Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Jul 12th 2016 Glazing systems by Kawneer feature on several buildings at Swansea University’s new Bay Campus. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Architectural aluminium systems by leading supplier Kawneer have played a key
10 September 2016 – by Alexander Peace The first property bill of Theresa May’s new government emerged this week in much diluted form. The Neighbourhood Planning Bill, known previously as the Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill, was due to be released before parliament’s summer recess but was hit by the
Britcon has finished construction work at a new tipping station for Singleton Birch. The £200,000 contract was first awarded to the company to create a new concrete structure as well as the surrounding civils work that provided access to sorting materials. The concrete structure has been built at Singleton Birch’s
Wheatcroft Land has a new Director. The Leicester-based development company has recently re-emerged with the new director, Catherine Haward following her father’s footsteps and transforming the company into a fierce contender in the Midlands property market. Catherine, in her role of Director, is focused on expanding the company’s presence in
Makita has announced the launch of a new unique cordless and brushless LXT Router/Trimmer. The newly released Makita range features the mains supply and trimmers although it is the new cordless product that appears to combine all of the key elements of both tools in order to offer their customers
Mobilane® Green Screens is a company that is based in London and has seen a 20% year-on-year growth since 2009. The company works to deliver innovative green screening solutions for their customers. Mobilane delivers a range of solutions that can enhance a space and improve wellbeing by creating a more
Unispace has appointed Sam Sahni as Principal for Strategy based in its London studio, with a view to overseeing the European development of its strategy offering. Highly experienced within the consulting and construction industry, Sam has comprehensive experience and knowledge of a knowledge variety of sectors including Finance, FMCG, Real
House building and construction remaining robust in face of ongoing Brexit talks. According to figures released last month by Barbour ABI, a leading provider of construction sector intelligence, infrastructure projects across the UK have hit a new six-year low. The sector accounted for £784 million of construction contract values, which
A Norfolk student has told of her excitement ahead of starting a two-year scholarship sponsored by the East Anglia’s leading independent construction company, R G Carter. Lucie Gresham – Hill, 16, will gain invaluable skills and knowledge in the engineering and construction industry after winning an award from the Arkwright
Scottish government takes vital leap forward on payment Published: 04 October, 2016 The Scottish government’s announcement that Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) are to be used as the preferred method for improving payment conditions and speeding up cashflow on all public sector construction projects valued over £4 million has been hailed
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Tue, Jul 12th 2016 Glazing systems by Kawneer feature on several buildings at Swansea University’s new Bay Campus. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday Architectural aluminium systems by leading supplier Kawneer have played a key part in the design of the facade of what was the largest construction project in South Wales. Kawneer’s curtain walling, windows and doors feature on several buildings on Swansea University’s £450million Science and Innovation Bay Campus site, one of the few global universities with direct access onto a beach and its own seafront promenade, which is being delivered by the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and University partner St. Modwen. The project comprised a 1,000,000ft2 development in Neath Port Talbot on the exposed shores of Swansea bay, including 465,000ft2 of academic space and 1,462 student residences, associated retail space, highway works and on-site infrastructure for the 5,000 students and 1,000 staff. Designed to BREEAM standards, the Kawneer elements on Phase 1 by main contractor VINCI Construction UK were installed by approved specialist sub-contractors APiC UK and AB Glass. These include Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling with 50mm sightlines, AA®541 top-hung, open-out casement windows and series 190 heavy-duty commercial entrance doors on the School of Management (pictured), Great Hall and Bay Library buildings. AA®110 mullion-drained curtain walling, with 65mm sightlines, is being installed on the School of Management. The education element apart, Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling and AA®541 side-hung, open-out casement windows were also used on the student residences. In addition, Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling and AA®541 top-hung casement windows were installed on the Institute of Structural Materials (home to Swansea Material Research and Testing Ltd ‘SMART’) and Engineering East (home to Engineering Manufacturing Centre) – part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government. Glyn Parker, associate with frequent Kawneer users Powell Dobson Architects, said the Kawneer systems were „key to the weathering and aesthetics of the buildings,“ with their aluminium make-up contributing to the BREEAM scoring. He added: “They were a key part of the architectural appreciation, meeting the requirements of the technical brief with pleasing aesthetics. Skilful detailing by the designers ensured the weathering characteristics were achieved.“ Typically constructed of steel frame cladding and precast masonry systems, the academic part of the 65-acre campus on the former BP storage and transit site is formed of low-rise, modern-style buildings incorporating teaching space and R&D facilities, the latter in partnership with international and national companies. The student residences are traditionally-styled collegiate blocks arranged in courtyard configurations with fabulous views across the Swansea bay area. Designed by architects Prophyrious (site master planners and concept architects) with Hopkins, the project is aimed at delivering world-leading research, innovation and education facilities to the city and surrounding community. Development work will continue up to 2020. ENDS St. Modwen is developing the Bay Campus with contractors VINCI Construction UK, Galliford Try and Swansea University’s framework contractor Leadbitter, a Bouygues UK company. Visit www.swan.ac.uk/campus-development Photo: Swansea University Source link
10 September 2016 – by Alexander Peace The first property bill of Theresa May’s new government emerged this week in much diluted form. The Neighbourhood Planning Bill, known previously as the Neighbourhood Planning and Infrastructure Bill, was due to be released before parliament’s summer recess but was hit by the aftermath of the EU referendum. Amendments include the strengthening of neighbourhood plans and new compulsory purchase powers, while the privatisation of the Land Registry and the creation of the National Infrastructure Commission were put on hold. A second reading of the bill will take place on 10 October. Here are the five things you need to know: 1. Changes to strengthen neighbourhood planning The bill aims to give more weight to neighbourhood plans earlier in the planning process, to encourage community participation and ensure they have influence. Even if plans have not been ratified, they are to be taken into account, giving them more weight. It will also make plans more flexible, allowing changes to existing plans, authorities to intervene more easily, and allows for sub-plans by communities within broader neighbourhood plans. All the content from this weekís magazine, including this article, is available in the new app. James Bainbridge, head of planning and development at Carter Jonas, said: “The majority of neighbourhood plans to date have focused on stopping development rather than promoting it. “Neighbourhoods as they are defined often don’t have the ability to see the bigger picture to deliver the scale of infrastructure that is required.” 2. Streamlining compulsory purchase orders CPO regulations will be simplified to be clearer, fairer and faster. The government said the process can currently be uncertain and complex. Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “The measures to improve the CPO system are particularly important as they will help to bring about infrastructure projects more quickly and efficiently, which are crucial for attracting inward investment and acting as a catalyst for regeneration schemes.” Click here to find out what else you need to know Source link
Britcon has finished construction work at a new tipping station for Singleton Birch. The £200,000 contract was first awarded to the company to create a new concrete structure as well as the surrounding civils work that provided access to sorting materials. The concrete structure has been built at Singleton Birch’s Melton Ross Quarry which is neat to Kirmington in North Lincolnshire. Singleton Birch Ltd is the UK’s leading independent lime supplier and has a customer base that is spread across the world. The company produces quicklime, hydrated lime, natural hydraulic lime, graded chalk, aggregates and other specialist products and services. The company found an opportunity to change their processed in order to operate in a more cost effective manner. The business found that they could quarry their stone reserves more effectively and following a review decided to create a new centralised tipping station. The new tipping station that has been delivered by Britcon will help the leading independent lime supplier to move their stone away from the working face. Britcon has, in the past delivered the £400,000 Quarry Fines building which can be found on the same site in Kirmington. The Quarry Fines building houses a bulk store, screen house, crusher house, microlime plant and ancillary facilities. The company was appointed to deliver the new tipping station because of Britcon’s site experience and exiting long-term relationship with Singleton Birch Ltd. The new station now feeds the stone into an existing feeder and on to the company’s network of conveyors in order to initiate a significantly more efficient sorting process that will no doubt save Singleton Birch both time and money. Britcon has specialist expertise in mining and quarry construction projects and ha in the past worked on the £2.5 million infrastructure works at Glensanda Quarry which can be found on the Morvern Peninsula.
Wheatcroft Land has a new Director. The Leicester-based development company has recently re-emerged with the new director, Catherine Haward following her father’s footsteps and transforming the company into a fierce contender in the Midlands property market. Catherine, in her role of Director, is focused on expanding the company’s presence in the commercial and retail property sectors. However, her move to take the reigns of the family business has seen Catherine completely switch careers. Four years ago she was working for Leicestershire Police, now Catherine is in her final year of studying a degree in real estate while running Wheatcroft Land by herself. On top of this Catherine is also a mum to a teenage daughter and son, illustrating her capabilities with such diverse responsibilities. Catherine took the decision to leave the police and take over the running of the family business when her father’s health deteriorated and he was unable to be involved in the company. Catherine will be working to make sure that her father’s legacy continues, while also looking to grow Wheatcroft Land’s commercial property portfolio as well as breaking into the residential property market. Catherine feels that the Midlands is an ideal place to invest as the north/south divide appears to be narrowing as development and regeneration increases. Also, in the property market at the moment, more and more people are finding themselves priced out of the southern property market and are looking to commute to London from the areas surrounding the capital. With the increased developments of the rail network other transport link, people have the opportunity to liver farther out, allowing them more house for the price and reducing the commute. There is a great opportunity in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire for regeneration which can make them more desirable areas for commercial and residential opportunities. Since becoming Director of Wheatcroft, Catherine has been impressed with the progression of a number of new projects while also looking to identify other development sites across the East Midlands.
Makita has announced the launch of a new unique cordless and brushless LXT Router/Trimmer. The newly released Makita range features the mains supply and trimmers although it is the new cordless product that appears to combine all of the key elements of both tools in order to offer their customers the best solution. This new tool is completely unique in the marketplace and has a variety of different options. Such as trimmer, plunge, tilt and offset bases. The low energy and high performance brushless motor can operate between 10,000 rpm and 30,000 rpm. The speed can be altered using a control dial and it is also possible to use a constant speed feature. The new DRT50 is also incredibly versatile and is available to purchase in two different collet sizes, a ⅜” and a ¼”. The alternative bases that have been released for the new combination tool offers the user a 0-40mm plunge capacity with use of the trimmer base and a 0-35mm capacity with a plunge base fitted onto the new cordless Router and trimmer. This new Makita product can be fitted into the alternative bases and then retained with an easy and efficient base lock system. The product comes with an aluminum trimmer base as well as an enlarged opening section that has been designed to offer the user better visibility. The Makita DRT50 has been fitted with a 18v Lithium-ion battery, located at the top of the tool in order to give for perfect balance and control of the machine. The new, lightweight tool developed by the world class professional power tools, accessories and work wear company. Makita create products that have been tested for extensive industrial use and is Britain’s number one tool manufacturer, with more than 620 products and accessories on offer including drill/drivers, cordless combination drills, percussion drills, angle grinders, jigsaws and sanders as well as a wide range of outdoor power equipment.
Mobilane® Green Screens is a company that is based in London and has seen a 20% year-on-year growth since 2009. The company works to deliver innovative green screening solutions for their customers. Mobilane delivers a range of solutions that can enhance a space and improve wellbeing by creating a more pleasing green environment whether it is inside, outside, rooftop spaces, corridors or in meeting spaces. The green screen company were chosen by the London Borough of Lambeth to look at possible ways to combat air pollution at Lambeth School. The business explored a range of options before deciding on the Mobilane® Green Screen offered a ready-made solution to the council’s air pollution concerns. In order to carry out the work, Paul Garlick the Mobilane UK National Business Manager put London Borough of Lambeth in touch with one of the network installers of Mobilane products. The green screen solution was installed at the school by The Platinum Limited, who also consulted on the work before installation to ensure that the solution properly met the customer’s requirements. In order to meet the school’s air quality aims and offer the best green solution for their client, 31 screens measuring 2.2 meters high and each screen 1.2 meters wide were installed at the school. The work was completed at the end of May 2017 and installation of the green screening solution took only one day. Following installation, the Lambeth school community are now assured with the air pollution reduction features of the screen as well as the private and robust surrounding to the school which is attractive and offers the children a green backdrop to their time at school. The scree has also helped to reduce the traffic noise and makes sure that the grounds have total privacy, creating a safe environment for the children. The screen has been praised by council members, school management, parents and children.
Unispace has appointed Sam Sahni as Principal for Strategy based in its London studio, with a view to overseeing the European development of its strategy offering. Highly experienced within the consulting and construction industry, Sam has comprehensive experience and knowledge of a knowledge variety of sectors including Finance, FMCG, Real Estate and Engineering. He joins Unispace from Morgan Lovell, where he was Head of Consultancy for more than 3.5 years, working for clients such as Costa Coffee, Superdrug, Prudential, Aviva, and Kleinwort Benson. Anthony Hazell, Managing Director, Europe at Unispace, said: “Sam is a dynamic leader. He has the ability to build business, develop client bases and take accountability for complex projects. A thought leader among his peers, Sam has also been an author of organisational white papers and has presented at a number of industry conferences. He is a great addition to the Unispace team in London and will expand our provision of strategy services across Unispace’s European base. .” As the author and speaker at industry conferences, he has featured as an industry expert in The Times, The Telegraph, Evening Standard & Financial Times amongst many other publications. “The market has changed a great deal in recent years, with very different occupier demand evolving in the market place. Unispace has developed in response to this new market and the brand’s growth in a short period of time is testament to its resonance with clients.” explained Sam Sahni, Principal, Strategy at Unispace. “This new role in the London studio is a chance to combine my experience across multiple sectors for Unispace’s client base and work with its world class European and Global teams.”
House building and construction remaining robust in face of ongoing Brexit talks. According to figures released last month by Barbour ABI, a leading provider of construction sector intelligence, infrastructure projects across the UK have hit a new six-year low. The sector accounted for £784 million of construction contract values, which totalled £5.4 billion based on a 3-month rolling average, awarded across all regions of the UK during July. The slump in infrastructure projects reflected a 97 percent annual decrease, its worst performing month for over six years. David Jarvie, business development director of one of Scotland’s largest independent plant hire companies, Jarvie Plant Group, says this is a concerning development: “We have recently witnessed the completion of the Queensferry Crossing, Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation, which produced work for thousands of people over a decade. “The dualing of the A9, A96 and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are ongoing but there is little sign of them being replaced.” In May, Jarvie Plant opened a new £1 million depot in Manchester which they hope will play a role in supplying equipment to HS2 and other major civil engineering and construction projects. But whilst infrastructure projects are dipping the outlook in other sectors, in particular house building, remains positive with contract values for that sector reaching £2.5 billion in July. “For businesses such as ourselves who are hiring equipment to house builders in Scotland and the north of England, these figures are very encouraging,” explained Mr Jarvie. Meanwhile the Grangemouth-based company, who have 9 depots, say they are monitoring the Brexit talks closely and are urging the UK government to reach a trade agreement as soon as possible. As a result of Brexit Mr Jarvie predicts “a whole host of opportunities” for the plant hire industry which is estimated to be worth £4 billion to the UK economy. “I think Brexit offers potential for more domestic contractors to successfully win contracts ahead of our European counterparts. “From a plant hire perspective we will be able to develop closer relations with them – they’re on our doorstep; we know them,” he explained.
A Norfolk student has told of her excitement ahead of starting a two-year scholarship sponsored by the East Anglia’s leading independent construction company, R G Carter. Lucie Gresham – Hill, 16, will gain invaluable skills and knowledge in the engineering and construction industry after winning an award from the Arkwright Scholarship Trust. R G Carter will provide financial assistance, mentoring, guidance and work experience placements for Lucie whilst she continues her sixth form studies at University Technical College Norfolk. Lucie, says: “I look forward to finding my place in engineering whilst learning and interacting with people from across the business. I have always had an interest working in the construction industry and I hope this experience will help progress my career in the future.” Mario Rackham, Operations Director at R G Carter Drayton, says: “As a company, we are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers. We take the responsibility of providing pathways into the industry very seriously which is why we are delighted to support Lucie with this fantastic opportunity.” Alex Hayes, Principal, UTC Norfolk, says: “I’d like to thank R G Carter for their support. It is invaluable for any young person to be able to engage like this with an employer and we regularly see the benefits of this from the year-round work that students at UTC Norfolk do with our employer partners. It is a fantastic achievement by Lucie to have achieved this highly competitive scholarship from the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, and to now have this excellent package of bespoke mentoring and support from R G Carter.” The Arkwright Scholarship Trust works with employers to inspire and nurture school-age students to become future leaders of the engineering profession. To win the scholarship, Lucie completed a detailed application and two-hour aptitude exam. Lucie was shortlisted for interview at the University of Cambridge, where she had to present a practical project. For more information about the Arkwright Scholarships Trust visit www.arkwright.org.uk and for more information on R G Carter visitwww.rgcarter-construction.co.uk.
Scottish government takes vital leap forward on payment Published: 04 October, 2016 The Scottish government’s announcement that Project Bank Accounts (PBAs) are to be used as the preferred method for improving payment conditions and speeding up cashflow on all public sector construction projects valued over £4 million has been hailed as a major step towards greater financial stability for the industry. Derek Mackay, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, announced that this method of protecting payment to sub-contractors in construction supply chains will be imposed on all projects procured by Scottish government departments from 31 October this year. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), which represents specialist engineering contractors and was heavily involved in the campaign to have PBAs introduced, congratulated Mr Mackay and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit by implementing a policy that could improve financial conditions for the whole construction sector. “Unfair and abusive payment practices have been a blight on the construction process for decades,” said BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin. “The Scottish government should be roundly praised for taking a bold step to remove one of the barriers to efficient project delivery.” PBAs are a cash disbursement model that allows money to be ring-fenced in bank accounts from which payments are made directly to suppliers. This reduces the risk of contractor insolvency and the consequent disruption to projects. It also cuts out much of the additional cost of risk pricing and debt management associated with having multiple layers of payment within the contractual chain. PBA payments can be made within as little as 12 days and, once in the account, the monies are protected from upstream insolvencies and unfair delays. Public Highways England and the Environment Agency have been using this method for some time and, on average; ‘Tier 3’ sub-contractors on their projects are paid within 19 days. “Security of payment allows firms to invest in the skills and processes they need to improve productivity and fund growth,” added Mr McLaughlin. “By improving cash flow through the supply chain, project clients can also be assured of a more cohesive, harmonious and, therefore, efficient project process.” He also called for the introduction of digital payment platforms as the next step in the process of “remedying endemic industry payment problems”. This, he said, would give SMEs the reassurance of transparent and legislatively compliant payment processes supported by electronic banking; allowing them “to plan for the future with greater confidence and commercial stability”. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was an early supporter of PBAs and launched a government trial of the payment mechanism in 2013 when she was deputy to Alex Salmond. This led to a recommendation of their use in Scotland’s wide ranging Review of Public Sector Construction Procurement. Source link