Both bodies say the two property management organisations together will create a more united and stronger voice as leasehold reform looms. The UK’s two most high-profile property management bodies The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) and The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) are to merge. Both organisations want to establish
Housebuilder Martin Grant Homes has announced that it will be partnering with innovative proptech company Forsite to improve health and safety standards across its new homes’ developments. The housebuilder will initially trial Forsite’s digital innovation at its new Albany Park development in Church Crookham, Hampshire, before rolling the technology out
SO Modular, the Timber Frame construction specialist, has increased its production capacity by 700% thanks to a significant six-figure investment in new machinery at its new 350,000 sqft timber and modular manufacturing facility in Neath, South Wales. The development of the facility began in April 2020 and is set for
High performance curtain wall and door products by Kawneer feature on the Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd. Aluminium glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified by key supply chain partner DarntonB3 Architecture for the redevelopment at the heart of the regeneration of a South Wales town. Multiple curtain wall and entrance door products from Kawneer were specified on
With a large variety of models designed to fit any building’s needs, the XS4 One electronic escutcheon fits virtually any door, including wooden and PVC doors as well as those with narrow metal frames. Until now, the Dark Bronze finish was only available for the XS4 ANSI models but this
Cranes are some of the most popular machines in the construction, transport, and material handling industries due to their ability to lift, lower, and move large loads with ease. There are a range of different types of cranes on the market, manufactured by different brands, each with their own distinct
With the popularity of extensions and loft conversions almost literally going through the roof, merchants are reporting a huge rise in sales of insulation products – particularly of those produced by Actis. Jewson Sales Manager Brad Ellis said: “Insulation and insulating membranes have been flying out of the door over
Developer Southern Grove Group today unveils a £55million mixed-use student accommodation scheme for London’s Hackney Wick that will help turn the area into one of the most vibrant off-campus communities in London. The Broadwood Piano Works will create over 200 bedrooms on Fish Island with co-working facilities, a gym and
Sustainability related projects have dominated the categories for this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Research Excellence. Finalists in the four award categories have been unveiled today, a number of which consider the relationship between sustainability, climate change and town planning. The quality of submissions for the 2021
Please find industry reaction below to the latest Halifax House Price Index. Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Just when you thought the wild ride of property price growth seen over the last year might be coming to an end, the market has bounced back yet again
Both bodies say the two property management organisations together will create a more united and stronger voice as leasehold reform looms. The UK’s two most high-profile property management bodies The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) and The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) are to merge. Both organisations want to establish a ‘united and stronger’ voice for the industry at a time when managing agents and property management professionals face unprecedented changes and as leaseholder reform legislation begins to make its way through Parliament. The proposal will be subject to approval by members at each organisation’s upcoming general meetings. ARMA executive chair Nigel Glen says the bodies have worked together on a wide range of topics including the building safety crisis, mental health and wellbeing in the sector and regulatory reform. Nigel claims a merged organisation would give it greater power and enable it to support both managing agent firms and professional individuals. “Combining our resources, data and expertise allows us to more effectively support our membership through guidance and business support, raise standards through enhanced professional qualifications, multi-channel training and ongoing professional development opportunities, and provide a more influential and representative voice to our ongoing government and stakeholder engagement,” says Glen. If approved, the two organisations and their respective secretariat teams would come together before the end of the year and the two brands would be retained for a period of time under the new organisation. This is similar to when landlord organisations NLA and the RLA joined forces recently. It is proposed that IRPM boss Andrew Bulmer would become CEO of the new organisation, while Glen would become the executive chair of the new board.
Housebuilder Martin Grant Homes has announced that it will be partnering with innovative proptech company Forsite to improve health and safety standards across its new homes’ developments. The housebuilder will initially trial Forsite’s digital innovation at its new Albany Park development in Church Crookham, Hampshire, before rolling the technology out across all its construction sites by the end of this year. Forsite is a worksite health and safety solution that enables site managers to ensure compliance, improve safety and reduce project costs. The app will allow all Martin Grant construction workers to complete a digitised induction via a mobile phone app, ensuring all personnel comply with the housebuilder’s health and safety standards. The app uses accurate technology to prove compliance, with staff required to complete a test to prove participation in the induction. Site managers will be able to view and manage their site compliance in real-time through the Forsite portal, so they can easily enforce their process. Additionally, Forsite will automatically record employee arrival and exit times to site via geofencing and sensors, removing the need for central sign-in points and improving capture of workers for site sign in. Nathan Cheeseman, CEO at Forsite, comments: “We work best with companies that care about efficiency and the bottom line without compromising their people’s safety. In Martin Grant Homes we have found just that, so it’s a natural fit. We are excited to become the health and safety standard for Martin Grant as it continues to lead the industry in site safety.” The app will also have enhanced safety features to protect those on site, including an emergency button that can be used to quickly notify all those on site of any incidents, therefore saving time. Ian Wand, Health and Safety Manager at Martin Grant Homes, comments: “We are excited to be the first housebuilder to adopt such technology in the UK, which will improve health and safety standards across our sites, alongside saving thousands of hours of time. Safety is absolutely paramount for us, and Forsite has a system in place to ensure processes are completed correctly, which gives us the confidence to roll this out across our sites.” Martin Grant Homes’ independent safety advisors undertake monthly monitoring and have rated the housebuilder’s performance well above their other clients within the housebuilding sector. The adoption of Forsite across its developments will support the housebuilder in continuing to keep its employees and sub-contractors safe on site, whilst utilising new technologies available. Ian Wand adds: “We are proud of our existing health and safety record and are looking forward to utilising Forsite to its full capacity across our sites, which will improve efficiency and ensure everyone on site is kept safe.” Martin Grant Homes is currently building new homes across the Midlands and South of England, with its Head Office located in Abinger Hammer, Surrey. To find out more about the housebuilder and its company values, visit www.martingranthomes.co.uk. For further details about Forsite visit www.getforsite.com.
SO Modular, the Timber Frame construction specialist, has increased its production capacity by 700% thanks to a significant six-figure investment in new machinery at its new 350,000 sqft timber and modular manufacturing facility in Neath, South Wales. The development of the facility began in April 2020 and is set for an official launch at the end of summer 2021. Once completed, with all the new machinery installed and running, the site will immediately be able to expand from its current production capacity of 500 homes per year to 3,500 homes per year on a single shift. The timber and modular manufacturing facility will also be a zero-carbon, sustainable site, creating a number of skilled employment opportunities in the local area. SO Modular has been able to fund the purchase of its new machinery through an Innovative Housing Programme (IHP) loan with Tai Tarian – one of the largest social landlords in Wales. The new machinery is considerably more efficient – both in terms of speed and energy usage – than that currently being employed by the company. It will also produce less waste and will contribute towards the company sustainably manufacturing low carbon homes. The new machinery includes a treatment tank, Production Lines, a biomass boiler, a Hundegger TURBO-Drive II Saw, a vertical saw and a factory blow insulation machine. The Hundegger TURBO-Drive II Saw will speed up timber processes, increase accuracy and reduce waste with the use of computer software technology. The saw’s optimisation software means that any offcuts it produces are automatically cut into smaller standardised pieces, which can then be used as other functional aspects of modular joist and cassette manufacture. The biomass boiler will ensure waste timber is used to reheat the facilities, and avoid it being transported to landfill for disposal. As well as heating the factory and offices, the boiler is also used to dry treated timber in the facility’s new in-house treatment tank, helping the company reduce its own fuel costs and aiding in its goal to create a sustainable, renewable process for timber frame manufacturing. The new treatment tank will allow high- and low-pressure treatments, meaning SO Modular will be able to treat not only standard timber but also timbers that require a higher level of treatment such as sole plates. This makes it far more cost effective than imported pre-treated timber, helping the company to achieve its affordable homes target. Charlotte Hale, Operations Director at SO Modular, said: “We’re very excited to announce the purchasing and acquirement of new machinery, with the help of the IHP Tai Tarian loan. “These new, efficient machines will go a long will in aiding us to establish a state-of-the-art, sustainable manufacturing facility in Wales. Furthermore, this acquirement will allow us to create new jobs in the area and provide even more affordable, low carbon homes to help the UK meet zero-carbon targets, protect the environment and address the country’s need for affordable housing.”
High performance curtain wall and door products by Kawneer feature on the Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd. Aluminium glazing systems from leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified by key supply chain partner DarntonB3 Architecture for the redevelopment at the heart of the regeneration of a South Wales town. Multiple curtain wall and entrance door products from Kawneer were specified on the three buildings that comprise the £40 million Taff Vale redevelopment in Pontypridd. Kawneer’s AA®110 capped and SSG (Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain wall and thermally-superior AA®720 doors feature on several storeys of two office blocks whilst the AA®110 capped curtain wall product has been used on the ground floor of the statement community building. In addition, Kawneer’s AA®190 TB entrance doors were installed on all three buildings over nine months by a team of up to 20 operatives from specialist sub-contractor Dudley’s Aluminium for main contractor Willmott Dixon. Dudley’s won Willmott Dixon’s “Overall Partner Award” for this project at their Supply Chain Awards. Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council commissioned Willmott Dixon to develop the ambitious project to kickstart Pontypridd’s resurgence, providing much-needed space for employment and for the community. All three buildings at Taff Vale share the same reinforced concrete basement and podium design. The two office buildings are similarly designed five-storey, steel-framed blocks. The office-led scheme will boost local employment and increase footfall to Pontypridd town centre, with the ambition of making the town centre more appealing to new businesses. The main community building containing public facilities, a library, council offices, leisure and fitness centre, retail unit and café, is an architectural feature and is consistently more complex, featuring a curved on plan facade. Constructed using steel, in-situ cast reinforced concrete, brick, glass, prefab timber units and individually sized and shaped zinc shingle panels, its roof structure is unique and visually impressive. Its semi-monocoque design curves in two directions via a steel frame which connects to the reinforced concrete core. The frame supports prefabricated timber cassettes that are bolted back to the steel. Thin timber planks are used to form the curves of the façade and individual zinc shingle panels (6,345 in total) are fixed using a clamp to form the outer face. Creating a project with unique design features comes with its own set of challenges, and unsurprisingly the construction of the façade was one of the project’s most difficult elements. Due to its curvature, the façade angles out in places, creating a two-metre overhang from the base of the building. The design means there are areas where the windows are almost tilting back on themselves so the importance of efficient drainage was a particular consideration. The mullion-drained Kawneer glazed curtain wall which completes the exterior of the main community building at ground-floor level was also installed at a 16° angle that falls back on itself. The DarntonB3 project architect said: “Kawneer is known to us. We have used their systems before and would specify them again. “Transparency in the buildings was important, particularly at ground levels, and the Kawneer curtain walling provided clean, slim lines. Sustainability was also a factor in the selection of building products.” A sustainable construction practice was designed into the project as an important part of achieving a BREEAM “Excellent” rating. Elements included photovoltaic panels on the roof of the two office buildings, rainwater harvesting tanks in the plant rooms, and the use of several prefabricated, modular elements, such as the timber cassettes forming the community building façade. The project team also made use of BIM to track and measure its progress towards achieving the BREEAM target.
With a large variety of models designed to fit any building’s needs, the XS4 One electronic escutcheon fits virtually any door, including wooden and PVC doors as well as those with narrow metal frames. Until now, the Dark Bronze finish was only available for the XS4 ANSI models but this attractive contemporary finish has now been extended to the XS4 One family as well. The new Dark Bronze option for the XS4 One product rangecompliments today’s design trends and blends perfectly with both white and dark doors, modern style and decoration. With a large variety of models, XS4 One electronic escutcheons are all totally wire-free and networked through SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) and BLUEnet Wireless network for access control in real-time and compatible with smart phone mobile access. They are simple and fast to install without having to replace or drill the door. High security protection is provided via high resistance, hardened anti-drill plates to protect the wiring and reader area. Hardened axes and floating steel balls provide additional protection in the handle area. The new Dark Bronze Finish option has also been added to the SALTO MyLock online configuration tool, allowing users to now visualize this stunning finish for the XS4 One, XS4 One DIN and XS4 One Deadlatch (DL) models on any type of door.
Cranes are some of the most popular machines in the construction, transport, and material handling industries due to their ability to lift, lower, and move large loads with ease. There are a range of different types of cranes on the market, manufactured by different brands, each with their own distinct benefits. Over the course of 2020 and the online frenzy that COVID-19 brought about, the top Crane brands fluctuated dramatically. This could be attributed to the low stock levels COVID-19 caused, with many would-be machinery buyers turning instead to hiring cranes. This year, there’s a clear definitive list of the brands most searched by people looking for cranes. Here are the top five most in-demand crane brands for 2021 so far, according to machinery marketplace, Machines4U: Franna Liebherr Terex Maeda Kobelco This data is based on Machines4U search traffic volumes and brand search data for cranes from January 1st, 2021 until June 30th, 2021. Top 5 Brand Breakdown 1. Franna It’s no surprise to see Franna in the top position for most in-demand crane brands; it has dominated the Australian market for more than 40 years. Franna is a market leader in pick and carry cranes, and it’s a subsidiary of Terex Corporation which also made the list. Franna is well-known for designing and manufacturing strong and easy-to-operate machines that have the ability to pick up heavy loads and move within tight spaces. So far this year, 15.1% of searches for cranes on Machines4U can be attributed to Franna. This is a big jump from the same period in 2020, with only 9.9% of searches for Franna from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. An increase in buyer demand for this brand could be due to availability and stock levels within Australia. 2. Liebherr Liebherr is another popular brand for cranes, with 13.4% of all searches attributed to the brand so far this year. In 2020, Liebherr had the top spot for crane brand searches with 13.8% of searches from January 2020 until June 30, 2020 attributed to the brand. The German brand has a long history dating back to 1949 when the first tower crane was invented. Since its inception, Liebherr has grown to become one of the most renowned brands in the crane sector. It’s most known for its large range of tower cranes, mobile cranes, and crawler cranes. With the range extending from 35 tonnes through to a massive 1,200 tonnes load capacity, Liebherr manufactures some of the biggest machines in the sector. 3. Terex / Terex Franna Terex is an American manufacturer of cranes which are used across a range of industries. It also has subsidiary companies, including Franna cranes. Terex has a wide range of tower and rough terrain cranes, as well as pick-and-carry cranes. Terex cranes are built tough and are very reliable and efficient machines. In terms of search traffic, Terex Franna received 11.1% of searches, and Terex received 5.2% of all searches. For the same search period in 2020, the brand also received high search volume with 7.8% of searches for Terex and 5.1% of searches for Terex Franna. With many searches for the brand and its subsidiary, it’s clear that buyers trust Terex to manufacture quality cranes. 4. Maeda Maeda is a Japanese manufacturer of spider and crawler cranes. It pioneered the spider crane, and its range of mini crawler cranes is very popular in Australia. Maeda’s spider and crawler cranes are ideal for using indoors or in compact areas. They have compact bodies, a small tail swing, and are generally equipped with electric motors to remove greenhouse gas emissions. Due to the specialised machines it manufactures, Maeda does well to carve out its part of the market with mini cranes, spider cranes, and crawler cranes. Maeda cranes have been in the Australian market for around 27 years, and they received 5.1% of all searches for cranes so far in 2021. For the same period in 2020, Maeda received 5.8% of all search traffic for crane brands. Despite fewer searches for the brand, it has moved up on the list of most in-demand crane brands. 5. Kobelco Kobelco is a well-known Japanese brand of construction equipment, including cranes and excavators. The company began in 1930 with the first release of an electric shovel in Japan. In 1964, it released its first series of crawler cranes and truck cranes. Since then, the company has continued to offer a wide range of cranes across the globe. Kobelco cranes are well-known for their design and engineering of heavy-duty crawlers, lattice booms, and telescopic booms. Kobelco received 4.4% of all searches for cranes from January 1, 2021 until June 30, 2021. This is a decrease from the same period in 2020 when Kobelco received 5.9% of all searches for crane brands. With the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, it seems people with the intent to buy and/or hire cranes for their projects tend to be searching for well-known brands that are more likely to have stock already on Australian shores, without having to wait for the next shipment. It’ll be interesting to see whether this search traffic stabilises or continues to fluctuate as time goes on.
With the popularity of extensions and loft conversions almost literally going through the roof, merchants are reporting a huge rise in sales of insulation products – particularly of those produced by Actis. Jewson Sales Manager Brad Ellis said: “Insulation and insulating membranes have been flying out of the door over the past year, with a current loft promotion across stores in the south of England generating even more interest.” His area covers ten branches in Surrey and Hampshire, two of which are Woking and Leatherhead. “We have seen a huge uplift in sales for loft conversions and extensions in the area,” he said. “Improvement projects are currently on the property owners’ minds. We currently have customers using Actis for loft and barn conversions and complete build projects as well as home offices and playrooms. “We have ensured that the big brands are stocked in these branches, including Actis, to give our customers choices and the ability to purchase the stock then and there. “We have purpose-built loft displays in dedicated branches to showcase our extended loft offering, which has proved popular with our core target audience, as well as attracting new customers to the branches who are keen to know more about the products we stock. Our customers have welcomed our loft launch in the area and are now asking questions in the branches about why Actis is so good! “As well as Hybris, the core insulation product, sales of H Control Hybrid, an insulating vapour control layer and Boost R Hybrid, an insulating breather membrane, have also generated interest, with more customers purchasing these products. “This is largely thanks to the Actis Regional Sales Manager, Liane Bayliss, giving technical training to the sales team who have been massively receptive to the product. “Our customers enjoy the flexibility, efficiency and the economic saving that comes with this product when installing on their projects.”
Developer Southern Grove Group today unveils a £55million mixed-use student accommodation scheme for London’s Hackney Wick that will help turn the area into one of the most vibrant off-campus communities in London. The Broadwood Piano Works will create over 200 bedrooms on Fish Island with co-working facilities, a gym and space for pop-ups and creative workshops. Southern Grove’s joint venture sister company, the PBSA specialist Future Generation, is already responsible for The Vogue, a 330-bed mixed-use student scheme which sits on the adjacent site. The Broadwood Piano Works will be built as a second phase and will complement The Vogue, creating a vibrant destination for students in a growing community within East London. The Vogue already has planning consent and is currently under construction. The Broadwood Piano Works will seal the area’s future as the youthful, cosmopolitan beating heart of Hackney Wick’s cultural scene, and will be just a short stroll from at least five world-famous institutions. The site, acquired this month, is less than five minutes’ walk from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP). Just the other side of the park is the University of East London (UEL) campus in Stratford, while Queen Mary University of London sits just to the south-west of Fish Island in Mile End. Even closer are Loughborough University London’s postgraduate campus and UCL’s East Campus, which are sited within the Olympic Park. That’s also where the London College of Fashion (University of the Arts London) will be moving. Its new campus, currently under development, will bring together its six existing sites in one place for the first time in its 120-year history. The Broadwood Piano Works has been designed by architects Henley Halebrown, who also designed The Vogue. It will incorporate 2,500 sqm of commercial space — meaning no loss of existing provision — and retain the heritage chimney and boiler house that formed part of the John Broadwood & Sons piano factory, which earlier occupied the site. Planning permission will be sought from the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). Development agent Tom Brain, of Hillstone Group, acted for Southern Grove in helping to obtain the site. Wider development is also being undertaken at scale locally. More than 1,800 new homes are planned for two new communities called East Wick and Sweetwater in the Olympic Park, alongside shops, schools and community facilities. The public realm around Hackney Wick station is also being regenerated, with the addition of nearly 200 new homes. Tom Slingsby, CEO of Southern Grove Group, commented: “Hackney Wick is one of the most rapidly regenerating areas of London, and The Vogue and The Broadwood Piano Works are very much going to be a part of that. “The first and second phases will come together to create one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse communities of students in the capital, a melting pot of different disciplines and interests. The two schemes will provide a mix of uses to an area that represents one of the most vibrant growth opportunities in London, and one which will continue to attract high levels of investment like our own. “We’ve enjoyed working closely with the LLDC. The phenomenal pace of the wider development that will take place in Hackney Wick over the next few years will also deliver residents and visitors fantastic opportunities. The whole area is being gradually transformed into one of the capital’s key destination districts through positive planning and superb architecture.”
Sustainability related projects have dominated the categories for this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Research Excellence. Finalists in the four award categories have been unveiled today, a number of which consider the relationship between sustainability, climate change and town planning. The quality of submissions for the 2021 awards were exceptionally high with 49 submissions being received across four categories: the Sir Peter Hall Award for Excellence in Research and Engagement, Early Career Researcher Award, Student Award and the Planning Practitioner Award. In particular, the Student Award category contains several sustainability-focused projects, reflecting the priorities for the next generation of town planners. RTPI President Wei Yang FRTPI said: “Entries for the RTPI Awards for Research Excellence 2021 were incredibly strong with entrants putting forward fresh and innovative research topics which grabbed the attention of our judges. We would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry. “The awards offer an opportunity to showcase some of the finest research in the sector, from students to practitioners with a wealth of experience. “This year the judges were impressed by the standard of entries which came from a variety of organisations covering a multitude of vital topics. “A number of the research projects which were shortlisted offered unique insights into the relationship between planning and sustainability. We believe this is an area of planning that will grow in future as planners become an integral part of the fight against climate change. “I look forward to announcing the winners of the four categories on behalf of the RTPI on 8 September 2021.” Of the 49 submissions 20 have been shortlisted to compete across the four categories. Also announced at the Research Awards ceremony in September will be the recipients of the Practitioner Research Fund, which offers two grants of £5,000 to enable planning practitioners to carry out research. Submissions for the fund came from universities across the UK and overseas including Hong Kong, South Africa and New Zealand, as well as public and private sector. This year the awards have been sponsored by Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group) and Idox Knowledge Exchange. The winning and commended entries will be announced during the online Planning Research Conference on Wednesday, 8 September 2021. You can sign up here. The full list of finalists is available here. See who won last year’s awards here. For the full list of this year’s judges see here.
Please find industry reaction below to the latest Halifax House Price Index. Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Just when you thought the wild ride of property price growth seen over the last year might be coming to an end, the market has bounced back yet again to register further positive movement. As we approach the third and final stamp duty holiday deadline it’s only natural that the rate of house price growth will ease as market activity reduces but despite this, we certainly look on course to finish the year on a very positive note.” Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The house price boom continues and even the unpredictable British summertime can do little to dampen the enthusiasm of UK homebuyers and sellers as properties continue to sell incredibly quickly and for a very good price across the vast majority of the nation.” Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “A shortage of stock, high demand and the lower cost of borrowing will keep the market buoyant far beyond September and the end of the stamp duty holiday. However, should interest rates start to creep up over the coming months, many homebuyers could find themselves in a tough spot having paid over the odds for a property in current market conditions.” CEO of Keller Williams UK, Ben Taylor, commented: “Homebuyer confidence remains high at present despite many having to battle it out with multiple other buyers in order to secure a purchase. This continued imbalance between supply and demand will ensure house price growth remains buoyant over the summer months, although we can expect a slow in pace as we approach the final quarter due to a combination of the stamp duty holiday ending and wider seasonal influences.”