Story Homes, the award-winning housebuilder, had been listed in The Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 for the fourth consecutive year, breaking a record by being listed for the seventh time overall. The annual league table is in its 19th year and it ranks Britain’s top 100 private companies with
The British Safety Council will be presenting two special individual awards: the ‘Health and Safety Champion of the Year’ and the ‘Young Health and Safety Champion of the Year’ at the Gala Dinner of the International Safety Awards, taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on the 27th
Metsec plc, the UK’s largest specialist cold roll-forming company, has launched its innovative new range of steel framing systems (SFS) products, following months of research, product design and stringent fire testing. The company recognised that there was a need to increase the efficiency of SFS, while reducing both the environmental
Topps Tiles, the UK’s leading tile specialist, ordered 14 MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts from Hiab, part of Cargotec. The order includes Hiab’s pioneering MOFFETT E-Series, which is the world’s first lithium-ion powered truck mounted forklift, as well as a total repair and maintenance contract, Hiab ProCare. “MOFFETT E-Series truck mounted
Top electrical apprentices are being sought for the 2016 regional heats of SkillElectric – the skills competition for the UK’s electrotechnical industry. The competition’s organisers are seeking entrants for SkillElectric’s regional heats in Chichester, Leeds, and Birmingham. Separate heats are held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Polymetal International’s Dukat silver mine in Russia Kazakhstan has signed a deal with Google and McKinsey to harness the power of “big data” analysis and improve efficiency in its mining industry. A government fund finalised an agreement on Wednesday to set up a centre for collecting and analysing data from
LONDONERS are turning their backs on the bright lights of the city in favour of the dark skies of Northumberland. Leading North East holiday lettings agency, Cottages in Northumberland – which lets out more than 180 coastal, countryside and city properties in the region – has recorded a rise in
There are seven hotels in the pipeline for the Shoreditch area including Gansevoort, Nobu and CitizenM, which, according to Savills, will have a further impact on the shopping offer as retailers will increasingly see the area as an international destination. The firm highlights that for some retail brands the presence
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is
Cupa Pizarras will be helping with the refurbishment of a stable yard at a £7 million development in Dalkeith Country Park, located just five miles from Edinburgh. Being so close to Edinburgh means that the building products used had to reflect the rich historic surroundings and Cupa’s high quality Heavy
Story Homes, the award-winning housebuilder, had been listed in The Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 for the fourth consecutive year, breaking a record by being listed for the seventh time overall. The annual league table is in its 19th year and it ranks Britain’s top 100 private companies with the fastest growing profits. Apart from being mentioned in this year’s ranking, Storey Homes received recognition in other high profile league tables in recent years, including the Virgin Fast Track 100 and Grant Thornton Top Track 250. In addition, the housebuilder has also retained the maximum five-star rating for customer satisfaction for the fifth consecutive year in the Home Builders Federation (HBF) annual survey, with a customer satisfaction score of 94%. “I am very pleased that we have again made the list of the 100 companies with the fastest-growing profits in the UK, in a year when we have seen the most significant growth in the company’s history as well as various challenges in the construction industry,” said Founder and CEO Fred Story. “We are moving into a year of consolidation for 2018/19, making operational effectiveness our priority to ensure we remain focused on building high quality homes, providing an excellent sales journey to customers and ensuring that customers are fully satisfied and supported once they move into their new homes,” he continued. Story Homes is an award-winning property developer with more than 35 schemes in Cumbria, North West and North East England and southern Scotland. Renowned for building high specification homes of excellent quality, Story Homes is committed to sustainability and contributing to the communities in which it builds. The company has been consistently recognised in the prestigious UK Property Awards since 2011. In 2017, Story Homes won three awards in the ‘Best Residential Development’ category, with Strawberry Grange in Cockermouth, Oakland Park in Morpeth, and D’Urton Manor in Preston all receiving accolades. Story Homes was also named Housebuilder of the Year at the Insider North West Property Awards 2017.
The British Safety Council will be presenting two special individual awards: the ‘Health and Safety Champion of the Year’ and the ‘Young Health and Safety Champion of the Year’ at the Gala Dinner of the International Safety Awards, taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on the 27th of April 2018. This year represents the sixth year that the British Safety Council will be presenting the awards. These accolades recognise exceptional individual performance of non-health and safety professionals who have played a significant role keeping their work colleagues safe and healthy. The Health and Safety Champion of the Year Award will go to a nominated employee aged 25 or over, while the Young Health and Safety Champion of the Year Award will be given to a worker aged between 16 and 24. This year, organisations were also allowed to nominate for two new categories: the Award for Employee Wellbeing Initiative, which recognises and rewards organisations which have implemented initiatives promoting and demonstrating a proactive and effective approach to improving worker wellbeing, and the Award for Innovation to Improve Occupational Health and Safety, which recognises and rewards organisations that demonstrated a fresh and innovative approach to improving health and safety at work. “This year we have introduced two new award categories which reflect the changing nature of workplace health and safety. The nominations for the Award for Employee Wellbeing Initiative show the growing commitment and investment companies are making in workplace wellbeing. We are also delighted to introduce the Award for Innovation to Improve Occupational Health and Safety that rewards businesses demonstrating fresh thinking in their efforts to improve health and safety of their workers,” explained Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council. In 2018, 143 organisations nominated individual employees for these awards. The applicants come from organisations operating in a wide range of industry sectors and countries, including the United Kingdom, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The winners of the awards will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday, 27th of April.
Metsec plc, the UK’s largest specialist cold roll-forming company, has launched its innovative new range of steel framing systems (SFS) products, following months of research, product design and stringent fire testing. The company recognised that there was a need to increase the efficiency of SFS, while reducing both the environmental impact and cost to customers. The new range of products gives specifiers and installers a far greater choice of stud widths and gauges, while reducing the amount of wastage and providing cost savings on framing projects. In addition, provided the project is installed in line with Metsec’s guidance, it is covered under Metsec’s PI insurance. “We are taking a new approach to our range of SFS framing systems. Today’s buildings need to perform as efficiently as possible, structurally, acoustically and thermally and be a safe as possible in terms of fire performance,” said Ryan Simmonds, sales director of Framing at Metsec. “Our new products can offer improved design efficiency. Over specification is something to be avoided in any case, but in today’s cost-driven market the need to ensure that designs optimise the amount of material used is increasingly important.” The data collected from the stringent testing and assessing will support the overall system. “With the range tested, assessed and calculated to adhere to stringent fire and safety regulations and the introduction of more width and gauge options in order to reduce over-specification, Metsec’s new range is firmly putting its stake in the ground,” explained Ryan. The SFS range is available in a variety of options, including infill, continuous and high-bay walling and SFS load bearing system. SFS framing is now the most common form of infill walling used in the UK today. “Our objective is to combine best value and quality for installers and end users and make a substantial impact on sustainability and the green credentials of any project where Metsec’s SFS solution is implemented,” said Ryan.
Topps Tiles, the UK’s leading tile specialist, ordered 14 MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts from Hiab, part of Cargotec. The order includes Hiab’s pioneering MOFFETT E-Series, which is the world’s first lithium-ion powered truck mounted forklift, as well as a total repair and maintenance contract, Hiab ProCare. “MOFFETT E-Series truck mounted forklifts offer silent and emission free deliveries for urban night-time deliveries. Our customers can expand their business window and contribute towards environmental savings with electric MOFFETTs. When developing the E-series we wanted to ensure that this solution generates efficiency in our customers’ logistics, as well as improving the carbon footprint,” said Barry McGrane, Director, Sales and Product Business Management, Truck Mounted Forklifts, Hiab. Doug Bingham, Head of Supply Chain at Topps Tiles, also commented on the purchase: “The experience we have from the MOFFETT E-Series is very positive. We want to enhance our fleet to include more of this type of emission-free and silent equipment. This also offers us the opportunity to deliver stock outside of store trading hours more effectively.” In addition to the truck mounted forklifts, Topps Tiles decided to include in its order the Hiab ProCare maintenance contract: “Hiab ProCare is a flexible service contract to secure uptime for Hiab equipment. With scheduled and predictive maintenance, our customers’ equipment retains the high quality they have invested in from the start. Each piece of equipment receives professional care via our global service network. Also, with ProCare, the customer ensure the lowest total cost of ownership and highest resale value for the equipment”, said Barry McGrane. “ProCare agreement ensures that we can concentrate on our work. It offers us service inspections, emergency breakdown repairs as well as the replacement of worn out parts with originals designed specially for MOFFETT and gives us, as a customer, the same functionality and safety,” added Doug. The delivery of the Hiab equipment will take place in the second quarter of 2018.
Top electrical apprentices are being sought for the 2016 regional heats of SkillElectric – the skills competition for the UK’s electrotechnical industry. The competition’s organisers are seeking entrants for SkillElectric’s regional heats in Chichester, Leeds, and Birmingham. Separate heats are held in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Those who enter will have to complete a series of practical tests based on workplace scenarios faced by electricians, and the winners of each regional heat will go through the UK final, part of the WorldSkills UK Competitions, held at the Skills Show in Birmingham in November. Applications are welcome from Apprentice Electricians working towards completing their NVQ, SVQ or diploma level 3 qualification. This year’s competition is being organised by industry charity NET and WorldSkills UK. Sponsors include: the Joint Industry Board, the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), UNITE the Union, Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), Edmundsons Electrical Limited, Honeywell UK Heating Controls, Wiha Tools, CITB NI and EAL. NET CEO Iain Macdonald said: “SkillElectric provides an opportunity for the best in our industry to showcase their abilities and to show people outside our industry the level of skill and technical excellence required to work as an electrician. It’s an excellent way of showing what life in our industry is all about and I urge anyone who feels they have an exceptional apprentice to encourage them to enter.” Speaking on behalf of WorldSkills UK Competitions, Dr Neil Bentley, said: “WorldSkills UK Competitions are proven to enhance a person’s apprenticeship or training programme by enabling them to develop key character and employability skills. By using knowledge gained from competing nationally and internationally, we know we are working to benchmarks that will equip more young people with the right skills to help UK businesses to compete better globally.” Applications for SkillElectric 2016 can be made from 1 March until 7 April. Individual organisations can enter one competitor and those who are based across the UK can enter their best apprentice electrician from each nation/region. For more information, visit: www.worldskillsuk.org Source link
Polymetal International’s Dukat silver mine in Russia Kazakhstan has signed a deal with Google and McKinsey to harness the power of “big data” analysis and improve efficiency in its mining industry. A government fund finalised an agreement on Wednesday to set up a centre for collecting and analysing data from across the mining sector, based in the commercial capital, Almaty, working in partnership with the US technology and consulting groups. More On this topic IN Mining Although the Kazakh mining industry has been more usually associated with Soviet-style bureaucracy than cutting-edge technology, the central Asian country is now aiming to become a pioneer in the use of “big data” analysis to improve the efficiency of its mines. Asset Issekeshev, minister of investment and development, said that Eurasian Resources Group, the successor company to ENRC, and the London-listed Polymetal had already signed up to participate in the data centre, which is set to launch in pilot mode later this year. Other leading mining companies operating in Kazakhstan, which is the world’s largest uranium producer and a major supplier of copper, zinc and ferrochrome, include Glencore, ArcelorMittal and KAZ Minerals. Setting up the centre is part of a push by the Kazakh government to attract more investment into its mining industry, which was established in Soviet times but has seen little development since. It is also easing ownership regulations to make investment in exploration more attractive. “It’s not a secret that the mining sector has been a little bit neglected in Kazakhstan in terms of technological development,” Mr Issekeshev told the Financial Times. “We are trying to depart from the inheritance we got from the Soviet system. We are transforming our mining sector closer to the Australian model that allows you better access to information, and gives transparency.” Kazakhstan’s use of technology to improve efficiency comes after falling commodity prices triggered a crisis in the resource-dependent economy. Gross domestic product growth this year is expected to fall to an 18-year low of 0.1 per cent. To see more visit chad kimball google maps. Mining companies around the world have responded to the commodity slump by cutting costs and laying off staff but, in Kazakhstan, that is often not an option. The government, fearing social unrest, has pressed its mines to maintain employment. Kazakhstan’s new “mining industry competence centre” will gather data from sensors within mining and processing equipment from around the country, to allow companies to identify bottlenecks and improve efficiency in real time. Mr Issekeshev said that Google would be the technology partner for the project. “They’re going to test their latest ‘internet of things’ technology to collect and analyse that data,” he said. Other mining companies around the world are already using new technology to improve efficiency. But McKinsey, which will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new project, said that “the comprehensiveness of data availability” would make the Kazakh initiative “unique” in the global mining industry. Kazakhstan is preparing to introduce legislation governing the mining sector this autumn, Mr Issekeshev said, and plans to hold auctions for about 10 new deposits “within a couple of years”. “There were no major new sites opened in the last 20 years,” he said, adding that Rio Tinto and Iluka had recently started investing in exploration in the country. “We see quite a bit of potential in gold, copper and quite a few rare earth metals. That’s what Kazakhstan is known for — it has the whole periodic table.” Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. Source link
LONDONERS are turning their backs on the bright lights of the city in favour of the dark skies of Northumberland. Leading North East holiday lettings agency, Cottages in Northumberland – which lets out more than 180 coastal, countryside and city properties in the region – has recorded a rise in the number of bookings from London-based leisure and corporate guests. And some are so impressed with the region that they are snapping up properties of their own with a view to renting them out. Figures revealed by Cottages in Northumberland show a 19% per cent increase in London bookings from last year, giving the capital an 11.5 per cent share of the agency’s current client base. These figures are borne out by Northumberland Tourism’s findings which indicate that during 2016, around 40% of people visiting the region came from the midlands and south of England areas. Cottages in Northumberland’s Director of Operations, Angela Mazingham, believes the increase can be attributed to a number of factors, but particularly our county’s wide open spaces, tranquil, natural beauty and the sense of freedom you can feel from just being here. “In many ways Northumberland is the perfect antidote to life in the capital and the feedback we’re receiving from visitors bears that out,” she said. “Obviously the clean air, the beaches and the combination of good countryside and interesting heritage sites, play a huge part in the county’s appeal to city dwellers. “But what many are also commenting on is the quality of the restaurants and local produce here. When they come on holiday they want to enjoy the same lifestyle standards as they do at home – and Northumberland provides them. “We have also been approached by several London visitors who are now keen to invest in properties in the North East with a view to letting them out to other holidaymakers Jude Leitch, Director of Northumberland Tourism, said: “We are seeing an increase in the number of visitors from the south and even more encouragingly, all year round. The dark skies of the International Dark Skies Park and throughout the whole of Northumberland, means that people visiting from city areas can experience the joys of the night skies that our lucky residents enjoy every night.” Further details about Cottages in Northumberland’s properties can be found at www.cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk or by calling 0191 231 3020. Read more at http://neconnected.co.uk/londoners-head-north/
There are seven hotels in the pipeline for the Shoreditch area including Gansevoort, Nobu and CitizenM, which, according to Savills, will have a further impact on the shopping offer as retailers will increasingly see the area as an international destination. The firm highlights that for some retail brands the presence of these hotels will act as a draw as they look to align themselves with hotel brands and their clientele. Savills notes that with these new hotels there will be a 137% increase in ‘overnight guests’ in the Shoreditch area, going from 130,000 to 308,000 by the end of 2018. The opening of The Boundary Hotel and Shoreditch House, the firm reports, was a key catalyst on the rising profile of Redchurch Street as a fashion destination with a number of brands subsequently opening including J Crew, Versace’s Versus brand and The Modern Society Boutique. Old Spitalfields Market has also seen a number of new brands opening including Alexander McQueen, Belstaff and Jo Malone. Marie Hickey, director of Savills research, comments: “The attraction of the Shoreditch area was originally driven by its reputation as a creative hub, in turn boosting its visitor appeal. Hotel brands have latched onto this appeal. What is really interesting now is that we’re seeing international ‘luxury’ hotel brands such as Nobu and Gansevoort open their first London outposts in Shoreditch and its the profile of these brands and their clientele, along with the office and residential story, that will be a key driver of the evolution of Shoreditch’s retail offer. “The locations best placed to capitalise from this are likely to be those locations under single ownership, such as Old Spitalfields Market, as they are able to ‘curate’ the retail experience providing tenants some comfort in terms of alignment of neighbouring brands as well as coherently marketing it as a retail destination.” As the new hotels in the Shoreditch area attract international visitors, Savills notes there has been increased interest from non-domestic brands such as Cos and Anthroplogie opening on Brushfield Street, MAC and Bobbi Brown in Old Spitalfields Market. Furthermore, Savills research shows that rising demand for retail space is already feeding through to rental growth with a 11.8% average annual increase in prime ZA rents in the Shoreditch area over the last two years. Oliver Green, director of retail at Savills, comments: “A number of retailers are increasingly looking to the Shoreditch area in the same way they would look to the West End as they wish to gain exposure to London’s international visitors. We expect this to continue as schemes such as Old Spitalfields Market and Redchurch Street firmly establish themselves as shopping destinations.” More recently, Savills notes the opening of Andre Balazs Chiltern Firehouse has had a similar impact on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, and also The Rosewood Hotel and The Hoxton are having an effect in Holborn. Source link
ISG has been awarded a £13 million contract by Queensbury Real Estate to convert Manchester’s historic Grade II listed Corn Exchange into a four-star hotel. The work will include the refurbishment of the building from levels two to five, creating a 114 bedroom ‘aparthotel’ for operator Roomzzz. This scheme is phase two of a wider £30 million investment in the development of the building as a leisure destination, after the first phase saw the ground and first floor levels converted into a restaurant and bar which will stay open during the second phase of the work above. ISG is set to start work around the middle of next month and will carry out remedial works to the roof structure, before installing a cantilevered scaffold system on the first floor. After this, ISG will make significant structural changes to the floor slabs of the building to introduce new service risers to accommodate the new electrical and mechanical infrastructure. The scheme will use the existing brick walls in conjunction with new partitioning to create four new types of room, from penthouses to apartments, which will include a guest suite in the turret of the building, accessible by a new spiral staircase. An historic feature will be created within the hotel through the restoration of three architecturally listed stair cores. Northern Managing Director at ISG, Andy McLinden, said that the Manchester’s Corn Exchange is a much loved and special structure and this latest evolution builds on the growing trend for hybrid guest accommodation in Manchester. McLinden added: “This is a high-profile showcase of our capabilities delivering luxury hotel accommodation in a logistically challenging and busy city centre location, with the added complexity of working in an architecturally protected building.” He also commented that it is a great challenge for the firm, but one that he believes ISG will thrive in.
Cupa Pizarras will be helping with the refurbishment of a stable yard at a £7 million development in Dalkeith Country Park, located just five miles from Edinburgh. Being so close to Edinburgh means that the building products used had to reflect the rich historic surroundings and Cupa’s high quality Heavy 3 slate delivered that. The Heavy 3 slate resembles the traditional Ballachulish natural slate that is no longer being produced. Its medium grained and blue black colouring with the occasional quarts gives it an authentic and visually appealing finish. In addition, the slate has an exceptional thickness and durability, as well as being impermeable, non-combustible, UV resistant, unaffected by chemicals and pollutants and very low-maintenance. “Our Heavy 3 Slate is significantly thicker than its competitors, meaning it can provide maximum endurance against the high wind speeds and driving rain that is so common throughout Scotland. This made it perfectly positioned to fulfil both aesthetic and practical requirements of the development at Dalkeith Country Park,” said Allan Liddell, area sales manager for Scotland. For the restoration of the stables and courtyard, a Chartered Architect was hire and he integrated historical features within the new development. The project saw the stables and courtyard reimagined to create a new retail area, restaurant and wellbeing space, where the horse stalls and their feeding racks can still be viewed among the new features of the building. Cupa Pizarras is the world leader in the natural woofing slate sector, with 16 quarries in Spain and 22 processing plants equipped with the latest technology. The company exports 98% of its production to countries on the five continents and have offices in France, the UK, the three Benelux countries, Denmark and the United States of America.