The Covid-19 crisis offers the opportunity to rethink the way we design our cities, said speakers at Planning and Development to Enhance Health and Wellbeing, the third of Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation’s e-Roadshow events on Realising Resilience. Focused on Birmingham, the first UK city to join the global Biophilic Cities network, the
While all businesses should focus on methods of saving, those in the construction sector need to be exceptionally vigilant in this regard. There are so many resources that need to go into projects to render even a low-profit margin. Therefore, while other types of businesses may opt for money-saving tactics
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is looking to gather insights into how the Facilities Management sector is reacting during this challenging situation and would be very grateful to receive your input if you could find the time. Given the current environment, some extra questions related to the impact
When it comes to designing the bathroom it’s all in the detail. Having your very own spa-like oasis is a luxury that many people dream of and with the right decorative touches and features, you can achieve this in just a few key steps. From the materials through to the
Project Management Institute (PMI) launches UK National Project Awards 2020 including recognition of the UK’s most influential Covid-19 response project PMI UK, in association with PwC, is delighted to announce the 2020 National Project Awards. In addition to eight award categories including; ‘Project of the Year’, ‘PMO of the Year’
Digitalisation and autonomous processes are propelling the manufacturing industry into a Fourth Industrial Revolution. With technology providing connectivity and data-driven insights to the manufacturing sector, can it also solve challenges facing the construction industry? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director at window and door supplier to the offsite construction industry, Euramax,
FirstPort, the UK’s largest residential property manager, has today announced a transaction which will see it combining with leading property and asset manager, Mainstay Group. For FirstPort and Mainstay customers, clients, employees, management, and supply partners day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. Completion of the transaction only remains subject to approval
Referencing a recent CBRE report, CEO Paul Oberschneider discusses how the already rising participation of non-bank lenders will be even more instrumental in the months ahead. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the housing market hard but this does not mean that developers looking for financing are out of options, says
PERMAROOF, the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover, is celebrating its most successful May and June in its 19-year history despite the nationwide challenges faced by all businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic. With a 26% increase in sales in May 2020 compared to 2019 and a staggering 86% increase when comparing June 2019 to 2020,
While you may be getting bored of hearing about COVID-19 by now, appreciating the risk that the virus represents is imperative from a health and safety point of view. After all, the pandemic has killed hundreds of thousands of people and – while it is no longer as deadly as
The Covid-19 crisis offers the opportunity to rethink the way we design our cities, said speakers at Planning and Development to Enhance Health and Wellbeing, the third of Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation’s e-Roadshow events on Realising Resilience. Focused on Birmingham, the first UK city to join the global Biophilic Cities network, the event showcased how England’s largest unitary authority has set itself challenging targets linked to increasing green assets, reducing carbon emissions, and improving the health and wellbeing of its residents. In her introduction, Vikki Woodhouse – National Specification Sales Manager at Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation – outlined the importance of multi-functional green assets and the need for a circular approach that reuses rainwater, rather than a linear one. “We need a combined approach, with early engagement from the project management and design teams,” she said. “Covid 19 has brought to the fore the inequality of access to green spaces,” said Simon Needle, Principal Ecologist and Arbologist at Birmingham City Council, showing the city’s Multi Challenge Map which reveals how deprived communities have fewer green assets nearby. He also explained some of the city’s targets including net zero carbon by 2030 and a 25% canopy cover for every ward in the city. Jane Findlay, Director of Fira Landscape and president-elect of the Landscape Institute, talked about the importance of evidence-based design, an approach pioneered in the health sector, where views of nature have been shown to increase healing and boost mental health. She highlighted research by Natural England and Nottingham University which shows that living within 300m of a green space promotes physical activity, improves mental health and increases life expectancy. Lastly, Peter Wharton, former tree protection officer and Director of Wharton Natural Infrastructure Consultants, asked the question: “ Is it easier to sell houses in a well-planned and delivered environment, where buildings, green infrastructure and people coexist to deliver sustained benefits?” Of course the answer is ‘yes’ but that doesn’t mean it is happening, he revealed. Lack of early collaboration, especially with the right people i.e. arborculturalists or ecologists, meant developers were missing out on the ‘value’ of green assets. He cited one development where 86% of the new trees planted had died within five years. He recommended measures such as Capital Asset Valuation of Amenity Trees (CAVAT), a method for managing trees as public assets rather than liabilities, be adhered to. London is the virtual venue for the next Polypipe e-roadshow on 7th July and will explore the theme of Shaping City Policy to Support Biodiversity and Green Urbanisation. The final event of the series concentrates on Scotland and the challenge of Delivering Active Travel through Integrated Green Infrastructure. All of the guest speaker presentations for the Birmingham e-Roadshow event can be viewed at https://www.polypipe.com/news For information on the full programme and details of how to register visit: – https://www.polypipe.com/roadshow-2020 Pic caption: Research shows that living within 300m of a green space promotes physical activity, improves mental health and increases life expectancy. Image shows Five Ways, Central Birmingham.
While all businesses should focus on methods of saving, those in the construction sector need to be exceptionally vigilant in this regard. There are so many resources that need to go into projects to render even a low-profit margin. Therefore, while other types of businesses may opt for money-saving tactics to boost profits, construction businesses need to implement cost savings to survive in a competitive market. If you are wondering how you can kickstart your construction business while saving as much as possible, you should consider the following. Renting Equipment And Specialty Vehicles It’s no secret that specialist vehicles and construction equipment come with extremely high price tags, which often leaves entrepreneurs feeling as though they will not be able to see profits within the near future. Rather than spending a fortune to purchase new or even used items, it would be best if you considered the option of renting. There are options available to finance a dump truck and several other types of speciality vehicles. The solution means you will be able to spread your capital more carefully while starting your business. Renting speciality equipment will also remove the costly issue of maintenance and potential repair costs on the vehicles as this is usually included in the rental price. Invest In Quality Tools Once you have your speciality vehicles and equipment, you will also need a few tools to get projects done. While many consider cheap tools a saving, quite the opposite couldn’t be more accurate as cheap tools won’t last. Therefore, you will end up having to replace tools quite often, which will end up costing you a fortune in expenses. In addition to opting for quality tools, you should also create an inventory of all tools and equipment to ensure these essential items are not being misplaced. You can have your employees sign tools in and out to keep track of the whereabouts of every item. Reduce Waste Enhancing measuring systems to reduce waste will benefit your business as well as the environment. Rather than buying extra materials that will merely end up filling landfills, even more, you should prioritize accuracy when it comes to measuring to ensure you are saving on materials instead of allowing excess waste. It is also a great idea to evaluate your total waste after each project and determine methods of reducing the overall total. You can revisit your waste after each project to streamline the effort of reducing waste materials. Outsource Departments Many aspiring entrepreneurs make the common mistake of employing entire departments that do not assist core business functions. These departments include sales, marketing, human resources, and several others. Instead of attempting to fit massive employee costs into your businesses expense budget, you may find that outsourcing these departments will implement incredible savings. What’s more, you will also be able to access industry experts when outsourcing, which you may not otherwise be able to afford. Therefore, your business can function with core employees and enjoy massive cost savings.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is looking to gather insights into how the Facilities Management sector is reacting during this challenging situation and would be very grateful to receive your input if you could find the time. Given the current environment, some extra questions related to the impact of Covid-19 have been added at the end of the questionnaire and feedback here would be especially useful. The aim of the survey is to capture sentiment towards key issues across the FM sector such as: changes in demand, business confidence, skills shortages, expected areas of growth, attitudes towards sustainability, investment in technology and resources allocated to training/apprenticeships. Complete the questionnaire online.
When it comes to designing the bathroom it’s all in the detail. Having your very own spa-like oasis is a luxury that many people dream of and with the right decorative touches and features, you can achieve this in just a few key steps. From the materials through to the finishing touches, you can create the bathroom of your dreams with luxurious aesthetics that make it one of your favourite rooms in the home. Unique Features Just like the kitchen, living room and bedroom you want your bathroom to have unique features that make it such a dreamy space. One of the main features that transforms a simple bathroom into a place of luxury is a smart shower. This modern addition turns showering into a relaxing experience, giving you control over everything from temperature through to ease of use. This unique addition is also ideal for making life a little easier too, from being able to control the shower from your mobile giving you much more freedom when it comes to heating the water, turning the shower on and much more. Another must-have feature within a luxurious bathroom is music. Introducing a quality set of speakers to your bathroom will give you the ultimate calm, relaxing experience when bathing or simply getting ready. There’s nothing quite like having your favourite artists playing out loud whilst you go through your own home-spa rituals, turning your bathroom into your very own relaxation spot. Image Source: Aqualisa Quality Materials From the tiling in the shower to the flooring choices, the materials you choose to use within your bathroom will have a huge impact on how luxurious the space feels. You want to introduce quality materials that look the part, as well as adding durability and longevity at the same time. Do some research into the materials that catch your eye, from tiles and stone to marble and granite and find out which really work for the space you have. Quality Materials From the tiling in the shower to the flooring choices, the materials you choose to use within your bathroom will have a huge impact on how luxurious the space feels. You want to introduce quality materials that look the part, as well as adding durability and longevity at the same time. For instance, shower wall panels can work with the tiling and flooring to create a rich and magnificent bathroom. Choosing panels that blend nicely with the other features is important. An eye-catching pattern or subtle marble effect can help the shower panel feel an integral part of any luxurious bathroom. But just as crucial, is ensuring the panels are made of long lasting materials. It is worthwhile getting panels professionally installed to ensure they are sealed properly. Do some research into the materials that catch your eye, from tiles and stone to marble and granite and find out which really work for the space you have. From the tiling in the shower to the flooring choices, the materials you choose to use within your bathroom will have a huge impact on how luxurious the space feels. You want to introduce quality materials that look the part, as well as adding durability and longevity at the same time. Do some research into the materials that catch your eye, from tiles and stone to marble and granite and find out which really work for the space you have. Image Source: Crown Tiles Stylish Furniture Introducing the right furniture pieces to your bathroom will ensure your space works for you. In order to have luxury you need a space that you can get the most out of, resulting in somewhere you can go and spend quality time relaxing, winding down and recharging. It’s important to have a stylish sink, toilet, shower and bath for those with the option, to draw the space together and ensure it’s comfortable as well as attractive. With so many beautiful bathroom furniture pieces available, you can find some stunning pieces to enhance your bathroom and bring that touch of luxury to your home. The Right Atmosphere Creating a space that you can use to escape in your own home is a huge benefit, especially after a long hard day. You want to capture a warm, relaxing atmosphere that enables you to wind down and relax, properly. Whilst the design of your bathroom will help to achieve this, it’s also really useful to introduce some additional features such as scented candles, diffusers and mood lighting to really help capture the right atmosphere. Once you’ve mastered the calming feel, you’ll feel blissfully relaxed and content in your bathroom, making it the perfect zen zone.
Project Management Institute (PMI) launches UK National Project Awards 2020 including recognition of the UK’s most influential Covid-19 response project PMI UK, in association with PwC, is delighted to announce the 2020 National Project Awards. In addition to eight award categories including; ‘Project of the Year’, ‘PMO of the Year’ and ‘Project Management for Social Good’, PMI is seeking nominations for the UK’s most influential Covid-19 response project. “We are launching the awards at a particularly challenging time for business and recognise the importance of highlighting the outstanding work that the project profession has undertaken this year, particularly around Covid-19” explains Chris Field, President of PMI UK part of the world’s leading project management professional body “We recognise that working life is changing; our recent Covid-19 survey of the profession in the UK indicates that up to 85% of project managers are working from home during the lockdown period with just under 45% saying that productivity has increased as a result of homeworking”. Jessica Parthezius, Partner at PwC: “We are thrilled to support the PMI UK National Project Awards 2020 providing the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the projects, individuals and teams that have excelled within the project management profession. These awards and recognition will be a platform to emphasise the value of project management and its contribution to our economy and wider society.” Peter Glynne, PMI UK Project Awards lead, explains: “We had an amazing reaction to our inaugural awards last year, with entries across all categories highlighting fantastic projects up and down the country. It’s a great opportunity to recognise excellence”. “This year we want to recognise the contribution of project management to responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our recent Covid-19 survey of the profession highlights that just under 60% of respondents believe that large scale project management to be absolutely critical to responding to and addressing Covid-19”. The PMI UK National Project Awards are open to any organisation, team or individual, without the need to be a PMI member. Projects can be of any size, type and from any industry. The judges are looking for superior performance through the application of project management; organisational results and/or positive impacts on the community. To apply to one (or more) of the award categories, please find the eligibility criteria, judging process and key dates here: https://pmi.org.uk/awards2020 Project of the Year [Large Private Enterprise] Project of the Year [Public Sector] Project of the Year [Small & Medium Enterprise] PMO of the Year Project Management for Social Good Early in Career Project Professional of the Year Project Professional of the Year PMI UK Volunteer of the Year Special Project Award: Best UK Covid-19 Response Project (public vote) The deadline date for entries is 25th September 2020 with winners announced at a black-tie gala award ceremony in March 2021. PMI is the world’s leading professional body for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, PMI work to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for the Project Economy: the economy in which work, and individuals, are organised around projects. PMI UK has a thriving, ever-growing community of over 3,000 members welcoming project management practitioners from across industry sectors. PMI UK provide professional development and networking opportunities through events (live and virtual), mentoring and volunteering. For more information or become a member visit www.pmi.org.uk
Digitalisation and autonomous processes are propelling the manufacturing industry into a Fourth Industrial Revolution. With technology providing connectivity and data-driven insights to the manufacturing sector, can it also solve challenges facing the construction industry? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director at window and door supplier to the offsite construction industry, Euramax, explains how offsite construction allows building project managers to use the infrastructure of the manufacturing industry to overcome industry challenges. Offsite construction involves fabricating the elements of a building under controlled factory conditions, in a location away from the installation site. This approach takes advantage of the modular building method, where separate units are manufactured individually then brought to site and joined together. The modules of the building include walls, roofs, windows and doors and even entire rooms, such as bathroom pods or contained accommodation units. Offsite construction is increasing in popularity, with the Lloyds Bank annual housebuilding report finding that 68 per cent of housebuilders are investing in modular housing. With its ability to significantly shorten construction time, without compromising building quality, offsite construction has the potential to solve many of the challenges facing the building industry. Boost Productivity The main reasons for productivity difficulties in the building industry can be pinpointed to a lack of technological advancement and inefficient use of time. This has been overcome in the manufacturing industry through digitalised processes and paperless manufacturing. Many manufacturers have discarded their paper trail of information and adopted a seamless digital system, which connects all equipment and processes together. These systems can display real time data for easy monitoring and can synchronise processes to maximise productivity and efficiency. Factory workers now have a stream of data at their fingertips, cutting wasted time searching for information. In contrast, ask someone to describe the equipment of a construction project manager and common answers are likely to include a clipboard, pen and paper. In fact, around 40 per cent of construction companies still use manual recording methods rather than a digital system. This outdated process encourages mistakes and misinterpretation on construction sites, and falls far behind the advanced digital recording and monitoring systems used in the manufacturing industry. Updates to daily reports, punch lists and blueprints can get buried and lost when recorded on paper, meaning keeping track of information is a challenging task. During offsite construction, automated production techniques use advanced robotics that are connected by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in order to manufacture building parts. This allows superior monitoring of production lines, which can be used to streamline processes and keep a clear and comprehensive record, minimising mistakes and reducing production time. The Buildoffsite report found that offsite building can reduce onsite construction time by up to 30 per cent for large buildings, such as office blocks and supermarkets, and 60 per cent for smaller projects, such as schools. Increase profit margins A large number of construction companies operate on the low margin, high volume business model, with margins as low as 1.5 per cent considered a normality. This is largely driven by the fact that low offers win business, so low margins are necessary to survive in the competitive industry. With margins being so low, construction projects are commonly focused on getting the job done as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Setting unreasonably short time frames inevitably has negative repercussions. Pressurised workers can become stressed, which is not only damaging to their mental health, but also increases the chances of disrupting and potentially dangerous mistakes. Unrealistic project deadlines can cause corners to be cut, so work is of a lower quality and health and safety concerns become an afterthought. Building components of the construction project offsite can save money and in turn increase profit margins. Manufacturing facilities can use automated equipment to produce materials faster and require less manual labour. The resourceful manufacturing techniques also mean less supplies are wasted. By only transporting the constructed components to the building site when needed, the probability of damage from weather conditions or onsite equipment is also reduced. It’s important to work with a trusted supplier that can deliver high quality products to ensure a successful modular build project. Euramax is experienced in supplying quality PVCu windows and doors for modular buildings. Offering a range of products that can be transported from the factory and installed in pre-fabricated construction sites across the country, Euramax’s PVCu windows are easy to install, providing a cost effective solution that meets security and energy efficiency requirements. The construction industry is key to UK infrastructure, yet its productivity and profit margins can risk falling behind the fast pace of the manufacturing industry. However, it’s possible to merge the two. Offsite construction allows housebuilders to benefit from industry’s advancements by bringing construction to the manufacturing plant. The use of automated equipment connected to the IIoT enables faster production with a comprehensive digital record — helping boost project productivity and increase profit margins.
FirstPort, the UK’s largest residential property manager, has today announced a transaction which will see it combining with leading property and asset manager, Mainstay Group. For FirstPort and Mainstay customers, clients, employees, management, and supply partners day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. Completion of the transaction only remains subject to approval by the Financial Conduct Authority. Last year FirstPort welcomed Equistone Partners Europe as its new majority investors to support its continued growth, investment in a comprehensive digital transformation programme and make further enhancements to its customer service offering. To date, FirstPort has completed two previous transactions, strengthening its team and service offerings with the acquisitions of Barratt London’s property management company, BRAM, in 2019 and Linden Homes’ property management provider, Pentland Estate Management, in 2017. For Mainstay Group, 2019 was a significant year with the business achieving record growth, winning appointments on a number of high-profile developments and securing a national, multi-million-pound portfolio. Nigel Howell, CEO of FirstPort, commented: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Mainstay to deliver the very best property and asset management services for our customers and clients. Mainstay’s achievements and track record are impressive, and we are proud to be welcoming them into the FirstPort group. This is a great milestone for both businesses, which will see us learning from each other and working together to continue to drive the highest industry standards and realise new market opportunities.” Luke Sanders, Group Managing Director of Mainstay, commented: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Mainstay Group to continue to deliver a market-leading service, while benefitting from the skills, expertise and efficiencies available by being part of a larger group. I am very much looking forward to working with FirstPort, as the right partner for our next phase of growth and to help build on Mainstay’s achievements and successes to date.” About FirstPort FirstPort is the UK’s leading full-service residential property manager, caring for more than 196,000 homes in England, Wales and Scotland across 3,900 developments. With over four decades of experience and 3,200 employees, FirstPort works with developers, investors, freeholders and over 300 Resident Management Companies. FirstPort is a member of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA), the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM), and Property Managers Association Scotland (PMAS). It holds a Five Star Rating from the British Safety Council, has been awarded the British Safety Council’s prestigious Sword of Honour, is an accredited Safe Agent and belongs to The Property Ombudsman. FirstPort holds a Silver Investors in People accreditation and has been named as one of the UK’s Top Employers by the Top Employers’ Institute for the last two consecutive years. www.firstport.co.uk About Mainstay Mainstay Group is an independent residential property and asset management company providing leading services to over 80,000 homes and award-winning commercial facilities management across the UK. Established in 2000, Mainstay works with many of the top 20 homebuilders, institutional investment funds, landed estates, resident management companies and private investors to maximise value and drive better returns by pioneering a community and people centric, empowered approach to service and innovation. Mainstay is accredited to ISO9001 and OHSAS18001, is a member of the Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) and is a proud Investor in People. www.mainstaygroup.co.uk
Referencing a recent CBRE report, CEO Paul Oberschneider discusses how the already rising participation of non-bank lenders will be even more instrumental in the months ahead. The coronavirus pandemic has hit the housing market hard but this does not mean that developers looking for financing are out of options, says Hilltop Credit Partners, adding how a combination of factors will translate into specialist finance providers coming to the forefront for filling in the funding gap. The West-End fund is a specialist funding partner for small and mid-sized residential property developers and house builders in the UK. A recent CBRE report which references a Cass Business School report heavily, clearly states that the development finance availability in the UK has contracted since the COVID-19 outbreak with fewer lenders considering new opportunities and most focusing on their existing loan books. The determining factors involved are the natural risk associated with development finance where the exit dates and values are uncertain, valuations becoming more ambiguous with materiality clauses being included, banks being scrutinised for tighter capital adequacy norms and other issues with the development like delays or contractor insolvencies. But in a vote of confidence for ‘other lenders’, the reports show that these lenders, primarily the debt funds, have provided significant capital last year and recorded a 4 percent increase in loan origination to £7.9 billion. Talking about the report and the changing face of development finance in 2020, Paul Oberschneider, Founder and CEO of Hilltop Credit Partners, said: “The UK housing market is riddled with a supply-demand mismatch. As highlighted in the CBRE report, importance of non-bank lenders will continue to rise in the post Covid-19 world as high street banks with legacy portfolios will become more risk averse and recede from the market to better manage their balance sheets. Banks will also expect developers to provide more equity upfront as leverage will be curtailed to more conservative levels.” “Securing funding has been needlessly time-consuming and expensive for the SME housing developers. Even in a pre Covid-19 world, developers were required to navigate complex arrangements in the borrowing stack and raise funds from different lenders because banks were not ready to stretch enough. These challenge are set to become more prominent in the post Covid-19 world due to the factors listed above. For the standpoint of a developer, this means reduced access to capital, increased costs due to various professional advisors being involved and delays which will be inevitable if you have to deal with multiple parties.” “At Hilltop, we are determined to support UK’s housing developers in what is one of the most turbulent economic climates we have seen in our lifetime. We were established with a mission to ease access to funding for SME developers and our products reflect that. We go that extra mile compared to the market at large, let alone high-street banks, and we also assist developers on the equity side providing a comprehensive one-stop solution. This is because we understand the uncertainty facing the housing market at present and are cautiously committed to funding high-quality assets and developers. Our recent £8.6m funding for residential development in Brondesbury, London and plans of disbursing £75m in the coming months is a testament of our commitment to the UK housing market, and especially the SME housing developers.” Tiger Craft, Partner and CFO, adds: “There will always be a demand for homes and no lockdown or financial challenge is going to change this reality. To achieve this, we work closely with the developers and help them move quickly so they can secure sites, build homes, and sell them in a fast, cost-efficient manner. As stated in the CBRE report, the best sponsors with the strongest schemes will find finance regardless and unlike traditional lenders, we operate like a private equity house. We effectively back the management team therefore our credit underwriting is more robust and our interests are always aligned with the development team as the focus is on a successful exit.”
PERMAROOF, the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover, is celebrating its most successful May and June in its 19-year history despite the nationwide challenges faced by all businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic. With a 26% increase in sales in May 2020 compared to 2019 and a staggering 86% increase when comparing June 2019 to 2020, it’s been two amazing consecutive months for the Derbyshire-based team with the likelihood of a healthy July too. This follows reports of 2019 being its most successful year to date with 24,000 orders completed: the highest figure in its history. Adrian Buttress, managing director of Permaroof, attributes the success to a fast response to Covid-19, investment in an already solid team, and diversification into new services and products. Adrian said: “Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic – such as supply issues, merchants closing, and roofing projects being delayed or put on hold – our team has managed to buck the trend and deliver amazing results that are a true testament to the service they offer, as well as the strong relationships we have with customers nationwide.” After increasing its warehouse capacity in 2019, as well as broadening its offering by acquiring The Skylight Company and becoming the sole distributor of Permafence, the team met the challenges posed by coronavirus rapidly and decisively. Additional stock had already been purchased in preparation for Brexit, ensuring ample supply to meet any level of demand from contractors, many of which still needed to fix damaged and leaking roofs in need of urgent maintenance. New products were also added to Permaroof’s portfolio including a disinfectant spray to help customers work safely, while investment in the team was crucial with a strong focus on marketing and a new marketing co-ordinator recruited to push out a formal communications strategy. At the same time, Permaroof adapted its offering to work closely with modular companies for the first time, supplying fast flat roofing solutions to four emergency NHS projects in the first month of lockdown. Adrian continued: “Clear communication to both staff and customers has been vital. Pushing forward with marketing has allowed us to do this while reinforcing our brand and putting out messages of stock availability at a really important time. I have no doubt that this has been crucial to breaking our sales records during the UK lockdown. “I hope that our success proves that there is still opportunity out there for UK SMEs and that the building and construction sector is ready to bounce back and thrive. We’re certainly committed to supporting both the contractors and merchants we work with and hope that the next quarter is as positive for them all.” Permaroof offers products and services that provide “permanent solutions to age old problems.” They offer this through a variety of products – its central offering of Firestone RubberCover EPDM roofing – as well as artificial grass through its Permalawn brand and maintenance free fencing via Permafence. This is in addition to Permatile promenade tiles, skylights and rooflights through The Skylight Company and most recently, steel framed buildings. For more information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839.
While you may be getting bored of hearing about COVID-19 by now, appreciating the risk that the virus represents is imperative from a health and safety point of view. After all, the pandemic has killed hundreds of thousands of people and – while it is no longer as deadly as it once was – it’s still important to keep as protected as possible. From wearing a face mask while out in public to adhering by the social distancing measures in place, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself safe from harm. However, one of the most important things to think about is the cleanliness of your home. Since the COVID-19 virus can spread across surfaces as well as in the air, maintaining the area you live and work in is a highly effective way of minimising its spread. But how should you go about this? That’s where we can help. Join us as we run through some of the cleaning and maintenance tasks that the coronavirus pandemic has now made essential to everyday life – from wiping down the surfaces to ticking off a maintenance checklist on a daily basis. 1. Clean, Then Sanitise. While it may be tempting to rush straight in and disinfect your surfaces with specialist wipes, don’t rush it. Prior to disinfecting the area, it’s important to first clean it using soap and a sponge. After this has been done, apply the disinfectant, leave it for 30 seconds or so, and then wipe it off. This cleaning and sanitising procedure will need to be carried out at least once every few days to ensure you stay protected. However, since these are not normal times, the more you can sanitise, the better. 2. Think About Pests. Coronavirus is especially problematic to individuals who are immunocompromised or currently have an underlying health issue. In other words, the healthier you are, the more chance you’ll give yourself to fight off the virus. With this in mind, pest control can be vital. Pest rodents, birds and insects are not only annoying to deal with anyway, but they can also pose a significant health risk since they carry an abundance of harmful bacteria and viruses. Therefore, if your home has been breached and needs a pest control solution, the sooner you can sort it out the better. Otherwise, your health could only suffer as a result. 3. Windows, Boilers & Home Insulation. While on the topic of ensuring your health stays in tip-top shape, checking a home or building’s insulation is an effective way of preventing potential issues. If windows aren’t fully sealed, moisture from outside can enter into a property and cause damp to form. This, in turn, can lead to a number of health issues. Therefore, by going around the building – whether it be commercial, residential or industrial – you will be able to identify any areas in need of attention, safeguarding your health in the process. Similarly, checking the boiler in a property is vital too. While you may not need heating right now, many experts are suggesting that the number of coronavirus cases could rise again when the outside weather starts to cool. Therefore, to avoid your health suffering as a result, ensuring your boiler is working effectively is a must-do. 4. Any Outdoor Work. While it’s imperative you stick to the current social distancing guidelines, getting your daily dose of fresh air is equally as important. Therefore, if you have a garden or any kind of outdoor space at home, make the most of it. Whether you choose to clear the gutter, repair the shed, do a bit of gardening, build a deck, or clean the BBQ, there are a number of things you can do outdoors to keep yourself sane during the lockdown. After all, it’s important to safeguard your mental health during this trying period – a period in which feelings of anxiety, worry and uncertainty are going to be strife. Spending some time outdoors, clearing your mind, is one of the best ways to combat this threat. Final Thoughts… With the lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, you may think that the coronavirus pandemic is almost over. However, it isn’t, and staying on top of your health remains imperative. By carrying out the maintenance tasks listed above though, you will not only help keep the pandemic at bay, but you’ll also ensure your home, office or building remains a safe place to be.