Most brands are using a business card to market their products to prospective clients. However, with the increase in the adoption of these cards, it is essential to ensure that yours stands out. The fashion industry is not immune to these requirements, and you need to strategize smart ideas to
The new facility the latest building to be completed at popular and successful Horizon-38 mixed use development site at Filton in Bristol St Francis Group together with its development partner iSec has today announced that it has completed and handed over a new built to suit Global Technology Centre for
Leeds City Council has resolved to grant detailed planning permission for the next 200,000 sq ft of commercial space at the £400 million Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds. 2 Kirkstall Forge, the next phase of development, is capable of accommodating a workforce of up to 2,000 people within two office
We are always focused on choosing the architect, contractor, and interior designer to make a dream home. But most people pay little to no attention while selecting a plumbing service, despite that it is equally important to carefully choose the right plumbing option. It is not hard to find people
When many of us in the electrical contracting industry think of temporary electrical installations, we tend to think of the wide range of short-term installations such as public or private exhibitions or events, parties or events associated with the entertainment industry like touring shows, theatrical, radio, TV or film productions.
IT is vital the construction industry educates itself on competition law – according to East Midlands-based law firm Nelsons. The warning comes after two of the UK’s largest rolled lead sheet suppliers – Associated Leads Mills and BLM British Lead – admitted to taking part in anti-competitive arrangements between October
As is the case in many other industries, the power tools industry is experiencing profound changes owing to the development and advancement of power tool technology. With competition always strong among the industry players in the power tool sector, the onus has been on power tool manufacturers to stay ahead
Shocking figures from the Office for National Statistics show that over 291,000 residential burglaries took place across England and Wales from July 2018 to June 2019, with an even more surprising fact that a burglary in the UK takes place every 108 seconds. Property owners are not only left with
Nationwide Specialist Services (NSS) has been awarded a long-term service contract by ISS, the leading workplace experience and facilities management company. As a strategic partner for almost 10 years, “NSS now delivers all aspects of window and technical cleaning across the UK for ISS”. The 5 year Framework Agreement was
Lee Marley, 46, is the founder of multi-million-pound nationwide enterprise Lee Marley Brickwork Limited, which he formed in 1997 at just 24 years old. Lee’s business is now one of the UK’s leading integrated brickwork, scaffolding and stone subcontractors, the company turned over £47.1million in 2019. Lee was born in
Most brands are using a business card to market their products to prospective clients. However, with the increase in the adoption of these cards, it is essential to ensure that yours stands out. The fashion industry is not immune to these requirements, and you need to strategize smart ideas to be competitive. Fashion business card intention is to promote your fashion business and encourage more buyers to buy your products and services. The Printing house creates innovative, useful business cards for your fashion business. The following are the important things you should know about your business card if you are in the fashion industry: Personalization of the business card Personalization is the addition of your images, contacts, and email address on the fashion business card. The information is useful in giving your prospective consumers a detailed report of your location and the products you sell. Additionally, images displayed on the business card can provide them with a glance into your business dealings in an effective manner. The inclusion of your photo is incredible to create an image in the mind of the consumers. They will remember the conversation you had and the place of meeting. Customization according to the events It is crucial to showcase your products in various events if you want to remain relevant in the fashion industry. While attending different functions, it is essential to incorporate the theme of the event to your card. It is an appropriate manner to connect with the customers in the events. If your business card has space, you can handwrite it to make it memorable to the customer. It will act as a perfect reminder of the encounter, and the prospective customer might be encouraged to approach your business in the future. Inclusion of your social presence Instagram and Facebook are the most widely used social media platforms to market fashion products. Thus inclusion of your social presence is an effective way to connect with the prospective buyers. The buyers will have an extraordinary chance to view your products without visiting your physical store through social media platforms. Also, if you have e-commerce stores, including your store availability, it is a conducive way to increase your sales. Create something unique The fashion industry is flooded, and to gain popularity, you need to create something unique that captures the attention of the customers. The Printing house can innovate something that will stand out in the competitive market. The uniqueness is measured in terms of color coordination, extraordinary style, and rare paper designs. Inclusion of testimonials Testimonials act as evidence of the effectiveness of your service delivery. You can briefly list some credible testimonials to build trust with the clients. Additionally, the inclusion of people you do business with is an incredible way to boost your confidence with the clients. Reputable brands will significantly assure the customers of the reputation of your fashion business. What are the merits of incorporating such changes in your fashion business card? It’s a cheap marketing strategy. By allowing the business cards to advertise your fashion products, you save a considerable amount of money on other forms of advertising. Consumers’ target is often regulated, and it is possible to reach the demographic you feel needs your products. It boosts credibility in your business. Business cards prove your credibility in the fashion industry. The inclusion of your business information and physical and virtual presence is a clear indication that you are a reputable dealer in the industry. Also, it plays as a perfect reminder to the customers of your presence in the industry, and the chances of being forgotten are narrowed. The business card is a proof of the existence of a reputable business in the market. It is unreasonable to ignore the impact a business card has on the reputation of your brand. They are useful in events. The perfect way of marketing your products in public gatherings is the use of business cards. It is an ideal way to boost your client base and connect with new contacts in the event. The cards will be useful to communicate to the persons attending the event. Business cards are more visible. Compared to other methods of advertising, business cards are visible due to their physical characteristics. The visibility of the cards will act as a perfect reminder to the customer of your presence in the market. Bottom Line Using business cards in the fashion industry is essential to remain relevant in the industry. However, not just any business card will be valuable to increase sales in your business. It is crucial to incorporate the above things into your card to make it useful. You can also hire The Printing house to design attractive and unique business cards that will capture the attention of your customers.
The new facility the latest building to be completed at popular and successful Horizon-38 mixed use development site at Filton in Bristol St Francis Group together with its development partner iSec has today announced that it has completed and handed over a new built to suit Global Technology Centre for GKN Aerospace at its Horizon-38 scheme at Filton in North Bristol. The state-of-the-art facility which comprises of a highly bespoke, built to suit facility extending to 110,000 sq. ft including 40,000 sq. ft of Grade A office accommodation has been pre-let to GKN Aerospace with funding provided by BP Pension Fund. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd were the contractor, completing construction and handing over this week despite exceptional circumstances at this difficult time. Talking about the project Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group said: “When we were presented in 2017 with GKN Aerospace’s vision for a network of regional technology centres across the globe it was clear that this could be one of our more exciting development projects. It hasn’t let us down. We are delighted that Horizon-38 was selected as the location for this centre of excellence and for St Francis Group and iSec to have played a key role in the continued promotion of GKN Aerospace as a leading technology led global business.” Going on to say “The Global Technology Centre will enable GKN Aerospace to create a world leading facility for research particularly in the areas of wing configuration and construction, meaning intellectual property, skills and knowledge is retained in the UK. Also commenting, Jane Leedham, Estates Director at GKN Aerospace said: “For such a high-profile project with a continually evolving brief, it was essential that we found a development partner with a delivery team that was both flexible and extremely capable. In return for a long-term commitment from GKN Aerospace, we were able to secure a bespoke research and development facility to rival all others.” Horizon38 was acquired by a joint venture between St Francis Group and iSec late in 2015 and since then nearly 500,000 sq ft of new high-quality warehouse space has been built in addition to a new Village hotel and Selco trade counters. A new Sytner Car Shop is under construction and a further pre-let just announced with Volvo Cars UK for a new flagship car dealership For further information visit : https://horizon38.com/
Leeds City Council has resolved to grant detailed planning permission for the next 200,000 sq ft of commercial space at the £400 million Kirkstall Forge development in Leeds. 2 Kirkstall Forge, the next phase of development, is capable of accommodating a workforce of up to 2,000 people within two office buildings, with leisure and retail uses on the ground floor. The upper floors will provide flexible office accommodation with open floor plates from 11,000 sq ft to 15,300 sq ft. In line with the site’s strong sustainability credentials, there will be electric car charging, a cycle spa, shower rooms, locker facilities, as well as outdoor rooms and balcony features maximising the wooded, riverside views. Paul Richardson, Investment Manager at CEG, said: “This next phase of development will bring some of the most advanced office space to Leeds. “The buildings are available for pre let, with workspace being offered through our Core and Flex model which allows a business to expand and contract within the space. This will help to manage company growth and additional projects, as well as seasonal demand and the effects that social distancing will have on office requirements. “Our long term approach means we can not only offer this partnership approach to our customers, but also design for performance; delivering workspace that is sustainable, efficient, flexible, healthy, productive, digitally resilient and future-proofed.” CEG’s performance credentials were proven with Number One Kirkstall Forge which secured the Best Commercial Workplace in the UK from the British Council of Offices and was named the country’s healthiest place to work by Property Week. Now fully let, the building is Zenith’s headquarters and home to Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, Bupa, CEG and Butlers restaurant and bar. CBRE has been recently appointed to act as joint agent with Fox Lloyd Jones. Paul Fox, director of Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “We are very excited to try and build on the quality benchmark of Number One Kirkstall Forge, where we attracted high quality tenants focused on amenity and well-being for their staff. We continue to listen to what occupiers need and want, and even in these changing times feel positive that CEG’s long term ownership model and ability to offer uniquely flexible lease terms and deals on new Grade A space will continue embrace occupiers evolving thinking. These carefully curated buildings are designed with such flexibility at their core.’’ Alex Hailey, director of CBRE, said: “CBRE is delighted to be appointed on such a fantastic development. Kirkstall Forge provides a truly unique offering to the Leeds office market with some of the highest quality offices as part of a whole new community. There has been a shift from occupiers in recent years to make the office a preferred destination for employees and this will only be accelerated as the lockdown is relaxed. With the enhanced technology, superior specification, a focus on health and wellness, excellent transport links and a design that will support productivity, Kirkstall Forge has all the attributes to enable occupiers to attract and retain the best talent in the city.” Ultimately, the £400million Kirkstall Forge scheme is set to become home to a thriving mixed-use community comprising of up to 1,500 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space. The site connects to Leeds City Station in six minutes by rail and offers on-site cycle, car and scooter hire and electric vehicle charging.
We are always focused on choosing the architect, contractor, and interior designer to make a dream home. But most people pay little to no attention while selecting a plumbing service, despite that it is equally important to carefully choose the right plumbing option. It is not hard to find people with horrifying stories of plumbing disasters that they had to face due to their wrong plumbing service choice. Plumbing is not only about changing taps and installing a drainage pipe. Every house has a particular plumbing system, and if you don’t build a well-thought system during construction, putting a new elbow pipe under your basin can even become a big disaster later. That’s why you should avoid reckless behavior and be careful when choosing a plumbing service during home construction. Here are given tips that can help you distinguish the best from the worst, and choose the right Expert Plumbing & Gas Services: Check License and Certification: Anyone who knows how to change a tap can’t open a plumbing company. Developing a robust plumbing system requires a lot more knowledge and expertise than you think. That’s why always ask the company to show you a proof of their qualification and authenticity in the form of license and certificates. Usually, professional plumbers have taken a license from a recognized authority and have certificates to prove the quality of their work and training. This is not an extra effort, but essential to avoid any future trouble that you might have to face in case of picking unqualified plumbers. Ask if they are Insured: As you get car, property, and health insurance so that you don’t have to bear the financial blow, in case things go wrong, looking for plumbing insurance is also important. The plumbing system is built underground, so any trouble in this system means that you might have to dig out your home. And it costs a lot of money! That’s why you should ask the plumbing company if they are insured. Plumbing companies with insurance are good to go because if something goes wrong due to their negligence or mistake, they cover the cost of issue rectification. Also, it is important to have other areas of the house improved, check out composite door Bristol for new windows. Check Reputation: Checking the reputation of a company in the market and among customers goes a long way because it saves you on so many levels. You not only get to know the quality of their services, but also know if they are good in communication, and charge what they say. You are going to work with them for a long time because setting the plumbing system of a house is not a matter of one or two days. So, working with a company having friendly and well-behaved employees is the solution if you want to avoid any headache in case of miscommunication and clash of opinion. Check Customer Support System: You may need the services of a plumbing company even after they have set your plumbing system. Tap leaks and any issue in the drainage pipe can erupt any time without any prior indicator. So, it is better to call the company who has set the system and have firsthand experience with it. But for this, you should be sure that the company must have a sound customer support system and respond quickly to emergency calls.
When many of us in the electrical contracting industry think of temporary electrical installations, we tend to think of the wide range of short-term installations such as public or private exhibitions or events, parties or events associated with the entertainment industry like touring shows, theatrical, radio, TV or film productions. But in fact, temporary electrical installations are usually required at some stage for a range of new building projects, large and small, and even existing buildings can be subject to temporary installations. A temporary supply may also be required where a building is to be demolished or even needed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as failure of critical supplies. In short, temporary supplies are an integral part of the electrical installation industry. This article will address the topic of temporary electrical installations. We’ll discuss two specific scenarios, each requiring temporary supplies for different reasons and each having very different loads. We’ll then review some issues to consider when installing temporary power supplies. Scenario 1 – a data centre In a large data centre, a rising busbar with a source from an air circuit-breaker (ACB) rated at 3,200 A, supplies main switch panels each of which, in turn, supplies critical IT loads and their associated supporting infrastructure, such as cooling equipment. Due to recent flooding, the main busbar has shorted out, resulting in a loss of supply. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) had been installed. The UPS system is comprised of a battery system to supply IT equipment during short-term outages, backed up by diesel generators. When the supply failed, the UPS system took over and performed as intended. However, a replacement busbar had a six-week delivery time and there would be a further delay to allow for its installation due to business critical issues. A realistic estimate was that it could take two to three months to replace the busbar. The manufacturer of the generators advised that the generators couldn’t be relied upon to maintain the supply adequately for that amount of time. To ensure resilience of supply for the critical system, a decision was taken for the temporary installation of cables to replace the rising busbar to power the critical loads until the replacement busbar could be installed. The cables could then be run from the original ACB to the main switch panels supplying the critical loads. Scenario 2 – a construction site In a large construction site, the site project manager had underestimated the power requirements for the site and separate generators had to be installed to provide temporary supplies to the tower crane, hoist and maintained lighting for flats under construction. A document of interest is BS 7375:2010, Code of practice for distribution of electricity on construction and building sites. BS 7375 is referred to in two notes in Section 704 of BS 7671 with regard to PME earthing facilities and Regulation 704.411.3.1 places restrictions on the use of PME earthing for an installation falling within the scope of Section 704. Most construction sites are provided with a TT supply which requires an RCD to provide automatic disconnection in case of a fault. Regulation 704.411.3.2.1 states that an RCD with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 500mA must be used (consult this Regulation for the complete requirements). Guidance on earthing is contained in BS 7430:2011, Code of practice for earthing. Temporary electrical installations and BS 7671 Temporary electrical installations can carry risks, even in the most benign of environments. BS 7671 applies, not only to fixed installations, but also to temporary installations. There is no relaxation of safety standards in BS 7671 for temporary installations. BS 7671 defines a temporary electrical installation as an, ‘Electrical installation erected for a particular purpose and dismantled when no longer required for that purpose’ (Part 2, Definitions). Regulation 110.1.3 states that, in some cases, BS 7671 may need to be supplemented by the requirements or recommendations of other standards and, included in a list of examples is BS 7909, Code of practice for temporary electrical systems for entertainment and related purposes (item ix). Running temporary cables The cross-sectional area (csa) of the temporary cables must be adequate for the loads to be supplied, taking voltage drop into account together with any applicable rating factors. When running temporary cables which are buried in the ground, the general requirements for buried cables given in Regulation 522.8.10 must be consulted. That is, the cable must either be run in a conduit or duct or else have an earthed armour or metal sheath, or both, suitable for use as a protective conductor incorporated. Buried cables, conduits and ducts must be buried at a sufficient depth to avoid being damaged by any reasonably foreseeable disturbance of the ground. A depth of 0.5 m is generally considered as a minimum depth. When running temporary overhead cables, the guidance contained in Appendix G of IET Guidance Note 1, Selection and Erection and also in Table D2 of the IET On-Site Guide is applicable. Generally, overhead cables must be suitable and adequately supported with a maximum length of span of 30 m and a minimum height above ground of 5.8 m where vehicles may run underneath and 3.5 m in areas inaccessible to vehicles. Guidance for running underground and overhead cables in specific circumstances are given in Sections 708, 709, 730 of BS 7671. Conclusion There is no limit to how long a temporary electrical installation may remain in operation and the designer must consider the possibility that it might remain in operation for longer than anticipated and design the system accordingly. When designing temporary installations, the risks must be assessed, and certification must be provided in accordance with BS 7671. Table 3.2 of IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection and Testing contains recommended initial frequencies of inspection of electrical installations. Temporary installations are not mentioned specifically but the recommendation that construction site installations should be inspected and tested every three months seems reasonable to apply to temporary installations. For more information on NAPIT, click here.
IT is vital the construction industry educates itself on competition law – according to East Midlands-based law firm Nelsons. The warning comes after two of the UK’s largest rolled lead sheet suppliers – Associated Leads Mills and BLM British Lead – admitted to taking part in anti-competitive arrangements between October 2015 and March 2017 following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). As part of an agreement reached with the CMA, the two firms could face fines of more than £11 million. Following the investigation, which started in July 2017, the CMA has issued revised provisional findings indicating that Associated Lead Mills and BLM British Lead were part of anti-competitive arrangements that included: Sharing the market, including by arranging not to target certain customers; Colluding on prices; Exchanging commercially sensitive information on prices; and Arranging not to supply a new business that risked disrupting the firms’ existing customer relationships and which was a potential competitor in the market. Emma Ward, partner in Nelsons’ dispute resolution department, who is Midland Lead’s solicitor, said: “The admissions and the CMA’s provisional findings are strong reminders that companies need to understand the obligations imposed upon them by competition law. “An infringement of competition law can occur at any level in a supply chain, with anti-competitive practices ultimately depriving customers of the efficiency, innovation and fair pricing that fair competition encourages. In addition, such practices can make it extremely difficult for other businesses that aren’t part of the arrangement to survive and grow. “If you believe that your business has suffered a loss as a result of anti-competitive practices, then you could have a right to claim compensation.” Midland Lead – a family-owned company that has been manufacturing machine cast lead for the past 37 years – is actively against cartels, stating that they not only tarnish the reputation of the industry, but also cheat customers. Boudewijn Tuinenburg, managing director at Midland Lead, said: “We hope that the outcome of CMA’s investigation and provisional findings send a warning to the construction industry of the importance of understanding competition law. “We have never been a part of the arrangements between Associated Leads Mills and BLM British Lead or arrangements with any other rolled lead sheet manufacturer and we pride ourselves on operating with integrity. We work independently and welcome competition as we know it encourages innovation and pushes for excellence in customer service.” Lynn Street, marketing and sales manager at Midland Lead, added: “We have successfully grown our business in the UK and overseas by being innovative, customer-focused and providing high quality products in an ethical manner. “Together as one industry sector, we can promote lead, share innovative ideas and fund research. However, the fact of the investigation and the provisional findings mean that as an industry, we will never be able to sit down in one room without suspicion – and that is unfortunate for the entire industry.” According to research commissioned by the CMA in 2018, 77% of UK businesses admit to not understanding competition law, with 79% of respondents stating that they regularly meet with rivals in social situations. Emma said: “It’s important that businesses understand the rules. An anti-competitive arrangement can be reached informally over a beer – it doesn’t need to be documented by a formal, written agreement. The informal nature of some business deals, coupled with the lack of knowledge, means that there is a real risk of crossing the line. “The CMA can investigate if it has reasonable grounds to suspect there has been anti-competitive behaviour. The investigation itself can be stressful as the CMA can demand information (backed by sanctions of a fine if the request is not complied with), attend premises unannounced and require that questions are answered by any person connection with the business – from temporary staff, through to the MD. “If competition law is found to have been infringed, the consequences are serious and can damage a business as well as an individual’s career. Companies can be fined up 10% of their annual worldwide turnover, individuals can face prosecution, and directors can be disqualified. Businesses can also suffer reputational damage. “Proactive compliance is essential. It’s important to make sure that your business has a written competition law compliance policy and detailed staff training programme in place. A major risk factor is a lack of internal competition law awareness within a business, so these are vital to avoiding serious penalties. “If you think you or your company might have been involved in cartel activity, seek legal advice on how best to minimise liability. The CMA has a leniency programme – this allows a party to anti-competitive conduct to avoid fines and prosecution in exchange for reporting the arrangement and cooperating with the investigation.” Another firm, Calder Industrial Matters, remains under investigation in relation to one of the arrangements and continues to strongly deny the allegation. In its provisional findings, the CMA alleged that Associated Lead Mills, BLM British Lead and Calder Industrial Materials – which together account for about 90% of the rolled lead market and were former members of the Lead Sheet Association – entered into a cartel to share the market among themselves. However, the CMA has now revised its provisional findings stating that there was not a single overall cartel arrangement but four individual arrangements that broke competition law. For more information on resolving commercial, business and intellectual property conflicts, please visit www.nelsonslaw.co.uk/business-disputes or call 0800 024 1976.
As is the case in many other industries, the power tools industry is experiencing profound changes owing to the development and advancement of power tool technology. With competition always strong among the industry players in the power tool sector, the onus has been on power tool manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve in their industry. The introduction of the Durofix 60V DXP range of power tools ensures Durofix stays at the forefront of the various industry-wide trends in the power tools industry. Some of the trends in the power tools industry include: Innovations In Battery Technology The past decade has seen a shift to cordless power tools. Tools such as circular saws, impact drivers, hammer drills, impact wrenches, band saws, and crimpers now have an integrated battery system that powers the tool. This does away with the need for power cords and in the case of pneumatic tools, air cords as well. Consequently, workers in the construction, industrial, automotive, and many other industries can now enjoy a cordless (and safer) work environment. However, the current trend is to go beyond the basic integration of battery packs into power tools. There is a push to improve the power density of the battery packs and enhance the battery management systems, all the while trying to reign in on the notoriously heavy weight of the battery packs without compromising performance and endurance. In the past, improvements on the battery pack front have been driven by changing from nickel-based batteries to lithium-based batteries. However, power tools makers are now forced to innovate further and improve lithium batteries as well. Durofix 60V DXP has been engineered to offer 35% more run time by using advanced Li-ion batteries. The tools draw less current, thereby generating less heat leading to longer run times and longer battery life. Improvements In The Efficiency Of Power Tools While improving the efficiency of the battery pack has taken precedence in the power tools development race, more and more power tool manufacturers have realized there is a benefit to optimizing other areas of their tools. Manufacturers are now engineering power tools that not only last long but perform their function with maximum efficiency. This improves the run time of the power tool while maximizing the power delivery of the tools. Lower Maintenance Cost The maintenance cost of power tools has always been an Achilles heel for the tools. Power tools need regular recalibration, oiling, part replacements, and other repairs. There is a push among power tool manufacturers to design products that are cost-efficient on the maintenance front, thereby lowering the cost of ownership. Improved User Experience Finally, there is a push to improve the user experience of power tools, especially among the new generation of cordless power tools. Naturally, some of the efforts have gone to reducing the weight of the tools. However, there many other areas of improvement that the tools have experienced. These include improving the cooling of the tools, integration of better torque output control units, compacting the tool design, and much more. There has also a push to improve the safety of the tools with a focus on reducing the noise and vibrations generated by the tools. The Durofix 60V DXP range of power tools has taken giant leaps in improving the user experience. The tools feature a compact design, enhanced cooling, and advanced Patented Electronic Torque Control for precise torque control, and many other improvements to the ultimate user experience.
Shocking figures from the Office for National Statistics show that over 291,000 residential burglaries took place across England and Wales from July 2018 to June 2019, with an even more surprising fact that a burglary in the UK takes place every 108 seconds. Property owners are not only left with strong emotional consequences to deal with but also high costs. In fact, the average cost of a residential burglary can sum up to over £3,000. This value is significantly higher for luxury homeowners, where target items for theft include cash, cards, wallets (identity theft), purses and jewellery. There is no doubt that luxury properties are a prime target for theft and vandalism, so when in the planning process for your new build, make sure you research all options for physical security. The security market currently offers an array of solution for protection such as CCTV, alarms, security shutters, gates, etc. Keep in mind: addressing physical security at an early stage of construction widens your options; this can be a little more difficult if it were at a retrofit stage. Below you will find brief tips on influential factors to be aware of. Prevention is key Complete an in-depth assessment of your property’s potential vulnerabilities. This will allow you to identify threats and provide a better search journey for risk mitigation products. Properties that do not have security measures in place are 5 times more likely to be broken into than those that do. An intruder will be inclined to target properties they deem easy to break into and can be out of in less than 10 minutes. You can find products that are security rated and can delay the duration of an attack long enough for response teams to act. Making a property appear secure from an external point of view will discourage burglars from even considering your home as a target. Location Understand the risk implied by the location of a property. Densely populated areas such as inner-city properties, particularly in London, are at most risk. Nonetheless, prestige properties in more rural areas often also see attempted burglaries. Properties located in strong weather areas must also be protected from natural means such as wind, rain, hail, dust and extreme heat. Consider the risks implied if your new build will be empty for extended periods of time, for example, if it were a secondary home. Strategic planning Location also plays an important role within strategic planning due to the potential legal problems an owner can encounter. Individual councils and local authorities will have their own planning policies and design guidelines, making planning permissions for properties in London, for example regarding external shutters, often to be difficult. Similar restrictions can apply to historic domestic properties in order to preserve their architectural integrity and character. It is highly recommended to contact your local council regarding planning. Conclusion Planning physical security for new properties should be approached with a strategic mindset and aiming to reduce costly consequences in the unfortunate case of an attack. Taking advantage of a new construction at an early stage will also reduce costs of repairs and reparations on physical security over the first few years. This will also benefit owners by giving them wider options for selecting fixtures and fittings to tailor the property to their taste.
Nationwide Specialist Services (NSS) has been awarded a long-term service contract by ISS, the leading workplace experience and facilities management company. As a strategic partner for almost 10 years, “NSS now delivers all aspects of window and technical cleaning across the UK for ISS”. The 5 year Framework Agreement was renewed following an in-depth negotiation process, significantly expanding on the existing relationship between the two companies. Over the period, the value of the new contract is anticipated to be in the region of £35m. NSS is made up of four divisions: cleaning; maintenance; testing and hire. The business operates from bases in Slough, Dartford, Manchester, Leeds and Falkirk to provide complete and responsive coverage to customers across the commercial property, retail, healthcare, and public sector markets. Commenting on the win, NSS group commercial director Eugene Boyle said: “As a business, we’re consistently striving to provide a best-in-class and reliable service. We understand the importance of a clean, well-maintained and fully operational building, and the impact any interruption to this can have on our customers’ own customers or employees. We’re delighted to be partnering with an industry-leader like ISS.” Derren Chamberlain, ISS procurement director for UK & Ireland added: “We were looking for a truly specialist partner with a genuine focus on safety and commitment to quality. NSS’ track record for delivering responsive and effective service combined with its ‘at-height’ expertise made the opportunity to work together a compelling one.”
Lee Marley, 46, is the founder of multi-million-pound nationwide enterprise Lee Marley Brickwork Limited, which he formed in 1997 at just 24 years old. Lee’s business is now one of the UK’s leading integrated brickwork, scaffolding and stone subcontractors, the company turned over £47.1million in 2019. Lee was born in Wembley, London, his grandfather was a bricklayer and by the age of 7 Lee knew this was a trade he too wanted to follow. The family moved to Devon when Lee was as a child and it was here that he got his foot on the construction ladder and completed a bricklaying apprenticeship at North Devon College. By the age of 19 he had two employees, one of whom still works for Lee today as a Project Manager! The team kept on growing and in 1995 Lee moved back to London with his family. The firm he was working for went bust but the customer took him on to finish the job, his small business went from virtually nothing to a million-pound turnover in 6 months. By the time he’d hit 25, the business was creating an annual turnover of five million. The company has continued to grow year on year and in 2001 Lee spotted a gap in the market and acquired a failing scaffolding business providing his clients with a one stop shop. The business has survived two recessions and Lee has learned valuable lessons along the way, looking ahead at forward workloads, splitting jobs across the sectors and how not to put all your eggs in one basket! Over the years they have worked on some exciting and high-profile projects and some of Lee’s major achievements in the industry include the Olympic athletes’ village, Eton College, Belmarsh Prison, Reading Station and The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Nottinghamshire. However, Lee is very much a believer that you shouldn’t forget about the “bread and butter” residential building work and the more sectors the business has, the more outlets you have got to keep the business going. Lee’s righthand man Dan Clarkson partnered in the business in 2011 and has helped drive the company forward creating a new client base and developing customer relationships. Since Dan joined, the company have worked for more tier 1 contractors and the business has flourished. They have grown the scaffolding business from £1m a year to £10m a year turnover and the business as a whole from £14m to £47m a year. The company operate nationwide with clients across residential, commercial and public sector (MoD, MoJ, rail, and education etc.) Services include masonry, scaffolding and stonework. In 2015 and in order to meet the nationwide demand of their key blue-chip clients, the business expanded to Scotland and now works on projects across the Central Belt, between Glasgow and Edinburgh. In Lee’s driven style the company went from doing no business in Scotland, to securing the largest masonry package in the country within 4 years. Having trained as an apprentice bricklayer himself, Lee strongly supports the need to develop the next generation of bricklayers, scaffolders, stone masons and steel fixers. In 2016 he formed a partnership with Brooklands College in Surrey and now runs an Apprentice Programme at the College; 30 young people have been through this scheme so far. The apprenticeship teaches them what is relevant to the market such as modern methods of construction, fire barriers, insulation, IT, signing work off; all the aspects that are often hidden and could go wrong on a job meaning that when they end up on site they are extremely valuable early on. In 2018 one of the apprentices, Tyler Pearce, was awarded Apprentice of the Year at the Construction News Specialist Awards. The Lee Marley Apprentice programme was awarded Apprentice Initiative of the Year at the 2019 Constructing Excellence SECBE Award 2019. The company also brings on apprentice and trainee scaffolders. Other accolades include the company being featured in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100, which ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing profits in 2019. They were also awarded Specialist Brickwork Contractor of the Year at the 2019 Brick Awards. This is their third win in six years having won in 2014 and 2017 also. Lee is proud to be investing in not only his company but in the future of the industry as a whole and the company also run a graduate programme at Reading University which they set up a few years ago, supporting young quantity surveyors and construction managers on their journey to gain RICS or CIOB memberships. With Lee at the helm, the company continues to grow nationally on its journey as the first-choice brickwork, stonework and scaffolding supplier to many of the UK’s leading property developers and construction contractors. Lee is also looking to open another training college dedicated to industry apprenticeships possibly in Scotland or South East England – watch this space!