Brand new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial unit took 8 months to build and was completed for Evans Property Group GMI Construction Group has today announced the completion and handover of a new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial development for long standing customer Evans Property Group at the Fradley Park development in
GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City
20,000 Sq Ft Supermarket Constructed On Behalf Of S Harrison Developments Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction has handed over a new build Lidl on James Street in York. The supermarket has been built on behalf of Yorkshire property and development company, S Harrison Developments, which has transformed the 2.36 acre disused site
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working
Shruti Trivedi, partner and head of planning at Roythornes Solicitors, comments on housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s planning proposals announced this morning following the Budget. She said: “The commitment being proposed by the government this morning should be welcome news for the industry, particularly in relation to the promise of significant additional funding to support the aims outlined by MP Robert Jenrick. “As with most cases however,
Maintaining its proud association with North East England, Cleveland Bridge UK has secured another project in the region to manufacturer a new structure in South Tyneside. As part of Highways England’s A19 Testo’s Junction Improvement Scheme, the Darlington-based company has been awarded the project by smart infrastructure solutions company Costain
Derbyshire construction firm Wildgoose Construction, headed up by new managing director Andrew Tilford, continues to expand its management team having secured £20m of new contracts during the first two months of 2020. Wildgoose Construction, based in Alfreton, has seen steady growth against an uncertain backdrop in the construction industry over
The regeneration of key areas of Warrington is part of a 20-year vision held by Warrington Borough Council but evidence of that vision yielding results are very much visible today. A priority for the Council has always been the provision of affordable housing and over recent years, working with preferred
For almost 51 years, stevedoring company, ZHD Stevedores, based in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, has been using Bobcat skid-steer loaders to clear the holds of ships and to move material around so that the grabs on the large unloading cranes on the dockside are kept busy. This way of working
Students go to university for academic interest, future careers, not to mention social life. Usually, they start their studies at a local university, which allows them to save money while trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree. At one point to another, they decide to transfer to a different school. They
Brand new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial unit took 8 months to build and was completed for Evans Property Group GMI Construction Group has today announced the completion and handover of a new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial development for long standing customer Evans Property Group at the Fradley Park development in Lichfield. The unit which took 8 months to build features 407,000 sq ft of warehouse space together with 30,000 sq ft of CAT A office accommodation and is immediately available for occupation. The development is the latest major project to be completed by GMI on Fradley Park having previously completed a giant 800,000 sq ft regional distribution centre in a record breaking 28 weeks for leading supermarket retailer Tesco. Speaking about the development, GMI Divisional Managing Director Marc Banks said: “Fradley Park is a stand-out location for logistics and home to many leading, well known brands. In the last 12-18 months GMI have been constructing and developed in excess of 10 separate logistics/industrial development projects, and so this further serves to underpin our credentials in this important sector which continues to experience strong growth” Architects on the project were Kilmartin Plowman & Partners with JPG serving as structural engineers and Richard Boothroyd Associates the Employers Agent Set within 350 acres, Fradley Park offers a first-class location for warehousing distribution and manufacturing with opportunities for both existing buildings and build to suit developments from 50,000 sq ft to 230,000 sq ft. Fradley Park is at the heart of the country’s motorway network being 4.5 miles from T4 and T5 of M6 Toll Road. Located on the A38, it has excellent access to the M1, M42, M40, M6 and A50 and close to both Birmingham International and East Midlands airports.
GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City is the county town of Worcestershire and covers an area of circa 33 square kilometres. It is situated in the West Midlands, approximately 17 miles southwest of Birmingham. Commencing on April 1st, 2020, GRAHAM will be responsible for over 70 properties and sites within the Council’s local government boundaries, ranging from public buildings and associated structures, to depots, offices, community centres, historic parks, allotments and communal areas. The buildings include the Grade I listed Guildhall, dating back to 1721, and the Museum and Art Gallery, which was established in 1833. The measured term partnership with Worcester City Council will be managed from the newly opened GRAHAM office in Wythall, bordering Solihull and Birmingham. Commenting on the contract award, GRAHAM Operations Director, Gareth Smyth, said: “This latest success is another important milestone for GRAHAM in the Midlands and reflects our quality delivery, professionalism and expertise in the area. Worcester is a beautiful cathedral and university city with a suite of historic buildings.” “We look forward to bringing our collaborative approach to facilities management to Worcester City Council in support of the local community and over 100,000 residents.”
20,000 Sq Ft Supermarket Constructed On Behalf Of S Harrison Developments Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction has handed over a new build Lidl on James Street in York. The supermarket has been built on behalf of Yorkshire property and development company, S Harrison Developments, which has transformed the 2.36 acre disused site into a 20,000 sq ft Lidl, creating circa 40 new jobs for the local area. The new Lidl, which backs onto Foss Island Retail Park, forms part of the retailer’s target to open 1000 stores in the UK by the end of 2023. It boasts 130 parking spaces, including four bays with EV charging and is the second Lidl to open in York, the first being on Thanet Road. Phil Dewell, Construction Director, Castlehouse Construction commented: “We are delighted to work with S Harrison Developments to complete the York Lidl store which supports the retailer’s ongoing store expansion and regeneration programme in the UK. It’s rewarding to see a site that has languished for years changed for the better and to serve the local community.” Andrew Wharton, Project Manager, S Harrison Developments said: “It is hugely positive news to see investment on this scale in this part of York on a site that has had many uses over the years, from waste disposal site and packaging factory to a storage facility for tv props. The two large industrial buildings had fallen into disrepair, so it was an exciting development to work on, which ultimately will support the economic sustainability of the local area and create jobs, as well as being a great place to shop.”
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working with St. Modwen and Lindum Construction, SGP designed the three units of 34,464 sq ft, 21,614 sq ft and 53,072 sq ft to complete the 247,000 sq ft development, which was granted outline consent in March 2016. SGP designed and delivered the first two phases of the park in 2016 and in 2017, and the speculative units were quickly occupied by Bosch Automotive, DB Schenker and Thornhill Engineering. Steven Clegg, Principal Architectural Technologist at SGP, said: “The project provides accessible and adaptable space in a modern envelope that uses robust yet cost effective materials. The clean, crisp contemporary design appeals to a wide cross section of users and has been well received in the market.” Rob Richardson, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, added: “We are delighted to have worked with SGP on this scheme and to have reached completion of the third and final phase. The new warehouses are testament to our ability to bring forward much-needed industrial and logistics development and we look forward to welcoming businesses to these new, high-quality units.” Built on an established 27-acre brownfield site off Wheatley Hall Road, one of the main arterial routes into the city, the business park offers versatile high bay warehouse and office space, with separate parking and yards and segregated access to each area.
Shruti Trivedi, partner and head of planning at Roythornes Solicitors, comments on housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s planning proposals announced this morning following the Budget. She said: “The commitment being proposed by the government this morning should be welcome news for the industry, particularly in relation to the promise of significant additional funding to support the aims outlined by MP Robert Jenrick. “As with most cases however, the devil is in the detail. It will therefore be interesting to see if the promises and aspirations, such as the deadlines for local plans being put in place and ensuring greater transparency over land ownership, are met in practice with tangible legislation or a regulatory framework that can be legitimately monitored and enforced. “Measures such as working within the permitted development rights regime have historically been put to good use and so those provisions – at the very least – should be welcomed by many as having realistic prospects of being successful. “In any event, we will have to carefully monitor developments to see what changes are forthcoming and to be proactive and quick to capitalise on opportunities that will benefit our clients.”
Maintaining its proud association with North East England, Cleveland Bridge UK has secured another project in the region to manufacturer a new structure in South Tyneside. As part of Highways England’s A19 Testo’s Junction Improvement Scheme, the Darlington-based company has been awarded the project by smart infrastructure solutions company Costain Ltd to fabricate and install a new 141.4m bridge at the centre of a flyover. Further alleviating traffic congestion on the redeveloped roundabout that connects the A19 with the A184, the flyover is part of a five-year £15bn programme by Highways England to improve journeys between the main North East arterial route and the surrounding areas. To date two additional lanes on both northbound and southbound sides of the roundabout have been completed, which has also created the space for the construction of the flyover that includes the installation of more than 130 concrete piles. The 1,393te weathering grade road bridge will be fabricated as a series of 25 paired girders at Cleveland Bridge UK’s 27,000 square metre production facility, 40 miles south of the project site. The scale of Cleveland Bridge UK’s factory will also enable it to undertake a test assembly of the structure, which will ensure a more efficient final installation on site later this year. Cleveland Bridge UK has a pedigree for the production of steel road bridges for major infrastructure projects, dating back to its formation in 1877, not only in North East England, but around the world. It is renowned for producing structures crossing rivers and road networks ranging from the iconic Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour bridges to, more recently, the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and the largest road improvement project in England, the A14 Cambridge to Huntington. Chris Droogan, Managing Director of Cleveland Bridge UK, said: “We are highly active in markets across the world, but it is always satisfying to secure projects in our home region of the North East, particularly those that will bring significant benefits to the efficiency of the area’s transport network. “We are also very proud to continue our long-term collaborative relationships with Highways England and Costain and look forward to the successful delivery of this project.”
Derbyshire construction firm Wildgoose Construction, headed up by new managing director Andrew Tilford, continues to expand its management team having secured £20m of new contracts during the first two months of 2020. Wildgoose Construction, based in Alfreton, has seen steady growth against an uncertain backdrop in the construction industry over the past 12 months despite suffering from the effects of a series of delays to new projects starting on site during 2019. The recent project awards include 77 houses at Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, for Paradigm Housing Association, a 60-bed care home for Avery Healthcare at Monsell Gardens, Leicester and 22 homes at Marston Montgomery, in Derbyshire as part of a development for sister company, Wildgoose Homes. Alongside Andrew’s recent appointment to managing director, other departments within the 120-year-old construction company have also been bolstered with the appointment of a new Head of Design Management, two new design and build managers and the further bolstering of the operational delivery teams. The new structure has also opened up opportunities to new staff joining the industry including a University Placement student and a Management Trainee. Executive Chairman Jonathan Wildgoose said: “We have made a significant investment in personnel at Wildgoose Construction alongside the appointment of Andrew as our new managing director. “We are one of the largest and oldest family owned construction businesses in the region with a strong history of more than 120 years and we are investing in the future with this new generation of Wildgoose employees who will help us to take this business from strength to strength. “We are delighted to have secured preferred contractor status on several national frameworks and we also have a healthy order book going forwards after a challenging year, which has seen delays to several contracts starting on site because of various marketplace factors that are affecting the construction industry as a whole.”
The regeneration of key areas of Warrington is part of a 20-year vision held by Warrington Borough Council but evidence of that vision yielding results are very much visible today. A priority for the Council has always been the provision of affordable housing and over recent years, working with preferred development partner, Torus, huge progress has been made. With a portfolio of more than 8,000 homes in Warrington, Torus – the largest provider of social housing in the borough – has a commitment to creating stronger, more sustainable communities through regeneration that supports wider economic growth. Working closely with Warrington Borough Council to identify areas in need of direct investment, the group is currently developing 466 homes in Warrington with a further 130 in the pipeline. This investment will total around £75m. These homes, in areas including Bewsey and Dallam, Padgate, Orford, Burtonwood, Stretton, Appleton and the town centre, will be available for both rent and ownership, through affordable solutions like shared ownership (part buy/part rent) and rent to buy. In Academy Street, close to the newly rejuvenated Times Square, Roebuck Plaza, a development of 144 apartments is quickly taking shape and will offer a choice of one and two bedroomed apartments available through rent to buy. This scheme helps make the transition from renting to buying easier and more affordable by offering a subsidised rent with the option to purchase after 5 years and is an ideal option for first time buyers and downsizers alike. Managing Director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen said: “As one of our key heartlands, Warrington, its communities and the people who live in them are a priority for us. “Our vision is to grow stronger communities and providing affordable housing plays a huge role but it’s only part of what we do. “Any profit we make from the sale of our homes is reinvested back into our communities where our charity, Torus Foundation helps people maximise their income, find work and improve their chances in life. Not only does this add real value to the work we do, it supports the Council’s wellbeing agenda.” Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We know how important it is to provide a diverse mix of housing which meets the needs of all of our residents, from first time buyers and growing families to older residents and vulnerable people. That’s why I’m delighted to see such a range of properties being delivered, offering so much choice – including affordable rent, shared ownership and rent-to-buy. I’m also delighted that every single one of these homes is being built on brownfield sites.” But the focus for Torus isn’t all about young families and first-time buyers. At a time when Council budgets for adult health and social care are under considerable pressure, Torus is partnering with the local authority to offer homes for over 55s that are designed to support active and independent aging in housing where on-site care is available as needs change. Harpers Green a flagship extra care facility in Padgate, developed by Torus, is due to handover in May this year and will offer 97 homes for older people available for affordable rent and shared ownership. Two further schemes for over 55s in Orford and Appleton are also planned. Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said: “These homes are being developed with inclusive communities and health and wellbeing in mind, helping older people continue to live independently, and – through the Torus Foundation Charitable Trust – helping to tackle deprivation by providing help and advice over bills and benefits, upskilling residents and creating new opportunities for people. This supports key aspects of our own health and wellbeing agenda. “Seeing all of these fantastic projects either on site or being brought forward is testament to how effective partnerships can help us deliver great things. It’s about regenerating communities, meeting the needs of our growing town, putting residents’ health and wellbeing first and building a better future for Warrington.”
For almost 51 years, stevedoring company, ZHD Stevedores, based in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, has been using Bobcat skid-steer loaders to clear the holds of ships and to move material around so that the grabs on the large unloading cranes on the dockside are kept busy. This way of working was introduced to be able to unload or load a ship as quickly as possible so that it can sail again, as idle time costs money in shipping. Any part of the load that remains out of reach of the grabs on the cranes is collected and removed by the Bobcat loaders using hydraulic sweeper attachments. The Bobcat skid-steer loaders for this work including the new S770 models that ZHD Stevedores has just purchased, have to undergo many modifications before they are delivered to the company. This work is carried out by Inter-Techno, the Dutch importer for the Bobcat range for more than 40 years and Inter-Techno describes this as creating a ‘port edition’ of the skid-steer loader, after special modifications are implemented in the company’s workshop in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. This special edition machine was developed jointly with ZHD Stevedores. ZHD Stevedores is a family business that provides stevedoring services for a large number of clients in Dordrecht and at three locations on the Moerdijk industrial park. A number of important customers are located on the ZHD site, where they carry out production processes with materials that enter via the port. ZHD takes care of the storage and transfer of the materials for them. This can vary from steel rolls and scrap to bulk materials such as coal, iron ore, slag sand, pebbles, gravel, sand, sugar, salt and basically anything that can be loaded and unloaded with a grab. To meet this demand, ZHD Stevedores has more than 100 grapples at its disposal. Over the years, ZHD has invested heavily in flexible mobile and floating cranes with a high capacity to optimally serve its customers in Moerdijk, Dordrecht and Rotterdam. The showpiece machines include a self-built 50-tonne self-propelled floating crane (gripper company, general cargo 100T), a 170-tonne hydraulic tyre crane and another two self-propelled 25-tonne floating cranes (40T general cargo) in Antwerp, Belgium. The floating cranes are used to load big sea-going vessels including the largest Capesize ships or to transfer their cargo to inland vessels and coasters. Operators Request Bobcat Machines The method of discharging ships using skid-steer loaders has been around since the 1960s. It proved to be the most flexible solution. The circumstances and the materials involved make it impossible to use other methods such as conveyor belts or suction systems. Initially, Bobcat skid-steer loaders were almost always used for this work at ZHD, with the exception of the period between 2000 and 2009. “When new skid-steer loaders had to be ordered in 2008, our operators were able to try out a new Bobcat S330 model with air conditioning. This worked much better than the skid-steer loaders of another brand that were in use at that time. At the request of the operators, ZHD Stevedores switched back to Bobcat skid-steer loaders in 2009,” said Jan Elferink, material management manager at ZHD Stevedores. In 2009, the first Bobcat machine to be purchased was given the number 28. Currently, there are 16 machines in use; with numbers from 36 up to 51. At the end of January 2020, two new Bobcat S770 skid-steer loaders – given the numbers 52 and 53 – were delivered to ZHD Stevedores to replace the machines with the numbers 36 and 37. ZHD has kept one of the two older models and the other one has been sold at an auction. Modification and Maintenance Before they can be used for unloading work, the Bobcat skid-steer loaders undergo a number of important modifications, which are mainly dictated by the environments in which the machines must operate. All modifications are made at Inter-Techno in Apeldoorn, after which the machines are delivered ready for use in the corporate colours of ZHD Stevedores. Regular maintenance and repairs are carried out by ZHD Stevedores itself. Whilst a dedicated engineer is responsible for the maintenance work within the material management department, ZHD has also added extra Protection Plus warranty for the machines, which offers an extended warranty period of three years to provide extra security in case the company’s engineers are faced with a problem they cannot handle. In this way, ZHD has ensured that the loaders are up and running again quickly with little or no downtime. Protective ‘Fresh Air’ Cab “The modifications on the machines include the treatment of plugs and cable harnesses with a special moisture-resistant coating. The moist and dusty environment is not good for the electronics on board,” Jan Elferink explained. “The adjustments to the cabs are also important. Drivers used to work in an open cab with a cage construction, but the requirements for working conditions and safety have become increasingly strict. To protect the driver against dust, overpressure cabs have been used for around 12 years to keep the dust out. The air that is blown into the cab goes through a P1 and P3 filter that captures very fine particles. P3 filters remove particles up to 50 x WNG (Legal Dutch Limit Value) so drivers no longer need to wear air masks.” The standard cab on Bobcat skid-steer loaders is both ROPS (Roll-Over Protection Structure) and FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) certified, but to protect the driver even more, instead of the glass in the door of the machines, this is replaced by Bobcat-Lexan, a very strong plastic material that is very difficult to break or damage. In order to give the driver even better all-round visibility, a special ZHD rear-view camera is mounted on the rear hood. Tough Design Made Even Tougher A number of modifications have also been made on the outside of the Bobcat loaders. First of all, the machines are sprayed in the house colours of ZHD, blue and yellow. Four additional tie down points
Students go to university for academic interest, future careers, not to mention social life. Usually, they start their studies at a local university, which allows them to save money while trying to obtain a bachelor’s degree. At one point to another, they decide to transfer to a different school. They think about attending university abroad. The United States is renowned for higher education opportunities, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that international students apply to American universities. Do you want to study in the United States? If the answer is yes, you’re in luck. It’s not that hard. The transfer of credit from non-U.S. universities Thanks to the flexibility of the credit system, you can transfer from any university to a U.S. university without losing your valuable academic credit. You can transfer up to 75 credits from your prior studies. For a B.A., you need a minimum of 45 credits. Determine how your foreign credit is evaluated by consulting with the admissions counselor or international student advisor. The more credits you’re able to transfer, the fewer courses you have to take. And the more likely you are to earn your bachelor’s degree. Demonstrating English language proficiency International transfer students are required to take English proficiency exams to demonstrate that they have a good command of the language. Educational institutions want to ensure that students can cope with the demands of the degree-level study. Standardized testing includes TOEFL. The test focuses on how English is deployed in academic settings. If you manage to pass the TOEFL, you’ll assure the American university that your English skills are strong enough to enable you to succeed. The score you need depends largely on where you choose to study. Applying for admission The transfer application process isn’t complicated, but you could use a little bit of help. With proper assistance, you can successfully navigate the process. Work with experienced counselors that will provide useful information, strategies, and tactics to help you meet your admissions goal, all in an effort to make your transition smoother. It’s ideal for international students thinking about applying to several highly-selective schools. If the road you’ve previously taken doesn’t fulfill your academic needs anymore, seek opportunities in your field of study. Universities in the United States are becoming a popular study destination for Chinese students. If thousands of students go abroad to study, why shouldn’t you? You’ll get more than a tangible degree. The transfer timeline for international students The recommended timeline for a 美国大学转学 reflects that of prospective first-year students. To be more precise, it’s necessary to kick off the application process 12 months in advance. Students who want to begin studying in the autumn should send over the application materials in early spring. On the other hand, those applying for spring have to submit their application materials by early autumn. There is no deadline as far as some institutions are concerned. However, they do have priority dates that you must respect.