Missing the initial deadline is almost a running joke in the construction industry. Of course, with a potentially tricky time on the horizon after COVID -19, making sure that our teams and projects are as productive as possible could spell the difference between survival and going under. With that in
Do you want something iconic for your garden or patio? You can choose the bean bag chairs. Remember, bean bags are making a comeback in different styles. These are perfect for every situation. Feel free to visit Zanui for bean bag chairs to buy stylish and durable furniture. Some high-quality
Readie Construction Ltd is extremely proud to be amongst the firstto have achieved the BSI Kitemark for Building Information Modelling (BIM), in respect of BS ISO 19650 – 1 & 2:2018 Building Information Modelling. This certification demonstrates Readie’s ongoing commitment to the deployment and implementation of BIM in-line with international
The logistics sector across the Northern Powerhouse region has the potential to achieve transformational growth and create an additional 174,000 jobs by 2050 if key barriers are addressed, according to research by logistics developer Tritax Symmetry and planning and development consultancy Turley. Areas identified as needing ‘substantial improvement’ to achieve
H2R DESIGN, was appointed as the interior design firm for Surround in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The award-winning design firm was tasked to create a fun and playful space with sophistication for the foodies of Riyadh to gather, have great food and to really celebrate life together. Primarily a chic burger
Fexco Property Services is delighted to introduce our new Training Manager, and announce two important promotions for key members of our Crabtree brand. We welcome Kelly Banks as Training Manager, Kate Robinson becomes Associate Director – Operations and Hilton Grey becomes Associate Director – Property Management. Across the Group we
A skid steer can be used for construction, warehousing as well as landscaping initiatives. The ability to know how to use a skid steer loader allows one to be likely to get a job at a construction, landscaping, and even warehousing project. The reason for this is that at the
Employee-owned packaging business, Kite, has a team of packaging specialists who focus on bringing innovative solutions to market. Their chilled packaging has recently been expanded and is a must for companies looking to get items from A to B in temperature-controlled environments and is suitable for a range of applications,
Work on Kapex Construction largest contract win, the construction project is three months ahead of schedule and is due to complete in early 2021. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Kapex Construction, part of
A consortium of North East organisations renowned for driving transformation in the global construction market have been shortlisted for the chance to secure up to £50million to boost the region’s economy. Led by Northumbria University, Newcastle, the International Centre for Connected Construction, known as IC3, is one of just 17
Missing the initial deadline is almost a running joke in the construction industry. Of course, with a potentially tricky time on the horizon after COVID -19, making sure that our teams and projects are as productive as possible could spell the difference between survival and going under. With that in mind, be sure to read the tactics that ate essential for maximum construction productivity, below. Application of analytics While the current state of play in construction is not one that favours the collection and application of detailed data, ‘the times they are a’ changin’. It’s a good thing too because closing tracking of any number of data points can help boost productivity and efficiency in a business specialising in construction. One of the top uses for data analytics is to help more accurately predict the time and budget outcome on the next job. Happily, with more agile data collection and reporting software, these predictions are something that it is now possible to make. Of course, keeping track of spending and schedules isn’t the only thing that analytics are useful for in the construction industry. They can help boost productivity in a variety of areas such as workflow, recruitment, training and event marketing. Something that can make a massive difference for smaller construction forms concerning the order they book. In fact, by using a reporting tool, to sum up marketing data, it becomes clearer to read, understand and most importantly use. Thus providing valuable insight into how you can get more business on your books. Something that any construction company looking to be productive in the coming months will find essential. After all, you can’t be productive as a business, if you have no projects. Plan and manage workflow Have you ever begun a long and complicated journey without first checking the map or programming a sat nav? Probably not. However, inadequately planned constructions projects begin all the time. They don’t tend to end well, either. Usually over running in both time and funds. Something that will certainly not endear you to your client for the next project they consider doing. To that end, before anything else, it is imperative to thoroughly plan a job. Now, this is a task that many site managers loathe, as it’s all paperwork and numbers. However, without an accurate map or schedule of what needs doing when, and by whom, you genuinely risk the success of the whole project. With that in mind, putting in some additional work at the beginning of a project is well worth the effort. In fact, it can save you time, stress, and hassle later on and vastly increases the chances that you will finish on schedule and on budget. You’ll also look a lot more professional to your client while working for them too. Something that can help get you repeat business once the job is completed. Inventory management Building materials are essential to the construction process. In fact, without them, work will grind to a halt. Unfortunately, no brick fairy magically replenishes stock when they start to wane. What that means is you must find an effective way of keeping track of the stock you have, and when it needs to be reordered. (That is before stocks run dry completely). Happily, tech is making this endless task a little easier to manage. In fact, there are a variety of inventory management software options to choose from. It is also possible to use digital barcode or QR readers to make logging stock numbers and usage easier. You can even automate your system so when it reaches a specific number, items are immediately reordered and delivered to site. Something that can make a massive difference in productivity and prevent all sorts of troublesome delays. Rest is as essential as work. It often seems as if there is more waiting around on-site than productivity. However, you can fix this by using some of the methods described in this post. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can expect your employees to work without breaks at all. In fact, the joint physical strain of working in construction combined with the high-risk environment means you will want your employees to be rested and alert. Otherwise, you could have accidents on your hands that will cost you more than just a delay in your schedule. With that in mind, be sure to have a clear break policy for all your workers. Also, each manager and supervisor must be consistent in enforcing this. Even when you are on a tight deadline. Onboard and train everyone to a high standard. Do you know what makes it easy for your employees to be as productive as possible? It’s when they know what they are doing and can work effectively without micromanagement. That means onboarding new employees is essential, as is regular training for those that have been with you for some time. The thing is that in construction, such training can be so easily overlooked. After all, there are so many elements to be trained on from safety, processes, equipment, machinery, and skills. However, while it may seem as if you are losing time through training, you will actually gain it overall. After all, workers that can work safely, in a self-directed manner are essential to productivity. Consider new ways of working. The construction industry is changing all the time, and the way things are done is regularly updated to make it cheaper, faster or easier. This is excellent news for any construction company looking to boost their productivity. In particular, your construction business may wish to consider prefab options for buildings, sections of buildings, and roofs. The reason being that they will cut down on your labour and time needs and can be a massive boon to productivity. Final thoughts Sometimes working harder in the field of construction is counterproductive. Instead, businesses in this field need to consider ways of working smarter. That is using tech and innovation, and investing in the training and well
Do you want something iconic for your garden or patio? You can choose the bean bag chairs. Remember, bean bags are making a comeback in different styles. These are perfect for every situation. Feel free to visit Zanui for bean bag chairs to buy stylish and durable furniture. Some high-quality bean bags are available in the market to fit in your home. Here are some essential considerations for the selection of the best bean bag chairs. Fabric is a Crucial Factor Beans bags don’t have any frame; therefore, you have to focus on the fabric. Fortunately, you can find bean bag chairs in different types of fabrics. Each fabric has its own qualities. Vinyl is a durable and common material. It may feel sticky and warm during hot days. If you are living in a hot climate, avoid getting vinyl bean bag chairs. Cotton may be a suitable substitute for vinyl, and it is breathable and comfortable. This material is not durable and resistant to stains. With kids and pets in the home, you can’t choose bean bag chairs. Polyester is another fabric with several benefits. It is economical and durable for homeowners. The expensive polyester may come with special coatings for stain-resistant, mold-resistant and water-repellent qualities. Moreover, polyester looks cheap. Leather is a durable fabric with a luxurious feel. It is expensive and needs proper maintenance. Moreover, microsuede is soft, comfortable and luminous-looking. Similar to cotton, it is difficult to deal with microsuede with stains and spills. Shape of Bean Bag Chair In the past, these were available in round shape, but it has different styles. Nowadays, plenty of shapes are available to fit your space and preferences. If you have limited space in your room, choose a rectangle bean bag chair. Moreover, the sofa like shapes can give an exclusive look to your bean bags. These add a unique element of comfort and fun. An oversized bean bag is suitable for a large space. It will decrease the emptiness of your space. On oversized bean bag chairs, you can rest your legs and bags comfortably. For tall loungers, it will be a suitable option. Best Places for Bean Bag Chairs By using a bean bag as an accent piece of your bedroom, you can decrease its chances of wear and tear. Consider the theme of your room while selecting a bean bag. Make sure to choose a durable and comfortable fabric. Moreover, you can buy a bean bag chair for children’s room. Polyester bean bags are suitable for kids room. For your gaming room, you will need a durable bean bag with lots of filling. You have to select a safe filling for your bean bag. If you have pets and children around, you can avoid polystyrene beads or bead beans. These may increase the chances of safety hazards. Avoid an easy to tear bean bag because these can increase choking hazards. Recyclable or wood shavings are pet-friendly options. Focus on the construction of a bag to ensure tight stitching.
Readie Construction Ltd is extremely proud to be amongst the firstto have achieved the BSI Kitemark for Building Information Modelling (BIM), in respect of BS ISO 19650 – 1 & 2:2018 Building Information Modelling. This certification demonstrates Readie’s ongoing commitment to the deployment and implementation of BIM in-line with international standards. Readie aims to use BIM to assess the design and constructions risk and buildability using the information management processes defined by BIM. This will provide clients with; satisfaction from project inception right through to completion; transparency within the design and construction process and safety assurance. Ultimately, Readie plans to use BIM principles on all projects, regardless of contract specification. ISO 19650 is a suite of international standards, brought together through the UK BIM Framework, that covers the use of BIM for the management of information over the whole life cycle of a built asset. It is closely aligned with the 1192 standards and contain many of the same principles and high-level requirements that were present in the previous BIM Level 2 framework. The standard relates to the organisation and digitisation of information on buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling. Readie is proud to have achieved two variants of ISO 19650 (1 & 2). ISO 119650 – 1:2018 covers the concepts and principles, whilst ISO 19650 – 2:2018 relates to the delivering phase of the assets. Typically, to achieve the certification, an onsite audit would be conducted from a BSI expert. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the audit was subsequently conducted by BSI remotely, and involved a thorough assessment of Readie’s BIM processes, filing systems and supply chain management, ensuring that it all aligned in accordance to ISO standards. Judson Stone, Design & BIM Manager, Readie Construction Ltd said: “Achieving the BSI Kitemark for BIM underlines Readie’s continued commitment to the use of BIM and its processes on our projects. At its heart; BIM encourages a collaborative working environment for the whole project team and provides our clients with an information-rich model from which they can manage their built assets. Whilst the 3D representations of buildings get the headlines when referring to BIM; ultimately, it’s the centralised, open sharing of information that’s the key driver on BIM projects. This certification shows our clients, partners and supply chain that we are actively embracing, and committed to, digital construction and believe in its benefits; not only in terms of collaboration but also in assisting with the development of the design, assessing risk and achieving capital cost savings on our projects.” Andy Butterfield, Managing Director of Built Environment at BSI said: “Huge congratulations to Readie on achieving the BSI Kitemark to reflect ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2. This demonstrates a commitment to best practice and gives their clients’ confidence that they are working with partners at the highest possible standard. These international standards, alongside training and certification, are providing forward-thinking organizations with the tools to help future-proof their business” About Readie Construction Ltd: Readie Construction commenced trading in 2008 and has grown to become a £200m turnover main contractor, specialising in the Industrial, Logistics, Retail Park and related sectors. Privately owned, Readie is managed by its shareholders, a dynamic team with a wealth of experience in the sector. Turnover and profit have grown every year, with the business always trading without any debt or overdraft. www.readieconstruction.co.uk
The logistics sector across the Northern Powerhouse region has the potential to achieve transformational growth and create an additional 174,000 jobs by 2050 if key barriers are addressed, according to research by logistics developer Tritax Symmetry and planning and development consultancy Turley. Areas identified as needing ‘substantial improvement’ to achieve the region’s growth potential include: supply of sites and premises, infrastructure investment and development, closing the North’s skills gap and delivering planning policy reform. The Gross Value Added (GVA) of the logistics sector in the North of England is £15.3 bn a year and is estimated to rise to £20.9bn a year by 2039. The research looked at numerous reports including the 2016 Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review which identified the potential growth of the logistics sector under a ‘transformational growth’ scenario. Under this scenario, the sector is identified as having the potential to achieve growth of 174,000 jobs (11%) and £29.6 billion GVA (8%) between 2015 and 2050. Split evenly by year, this equates to an average of 4,970 jobs and £845 million GVA growth per annum, resulting in an estimated annual salary increase of £5.3bn and a total additional 29,190 professional positions. The ‘transformational’ scenario would require in the region of 130 million sq ft of floorspace across 3,000 ha of land. Based on existing ratios of warehouse floorspace to homes, the three regions of the Northern Powerhouse are currently under-delivering logistics floorspace in comparison to housing growth. Commenting on the findings, Matt Claxton planning director at Tritax Symmetry said: “The potential for transformational growth is only achievable if the logistics sector is able to operate effectively and grow so we need to address these issues as a matter of priority. “If these are resolved we have the potential to increase productivity and employment in the North, closing the prosperity gap between it and the rest of England. Logistics is an economic enabling sector, and if this growth is stymied or not supported, then the growth potential of other sectors will likewise be curtailed.” David Diggle, director, planning at Turley continues: “Over the three years to 2018, 15,000 logistics jobs were created in the Northern Powerhouse which is already in line with the ‘transformational scenario’ outlined so it would certainly seem that the Northern Powerhouse is capable of achieving this potential but we need to tackle these areas to ensure we maximise the opportunity for growth.” Speaking about the report’s recommendations Amy Gilham, director, economics at Turley said: “Based on our findings, we have made six key recommendations which will support growth in the logistics sector. The recommendations which include a holistic consideration of logistics space within urban centre development, the quick adoption of strategic spatial plans and ensuring appropriate and adequate allocation of sites for B8 uses, will enable transformational growth of the Northern Powerhouse. “ The Northern Powerhouse region is already home to 25% of the UK’s logistics businesses employing more than 263,000 people. With 12,350 warehouse properties (31% of all properties in England) totalling 538m sq ft (32% of all in England) it has seen an 80% business growth in the five years to 2019. Some of the report’s key findings include: Supply While the North West has the second largest supply of large units of the UK’s regions, the five year average take up of grade A space indicates that there is just 1.45 years left of supply in this area. Speculative development has continued in the region for units over 100,000sqft though generally there is a limited development pipeline of larger units. In Yorkshire and the North East, a record level of take up in 2018 has led to a decline in available supply. In South Yorkshire demand for medium-sized units has increased and activity for larger units has been driven by single transactions such as Amazon at Doncaster iPort. There is a shortage of supply of units under 20,000 sq ft and limited availability of mid-sized units. In West Yorkshire there is supply of around 1.7m sq ft for units over 50,000 sq ft due to continued take up and limited speculative development. The North East is seeing a decline in the supply of large units, particular Grade A, given limited development activity. Skills The logistics industry is made up of many different parts that perform very different functions, and this results in a variety of employment opportunities, both skilled and unskilled, on a full time and part time basis. As the logistics sector becomes increasingly automated there is a need for a greater range of skills within the sector, including IT and engineering. Some steps are already being taken to address the skills gap with developers, occupiers and further/higher education providers working together to develop logistics-specific curriculums as part of the delivery of large new logistics sites. Logistics developers are also working closely with LPAs, local business groups, colleges and skills and training organisations to deliver Training and Employment Management Plans, in order to ensure jobs, training and work experience opportunities are realised for the local area for the lifetime of the development. Leaders of the Northern Powerhouse will need to continue to work with skills and training providers to ensure that the workforce’s skills are well matched to employer requirements. Infrastructure The northern ports are facing a number of challenges around finding suitable land for expansion of existing operations, particularly in relation to port access via road and rail. Digital connectivity (high speed broadband) and power supply are commonly cited by logistics operators as barriers in seeking new sites and premises from which to operate. Improvements to routes which join ports to national transport networks are also required. These include road and rail which at present can be slow and unreliable, further reducing competitiveness. Dedicated air cargo services are currently limited which means that much of the air freight which arrives or departs from the North of England is moved by road. Introduction of dedicated cargo services, or a greater number of long haul passenger services, will help generate
H2R DESIGN, was appointed as the interior design firm for Surround in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The award-winning design firm was tasked to create a fun and playful space with sophistication for the foodies of Riyadh to gather, have great food and to really celebrate life together. Primarily a chic burger joint, with other indulgent quality foods, the interior design of Surround is colourful, vibrant and an engaging space full of quirky design features which displays the character of the space. The brief was to create a fun and easy-going dining concept, where friends and like-minded people get together, catch up and relax over good food and good company. The venue is conceptually divided into two spaces: the workshop (open kitchen) the playground – is the restaurant area, depicting the recess scene at school, where groups of friends would congregate to catch up while enjoying a bite. H2R Design worked closely with the client to execute their vision for Surround which resulted in the minimal yet playful restaurant inspiring the sense of community. “We focused on making Surround a spirited ‘playground’ for adults, whilst retaining the elegant side. This can be seen in the wall grid, taking us back to school graph paper, with quirky sketches and ‘doodles’ that create a nostalgic language. As there is so much boldness on the higher level of the space with pink taking prominence, we wanted to keep it quite cool and neutral as we worked our way down”, explained Hasan Roomi, Co-founder of H2R Design. “Our methodology was to combine the different ways of harmonising the playfulness with the cultured. We didn’t want to scare people off by being too childlike, and we didn’t want it to feel too sophisticated either. The pink perimeter paint was initially alarming for the client, as it was so protruding. But once all the other materials and furniture coalesced, they loved it! As designers, we always have to remind everyone to be patient until the end, to really see the design as one holistic experience and to believe in it,” Husain Roomi, Co-Founder of H2R Design continued. The interior design features distinct use of materials and unusual amalgamations. For example, concrete micro topping was incorporated as a neutral canvas, and the space was built up with different tiles, marble and white, cut in different shapes and angles. Brave colours in the furniture on the higher level form the sense of boldness and fun, while the use of wood and rattan add a bit of temperateness. The bold colours were influenced by the original branding, in pinks and greens. H2R Design aimed to develop the identity of Surround holistically between the brand identity and the location. The space encourages each visitor to use it differently, as if it were an adult ‘recess’ area where guests can sit in a big group, as a pair or as an individual. “Whether it is the brazen pink paint, the tabletop grouting, or the concrete painted walls creating a cleansed canvas, the overall design skews sharply away from the expectation of what a burger joint in the middle of Riyadh should be. We believe we have pushed the boundaries by creating a more feminine orientated design that is loud and proud. We wish we could share the number of times and the comments we received from women walking past the venue during our site visits. They were very much drawn in by the identity, and really curious to know when it was going to open. This was a clear indication of the appetite for change and the new in the city,” Hasan Roomi, Co-founder of H2R Design said. Notable design features include: Colours The colour pink plays a pivotal role in Surround. It gives the space its bold identity, while the timbers and rattans to bring it back down to earth. The colours in the furniture portray a fresh feeling with variations of pinks and greens to reflect the branding. These assortments of colours are highlighted throughout the furniture and fabrics, the grouting on the tabletops, and the wall finishes as a datum. Tabletops Made of all square tiles, that tabletops are with pink grout, making the food and the packaging really pop out once laid on the tables. Graph Board Wall & Doodles Diners will discover quirky doodles playing on the school for kids’ nostalgic references. The stencil doodles throughout the space engage the guests and remind them of the fun and playfulness they once had at school. Lighting In addition to the wooden elements, warmth is activating with the terracotta wall and pendant lighting that are in line with the pinks and green. They are simple and warming. The pendant lights frame the central communal table and the perimeter banquette seating while the ones on the walls tie the elements together and create variation. Greenery The use of greenery in the suspended shelving gives the space a down to earth aura mirroring the other side where bookshelves have been placed above the high table. Guests are welcome to grab a book and enjoy consuming it while spending time at the concept. Open Kitchen The kitchen slot offers diners the transparency to see where the food magic happens increasing the ambience in the whole dining experience at Surround. Key materials used in the design include: Tiles The tiles do a of the talking for the space. They vary from glossy to matte and come in different shapes as diners walk through the space. H2R Design wanted to make it an apparent feature in the space so many variations were added. Oak Timber & Rattan These elements were added to give the space some warmth and a slight touch of sophistication. Marble Carrara marble can be found on the entrance walls and communal tables which create an elevated feel for guests walking in. Metals The brass in the furniture detail adds notes of elegance to the overall design. Black metal was used to add contrast between the pastel palette.
Fexco Property Services is delighted to introduce our new Training Manager, and announce two important promotions for key members of our Crabtree brand. We welcome Kelly Banks as Training Manager, Kate Robinson becomes Associate Director – Operations and Hilton Grey becomes Associate Director – Property Management. Across the Group we aim to consistently provide our clients and customers with top professionals. By creating these new roles we can use our resources more efficiently and work smarter to deliver the best level of service. Kelly Banks MSc, MIRPM Training Manager Fexco Property Services Kelly joins Fexco Property Services as Training Manager for the group. Kelly will be developing and administering a Property Management training programme to help individuals and groups develop their skills and knowledge within their role. She has worked within Property Management for over 12 years, having fulfilled roles within the industry in Finance and has also been a Property Manager for over 7 years. Kelly is a member of IRPM and also obtained a master’s degree in Property Management and Investment whilst working as a Property Manager. Hilton Gray MIRPM and AssocRICS Associate Director – Property Management Crabtree PM Limited We are delighted to have Hilton return to Crabtree, he is an incredibly trusted and valuable team member. A driven, team-focused Senior Manager with 11 years’ experience in the Property and Built Environment Sector, Hilton has a proven ability to achieve performance-based targets and to build, sustain and support successful teams. Hilton has experience across both the private investor, development, and leasehold sectors, and has a distinctive flair for building long-lasting client and customer relationships. In his new role as Associate Director of Property Management, Hilton will provide leadership to the property team, bringing a professional and creative approach to property management. Kate Robinson MIRPM Associate Director – Operations Crabtree PM Limited Kate has over 15 years’ experience within the Property Management market. Her primary focus has been managing large high-end residential developments, but also has experience within the mixed-use market. Having worked within both management companies and client/development side enables Kate to have a full perspective of what is the appropriate customer service requirements and aims not only to provide this high level delivery to all clients and leaseholders but also to ensure that all team members working within Crabtree understand this requirement and manage accordingly. In her new role as Associate Director of Operations Kate will be concentrating much more on process and procedure within Crabtree, using her considerable experience to identify better ways to operate within the business.
A skid steer can be used for construction, warehousing as well as landscaping initiatives. The ability to know how to use a skid steer loader allows one to be likely to get a job at a construction, landscaping, and even warehousing project. The reason for this is that at the time that you are driving the skid steer and using it, it will be possible to haul materials. If you have the correct attachments you may lift pallets, dig, grade, etc. The following are some things you can keep in mind when operating your skid steer. Know the basic controls You need to know how to employ the two sperate arm controls that are present. The arm controls that are present left and right get employed for steering tracks and tires of the machine. The different ones have different functions such as the left arm control can move left tires and tracks whilst the right arm one moves the right ones. It is necessary to know that certain skid steers utilize a single-arm control that takes care of the steering. If you have a skid steer which only has one arm that does the controlling you can consider the following. You will push your single-arm control in the opposite direction from you when wanting to go ahead. The single-arm control gets pulled towards you at the time you want to proceed backward, and so on. Starting the skid steer Begin by proceeding up the steps whilst grabbing the handles with your hands. Enter the cab then turn around when you go in. The seat should be carefully fixed according to your needs. You must be comfortable and able to see everything properly. The roll cage must be pulled downwards with your hands. Reach above you to do this. Some newer ones do not start unless the roll cage gets put down. Remember to put on your seat belt. Certain models do not start unless you have the seat belt fastened. A quarter turn must be provided to the ignition key then you will hear the beep. Remove the vehicle from its parking brake. This is done by pressing the button located overhead. Completely turn your key to begin the engine. You will have to press the green button which locks the gears into their proper place. The arms controls will be pushed in front to allow the skid steer to move. This is generally how you will start the skid steer. Yours may have different functions. Apart from the above you also have to know how to monitor the vehicle according to the functions present. The process to use it at the time of lifting align with dumping is necessary as well. It is good to get training on how to use this so that you can employ it effectively. You can see here for an experienced skid steer operator. It is always better to get the help of a professional.
Employee-owned packaging business, Kite, has a team of packaging specialists who focus on bringing innovative solutions to market. Their chilled packaging has recently been expanded and is a must for companies looking to get items from A to B in temperature-controlled environments and is suitable for a range of applications, being a popular choice in the food and drink industry and pharmaceuticals. Standard temperature-controlled pouches Kite’s standard temperature-controlled pouches provide great protection for smaller items that require thermal protection for a shorter amount of time. Offering an adequate amount of thermal protection, the outer foil layer reflects heat away from the product, and with a 70-micron double-lined bubble wrap inner, they provide an interval of insulation and cushioning. Along with this new addition the chilled range consists of enviro friendly insulated boxes, insulated box liners, ice packs, thermal pallet covers, and temperature indicators. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of products and services please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
Work on Kapex Construction largest contract win, the construction project is three months ahead of schedule and is due to complete in early 2021. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Kapex Construction, part of Newcastle-based Morton Group, was appointed by Regent Centre owners Omnia Property Group to deliver its 2nd phase of its residential scheme, with Broadfield Project Management acting as client representative. Construction work started on the Eldon House development, which will create a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments over 8 floors, in March. The extensive redevelopment project was originally due to complete in Spring 2021 but despite lockdown it is scheduled for completion in early 2021. Work on the scheme involves the complete removal of the existing façade, new cladding of the existing structure, along with thermal upgrades, a complete new MEP installation and internal fit out. It will be the second ‘office to residential’ conversion at the Regent Centre – the first being Northumbria House – and will be available to rent through Omnia Space. The area is known to be popular with students and employees based within the business park. Gary Morton, CEO of The Morton Group, said: “The conversion of Eldon House was one of our early tender wins, and we’re particularly pleased that despite lockdown it looks like we will be able to deliver this office to residential development three months ahead of schedule. “To be able to repay the trust our client showed in us in our early stages of growth as a company is really important to me, the level of dedication and approach to time, quality and cost is adopted from Senior Management Team right through to the Delivery Team on site. The results speak for themselves. “Our track record in converting concrete frame office blocks into sleek, high quality living spaces is second to none, and we have decades of expertise in this field. This allows us to draw on our experience gained through the conversion of Eagle Star House into Regents Plaza apartments just 300 metres away.” Dave Lovatt, Commercial Director at Kapex Construction, said: “It’s exciting to see the progress starting to take shape at Eldon House, which will breathe new life into the 1970s office building and provide much needed housing in a highly sought after residential location. “In the past, Eldon House has been home to tenants such as Rolls Royce so it’s exciting to prepare the building for a fresh wave of tenants who will benefit from the close proximity to Gosforth High Street and bus and Metro transport links into Newcastle. It will be a thriving space tailored to modern, active lifestyles.”
A consortium of North East organisations renowned for driving transformation in the global construction market have been shortlisted for the chance to secure up to £50million to boost the region’s economy. Led by Northumbria University, Newcastle, the International Centre for Connected Construction, known as IC3, is one of just 17 projects from around the country that will receive £50,000 in seed corn funding. The funding, announced today, will enable the project team to prepare a detailed bid for up to £50million from UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund – a competitive scheme to support significant local economic growth using a place-based approach to research and innovation funding. Bringing together a wealth of expertise from across the North East, IC3 is designed to attract more investment, skills, and jobs to the region. It proposes to provide a range of interventions to build on the impressive reputation of the North East as a hotbed of innovation in digital construction. IC3 will be a global hub for the creation and dissemination of knowledge and understanding about connected construction. The IC3 team will curate a selection of key building projects regionally, nationally, and internationally to demonstrate the expertise of the partnership, and the value of new ways of working to inspire the sector. It will work as an accelerator to nurture and catalyse new commercial businesses and ideas that solve major challenges in the industry; as well as leading an intensive industrial research programme designed to develop new products, services and processes from the region. Encompassing both Northumbria and Newcastle universities and various public sector organisations, the IC3 consortium is dominated by industry representatives including NBS, Ryder Architecture, Arup, Cundall and Dynamo North East – the region’s digital network. These strong links between higher education, public sector and industry are critical to its success, and represent a key differentiator for the Centre. Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University said: “Today’s government announcement highlights the critical role the North East region will play in leading a digital revolution in the construction industry. The scale of activity planned by IC3 will place the region at the forefront of excellence for digital construction with global impact. “We are delighted to play a leading role in this consortium, which brings together some of the region’s foremost organisations. IC3 will use innovation, research and development to open up global market opportunities and ultimately bring jobs and investment to the North East. “This is particularly important as we move into regeneration following the COVID-19 pandemic, and IC3’s success here demonstrates the important role our region has to play in the national and global recovery.” Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, said: “The North East is renowned as a world-leading centre of innovation and we are proud to be part of the IC3 bid which will place our region at the cutting edge of global construction. “The city is poised to get started on a number of construction projects and this project will provide a welcome boost to business and job creation in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic; laying the foundations for us to develop and retain local skills and attract further investment to the region.” In response to immediate and arising challenges facing the industry, IC3 will focus on three main areas to underpin more effective and collaborative ways of working that lead to better outcomes for businesses, occupants, society, and the environment. It will transform the way buildings are procured to ensure lifetime value in social and environmental terms rather than lowest cost, and implement recommendations from the post-Grenfell Hackitt Review that stipulate all buildings must have up-to-date digital records to ensure assurance and traceability, and ultimately safety. It will also improve the performance of buildings to ensure they are sustainable, healthy and safe places to live and work. Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group and co-founder of BIM Show Live, the original show dedicated to Building Information Modelling launched in Newcastle, said: “The North East has, for a long time, punched way above its weight when it comes to the impact on the global construction market. “The close proximity of key industry players has driven a unique ecosystem here where even the biggest competitors come together to make positive changes. But we’re at a critical stage where other destinations are catching up, and we need a mechanism to support and boost what we have already created. “IC3 is the perfect vehicle for that, and now, as the industry looks to build back better post-COVID-19, is the perfect time.” IC3 plans to work with partners across the construction ecosystem over the next five years to bring to life 15 demonstrator projects that incorporate and exemplify the digital technologies and processes developed through IC3. These will encompass a range of building projects from tourism and leisure, to social housing and hospitals and infrastructure. Alongside this, IC3 will provide innovation support to around 100 businesses in its first three years and will work to create up to 20 new businesses in the same period, helping to develop new products, services, processes, and spinouts. The consortium will also lead on collaborative research projects between industry and academia and will work towards reforming and revitalising education for construction, through the creation of new programmes that will upskill the existing workforce and inspire the next generation. Dame Kate Barker, chair of the Strength in Places Fund panel said: “The Strength in Places panel was pleased to recommend this bid for early stage funding. It provides evidence of excellent research that meets business need and great potential for collaboration, by bringing together a consortia to contribute to increased growth and productivity in areas of local economic activity.” The IC3 consortium is led by Northumbria University, in partnership with Arup, BIM Academy Cundall, Dynamo North East, NBS, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University, North East Local Enterprise Partnership, North Star Ventures, Ryder Architecture, Space Group, Waterstons and Womble Bond Dickinson. Find out more about IC3 and