Smart and easy-access locks are growing in popularity, completely transforming home and office security. There are a number of new electronic and keyless door locks available for a property, but as they are still new systems, people remain uncertain over whether they are more secure than their traditional counterparts. Do
Building products manufacturer Alumasc has reported its fifth successive year of profit growth and a record order book. Above: Alumasc Roofing System’s Armaseam standing seam For the year to 30th June 2016, Alumas generated revenue of £92.2m, a 2% increase on the previous year’s £90.3m. Pre-tax profit rose 59% to
Self-Build Zone will be exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in London, from the 23rd till the 25th of September 2016. One of the leading providers of Self-build and Custom Build insurance, Self-Build Zone, will be exhibiting at Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2016 at ExCeL London from the 23rd
Rosewood on white foiled PVC-U windows have been manufactured and supplied by Total Glass to a sheltered housing scheme in Liverpool for one of their long standing customers. Rosewood on white foiled PVC-U windows have been manufactured and supplied by Total Glass to a sheltered housing scheme in Liverpool for
The Carbon Free Group will challenge visitors to The Build Show at UK Construction Week to think differently and do more to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment, and, specifically, housing. The Carbon Free Group does not expect visitors to work alone. Instead, it is encouraging them to get
As ports, freight terminals and companies involved in heavy industry applications invest to drive trade post-Brexit, increasing sales of Mantsinen hydraulic cranes and SANY heavy handling equipment are driving growth at Cooper Specialised Handling, which has seen turnover rise to more than £10 million. The UK’s only independent provider of specialised heavy lifting equipment with
Veolia Water Technologies has successfully completed a £2.5 million wastewater treatment plant for the Macallan Distillery and visitor centre in rural Scotland. The Macallan owners, Edrington, commissioned the new distillery to provide a much needed increase in volume production to meet the global demand for the world
Network innovation funding should be judged a success based on the quality of the evidence generated rather than business as usual (BAU) adoption. There is limited evidence that Low Carbon Network Fund projects are able to transition to BAU in the short-term, due to the technology readiness
Balfour Beatty has been fined £2.6m after an employee was killed in a trench collapse in Lancashire. James Sim, a 32-year-old from Barry in South Wales, was working under subcontract for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd. On the 14th April 2010, he was working in a trench, laying ducting for
The product range caters for different types of landlord, whether they be limited companies or individuals Paragon Mortgages has announced this morning that it has launched six new products aimed at professional landlords. In addition to the new products, the lender also confirmed that it has refreshed its existing range.
Smart and easy-access locks are growing in popularity, completely transforming home and office security. There are a number of new electronic and keyless door locks available for a property, but as they are still new systems, people remain uncertain over whether they are more secure than their traditional counterparts. Do key entry door systems make your property secure? Digital or smart locks are marmite-level divisive in the security community. Some love them, some hate them, and both sides are pretty much right. Good-quality, professionally-fitted keyless entry door locks are safe, but will they make your property safer than the locks you already have? High quality locks are vital to securing your property, and anything inside it, but whether a smart lock is right for you, is dependent on the property and your user needs. There are wide range of door entry systems that will make your property secure. It’s important to remember that the main flaw in a properties security system isn’t the lock, but the user. Most burglars are opportunists, and will often enter your home through an unlocked door or by forcing open a window or door. Although good quality locks can be an important security measure, this is only the case if you actually use them. How to know if a smart entry system is for you Although keyless door entry systems are easy to operate, if you are forgetful, or don’t like these sorts of modern technologies, smart locks may not be for you; while a smart key doesn’t need to fit the lock, a smart lock still needs to fit the user. That being said, these security systems are extremely beneficial to apartment blocks; debate rages within the security community around whether audio or video entry systems make for the best entry systems for flats, over a conventional lock and key. Keyless door locks are also useful for workspaces and large properties, where workers may be based a long walk away from the front door. For example, door entry systems with facial recognition allow you to control who enters the building without the inconvenience of walking to the front door. Here are the pros and cons to consider before you choose to go with a keyless entry door lock for your home or business: Advantages of using keyless door entry systems They’re keyless. This is, admittedly, an obvious one, but keys can be easily lost, which is both a nuisance to the holder and a potential security issue as well. Keyless door locks offer easy access for authorised personnel. If anyone without a passcode needs access to your property immediately, they can contact you to gain the code. You will know exactly who has and who hasn’t entered your property. They can be easier for people with certain disabilities who may struggle with keys They can be aesthetically pleasing, with a choice of different styles and colours to suit your property. Keyless locks could also make the property more attractive to potential buyers when or if you look to sell. Disadvantages of using keyless door entry systems If the lock gets used regularly and is left uncleaned or without being dusted. The PIN may be easier to guess as the buttons used will be obvious. If the digital door locks are powered by electricity, it could stop working as a result of a power failure. In this case, it’s best to find digital door entry systems with backup batteries. It’s only safe if only trusted people know the PIN. Make sure you change it from the default code when you install the door entry system. And make sure only people you want to give access to your property know what the PIN is. If you, or any of your team, are particularly forgetful, having to remember a PIN could lead to some degree of inconvenience. One thing is for certain, they must be fitted by someone who knows what they’re doing. There is no reason why you shouldn’t get a keyless entry door lock for your property, however you should make sure it is fitted by a professional.
Building products manufacturer Alumasc has reported its fifth successive year of profit growth and a record order book. Above: Alumasc Roofing System’s Armaseam standing seam For the year to 30th June 2016, Alumas generated revenue of £92.2m, a 2% increase on the previous year’s £90.3m. Pre-tax profit rose 59% to £7.7m (2015: £4.8m). Order book at financial year-end was £26.6m. During the year Alumasc completed its strategic re-focusing on Premium Building Products, Systems & Solutions with the £4m sale in June 2016 of its last remaining engineering business, Dyson Diecastings. All the company’s niche operations are now related to the building trade. Solar Shading & Screening revenue was up 8% to £17.4m and operating profit up 3% to £1m, with Levolux trading ahead of expectations. Roofing & Walling performed strongly although revenue was down 1% to £40.1m and operating profit down 11% to £4m reflecting the completion of the £12m Kitimat project in 2014/15 and government cuts to the Eco and Green Deal schemes. Otherwise, roofing sales remain good and following investment in new sales resources and products, walling is gaining traction in new build and beginning to develop new export markets in the Middle East. Water Management revenue was up 2% to £27.6m and operating profit up 7% to £3.5m, mostly driven by Alumasc Water Management Solutions. The Gatic engineered access covers business has recently won a number of significant projects, mainly for export markets. Revenue in the Housebuilding & Ancillary Products division was up 10% to £8.6m and operating profit up 25% to £1.4m, reflecting another record year for Timloc. Alumasc said that Timloc “continues to out-perform the UK house-building products sector, adding new products and expanding geographic reach”. As part of growth plans, a lease on premises at Goole was signed in July 2016 and the new facility will be available for occupation in late 2017. Chief executive Paul Hooper said: “We believe all our businesses have significant growth opportunities because of their strategic positioning in growing market niches and international potential.” This article was published on 1 Sep 2016 (last updated on 1 Sep 2016). Source link
Self-Build Zone will be exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show in London, from the 23rd till the 25th of September 2016. One of the leading providers of Self-build and Custom Build insurance, Self-Build Zone, will be exhibiting at Homebuilding & Renovating Show 2016 at ExCeL London from the 23rd -25th of September 2016. Visit Self Build Zone on Stand E131 The Homebuilding & Renovating Show is the dedicated event for Self-builders, Home Renovators and those considering starting a new project or extending and adding value to their existing home. Self-build specialists, renovation experts and leading brands are all under one roof at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show. It’s the biggest event of its kind in the UK and it’s a unique opportunity to get free face-to-face advice and attend must-see Masterclasses. Self-Build Zone are the leading provider of self-build insurances – including Site Insurance, 10 Year Structural Warranty (Technical Audits, Building Control and other bespoke Survey Services as well), Health & Safety advice and Contract Wordings to the self-build marketplace as well as specialist Buildings and Contents insurance. Self-Build zone also benefits from being part of the Sennocke Group which means that not only can they advise you on products for your building project but they can also provide Legal Indemnity/Defective Title insurance, Commercial, Professional Lines and Home insurance. Make sure you come along to our Masterclass on Friday 23rd September from 13.00-13.20pm. Representatives from Self-Build Zone will be on hand throughout the show to talk through all issues on Site Insurance and Structural Warranties. Paul Kempton, Managing Director of Self Build Zone and Sennocke said: “The Self-Build Zone team are thrilled to exhibit at the Homebuilding & Renovating show in London. The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show is the go-to exhibition for self-builders and renovators. Our team will be on stand A143 and are all willing to arrange an informal chat for those wanting to find out more about the services we can provide for all your self-build projects. Opening Times: Friday 23 September 10am -5pm Saturday 24 September 10am – 5pm Sunday 25 September 10am-5pm Site Insurance is essential for anyone planning an Extension, Renovation, Conversion or New Build project. Self-Build Zone have several different site insurance options to protect your project during the build process and on completion, including flexible short term policies as well as the traditional 12, 18 or 24 month policy. Self-Build Zone products include: Site InsuranceBuildings InsuranceStructural WarrantyBuilding Control ServicesRenovation InsuranceCode for Sustainable HomesSAP Energy RatingsAir Pressure TestingSound Testing To arrange an informal chat with the Self Build Zone team, please visit stand number A143. Click here to register for the show. ENDS. About Self-Build Zone and Build-Zone: Self-Build Zone and Build-Zone are trading style of Sennocke International Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Self-Build Zone & Build-Zone provide site insurance and structural warranty packages for new builds, renovations, extensions and conversion projects from DIY home improvements and new build, to major renovations incorporating large scale alteration, employment of tradesmen and extension work. Site Insurance is essential for anyone planning an extension, renovation, conversion or new build project. Self-Build Zone have several different site insurance options to protect your project during the build process, including flexible short term extendable policies as well as the traditional 2 year policy. Go online at www.selfbuildzone.com or www.build-zone.com or call the team on 0345 230 8974 For interviews or comments, please contact our PR agency: SMPR (Simply Marcomms Limited) 02476 546150 Email: info@simplymarcomms.co.uk Source link
Rosewood on white foiled PVC-U windows have been manufactured and supplied by Total Glass to a sheltered housing scheme in Liverpool for one of their long standing customers. Rosewood on white foiled PVC-U windows have been manufactured and supplied by Total Glass to a sheltered housing scheme in Liverpool for one of their long standing customers. The social housing fenestration specialist also supplied composite doors and PVC fire exit doors as part of an extensive refurbishment project at St Cyril’s Court, Netherley for their client Plus Dane Housing. Replacing original single-glazed timber windows, the new ‘A’-rated windows have improved thermal-efficiency, security and aesthetics at the 43 flats and 29 bungalows in the complex. One of the residents, Raymond Ambrose said the new windows were a great improvement, adding: “We were getting constant condensation with the old wooden windows. Our homes are a lot warmer now and the new windows look terrific. “The Total Glass team worked very efficiently and did a very tidy job. Everyone is delighted.” For more information, contact Total Glass on 0151 549 2339 or visit the website at www.totalglass.com. Source link
The Carbon Free Group will challenge visitors to The Build Show at UK Construction Week to think differently and do more to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment, and, specifically, housing. The Carbon Free Group does not expect visitors to work alone. Instead, it is encouraging them to get involved in collaborative projects, product and process development and policy review to fast track and de-risk change. To see how a Carbon Free Group collaboration works, visitors should visit stand B750 at The Build Show. Here, visitors will see one of the most exciting innovations of this year’s event: the Tufeco Modular Home. The home has been constructed from Tufeco’s composite panels, which are being launched at the show. These are 3D printed, manufactured offsite and made from recycled glass. Two key benefits of the panels are that they significantly reduce on-site construction times and labour needs; a typical house structure is erected and made airtight in around three days, ready to accept second fix installations. They also require just three semi-skilled installers to complete. However, Tufeco’s modular panels are just one decarbonising element featured on the stand. To bring this product to market, Tufeco has joined forces with global architects Grimshaw, SAM Architects and The Carbon Free Group. Together, they provide a much wider range of decarbonising expertise and experience to identify and deploy a more extensive set of decarbonising solutions. The resulting collaboration, which is being used as a blueprint for a housing scheme in Cromer on the Norfolk coast, has resulted in a low carbon development which: is set in beautiful man-made woodland clusters that focus on native planting and enhanced biodiversity incorporates renewable energy generation, storage, monitoring and trading opportunities incorporates air purifying paints, recycled floor coverings, green roofs and walls. All of these aspects are evidenced on the stand at Construction Week, with Carbon Free Group bringing together a range of organisations to develop a housing proposition. This collaboration creates a synergy which generates results that far exceed those that could have been achieved if the parties had just worked individually. By exhibiting at Construction Week, The Carbon Free Group hopes to attract more innovators to join the movement. Co-founder, Anthony Morgan, also hopes that many housebuilders will use the platform to develop collaborations and test innovations, developing unique collaborations to address specific situations, bringing them to market faster and at less cost and risk than has been experienced before. Explaining the proposition, Anthony Morgan said: “Many UK businesses are falling behind in the race to develop the building systems of the future. The ideas are out there, but all too often our existing culture snuffs out innovation either before it begins or before it can be effectively deployed. Why? Because they are seen as being too expensive; too high risk; too difficult to adopt and the returns are too slow. “Quick to implement, simple solutions get the go-ahead, while more complex, often higher value programmes are side-lined. The Carbon Free Group has been set up to reverse this situation. “Our collaborative approach reduces risk by making investment tax deductible and innovation collaborative. This reduces cost and increases member access to new and exciting ideas and expertise. “We’re keen to talk to Build Show visitors about potential projects, product opportunities, policy developments. We have a number of interesting initiatives coming online, and the more organisations involved, the more impact we’ll achieve. “This is real-world, applied innovation,” he said. About The Carbon Free Group The Carbon Free Group provides a platform for collaboration and connected innovation to accelerate decarbonisation and through which industry will deliver more sustainable, higher performance, lower cost solutions at a deferred risk. The group brings together corporations, SMEs, industry experts, communities and local people to: Solve persistent industry problems Facilitate collaborative working Develop commercially viable solutions Deploy solutions to the market Create circular economy models and Establish funds to support research and development. In pursuing these outcomes, the Carbon Free Group analyses each step of the Technology Readiness Level process to identify and mitigate against risk. This is critical, as risk is a major barrier to innovation, decarbonisation and sustainability. The Build Show The Carbon Free Group will be exhibiting with Tufeco, Grimshaw, and SAM Architects on stand B750 at The Build Show which is part of Construction Week at the NEC Birmingham from 10 – 12 October 2017. For more information visit www.carbonfreegroup.com or email info@carbonfreegroup.com
As ports, freight terminals and companies involved in heavy industry applications invest to drive trade post-Brexit, increasing sales of Mantsinen hydraulic cranes and SANY heavy handling equipment are driving growth at Cooper Specialised Handling, which has seen turnover rise to more than £10 million. The UK’s only independent provider of specialised heavy lifting equipment with a capacity of 6-70 tonnes, Cooper Specialised Handling is committed to working in partnership with its customers and some of the world’s top equipment manufacturers to deliver innovative solutions to the most complex handling challenges. Turnover has increased to more than £10 million in the last 12 months enabling Cooper Specialised Handling to build its market share to approximately 60% in some sectors. There has also been some restructuring of the management team with Chris Barnes, who has been with the business for 13 years and heads up the sales function, promoted to Sales Director. Luke Maslin, who joined Cooper Specialised Handling in 2011, takes on the role of Operations Director with responsibility for planning engineering schedules and ensuring that all service and maintenance work is completed in accordance with customer requirements. He also manages direct parts sales. In one of the biggest tenders of its type, Cooper Specialised Handling sealed a series of deals with Associated British Ports for five Mantsinen hydraulic cranes totalling £6 million and supplied a wheeled Mantsinen 160M at Belfast Harbour. Its achievements in helping to re-establish Mantsinen as a force to be reckoned with in the UK marketplace led to Cooper Specialised Handling being named as Mantsinen’s Dealer of the Year, after it emerged as the crane manufacturer’s most successful dealer globally since 2015. Cooper Specialised Handling’s Chief Executive David Cooper said: “More and more businesses are coming to appreciate that the speed and handling precision delivered by Mantsinen’s award-winning crane technology equates to a highly cost-effective way of driving up productivity. “This is a really exciting time to be involved with the Mantsinen brand, especially as there’s growing interest in the new 300 model, which supersedes the Mantsinen 200 as the world’s largest hydraulic crane and features the next generation HybriLift energy-saving technology.” Meanwhile, since taking on the UK distributorship for SANY in 2015, Cooper Specialised Handling has established itself as one of the manufacturer’s most successful dealers in Europe, supplying high specification reachstackers and container handling equipment to major industry operators, including Goldstar Transport, Rail Freight Services and Maritime Transport. As the Cooper Specialised Handling business develops, so demand for quality engineering services is fuelling growth at sister company Cooper Handling Solutions, which is dedicated to providing service, maintenance and spare parts to users of heavy lifting equipment. Cooper Handling Solutions operates its own, directly employed engineering team and is currently recruiting three additional field service technicians as part of a 10-year strategic plan to develop a team of 25 highly skilled ‘big truck’ specialists.
Veolia Water Technologies has successfully completed a £2.5 million wastewater treatment plant for the Macallan Distillery and visitor centre in rural Scotland. The Macallan owners, Edrington, commissioned the new distillery to provide a much needed increase in volume production to meet the global demand for the world famous Macallan single malt whisky. The distillery needed an enhanced wastewater plant on site to meet the SEPA regulations for discharge into the environmentally sensitive River Spey. Key to the success of the project was valuable experience acquired while working on The Macallan’s previous wastewater treatment plant, plus a wastewater characterisation study prior to the design of the new plant. The knowledge gained and a close working relationship with engineers from The Macallan enabled the Veolia team to forge ahead with a high degree of confidence that they had the right solution. The installation is based on an Idraflot dissolved air flotation (DAF) unit followed by a Biosep membrane bioreactor (MBR). The water treatment plant has built in future proofing and can be easily upgraded as demand for the whisky increases. Edrington’s UK Engineering Manager, George McKenzie, said: “Based on Veolia’s experience we expected to achieve a good quality discharge – certainly well within the consent limits – and that we have done”, he says. “In addition the new plant has a much higher level of automation which means reduced operator involvement.” A version of this article first appeared on wwtonline Source link
Network innovation funding should be judged a success based on the quality of the evidence generated rather than business as usual (BAU) adoption. There is limited evidence that Low Carbon Network Fund projects are able to transition to BAU in the short-term, due to the technology readiness level of many of the projects being undertaken, according to the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). The UKERC said, in a review conducted with Hubnet into the outcomes of the LCNF, that many projects included prototype development and academic modelling, suggesting lower technology readiness levels (TRL) than set out in the LCNF governance, inhibiting the ability to be adopted in the short-term as BAU. It said: “We do not see the focus on lower TRL innovation and lack of transition to BAU as a negative per se; the critical aspect is the quality of evidence that can be expected and what kinds of decisions this subsequently informs.” The report added that the funding has kickstarted an important revival in research, development and demonstration by electricity distribution operators, which has delivered “significant learning” and potential for network cost reduction and improvements in service. It said that without the funding innovation is likely to have been “stagnant at best and non-existent at worst” and recommends support is continued so network operators can consolidate their position as leading research into smart grids. UKERC co-director Keith Bell said: “The electricity networks… face major challenges from changes to the generation mix and future demand for electricity for heating and transport. The challenges aren’t insurmountable but they need to be met cost-effectively. “The LCNF has been extremely important in re-energising the network companies’ interests in innovation and providing a platform for finding out what things should be done differently.” Source link
Balfour Beatty has been fined £2.6m after an employee was killed in a trench collapse in Lancashire. James Sim, a 32-year-old from Barry in South Wales, was working under subcontract for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd. On the 14th April 2010, he was working in a trench, laying ducting for new cable for the offshore windfarm that was being built off the coast of Heysham. An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the trench was dug to a depth of 2.4 metres without any shoring. Mr Sim was killed when he became trapped in the trench after it collapsed on him. It has taken six years for the case to reach its legal conclusion but yesterday (6th May 2016) Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd pleaded guilty to safety offences at Preston Crown Court. The court heard that Balfour Beatty failed to adequately risk assess the works or control the way in which the excavation took place. HSE inspector Chris Hatton said after the hearing: “The level of this fine should serve as a warning to industry not to ignore health and safety matters. “Balfour Beatty failed to adequately assess, plan and supervise the work being undertaken. Trench collapses are easy to prevent, and it is disappointing that James’ life was lost in such a tragic way. “The family has shown great patience and support throughout this investigation which is a credit to both them and James’ memory.” Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited, of Park Square Newton, Chambers Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield was found guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulation 31(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined £2.6m with £54,000 costs. Balfour Beatty has a stated commitment to Zero Harm on its sites. However, this is the company’s second seven-figure fine this year following fatalties on its sites. Earlier this year Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering was fined £1m after a road worker was killed on the A2 in Kent while repairing traffic barriers. [See previous report here.] This article was published on 6 May 2016 (last updated on 6 May 2016). Source link
The product range caters for different types of landlord, whether they be limited companies or individuals Paragon Mortgages has announced this morning that it has launched six new products aimed at professional landlords. In addition to the new products, the lender also confirmed that it has refreshed its existing range. Included in the new products are two-year fixed rates starting at 3.40% with a 1.50% product fee at 65% LTV for single self-contained units, and 3.75% with a 1.50% product fee at 65% LTV for HMOs and multi-unit blocks. Three new five-year fixes are available from 4.20% with a 1.50% product fee at 65% LTV for single self-contained properties – for both individual and limited company landlords. Paragon’s stepped fixed rate products are included in the range. The five year fixed rate products can either increase in rate each year until the end of the product term, or decrease dependent on the landlord’s preference. John Heron, Managing Director of Paragon Mortgages, said: “We have re-dated our existing product range and then added six new fixed rate products. The product range caters for different types of landlord, whether they be limited companies or individuals. The stepped rate products have been created to allow landlords that extra flexibility with their financial planning. With tax liabilities increasing from April 2017, a stepped rate product which moves from a higher rate to a lower rate could help landlords plan for a rise in their tax bill. However, intermediaries will need to talk to their landlord customers to ensure they fully understand how these products work and whether they would be suited to their circumstances.” Source link