With the increasing demands for firesafe materials across the construction industry, SIDERISE Nexus Core provides specifiers of architectural panels and doors with a firesafe and high strength insulation core that offers rigidity, flatness and exceptional structural performance. A truly firesafe structural insulation solution, SIDERISE Nexus Core (previously Lamatherm Nexus NXR)
Breedon Group has acquired Lagan Group, a major Belfast based construction materials business, for £455 million. With this purchase, Breedon will take over Whitemountain, Lagan Cement, Lagan Brick, Lagan Asphalt and Welsh Slate. By combining both businesses, a workforce of around 3,000 will be created and the turnover will be
Residential and commercial developer Comer Homes has received a £45 million facility from Investec Structured Property Finance for the development of the landmark Royal Winchester House in the Berkshire town of Bracknell. Due for completion in 2020, the building is being turned into 311 studios, one, two and three bedroom
What can the offsite industry do to address issues of quality assurance and provide confidence in the use of new construction technologies? Darren Richards, Managing Director of leading offsite experts, Cogent Consulting – discusses the changing face of the construction industry. We can all be seduced by the proposition that
If you are in charge of a construction site, your duty of care extends to the public. Any time that you need to carry out a form of construction work where members of the public could come into contact with workers and areas of higher risk, it is necessary for
Two scaffolders from Cornwall have received suspended prison sentences following the death of a colleague who fell seven metres to his death. Roger Stoddern, 47, was dismantling scaffolding on 24th June 2013 when he fell from the flat roof of a property in St Mawes. He was taken to Derriford
The total deal value could reach £4.6m if the combined business achieves stretching financial targets over the next five years. Property consultant Eddisons has strengthened its property auctions division with the acquisition of the UK’s largest auction house outside London, North West-based Pugh & Co, for an initial £2m cash
The project includes the construction of a new mixed-tenure residential development as well as the refurbishment and enhancement of Holborn library and archive. It will also include the refurbishment of retail space fronting Theobald’s Road and replacement facilities for an existing street cleaning depot operated by Veolia. The developer will
15 August 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal BIFM has announced the finalists in this year’s BIFM Facilities Management Awards. The Awards, which are supported by headline sponsor Carillion, recognise and reward facilities management practices, innovation and projects from across the economy and all areas of the sector. For 2016, the categories
Wykeland Group, the leading commercial property development company, has appointed a new Development Director. Jonathan Stubbs steps up to the Wykeland Board with a brief to fulfil the potential of existing developments and identify new opportunities. Jonathan Stubbs joined the company two years ago as the Head of Developments. During
With the increasing demands for firesafe materials across the construction industry, SIDERISE Nexus Core provides specifiers of architectural panels and doors with a firesafe and high strength insulation core that offers rigidity, flatness and exceptional structural performance. A truly firesafe structural insulation solution, SIDERISE Nexus Core (previously Lamatherm Nexus NXR) lamella boards meet the performance requirements of modern industrial and commercial buildings being used in curtain walling systems, doors and volumetric building elements. They provide a cost-effective, pre-finished rigid core to be used wherever thermal, fire or acoustic insulation is required within a bonded composite panel. Nexus Core comprises high strength stonewool lamella with a uniform fibre structure. Precision manufacturing and tight tolerances means that manufacturers can use thinner facing materials that can now remain robust and aesthetically pleasing. As part of the patented Nexus process, the lamella undergoes lateral compression which eliminates all gaps within and between the lamella, thereby removing any weak points and creating a ‘true’ lamella board. This increases structural performance and produces a more homogenous core. The Nexus Core lamella boards are supplied with an open filament net facing to both sides to allow for structural bonding and also optimal handleability. Willian McDowell, Business Development and Product Manager of SIDERISE: “Whilst facades can be used to create a stunning architectural statement, it is essential these buildings are constructed to perform efficiently and safely. Nexus Core is made from European Fireclass A1 material which is resistant to temperatures in excess of 1000° C.” SIDERISE Nexus products use a unique patented process to produce a true structurally lamella board with optimal and tested fire, thermal and acoustic performance. Specifiers and building owners can then be certain these products will continue to perform after insulation, offering the best environmental conditions for those living and working in buildings, and to reliably protect in the event of fire. For further information about SIDERISE or for technical advice visit www.siderise.com or call 01656 730833
Breedon Group has acquired Lagan Group, a major Belfast based construction materials business, for £455 million. With this purchase, Breedon will take over Whitemountain, Lagan Cement, Lagan Brick, Lagan Asphalt and Welsh Slate. By combining both businesses, a workforce of around 3,000 will be created and the turnover will be more than £900 million. “Our committed and passionate staff at Lagan Group has contributed significantly to the development and growth of the business, differentiating us from our competition in all of the marketing in which we operate,” commented Kevin Lagan, the owner of the Group. “I’d like to thank the staff for the role they have played in the growth of Lagan Group and I wish them every success as they enter an exciting new chapter with Breedon, who I am confident will build on that success, supporting the development of the business in the years ahead,” he continued. Lagan’s other key business, Lagan Homes, was not part of the deal as he intends to pursue a managed growth strategy for it and FastHouse. “Over the last eight years we have pursued a successful buy and build strategy, which has established Breedon as the largest independent construction materials business in the UK and the acquisition of Lagan is another strategic step for us,” said Peter Tom, Breedon’s executive chairman. “We believe it has the potential to add significantly to the group’s performance and prospects and we are looking forward to working with our new colleagues to deliver further value for our investors.” The Lagan brand was established by Kevin Lagan’s father, Peter, in 1960. Kevin and his brother, Michael took over the reins and built a huge business empire, dividing the assets between them. The decision to sell the Lagan Construction Group followed the announcement that four of its firms had gone into administration, putting 200 jobs at risk.
Residential and commercial developer Comer Homes has received a £45 million facility from Investec Structured Property Finance for the development of the landmark Royal Winchester House in the Berkshire town of Bracknell. Due for completion in 2020, the building is being turned into 311 studios, one, two and three bedroom flats for rent. “The Comer Group has been delighted to again benefit from the support and expertise of the Investec team. We look forward to bringing this prestigious development to fruition with their continued support,” said Brian Comer, chairman of Comer Group. “This project, designed by an internationally renowned team, exemplifies the future aspirations of Bracknell as the jewel of the Thames Valley which the Comer Group is proud to be a part of.” The new development is located opposite The Lexicon, a recently opened retail and leisure centrepiece, part of Bracknell’s £750 million regeneration scheme. This loan is the second facility provided by Investec to Comer homes, following the investment in 168 apartments in Harrow, sold to a PRS operator in 2015. “The Structured Property Finance team of Investec has again provided flexible and intuitive engagement which we have found to greatly benefit our funded construction model within the changing construction & housing environment,” said Robert Sheppard, head of portfolio at Comer Group. “We have been able to adjust procurement and management modelling parameters in order to optimise performance during the construction phase. The ability of our finance partners to allow us to innovate and to understand our objectives, whilst still adhering to their own remit, has greatly assisted in keeping our construction model lean and focused,” he continued. Bracknell is a popular commuter town, with Waterloo accessible in 60 minutes, sitting at the centre of the M3/M4 employment corridor which is home to a number of leading IT and technology businesses.
What can the offsite industry do to address issues of quality assurance and provide confidence in the use of new construction technologies? Darren Richards, Managing Director of leading offsite experts, Cogent Consulting – discusses the changing face of the construction industry. We can all be seduced by the proposition that advanced manufactured building systems offer. Most of us, faced with the normal vagaries of the construction site, find this particularly appealing, with a vision of perfect control over the weather, deliveries, materials, labour, skills availability and work instructions. But how feasible is it for the manufacturing facility to deliver these specific repeated procedures where practice can really make perfect? Optimised Offsite Manufacture Manufacturing facilities can provide the sort of environment that the average construction site manager can only dream of. Add to this the use of sophisticated jigs and fixtures that are routine in the modern factory process and operatives can achieve repeat procedures that are accurate and fault free. In the more advanced factories this is translated into semi-automated assembly production processes where the operator is assisted by mechanisation that further enhances the quality of output. This machinery can be computer controlled to record set-up data, detail work instructions specific to the task and traceability information that can be used to trace components or materials in the event of a latent defect issue or premature failure. There is no reason why the visions that are regularly portrayed in the automotive sector should not become commonplace in the building sector. Robot manufacture of complete building elements is a plausible reality where the human interface is limited to material input and product take off. The quality in this production environment should be exemplary and make zero defects a real possibility. This is the panacea that we all strive to create. The Challenge of Change Many past problems with the adoption of offsite techniques were created because an inappropriate system was employed, or different offsite products were mismatched on the one project. While offsite knowledge will one day be common place and a standard tool within the design team’s armoury, at present this expertise generally needs to be brought into the design team at an early stage to ensure that a suitable and project wide offsite strategy is in place and is followed – permitting optimised offsite manufacture via dynamic DfMA protocols. So, what does the future hold? For certain we will see the manufacturing supply base continuing to grow to meet the quite incredible demand for these factory-based building methods. This growth in supply will bring with it some manufacturing companies that have the problems we have experienced in the past, but in the majority of cases, we should see those professional organisations already serving the industry growing both their capacity and their capability to offer enhanced quality and proven product ranges. These companies will continue to invest in sophisticated manufacturing plant and advanced quality management systems that are essential to deliver modern standards of product performance. The future is construction in the factory and we are on an exciting journey there. COGENT CONSULTING As leading experts in the field of offsite manufacturing and construction – Cogent Consulting offers independent advice on exploiting innovative offsite techniques. Cogent’s multi-disciplinary approach delivers more efficient manufacturing and construction processes, with new ways of tackling built environment challenges. Through an unparalleled breadth of skills, Cogent can help harness the power of offsite technology to dramatically improve project delivery and performance. As sector specialists, Cogent work with offsite manufacturers, clients, architects, contractors and project managers to ensure that any project embracing offsite technology, is optimised and involves minimal risk. For more information visit: www.cogent-consulting.co.uk
If you are in charge of a construction site, your duty of care extends to the public. Any time that you need to carry out a form of construction work where members of the public could come into contact with workers and areas of higher risk, it is necessary for you to take steps to protect them as best possible. Avoiding accidents can be simple, as long as you take sensible precautions. So let’s take a look at some of the best things you can do to keep everyone safe. Setting up boundaries With any kind of construction work, the first step that you need to take in order to best protect the public is to set up boundaries. Excluding the public from high risk areas is the best way to keep them away from any potential danger. There are a number of steps that you need to carry out to have proper boundaries erected. Start by planning exactly where you need to block off in order to keep people safe – it may be the case that this infringes on public spaces such as pavements, and this would mean your project would need to be approved by the local council. You can look into the fencing options available as well as any other kind of physical boundaries that may be required. South East based civil engineering specialists Maltaward recommend steel palisade fences for boundaries on construction sites. Working at height – think about below Remember that it is not always possible to cordon off the area for pedestrians and members of the public, and there are situations where it is simply unavoidable that the public will come into contact with areas of construction. In these situations it becomes important for you to take precautions to protect people. For example, one of the major dangers for the public on constructions sites is when there are people working at height above them. This sets up the obvious risk that tools, building materials or other debris could fall from height and hit the people below. You would then have to put plans in place to reduce the risk as much as possible by having netting as well as clear signage. The challenges of site deliveries One aspect of construction sites that can be overlooked is the fact that deliveries will need to be made to the site, either bringing or removing materials, as well as other vehicles that may have to enter or leave the site at any time. It is essential that during deliveries that pavements should not be obstructed, as this could possibly force pedestrians into the road. Ensure that if vehicles need to enter the site, they will have space to do so and that the pavement is still accessible. Or alternatively, you could make arrangements with the council to close the footpath and make additional space available for pedestrians. Correct scaffolding Any scaffolding or access equipment that is required for construction has not be erected and dismantled, and this can be high-risk time for members of the public. Even though it may be that no construction work is being carried out, the same due care and attention needs to be taken to ensure that no injuries occur. Storage of materials and tools It is additionally worth remembering that it is not only the actual construction work that can pose a potential risk to members of the public. Just the tools and the materials that are used in construction can be dangerous if left unattended. That means that anything used on the site should be safely and securely stored when they are not being used. Make sure that the site has a secure area for storage that can be locked and is not accessible to the public. Aside from the risk of theft, tools and construction materials can present risks to members of the public. Protecting the vulnerable It is important to point out that with any kind of safety procedures you should take time to remember more vulnerable members of the public. Children, the elderly and the disabled will have specific needs that you need to consider when correctly protecting them from the risks of construction sites. For example, children might be interested in playing on construction sites and may even be able to get restricted areas due to their smaller size. Consider this when you are setting up your fencing.
Two scaffolders from Cornwall have received suspended prison sentences following the death of a colleague who fell seven metres to his death. Roger Stoddern, 47, was dismantling scaffolding on 24th June 2013 when he fell from the flat roof of a property in St Mawes. He was taken to Derriford Hospital but died three weeks later due to the severity of his injuries. Truro Crown Court heard how Mr Stoddern was stacking three-metre roofing sheets on the flat roof of the property without any edge protection. The safety railing had been removed to allow access to the flat roof so that the sheets could be stacked. The court also heard how one of the defendants replaced the safety rail following the incident to cover up the cause of the incident. The Health & Safety Executive’s investigation, alongside Devon & Cornwall Police found that Colin Marshall Scaffolding was not qualified to erect the scaffolding and there was evidence that no personal protective equipment was used. The condition of the scaffolding also failed to meet current safety standards. Colin Marshall, of St Austell, and the founder of the business, pleaded guilty to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two-years. His son and business partner, James Marshall, also of St Austell, was given an eight-month sentence suspended for two-years. They were also ordered to pay costs of £25,661. This article was published on 21 Sep 2016 (last updated on 21 Sep 2016). Source link
The total deal value could reach £4.6m if the combined business achieves stretching financial targets over the next five years. Property consultant Eddisons has strengthened its property auctions division with the acquisition of the UK’s largest auction house outside London, North West-based Pugh & Co, for an initial £2m cash sum. Established in 1991, £2m turnover firm Pugh & Co came under the control of managing director Paul Thompson in 2014 when he bought out the remaining 50 per cent stake in the business. Hosting auctions in Leeds and Manchester, Pugh & Co offer more lots for sale than any other commercial auction house outside the capital. The acquisition will see Eddisons’ auction division and Pugh & Co, who together sold over £100m of property at auction last year, run monthly auctions in Leeds and Manchester under the Pugh brand, with a combined team of 36 staff led by Thompson. Richard Roe, Eddisons managing director, said: “Pugh & Co is the perfect fit for Eddisons’ own property auctions division and together we now have the capacity to run the largest commercial property, residential property and land auctions in the North. The popularity of auctions as a speedy, transparent and reliable method of buying and selling property continues to grow and this acquisition, of a successful and highly respected auctions business, will be a massive boost to Eddisons’ capability in this area.” Paul Thompson, managing director of Pugh & Co, said: “It’s great news that our firm is now part of Eddisons. Combining our strengths will enable us to offer an unrivalled service to clients, with an excellent geographic spread and depth of professional expertise and experience.” The total deal value could reach £4.6m if the combined business achieves stretching financial targets over the next five years. Source link
The project includes the construction of a new mixed-tenure residential development as well as the refurbishment and enhancement of Holborn library and archive. It will also include the refurbishment of retail space fronting Theobald’s Road and replacement facilities for an existing street cleaning depot operated by Veolia. The developer will also have to provide new studio space to house Cockpit Arts, a social enterprise currently based at the site. The £100m development is the latest win for U+I, which was named on Transport for London’s property framework in a consortium with Notting Hill Housing Group. With this latest development, U+I now has a portfolio of 21 central London projects, including the £200m redevelopment of 10-12 Hammersmith Grove, and a 10-acre site at Charlton Riverside. Camden Council and U+I have been contacted for comment. Source link
15 August 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal BIFM has announced the finalists in this year’s BIFM Facilities Management Awards. The Awards, which are supported by headline sponsor Carillion, recognise and reward facilities management practices, innovation and projects from across the economy and all areas of the sector. For 2016, the categories are grouped within the three themes of people, impact or innovation and finalists across the categories have been confirmed as: People The individuals, teams and organisations who invest in their people, who lead, are cutting edge and drive improvements. Newcomer of the Year > Pleun van Deurssen, Incentive FM Ltd > Kirsty Johnston, Mitie Technical Facilities Management > Charlotte Miller, Sodexo > Katie Sparrow, G4S Facilities Management UK Manager of the Year > Suzanne Beck, Carillion Barts NHS Trust contract > Andrea Best, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust > Bernard McPhail, Integral > Cova Montes, Emprise Services plc Leader of the Year Finalists are not publicly announced in this category; the winner will be announced at the ceremony. Team of the Year > CBRE Global Workplace Solutions and AA > EMC: EMEA One Team Programme > G4S FM Catering Team – London North West Healthcare NHS Trust > National Grid and 14forty > University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust – Integration and Partnering – The ‘My Mum Test’ Learning and Career Development > Amey – Supporting Young People to Shape their Careers > BT Facilities Services > Skanska – Placing People at the Heart of Skanska > Nationwide Window Cleaning – How Nurturing Talent Delivers Growth for NWC Lifetime Achievement Finalists are not listed in this category, the winner will be announced in the Awards ceremony. Impact Demonstrating the real tangible impact good FM brings to business, the environment and society. Brand Impact > Gather & Gather > DP World London Gateway – Internal Branding of DP World London Gateway > Premier Technical Services Group PLC > Sainsbury’s – Brilliant Buildings > Skanska – Improving people’s lives Impact on Customer Experience > Amey – Promoting Consistency and Excellence in Customer Service > Carillion – Carillion Customer Experience Centre 2016 > CIS Security – Safe, Happy, Informed and Listened To > Crown Commercial Service > Mitie and Vodafone – Mitie 1team and Vodafone’s Hospitality Assured programme > Premier Technical Services Group PLC – The PTSG Way Impact on Organisational Performance > Kentish & Co – Revolutionising FM Performance at Johnson & Johnson > McColl’s and Trios Group > Morrisons – Morri-Maintenance in partnership with Verisae > National Grid – Smart Work Space Impact on Sustainability > BaxterStorey – Food Waste Costing the Earth > Skanska – We Build for a Better Society > Supply Chain Sustainability School > VINCI Facilities – Embedding the Triple Bottom Line of Social, Environmental and Economic Sustainability Societal Impact > Emprise Services Plc – Emprise with the British Library > Serco – Serco at Wishaw General Hospital > South London & Maudsley NHS Trust – Lambeth Sheltered Contract > VINCI Facilities – Reading from the Start Workplace Impact > Allen & Overy LLP > Amaya > AstraZeneca – Middlewood Court, Macclesfield Campus – ‘A Great Place to Work’ > Interserve and the BBC > Ministry of Justice Commuter Hubs Powered By Matrix Booking Innovation Recognising innovative facilities management technology, systems, products and services, and the benefits they bring from cost-savings to enhanced interaction. Innovation on Technology and Systems > BAM FM Ireland Ltd – Digitizing Assets & Delivering BIM2FM > ENGIE – Robotic Process Automation > Humanforce – Changing the Way FM Works > Skanska – Condition Based Maintenance: A Proactive Approach in FM New Product or Service of the Year > 24 > Crown Commercial Service > Durham University Housekeeping, Cleaning and General Services > Heathrow Airport Ltd – Spot & Report – Heathrow’s Fault Reporting Smartphone Application Chair of the Judges, Steve Gladwin said: “We all passionately believe in the value of FM and these categories are designed to bring out exemplar FM practices and showcase the value it brings to business and society.” The winners will be announced at the BIFM Awards ceremony which takes place on 10 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane. Over 1,200 guests are expected to attend the ceremony. In the run-up to the ceremony BIFM will be announcing further information on the people, teams, projects and organisations that are in contention for an award in 2016. Source link
Wykeland Group, the leading commercial property development company, has appointed a new Development Director. Jonathan Stubbs steps up to the Wykeland Board with a brief to fulfil the potential of existing developments and identify new opportunities. Jonathan Stubbs joined the company two years ago as the Head of Developments. During this period he has played a key role in taking forward a number of schemes, including the £17m Treadmills redevelopment of the former Northallerton Prison site in North Yorkshire, working in partnership with Hambleton District Council. “I’m delighted and honoured to be offered this opportunity to develop my role and join the Board,” said Stubbs. “In my experience, Wykeland’s ethos of long-term investment and engagement with partners and local people to create high-quality, sustainable developments that deliver commercial and community value, is unique. I’ve really enjoyed being part of that culture and working with the great team at Wykeland.” In his new role, Jonathan will further enhance the potential of the company’s existing schemes, while identifying new opportunities that would fit its business model. “Jonathan’s appointment recognises the excellent contribution he has made since joining the business,” commented Wykeland Managing Director, Dominic Gibbons. “Jonathan will focus both on new prospects and evolving developments, such as the Treadmills scheme, further opportunities at Europarc in Grimsby, the development of the former Ramsdens store in Grimsby, and our G@Glasshoughton development off junction 32 of the M62 in West Yorkshire.” Wykeland has a £250 million development pipeline within the Hull region, with flagship schemes, such as the fast-growing Bridgehead business park close to the Humber Bridge. Wykeland’s other high-profile schemes include the @TheDock development in Hull’s Fruit Market, which features the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) tech hub; the Flemingate mixed-use regeneration scheme in Beverley, East Yorkshire; the Meltonwest business park, west of Hull; and G@Glasshoughton, which comprises four development sites off junction 32 on the M62.