During the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) 2018 UK Roofing Awards, sponsored by SIG Roofing, charity-minded Surrey roofer, Lee Moran, has been crowned the nation’s top ‘Local Hero’. Part of the Moran Roofing Specialists business, Lee was recognised for his years of fundraising for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which
Construction work on the 155,000 sq ft Etele Plaza in Budapest has begun. The mall, combining unique architectural solutions and digital services, will feature more fashion brands in one place than any other shopping centre in Hungary. The shopping and entertainment centre is expected to open in 2020. The area
The UK suffers from severe shortage in traditional construction skills, a pressure amplified by the fact that the average age of the construction workforce is increasing. A smart solution to this issue would be for the industry to embrace offsite forms of construction to increase the attractiveness of the sector
According to a new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), over half (57%) of Brits wrongly assume that millennials are useless when it comes to carrying out practical jobs around the home. “Society is wrong to assume that the technical know-how of your typical millennial begins and ends
The manufacturing industry is booming, but the increase in production and processes can certainly take their toll on the environment. Barry Crackett is a product designer at the industrial, agricultural, and municipal brushware company Brushtec. The brand is consistently working to make their processes greener, and here he will be
Paul Jennings, the Managing Director of JCB Finance has announced the launch of a campaign to offer more support to SMEs operating in the industrial sector when exploring external funding. New research that was commissioned by JCB Finance has uncovered that more than a quarter of those who responded to
A London construction company has been fined £40,000 for an unsafe basement excavation at a house in Parsons Green. Above: Excavated entrance and exit to and from site Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how RS Construction UK (London) Ltd was working at a site on St Dionis Road, London which was
CITB Wales is calling on the Welsh Government to promote construction careers when the new assembly term begins this week. With major projects planned – and recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies – CITB believes the Government must take a two-pronged approach to the skills challenge ahead and keeping the economy moving. First, it
Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC) has begun construction on a new £140m biomass, renewable energy plant in Kent. Above: The Discovery Park biomass plant The Danish contractor is building the plant on Discovery Park in Sandwich. Construction is scheduled to take two years, creating 300 jobs during its construction
If the new buy-to-let tax rules which come into force this month weren’t bad enough, the Bank of England’s tightening up of mortgage lending criteria will come as a further blow to existing and potential new landlords. Over the last 12 months, landlords have faced a flood of new rules
During the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) 2018 UK Roofing Awards, sponsored by SIG Roofing, charity-minded Surrey roofer, Lee Moran, has been crowned the nation’s top ‘Local Hero’. Part of the Moran Roofing Specialists business, Lee was recognised for his years of fundraising for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which cares for terminally ill people, as well as other good causes. “It was really pleasing to be nominated for the Local Hero Award and a massive surprise to actually win it,” said Lee Moran. The ‘Local Hero’ Award is a new category, introduced for this year’s edition, which celebrates the fantastic work many roofers do in their local communities. Lee has been raising funds since 2012 and he received an unprecedented number of nominations for his many charity works. A Facebook page set up by him, ‘Farnham Rants’, has raised so far more than £10,000 for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. As well as managing the Facebook group, he regularly takes on tough challenges such as the Palace to Palace cycle ride, from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace. “I set it up to encourage light-hearted banter and build an online community where I gently persuade people to take out an advertisement with the money donated to Phyllis Tuckwell,” said Lee about Farnham Rants, which has attracted more than 19,500 members. Lee has also raised money for the Shooting Star Chase children’s hospice and the British Heart Foundation. In addition, he has tackled the London to Brighton Cycle Ride and the Tough Mudder obstacle challenge, both on numerous occasions, to raise funds. Now he is planning a ‘width of England’ cycle marathon for 2019. Moran Roofing Specialists, which has a workforce of 10, was established in the 1960s by Lee’s grandfather Mick. Lee’s father, Darryl, took over in 1981 and now, with his father aiming to retire, Lee has become the third generation of Morans to run the business.
Construction work on the 155,000 sq ft Etele Plaza in Budapest has begun. The mall, combining unique architectural solutions and digital services, will feature more fashion brands in one place than any other shopping centre in Hungary. The shopping and entertainment centre is expected to open in 2020. The area can be accessed in only 10 minutes from downtown Budapest via direct links as it is being constructed in the meeting point of a national/international railway station, underground line 4 that connects the area with the inner parts of the city and the entrance section of the M1 and M7 highways that lead towards Austria and Croatia. Estimated to attract around 40,000 customers every day from the capital, the suburbs and the further towns, Etele Plaza will have a modern design with 200 store units, a supermarket, restaurants, cafés, a multiplex cinema, a gym, a children’s play centre and a range of other services with nearly 1,300 parking lots. The exterior design of the shopping centre will be dominated by the largest curtain wall structure of Hungary – with a height and width of 30 meters – above the main entrance and the retracted metal boxes that jump out from the facades. In the internal area, along with the soft tracing, a nearly 200 square meter interactive LED display interface will bring the latest generation of the shopping centre design to Hungary. In the immediate vicinity of the eco-friendly shopping and entertainment centre, Futureal Group’s largest and iconic office development project, Budapest ONE Business Park is being built in Őrmező. Budapest ONE was one of the firsts in Hungary to obtain the international WELL Building Platinum Precertification, which focuses on the aspects having beneficial impacts on employees’ health and well-being while designing the buildings. “The construction of Budapest ONE and Etele Plaza will give a new momentum to the most important centre of South West Budapest,” said Tibor Tatár, CEO of Futureal.
The UK suffers from severe shortage in traditional construction skills, a pressure amplified by the fact that the average age of the construction workforce is increasing. A smart solution to this issue would be for the industry to embrace offsite forms of construction to increase the attractiveness of the sector to new entrants and to improve productivity to increase output with less labour. Although the construction industry has had a slow start with regards to the smart technology, things are changing now with the integration of a range of devices that make complicated tasks much easier. Looking to the future, new roles are emerging, including Automation Technician, DFM Process Manager with digital design skills, together with hybrid manufacturing roles, for example a Digital Construction Manager, who will take ownership of the product end to end. Explore Offsite South West, taking place on the 11th of July at Sandy Park, Exeter, invited Catherine Bullough, Programme Manager for the National Skills Academy for Construction at CITB, who will be discussing the offsite skills required to meet the future needs of the industry and will be providing an update on the action plan for qualifications and training support. Moreover, Dr Sonja Dragojlovic-Oliveira, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, University of the West of England, will carry out a presentation on the research conducted on offsite routes to delivery for social housing commissioned by a consortium of housing associations. This represents a major opportunity for construction professionals operating in or entering the offsite arena to gain valuable intelligence. The combined conference and exhibition will bring together a range of offsite technology supply chain specialists and industry leaders to discuss the uptake of offsite construction in the South West region. The event will focus on the key themes of offsite technology options, regional supply chain resources, project case studies and the opportunities within the offsite sector. The Explore Offsite event is organised by Constructing Excellence South West, the single organisation charged with driving the change agenda in construction within the south west region which is part of the Constructing Excellence Regional Network (CERN).
According to a new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), over half (57%) of Brits wrongly assume that millennials are useless when it comes to carrying out practical jobs around the home. “Society is wrong to assume that the technical know-how of your typical millennial begins and ends with their smartphone. Well over half of Brits think that those aged 18-34 fall short when it comes to carrying out hands-on tasks around the home. There’s a popular misconception that most young people rely on their parents to complete jobs around the house for them – either through a lack of interest or a lack of ability, or both. However, our research shows that millennials are handier than many give them credit for. Two thirds of young people have hung picture or photo frames on the wall and nearly as many have put together flat-pack furniture and painted something. It’s particularly impressive that half of all young people have been proactive enough to watch a DIY ‘how to’ online video rather than waiting for someone they know the show them or complete the task on their behalf,” said Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. The research shows that the top ten jobs completed by 18-34 year olds are: 70% have defrosted a freezer, 66% have hung picture or photo frames on a wall, 63% have put together flat-pack furniture, 58% have painted a wall or a piece of furniture, 57% have hung curtains, 49% have watched a DIY ‘how to’ video, 48% have sewn a button, 44% have bled a radiator, 43% have changed a fuse in a plug and 36% have put up a shelf. “Although we applaud young people for getting stuck in, it’s important that all generations know their limits when it comes to DIY and home improvements. It’s one thing bleeding a radiator and quite another attempting to knock down a wall or removing a structural beam. Our advice is to refrain from undertaking tasks that are better performed by a professional builder. If homeowners are looking to hire a builder, and aren’t able to extract a reliable recommendation from a family member or friend, they should use the FMB’s ‘Find a Builder’ service. All new members of the FMB are vetted and independently inspected before joining and so consumers can rest assured that they’ll be working with a professional and quality builder,” Berry concluded.
The manufacturing industry is booming, but the increase in production and processes can certainly take their toll on the environment. Barry Crackett is a product designer at the industrial, agricultural, and municipal brushware company Brushtec. The brand is consistently working to make their processes greener, and here he will be sharing his top five tips for making your manufacturing operations more eco-friendly. With recent figures showing that the value of UK manufacturers’ product sales increased by 4.1% between 2016 and 2017, it’s clear that the sector is certainly thriving (Office of National Statistics). And, while that’s great news for all manufacturing and production businesses, this doesn’t come without an environmental impact. Whether you manufacture chemicals, food, or anything else, your processes are bound to emit some harmful greenhouse gases, as well as use up a lot of energy. So, with this and the expansion of the industry in mind, it’s clear that we all need to be taking measures to make our processes more eco- friendly. Here, I will be sharing my top tips for reducing your environmental impact while still allowing your business to progress. Carry out an energy audit Before you begin making any changes, you should carry out an energy audit so you can see how much energy you’re using both overall and on each step of the manufacturing process to identify where you could be using less. These audits can be done by yourself or you can hire a professional to ensure you don’t miss any important observations. These usually include monitoring production lines, machinery, lighting, and anything else that is guilty of guzzling excess energy and harming the environment along the way.
Paul Jennings, the Managing Director of JCB Finance has announced the launch of a campaign to offer more support to SMEs operating in the industrial sector when exploring external funding. New research that was commissioned by JCB Finance has uncovered that more than a quarter of those who responded to the survey who had bank loans or overdrafts said that they felt that they felt a lower level of risk to their personal assets than was explained when borrowing from the bank. Following the results from this research, JCB Finance has launched a campaign to offer more assistance to SMEs in industry and ensure that they have better access to the funding that can help them increase their financial capital equipment without having to use the unnecessary security of their personal assets. As a part of this campaign the company will also be launching a range of exciting new services. It is important for JCB Finance to offer their customers reassurance and understanding as well as services that have been tailored to meet their customer’s’ needs. Big banks have recently been withdrawing funding for small businesses during an uncertain period when they need it the most. JCB Finance are doing the opposite and making the effort to make sure that they can offer the support that smaller businesses need to thrive and expand. JCB Finance are working to deliver support with asset finance, with hire purchase and leasing to help the smallest of companies to obtain the resources that are required to operate while also protecting the company’s capital. The research carried out by the JCB Finance also emphasised the variety of different preferences that customers have in terms of the arrangement of their finance facilities. Over half of the respondents prefer face to face meetings, whereas a quarter prefers telephone conversations. The survey also showed that 41% of SMEs find it difficult to find time in conventional office hours to arrange finance, with more than half also concerned with the cyber security of such transactions. Because of this JCB Finance will be launching their Online and Sign Online platforms that will allow for the secure and convenient signing of finance agreements with no need for printing, scanning and emailing. Customers using these platforms will also be able to access details about the agreement as well as correspondence to allow them to plan their cash flow more effectively.
A London construction company has been fined £40,000 for an unsafe basement excavation at a house in Parsons Green. Above: Excavated entrance and exit to and from site Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how RS Construction UK (London) Ltd was working at a site on St Dionis Road, London which was inspected by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The inspector found there was an excavation directly behind the front door, which was the only entrance and exit for the site. The excavation was approximately 3.5 metres deep with no shoring to support the sides of the excavation and no edge protection around the top to stop anyone or anything falling into it. Of immediate concern was a worker in the bottom of the excavation who was instructed to get out of the pit. An investigation by the HSE found that the RS Construction had received previous enforcement action on similar risks at other sites and still failed to ensure suitable and sufficient safe access and egress to and from the construction site. It also failed to ensure all practicable steps were taken to prevent danger to any person from working in the excavation. RS Construction UK (London) Limited, of International House, Regents Street, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 17(1)(a) and 22(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was fined £40,000 (£20,000 for each offence) and ordered to pay full costs of £1,486. This article was published on 15 Apr 2016 (last updated on 15 Apr 2016). Source link
CITB Wales is calling on the Welsh Government to promote construction careers when the new assembly term begins this week. With major projects planned – and recent rises in Welsh construction vacancies – CITB believes the Government must take a two-pronged approach to the skills challenge ahead and keeping the economy moving. First, it is vital schools and Careers Wales are given sufficient resources to promote careers in construction to young people. Second, the Government’s new National Infrastructure Commission for Wales must have the scope to plan and finance key projects as well as upskill the workforce. CITB Wales’ call comes as: Figures from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast strong growth in the nation’s construction output – 5.8% over the period 2016-2020, leading to the creation of approximately 5,700 new jobs each year; A range of major job-creating construction projects – including the South Wales Metro, Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station and the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon – are planned or in the pipeline; The Welsh Government is considering its budget for services such as Careers Wales. “The next decade will present major construction challenges and opportunities for Wales,” says CITB Wales Cymru Strategic Partnerships Director Mark Bodger. “With a number of big projects in the pipeline it is crucial that construction is recognised as an attractive career choice for young people. However, we also need the Welsh Government to do everything it can to get those game-changing infrastructure projects off the ground.” To meet the skills challenge, CITB says the National Assembly for Wales’ Children Young People and Education Committee should improve the resources available to Careers Wales and schools in order to promote construction careers. Encouraging greater diversity in the construction sector should also be a priority, with the industry-backed Go Construct campaign providing young people and job seekers with support on how to enter the industry. “Across Wales there are major projects either underway or in the pipeline, which can inspire confidence in the sector and capture the imagination of anyone interested in a construction career,” says Mr Bodger. CITB Wales outlined how the new National Infrastructure Commission (NICW) can maximise the potential of the Welsh construction Sector. The Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee should: bridge the construction skills gap through apprenticeships and upskilling bring certainty to long-term infrastructure planning invest in construction projects so communities across Wales benefit in terms of reduced unemployment, poverty and homelessness ensure specialist construction expertise is on the Commission’s board. “If we ensure these big projects commence, it’ll help attract more young people to join the industry and giving a major boost not just for construction, but the Welsh economy as a whole,” Mr. Bodger said. Source link
Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor (BWSC) has begun construction on a new £140m biomass, renewable energy plant in Kent. Above: The Discovery Park biomass plant The Danish contractor is building the plant on Discovery Park in Sandwich. Construction is scheduled to take two years, creating 300 jobs during its construction phase. It will eventually produce all the power and heat requirements for the science and technology park. Biomass fuel will be sourced from various wood types, including coppice grown locally in Kent and East Sussex. Discovery Park managing director Paul Barber said: “Discovery Park has from the start been a place for innovation and we have been successful in building on that past success over the past four years. “The agreement to press ahead with the new biomass energy plant, not only represents a major investment in the site, but puts the park in the unique position of being supplied with a reliable source of green energy. “The new biomass plant, is a vital part of ensuring the site’s ongoing success – part of a number of investments and ongoing work that will not only create jobs and prosperity for East Kent but increases its sustainability too.” The start of work on the new biomass plant coincides with a step up in activity on site with Instro Precision’s 46,000 sq ft new manufacturing plant taking shape over the coming months ahead of a January 2017 launch. Works on the west site development land have also begun with a new 20,000 sq ft unit for specialist timber frame company, OFP Timber Framed Homes. This article was published on 24 Jun 2016 (last updated on 24 Jun 2016). Source link
If the new buy-to-let tax rules which come into force this month weren’t bad enough, the Bank of England’s tightening up of mortgage lending criteria will come as a further blow to existing and potential new landlords. Over the last 12 months, landlords have faced a flood of new rules and regulations and the latest initiative means there will be tougher lending criteria applied to all landlords that are looking to purchase a buy-to-let property. The Bank of England hopes that the stricter lending criteria will reduce the amount of buy-to-let lending by 10% to 20% in three years’ time. Until now, landlords have typically required a 25% deposit to get a buy-to-let mortgage, as well as rent to cover their monthly mortgage payments by 125%. The Prudential Regulation Authority – which is the Bank of England’s arm that regulates the financial sector – wants lenders to make more stringent income checks on landlords, to ensure they can afford the mortgages on their rental properties. It also wants banks to test whether landlords can still afford the monthly payments on these loans if interest rates rise. Jane Morris, Managing Director of PropertyLetByUs.com comments: “This new lending criteria is a move at slowing down the booming buy-to-let market, which has seen a rush of landlords purchasing property to beat the stamp duty rise, which comes into effect this month. We have seen a sharp increase in the number of landlords placing properties with us over the last six months and since January, landlord sign ups have increased by 50 -60%. However, the market is very likely to slow down over the next few months, with Britain’s 1.8 million landlords now facing the brunt of the increased taxes and new mortgage restrictions. The buy-to-let market provides the UK with essential housing for over 2.5 million tenants and has been unjustly targeted by the government. Landlords will need to find ways to protect their profits and income. Inevitably, we will see rent rises and many landlords will be reviewing their fixed costs. It is certainly a good time to review lettings costs, as some landlords could make significant savings on their letting agent finder and fully managed fees.” Source link