As a part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions across our businesses and to be at the forefront of the energy transition in our sector, the Sureserve Group are pleased to announce that our first batch of fully electric commercial vehicles will be on the roads in June. The investment
With SMEs most at risk according to industry experts While the UK construction sector has been one of lesser impacted industries in the pandemic, it is being hit by another ever-growing malaise – theft of plant machinery is at an all-time high according to new research. Since shocking statistics revealed
Amidst growing concerns over materials supplies, the UK construction industry has once again confounded common sense to deliver yet another upbeat set of month contract award figures. Builders’ Conference CEO Neil Edwards reports. When Brexit threatened to destabilise the British economy, the construction industry soldiered on as if nothing had happened.
North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust partners with healthcare construction specialist ModuleCo for the construction of a new state-of-the-art, Gynaecological Twin Operating Theatre Suite ModuleCo have installed a state-of-the-art Gynaecological Operating Theatre Suite for the North Bristol NHS Trust providing expanded maternity services at Southmead Hospital. The new modular facility will become part of the
A £60 million regeneration programme has transformed Campbeltown town centre into a more vibrant, attractive place to live, work and visit. As part of the programme, Argyll and Bute Council has completed a £10 million heritage led programme of works. Regeneration projects include: £60,000 of shopfront improvement grants awarded to
Industry leader AEI Cables has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to supply low voltage power and fire performance cables to the prestigious Sky City project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The supply of the cables for power, control and fire performance for the commercial and retail sector of
Over half (53%) of UK construction workers say their workplace does not offer mental health training According to the latest study into UK adults’ mental health during the pandemic by Mentalhealth.org1, 13% of UK adults experienced suicidal thoughts in February 2021, rising from 8% in April 2020 at the start
If you want a new concrete parking lot or driveway in your home, then you may consider looking for a reliable concrete contractor in your area. It’s always best to look for a local contractor since they’re more knowledgeable about your area’s soil type, plant and tree populations, as well
Although many gamblers have turned to online games in 2021, many countries are declaring it safe to travel again. Gamblers worldwide are jumping off their couches to enjoy some of the world’s most luxurious casinos. Norwegian players have very few places where they can enjoy sportsbetting or their favourite casino
A new academy for training engineers and leaders of today and tomorrow has been delivered using cutting-edge modular building methods. Integra Buildings, one of the UK’s leading modular construction specialists, has completed the development for Severn Trent Water, which serves eight million people across the Midlands. Staff from both companies
As a part of our ongoing commitment to reduce emissions across our businesses and to be at the forefront of the energy transition in our sector, the Sureserve Group are pleased to announce that our first batch of fully electric commercial vehicles will be on the roads in June. The investment will start the next stage in our journey towards a greener and more economical fleet, and is one aspect of our planned improvements ahead of the Department for Transport’s ban on sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. The Sureserve group currently operates 1600 light commercial vehicles and 60 company cars across the UK. Each vehicle is assigned by job role and vehicle requirements and wherever possible we look to use the smallest, most efficient vehicle to carry out the job required. Currently 87% of the vehicles in the Sureserve Group fleet are the most efficient Euro 6 diesel available, with an average CO2 per vehicle of 141gCO2/km (The average CO2 emissions from new vans in 2019 was 158.4 gCO2/km). Dean Williams, Group Fleet Manager said “I’m delighted to be able to confirm the next step in our journey to make our fleet as efficient and sustainable as possible in the years ahead. As a national business we’re mindful of our environmental impact on the communities we work in, and this is one part of our ongoing commitment to carbon reductions and sustainable practises across the Group.”
With SMEs most at risk according to industry experts While the UK construction sector has been one of lesser impacted industries in the pandemic, it is being hit by another ever-growing malaise – theft of plant machinery is at an all-time high according to new research. Since shocking statistics revealed that plant and tool theft increased by 50% in the first few months of the pandemic shut down periods1, according to leading GPS vehicle tracker installer Trackershop construction businesses are continuing to face increased levels of plant and machinery theft; and more businesses are now taking matters into their own hands to stop the thieves in their tracks by installing state-of-the-art tracker technology. Faced with shocking figures which show that on average less than 10% of plant machinery is ever recovered (if not fitted with a tracker)2, and with statistics showing thefts are on the rise, Trackershop-uk.com has seen enquiries rise by 80% over the past 12 months3. In a further survey by the company, more than three-quarters of Trackershop customers said that they think machinery theft is more of a threat now than before the pandemic, and two out of three say the problem is showing no sign of decline. According to Trackershop owner Shaun Carse, this is forcing plant owners into safeguarding their equipment with sophisticated trackers rather than relying on law enforcement or other previously used security measures, which are not proving effective. He commented: “Plant machinery theft has always been a huge issue for the construction industry, with some reports claiming more than £400 million worth of machinery is stolen in the UK every year. But the events of the past 12 months have created a perfect storm – giving organised crime gangs more opportunity and impetus to target construction sites, which can often leave themselves vulnerable compare to, say, sports vehicles of the same value. “Rather than the number of thefts decreasing since lockdown has eased, we are hearing that this continues to be a growing problem and the industry is struggling to protect itself from criminal activity. “Plant machinery is hugely expensive, easy to sell for profit and, historically, has been difficult to track and recover. Thefts within the sector are seen as a relatively low risk gamble due to the pitifully small percentage of equipment that is ever recovered. “The Police do a brilliant job in trying to retrieve stolen vehicles and having the correct identifying marks, installing CCTV and tight security are all good measures to reduce loss of equipment, but adding a tracker means there is an immediate response activation – and with advancing technology this is fast becoming the most effective way to combat burglaries of this type. “Trackers with in-built immobilisation heightens security further than any other safekeeping measure. It enables the customer to immobilise their machinery remotely from their tracking app at any time. They then override it through the same process when they need to use it again. Many customers implement this when they are leaving plant/machinery on-site or in storage unattended. If anyone moves equipment illegally (by lifting onto a flatbed or towing away with the ignition off) site owners receive an instant notification or automated phone call to alert them. “Thankfully today’s technology means that we can win the war on organised crime gangs targeting the industry, but more still needs to be done to make sure that businesses are not leaving themselves vulnerable to theft. “Overall, it’s estimated that the UK construction industry loses more than £800 million per year due to machinery theft, taking into account all associated costs. These include the cost of plant replacement, hire of replacement equipment, loss of business and increased insurance premiums. “While theft has a detrimental effect on all size of business, given the knock on – it’s smaller to medium sized enterprises that face the biggest risk, often leaving them struggling to survive.” Trackershop customer, a construction and groundworks company based in the South East of England, explains the impact of machinery theft on his business: “We didn’t anticipate how the pandemic would make our plant machinery so vulnerable. On the day that we downed tools and shut our site during the second lockdown, we had a digger stolen. In fact, CCTV later showed that the thieves had entered our site within five minutes of us locking up and leaving- they were clearly waiting in anticipation of us vacating. As this kit did not have trackers installed, we had absolutely no way of recovering them. “We have, however, had Trackershop trackers in our fleet of vans for over five years now. This is mainly for monitoring from a logistics standpoint during the working day. What has proven to be invaluable is the additional security they bring – as we were recently able to recover two stolen vans instantly, using the live tracking information. “Based on the success rate and effectiveness of our Trackershop devices used in our vans, we are in the process of rolling out the same trackers across all of our new plant when they arrive next week. “Plant trackers were just never something that we had considered before now. However, it now seems thieves are making a beeline for diggers and plant in general. “Due to our success so far, and the overall quality of service we have received from Trackershop, we will feel a lot better about leaving our machinery unattended now with tracking devices installed.” Shaun continues: “When you consider that plant machinery trackers start at £54.00 with a rolling monthly subscription of less than £10 per month, it is clear why this is fast becoming the go-to security measure of the industry with the potential to save businesses losses that could amount to hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
Amidst growing concerns over materials supplies, the UK construction industry has once again confounded common sense to deliver yet another upbeat set of month contract award figures. Builders’ Conference CEO Neil Edwards reports. When Brexit threatened to destabilise the British economy, the construction industry soldiered on as if nothing had happened. When the COVID-19 pandemic made landfall in the UK, the construction industry carried on regardless. So now, when a shortage of construction materials is considered bad enough to make the TV news, it should probably come as no surprise to see the sector shrug its collective shoulders and – in the manner of a petulant teenager – sneer “yeah, whatever”. In a month shortened by national holidays, the BCLive league table celebrated a further easing of lockdown restrictions, delivering more than £6.2 billion in new contract awards. Set against an established norm of £4 billion per month, it is just the latest example of positivity and the industry’s unwavering resilience. Storming to the top of the BCLive league table in May 2021 is a Mace/Dragados joint venture, which picked up a single contract valued at £570 million. That contract is for the construction of a new railway station at Curzon Street in Birmingham and forms part of the mammoth HS2 project. Like the gift that keeps on giving, HS2 was also responsible for propelling another joint venture into second place. EKFB – a joint venture between Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and BAM – will build a new railway line from Twyford to Greatworth, following the corridor of the former Great Central Line. The line will pass through existing cuttings to be largely hidden from view; but the project also includes the construction of several embankments and viaducts. The eternal battle for the highest number of contracts per month flared up again this month, with usual suspects Kier and Morgan Sindall going head-to-head. Kier came out on top with a haul of 18 new contract awards valued at a combined £313 million. But Kier was pipped into fourth place by Morgan Sindall, which picked up 16 new contract awards valued at a combined £407 million. The largest of the Morgan Sindall contracts was won by its house-building division, Lovell Partnerships. Valued at £85 million, that contract is for the construction of 528 dwellings at a development called Royal Victoria Court at Newport in Wales. In fifth position on the BCLive league table is Winvic Construction, which reported five new contract awards during the month worth in total £293 million. The most significant of these is a £248 million contract for the construction of a new industrial estate at Dummer in Basingstoke. In a month in which each of top 16 on the BCLive league table picked up more than £100 million in new work, Mulalley Planned Maintenance took the number six position, collecting a 10-year framework deal for the refurbishment and repair of dwellings operated by Lewisham Homes. Despite a strong showing from the railway sector that contributed £1.11 billion to the monthly total, the house-building sector remains unassailable, delivering 171 individual projects valued at £2.16 billion. Individually, London also retained its top position with 119 new contract awards valued at almost £1.32 billion. However, with £1.13 billion and £638 million respectively, the West and East Midlands together have a good claim for the top spot. Of course, all these new contract awards have not made the worsening materials shortages vanish miraculously. In truth, they may just exacerbate the situation. But the majority of the contracts awarded in May 2021 will be unlikely to require materials on site until after the summer. By that time, materials suppliers will have hopefully ramped up production to satisfy the continuing high levels of demand. While that remains a concern for the future, the sector’s present – seemingly against all odds and expectations – continues to look positive. Quick review of BCLive table for May 2021 332 no companies were detailed as winning new contracts during May 2021 551 no new construction orders were researched by Builders’ Conference all detailed on the UK’s only Live league table of construction contract awards BCLive A JV of Mace & Dragados secured overall top spot with a single contract worth £570 billion Kier Group regained its position as the company with the most number of new construction orders in the month with 18no totaling £313.8 million The importance of real-time verified independent, construction information, sales leads and bespoke construction sector analysis has never been more important and the Builders’ Conference delivers this LIVE service, via one of the most digitally advanced platforms on the UK market. Ensure your business has access to evidenced based premier construction project information from across the UK by becoming a member of the Builders’ Conference. Discover what is really happening in UK construction as well as critically analysing ALL our data via our built in report writing service. Go to BuildersConference.co.uk/how-it-works for more information. We are a not for profit organisation who are dedicated to maintain our high level of services for as long as possible with the financial support of our membership. We firmly believe because it is the UK construction industries own information which we analyse no one should be paying vast sums to read it! Proud to have been bringing validated UK construction information since 1935. GO FURTHER and SEE the Contracts…. Builders’ Conference are the recognised partner to provide real time construction data & analysis to Build UK assisting them to provide clear evidenced based UK construction information to Government Bodies & the wider construction industry including training & apprenticeship schemes and our independent, verified, construction information and research often features in a Build UK updates demonstrating the importance of Builders’ Conference . Data & analysis for May 2021 carried out by the industry recognised team here at Builders’ Conference together with the UK’s only Live table of construction contracts BCLive table with its unique feature of detailing all companies researched as winning new projects in the month, clearly
North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust partners with healthcare construction specialist ModuleCo for the construction of a new state-of-the-art, Gynaecological Twin Operating Theatre Suite ModuleCo have installed a state-of-the-art Gynaecological Operating Theatre Suite for the North Bristol NHS Trust providing expanded maternity services at Southmead Hospital. The new modular facility will become part of the Southmead Maternity Services Department as dedicated gynaecological operating theatres. Southmead Hospital’s Maternity Services Department provides a full range of maternity care and more than 6,000 babies are born at the Hospital every year. Juliette Hughes, Divisional Director of Nursing for Women and Children’s Health at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “We are incredibly pleased with how closely we have been able to work with ModuleCo on this project, allowing us to design the facilities exactly as we need them. This lets us provide the best possible care to women needing routine or emergency gynaecology treatment at Southmead Hospital. “These state-of-the-art new facilities have also allowed us to upgrade all of our theatres across Women and Children’s Health in line with other theatres in the hospital.” A detailed design was developed by ModuleCo’s experienced in-house design team, consisting of thirteen modules which make up a 2,470ft2 total footprint. The facility consists of two Operating Theatres with specialist equipment for gynaecological poceedures, supported by integral scrubs, lay-up preparation rooms, anaesthetic rooms, dirty utility rooms, a 5-bed first stage recovery, offices, and various supporting and staff rest areas. Twenty-percent of the building’s power will be generated by solar panels, demonstrating the Trust’s commitment to sustainability, an agenda set forth by NHS England mandating Trusts to work towards delivering a ‘Net-Zero National Health Service’. ModuleCo’s team completed the factory assembly phase and all modules have now been installed on site. Completing 90% of the construction and fit out in the factory provides a more sustainable approach to construction and has also been vital in helping the Trust minimise disruption to their active hospital estate. Headquartered in Cheltenham, ModuleCo is part of the BladeRoom Group of companies which have delivered more than £500 million worth of mission-critical modular facilities to the UK and overseas markets, including data centres, healthcare and pharmaceutical facilities. These Operating Theatres were manufactured at their 110,000ft2 factory in Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire. Jonathan Brindley, Sales and Marketing Director for ModuleCo, and project sponsor said: “We are delighted to be building a partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust and supporting them to deliver the highest standards of care to the women in their communities. This facility represents a significant step in the Trust’s long-term strategy to upgrade their gynaecological theatre facilities, expanding their services and secure additional critical care capacity. “Sustainability was an important factor for the Trust team, the facility is provided with rooftop solar panels and increased efficiency heat recovery with the AHUs as well as being future proofed for changes in the Trust heating infrastructure.” Live project updates from the scheme, and others critical schemes being delivered, can be found on ModuleCo’s website, Twitter and LinkedIn pages.
A £60 million regeneration programme has transformed Campbeltown town centre into a more vibrant, attractive place to live, work and visit. As part of the programme, Argyll and Bute Council has completed a £10 million heritage led programme of works. Regeneration projects include: £60,000 of shopfront improvement grants awarded to 42 businesses 60 local contractors employed, 10 new businesses opened and 51 new jobs created £3.2 million building repair grants awarded to 182 individuals £2 million repair and conservation of Campbeltown’s Town Hall to bring it back under community ownership £3 million restoration of the Campbeltown Picture House 40 training courses and community events delivered and attended by over 2,000 people A new Discover Campbeltown app An evaluation report was commissioned to look at the impact and benefits to the town following completion of projects. Key findings: 83% of respondents said that several or most of the places they visit in the town are noticeably improved 98% said they would recommend local businesses to family, friends and visitors 90.21% said regeneration projects have improved Campbeltown 90% of businesses noted that CARS and Shopfront investment have transformed their business 70% of businesses said they would not have been able to complete projects without funding 14 of the 16 building contractors who responded felt regeneration works has led to follow-on work Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead, Business, Regeneration and Commercial Development: “By improving the infrastructure and fabric of the town centre, Campbeltown has totally transformed. We are already seeing the benefits to the local economy including more job opportunities and new businesses opening. This has been a collaborative approach, working with partners, residents and businesses throughout the project. The success of Campbeltown, now provides a working model for our other towns as we continue to invest in Argyll and Bute’s future.” Following extensive investment, Campbeltown won Scotland’s most improved place at the 2021 SURF awards. A film promoting the regeneration of Campbeltown is available to watch on the council website Funding of regeneration projects was provided by Argyll and Bute Council, Historic Environment Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund and Argyll and the Islands LEADER, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Industry leader AEI Cables has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to supply low voltage power and fire performance cables to the prestigious Sky City project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The supply of the cables for power, control and fire performance for the commercial and retail sector of the site starts in September and will continue until early next year. AEI Cables will work in partnership with its long term Hong Kong distributor Fordex Electric Company Limited for the project located at Chek Lap Kok No.3. Stuart Dover of AEI Cables, said: “The need for cables which offer the highest levels of fire performance for an international airport of this kind cannot be underestimated with large numbers of people moving about. We are proud to be chosen to supply the cables for such an iconic world-class project.” A major integrated commercial development, Sky City forms a core part of the strategy to expand and transform HKIA into a major aviation hub. The complex will feature retail units, entertainment facilities, dining space, hotels and office towers across approximately 25 hectares of land at the north of the airport island. Using the very latest in technology and science, AEI Cables’ Firetec Total Fire Solutions range offers enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from its distribution facility at Washington, Tyne and Wear. Applications for Firetec include residential and commercial buildings, shopping malls, airports and protected buildings ensuring that fire alarms, sprinkler systems, building monitoring and security systems can continue to operate in a fire. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB covering design, manufacture and supply. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.
Over half (53%) of UK construction workers say their workplace does not offer mental health training According to the latest study into UK adults’ mental health during the pandemic by Mentalhealth.org1, 13% of UK adults experienced suicidal thoughts in February 2021, rising from 8% in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic. When it comes to the construction industry, action is being taken to tackle the issues around mental health. Industry bodies, charities and publications have launched campaigns such as Construction News’ annual Mind Matters survey, and Mates in Mind, the charity set up by the Health in Construction Leadership Group. Whilst the industry is still primarily male dominated, with just 298,000 female workers compared to 1,939,000 male workers2, studies show that 75% of suicides in the UK are committed by men and male construction workers are 3 times more likely to commit suicide than the average man in the UK3. When it comes to the impact the global pandemic has had on employees’ mental health in the construction industry, a new study4 by the online training provider, High Speed Training, reveals almost two thirds (60%) of construction workers surveyed said they’ve suffered with their mental health over the past year. In addition, 64% of construction workers said they remain concerned about their own or their colleagues’ mental health, even once lockdown restrictions are lifted. Looking deeper into the reasons why construction workers have struggled with their mental health during the pandemic, a recent study5 among project managers in the construction sector by the Association for Project Management reveals the main reasons respondents say their project has negatively impacted them. These are: ‘My work-life balance is suffering due to this project’ (cited by 40% of respondents working in construction) ‘This project is impacting my home life and personal relationships’ (cited by 40%) ‘There are unrealistic expectations placed on me by project stakeholders’ (cited by 39%) There is insufficient opportunity for me to voice concerns to my superiors (cited by 37%) Debbie Dore, chief executive of APM, said: “These continue to be challenging times, and many people in the project profession have been impacted for reasons beyond their control. It’s essential that project professionals continue to be properly supported so they can deliver positive change for the people, businesses and communities they serve.” High Speed Training’s data also shows that the industry has a long way to go when it comes to standardising mental health awareness training and support for employees. Worryingly, two fifths (40%) of those surveyed said they don’t feel there is anyone in the workplace who they can discuss their mental health with in confidence. And, almost a fifth (17%) said they don’t think their workplace provides sufficient mental health support for employees. A further 47% say none of their fellow employees hold mental health training qualifications as far as they’re aware. Despite this, almost half (45%) of those who aren’t currently offered mental health training said they would partake in it should it be offered to them. Katie Martinelli, construction industry expert at High Speed Training commented: “It’s extremely worrying that this new data shows how many employees in the construction industry have really struggled with their mental health during the pandemic, and think it will continue to be an issue once restrictions are completely lifted. “It’s vital that businesses and industry bodies provide and cover the cost of training around mental health awareness, so there are dedicated team members for employees to turn to. “The first step is providing employees with someone to talk to, who can then provide support and guidance, and escalate issues when required. We have mental health awareness training courses suited to employees and managers. Both courses are open to any industry, including construction, and include information on the responsibilities and duties of all employers with regards to mental health. We also look at the unique difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic has created and provide specific strategies for these.” Katie at High Speed Training provides her top tips for employers and employees around how to talk to colleagues about mental health: Ensure you are directing people to the correct support “Having the conversation is the first step, but remember to do your research before you signpost someone to potential next steps. Use websites like Mind to learn more.” Encourage someone who is struggling to visit their GP “It’s important to point out that this could be a big help to someone who is struggling. If they are reluctant to visit a GP, try offering to accompany them – if they would be comfortable with that. However, don’t take control over the situation – ultimately, it’s their choice.” Ensure the situation is comfortable “Think about other points of contact if talking face-to-face isn’t working – some people feel more comfortable talking about mental health over the phone, through text, or through email. You could also choose a situation where you are side-by-side to take the pressure off – for example, talk while you are cooking, driving, or walking.” Don’t rush anyone to speak up “Allow them to open up at their own pace. These conversations shouldn’t be rushed, so don’t start it if you don’t have time. It might take several discussions before you get to the root of the issue – that’s OK!” Look out for your own wellbeing “Remember to look after yourself too – you can’t help others if you are not well yourself. Ensure that you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and setting boundaries if necessary.” For more information about High Speed Training’s Mental Health Awareness courses and tips around how to talk about mental health in the workplace, visit: https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/how-to-talk-about-mental-health/
If you want a new concrete parking lot or driveway in your home, then you may consider looking for a reliable concrete contractor in your area. It’s always best to look for a local contractor since they’re more knowledgeable about your area’s soil type, plant and tree populations, as well as climate. However, just like hiring other professionals, choosing the right concrete contractor who has significant experience can be an overwhelming process. With a variety of options to choose from, it may be difficult to look for the perfect one for your concrete needs. To help you with your search, here are some tips on how to find a top-rated local concrete contractor: 1. Conduct Research Thoroughly One of the primary ways to help you find the appropriate local contractor for your concrete project is to do thorough research. In today’s modern world, there are various ways to get a nice list of options. These can include: Internet search: With a few Internet searches, you may find an abundant list of potential concrete contractors. For instance, you may use some major search engines like Google, Yahoo, and many more. Family and friends: Ask your family and friends living in the same local area as you. They may have worked with some of the best concrete contractors in your area so they can recommend someone they know and trust. If you’re dealing with damaged concrete in Colorado Springs or wherever you may be located and want it repaired as soon as possible, then the fastest way to find a professional concrete contractor is by researching your options. For instance, you can visit website of concrete companies so you can get information and compare to select the best local contractor among them. 2. Compare Estimates You can also find a top-rated local concrete contractor by requesting detailed estimates from your prospects and comparing them to make a hiring decision. When you check estimates, you’ll have an idea of who you’re dealing with and determine whether they’re a great choice in terms of the following: Pricing: It’s one of the essential things to check in the estimate. Be sure to look not only at the overall price but also the breakdown itself. This means you should examine the costs of the base material, coloring, sealer, reinforcement, concrete thickness, and even the down payment. By checking these things, you’ll know whether the total price commensurate with the detailed breakdown. Specifications: In the contract document, the contractor should also specifically mention the details of the materials to be used, along with a timeline and local suppliers they work with. Moreover, check if the contractor specified how they’re going to tackle the project. If you want to get estimates from contractors who offer stamped concrete to beautify your home, you may want to click here for more information. 3. Check Experience Another way to find an exceptional concrete contractor in your area is to look at professional experience and insurance. This means choosing a professional who has been in the business of making concrete for at least five years as their experience will ensure a good level of reliability and stability. Typically, experienced concrete contractors know exactly what to do by taking an active part in your project and providing insights that can help your concrete project progress smoothly. You can review their portfolio and see samples of their work, especially when it comes to local concrete projects. 4. Request For Contact References Before you choose a local concrete contractor who can help enhance the durability of your outdoor areas and pavements, it’s important to ask them for a list of references. Once you have the list, make sure to contact those references living in your area. This will help you get to know more about your prospects and their work performance. For example, you can ask questions about the type of concrete project they had, the contractor’s level of communication and involvement, the length of the project, and the opinions of the references. After getting all the information, be sure to use them to make a sound decision. 5. Make Sure They Have Insurance It’s also vital to check your prospective contractor’s insurance. Sometimes, things can possibly go wrong while the work is going on. It can be cumbersome to worry and take care of accidents, injuries, or damages that might happen during the project, especially with the expenses that come with these. That’s why you need to make sure the professional you hire carries sufficient insurance coverage. Construction insurance protection can include equipment and tools, crime coverage, protection for their work vehicles. While the insurance is more likely to protect the interest and safety of the contractor and their workers, it’s an indication that your prospective contractor is professionally responsible for their business, which also lessens the burden and worries on your end. 6. Measure The Ease Of Communication Another vital way of finding an exceptional local concrete contractor is to measure their ease of communication. This means considering a professional who has friendly and professional behavior. They should be willing to answer your questions and get back to you on time. If the contractor doesn’t call you back or doesn’t want to answer your questions professionally, consider it as a sign to walk away and look for someone else. Moreover, check whether your potential concrete contractor has a physical office in your area so you can easily go to their office in case online communications aren’t accessible when you need them. The Bottom Line If you’re looking to have a successfully finished concrete project, it’s important to choose the right contractor in your local area. Whether you need some repairs or to build a concrete for your parking area or driveway, you should have a top-rated local concrete contractor who knows how to give the feel and look you want for your concrete surfaces.
Although many gamblers have turned to online games in 2021, many countries are declaring it safe to travel again. Gamblers worldwide are jumping off their couches to enjoy some of the world’s most luxurious casinos. Norwegian players have very few places where they can enjoy sportsbetting or their favourite casino games. There’s only a handful in the country and only 12 allowed according to recent law changes. So, where can you go to find the luxury casino experience you’re looking for? We asked our resident casino expert, Benjamin Reppersen, and came up with a list of six of the most prestigious casinos in the world. Casino De Monte-Carlo The Casino de Monte-Carlo is located in Monaco and is almost inseparable from the image of the suave James Bond in his Aston Martin. Everything from the intricate architecture to hand-made tables and kingly service will make you feel like royalty as soon as you walk in. The casino offers halls of slot games and tables of every kind. And when you’re all done playing, you can enjoy a refreshing drink at the lounge bar or sate your appetite at the highly acclaimed restaurant. Bellagio The Bellagio Luxury Resort and Casino in Las Vegas is one of the infamous MGM resorts that offers a wealth of luxury and entertainment. Visit the Club Privé to experience a private and calm atmosphere and enjoy one of the “Lucky 8” spirits. The expansive slots floor offers almost every type of slot you could imagine, along with delicious food and live entertainment from some of the most well-known names in the business. After a thrilling session in the casino, you can enjoy a range of other amenities such as the spa, pools, shops, gym, or restaurant before heading to your room in the hotel. You can even bring your canine pal to share your visit to the lavish Bellagio Resort. Baden-Baden Casino The Casino Baden-Baden is one of the most famous casinos in Germany. The stunning French architecture and almost 200 years of continued extravagant service prove this casino’s high acclaim among international gamblers. You can’t even walk in without at least a suit jacket, and you can rent one in case your visit is spontaneous. The casino offers a range of table games with professional dealers and a slots floor that will dazzle you. There’s also The Grill restaurant and Club Bernstein when you’ve had your session on the gambling floors and want to wind down. Marina Bay Sands The Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore has four levels of gaming space with over 2300 slot machines and more than 20 table games. The Ruby, Piazza, and High Limit areas have more than 200 games for you to enjoy in a more private and grand atmosphere on the upper, exclusive floors of the casino. Along with the grand casino, players can enjoy the array of restaurants, events, pool, spa, and so much more. The Marina Bay Sands is more than just a casino resort; it’s an experience. Sun City Casino Resort Travel away from the bustle of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and you’ll find a palace of luxury and thrills. Book a stay in the Palace of the Lost City, Cascades, Cabanas, or Soho hotels, all with gorgeous views and plush rooms. Have fun with the family at Waterworld, Kwena, or Valley of Waves. You can even enjoy a game of golf or a safari tour. Each hotel offers a casino floor with exciting games and that lavish, Las Vegas feel. Have fun in the African sun, watch live shows by your favourite artists, and find out if Lady Luck is on your side at this luxurious Resort. Conclusion Players worldwide are searching for ways to take advantage of safer environments after being stuck at home for extended periods of time. We’ve come to the rescue with this list of some of the most luxurious casinos in the world. These casinos offer more than just gambling; they offer extravagance and comfort in many forms. It’s time to get out and treat yourself to some luxury. You deserve it.
A new academy for training engineers and leaders of today and tomorrow has been delivered using cutting-edge modular building methods. Integra Buildings, one of the UK’s leading modular construction specialists, has completed the development for Severn Trent Water, which serves eight million people across the Midlands. Staff from both companies came together for a celebratory event to mark the launch of the Severn Trent Academy, which was officially opened by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this month. It provides a purpose-built centre of excellence for technical training on a new flagship campus in Coventry, as part of Severn Trent’s wider £10m investment in skills and training. The versatile facilities provide a variety of traditional and experimental training environments, from hands-on areas designed to replicate Severn Trent’s working environments, to use of the latest technologies in virtual reality and “network simulation” computer modelling. The energy-efficient building, which will meet Severn Trent’s present and future training needs, also houses an extensive suite of stylish rooms and breakout areas for hosting conferences and educational events. It will offer a wide range of development opportunities for Severn Trent’s 7,000 staff, including apprentices, as well as members of the wider community, who will have a chance to gain valuable employability skills and training. The facilities will also benefit 500 young people to be employed by Severn Trent over the next year under the Government’s Kickstart Scheme, which creates six-month paid work placements for 16-24-year-olds at risk of long-term unemployment. East Yorkshire-based Integra completed the development in just 12 months from the design stage to handing over the keys, despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. The building is a prime example of how modern modular techniques are transforming the construction sector by delivering major projects faster and more efficiently than traditional methods, without compromising on quality. The Prime Minister took a tour of the new building and described Severn Trent’s training programme as “world class”. He added: “This brilliant academy will support thousands of people in the West Midlands to gain the skills they need to secure long-term jobs and to take a step towards brighter futures.” Integra Managing Director Gary Parker said: “We’re delighted that the Prime Minister has praised the new academy, which looks superb inside and out. Working closely with Severn Trent, our team has delivered a first-class training environment with cutting-edge facilities. “It’s a great example of how our innovative approach to bespoke modular building allows us to meet even the most challenging design briefs while delivering faster and more cost-effective results for the client. “To do that while dealing with the challenges of Covid, especially during the uncertainty of the first lockdown, represents an outstanding achievement by our team, partners and suppliers.” Severn Trent Construction Project Manager Zoe McPhilbin said: “It was great to work with Integra in helping us create our new academy that will be so valuable in providing skills and opportunities for our people and communities. “The design aspirations for our academy have been met in full, which clearly demonstrates how Integra shared the same values and ambitions as ourselves on delivering such an amazing space in which to learn.” East Yorkshire-based Integra designed and manufactured the building, which has a floorspace of 22,600 sq ft (2,100 sq m), at its site near Hull. The facility is made up of 45 modular units, which were transported by articulated lorry to Coventry, before being assembled on Severn Trent’s site on the outskirts of the city. Integra has developed a nationwide reputation for excellence in the design, construction and fit-out of modular buildings for a wide range of uses, including education, sport, leisure, healthcare and commercial operations.