Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch has hired six lighting towers to the BBC’s ‘Biggest Weekend’ music festival held at Singleton Park, just outside the City centre. The safety of the visitors was of paramount importance; therefore the event organisers contacted Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch requesting some substantial engine-powered lighting sets that
Supreme Concrete, the leading manufacturer of high performance precast and prestressed concrete, said that more builders and homeowners are turning to concrete as a long-life and sustainable alternative, particularly for fencing, as timber prices continue to increase and news reveal that the industry could be hit by a £1 billion
William Garvey, British furniture designers and makers, were commissioned by furniture designer Catriona Braybrooke to create a collection of freestanding wooden furniture for the kitchen, bathroom, dining and bedroom areas for the dower house of a Gloucestershire property. The firm was responsible for project management, surveying working drawings, CNC, manufacture,
The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill 2017-19, also known as the ‘Aldous Bill’, is expected to have its second reading in June this year. The aim of the Aldous Bill is to make provision for protecting retention monies in connection with construction contracts by amending the Housing Grants, Construction and
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has completed the first phase of the £210 million Exeter Skypark development – the Number One Tiger Moth Road, a 1,790 m2 speculative Grade A office building. The firm worked together with its client, St. Modwen, and created three storeys of energy efficient office
Transport and heavy rigging firm Dynamic Specialized replaced a transformer at a facility in Northern Virginia, using a Hydra-Slide hydraulic skidding system, turntable and related products combined to provide a suitable alternative to a crane. The work covered the removal and relocation of one unit, in addition to the positioning
The new ‘best practice’ guidelines, regarding bedroom and bathroom accessibility in multi-occupancy buildings, have been published. To help hotel, residential and care home operators and communal/supported housing providers to comply with the guidelines, Closomat, Britain’s leading provider of disabled toilet solutions, has announced a unique package. The BS8300:2018 Design of
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement has settled a new two year pay deal worth 6.2%, meaning that construction workers operating under the agreement are set for a boost in pay and allowance starting with next month. The agreement covers workers operating in civil engineering and the so-called biblical
Abbiegail Hill has been appointed by Voestalpine Metsec plc as part of the company’s commitment to bridging the skills gap and encouraging women to consider engineering and manufacturing roles. The scheme offers a fast-track approach and requires the apprentice to attend college four days a week with the remaining day
An AJ Top 100 architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP), has completed a £7.7 million, 5,894 m2 new build warehouse, factory and office building on a vacant 4.5 acre plot at the Watermead Business Park, Syston, near Leicester. The facility was built for Albert Browne, owned by STERIS
Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch has hired six lighting towers to the BBC’s ‘Biggest Weekend’ music festival held at Singleton Park, just outside the City centre. The safety of the visitors was of paramount importance; therefore the event organisers contacted Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch requesting some substantial engine-powered lighting sets that would ensure the safe passage of both foot traffic and vehicles into the main arena. “We have close links with the event teams at Swansea Council and they recommended us to the organisers of the Biggest Weekend. The requirement was for good quality lighting along with extended running times between refuelling,” said Brandon Hire’s Swansea branch manager, Chris Lewis. “We decided that due to the importance of this very prestigious event, the X-Eco LED lighting sets would be the best product to cover the organiser’s responsibilities. We have had previous experience with these units and always found them more than satisfactory,” added Chris. MHM Plant, the power and lighting specialists, were the suppliers of the X-Eco LED lights. The X-Eco LED features six energy saving LED lamps and is fitted with AMOSS safety system, which automatically lowers the mast if the lighting set is moves while the mast is still erected. In addition, it has a fully bunded fuel tank that prevents fuel and oil from falling onto the ground, thus eliminating the possibility of slips and ground contamination. Brandon Hire was established in 1971 and is a major national tool and equipment hire business with over 900 employees, operating from a network of 143 locations across the UK. The company became part of Vp plc, the equipment rental specialist, in November 2017, following the acquisition of Brandon Hire Group Holdings Limited. MHM is headquartered in Port Talbot, South Wales and supplies a range of power generation machines, lighting and related equipment throughout the UK. The company also operated a rehire service to rental companies wishing to provide a hire service to their clients without having to endure costly capital outlay.
Supreme Concrete, the leading manufacturer of high performance precast and prestressed concrete, said that more builders and homeowners are turning to concrete as a long-life and sustainable alternative, particularly for fencing, as timber prices continue to increase and news reveal that the industry could be hit by a £1 billion bill if Britain leaves the EU Customs Union. The post-Brexit concerns are combined with the rise in timber prices that has been happening for the last 12 months. Industry commentators are agreed that this trajectory looks set to continue on its path. However, this can be allayed by opting for concrete alternatives. Concrete fencing posts manufactured in the UK provide a more economically viable option as they can be delivered with shorter lead times and are not subjected to changing EU tariffs. “This is a cost-sensitive industry. The latest increases in price are clearly the result of a global demand for timber from emerging economies and of course as the fuel-source for biomass energy plants. These factors, coupled with the news that EU timber imports will cease being VAT free if we leave the EU Customs Union, mean the rising tide of people choosing concrete over timber is set to continue,” said Tim Wright, Sales Director for Supreme Concrete. “As well as concretes cost effectiveness and vastly increased durability of over timber alternatives, products manufactured here in the UK offer shorter lead times and guaranteed availability – the net result is a much more reliable and sustainable solution,” he continued. Supreme Concrete, part of Ibstock plc, is a UK manufacturer of high performance concrete fencing and building products. Founded in 1979 on the basis of innovatively designed products that are precision manufacture and supported by exceptional customer service, the company faced rapid growth. Today, Supreme Concrete offers a comprehensive range of precast building components, fencing products and lintels.
William Garvey, British furniture designers and makers, were commissioned by furniture designer Catriona Braybrooke to create a collection of freestanding wooden furniture for the kitchen, bathroom, dining and bedroom areas for the dower house of a Gloucestershire property. The firm was responsible for project management, surveying working drawings, CNC, manufacture, polishing, installation, materials and delivery. William Garvey needed to ensure quality pieces of furniture made from material sympathetic to the architecture of the home and its rich history. Careful discussions led to the specification of hardwood timbers, such as Oak, Ash and Black Walnut, which offer a natural raw beauty with enhanced durability and strength, making it ideal for an active home set in the Gloucestershire countryside. The bespoke freestanding furniture for this project includes cabinetry, fitted base units/drawers with bar handles, and a freestanding tall cupboard with built-in storage, all crafted from solid oak; sink, a wooden Double Belfast Sink made from teak; Kitchen Table, a trestle style dining table, made from walnut; and six chairs, made from walnut and with bound hemp rope backrests and seats – all for the Kitchen – and a 2700mm x 1000mm Dining Table, made from walnut and designed to complement the homeowner’s original set of modernist Italian chairs for the Dining Room. For the Bathroom and Shower Room, William Garvey created a Bath surround, which is a fully enclosed bath tub surrounded with rim and made from teak; a Basin counter and shelving, including built-in medicine cabinets with peep-hole handles, made from teak; and Basin countertop, designed to accommodate the undermount basin with integrated full-length shelving, made from oak. The Bedrooms benefited from a twin set of freestanding wardrobes with ebonised handles, made of ash; a bedside cabinet with three drawers and open storage, made from walnut and another bedside cabinet with open shelf and concealed storage, made from walnut. For the Flooring, the firm decided on American Black Walnut, while for the Interior Doors & Frames it opted out for eight doors and six frames, made from oak and a front door and frame made from oak as well. The oak door is made in the classic time honoured country door fashion of two layers of planks one at right angles to the other. Specialists in the craft of working with wood, William Garvey exploits the advantages of bespoke furniture by tailoring it to the needs of the individual and the space it will occupy.
The Construction (Retention Deposit Schemes) Bill 2017-19, also known as the ‘Aldous Bill’, is expected to have its second reading in June this year. The aim of the Aldous Bill is to make provision for protecting retention monies in connection with construction contracts by amending the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (the “Construction Act 1996”). The construction sector has some of the highest new company insolvencies per year; therefore the need to reform is significant. Many building contracts and subcontracts allow an employer or a contractor to retain a percentage of the value of the work carried out until completion, working as an ‘insurance policy’ in case something goes wrong. The Construction Act 1996 does not expressly make provisions for retentions however, the rules contained therein apply to the payment or withholding of a retention, provided the contract is a ‘construction contract’. According to the statistics of the Insolvency Service, in 2015 the construction sector had the highest number of new company insolvencies in England and Wales in comparison with other industries. The statistics coupled with the issues identified by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) consultation, such as delays in releasing retentions, construction customers making a retention payment conditional on the performance of obligations under another contract and held retentions, only serve to support the argument for reforming the use of retentions in the construction industry. If successful, the Aldous Bill will therefore create a mandatory retention deposit scheme. However, it is noted that the Aldous Bill lacks specificity as the same requires the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers, by statutory instrument, to make arrangements for securing that one or more retention deposit scheme is available for the purpose of safeguarding any cash retention withheld in connection with construction contracts. Indeed, the scope of the definitions of “construction contract” and “cash retention” are wide and it remains to be seen how effective the reforms may be until the regulations put flesh on the bones of the Act. Whilst it is rare for a Private Members’ Bill to reach the statute book, the Bill has gained support, perhaps owing to the insolvency of Carillion earlier this year which created a domino effect throughout the construction industry. According to the Building Engineering Services Association, 120 MPs have confirmed their support for new laws which would place retention monies into protection schemes. The widespread use of retentions might exacerbate the number of construction company insolvencies further if their use is not properly reformed. It is hoped that the Aldous Bill will increase confidence in the sector by ensuring retention monies are ring-fenced and thus potentially reducing the knock-on effect of insolvencies in the future.
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has completed the first phase of the £210 million Exeter Skypark development – the Number One Tiger Moth Road, a 1,790 m2 speculative Grade A office building. The firm worked together with its client, St. Modwen, and created three storeys of energy efficient office space, designed to be divided into three sub-let units, one of which is already let. One of the South West’s most significant business park developments, Exeter Skypark is a cutting-edge Business Park Development and the cornerstone of the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point. Number One Tiger Moth Road creates the gateway into the core office quarter and anchors the southern edge of enterprise Square, a vibrant landscaped area with water features and communal areas for employees to meet and relax. “Number One Tiger Moth Road sets the benchmark for development across the park and establishes the vision for a high quality public realm and built form. The overall proportions of the building are particularly successful in creating a balanced, lightweight, contemporary form which merges masonry with the crisp aesthetic of glass and aluminium,” said Ian Yallop, chairman of SGP. The Skypark’s design demonstrated an integrated approach to sustainability, with SGP taking a holistic three stage approach for its first phase. It utilises the building orientation and fabric to reduce energy, then it uses smart technology such as BMS and intelligent LED lighting systems to further reduce energy use and lastly, it installed a side wide district heating system that serves the entire development. As a result, Number One Tiger Moth Road achieved both BREEAM Excellent and is EPC A rated. The scheme aims to create a business park environment that provides space for a wide range of businesses, benefiting the local economy and business community. Its first commercial sub-let was finalised within three months of build completion, bringing 40 jobs to the area and proving its success. In total, Skypark will create a new business community of up to 7,500 employees which will be served by the on-site carbon neutral district heating system and set within a landscaped environment of more than 100 acres.
Transport and heavy rigging firm Dynamic Specialized replaced a transformer at a facility in Northern Virginia, using a Hydra-Slide hydraulic skidding system, turntable and related products combined to provide a suitable alternative to a crane. The work covered the removal and relocation of one unit, in addition to the positioning of a larger transformer on the vacated foundation. “This was a difficult project for us to secure as the local crane company had done a very good job of convincing the client that a jacking and sliding system was simply too slow and they could beat our schedule. While our method was already more cost effective it took some convincing to demonstrate that we could get the work done at the same pace, once they factored in crane set-up time etc.,” said Josh Sohler, operations manager at Dynamic. The existing transformer weighed 190,000 lbs. and measured 20’5” x 18’ x 14’9”, while the other (to be kept as a spare) was larger, at 28’2” x 18’6” x 18’1, and weighed in at 300,000 lbs. The solution used during the process involved Dynamic Specialized’s heavy track hydraulic skidding system and a Hydra-Slide turntable. The HT500 was employed to slide the loads, while the turntable rotated the larger transformer 90 degrees. Although the initial plan was for the transformer to be disassembled, drained and have all the bushings removed, once on site, the team decided to move the heavier transformer fully dressed, saving time. With the help of Hydra-Slice system that was possible. “The Hydra-Slide staff and products are second to none. The system and support have been, and continue to be, well over our expectations and we could not be happier. Many of our local competitors are either still utilizing older, ‘homemade-type’ systems or utilizing larger class (and much more expensive) cranes to do the same work. The Hydra-Slide system is quick, clean, safe, and controlled; we continuously receive compliments before, during, and after projects,” Josh concluded.
The new ‘best practice’ guidelines, regarding bedroom and bathroom accessibility in multi-occupancy buildings, have been published. To help hotel, residential and care home operators and communal/supported housing providers to comply with the guidelines, Closomat, Britain’s leading provider of disabled toilet solutions, has announced a unique package. The BS8300:2018 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment extends the remit of compliance covered under its predecessor BS8300:2009. This latest version applies to all building types that require permanent sleeping accommodation for disabled people, as it is not specific to new build projects. Due to the fact that some disabilities are not visible but still require urgent access to sanitary facilities, under the new guidelines, more bathrooms will be refurbished to accommodate people suffering from bladder or bowel continence for example. Moreover, up to 5% of bedrooms should have a wheelchair accessible en-suite shower room, if en-suite facilities are available elsewhere in the building; a further 1% should have a fixed track hoist system, a further 5% maximum should have an en-suite for ambulant disabled people, with an overall total of 15% of bedrooms large enough to enable easy adaptation if required in the future. “Accessibility is a growing consideration in building design,” explained Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager. “Whether designing a new build or refurbishing, it makes sense to future-proof it to accommodate the growing numbers of people with impairments who need help who will stay somewhere, whether short, medium or long term.” Closomat offers a range of contemporary ceiling track hoist systems tailored to individual needs, as well as grab rails, height-adjustable or fixed washbasins that enable a quick and easy adaptation to individual needs. Its range of wash & dry toilets take accessibility into higher realms of inclusion and intimate hygiene, with contemporary styled floor – standing, wall-mounted and height adjustable variants. Closomat’s website is the ‘go to’ resource to help take the first steps towards efficient accessibility provision, including design guidance, white papers, CAD blocks, NBS specification clauses and case studies.
The Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) agreement has settled a new two year pay deal worth 6.2%, meaning that construction workers operating under the agreement are set for a boost in pay and allowance starting with next month. The agreement covers workers operating in civil engineering and the so-called biblical trades, such as carpenters, bricklayers and painters. From Monday, the 25th of June, pay rates will increase by an inflation beating 3.2%. The pay increase will mean that the minimum rate for craft workers, including carpenters, bricklayers and painters is £12.31 an hour, with the general operative (labourer) minimum rate increasing to £9.26 an hour. Pay rates will increase by a further 2.9% from Monday, the 24th of June 2019. “This deal is a strong step in the right direction and will give construction workers a well-deserved pay increase. The increases in allowances and other benefits, underline the value of working under an industrial agreement and being part of collective bargaining arrangements,” said Unite national officer for construction Jerry Swai. “Over the next two years we will be working to further strengthen the agreement and ensure that it is brought into line with other agreements in all matters and is seen as relevant on major construction sites. Construction workers need to remain vigilant that employers actually pay the agreed pay rates. Too often in construction employers try to boost their profits by failing to pay agreed increases,” he added. Moreover, the travel allowance will increase in line with the percentage rise in pay rates, while the tax free fare allowance will increase in line with inflation. Industry sick pay is to be increased and extended as well. It will rise to £130 per week (paid in addition to statutory sick pay) an increase of 6.1% and it will now be paid for 13 weeks. There has also been a significant increase of 6.5% in the payment for first year apprentices who will receive £5.50 an hour. “As further significant construction projects emerge over the next few years, this deal offers genuine hope of retaining the much needed skills for the industry, as well as attracting new apprentices, with the percentage uplift for apprentice rates further reinforcing the importance of this latter point,” said GMB national officer Ross Murdoch.
Abbiegail Hill has been appointed by Voestalpine Metsec plc as part of the company’s commitment to bridging the skills gap and encouraging women to consider engineering and manufacturing roles. The scheme offers a fast-track approach and requires the apprentice to attend college four days a week with the remaining day spent on the job for the first six months of the course. “We recognise the importance of diversity in the construction industry and therefore it is important that UK engineering, construction and manufacturing companies seek female talent going forward and ensure the next generation is fully aware of the exciting opportunities available,” said Stephen Giles, environmental, safety and training manager at Metsec. “Metsec is taking proactive steps to bring more women into the industry and we regularly attend local schools to initiate interest and discuss the options surrounding our work experience placements.” Abbiegail Hill has been employed within the structural design department and will spend all of her course in full-time employment as an apprentice. This approach provides students with the relevant technical knowledge to excel when working on site and to achieve the NVQ Level 3 qualification more quickly in comparison to other schemes. At the end of her six months, Metsec will then recruit another student, while allowing the apprentice to move into a full time position. “Apprenticeships are a key part of Metsec’s culture as they bring fresh ideas and ensure we’re a strong competitive force in the market, and we welcome Abbiegail to the team. She is now one of three apprentices working towards a career in our structural design department, with each student having their own specialism at the end of their course,” said Stephen. This award winning scheme has seen more than 100 engineering apprentices join Metsec over the last two decades. Metsec apprentices have the opportunity to experience every aspect of the business and have access to the latest technology in the company’s state-of-the-art facility.
An AJ Top 100 architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP), has completed a £7.7 million, 5,894 m2 new build warehouse, factory and office building on a vacant 4.5 acre plot at the Watermead Business Park, Syston, near Leicester. The facility was built for Albert Browne, owned by STERIS Corporation, and it will showcase the company’s product quality and high level of quality assurance in its production methods, as well as merging staff and processes from two sites whilst allowing space for any potential future expansion. “Working alongside Albert Browne and the STERIS Corporation, SGP has designed a flexible, high-quality production facility whose refined design delivers a contemporary building that meets the clients’ current and future needs,” said Ian Yallop, chairman of SGP. The purpose-built facility uses a contemporary form with large areas of glazing and a simple neutral colour palette. Three interlocking forms with an asymmetric curved roof contain the main production and storage building whilst a lower block contains the office and R&D functions. A change in colour on each block helps to break down the overall mass, forming an animated ‘gateway’ into the city and responding to glimpsed views from the A607. The entrances are emphasised by a two storey blue framed glazed structure containing reception and meeting rooms with a double height void over the reception area. Stephen George + Partners is one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, employing over 85 staff across offices in London, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and Solihull. With its strategic geographical locations and talented architectural design teams, the practice specialises in masterplanning and the residential, industrial, logistics, office, education, health and retail sectors. Success in the UK has led to opportunities overseas, resulting in the establishment of Stephen George International in 2009. In 2016 Stephen George + Partners turned over £6 million.