One of the biggest challenges that people setting up new landscaping businesses often face is the fact that they are practical hands-on people who aren’t always the best when it comes to making use of all the modern technology that makes running such a business easier. If you are one
New plans have been submitted to support a project to bring a grade I-listed South Yorkshire manor house back into use. Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, was the seat of the Wentworth family from the 13th century. The manor house was built between 1725 and 1735, incorporating earlier elements dating back
Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrades specialists, SMART Balustrades, has started work to deliver more than 1,000 metres of stainless-steel balustrades at a luxury waterside residential development in Nottingham. Working alongside Leeds-based property developer KMRE Group and construction company Crown Construction, SMART Balustrades is supplying and installing all of the glass and
Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been awarded its second contract for Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. This latest project is to manufacture 567 steel-framed bathroom and shower pods for Exchange Square in Birmingham which is under construction by main contractor McAleer & Rushe.
When it came to the specification of a replacement rainwater system for a 19th century school building, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System offered authentic detailing, long-term performance and ease of installation without compromising the integrity of the building. Located in the West Midlands and close to Wolverhampton,
Bespoke gothic arch lintels from IG lintels have played an important role in the transformation of an 19th century Carmelite convent, the centrepiece of the new Chichester Free School. Vacated in 1994 and in disrepair since a fire destroyed its chapel in 2009, the convent in Hunston, West Sussex, required
Techo-Bloc has opened a new depot in Nashville, Tennessee. The investment is a testament to Techo-Bloc’s commitment to serving the Nashville market as demand for construction and hardscape products are at an all-time high. Located at 160 Center Point Rd., Suite 101, Hendersonville TN 37077, authorized dealers and contractors will
As the UK’s construction recruitment sector continues to be squeezed by client cost pressures on one side and a shortage of skilled labour on the other, The Shore Group are proud to introduce their latest innovation to address these challenges. The newly launched website offers official Snickers Workwear at the
Sales and hire equipment specialist MHM Group has worked in partnership with its customer Illumin8, to provide an eco-friendly lighting solution for Anglesey’s Holyhead lorry port. Holyhead is the UK’s second largest roll-on/roll-off ferry port, sees more than 400,000 freight lorries crossing the Irish Sea every year. The new temporary
Award-winning consulting engineering firm of Will Rudd Davidson has announced it is to open a Dublin office as it expands operations into Ireland. The move demonstrates the firm’s commitment to further business growth. The successful privately owned engineering consultancy employs over 80 staff in Scotland and the launch of the
One of the biggest challenges that people setting up new landscaping businesses often face is the fact that they are practical hands-on people who aren’t always the best when it comes to making use of all the modern technology that makes running such a business easier. If you are one of them, and you want to ensure that your new landscaping company run like a well-oiled machine, check out these essential tech tools that will help you to run a far more efficient, streamlined business even if your tech skills aren’t as good as you would like them to be. Greenius Greenius is an excellent online training tool with more than 50 instructional videos which will make it really easy for you to train your landscaping team quickly and effectively, while also saving you money. If you’re new to the business, it’s important you hire the right people and providing the best training to keep them safe and your clients happy, and Greenius will certainly help with that. RapidAPI RapidAPI is a great resource for software APIs, which are basically software interfaces you can use to add certain functions to apps and software. Their weather API directory could be particularly useful to you because it will allow you to keep track of weather conditions so you can better plan your jobs, but they have APIs for just about everything so do some exploring and see what else you might be able to make use of. HR Downloads HR Downloads is packed with templates and sample documents that you can use to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law and are able to manage your team more effectively. Fleetio Fleetio is a huge timesaver. This one application can manage and track your fleet for you so you don’t have to worry about tracking down timesheets or trying to remember the last time your vehicles were services, amongst other things. Landscape Management Network This excellent landscaping software is able to help you budget for your business, manage customer relationships, create estimates and track the time you and your team spend on jobs, amongst other things, all in one neat package. It practically runs your landscaping business for you! Go iLawn This is a neat little tool that is able to measure property online, which makes it far easier and much more efficient for you to work out estimates for your clients, leaving you more time to get on with the actual job of landscaping. Skitch In many ways, landscaping is a pretty visual business, which is why the visual communication tool, Skitch, is such a good one to have in your virtual toolbox. It enables you to mark photos with text, arrows, colors, and so on and send them to both customers and staff, saving you a whole lot of time, and potentially money, on your landscaping jobs. With these important landscaping business tools on your side, you will stand a much better chance of achieving success in your new business venture. Good luck!
New plans have been submitted to support a project to bring a grade I-listed South Yorkshire manor house back into use. Wentworth Woodhouse, near Rotherham, was the seat of the Wentworth family from the 13th century. The manor house was built between 1725 and 1735, incorporating earlier elements dating back to about 1630. King George V and Queen Mary stayed at the house for four days during a visit to the region in 1912, and it was used as a training depot and headquarters of the Intelligence Corps during WWII. It was then used as a private residence until it was sold by the Newbold family to the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust in 2016. In 2018, the trust set out its masterplan to restore the estate and bring it back into use. A new application has now been submitted by the trust to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough for the next step in the project. The new application seeks to regularise the opening of the buildings and garden to the public and for various events. These uses have been taking place at the estate without planning consent in order to provide sustainable income for the Trust. Approval would cover the change of use of the estate from a private residence to allow guided and non-guided tours, garden visits, weddings, events, education workshops, ancillary café within the mansion house and location filming. The plans also include the change of use of the Camellia House to a café and event space with associated facilities, as well as the demolition of Lady Mabel College teaching accommodation and provision of a new car park to the north west of the stable block. A planning statement accompanying the application said: “The proposed change of use of the Camellia House in the wider proposals including the demolition of the 1970s Teaching Accommodation and the provision of a main visitor car park and further changes of use across the site focused on bringing the Estate into public use, will have an exceptional impact on local character and distinctiveness, allowing people to experience and engage with one of the foremost historic country estates in England in a manner previously unknown. “The proposals will lead to major and wholly positive benefits which would substantially outweigh any perceived ‘less than substantial harm’.” The application has been supported by Acer Town Planning and Donald Install Associates. The government previously awarded a £7.6m grant toward urgent repairs in 2016, with funding also received from the National Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Staffordshire-based handrail and balustrades specialists, SMART Balustrades, has started work to deliver more than 1,000 metres of stainless-steel balustrades at a luxury waterside residential development in Nottingham. Working alongside Leeds-based property developer KMRE Group and construction company Crown Construction, SMART Balustrades is supplying and installing all of the glass and stainless-steel balustrades for all balconies at The Yacht Club, which boasts uninterrupted views across the River Trent. Featuring 81 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including penthouses, The Yacht Club is situated on Trent Lane and will offer residents a luxurious waterside lifestyle in a convenient location, close to city amenities. All of the south-facing apartments at the development feature either a large private balcony or terrace, with two installation teams now on site from SMART Balustrades to complete the construction of the balustrades quickly and efficiently. “This is our first project working with both KMRE and Crown Construction, and in terms of size and the number of balconies involved, it’s certainly our biggest project of the year so far,” said David Hough, managing director at SMART Balustrades. “The stunning, uninterrupted views that these new apartments will provide will be priceless, so we’re installing stainless steel balustrades with clear glass infill panels to terraces and balconies to really open them up and make the most of the vistas. We are also providing balustrades to the development’s internal staircases as well, giving a clean and modern look to the communal areas of the building.” Set up in 2017 by David and his brother, Jonathan Hough, and with over 120 years of experience in the balustrades industry, SMART has a sustained demand for its specialist services, both in the commercial and residential sectors. Having recently taken on two new recruits, with another installation engineer joining the team this month, the company continues to grow and is on track to achieve its 2021 targets. “SMART has just celebrated its fourth birthday and everyone is thrilled with the company’s performance and growth in that time. Managing and fulfilling a project of this size is a testament to that success. After a difficult 18 months for many businesses, we are eagerly looking ahead to the future, continuing to meet and excel our goals and expanding our team of skilled craftspeople and delivering excellent customer service to our burgeoning client portfolio,” continued David. “We are delighted to be working with well-known, industry leading companies such as KMRE and Crown Construction, helping to provide unique and beautiful new homes in an idyllic waterside location.”
Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, has been awarded its second contract for Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. This latest project is to manufacture 567 steel-framed bathroom and shower pods for Exchange Square in Birmingham which is under construction by main contractor McAleer & Rushe. The pod deliveries to site will begin towards the end of 2021 and will be completed by summer 2022 as the building’s structure is constructed. Exchange Square is developed by Nikal for Grainger plc and will provide 375 homes for rent in a landmark 37-storey tower. Designed by Stephenson Hamilton Risley Studio, the £68m scheme occupies a prominent location opposite HS2 Curzon Birmingham. Completion is scheduled for summer 2023. The bathroom pods for Exchange Square will have dark grey, large format porcelain wall and floor tiles with staggered ‘brick bond’ tile joints to the walls. The bathrooms will be fully fitted in the factory with a three-door mirrored cabinet, a solid surface vanity shelf, semi-pedestal wall hung basin, bath with glass hinged shower screen, heated ladder towel rail, and floor mounted toilet. The shower rooms will have a two-door mirrored wall cabinet and a sliding shower door. “We fully support the use of offsite manufacturing and for the bathrooms, it gives us the unique opportunity to check the pods in the factory before going into full production. This allows us to review the design detailing and make any minor changes, which is just not possible on site,” said Helena Tsiantes Jansson, Senior Forward Fund Development Manager at Grainger plc. “Following our recent visit to Offsite Solutions’ factory, we were very impressed with the quality of the finishes, particularly the grouting and tiling. The quality was spot on and will result in a better quality product for our residents. Fitting out the bathrooms in a factory which has much more space and light than on site, definitely impacts positively on quality. It is also much easier for us to deal with a single supplier for the bathrooms.” Offsite Solutions is also manufacturing pods for Enigma Square in Milton Keynes – another Grainger build-to-rent scheme which is under construction by Bowmer and Kirkland. Steel-framed bathroom pods give developers and contractors the opportunity to have a premium aesthetic which includes porcelain tiling, with all the speed and quality benefits of offsite manufacture for large-scale residential schemes, hotels and student accommodation. These pods have a lightweight steel-framed construction with a fully tanked wet area to the walls and floor, and a composite ceiling panel for long-term durability and an enhanced appearance. Offsite Solutions offers the UK’s largest range of pods to suit many different building types and applications. Options include steel-framed bathroom pods with porcelain-tiled finishes for high-end apartments, PRS, student residences and hotels; robust and low maintenance GRP composite shower pods for student accommodation, build-to-rent, care homes, social housing and healthcare; hybrid pods for specialist projects, and award-winning demountable GRP pods for ease of installation in refurbishment schemes. Offsite Solutions has also developed steel-framed utility pods for apartments or studios for build-to-rent or build-to-sell schemes.
When it came to the specification of a replacement rainwater system for a 19th century school building, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System offered authentic detailing, long-term performance and ease of installation without compromising the integrity of the building. Located in the West Midlands and close to Wolverhampton, the original cast iron rainwater system at Wightwick Hall School was no longer fit for purpose and required replacement as part of remedial works prior to the school’s conversion to an academy. Brett Martin provided the client with full on-site technical support as well as recommending a cost-effective rainwater solution which had the look and feel of cast iron but offered the long-term benefits of plastic. Due to the building’s age and change of use over the years, there were no technical drawings from which a bill of quantities could be created. To meet the challenge, Brett Martin’s technical team were able to visit the site and help with the specification along with calculations and assistance with installation techniques. The specification of the Cascade rainwater system comprised 112mm Roundstyle Gutters and 68mm Round Downpipes with Tudor Rose Hoppers, all in Classic Black and providing the authentic detailing and finish they were looking for. This was complemented by the Cascade 110mm Push-Fit Soil System to provide a complete look which was architecturally sympathetic to the 19th century building and the original detail of the previous cast iron system. “We are very pleased with the replacement gutter and soil systems as the cast iron style is in keeping with the age and design of the school building. And since leaking gutters are now a thing of the past the Cascade will help protect the building for years to come,” said school site manager, Simon Bruce. Significantly lighter than cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at height, helping to offer the contractor and their client huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs. The system also features external fixing lugs designed to facilitate the use of power tools, further speeding up installation. Using a reputable manufacturer such as Brett Martin offers far more than the quality and versatility of the product itself – they provide superior technical support, detailed installation instructions and maintenance guidelines to ensure rainwater systems perform exactly as promised. With this school building now fully protected and ready for its conversion to an academy, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System has met the aesthetic and performance requirements of the client whilst ensuring a fast, efficient and economical installation.
Bespoke gothic arch lintels from IG lintels have played an important role in the transformation of an 19th century Carmelite convent, the centrepiece of the new Chichester Free School. Vacated in 1994 and in disrepair since a fire destroyed its chapel in 2009, the convent in Hunston, West Sussex, required partial demolition and refurbishment as part of the creation of a new school for over 1280 students. In a design by Novium Architects and built by Farrans Construction, the new school blocks are linear in form with each wing projecting either side of the newly restored and central convent block which forms the heart of the school. The new build aspects have been designed to complement the existing convent block – a heritage building which is essential to the character of the site and a valuable asset to the new school. To ensure the existing convent facades were restored to their former gothic glory, IG Lintels was approached for the design and manufacture of a bespoke double gothic arch lintel. A 1580mm opening span, incorporating two 650mm wide gothic arch details, with a 430mm rise was specified – increasing the end bearing to extend the distribution of the load to the brickwork. This lintel replicated the dimensions of an existing opening, ensuring full structural support was restored. With the new school now open to students from reception through sixth form, IG’s provision of special lintels ensured Farrans Construction effectively retained the original features of the historic building. The previously disused convent building is now fully restored and forms the heart of the Chichester school development, demonstrating the importance of restoring buildings of such architectural significance. The Keystone Group is the UK’s largest Steel Lintel manufacturer and Europe’s fastest growing Roof Window manufacturer. With a strong focus on innovation the company has grown to its present position in the marketplace by establishing a reputation for reliable supply of quality specialist products.
Techo-Bloc has opened a new depot in Nashville, Tennessee. The investment is a testament to Techo-Bloc’s commitment to serving the Nashville market as demand for construction and hardscape products are at an all-time high. Located at 160 Center Point Rd., Suite 101, Hendersonville TN 37077, authorized dealers and contractors will be able to pick up all Techo-Bloc products, including hardscape accessory items. Additionally, the depot will offer material in partial pallet quantity, meaning that materials may be purchased by the layer or by the piece depending on the selling unit. “We are thrilled to be establishing a presence in Nashville,” said Bob Lukenbaugh, USA Sales Director for Techo-Bloc. “We are committed to serving the region’s growing hardscape market, and this depot will help ensure the availability of products and services for local needs.” Founded in 1989, Techo-Bloc is a family-owned business that specializes in the design and production of a wide range of hardscaping products such as pavers, retaining wall systems, patio slabs and masonry stones. The company’s goal has always been to develop design-forward products that are not only durable, but also blend seamlessly and harmoniously with the natural environment. Techo-Bloc serves residential and ICI markets from its eight plants, and currently employs in excess of 800 people.
As the UK’s construction recruitment sector continues to be squeezed by client cost pressures on one side and a shortage of skilled labour on the other, The Shore Group are proud to introduce their latest innovation to address these challenges. The newly launched website offers official Snickers Workwear at the UK’s lowest prices, with the option of spreading the cost and paying in 10 weekly instalments. This unique ‘Wear As You Earn’ approach reduces costs to as little as £1 per day. The new eCommerce division of The Shore Group has partnered with Snickers Workwear to offer the very best workwear in the most accessible way. All customers will pay the UK’s lowest prices for Snickers Workwear with the added benefit of ‘Wear As You Earn’ for thousands of workers supplied by The Shore Group and clients of The Shore Group. “I am so proud to launch this new division of the group with this unique product for the UK market. Our aim is simple to offer the best for customers, clients, the Shore team and the wider community. SnickersLife does this, making the highest quality workwear accessible for all,” said Lewis Yorke-Johnson, MD of The Shore Group. “I passionately believe that the construction sector has a great opportunity to tap into the domestic labour pool right now, but to do that we have to offer a competitive package, great working conditions and opportunities to develop. ‘Wear As You Earn’ offers a simple route to a step change in remuneration and comfort. The feedback from clients has been fantastic as this helps them recruit and retain staff in a hyper competitive marketplace. It also showcases their brand with a slick professional image.” Building on The Shore Group’s emphasis on social responsibility, SnickersLife brings the cost barrier for high quality workwear down significantly. This kind of innovation has been at the heart of The Shore Group’s offer since they founded 15 years ago. Most recently the group introduced free Mental Health First Aid training for all workers, partnering with the partnering with the charity ‘Mates in Mind’. “Comfortable workwear has always been under-funded in the UK. Our vision for SnickersLife is to change this, making the highest levels of performance and comfort possible for all workers. Not only are we offering payment in instalments, but workers are able to request The Shore Group to deduct this directly from their gross salary, simplifying their tax returns. We have big ambitions for our eCommerce offering and the partnership with Snickers is just the first step on the journey,” added Paul Parker, Director of Snickers Life. The SnickersLife.co.uk website now is live and in addition to payment in instalments offers credit card payments and Apple Pay. The site is stocked with a full range of Snickers menswear, womenswear and Snickers-branded accessories. There’s also the added option of customising any item with your company brand for maximum impact with clients and onsite.
Sales and hire equipment specialist MHM Group has worked in partnership with its customer Illumin8, to provide an eco-friendly lighting solution for Anglesey’s Holyhead lorry port. Holyhead is the UK’s second largest roll-on/roll-off ferry port, sees more than 400,000 freight lorries crossing the Irish Sea every year. The new temporary truck park enables customs, market surveillance and other checks for the passage to and from Ireland. In designing the lorry park, diesel-powered 9m lighting towers would have traditionally been used but in line with green government initiatives an eco-friendlier solution was sought. “The use of solar battery-powered tower lights can save considerable sums on fuel and repair costs, as well as tons of CO2e compared with standard diesel models. We always pursue the use of renewables to power our equipment, and so we were ready to take on the challenge of lighting a lorry park of this size to meet the government’s drive on sustainable business,” said Brad Ireland, Group Sales Director at Port Talbot based MHM Group. “Over the last two years, we have seen a big increase in our clients’ willingness to change to greener products. This is being driven by a greater understanding of climate change and of people wanting to make a contribution to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.” MHM Group, which has depots all across the UK, has developed a portable 5.5m solar streetlight model that offers zero carbon emissions. Designed with lorry parks and walkways in mind, the new model includes dusk to dawn sensors and movement detectors for safety and improved surveillance. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the impact our solar battery lighting towers have had in Anglesey. We aim to help businesses all over the UK achieve sustainable goals including zero emission, lower running costs and reduced noise and we hope that this project will begin a new wave of large-scale facilities like these taking on greener and more efficient practices. Here at MHM Group we specialise in the hire to hire market. We do not work directly with contractors or end customers, so it was great to work on this with Illumin8 to find a great solution for their customers’ needs,” added Brad. In partnership with its hire customer Illumin8, MHM Group initially provided 24 lighting towers units, but due to their benefits a further 20 have been delivered on site to provide a well-lit, noise free and clean environment for lorry drivers. “We are always striving to find new and innovate ways of working here at Illumin8, particularly when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment. Collaborating with MHM Group on the Holyhead truck park project has been a brilliant experience and we’re very proud to have found a green, energy-efficient solution for what is set to be a huge platform for the UK trade industry,” concluded Neil Fenwick of Illumin8.
Award-winning consulting engineering firm of Will Rudd Davidson has announced it is to open a Dublin office as it expands operations into Ireland. The move demonstrates the firm’s commitment to further business growth. The successful privately owned engineering consultancy employs over 80 staff in Scotland and the launch of the new office will see the creation of eight new roles in the coming year, including the recruitment of two graduate engineers. The expansion comes at a time when investment in construction projects is high and the market is buoyant. The Will Rudd Davidson team has already secured engineering contracts in the data centre, residential and hotel/leisure sectors in the immediate area and throughout the country. Leading the Dublin and Irish team will be Glasgow’s Managing Director, MJ O’Shaughnessy, who will be supported by associate Shane McGowan. “With projects already underway in Ireland, and a healthy pipeline of work, it made sense to expand operations and commit fully to serving the market in Ireland. I am proud of my Irish heritage and it has always been an aspiration that Will Rudd Davidson would put down some roots here, so for me personally it is a hugely exciting move,” said MJ O’Shaughnessy. “The expansion of Will Rudd Davidson is testament to the incredible work the whole team delivers and this is driving us forward to realise new opportunities. Already we’re experiencing a very positive year, securing a wide range of projects across the UK and Ireland in a variety of sectors including the growing energy sector.” The new office, located in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock district, along with satellite offices in Letrim and Limerick, will cover work throughout the whole country and will provide full civil, structural and conservation engineering and project management services across a wide range of sectors for the consulting engineering firm.
