MIPIM 2016: Croydon Council has set up its own development company with the aim of delivering 9,500 homes on council-owned land by 2018. Brick by Brick is a private company of which the council is the sole shareholder. It will seek development partners for some schemes and deliver others alone.
A NEW multi-million pound Sports Hub at the University of Warwick is one step closer to completion after contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a topping out ceremony today, which traditionally signifies the structure has reached its maximum height. Due to complete in March 2019, the new Sports Hub will create one
Specialist UK supplier, IronmongeryDirect, has announced that an additional four staff are now have their GAI qualification, enabling them to provide enhanced in-depth technical assistance and support to customers. The qualification was undertaken by staff members from across the business: employees Jenna Cottis and Caroline Vaughan from the Contact Centre,
Transformation is happening all around us and whilst other industries have been quick to make the digital leap – the construction industry has been a little slower out of the starting blocks but now the revolution is well underway. Smart technology is changing the face of construction with a range
10 October 2016 | FM World team The winners of the 2016 BIFM Awards have been revealed at this year’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Click on the red links to find out more about this year’s winners. People Newcomer of the Year Winner: Pleun van Deurssen, Incentive FM Highly commended: Charlotte
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that the body recovered at Didcot Power Station yesterday has been formally identified as Ken Cresswell from Rotherham. Above: A guard of honour marked the removal of Ken Cresswell’s body from the site. Photo from Thames Valley Police. Ken Cresswell was one of four Coleman
Brazilian miner Vale is to slow and limit the development of its flagship iron ore project, in the latest sign of the industry putting profits ahead of volume and market share. Peter Poppinga, head of Vale’s iron ore business, said the market had not understood its plans for the ramp-up
3 June 2016 | This week we asked our ThinkTank members: Would your organisation benefit from a delay to the Apprenticeship Levy being introduced? Would more time help you to prepare? Last month the government published employer guidelines for the Apprenticeship Levy, which comes into force in April 2017.
The value of public sector projects under construction through the Scotland-wide hub programme has reached more than £1bn. Source link
The new Makita LS1019 slide compound mitre saw will establish an even higher level of technical attributes and reliable performance than the previous model LS1016, which was already recognised by wood machinists, carpenters, fixing carpenters, and structural timber installers as the benchmark by which all machines have been compared. The
MIPIM 2016: Croydon Council has set up its own development company with the aim of delivering 9,500 homes on council-owned land by 2018. Brick by Brick is a private company of which the council is the sole shareholder. It will seek development partners for some schemes and deliver others alone. The financial model is one of self-sufficiency, with all costs relating to the operation of the business intended to be covered by the proceeds of development. The council is likely to provide both debt and equity funding to the company at market rates, with this funding allocated from a “revolving investment fund”. This allows the council to reinvest a return on investment either into wider council services or other further development activity. As a non-contracting authority outside of the EU procurement regime, the council said it will be able to respond more quickly to new opportunities in the market place placing it on an “equal competitive footing” to other private sector developers. The proposed sites have not yet been revealed. However, the first planning applications are likely to be submitted in summer 2016 with a view to starting on site in 2017. Colm Lacey, Croydon Council regeneration director and chief executive of Brick by Brick, said: “This structure allows the council to extract value from the core components of development activity – funding, building, selling – in a very efficient way. “Traditionally such value would leak out of the borough. The Brick by Brick model maximises the return to Croydon residents, and allows the council to reinvest in core services at a time when other budgetary sources are constrained.” Lacey will be responsible for the management and day-to-day running of the company, including securing funding, land acquisition and development management. The board comprises two council-nominated directors, Colm Lacey and Lisa Taylor (Croydon Council’s head of finance) and two independent, non-executive directors with extensive property experience and expertise in property development: Jayne McGivern and Jeremy Titchen. The council, as shareholder, also provides observers to the board. For the smaller sites programme, services will be commissioned from an architectural panel made up of Pitman Tozer, Mikhail Riches, Stitch, Mae, vPPR, Coffey, HTA and Croydon’s in-house practice. Arcadis will deliver multi-disciplinary non-architectural services including: project management and employer’s agent, quantity surveying, sustainability and energy consultancy, landscape and visual impact assessments and transport planning. • To send feedback, e-mail Louisa.Clarence-Smith@estatesgazette.com or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette Click here for all the news, views and analysis from MIPIM 2016 Source link
A NEW multi-million pound Sports Hub at the University of Warwick is one step closer to completion after contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a topping out ceremony today, which traditionally signifies the structure has reached its maximum height. Due to complete in March 2019, the new Sports Hub will create one of the best sports facilities at a UK university – including the UK’s largest gym facility in the HE sector – aligning with the University of Warwick’s ambition to be the “most physically active campus community in the UK by 2020”. Once complete, it will be available to all students, staff and the general public. Replacing the current sports centre on the campus, the Hub will feature a sports hall, a swimming pool, fitness suites, climbing and bouldering walls and flexible studio spaces, as well as squash courts, outdoor 3G sports pitches and netball courts. It will also be the official training ground of Coventry’s Wasps Netball super-league team. The afternoon included a tour of the internal areas including the 12-lane swimming pool, as well as speeches on the main roof from key representatives, including Lisa Dodd-Mayne, director of sport and active communities at University of Warwick, and Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. Speaking of the facility, Lisa Dodd-Mayne said: “The Hub will mark a major step towards seeing the University of Warwick achieve its ambition to have the most active campus community in the UK. “The building will house top quality facilities, and will give all of its users the opportunity to be active in their own unique way. It will become a destination facility for our students, staff and local community, delivering an outstanding experience for all.” This is the second project that the University has partnered with Willmott Dixon to deliver, following the completion of the Oculus Building, the University’s flagship central teaching facility, in 2016. Peter Owen added: “This is a fantastic project to be a part of, creating cutting edge sporting facilities for the community at University of Warwick, which will really benefit its users. “Our team has an excellent track record of producing leading leisure facilities and we are delighted to be back on campus and working again with University of Warwick as their partner to unlock future growth.” For more information on the centre, visit https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/projects/university-of-warwick-sports-hub
Specialist UK supplier, IronmongeryDirect, has announced that an additional four staff are now have their GAI qualification, enabling them to provide enhanced in-depth technical assistance and support to customers. The qualification was undertaken by staff members from across the business: employees Jenna Cottis and Caroline Vaughan from the Contact Centre, Tomasz Stasiek from the Purchasing team and Kelly Wing from the Direct Sourcing team all completed the Level 1 course. The qualification provides the staff with professional industry knowledge and skills, including everything they need to know about the range of ironmongery products on the market, from how they are made to how they are used. Contact Centre Team Manager, Jenna Cottis, said: “The GAI qualification makes my job ten times easier. In my role I am asked a lot of technical questions and this course has given me the professional skillset and industry knowledge to provide customers with the best information and support. “This qualification gives our customers confidence in us and reassures them that we are a source of information they can rely on.” Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our employees who have achieved this highly-regarded qualification in architectural hardware. They have all worked extremely hard to complete their studies and are now able to provide the very best service for our customers, supporting our status as ‘masters of our trade’.”
Transformation is happening all around us and whilst other industries have been quick to make the digital leap – the construction industry has been a little slower out of the starting blocks but now the revolution is well underway. Smart technology is changing the face of construction with a range of devices making complicated tasks much easier – from virtual reality and 3D technology to smart helmets and digital software efficiencies. The rate of advancements is accelerating at such a relentless pace – it cannot be ignored. The combination of offsite manufacturing and digital construction technology presents a compelling proposition. Taking place on 28 February 2018 in partnership with BRE, Explore Offsite Outlooks will get to grips with the latest innovations and understand how best to implement this technology into an offsite construction strategy. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been the subject of much debate but the software offers so much more than the creation of 3D models. Virtual Reality (VR) – an artificial, computer-generated simulation of an environment – has transformed the way that architects present their vision. It immerses the user by making them feel like they are experiencing the simulated reality first hand – allowing clients to play an integral part of the design process and ‘virtually’ enter the building and validate the layout. Augmented Reality (AR) on the other hand, provides more freedom for the user because it does not need to be a head-mounted display. Augmented Reality takes the real world and adds something to it – for example a new extension could be digitally superimposed onto an existing building. Kadine James, 3D Tech Lead for Hobs studios – who describes herself as a learner, maker, innovator and 3D technology enthusiast – will be discussing these advancement at Explore Offsite Outlooks. As a 3D tech evangelist – combining over five years of experience in VR, AR, 3D and 3D printing – Kadine is driven by big ideas, a global mindset and empowering the use of 3D technology in construction and architecture. Kadine is an advocate and thought-leader for the UK’s immersive and disruptive tech industry. As an ambassador, mentor, digital inclusion and diversity consultant – she sets out to create a platform for 3DTech learning opportunities for students to get involved with at their 3DTech studios. Autodesk’s primary thought-leader for the global Construction and Natural Resources industries – Dominic Thasarathar, claims: “Technology has always disrupted the construction industry. Think of the impact of reinforced concrete, the mechanical excavator or, more recently, building information modelling (BIM) – each has changed existing practices. But what happens when multiple disruptive technologies arrive simultaneously? That is what is looming for the industry, and the implications could be monumental.” To find the answers to this and many more questions – Dominic Thasarathar will be speaking at Explore Offsite Outlooks. Dominic joined Autodesk in 2011 from a career spanning two decades in international construction and capital projects – he is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Chartered IT Professional. His focus is the strategic role that information and technology can play in helping companies across those ecosystems respond to changing markets and achieve competitive advantage. The sector is changing fast. Advancements in virtual reality, digital fabrication and the internet of things will continue to be major disruptors. This has profound implications for the future design of buildings and those who build them. Tomorrows building engineers and architects will need to master the new software programming skills and learn to co-work with automated technology. Kadine James and Dominic Thasarathar will be joined at Explore Offsite Outlooks by an outstanding speaker line-up that includes: Andrew Orriss, Sales Director – SIG360; Ben Lever, Future Skills Manager – CITB; John Eynon, Engagement Lead – BIM Alliance; Alan Clucas, Director – Explore Manufacturing – Laing O’Rourke… and more. For the full list of speakers go to: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/2018-events/explore-offsite-outlooks/conference-speakers/ This one-day conference and exhibition will create a platform for clients and their professional advisers, contractors and project managers and offsite technology suppliers to network with industry experts to discuss the latest developments in digital construction for the offsite sector. The Explore Offsite Outlooks conference and supporting exhibition is taking place on 28 February 2018. Tickets cost just £125 + vat and includes entry into the conference and exhibition, lunch and refreshments. There will also be an optional guided tour of the BRE Innovation Park. To find out more or to secure your place at Explore Offsite Outlooks go to: www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/book
10 October 2016 | FM World team The winners of the 2016 BIFM Awards have been revealed at this year’s ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. Click on the red links to find out more about this year’s winners. People Newcomer of the Year Winner: Pleun van Deurssen, Incentive FM Highly commended: Charlotte Miller, Sodexo Leader of the Year Winner: Katy Dowding Manager of the Year Winner: Suzanne Beck, Carillion Highly commended: Cova Montes, Emprise Services Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Keith Glennister Team of the Year Winner: CBRE Global Workplace Solutions Highly commended: National Grid and 14forty Learning and Career Development Winner: Nationwide Window Cleaning Highly commended: BT Facilities Services Impact Brand Impact Winner: Gather & Gather Highly commended: Skanska Impact on Customer Experience Winner: Carillion Customer Experience Centre Highly commended: Mitie 1team and Vodafone Impact on Organisational Performance Winner: National Grid and 14forty Highly commended: Kentish and Co, Sodexo, Johnson & Johnson Impact on Sustainability Winner: BaxterStorey Highly commended: The Supply Chain Sustainability School Societal Impact Winner: Vinci Facilities Highly commended: LB Lambethe & South London & Maudsley NHS Trust Workplace Impact Winner: Ministry of Justice and Matrix Booking Highly commended: AstraZeneca Innovation Innovation in Technology and Systems Winner: Humanforce Highly commended: BAM FM Ireland New Product or Service of the Year Winner: Heathrow Airport Limited Source link
Thames Valley Police have confirmed that the body recovered at Didcot Power Station yesterday has been formally identified as Ken Cresswell from Rotherham. Above: A guard of honour marked the removal of Ken Cresswell’s body from the site. Photo from Thames Valley Police. Ken Cresswell was one of four Coleman & Company demolition workers killed on 23rd February 2016 when part of Didcot A power station collapsed unexpectedly during preparations for a controlled explosion. The body of 53-year-old Michael Collings from Cleveland was recovered in the immediate aftermath but three men remained unaccounted for. The search for them was hampered by the instability of the remaining structure. It was not until 31st August, after a change of contractor and a controlled explosion to make safe the remaining structure, that the body of 34-year-old Christopher Huxtable from Swansea was recovered. The body of Ken Cresswell, 57 from Rotherham, was found on the evening of 7th September and recovery was completed early the following morning. A guard of honour was formed at 6.15am to mark the removal of the body from the power station site. It included representatives from the families of the missing men, Thames Valley Police, the Ministry of Defence, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, RWE and Coleman & Company. The search for the body of John Shaw, 61 and also from Rotherham, continues. Mark Coleman, managing director of Coleman & Co., said: “Everyone at Coleman & Company is now hopeful that our remaining missing colleague is found very soon, so that all the families affected by this tragic incident can lay their loved ones to rest. All the families have no doubt suffered terribly, especially the three families that have had to endure an agonising wait during this complex and unprecedented recovery operation. It’s only right that we continue to acknowledge the hard work and professionalism of all agencies involved – thank you all.” Meanwhile a joint Thames Valley Police and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse of the boiler house and the subsequent deaths. This article was published on 9 Sep 2016 (last updated on 9 Sep 2016). Source link
Brazilian miner Vale is to slow and limit the development of its flagship iron ore project, in the latest sign of the industry putting profits ahead of volume and market share. Peter Poppinga, head of Vale’s iron ore business, said the market had not understood its plans for the ramp-up of S11D, the industry’s biggest new venture, in the Amazonian state of Pará. “One thing the market is not getting right is how Vale wants to go about ramping up S11D,” he said. “We decided for a phased approach where we will ramp up S11D not in two years but in four years.” While S11D was seen as a 90m tonnes per year project, the capacity of Vale’s infrastructure in northern Brazil meant it would only add another 75mt of the steelmaking ingredient to a market that has suffered a glut of supply. “We are not [in] the pure volume game. We think the right approach … is to maximise our margins,” said Mr Poppinga in an interview in London. During the so-called commodity supercycle, mining companies ploughed billions of dollars into new iron ore projects as China’s rapid urbanisation saw it suck in ever increasing amounts of the raw material. But much of the new supply only came online as China’s growth started to slow, hitting prices that — at roughly $55 a tonne — are down some 70 per cent from their 2011 highs. While most of the large suppliers including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto still have plans to increase production, they are prioritising returns and profitability over volume. Once its expansion plans are complete, Vale would have capacity to produce 450mt of iron ore annually. “But it doesn’t mean that we are going to use it,” said Mr Poppinga, who forecast that iron ore will trade at $50-$60 a tonne next year. “It will be with a mature eye on the market and we will always have a focus on the maximisation of our margins,” he said. Vale, based in Rio de Janeiro, is seeking to cut its net debt by at least $10bn by the end of next year by disposing of non-core businesses and other initiatives. 75m Additional tonnage provided by S11D As well as the downturn in commodity prices, it has been dealing with the fallout from one of its worst mine accidents. The company and BHP Billiton were partners in the Samarco iron ore venture in Brazil where 19 people died when a dam collapsed last November. While initially the companies hoped they might be able to resume production at Samarco this year, those hopes have been dashed by the complexity of obtaining permission for a restart. “Optimistically we are looking at mid-2017; realistically we are looking at something in the second half of 2017,” Mr Poppinga said. We are not [in] the pure volume game. We think the right approach … is to maximise our margins The companies still face potential legal action in Brazil relating to the dam collapse, which a technical report last month said was due to design and drainage problems. Mr Poppinga said Vale was still interested in a venture with another iron ore miner, Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group, to combine some of their output for sale. A project to blend Vale and FMG ore could produce a mix more suitable for some customers, allowing them to share gains from a premium price for the blend. “We have tested everything … [but] on the commercial side it is taking longer than we expected,” Mr Poppinga said. Sample the FT’s top stories for a week You select the topic, we deliver the news. Source link
3 June 2016 | This week we asked our ThinkTank members: Would your organisation benefit from a delay to the Apprenticeship Levy being introduced? Would more time help you to prepare? Last month the government published employer guidelines for the Apprenticeship Levy, which comes into force in April 2017. The document, released by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, applies to employers from any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million a year. In its recently published BIFM’s FM Business Confidence Monitor report for 2016, Martyn Freeman, managing director of Mitie FM, said: “There is so much more we need to understand about how the Apprentice Levy is going to work, how it is going to be funded and how it is going to be delivered. “We are at the early stages of any legislative change and there is a lot of work to do to understand how that will affect employers.” The Business Confidence Monitor also suggested that the FM sector is uncertain of the new levy, which indicates that government has much still to do to sell this piece of legislation. The Engineering Employers’ Federation and others have also expressed “grave concerns” about the scheme’s design. So would your organisation benefit from a delay to the Apprenticeship Levy being introduced? Most of our participants – 77 per cent – said that they were not prepared, and that the policy is problematic. It’s an indication that there is some way to go before employers are comfortable with the use of the sector’s apprenticeship schemes. Nevertheless, 23 per cent of respondents said that there were no problems – and that they were ready for the levy. There is an appetite and readiness for the policy – but that does not address the negative feelings indicated. “Whatever may be the flaws in the current Apprenticeship Levy, the idea is sound in principle,” said one correspondent. We’ll be following the development of this story over the coming weeks. Should you wish to join this or any other debates, please sign up to our LinkedIn Think Tank group at www.tinyurl.com/fmthinktank Source link
The value of public sector projects under construction through the Scotland-wide hub programme has reached more than £1bn. Source link
The new Makita LS1019 slide compound mitre saw will establish an even higher level of technical attributes and reliable performance than the previous model LS1016, which was already recognised by wood machinists, carpenters, fixing carpenters, and structural timber installers as the benchmark by which all machines have been compared. The new 260mm saw is powered by a 1,510 W motors, which will run its blade up to 3,200 rpm. Other new features include the design of the sliding head layout, with the twin slide rails set at an angle in the rigid aluminium alloy chassis frame and the rear chassis fixing positioned right at the rear of the saw assembly. The saw head will not waste movement by moving back behind the sawing zone due to the robust rails that allow it to cover the entire zone. The mitre range and bevel range for the new Makita LS1019 are 60° L to 60° R mitre, and 48° L to 48° R bevel. Easy bevel adjustment is possible due to the front knob, the easy to operate mitre angle lock, and the one touch sliding head lock. The cutting performance also sets higher standards with the Makita being able to cut 91 mm deep across a 279 mm width compared with a 45° L or R mitre angle and 45° L bevel angle that has a maximum of 58mm x 197mm. The electronic controls of the new saw feature constant speed control, double insulation, electronic brake, laser marker system, and soft start for machine and operator safety. The LS1019 model is available in an 110v or a 240v version and additionally, a cordless 36v version, which is ideal for major on site operations. Makita is a leading world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and workwear known for quality, performance and durability in rigorous industrial use. It is Britain’s number one professional power tool manufacturer offering an extensive inventory of over 620 products and accessories which include cordless drill/drivers, cordless combination drills; percussion drills; angle grinders; jigsaws and sanders, as well as a substantial amount of outdoor power equipment.