The long-awaited £90m Congleton link road has opened to traffic. The occasion was marked by a colourful cavalcade of more than 50 classic cars driven by local enthusiasts along the 5.5km newly named Wolstenholme Elmy Way. The procession of vehicles, which included a ‘Batmobile’, high-performance sports cars and vehiclesdating from the early part
The best way to start the day — other than with a quick brew — is by inspecting your construction equipment to make sure it is ready to get to work. If you don’t, you risk premature equipment failure and project delays. Here Mark Mulligan, Product Manager at exclusive Caterpillar®
Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating obtained Hollis has worked with SEGRO to deliver the industrial and warehouse developers’ most sustainable refurbishment projects at Park Royal, London, with both achieving Net Zero Carbon and Excellent BREEAM ratings. Introducing best in class sustainable measures into the Park Royal site, we
The current state of the world makes it extremely difficult to travel around and see some amazing architecture. Yet, it is imperative that architecture lovers should make it a priority to visit new places and see these amazing buildings once normality returns from the coronavirus pandemic. But while our lives
Since football is the most popular sports in the world, there are several thousands of stadiums, which are capable of hosting football games in spectacular fashion, dotted around the world. Each of the stadiums comes with its own unique architecture, which has been shaped over decades of input from the
There’s no denying that buying new comes with plenty of benefits. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your business. There are plenty of benefits of buying used too! Whether you are interested in equipment restoration and want to know exactly how to restore items on your own,
In a packed week for building fire safety, the House of Lords considers amendments to the Bill and top mandarins face scrutiny over last year’s Communities department annual report. The Fire Safety Bill returns to the House of Lords on Tuesday this week, as peers consider Commons’ amendments. This is
Amid the current UK multi-residential development boom, the majority of contractors and consultants claim sustainability will be the most important design issue over the next ten years, according to an industry report. In contrast, the survey of 520 M&E contractors and architects – 25% of whom work in the residential
If you want your construction business to stand out from its competitors, consider making a shift to digital marketing. For several years, online marketing campaigns are on a steady rise. And for a good reason, digital marketing provides leverage to small businesses and startups but at lower costs. Whether you’re
A major fire safety industry body has endorsed the message from specialist AEI Cables about the importance of using only approved cabling in signal and control equipment following the announcement of a revised version of the Code of Practice. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of the systems powered
The long-awaited £90m Congleton link road has opened to traffic. The occasion was marked by a colourful cavalcade of more than 50 classic cars driven by local enthusiasts along the 5.5km newly named Wolstenholme Elmy Way. The procession of vehicles, which included a ‘Batmobile’, high-performance sports cars and vehiclesdating from the early part of the last century, was preceded by a small Covid-secure ribbon-cutting ceremony by the team involved in delivering the road. The route had opened to the public to walk and cycle along at the weekend before Monday’s opening to vehicles. The road, which is the borough’s largest infrastructure project to date, is named after Congleton’s famous pioneering educationalist and campaigner for votes for women, Elizabeth Clarke Wolstenholme Elmy. The route will relieve the Cheshire East town of some of its historical traffic problems, create road space for cyclists and pedestrians and improve air quality for residents, while opening up new development opportunities for employment and housing. Despite the dual challenges of the Covid pandemic and harsh winter weather, the council’s contractor, Graham, worked hard to reduce the delays to the project, which was originally due to open late last year. The scheme has also been delivered within budget. Frank Jordan, Cheshire East Council’s executive director for place, said: “The opening of Wolstenholme Elmy Way is a real cause for celebration and a fine achievement – not only for the council, Graham and road users but, above all, the people of Congleton. “Traffic congestion has previously restricted town centre growth, reduced inward investment and also made it a challenge to retain existing businesses. “Cheshire East Council is delighted this complex and significant project has been successfully delivered – and within budget – despite the additional challenges of two extremely wet winters and the unprecedented impact of the Covid pandemic. Coronavirus affected the schemes’ suppliers and meant contractors had to take special measures to protect workers. “Given the size and complexity of the project – and the additional challenges of the past 15 months or so – the progress made from drawing board to build completion has been astonishing. Everyone involved in this scheme should feel tremendously proud.” The new highway joins the A534 Sandbach Road to the west and the A536 Macclesfield Road to the north, opening up connectivity and improving travel between Macclesfield, Congleton and the M6. It will release 20 hectares of new employment land with the potential to create 3,000 jobs by 2035. Mr Jordan added: “Congleton Town Council and the people of Congleton have been very supportive of this scheme and Cheshire East Council is delighted that everyone’s hard work has now come to final fruition.” Alastair Lewis, contracts manager for Graham, said: “This is a fantastic moment for the whole construction team, its partners and the local Congleton community. Despite the impact of the pandemic and some tough recent winter weather, we have been able to continue our works in a safe manner, while following government and public health guidelines, and have delivered the link road as close to the original schedule as possible – and within budget.” Cheshire East Council is contributing £24m towards the scheme with central government and developer contributions meeting the balance. Planning for the Congleton link road began back in 2012 with various routes considered by Cheshire East Council. After public consultation, a planning application was submitted in September 2015, before permission was granted the following July. The Department for Transport gave the final go-ahead for the council for their element of funding, enabling the council to acquire the land for the route in 2018, before Graham began construction in 2019. For more information visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/congletonlinkroad or www.graham.co.uk/congleton-link-road
The best way to start the day — other than with a quick brew — is by inspecting your construction equipment to make sure it is ready to get to work. If you don’t, you risk premature equipment failure and project delays. Here Mark Mulligan, Product Manager at exclusive Caterpillar® distributor Finning UK and Ireland, discusses best practice for daily maintenance for the Cat® mini excavator range. When inspecting your mini excavator, the place to start is not with the machine itself, but with the operation and maintenance manual as this incorporates all recommended procedures in an easy-to-follow format, making it a quicker process. But, for those without a manual to hand, here is a quick run through of the best practices for a Cat mini excavator. Walkaround best practices Starting at the front of the machine, operators should first inspect the attachment for any deterioration caused by abrasive or corrosive elements, as well as checking for possible damage from trying to move weights that exceed its load limit. Any damage found could point to an improper application of the attachment, or an incorrect choice of attachment for the material being worked. Inspection of the hydraulic cylinders is next. Operators need to take time to identify any damage or excessive wear, with specific focus on the cylinder rods and seals — a scored, rough or bent rod will damage the seals and allow for leaks. If operators find a leak but the rod does not appear to be damaged, it may be that the seal is completely worn or broken and needs swapping out. This is also a good time to ensure that the linkage, boom pins and slew bearing on the arm of the excavator are adequately greased. Moving to the main bulk of the machine, operators should next check the tracks and undercarriage, looking for cracked, broken and missing items along with foreign items that may have attached themselves to the machine. Check to ensure the steel which is encased in the rubber track is connecting with the sprocket assembly. Finally, inspect the rubber tracks for possible layering damage, commonly referred to as delamination. Now is also a good time to inspect the final drives for any leaks, as well as opening the side door and checking the radiator, removing any debris from the fans so that excess heat is being drawn from the engine in all conditions. Moving round to the back of the excavator, the operator can access the engine area and check both engine oil and coolant levels, topping up as required. Before shutting the engine compartment, check the engine’s air filter to remove any impurities. This will also allow you to remove any debris in the main engine compartment and fix any leaks that may be apparent. Finally, the cab structure should be checked all around the machine for any loose bolts or broken bulbs and lenses. This also includes checking the lenses on the gauges inside the operator cab, as well as looking for broken indicator lights or switches, of which replacements can be bought with ease from the Cat Parts website. To make the process easier, Cat Inspect, an easy-to-use inspection tool that works on smartphones and tablets, keeps your fleet’s daily inspection in one place. Integrating with other Cat data systems, the app helps to extend the life of your machine and increase productivity in the field. The app includes machine lists showing available inspections and offering the ability to create custom checklists, allowing the operator to add photos and videos for additional insights. Cat Inspect is a one-stop shop to keep your inspection data organised. There is also the option to send that data onto Finning for analysis ensuring your operation keeps running, and your profit keeps growing. Though the Cat mini excavator range is renowned as the gold standard for performance and reliability, these benefits can only be maintained through a thorough daily inspection. A quick walk round your machine every morning can deliver savings over time as machines will last longer, use less fuel and cause fewer problems during operations — leaving time for that nice uninterrupted brew.
Net Zero Carbon and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating obtained Hollis has worked with SEGRO to deliver the industrial and warehouse developers’ most sustainable refurbishment projects at Park Royal, London, with both achieving Net Zero Carbon and Excellent BREEAM ratings. Introducing best in class sustainable measures into the Park Royal site, we project managed the comprehensive refurbishment of Unit 731 Tudor Industrial Estate and Unit E, Premier Park. SEGRO is committed to reducing the carbon intensity of properties by 40% by 2025 in line with the Paris agreement; to reducing the average embodied carbon intensity of all new developments by 20% by 2025; and to reducing the waste generated through its operations and sending zero waste to landfill by 2025. 731 Tudor Industrial Estate We were asked to make Unit 731 Tudor Industrial Estate Net Zero Carbon from an operational perspective and did so through the implementation of various measures to maximise energy efficiency, such as: installing PV solar panels, electric vehicle charging points, LED light fittings on sensors, and energy efficient air source for heating and cooling. The unit achieved an EPC A+ rating and is considered Net Zero Carbon from an operational perspective. Within one month of the PV solar panels being installed, they produced 3.38MW of power, saving 862 KG of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to 40 trees being planted. Unit E, Premier Park The refurbishment of the 43,036 sq ft warehouse space at Unit E, Premier Park achieved Net Zero Carbon and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, adding value to the property. We completely remodelled the layout of the unit and extended the square footage by adding a first floor to the ancillary accommodation, achieving SEGRO’s aims for the building. Key measures that were implemented to achieve Net Zero Carbon and the BREEAM certification, include: EV charging points which can be used by the occupier and the general public to encourage a switch to electric vehicles. Solar powered picnic benches to enable employees to work and relax outside, along with a woodland walk and nature boxes to attract wildlife. Secure bicycle parking to encourage employees to cycle to work instead of drive, with rich biodiverse growing roofs and wildlife habitat panels. Low maintenance, drought-tolerant planting is nectar-rich for butterflies, bees, moths and other invertebrate wildlife. Photovoltaic panels installed to the roof, provide electricity to the premises and any excess back into the network grid, saving approximately £24,000 per annum. All SunPower panels are backed by the industry-leading 25-year coverage of the SunPower Complete Confidence panel warranty. Comprehensive data about the energy produced is fed into an App for review. The data is also live streamed in real time on a big screen in the reception area for visitors and employees to see. CO2 sensors implemented to the office MHVR units increase / decrease the fresh air supply based on the level of CO2 within the office space. When the office is unoccupied, the unit does not run at full speed. This technology is fairly rare in terms of its use in office space. Heat recovery up to 85% for additional energy and cost savings. Water reducing producing products, such as non-concussive taps and rainwater harvesting feeds to the WCs, are anticipated to save over 400,000 litres of water per annum. Reclaimed and reused building materials installed including bio-based carpet tiles – 395 square metres of carbon neutral flooring (Interface Heuga 727) was installed, resulting in the retirement of 4 metric tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of the emissions from a car traveling 15,974 kilometres. Rather than install new, we decided to install a recycled raised access floor to the additional office space to the first floor office. Re-using the existing raised access floor to the ground floor. Airlite decoration was used on all wall surfaces. It is the first technology designed and developed exclusively to improve the air quality inside and outside living spaces. It prevents dirt in the air from settling and, at the same time, eliminates bacteria and prevents the formation of moulds. It drastically reduces the amount of solar heat absorbed by buildings, thereby reducing air-conditioning energy costs up to 30% and lowering the associated CO2 emissions that cause climate change. New energy efficient LED light fittings producing 161 luminaire lumens per circuit Watt. Carl Sablon, Senior Associate, Hollis said: “It is great to be part of such landmark projects and to deliver SEGRO’s most sustainable refurbishments. We are very pleased with the results of the refurbishment work at both of the units, helping SEGRO to achieve their aim of being Net Zero Carbon. This is hopefully just the start of many more projects like this. “The property industry has woken up to the need to act quicker to decarbonise new and existing property stock, to reduce waste, and to ensure schemes are as sustainable as possible to reverse the negative impacts of climate change. More needs to be done, but refurbishment projects with these aims are a great step to achieving this across the UK and world.”
The current state of the world makes it extremely difficult to travel around and see some amazing architecture. Yet, it is imperative that architecture lovers should make it a priority to visit new places and see these amazing buildings once normality returns from the coronavirus pandemic. But while our lives do not go back to normal, Paddy Power Promo Code has proven to be an excellent way to have fun without leaving home. There are several events from different sports, and all the bonus features are aimed at ensuring the user’s happiness. After the end of the pandemic, Paddy Power will accompany you even in these 5 places you must visit: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona This is easily one of the finest choices considering the scale and magnitude of construction. The foundations were laid out in 1882 and it has been under construction for more than 100 years now. It is not expected to be complete until 2026. Even though this was not meant to be a cathedral in the first place, the iconic towers and Art Nouveau style make it hard to look beyond this idea. It remains a tourist attraction in Barcelona. Forbidden City in Beijing This is an iconic destination located within the massive city of Beijing. In many ways, it is the equivalent of a city within a city. It was originally set to be constructed over 72 hectares back in the 15th century. However, it soon became a symbol of the Chinese government and it has stood in a majestic way for more than 500 years. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul This may not be a modern architecture after having built in 537 A.D. Yet, this is one of the defining buildings that has brought about a huge change to the architectural history of the world. It has been able to showcase the Byzantine architecture, as it became a symbol of the biggest cathedral in the world for almost 1000 years before it was ultimately overthrown by the Spanish cathedrals. Roman Coliseum in Rome This is one of the iconic structures that was constructed in 72 BC. It was designed as an Amphitheatre to be able to hold around 80,000 spectators. The design and idea behind the construction remains a spectacle even now. The structure was able to accommodate a massive chunk of the audience while being able to fill in and out very fast. It was an arena built for witnessing some amazing gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris This is a Gothic architecture and the construction of this iconic building started in 1163. It took almost 2 centuries to complete. Even though recent fires have been able to damage much of the building, a major chunk of the main structure remains intact even now. The coronavirus pandemic has brought an early end to the renovation progress, but it is expected to resume once it is over. Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku This is one of the must-visits for architecture lovers. Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid designed this structure which was opened in 2012. It is a neo-futuristic building with multiple folded surfaces. It is no wonder that the structure received the iconic design award from the Design Museum in 2014. As one of the few modern buildings which were able to grab the world’s attention, the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku is a must-visit.
Since football is the most popular sports in the world, there are several thousands of stadiums, which are capable of hosting football games in spectacular fashion, dotted around the world. Each of the stadiums comes with its own unique architecture, which has been shaped over decades of input from the fans, environment, and more. Although football is one of the greatest passions in the world and the biggest star in Betway betting, we cannot fail to talk about casino games. Betway Casino Bonus offers an incredible welcome pack for all new users who sign up, in addition to the great variability of games on the platform. With the information passed on, we can discover some of the most iconic football stadiums in the world: Wembley Stadium, England This is a ground which is regarded as the home of the English national football team and it is located in London, England. Since England is the birthplace of football, Wembley is also considered as the home of the game itself. Naturally, it has witnessed some amazing moments in its extended history. It was first constructed on the site in 1922 before being replaced with the new stadium in 2007. Apart from the FA Cup finals that take place every year, this ground has also witnessed several iconic moments like the 1966 World Cup finals. Foster + Partners along with Populous were responsible for designing this 90,000-seater stadium. Santiago Bernabeu, Spain The Santiago Bernabeu is the home for Spanish club Real Madrid. The stadium was initially built in 1944 under the design layout by architects Luis Alemany Soler and Manuel Muñoz Monasterio. Over the years, the stadium has witnessed numerous renovations and expansions. The most recent renovation was proposed in 2014 and it involved a design by architects GMP from Germany. As part of the new renovations and expansions, many new features were brought into the ground like a retractable roof while increasing the capacity to more than 80,000. Camp Nou, Spain The Camp Nou is the place where Barcelona CF play their home matches. This ground was built in the 1950s courtesy of architects Francesc Mitjans and Josep Soteras. It has the capability to hold almost 100,000 spectators thanks to the various renovations that have taken place in 1995, 2008, and 2018. As one of the largest grounds in world football, the Camp Nou is a breath-taking site even when there is not much football around. Old Trafford, England Old Trafford is one of the oldest constructed grounds on this list after having been built in 1909 by architect Archibald Leitch. The ground serves as the home for Manchester United, who are one of the top clubs in English football. The capacity of the ground is not one of the largest in the world but it is certainly huge amongst English stadiums at 75,000. Old Trafford is also dubbed the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. Estádio Do Maracana, Brazil Brazil’s iconic Maracana stadium opened in 1950 and it underwent major renovations for the World Cup 2014. The stadium was designed by seven architects from Brazil like Waldir Ramos, Michael Feldman, and Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos. The construction of the stadium was done by engineer Humberto Menescal. In the past, the Maracana stadium has enjoyed capacities of almost 200,000. The construction of the ground lasted for almost 2 years from its inception in 1948. Apart from the major renovation in 2014, two other works have also been carried out.
There’s no denying that buying new comes with plenty of benefits. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for your business. There are plenty of benefits of buying used too! Whether you are interested in equipment restoration and want to know exactly how to restore items on your own, or you are interested in buying used items that have already been restored by a professional, there are plenty of reasons why this might be the best choice for you and your business. Save Money There are tons of ways you can save money for your business. Chances are, you have tried quite a few of them. One of the best is buying used items. Used items always cost less money than buying brand new. Depending on what you’re buying, you could save thousands off of the list price, which is money you can reinvest into your business in other ways. Worried that the quality of the items will reflect their price? Make sure you turn to reputable restorers, and you should ask if the item comes with a warranty or a guarantee. Quality sellers will always back their items with some kind of policy that enables you to get your money back or have the item fixed. Another tip is to buy used—but barely. Many items are returned almost immediately after they were sold because the buyer decided it wasn’t right for them, or a small defect was present that was easy to fix by the supplier. You can save a lot of money on something that is essentially new anyway! Get More Features Sometimes, it isn’t a matter of saving money. You’ll end up spending the same amount whether you buy new or used, but what you buy may be completely different. Because new items always cost more, you may have to make some sacrifices on the model and features you want. That’s not the case if you decide to buy used. Because used is always cheaper than new, you are more likely to afford all of the features you want. You may spend the same amount of money, but you’ll end up buying a higher quality product that provides you with all the functionality you need. Reduce Depreciation If you’re interested in buying machinery or technology that you eventually want to resell yourself in the future, you may want to consider buying used from the very beginning. Many items depreciate in value the second they are purchased. Cars are the most well-known example. They depreciate in value over 10 percent just because they are driven off the lot! You will get more bang for your buck when you purchase a used car, and you’ll get more money back compared to what you spent when you’re ready to sell it. The same is true of equipment and other items that are used in business. Buy the team slightly used tablets and invest in high-quality, used manufacturing equipment. When you’re ready to upgrade, you won’t lose as much money when it’s time to sell. No Waiting Buying new can be exciting, but it can also be frustrating to wait. Certain items and equipment can’t just be picked up at the store. Instead, you have a place an order and wait for it to be manufactured and shipped. That’s not something you have to worry about when you buy used. Inventory for used items is in-stock and ready to be purchased. That means you can get what you need in a matter of minutes if the item is in town. If it’s being shipped, you’ll get it in a matter of days instead of waiting weeks, or even months. Smaller Carbon Footprint Another benefit of buying used is a smaller carbon footprint. Not only will it make you feel better about operating your business, it’s also something consumers are looking for. When you buy used, there are multiple ways you can reduce your carbon footprint: New resources weren’t used to manufacture the item There is no additional pollution generated in their creation They don’t come with excess packaging They prevent perfectly usable items from entering the landfill It’s okay to have some reservations about buying used. You don’t want to waste your money on an item that won’t work shortly after you buy it! However, when you do your research and choose the used items that you buy wisely, you can save money, get more features, go green, and much more.
In a packed week for building fire safety, the House of Lords considers amendments to the Bill and top mandarins face scrutiny over last year’s Communities department annual report. The Fire Safety Bill returns to the House of Lords on Tuesday this week, as peers consider Commons’ amendments. This is not the first time that the Bill has returned to the Lords, in a process known as ping pong, and the amendment about who pays for cladding remediation remains contentious. Lord Greenhalgh, who is Minister of State for Building Safety and Communities as well as holding the Fire brief in the Home Office, leads for the government. The controversial amendment is known as the McPartland-Smith amendment, named after the sponsoring MPs, Stephen McPartland MP and Royston Smith MP. It would prohibit the owner of a building from passing cladding remediation costs on to leaseholders and tenants. Currently, the Commons disagrees with this amendment: “Because the issue of remediation costs is too complex to be dealt with in the manner proposed.” Today, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee investigates the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20. Chair of the Committee, Clive Betts MP will hear evidence from Permanent Secretary, Jeremy Pocklington, Alex Skinner, Director of Local Government Finance, Emran Mian, Director for Stronger Places and Matt Thurstan, Chief Financial Officer. The session will examine departmental spending in the last financial year. This will include focus on particular programmes including Help to Buy and cladding remediation, as well as overall departmental spend and local government financial health. One of the seven operational objectives set out in the MHCLG Departmental Plan includes: “Secure effective support for those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, delivering the changes this tragedy demands and ensuring people are safe and feel safe within their homes.” This oral evidence session will give MPs the chance to scrutinise the Grenfell-related work of the Ministry as well as cladding issues. MHCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2019-20 Fire Safety Bill Lords amendments and Commons reasons
Amid the current UK multi-residential development boom, the majority of contractors and consultants claim sustainability will be the most important design issue over the next ten years, according to an industry report. In contrast, the survey of 520 M&E contractors and architects – 25% of whom work in the residential market – showed 44% of respondents believe wellbeing is being “value engineered” out of a project later on in the build. This was despite 91% also identifying human health as a key concern when specifying pipe fittings. As the research suggests wellbeing is not prioritised throughout the entire building process, Designing Healthy Apartments – the report from leading polymer building solutions provider REHAU – explores the intrinsic link between health and sustainability when designing buildings, and solutions that are available to tackle this. Mounting pressure on construction professionals to deliver futureproof buildings, against a backdrop of changing legislation, has been further exacerbated by increased demand for inner-city living. In order to deliver multi-residential developments in line with expectations of occupants, the report demonstrates that health and comfort must be designed and built into the environment just as much as sustainability. With the multi-residential construction market under pressure to meet housing demand across the nation, Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions UK, explains the importance of prioritising these aspects from the outset. “With our research highlighting sustainability as a priority for the market, a key aspect also being “value engineered” out of projects, we are releasing this report to identify solutions to meet this now, and into the future,” says Steve. “Designing Healthy Apartments explores the importance of considering materials that promote wellbeing, sustainability and high performance, highlighting the key role of polymer-based products in delivering building services fit for 21st century needs.” While sustainability and performance remain key to the built environment’s health and longevity, the importance of hygiene has also climbed the public agenda in light of COVID-19. The report explores building services’ role in achieving optimal hygiene for residents, as well as the impact of sealed buildings on air quality. Steve adds: “This report is making the link between these critical priorities, and seeks to demonstrate the need for their consideration during design, if legislation and end-user expectations are to be met. As a supplier, listening to the requirements of industry professionals is key to ensuring our solutions are fit-for-purpose and this report shows exactly how we intend to do this.” For more information and to read REHAU’s guide, Designing Healthy Apartments, please visit: www.rehau.com/uk-en/designing-healthy
If you want your construction business to stand out from its competitors, consider making a shift to digital marketing. For several years, online marketing campaigns are on a steady rise. And for a good reason, digital marketing provides leverage to small businesses and startups but at lower costs. Whether you’re already harnessing digital marketing techniques or are still planning to start your campaign, here’s how you can work smart and integrate the best marketing trends in the construction industry today and for years to come. 1. Content marketing Content marketing is a long-term marketing campaign that can be used in either the initial or current stages of your business. At the onset, it can be used to create brand awareness. Done continuously, it can be helpful in slowly building your brand, and later, improve brand reputation and trust. Blogs, graphics, video blogs, social media posts, and any informative post online, as long as it’s high-value, can be beneficial in cementing your place in the industry. A good strategy is to make everything user-centric, meaning you have come up with content that your audience will take an interest in and share with their peers. 2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) SEO is a set of techniques that allow a construction company to boost its search rankings, helping raise awareness about the brand. A company that appears high in search engines receives more site clicks and visits and conveys trustworthiness. Put simply, SEO methods include understanding search algorithms to know how they rank and adjusting your content based on these factors. This may mean changing your content to accommodate these criteria. One good strategy is to conduct a simple web search based on specific keywords that apply to you. For instance, type ‘best new construction companies near me,’ and see if your company appears. Also, analyze how your competitors use their strategies to rank high in search engines. Practicing effective SEO techniques requires the help of a digital marketing specialist team, like Caffeine Cheltenham, to work efficiently. 3. Paid digital ads In pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, a construction company, or any business organization for that matter, will only pay once a user clicks on the ad and visits their website. When availing of this ad service, a company’s ad will be placed on top of search results or on another site to increase traffic on the advertiser’s website. The construction company’s ad will appear on the search results based on the keywords typed by the user. Display ads appear ubiquitously on the various parts of the site’s content. It’s said that these types of ads effectively reach more than 90% of internet users. The popularity of social media platforms has made ads an emerging marketing trend. And these popular platforms are using it to their advantage. These sites harness artificial intelligence to program advertisements to specific users based on their interests, age, gender, and hobbies, among other factors. 4. Video marketing Video marketing is another emerging strategy for most businesses, including the infrastructure sector. This strategy is beneficial for companies because it allows the marketing team to produce videos to market products and services more effectively. According to a survey done by HubSpot, a top sales and marketing software company, a brand’s marketing video convinced 81% of customers to avail of a product or service after watching it. Additionally, 76% of the marketers were under the impression that a marketing video was vital in increasing sales and traffic. Of all the various content forms, videos are the most engaging, where brand recall was also highest, according to ‘Media Equivalence Study: Video,’ done by Mediaplus Group, SevenOne Media, and Google Germany. Whether introducing a new product, creating an exciting story about the company’s origins, client testimonials, or expounding the benefits of your goods and services, consider producing a video for more appealing content. 5. Email marketing Email distribution is one of the most cost-effective digital marketing strategies you can use these days. These can come from information emails, digital newsletters, product updates, and welcome emails. These email blasts can help increase your client base, look for potential leads, and promote customer retention. As a construction company, you can send newsletters to your customers and promotional updates on deals and discounts for existing clients. New customers may also be offered helpful content, whether informational blogs, videos, links to webinars, and more, just to keep sparking their interest in your brand. What about traditional marketing? Traditional marketing such as television, event hosting, billboards, and other forms of print advertising are still needed but will command lesser attention than digital marketing campaigns. The Bottom Line Whether a newly-established business or an industry veteran, organizations, especially construction companies, should shift to digital marketing in 2021 and beyond. SEO, content, and video marketing, and digital paid ads are the most popular marketing strategies. They’re not only practical but budget-friendly and offer measurable results, as well.
A major fire safety industry body has endorsed the message from specialist AEI Cables about the importance of using only approved cabling in signal and control equipment following the announcement of a revised version of the Code of Practice. AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of the systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – in assisting fire services in the case of firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. Now the professional fire safety membership body the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO) is supporting the initiative. Martin Dunne of the IFPO said: “In terms of fire safety compliance, we support the message to the fire safety community to follow the detail of the new Code of Practice under BS8519. Anything which constructively helps to improve fire safety in our buildings is welcomed.” As the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes, AEI Cables is warning of the dangers of using any other type of cable. Stuart Dover of AEI Cables, said: “AEI Cables would encourage installers to check with their suppliers that they are using only approved compliant cable for these installations. “We’re receiving a very positive response to our campaign to make the industry aware of the implications of the new Code of Practice. “We must emphasise that any inferior types of cable being used for these applications is dangerous and presents a risk. The standard clearly references and clarifies the products and levels of performance relevant for all parts of the supply chain from specifiers to contractors and installers.” The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also applies to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, care homes, shopping malls and stadia. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control.The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.