This new, elegant, industrial style kitchen from Keller merges traditional and bold features and hues. The Bronzite fronts and bronze-framed glass doors with bronze tinted glass combine with the striking, angled Calacatta black worktop to create a calming clean space. Which is perfect for dining, working and socialising in style.
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced the acquisition of Webeasy, a prominent Dutch provider of building automation and control systems. This strategic acquisition reinforces Johnson Controls’ commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and energy efficiency, while expanding its capabilities in the growing market for
Lawyers are urgently warning that the ‘clock may run out’ before an international claim is successfully served, as severe backlogs at the UK’s Foreign Process Section (FPS) continue to impact those in the construction industry dealing with overseas clients. The FPS, which handles the service of claims abroad in compliance
CARBON and biodiversity offsetting solution pioneer, CSX, has announced the donation of 0.15 tCO2e of woodland carbon to AtkinsRéalis, a renowned infrastructure consulting firm, following their recent successful decarbonisation event in Leeds. The donation aims to offset the event’s environmental impact, reinforcing the two companies’ joint commitment to sustainability and
Aldi is set to open nine stores in the capital this year as part of a £55 million investment within the M25. Building on its promise to bring unbeatable value to even more Londoners, the supermarket has revealed four of the locations set to welcome new Aldi stores in the
New phase promises high-tech growth for Oxfordshire innovation hub Albion Land’s flagship technology park, Catalyst Bicester, is set for significant expansion following Cherwell District Council’s approval of the next phase of development. The green light paves the way for an additional 128,000 sq ft of premium employment space across three
The Council’s executive will be asked to consider a report at next week’s committee meeting (Weds 22 January) outlining a range of land disposals across Manchester that will help deliver more than 700 new affordable homes. In 2023/24 the highest level of affordable housing was delivered for a decade, contributing
The joint venture’s first acquisition comes days after the announcement of the €840 million pan-European logistics partnership managed by M7 M7 Real Estate (“M7”), the pan-European investor and asset manager, announces the acquisition of Broadheath Network Centre in Greater Manchester for £47 million, from Network Space Developments. The acquisition is the
WREKIN Products has proudly achieved the We Invest In People standard accreditation from Investors in People, marking its commitment to staff welfare and organisational standards. This milestone involved the specialist civils provider working with Investors in People to evaluate and improve its procedures and personnel. A detailed report was produced,
OCS listed number 36 in the top 100 companies to work for in the UK based on Glassdoor employee feedback. In a study released by Sky News’ blog on 13th January 2025, OCS was listed as the 36th best company to work for in the UK and the only facilities
This new, elegant, industrial style kitchen from Keller merges traditional and bold features and hues. The Bronzite fronts and bronze-framed glass doors with bronze tinted glass combine with the striking, angled Calacatta black worktop to create a calming clean space. Which is perfect for dining, working and socialising in style. Featured on the back wall are cabinets in Keller’s new Fossil Grey Evia Ultra Matt finish nodding to the eternal popularity of grey. Also featured is the new bronze full cabinet width 627 handle. Keller is well known for offering the widest range of colours (2,050 NCS) and finishes in the kitchen furniture market – along with a vast range of cabinet options, all produced by the most sustainable means possible. The company is proud to have been a Carbon Neutral kitchen manufacturer since 2017. For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, today announced the acquisition of Webeasy, a prominent Dutch provider of building automation and control systems. This strategic acquisition reinforces Johnson Controls’ commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and energy efficiency, while expanding its capabilities in the growing market for smart, connected buildings across Europe. Expanding Johnson Controls’ Global Reach in Building Automation Webeasy, headquartered in the Netherlands, has earned a strong reputation for delivering innovative building management solutions tailored for small to medium-sized commercial buildings, including offices, educational institutions, hotels, and sports facilities, where simplicity, cost efficiency, and fast deployment are key priorities This acquisition complements Johnson Controls’ leadership in the building automation industry and enhances its ability to address the specific needs of this segment in Europe. “With the addition of Webeasy’s technologies, we are thrilled to enhance the range of solutions we offer to our customers across Europe,” said Richard Lek, President Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. “Webeasy’s expertise in building automation perfectly aligns with our mission to innovate energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions, empowering our customers to achieve greater operational efficiencies.” Advancing Innovation and Sustainability Webeasy’s extensive pre-configured application library simplifies the deployment of building management systems by improving engineering efficiency, operational effectiveness and making building automation easier, smarter and more cost efficient. The combined capabilities of Webeasy and Johnson Controls will enable businesses and facility owners to better address the growing demands of European sustainability regulations, reduce energy costs and carbon footprints and drive operational excellence. A Bright Future for Smart Buildings This acquisition reinforces Johnson Controls’ growth strategy and leadership position in next generation building automation technology and innovation. Webeasy’s trusted customer base in the Netherlands and across Europe will benefit from Johnson Controls’ global resources, robust service infrastructure, and a shared commitment to smarter, more sustainable buildings. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lawyers are urgently warning that the ‘clock may run out’ before an international claim is successfully served, as severe backlogs at the UK’s Foreign Process Section (FPS) continue to impact those in the construction industry dealing with overseas clients. The FPS, which handles the service of claims abroad in compliance with the Hague Convention, is grappling with processing times that could take several months. Businesses in the construction industry hoping to serve documents abroad could run the risk of not successfully serving a claim within the Civil Procedure Rules’ (CPR) six-month deadline, potentially prejudicing their position. Sneha Nainwal, partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, who specialises in cross-border disputes, said: “The FPS handles a range of international disputes, with commercial claims being the most common. “Typical cases involve a UK-based claimant seeking to recover contractual debts or damages from foreign defendants. “These cross-border claims, regardless of industry, are increasingly subject to delays due to the FPS backlog.” The FPS plays a pivotal role in the initial stages of litigation involving the service of documents overseas. When a claimant issues proceedings in the UK and the defendant resides abroad, the FPS ensures legal documents are served accurately and in compliance with international protocols. This crucial function is central to the ‘international service of claim’ phase – a vital step that sets the stage for the progression of the case towards resolution or settlement. By facilitating this process, the FPS supports the efficient administration of justice across borders. The current backlog stems from the residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to global lockdowns and restrictions, the FPS was temporarily suspended, leading to an accumulation of claims waiting to be processed. This delay has compounded over time, with a growing volume of claims requiring international service. Sneha said: “The most pressing risk for businesses issuing a claim is the expiration of the six-month period for serving the claim form. Failure to serve within this timeframe could result in the claim being deemed invalid or struck out. “The best way to mitigate this risk is for claimants to act proactively by ensuring their application to the FPS for serving documents abroad is watertight. “The FPS enforces strict procedural rules, and any oversight or misstep could result in the rejection of the application, forcing the claimant to restart the process and face further delays in an already backlogged system. “To avoid this, ensure all documents are in perfect order and apply promptly for an extension if you anticipate difficulty serving within the six-month deadline. “Don’t leave things to the last minute. For the best chance of success and to avoid unnecessary complications, seek professional advice.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CARBON and biodiversity offsetting solution pioneer, CSX, has announced the donation of 0.15 tCO2e of woodland carbon to AtkinsRéalis, a renowned infrastructure consulting firm, following their recent successful decarbonisation event in Leeds. The donation aims to offset the event’s environmental impact, reinforcing the two companies’ joint commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. The offset stems from Haithwaite on the Barningham Estate, one of CSX’s longest-running woodland projects, located in North Yorkshire. With its roots dating back to 2012, Haithwaite has been carefully designed under the UK Forestry Standard to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and sequester carbon. Megan Russell, CSX’s quality assurance and compliance lead, said: “We’re pleased to support AtkinsRéalis by offsetting the carbon footprint of their recent event. The Haithwaite woodland project is a great example of how local, nature-based solutions can contribute to carbon reduction while benefiting the surrounding ecosystem. “By providing 0.15 tCO2e carbon offset, we’re helping to ensure that businesses such as AtkinsRéalis can meet their environmental goals while caring for local communities, and we’re proud to be part of this effort.” AtkinsRéalis’ decarbonisation event gathered industry leaders, graduates, and sustainability advocates to discuss pathways to meet the UK’s ambitious net-zero targets. To ensure the event remained carbon-neutral, AtkinsRéalis partnered with CSX, whose expertise calculated the event’s carbon footprint factoring in energy use, catering, and travel. The result: 0.15 tCO2e offset through a localised, nature-based solution. The Haithwaite woodland, comprising over 25,000 trees and spanning 22 hectares, serves as a vital link between neighbouring woodlands, supporting biodiversity and enhancing the regional ecosystem. The project’s ongoing carbon monitoring, supported by CSX’s innovative technologies, ensures the accuracy and integrity of its offsets. Janine Danneker, regional director at AtkinsRéalis, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with CSX on this initiative. Their expertise in carbon offsetting and commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our goals. The Haithwaite woodland project not only offsets our event’s carbon footprint but also contributes to the local ecosystem, making it a win-win for both the environment and the community.” To celebrate the collaboration, CSX has recently invited AtkinsRéalis to visit the Haithwaite site, providing an opportunity to witness first-hand the tangible benefits of the woodland project. This initiative underscores CSX’s mission to integrate businesses with nature-based solutions, encouraging relationships that contribute to net-zero ambitions and our planet’s health. As industries accelerate their decarbonisation efforts, CSX remains at the forefront of developing trusted carbon and biodiversity markets. This partnership with AtkinsRéalis is a testament to the momentum building in the UK and beyond, as organisations come together to champion innovative, sustainable solutions. For more information about CSX’s work, visit: www.csxcarbon.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aldi is set to open nine stores in the capital this year as part of a £55 million investment within the M25. Building on its promise to bring unbeatable value to even more Londoners, the supermarket has revealed four of the locations set to welcome new Aldi stores in the next 12 months. Shoppers in Wimbledon, Fulham Broadway, Caterham and Orpington are all set to benefit from a new Aldi store in 2025. The openings form part of Aldi’s £650 million investment in Britain in 2025. The investment also includes upgrades at some of its existing locations within the M25, including an extension to its Colindale store. Aldi has a long-term ambition to open another 100 stores in London, creating around 3,500 new jobs. Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We strongly believe that everyone in Britain should have access to high quality food at our unbeatable Aldi prices. But we know that there are still thousands of shoppers in the capital that don’t yet have access to an Aldi nearby. “We don’t think it’s fair that so many people still have to make do with big prices at other supermarkets, which is why London continues to be a real focus for us as we work to bring even more Aldi stores to shoppers across the capital.” Aldi has been named by Which? as officially the UK’s cheapest supermarket of the year for 2024, the fourth year in a row the supermarket has picked up the title. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New phase promises high-tech growth for Oxfordshire innovation hub Albion Land’s flagship technology park, Catalyst Bicester, is set for significant expansion following Cherwell District Council’s approval of the next phase of development. The green light paves the way for an additional 128,000 sq ft of premium employment space across three state-of-the-art, sustainable buildings along the A41. Planning permission for the project, part of Phase 4 of the Catalyst masterplan, was granted at a council meeting on Thursday, 16 January. With eight buildings already completed and fully let to advanced manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and design companies—including notable names such as Evolito, Tesla, and Yasa—Catalyst Bicester continues to establish itself as a hub for innovation and technology. The development also benefits from nearby amenities such as the Holiday Inn Express and David Lloyd Leisure, enhancing the appeal of the park for employees and businesses alike. Simon Parsons, Director of Albion Land, said:“This is fantastic news for Bicester, Oxfordshire, and the high-skills technology and engineering sectors in the region. These bespoke new buildings will provide exceptional workspace for companies eager to join the Catalyst Bicester success story and benefit from our efforts to strengthen Bicester’s tech ecosystem. We’re thrilled with the planning approval and are eager to move forward to meet the strong demand from occupiers.” Construction of Phase 3 is planned for 2025, delivering a further 110,000 sq ft across five buildings. Phase 4 will follow unless accelerated by tenant demand. Phase 4 represents a £55 million investment and could create around 500 additional jobs, depending on the eventual occupiers of the new space. Catalyst Bicester’s development began in 2021, with Phases 1 and 2 now fully built out and leased. The most recent addition, Unit 8 (38,710 sq ft), was completed last autumn and is already home to an international advanced-engineering and design business. Demand for space at Catalyst Bicester is driven by the growth of Oxfordshire’s innovation and technology sectors, as well as the park’s strategic location, high-quality amenities, and integration within the region’s tech and engineering ecosystem. The three new Phase 4 buildings will occupy a prime site fronting the A41, directly opposite the Holiday Inn Express. The site is designated in the Cherwell Local Plan for knowledge-based employment development. Albion Land was supported in the planning process by Quod (planning consultants) and Cornish (architects). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Council’s executive will be asked to consider a report at next week’s committee meeting (Weds 22 January) outlining a range of land disposals across Manchester that will help deliver more than 700 new affordable homes. In 2023/24 the highest level of affordable housing was delivered for a decade, contributing to the Council’s ambitious housing strategy to deliver at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, Council and Social Rent new homes up to 2032. To further meet this target Manchester City Council will continue to collaborate within the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership – coordinating support and delivering sustainable affordable housing to meet the city’s needs. New housing will help reduce demand on Manchester’s housing register and will be part of the Council’s approach to help reduce homelessness. Legal & General Affordable Homes and L&Q have recently joined the Housing Partnership, broadening capacity and complementing the specialty of existing partners, but also expanding delivery resources over the housing strategy period to 2032. The report outlines the Housing Partnerships plans for ten brownfield sites and how they have been designed to directly address acute local affordable housing demand, providing a broad range of different house types and tenures ranging from specialist supported accommodation, apartments for key workers and right-sizers, along with larger family houses. Following Executive approval, all proposals are expected to conclude pre-application engagement with the Local Planning Authority and for public consultation on the design proposals to commence before construction works begin on site as soon as possible. Various 100% affordable housing land disposals include: Read the exec paper in full to find out more Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “Building more affordable homes for Manchester residents is one of Manchester City Council’s biggest priorities and we have a massive housebuilding programme under way to build at least 10,000 genuinely affordable, council, social homes. “We know that building these much-needed homes isn’t easy, so we have looked at how we can get the best use from land that the council owns to help us reach ambitious housing strategy. I’m pleased to bring forward the latest examples of where we our building on our land. “We are on track to meet our target, and we have seen more genuinely affordable homes built in the last year than at any other time in more than a decade. This is being done through programmes like this, our own building company This City, Project 500, large regeneration schemes and working to influence the market. We are committed to building the new homes Manchester residents need to thrive.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We are constantly reviewing what land opportunities are at our disposal to build much-need housing across a range of tenures and types to meet demand in a local area. These parcels of land will all deliver the homes we know these communities need, including significant affordable and social housing, but also specialist housing too. We really welcome the accelerated delivery of new social and affordable housing that these sites will enable. “This is in no small part thanks to our strong partnership approach, working closely with Manchester’s housing providers using Council-owned brownfield land, public and government funding, and the expertise of the city’s affordable housing developers to build high quality, low carbon homes for Manchester people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The joint venture’s first acquisition comes days after the announcement of the €840 million pan-European logistics partnership managed by M7 M7 Real Estate (“M7”), the pan-European investor and asset manager, announces the acquisition of Broadheath Network Centre in Greater Manchester for £47 million, from Network Space Developments. The acquisition is the first undertaken by M7 on behalf of the newly formed pan-European industrial & logistics joint venture between Oxford Properties, a leading global real estate investor, developer and manager, and AustralianSuper, Australia’s largest superannuation fund. The joint venture, which is named the European Supply Chain Income Partnership (“ESCIP”), is aiming to build a €4.5 billion portfolio in the next three to five years and was formed through the acquisition by AustralianSuper of a 50% stake in Oxford’s c. €840 million industrial & logistics portfolio and its M7 platform. The joint venture is expected to complete at the end of Q1 of 2025 and is conditional, amongst other things, on customary regulatory approvals. The c. 206,000 sq ft prime, new, multi-let industrial estate was recently developed by Network Space Developments who acquired the site in 2021 ahead of building out the facility which now comprises 25 high-specification units ranging in size from 2,080 sq ft to 41,738 sq ft. Broadheath Network Centre was constructed using recycled steel and concrete, and includes EV charging points which alongside a number of other environmental initiatives have led to its BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings. The estate is currently 66% let with key occupiers including Maersk, National Trust, Options Greathire, Xpand Logistics, Socotec and Torque Golf. M7 will undertake an active asset management strategy to lease up the remaining vacant space and drive the income profile of the asset. Strategically located in Altrincham, an established logistics hub in Greater Manchester, Broadheath Network Centre benefits from direct access to the M56, M60 and M6 motorways, as well as its proximity to Manchester Airport, enabling both local and national distribution. David Ebbrell, CEO M7 Real Estate, said: “This acquisition is our first investment on behalf of the newly formed European industrial & logistics strategic partnership with Oxford and AustralianSuper announced earlier last week. To have concluded this transaction so soon after agreeing that joint venture underlines the strong ambitions we all have to grow the ESCIP platform. The Broadheath Network Centre typifies the type of asset we want to add to this portfolio, being a prime last-mile asset in a high growth urban logistics location within a strong and affluent regional city. We now look forward to leveraging the M7 team’s asset management expertise, building on the leasing momentum already achieved by Network Space Developments, to let up the remaining vacant space. At the same time, we are actively pursuing high-quality urban logistics assets in key European markets, aiming to capitalise on robust occupier demand.” Alicia Peters, Vice President of Logistics & Residential, Oxford Properties, added: “This transaction, coming days after the formation of the joint venture with AustralianSuper, is a real statement of intent as we look to grow ESCIP into a leading, €4.5 billion, pan-European logistics portfolioover the next three to five years. We believe this is an attractive moment in the cycle to deploy capital into European logistics and our high conviction investment strategies.” Stephen Barnes, NSD Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have sold Broadheath Networkcentre to M7 and Oxford. Completed in March this year, the scheme is already 66% let including two further lettings completed in recent weeks, achieving a new headline rent – a testament to the quality of the scheme, its location, design and sustainability credentials. The scheme’s delivery is the result of a well-established and successful partnership between ourselves, Trafford MBC who have provided debt finance, and the principal contractor Bansco. “The sale process with M7 and Oxford has worked incredibly smoothly – a result of our preparedness and the hard work and dedication of both our corporate teams, led by Dan Adamson, together with M7 and Oxford’s teams. We wish to thank all those involved for ensuring a swift and successful conclusion.” M7 Real Estate was represented by Savills, Jones Day, Deloitte, TFT Consultants and Nova Ambiente. Network Space was represented by B8RE, Gateley and Grant Thornton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WREKIN Products has proudly achieved the We Invest In People standard accreditation from Investors in People, marking its commitment to staff welfare and organisational standards. This milestone involved the specialist civils provider working with Investors in People to evaluate and improve its procedures and personnel. A detailed report was produced, highlighting strengths and offering recommendations for improvement. Following the report, significant changes were implemented with the help of consultants, Astrum Associates, which has modernised the HR and team management processes completely. These updates included enhancements to onboarding, welfare services, and structured career progression meetings. Having assessed more than 50,000 businesses during its 30-plus years of operation, Investors in People is a trusted, independent, and internationally recognised body which evaluates businesses based on their commitment to employee wellbeing and gives critical recommendations for improvement. The Wrekin team celebrated their achievement by having the plaque unveiled at an internal ceremony with a specially made cake for all staff to share. Driving the effort was Wrekin’s head of HR and senior accountant Mel Kinsey, who described the accreditation as a ‘worthwhile recognition of the team’s hard work paying off’. She said: “I’ve been with Wrekin for a long period of time, joining when the company was only small. Now that we have grown in size, it is rewarding to be putting measures in place to ensure people are having a positive working experience and no one is overlooked. I’m passionate about improving people’s work lives and I’ve championed this initiative for some time. “It was vital to make these changes company-wide, encouraging a culture where everyone contributes to building and maintaining the great team spirit we have. The response has been fantastic, with colleagues embracing the opportunity to grow and support one another. “People need to feel supported, included, and respected. Thanks to our work with Astrum and Investors in People, we’ve made significant progress in these areas. However, this just the beginning as we are now aiming for gold accreditation and even greater improvements. At Wrekin, our people are important to us and we’re committed to continued growth.” To learn more about Wrekin and its culture, visit: www.wrekinproducts.com/about-us Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OCS listed number 36 in the top 100 companies to work for in the UK based on Glassdoor employee feedback. In a study released by Sky News’ blog on 13th January 2025, OCS was listed as the 36th best company to work for in the UK and the only facilities management company to be listed in the top 100. The survey carried out by employee development platform Zensai, used feedback provided through Glassdoor to rank companies in order of the best to work for in the UK. Glassdoor empowers job seekers with straight-from-the-source insights and reviews. Receiving a listing inside the top 40 amongst other well recognised brands such as Apple, Dell and Microsoft, further demonstrates OCS’s commitment to making people the best that they can be. The score of 4.4/5 on the platform and the position of 36 in the league table further solidifies the importance of the continual development of its people. Commenting on the result of the study, Daniel Dickson, CEO of OCS UK and Ireland said, “This study is independent validation of our focus on the development of our team and the positive culture we have built at OCS. As a business we are focused on making both people and places the best they can be. To be the only facilities management company to make it into the top 100 is a fantastic achievement which demonstrates that we are truly living our purpose as an organisation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
