed to make Forterra’s purchasing experience as smooth as possible. Recently, builders merchant Collier & Catchpole, who have two large yards, one in Colchester and one in Ipswich, as well as a smaller yard in the village of Lawford in north-east Essex, have been taking advantage of the Load Selector service to improve their stock profile. The option to order mixed loads of brick and block has brought numerous benefits to the business; because they now order little and often, Collier & Catchpole are able to keep a greater variety of Forterra’s brick and block range at any one time. The smaller volume also makes it easier to keep stock neat and tidy. Jasper Smathers, Purchasing Manager at Collier & Catchpole, said, “Forterra’s Load Selector has been a game changer for our business. Having the option to mix London Brick with other bricks and Thermalite and aggregate block on a single load – and at full load rates – is fantastic. It’s also enabled us to reduce our stock levels and have better control of our ordering. Most importantly of all, it’s helped us improve our product range and service to customers – it means we are now able to really shine.” Adam Smith, Commercial Director at Forterra, said “We are thrilled to launch the calculator and continue to improve our Load Selector Service. We’ve already had great feedback on the original service from customers like Collier & Catchpole and hope the calculator will ensure an even easier purchasing experience that will make our customers’ orders more efficient in transport and their stock profiles.” To find out more about the Load Selector visit: https://www.forterra.co.uk/load-selector/ For more information on the calculator visit: https://www.forterra.co.uk/load-selector/calculator/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
