Employee-owned packaging company Kite Packaging have recently launched on their leading B2B website, packing benches and paper roll holders, both great additions to any pick, pack and despatch operation. Kite’s strong and sturdy packing benches are a great addition to their workstations and benches offering. Packing benches are the ideal
Key influencers within the UK construction industry have called upon the government to take action against cowboy building contractors by consulting on an industry-wide licensing/certification scheme to give end-users a recognisable mark of quality and trust. Each year more than £8 billion of building work fails to meet appropriate quality standards
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) announces the appointment of Sarah Draper as the firm’s new Head of People & Culture with immediate effect. Sarah joins RLB UK’s Senior Leadership Board to head up the firm’s people strategy and the delivery of its
Acclaimed Design Firm Appointed To Revamp Receptions Acclaimed Manchester architecture and interior design studio, Jasper Sanders + Partners, has been appointed by Exchange Quay, Manchester’s leading office development, to redesign the office receptions as part of the scheme’s ongoing commitment to its occupier experience. Buildings 8 and 5 will have
Keen to show their thanks for all the tremendous efforts of NHS front line workers during these unprecedented times, four construction specialists have united in a bid to raise as much money as possible, expressing their appreciation towards those risking their lives, to save ours. The Mick George Group, MJS
CBRE has strengthened its Leeds Building Consultancy team with the appointment of Matthew Kirkham as Associate Director. Matthew, a Chartered Engineer with circa 20 years experience of building services design and MEP project management in both consultancy and contracting industries, joins CBRE from AECOM where he was involved with various
Given the recent Coronavirus outbreak over the last few months, global property consultancy Knight Frank is now forecasting the UK’s housing market to decline 38 percent from 2019’s home sales, to an estimated 734,000 transactions for the full year (2020). Knight Frank also forecasts mainstream UK house prices to fall
Construction is one of the biggest and most important business sectors globally and is universally acknowledged as underpinning economic growth and productivity in most major nations. For this reason, the industry must embrace emerging technology and the advantages to be gained from digital processes, of which blockchain is one of
A typical structural inspection averages at around £90 per hour in the UK, according to MyBuilder. Assessing buildings for damage and structural soundness is a crucial part of ensuring safety and longevity. One can say it’s just as important as controlling the dust that comes from their construction. However, building size complexity
Tandem Property & Asset Management have been appointed by GMS Estates Limited on their commercial portfolio in central London. The portfolio consists of 18 properties with 113 occupiers, with a further 4 properties to follow post completion of refurbishment projects. The Estate is located in the City of London, Mayfair
Employee-owned packaging company Kite Packaging have recently launched on their leading B2B website, packing benches and paper roll holders, both great additions to any pick, pack and despatch operation. Kite’s strong and sturdy packing benches are a great addition to their workstations and benches offering. Packing benches are the ideal space-saving solution when packing items within an operation, they ensure efficiency and can be kitted out with all the required items for the process. Produced from strong steel with a Melamine Faced Chipboard worktop and supplied flat packed for ease of movement and transport, these strong sturdy benches have an excellent load-bearing capacity and are available in two configurations, with and without a shelf and extra roll holder. Kite’s recently launched paper roll holders with an integrated cutting blade, are another great essential product when packing items. Designed to be on the top of a counter or under a packing bench, they will ensure easy accessibility to materials as and when needed. They are commonly used by, ecommerce companies looking for an internal paper solution to wrap a wide range of goods, florists and, gift wrapping. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of goods and services, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk
Key influencers within the UK construction industry have called upon the government to take action against cowboy building contractors by consulting on an industry-wide licensing/certification scheme to give end-users a recognisable mark of quality and trust. Each year more than £8 billion of building work fails to meet appropriate quality standards and has to be repeated or repaired. Anyone can set up as a builder and there is no requirement to register with recognised trade bodies or quality assurance schemes. It is this situation which the British Board of Agrément (BBA), working with Westminster Sustainable Building Forum (WSBF) wants addressed, with the organisations convening a ‘Stop the Cowboys: Certification in Construction’ roundtable at the House of Commons. Ken O’Sullivan, Head of Audit and Inspection at the BBA, outlined some of the issues at stake: “The Grenfell Tower tragedy highlighted the urgent requirement to improve standards. The Hackitt Review drew attention to the lack of skills and experience of those involved in the construction and maintenance of Higher Risk Residential Buildings. A licensing and/or certification scheme for all contractors would allow for a level playing field to avoid competent contractors being undercut by competitors that are not registered with a recognised scheme.” The BBA is the UK’s leading product certification, testing and inspection organisation and operates Approved Installer schemes across certain sectors of the construction industry, allowing companies to demonstrate compliance with industry standards. It is already working with the Federation of Masters Builders (FMB) – the largest UK trade body representing the interests of small and medium-sized construction firms – to vet new federation members. More than 75% of FMB members have given their backing to a licensing scheme to professionalise the industry, protect consumers and sideline unprofessional and incompetent building companies. The federation is also part of the ‘Construction Licensing Task Force’ which is examining how a scheme would work. “The proposed model is for a scheme governed by a single body but integrated within existing structures to minimize administrative burden,” said FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry. The roundtable, chaired by Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, made three recommendations: * Government should consult on an industry-wide licensing or certification scheme backed by a single body (such as Trustmark) or via existing Notified Bodies or UKAS-accredited organisations. * The scheme should adopt a ‘quality mark’ that consumers can look for. * Industry should work with lending/conveyancing sectors to back the scheme, with sales and home improvement loans tied to the use of a licensed contractor. In addition, attendees agreed that the Homes, Communities and Local Government committee should review proposals for a mandatory licensing or certification scheme and the government consult via a Green Paper. A roundtable spokesman said: “Consumers find the variety of competency frameworks currently on offer confusing. As a result around one third will enter the black market when commissioning home improvement projects. There should be a single, recognisable brand to demonstrate quality, with different trades covered beneath this. Trustmark is already working with key stakeholders such as the BBA, FMB and Homes England to put together a framework that supports this but consumer buy-in will be instrumental to making this viable. “The current system is layered and allows for passing of responsibility between developer, contractor and manufacturer. Consumers find it difficult to determine which party has responsibility and often have very little redress when things go wrong. Costs for joining a mandatory licensing/certification scheme could be as low as £150 for small companies and there has been little opposition from FMB members. However, there has been some reluctance from larger contractors as they wait for clarity on how the scheme would be executed.”
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) announces the appointment of Sarah Draper as the firm’s new Head of People & Culture with immediate effect. Sarah joins RLB UK’s Senior Leadership Board to head up the firm’s people strategy and the delivery of its best in class approach to people and culture in the UK. Sarah takes over the role from Hilary Richardson who is retiring from RLB UK having been with the business for 30 years. Sarah’s appointment as Head of People & Culture completes the restructure which RLB UK outlined in November 2019. This announced Andrew Reynolds as Chief Executive and the intention to introduce two new senior roles to the Senior Leadership Board to lead work on people & culture and digital transformation. Sarah’s appointment follows Matt Sharp joining in January 2020 as the company’s first Chief Digital Officer. With over 20 years of experience gained in senior HR roles across corporate and professional services, Sarah has extensive expertise leading successful people, diversity and inclusion and cultural change programmes in the built environment. Most recently she was HR Director at Gerald Eve LLP. Sarah is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is currently shortlisted for HR Champion at the British Diversity Awards 2020. Andrew Reynolds, Chief Executive at RLB UK said: “As an employee owned business, people and culture is at the very core of our success. I am very pleased to welcome Sarah Draper who joins the team to lead in this fundamental area. Sarah’s breadth of knowledge and experience will be a truly valuable asset as we drive the business forward during these unprecedented times. I would also like to thank Hilary Richardson who has been instrumental in embedding our people & culture ethos as we have grown our business.” Sarah Draper, Head of People & Culture, RLB UK added: “People and culture is so important in any organisation, but more so now than ever before. It’s great to be able to join a company that already fosters a best in class approach to their people and be part of their growth and success story.”
Acclaimed Design Firm Appointed To Revamp Receptions Acclaimed Manchester architecture and interior design studio, Jasper Sanders + Partners, has been appointed by Exchange Quay, Manchester’s leading office development, to redesign the office receptions as part of the scheme’s ongoing commitment to its occupier experience. Buildings 8 and 5 will have entirely remodelled receptions and the concept for Building 8 has now been unveiled. The design concept looks to carefully restore the design intent of the original buildings. The site sits close to two canal systems which the original architects used as inspiration for a maritime theme. The impressive buildings will have their grandeur restored with new wall panelling, beautiful joinery and finishes that bring the external materials and finishes from outside in. The intention is to give the buildings back their classic sense of identity, with added purpose appropriate to modern ways of working. North West contractor Aztec Interiors has been appointed to carry out the works. The contractor will commence the 6 week programme of works to upgrade the reception in Building 8 first before moving onto Building 5. Acting for Ekistics, Investment Manager at Exchange Quay, Till Asset Management, has announced the reception upgrades as part of the team’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the occupier experience at Exchange Quay, which at 435,000 sq ft is one of the largest office developments in the North West with over 4,000 workers. The investment into the reception remodelling works follows on from the delivery of the 26,000 sq ft ICE building which provides contemporary Grade A office accommodation together with a café bar, business lounge and communal meeting space and is already over 60% let. Exchange Quay, which has its own Metrolink tram stop, is located approximately 1.5 miles to the southwest of Manchester City Centre and is strategically located just off Trafford Road which links Salford Quays to both Manchester City Centre and the regional motorway network. Les Lang, Director at Till Asset Management, said; “Jasper has an excellent reputation as Manchester’s leading designer so we were keen to get his vision for how to revitalise the entrance areas of Buildings 8 and 5. We were delighted with his concepts and can already visualise what a difference the new areas will make to tenants working in the buildings and also to their visitors. We will have additional areas for occupiers to utilise, with breakout areas and booths for informal meetings and look forward to seeing works progress in the forthcoming weeks.” Jasper Sanders, Design Director at Jasper Sanders + Partners, said; “Exchange Quay is one of the North’s most impressive office developments and we were excited to have the opportunity to redesign the entrances for two of the prominent office buildings. Our focus was on function, purpose, activity and creating a sense of culture whilst allowing for alternative activities such as coffee break spaces and meeting areas to give greater space options for the occupiers. The result will be fresh, functional space that serves a purpose for the tenants while creating a lasting impression for visitors.” The quoting rent on Exchange Quay is £20 per sq ft plus car parking.
Keen to show their thanks for all the tremendous efforts of NHS front line workers during these unprecedented times, four construction specialists have united in a bid to raise as much money as possible, expressing their appreciation towards those risking their lives, to save ours. The Mick George Group, MJS construction (March) Ltd, MJS Projects (March) Ltd and Morgan Sindall Group plc. have combined in creating a crowdfunding page where willing donors can contribute to this fantastic cause – https://www.gofundme.com/f/thank-the-frontline-nhs-workers. To kick start the proceeds, the Mick George Group on behalf of employees and MJS have each gifted £10,000 to show their gratitude to all those courageous staff doing their part to improve the current conditions relating to Covid-19. Together, the efforts of the respective companies will present NHS workers at four specified hospitals with funds to benefit from a wide range of ‘Thank You’ activities; including a family meal, spa day, afternoon tea, red letter activities, plus much more. Two of the identified hospitals to date, include Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Michael George, Managing Director at the Mick George Group commented: ‘’These are unprecedented times, the likes of which I hope we never experience again. The impact is being felt worldwide, creating different challenges for everyone. Words cannot justify the genuine appreciation for our NHS staff and other Key Workers throughout the country that are doing all they can to protect us in such extreme conditions. It is pleasing to see that this is being recognised and those in a position to do so, are contributing to offer some reward to these individuals. The Construction Industry has undoubtedly felt the effect of Covid-19, yet, four separate companies have combined to do their part. We would urge others to follow suit, where feasible. A little contribution can go a long way.’’
CBRE has strengthened its Leeds Building Consultancy team with the appointment of Matthew Kirkham as Associate Director. Matthew, a Chartered Engineer with circa 20 years experience of building services design and MEP project management in both consultancy and contracting industries, joins CBRE from AECOM where he was involved with various enhancement and expansion schemes at Heathrow Airport. At CBRE, Matthew will offer professional MEP transactional services for both landlords and tenants including; design, feasibility studies, technical due diligence, planned preventative maintenance (PPM) reviews, dilapidations, schedules of condition, reinstatements, licences to alter and cost advice. The latest appointment continues a period of sustained growth for CBRE’s Building Surveying and Project Management service lines and forms part of a wider drive for the Northern Building Consultancy team which delivers an unrivalled market offer to its varied client base. Richard Bamford, MD of CBRE’s Leeds office and Head of National Building Consultancy, commented; “Matthew is an excellent addition to our growing Leeds team and we are delighted to welcome him on board. The division has enjoyed sustained growth due to our full-service northern offer and multi-sector approach with projects ranging from office fit-outs and healthcare projects to industrial refurbs and new builds. Matthew brings a wealth of industry experience to the team and further enhances our client offer.” Matthew Kirkham continues; “I am looking forward to bringing my experience from both consultancy and contracting industries to my new role at CBRE and to be joining a team with such an excellent track record.” Matthew.kirkham@cbre.com 0113 394 8807
Given the recent Coronavirus outbreak over the last few months, global property consultancy Knight Frank is now forecasting the UK’s housing market to decline 38 percent from 2019’s home sales, to an estimated 734,000 transactions for the full year (2020). Knight Frank also forecasts mainstream UK house prices to fall by 3% in 2020, with prices in prime central London remaining unchanged following a 25% repricing since 2014. The firm expects prices to recover sharply in 2021 – citing an 8% growth for prime central London prices for next year. Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank reports, “The underlying economic forecast we have adopted points to a contraction of GDP of 4% in 2020 and growth of 4.5% in 2021. The actual outturn will be determined by the timeframe imposed by the lockdown. “The housing market was in a strong position in January and February. A sharp uptick in sales and price growth was seen across the UK, with even the prime central London market seeing a reversal of a five-year long price decline. While we expect a revival in activity to continue, with volumes next year expected to be 18% above the level seen in 2019, this expansion in sales in 2021 will not fully offset the losses seen this year. Meaning that of the nearly 526,000 sales we expect to be “lost” due to lockdown this year, less than half will be carried into 2021. “For the government to see a full recovery of the market, with all of these “lost” sales carried forward, there will be a need for substantial incentives to ease market liquidity – including a reduction in stamp duty.” In the lettings market, considering the net impact of a phased return to more normal levels of activity, Knight Frank believes that the number of tenancies agreed in the prime markets across London and the Home Counties in 2020 will be around 25% below the five-year average. Off the back of rental values in prime central London growing by 1.2%, and in prime outer London by 1.1%, in the year to March 2020; the firm’s view is that rental values in prime central and outer London will remain flat over the course of 2020, with some upwards pressure returning the second half the year. Bailey continues, “Once the current crisis passes and activity begins to resume, we have to expect weaker economic activity in the first half of 2020, the dislocation in the jobs market and weakened consumer sentiment will impact on prices, however the relatively finite timespan of the crisis means declines will be limited. Looking to the agricultural markets, based on the assumption that the farmland market will be back in business by the summer, Knight Frank is predicting land prices to fall during 2020 by 2%. This movement will take the average price of bare agricultural land to around £6,800. Bailey adds, “It is worth noting that Covid-19 is unlikely to be the key driver behind the agricultural land market over the next few years. The impact of Brexit in terms of the trade deal struck with the EU – delayed or not – will play a key role, as will the details of the government’s new environmental payment schemes. “Surprisingly, the current crisis could indirectly support the land market if investors shift towards more tangible assets and greater emphasis is placed on improving food security and localising food chains.”
Construction is one of the biggest and most important business sectors globally and is universally acknowledged as underpinning economic growth and productivity in most major nations. For this reason, the industry must embrace emerging technology and the advantages to be gained from digital processes, of which blockchain is one of the most immediately applicable. At the same time, however, the construction sector is inherently conservative, and some cultural obstacles need to be overcome before blockchain processes can be widely adopted. What is blockchain? In brief, blockchain is a digital, distributed ledger or database, typically used to record transactions and agreements in chronological order. This ledger is stored across a network of computers and can be viewed by all those involved in the process. Once information is recorded, it cannot be changed, removed or overwritten – and any new entries will be seen by all parties simultaneously. In this way, blockchain is both a decentralised database, stored at a multitude of locations and with all stakeholders having equal access and a single central source of information on a given project which cannot be falsified or disputed. Blockchain first emerged over a decade ago as the technology underpinning the cryptocurrency market. The transparency and speed of the blockchain process is one of the main factors attracting investors to bitcoin, using the automated trading platforms listed on this website. While the use of bitcoin for payments is one way that blockchain can benefit the construction industry, this is by no means the limit of its use. Better payment systems At the very least, automating contractual processes and payments using blockchain would simplify and speed up project management, resulting in greater cost-effectiveness and freeing up valuable resources to be utilised elsewhere. Smart contracts could automatically trigger payments when agreed milestones have been delivered. The terms and objectives of the contract would be clear to all at every stage, and this greater clarity would make it easier to ensure that all parties are meeting their obligations. Blockchain can also be used to accurately document the full track record of a contractor and so can be a valuable tool in choosing the right contractor for a project. Single source of information During design and construction, blockchain can be used to aggregate all data into a single shared database to better manage workflow and enable collaboration. This also ensures transparency at all stages and makes it easier to manage deadlines. Fragmentation and complexity are recognised as common hazards on major construction projects, but the use of blockchain can reduce the impact of these factors massively. In addition to opportunities with the block-chain, you can always be certain to take a good offer with casino free spins no deposit offers. Lifetime documentation One industry-specific use of blockchain is to create a “digital twin” of a project, in combination with Building Information Modelling (BIM) that covers all aspects of that project for the duration of its entire life cycle. This would include details of design, construction, operation and maintenance. It has been estimated that up to 95% of construction data is lost when the project is handed over to its first owner. This can be avoided with the creation of a blockchain ledger that is presented to the owner when they first take possession. This would include a full history of the project’s design and construction, complete documentation of materials used, test dates and results, plus all relevant manuals and warranties. A blockchain ledger could include a room-by-room inventory covering every detail from wall paint to light bulbs. Estimated service life could be represented by a countdown clock that the owners can monitor in real-time. All subsequent improvements and renovations can also be documented on the ledger as they occur, and this would then be passed on to any subsequent owners. Greater trust and accountability The transparency of blockchain should improve trust between contractors and clients, stakeholders and suppliers, and this, in turn, should reduce friction resulting in a greater chance of the project arriving on budget and on time. All businesses need to move towards greater accountability in the present time and none more so than the construction industry. This accountability will also help all parties to work together better, as blockchain will not only make it clear what is expected from all parties but will also record when and how targets are achieved and requirements met. Construction projects typically involve many different contributors towards a clear objective, with a wide range of standards, requirements and building codes to be satisfied along the way. These qualities make construction and blockchain a natural fit. We must ask then why has it not yet been widely adopted? The only reason must be the natural conservatism of the sector. The very complexity that blockchain could solve has led to an understandable tendency to proceed slowly and cautiously when it comes to adopting new working methods and technologies. Also, many long-standing family firms have well-established relationships with suppliers and contractors that they are loath to disrupt. Eventually, however, the obvious problem-solving potential of blockchain will be recognised, and the industry will be transformed for the better as a result.
A typical structural inspection averages at around £90 per hour in the UK, according to MyBuilder. Assessing buildings for damage and structural soundness is a crucial part of ensuring safety and longevity. One can say it’s just as important as controlling the dust that comes from their construction. However, building size complexity can present a challenge to that requirement, beyond driving up costs. Made to skip time-consuming disassemblies and ventures into cramped spaces, borescopes allow inspectors to focus on problematic sectors and diagnose issues quickly and efficiently. Here’s why borescopes play a vital role in building construction and maintenance. How Video Borescopes Compare to Mirror-Based Before fiber-optic technology, borescopes were stiff, narrow tubes that contained an angled mirror on the far end and an eyepiece on the other. Rigid borescopes could only be inserted in relatively straight holes. Nowadays borescopes are also known as videoscopes and are fitted with every available technology to assist visibility. High-definition cameras are increasingly becoming the standard with modern videoscopes. These models have the ability to capture videos and photos, just as modern cameras do. The landmark difference between videoscopes and old borescopes, however, is that most videoscopes possess a frame of flexible steel wires. This frame allows it to be articulated at will, letting it snake through meandering holes with ease. A modern borescope has the ability to provide brilliant clarity on any screen that ranges from 6 to 60 inches. It allows for detailed observation of an internal area. This articulation gives it a non-destructive way to view the insides of any machine or structure that would fit the videoscope. Guidelines For Selecting Borescopes It is often difficult to judge what length and diameter you need until you have the borescope in your hands, so it’s useful to consult borescope dealerships that offer free demos. As a rule of thumb, there are several things to remember when selecting a borescope. As the foremost example, tube diameter and length are the main qualities to pay attention to for any application of a borescope. These define the range of use of a borescope. It is also worth remembering that as borescopes get smaller and picture quality higher, the tradeoff for cost or durability often gets larger. When the pathway to the inspection area is winding, a borescope that can articulate well would be the only choice. For a cramped target area, a borescope must be able to articulate the tip just as well. This is so that the camera can focus on the target despite having little room to maneuver. Applications and Proper Use The biggest defining factor of its range of use is the diameter of the tube. However, with the steady shrinking of camera tech over the past few decades, borescope users can have both compactness and visual fidelity in the same package. Nowadays, insertion tube diameters have been reduced from 6 millimeters to 2.8mm. With this, borescopes can now visually inspect the most cramped of spaces, as well as the most minute internal components. Virtually no disassembly is required to perform such observations, speeding up the process of diagnosing mechanical and structural issues. Even small sections cut out from those could bring damage and make something that only needs a touch-up need full-on repairs. They’re also useful for inspecting instruments that need to be constantly running, such as pumps. With greater flexibility and compactness comes a touch of fragility. Borescope operators are not to let the tip collide too sharply with anything, as the camera and LED components housed in it are very prone to breaking. Operators are advised to feel for resistance being encountered by the inserting tip in order to better avoid obstacles. It is also recommended to take more documentation than is needed, to prevent repeating an inspection. Remember not to select a borescope with too much spare length. As much as possible, a borescope user must select a unit with as large a diameter as the object being inspected will allow. Larger tubes are more durable, can house more and better lighting instruments, as well as higher-definition cameras.
Tandem Property & Asset Management have been appointed by GMS Estates Limited on their commercial portfolio in central London. The portfolio consists of 18 properties with 113 occupiers, with a further 4 properties to follow post completion of refurbishment projects. The Estate is located in the City of London, Mayfair and Mid – Town, comprising of c360,000 sq ft. Tandem’s supply partner ‘Envirotech’ will support in delivering Facilities Management services. Tandem will work closely with GMS Estates to deliver exceptional customer service, as well as managing future building refurbishment projects. Although this could be challenging to mobilise a new portfolio during these unprecedented times, Tandem has proudly achieved this in a period of 6 weeks.