As the first set of wiring regulations to focus on energy efficiency, Bureau Veritas is calling on the industry to embrace appendix 17 of the 18th edition – with the guidance helping to usher in a new ‘greener era’ that will be critical to meeting the UK’s environmental targets. Earlier
THE STEEL frame of the University of Nottingham’s new £13.5 million Power Electronics; Machines and Control (PEMC) research facility is now in place as Woodhead Group progresses with one of its largest builds to date. After being appointed as the contractor for the new building earlier this year, Woodhead Group
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) has announced the appointment of Matt Sharp as the firm’s first Chief Digital Officer with immediate effect. Matt will lead RLB UK’s digital transformation strategy as part of the company’s ambitious ten-year growth plans outlined in November
UK-based KAM Project Consultants has expanded into Europe with the opening of its first international office, KAM Project Consultants GmbH, in Germany. Founded in 2013, the independent construction company of project managers and cost consultants has enjoyed year on year growth; with offices in Milton Keynes, Leicester and now Frankfurt.
There can be no doubt that the environment is something that businesses are increasingly thinking about. Going green is becoming a necessity for organisations across all industries, and this certainly goes for construction. In fact, industry experts predict that the majority of constructions projects will be ‘green’ in the very
Technology for the construction industry is tipping the scales as technology infiltrates the entire industry. Reports reveal that the global contech economy is estimated at $6.1 billion, and is on the road to further growth. For the construction industry, this is a much-needed boost in terms of making the industry a
Feed, fuel and food distributor NWF Group plc has snapped up a new warehouse which has been built off the A500. The Nantwich business, which is headquartered in Wardle, has secured a 12-year lease on the 240,000 square-foot building on Crewe Commercial Park. Ambient grocery distribution and storage specialists Boughey
Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead. The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has completed the £12 million construction of the Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, East Yorkshire. The centre will deliver ground-breaking low-carbon projects and accelerate new ideas by bringing together experts at the University of Hull with businesses
As the first set of wiring regulations to focus on energy efficiency, Bureau Veritas is calling on the industry to embrace appendix 17 of the 18th edition – with the guidance helping to usher in a new ‘greener era’ that will be critical to meeting the UK’s environmental targets. Earlier this year, the UK became the first nation to enshrine into law the net zero target, committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by “at least” 100 per cent below 1990 levels in 20501. And to meet these obligations, drastic action will be needed in the way buildings use energy, says electrical safety expert Bureau Veritas – encouraging businesses to adopt key energy efficiency measures raised in the 18th edition. This includes appendix 17 of the IET Wiring Regulations, which came into force on January 2019. Appendix 17 offers expert guidance on the lessening environmental impact of electrical installations, through measures such as replacing traditional standard filament, halogen and fluorescent lights with super-efficient LEDs and using smart controls is one of the easiest ways to cut energy costs. Also as noted in appendix 17 on-site renewable energy sources and other local production sources such as solar PV and wind energy production don’t themselves increase the efficiency ‘use’ of the electrical energy however they do reduce the overall public electricity network losses which can be considered indirect energy efficiency measure. According to Bureau Veritas, appendix 17 is set to rise in prominence in the coming years, playing a fundamental part of the next major amendment to BS 7671, expected in 2022. Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, said: “Given the escalating calls to take action on sustainability and drastically reduce our energy consumption, it’s no surprise that appendix 17 is lighting the way for a new greener era for improving energy efficiency in buildings. “Although at present, many of the suggested changes are just recommendations rather than mandatory requirements, we’d encourage businesses to take heed now and ensure that each and every installation is completed as safety and sustainably as possible. Not only will this help organisations to stay ahead of regulatory compliance – we expect many of the appendix 17 guidance to become mandatory in the next major update – but it will also cut operating costs while going a long way in helping our society meet the UK’s net zero pledge.” One such measure that can be adopted to improve energy efficiency is power factor correction, which can achieve significantly reduced consumption and CO2 emissions, along with lower electricity bills. However, the focus on energy efficiency is also likely to widen its scope to address other challenges such as unclean distorted electrical supplies, states Bureau Veritas. Michael adds: “It’s likely that as appendix 17 develops into part 8 in the next significant amendment, there could be greater guidance on where electronic equipment creates an unclean distorted electrical supply (harmonic distortion) and can damage equipment by creating heat/overload. “As an industry, we still have a huge job to do in terms of not just meeting carbon reduction commitments but ensuring a sustainable infrastructure; which Part 8 will hopefully help to more adequately address. Indeed, it may mean more change for a number of sectors to get to grips with but it is an important step forward not only in tackling climate change but also in creating new opportunities for electrical contractors.” Bureau Veritas offers a range of testing and certification services to support customers in managing compliance around electrical safety in general for new and existing installations or for specific areas, such as electric vehicle charging points. For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk
THE STEEL frame of the University of Nottingham’s new £13.5 million Power Electronics; Machines and Control (PEMC) research facility is now in place as Woodhead Group progresses with one of its largest builds to date. After being appointed as the contractor for the new building earlier this year, Woodhead Group has led construction of the University’s entire Research and Innovation Centre for Power Electronics and Machines, which when completed will be home to the PEMC research group. As the largest-ever contract secured by Woodhead, the research and innovation centre will join a host of their other high-profile collaborations between Woodhead Group and the University, including the BREEAM Excellent rated Ingenuity Lab and the Research Acceleration Demonstration (RAD) building. The two- storey, 60,000 sq ft PEMC research facility, part-funded by Research England’s UK Research Partnership Investment Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, will be located on the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus. Once completed in 2020, the PEMC building will provide office and research accommodation for the world-leading Power Electronics, Machine and Control research group which sits within the faculty of engineering at the university. It will host academic offices, three laboratories for high power, power electronics and drives and will also contain open-plan research space, seminar rooms and exhibition spaces. There will also be a workshop and office space for 144 researchers and PhD students, further supporting the University’s dedication to cutting edge innovation. Commenting on the progress of the project, Robert Martindale, Project Manager at Woodhead Group said: “We’re very pleased with the progression of the PEMC site. The site team also applaud the relationship with the University team and their assistance whilst working on this demanding project. “The space is going to create such a great opportunity to grow and expand on some of the world’s leading research and engineering research for the University, and we’re incredibly pleased to be the main contractor working again with the University of Nottingham on such a ground-breaking research facility. “The University and Woodhead Group have developed a great collaborative relationship over the years. We’re dedicated to upholding its world-class reputation as an innovative leader in its field through the transformation of their campus.” Richard Wigginton, Head of Capital Projects at the University of Nottingham said, “We are pleased to see this key milestone has been reached, demonstrating the work towards an important facility that will be home to revolutionary research, helping to shape the future of the UK manufacturing industry.” Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said, “It is excellent to hear that the steel frame structure is now in place for the Power Electronics, Machines and Control facility. This is a step closer to the development of this research environment which will address the hugely important area of technological advancements in industry and science, and the decarbonisation of energy”. Working alongside Woodhead Group will be architects Bond Bryan and cost consultants Turner and Townsend. The project is managed by Aecom. To find out more, contact Woodhead Group atwoodhead-group.co.uk or join the conversation @WoodheadGroup.
Leading independent construction, property and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK (RLB UK) has announced the appointment of Matt Sharp as the firm’s first Chief Digital Officer with immediate effect. Matt will lead RLB UK’s digital transformation strategy as part of the company’s ambitious ten-year growth plans outlined in November 2019. He joins with a wealth of digital expertise gained in a number of high-profile roles where he has led major digital transformation teams with organisations including – Marks and Spencer, Westfield, AECOM and Sovereign Housing Association. Matt is an active contributor to cross industry groups and in 2017 became the first member of the British Computing Society to represent IT professionals on the Construction Industry Council. Andrew Reynolds, Chief Executive at RLB UK said: “A key priority for RLB UK is the focused development of our digital capability and transformation to provide better outcomes for our clients and industry as we build for the future. I am delighted to welcome Matt Sharp to the team as our first Chief Digital Officer. The combination of Matt’s digital capabilities and his industry relationships and insight will be an enormous asset as we drive the delivery of our digital strategy.” Matt Sharp, Chief Digital Officer, RLB UK added: “Joining RLB UK as its first Chief Digital Officer at such an interesting time in the industry’s technical transformation is very exciting. I am really looking forward to working with the team to further develop our digital capabilities and optimising technical solutions for our clients as well as contributing to wider industry collaboration and debate in this fast moving and vital area.” In November 2019, RLB UK announced the appointment of Andrew Reynolds as its Chief Executive as part of structural changes to the business and ambitious targets for the next ten years including growing its turnover to £150m (2019 £80m) and achieving sustainable profit margins whilst remaining an independent employee-owned organisation.
UK-based KAM Project Consultants has expanded into Europe with the opening of its first international office, KAM Project Consultants GmbH, in Germany. Founded in 2013, the independent construction company of project managers and cost consultants has enjoyed year on year growth; with offices in Milton Keynes, Leicester and now Frankfurt. KAM GmbH is located in the AGENDIS Business Center – just walking distance from Frankfurt Airport – providing convenient transport links to the rest of Germany and mainland Europe, which had a significant influence on the selection of the location. Already working on a number of high-profile projects in Europe and with further developments in the pipeline, KAM has invested in a permanent presence in Frankfurt to better support its German and wider European client base. Tobias Neumeier, director of project management and country lead for KAM business in Germany will be based at the Frankfurt office, focusing on leading and growing the KAM GmbH business in the country, supporting existing clients in mainland Europe and managing contracted consulting services. With a Masters in Civil and Structural Engineering from the Technical University Munich (Dipl. Ing. Bauwesen) and as a member of the Association for Project Management (since 2015) and Bavarian Chamber of Civil Engineers (since 2000), Tobias has 24 years’ experience in the industry, working for the likes of AECOM, BMW, Rolls Royce and MINI. Fully professional with English and German, he is ideally positioned to develop KAM GmbH and educate and guide clients in Germany – his bilingualism will help to mitigate any language barriers and misunderstandings in multi-national projects. Tobias commented: “I am very much looking forward to a new challenge working for an innovative business that explores new markets, utilising my industrial skill set and combining my UK and German construction knowledge to further establish KAM GmbH in Germany and mainland Europe as a prime project and cost management consultancy. “Having worked for many international high-profile brands as a client and a consultant, my experience enables me to understand both sides of a project and manage these effectively. I wish to combine my UK and German market experience to create a successful base in mainland Europe, to open up new markets for KAM. David French, director at KAM Project Consultants said: “Germany is experiencing substantial growth in the logistics and distribution sector and with our expertise in this area, moving into Germany was a natural step for us. The formation of our German company gives us a permanent presence to better serve our international clients as well as further build our European portfolio. “We specialise in working in the logistics and distribution industry and an office in Frankfurt opens up even more great opportunities in this sector for us. At our new office we will be bringing in dedicated commercial managers to support our project managers and contract administrators; further strengthening the services that we can offer.” Mike Wilcock, director and founder of KAM Project Consultants said: “We have enjoyed six years of growing the UK business, and have been continually successful in delivering logistics and distribution facilities for both developers and occupiers in the UK. Our expansion into mainland Europe is an exciting time for the business and we are looking forward to delivering projects in Germany and beyond.”
There can be no doubt that the environment is something that businesses are increasingly thinking about. Going green is becoming a necessity for organisations across all industries, and this certainly goes for construction. In fact, industry experts predict that the majority of constructions projects will be ‘green’ in the very near future. As regulations become more stringent in terms of the need for business to be environmentally friendly, we can expect the rate of green construction to only increase further. So, what does this mean for 2020? In order to meet the challenges of green building construction there are a number of innovative products and new approaches that we are seeing become the norm across the industry. Here we take a look at building construction is becoming increasing eco-friendly in 2020. Smart bricks One very interesting development in green construction to watch out for in 2020 is that of ‘smart bricks’. Researchers are still working on the concept, but it would look to create actually building materials that are able to extract energy from sunlight, as well as resources such as waste water and air. The bricks will be able to react to their surroundings, and carry out a number of different tasks such as cleaning water. They could eventually be rolled out in construction, and would allow buildings to be created to make use of their properties. This would be a huge benefit to the environment, so the faster they can be developed – the better. Self-healing concrete Another innovation that we could begin to see influencing green construction is self-healing concrete. This product is the brainchild of microbiologist Henk Jonkers and concrete specialist Eric Schlangen, and it utilises bacteria in order to close cracks that appear in concrete. This innovation helps to ensure that the concrete does not need to be repaired manually. Reducing the need for regular infrastructure improvement could lead to massive reduction in carbon emissions, and could extend the life of a building. Using recycled materials Increasing architects and developers are looking into innovative ways of re-using materials such as cardboard, plastic and scrap metal. Recycling is essential in terms of reducing the carbon footprint, so anytime that the construction sector can make use of recycled materials it can have a massive impact. We are already seeing examples of recycled paper being used as insulation for buildings which both re-utilises the material and makes new buildings more energy efficient. New approaches to HVAC Of course, it is the case that heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) is a major part of constructing any kind of new building – but this is an area that has faced criticism in terms of its environmental impact. Older heating and air conditioning systems have had a significant carbon footprint. In 2020, this has become a major issue that contractors are taking increasingly seriously. Leading HVAC specialists BSE FM have put a focus on “installing low carbon mechanical and electrical schemes means that we are able to assist our clients in meeting their sustainability targets and deliver significant long term value of their property assets”. This shows how seriously the industry is taking the issue. And given the fact that gas boilers are being phased out of new domestic building construction by 2025, it seems likely that this will soon extend to all areas of construction, forcing contractors and developers to look into greener options such as ground source heat pumps and solar heating. The challenges When there is change in any industry it can produce challenges, and as construction goes greener in 2020 it is inevitable that there will be some issues. One of the major ones might be the hurdle of perception that green construction is more expensive. In reality, green construction needn’t be any more expensive than traditional construction, and actually some of the projects – such as fitting an array of solar panels – can actually decrease costs long-term, meaning that this sort of construction can actually be cheaper as time goes one due to lower operating costs. Final thoughts Just as there may be challenges in the construction industry going green, there are also opportunities. As construction evolves to be more environmentally friendly it can make for massive improvement throughout the industry. This is something that we can expect to expand and develop in 2020 and beyond.
Technology for the construction industry is tipping the scales as technology infiltrates the entire industry. Reports reveal that the global contech economy is estimated at $6.1 billion, and is on the road to further growth. For the construction industry, this is a much-needed boost in terms of making the industry a little less fickle and more secure. When the construction industry thrives, it sets the tone for further growth in the economy. Whether the technology is geared towards safety applications or to manage the site as a turnkey operation, the possibilities stretch far beyond CAD and the motorization of construction equipment. Reducing Site Downtime One of the hardest hitters in the construction industry is the effective management of productivity on site. Whether the site is plagued by injuries or strikes, employee truancy or natural events, missing deadlines can have far-reaching effects on a construction project. Construction site management can now rely on technology to manage the productivity of the site, thanks to apps and software that integrate with the project scope and do away with some of the most admin and time-intensive issues on site. These include request for information (RFI) slips, time sheets, and even human resources and occupational health and safety processes. Introducing The Right Solutions First Time Rework on a construction site not only wastes valuable time, but also has the potential to drain other resources and ruin the firm’s reputation. One of the areas where sites can face substantial downtime is where components integral to the site are fabricated off-site. These could include special balustrades, gates, and even rods and bolts for intricate design details. Made CNC describes the fabrication process as the heart of the industry, and thanks to technology, the time needed for fabrication can be reduced significantly. Technology combined with machine learning, for instance, can also ensure that the components are site-specific and take into consideration the natural shape of a site. Modern construction sites often integrate their design into the landscape, which often means building around natural granite or using the flow of the land to dictate the design. Improving Site Safety One of the most integral components of a successful construction site is site safety. While there are innumerable safety measures on these sites, human error sometimes comes into play, and can compromise the safety of an individual or an entire team. Contech developments such as the Internet of Things (IoT) can provide sites with an added layer of security by connecting each section of the site. The use of sensors and compatible software can alert the individual or team that there is a safety breach or potential hazard. If you include AI in this setup, it can also collect valuable data to indicate sensitive areas on the site that workers need to pay special attention to. The evolution of the construction industry is exciting, and with contech gaining momentum, some interesting construction feats are already making their appearance.
Feed, fuel and food distributor NWF Group plc has snapped up a new warehouse which has been built off the A500. The Nantwich business, which is headquartered in Wardle, has secured a 12-year lease on the 240,000 square-foot building on Crewe Commercial Park. Ambient grocery distribution and storage specialists Boughey Distribution Ltd – a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWF Group – will operate the ‘Crewe 240’ building which will act as a consolidation hub for a major new customer contract. Existing warehousing operations at NWF’s Wardle site will continue as normal. Rob Andrew, company secretary at NWF Group, said: “NWF are delighted to have worked with Panattoni to negotiate the letting of Crewe 240. “The high bay, high specification unit provides a strategically located distribution facility for the expansion of the Boughey business, with the proximity to the M6 and our existing main warehousing hub at Wardle being a key driver to our decision-making process.” In addition to Crewe 240, logistics buildings developer Panattoni recently submitted plans to build a new, 305,000 square-foot warehouse – completed with integrated three-storey offices and a security gatehouse – on the same 14-acre plot. The developer predicts that ‘Crewe 305’ will add £3 million to the local economy per year and bring over 300 full-time jobs. Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni, said: “We are delighted to have secured a letting to NWF Group plc, so soon after practical completion. This is a significant deal for the North West market and underpins the resilience in demand for well-located, speculatively built warehousing.” Legat Owen acted as joint agents on the scheme with CBRE and Burbage Realty. Avison Young acted for NWF Group.
Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf of Mulberry Commercial Developments. The consultancy said the scheme would see the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs. Dan Mitchell, partner at Barton Willmore, said: “As well as economic growth and the creation of thousands of new local job opportunities, the larger warehouse units in Harworth will give their occupiers much greater flexibility in their day-to-day operations with the added bonus of being located close to air, sea, rail links and of course the motorway network via the A1.” Mark Day, development director at Mulberry Developments, added: “The logistics sector, led by retailers and third-party logistics operators, has moved towards very large-scale regional distribution centres at key transport locations, and this new planning consent enables us to respond to the demand with a logistics park of the very highest quality to serve the North Midlands and South Yorkshire markets.”
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead. The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association in addition to local charitable providers. Work is set to be completed in January 2021, with the scheme aiming to provide a better standard of affordable housing and facilities for residents and the community, with ENGIE working in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council through Eldon Housing Association. The site, located in East Grinstead, saw the demolition of the existing apartments to make way for the new modern facilities. Simon Lacey, Regional Managing Director at ENGIE, commented: “It’s great to be involved in a project that will make a real difference to residents’ living standards with brand new apartments and the development of communal areas. “The project will see us make the most efficient use of the land, without disrupting existing amenities in the surrounding area. It’s an exciting project, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact providing 100% affordable homes will have on the local area.” Working in conjunction with FUSE Architects, ENGIE plans to build a variety of high quality properties, ranging from 1 – 2 bedroom appartments. For further information on ENGIE, visit www.engie.co.uk/places
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has completed the £12 million construction of the Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, East Yorkshire. The centre will deliver ground-breaking low-carbon projects and accelerate new ideas by bringing together experts at the University of Hull with businesses in the Humber region and beyond. The aim is to provide a ‘front door’ for the university, giving businesses easy access to advanced facilities, specialist funded support and a space to innovate and collaborate with academic and industry experts. Despite not being officially launched until early next year, the university’s Programme Manager Sarah Clark says there’s been a lot of interest in the building. She said: “As the global economy shifts towards a low-carbon future, the green energy transition opens up a myriad of challenges and opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes. “More than 200 dynamic, high growth businesses have already engaged with the Aura Innovation Centre to find out how the University of Hull and Aura can help them accelerate their sustainable innovation projects. “13 funded projects are currently live and are being delivered with colleagues across the University of Hull, with over 26 more in the pipeline before the centre has even opened.” From the very outset of the project, Hobson & Porter and University of Hull set out to create a sustainable building, which exceeds environmentally-friendly standards. The centre has already been recognised for its excellence in sustainability. It is positioned within the top 10% of sustainable UK new non-domestic buildings, thanks to its clever design, and construction, sustainable materials sourced and local supply chain used where possible – achieving an ‘excellent’ standard in BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings. The AIC was also awarded an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of 18, considerably higher than most new buildings of a similar scale (which would expect to achieve a rating of 31). The ten-month project is the latest in Hobson & Porter’s growing portfolio in the renewables sector. In the last five years the firm has seen a total revenue from the sector totalling more than £22 million. This also includes: New onshore operations base and warehouses for Ørsted to service its Westermost Rough Wind Farm. The creation of the East Coast Hub – the UK’s largest offshore wind operations and maintenance facility. Richard Hunter, managing director for Hobson & Porter, said: “We’re delighted to have completed the construction of the Aura Innovation Centre, which will play a huge role in strengthening the region’s reputation as a leader in offshore wind innovation, bringing together the major players in the industry. “The construction has gone very well, with our team completing the project on time, on budget and to an extremely high standard. “It’s been a real team effort and down to the hard work of everyone involved – from the onsite team, planners, the consultants and the supply chain partners who supported the project. This building will have a really positive impact, not just on this area, but nationally, so we are proud to have played our part in it.” Whilst carrying out the construction work, Hobson & Porter also made time to engage with local school children. Pupils from All Saints’ CE Federation in Hessle were taken around the site, with students also designing posters which were put up around the Aura. Staff also went into schools to teach them about the work and the construction industry. Mr Hunter said: “We’ve really enjoyed engaging with local school children. They are our future and it hasn’t just taught them about the construction industry, but also about the renewables’ sector.”