No matter what your company might be or where your residence is, there are very few people who don’t make use of a security company. It could be to stop shrinkage and shoplifting, it could be at a bank to keep robbers out, maybe it is bouncers at a club
MARK Pawsey MP has lent his support to an £8m business park development that will bring up to 100 jobs to the West Midlands. The MP for Rugby was given a tour around the 85,000 sq ft Stepnell Park site on Lawford Road, Rugby, which will bring new investment and
Adfil today announced the launch of a new synthetic macro fibre based on an innovative polymer architecture. Marketed under the brand name Durus EasyShot, the new product provides significantly improved reinforcement in sprayed concrete. Durus EasyShot 50, for which a patent has been filed, is the result of
GROWING property fit-out, refurbishment and bespoke joinery expert SJS has celebrated a record £12m year with a series of appointments and promotions. Craig Murie, the Managing Director who has steered the Edinburgh-based firm from £900,000 a year to its current record turnover in just eight years, says the new leadership
Darrell Matthews has been appointed to the new role of Director of Membership at the Association for Consultancy & Engineering (ACE), the business association for the UK’s professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the built environment. Darrell, who has a background of working with trade and member-led organisations such as the
Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction
The powerful music festival community continues to grow each year as new and exciting venues pop up to house a few days of live performances that bring together musicians and festival goers alike. It is all well and good merging nationalities, as everyone celebrates a common interest in music and
GRAHAM has completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound upgrade to the Port of Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal. Regarded as Europe’s leading cruise turnaround port, the reopening of its largest terminal marks the commencement of the busy cruise season. Beginning in October 2018, the GRAHAM phase one programme of works
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in
Leading supplier AEI Cables is highlighting the need for the highest quality of cabling for use in sprinkler systems increasingly being specified for use in new modern buildings. This follows a call from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered
No matter what your company might be or where your residence is, there are very few people who don’t make use of a security company. It could be to stop shrinkage and shoplifting, it could be at a bank to keep robbers out, maybe it is bouncers at a club or perhaps it is an armed-response solution at your home. The sad reality of the age that we live in is that crime is rife and that there are plenty of opportunists out there who will act in nefarious ways if they are given half a chance. But while security plays a very important role in our lives, there are probably as many bad partners out there as there are good ones. So, how do you find the right company to service your security needs? Here are a few questions that you should ask and angles that you should investigate, before you commit to a solution from which you cannot escape. Word of mouth Start by just asking around amongst friends and family. If you are looking for a company to protect your valuables or your nearest and dearest, then you need to make sure that they come with an impeccable reputation. So, if your goal is to find security companies in Sydney, engage with people in Sydney who have made use of the services of these outfits. Ask the right questions: what are their strengths? Do you get value for money? What hassles have you had? What are their response times like? You will very quickly be able to form a picture of who is good and who isn’t. Reviews online The online space is a great place to source information. Look at review sites and social media to see what people are saying. It can be quite easy to spot trends on online platforms. If there are repeat complaints about tardy response times, then you know what to expect. The advantage with sourcing information online is that the pool from which you are collecting your data is more diverse than if you are just asking amongst friends. It will be hard to find a business that has no bad reviews, bad reviews are inevitable, so don’t discount everyone who is negatively reviewed. Look rather at positive comments and how the companies themselves react to negative comments. Where are they based You should always try to find a locally based company as they have more to lose if things go wrong. Not in my backyard is an adage that is well used. It goes without saying that a security company will want to ensure that crime and bad things don’t happen near where they are based, so the closer they are based to you, the better. Meet their people Security jobs are quite easy to come by. You don’t necessarily need a plethora of qualifications. As a result, it means that almost anyone can get a gig in a uniform. But you need to meet the people who are going to be responsible for your valuables and make sure that they are a type of person you feel you can trust. Are they likeable or user friendly? If they tick those boxes, then you are good to go with them.
MARK Pawsey MP has lent his support to an £8m business park development that will bring up to 100 jobs to the West Midlands. The MP for Rugby was given a tour around the 85,000 sq ft Stepnell Park site on Lawford Road, Rugby, which will bring new investment and commercial opportunities to the area. Ten new industrial, warehouse or trade counter buildings make up the first phase of work, which is due for completion later this year. Mr Pawsey said: “Developments such as Stepnell Park are crucial for our local economy. What we see here is a West Midlands-based company that is investing in our local area and demonstrating its commitment to creating jobs in Rugby and beyond. “After touring the site and hearing more about the opportunities it is bringing and will continue to bring throughout its construction, I am delighted to throw my full support behind the development.” The site is being developed by construction company Stepnell, which will look to build its own new head office on the later phases of the development The flagship scheme is being used to showcase Stepnell’s ‘Complete Construction Partner’ approach, with the company acting as landlord, developer, principal contractor and employer’s agent for the site. Edward Wakeford, property director at Stepnell, said: “Stepnell Park demonstrates our ability to offer a complete development service, with our construction team working alongside our in-house property and development team. “We are able to deliver schemes from the planning stages through to practical completion on site, and subsequently manage the development and its tenants. “The site also marks a key investment in our own future, allowing us to create a modern working environment for our employees.” Find out more about Stepnell at stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation @StepnellLtd.
Adfil today announced the launch of a new synthetic macro fibre based on an innovative polymer architecture. Marketed under the brand name Durus EasyShot, the new product provides significantly improved reinforcement in sprayed concrete. Durus EasyShot 50, for which a patent has been filed, is the result of more than two years of research and development work. Typical end-uses include tunnel linings. The new product therefore will be presented for the first time at the World Tunnel Congress. This industry event will be held at Naples, Italy from 3 to 9 May. “We are excited about the introduction of our new macro fibre and convinced that it will set a new benchmark for reinforced shotcrete”, said Product Manager Jeroen Smet. Durus EasyShot 50 has been tested in Switzerland at the Hagerbach Test Gallery. This underground facility has specialized in trialling of new materials for tunnelling and mining. “The results are more than convincing. Durus EasyShot is outperforming both existing steel and synthetic fibres. Tensile strength and modulus are 20 to 30 percent higher. This means that a lower dosage is required to obtain the same high reinforcement performance. Or that the same dosage will create more durable concrete, thus extending the service life of the finished structure.” While the geometry is similar to other Adfil macro fibres, what makes the new product unique are a polymer architecture and fibre length specifically tailored to the application in shotcrete. Smet: “In addition to the improved mechanical properties of each individual fibre, Durus EasyShot 50 also provides enhanced workability in fresh concrete. The shorter the fibres and the more regular their shape, the more easily the reinforcement can be mixed into the concrete. This leads to a more homogenous distribution of the reinforcement throughout the whole volume of the concrete and ensures consistently high performance in each part of the structure.” The Adfil Technical Sales and Product Management Team will be working closely with industry partners to have the new fibre specified for upcoming projects.
GROWING property fit-out, refurbishment and bespoke joinery expert SJS has celebrated a record £12m year with a series of appointments and promotions. Craig Murie, the Managing Director who has steered the Edinburgh-based firm from £900,000 a year to its current record turnover in just eight years, says the new leadership team is vital for further growth. He added: “The team have done a magnificent job to deliver the scale of growth we have seen since late 2011. As well as hitting £12m in turnover our headcount has increased from 25 to 62. Despite the short timescale, it has been controlled growth. “While we are proud of everything we have achieved we also recognise that what got us to where we now are will not solely be what takes us to the next level. That is why we are creating a stronger leadership team and a structure that better suits the size of organisation we are in 2019, ensuring we are fit for the professional and business challenges ahead.” Craig, 48, has promoted three long-serving members of the team to Director level, while appointing a well-known industry professional as a fourth director on the firm’s new Leadership Team. They will now build on the stellar client list and professional reputation of SJS, which has carried out high profile refurbishments and fit outs of offices, hotels, leisure outlets, niche residential, universities, schools, shops, pubs and a wide variety of other developments. Alan Timlin and John Anderson, both of whom joined SJS in 2012, have earned promotions, with Alan appointed Commercial Director and John becoming Estimating Director. Brian Drake, who has headed up the firms Projects Division since 2014 has been elevated to Operations Director. Meanwhile respected industry professional Gary McGurk has joined the business as a Director to oversee the strategic direction of business development, client relationship management and marketing. Mr Murie added: “These promotions are a recognition of what these colleagues have put in and the passion they have to make us even more successful. It’s also about laying the groundwork to take us to the next level. “We have a talented team across the board and our culture is hugely important to us. We want people to be happy at their work and to create a great work environment with real career progression.” Beyond people and culture, Mr Murie says the firm’s exponential success has been built on the results they deliver. He added: “Our growth has been delivered by repeat business and recommendations. What’s behind our success is the simple fact we provide a highly professional, experienced and quality service. “When you start working with a client it has to be a genuinely flexible partnership. Virtually no project ends up exactly as it was at the design stage. Things change or need to be adapted, because of unforeseen circumstances or simply because a client changes their mind. We welcome that. “We have excellent, long-established relationships with various professional services partners, including architects, surveyors, project managers and other consultants. These partnerships have been crucial to our growth.” When Mr Murie joined the firm it was predominantly a bespoke, manufacturing joinery business. This was the foundation on which the business has developed and remains a key differentiator for SJS, and the highly-skilled CAD, joinery and French polishing team at its 25,000 sq ft production facility just outside Edinburgh, still accounts for around £3m of the turnover. Indeed, the highly-skilled joinery offering is used by a host of other major contractors with a current order to provide 384 bespoke sleeping pods for the new Code Hostel being developed in Dublin. It also undertakes a huge range of projects from creating bespoke office reception desks to customised furniture for hotels. However, under Mr Murie’s guidance SJS has quietly emerged as one of the most accomplished fit out and refurbishment experts in Scotland, working across multiple sectors and accounting for the company’s impressive growth. He says a key milestone in that transition was landing a refurbishment contract which included the design, manufacture and installation of customised language translation booths at Heriot Watt University, where he studied to Civil Engineering. On the back of that success the firm has developed an impressive reputation in Higher Education, earning further contracts with Heriot Watt as well as Edinburgh University, Queen Margaret University and Napier University. Another milestone project which helped put the firm on the refit map was a commercial office fit out for Knight Property Group at Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, which was the first million-pound contract for SJS. The refit of Laings flagship jewellery store in the capital was another landmark which showcased both SJS’s project expertise and quality bespoke joinery. The business is currently delivering a £1.2m commercial office fit out at Exchange Plaza, the heart of Edinburgh’s commercial and financial district, for a prominent Scottish business. New director Gary McGurk said: “I couldn’t have hoped for a better time to join the company, as there is no doubt that SJS is starting to attract a lot of attention for all the right reasons. All of the directors are extremely excited about this next chapter and the huge opportunities we have to continue the growth and expansion of the company.”
Darrell Matthews has been appointed to the new role of Director of Membership at the Association for Consultancy & Engineering (ACE), the business association for the UK’s professional consultancies and engineering companies operating in the built environment. Darrell, who has a background of working with trade and member-led organisations such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Manufacturers Association EEF (now Make UK), and the Institute of Directors, joins ACE at an important time for the consultancy and engineering industries. The increased devolution of decision making and our focus on supporting ACE members right across the UK means that Darrell will be based in Manchester. Darrell said, “I am pleased to be joining ACE at this exciting time for the sector, and am looking forward to working with our members – both current, and those who haven’t yet joined us – to establish their priorities and help drive the organisation forward to support a sustainable consultancy industry.” Hannah Vickers, CEO of ACE added, “We are delighted to welcome Darrell to the ACE team. His experience with member-led bodies will be vital to the work that we are undertaking, and I’m excited to be working with him. “Our members are front and centre of everything we do, and with the creation of this new post dedicated to our member’s needs, we feel that we are moving forward into a new phase for the organisation.” With this focus on members and increasing collaboration across the industry, ACE has also appointed Tam Simmons to the new role of Director of Campaigns. Tam, who was previously Head of Marketing & Communications at the organisation, has stepped into the role to coincide with the launch of ACE’s ‘Future of Consultancy’ campaign, which aims to help the entire consultancy and engineering sector not only adapt to, but welcome, a new era of design and delivery in the built environment. Over the coming months ACE will lead on a number of activities to bring together members, industry stakeholders and clients from the private and public sectors to examine this area and work in collaboration to achieve the common goal.
Södra has decided to invest in an additional CLT facility at Värö and aims to become a leader in the Nordic region. “Society’s driving forces for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are strong, and the interest in sustainable construction is growing in the market. A higher rate of timber construction is playing a key role in the growing bioeconomy. It is also an important step in our mission to process the wood raw material delivered by our 52,000 forest-owning members,” said Lars Idermark, President and CEO. The development of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for structural building components is about to change the construction market. Industrialisation and prefabrication enable faster on-site installation, and environmental impacts can be halved by using timber frames for the construction of multi-storey buildings instead of other material. Another benefit is that timber is perceived to promote a better indoor climate for residents. Södra Building Systems’ comprehensive offering includes building systems and products such as building components and fasteners, as well as new digital services to simplify and gain better control over the construction process. The focus is on driving the development of timber-based solutions in the construction and residential sectors. “With our technical and digital solutions for both production and finances, we are now creating the conditions for next-generation construction. We will be offering a complete product portfolio to the market, enabling us to grow together with our customers and partners,” said Jörgen Lindquist, President of the Södra Wood business area. The new facility will be established at the combined plant in Värö, where Södra’s first CLT facility has already been co-located with Södra’s pulp mills and sawmills. “Two production lines will create both delivery reliability and flexibility for our customers. Södra’s total production capacity for CLT will eventually be about 140,000 m³ per year, equivalent to 5,000 apartments. We are now creating opportunities to make a climate-conscious choice in the housing market,” said Jörgen Hermansson, President of Södra Building Systems. For further information on Södra Wood, please visit www.sodra.uk
The powerful music festival community continues to grow each year as new and exciting venues pop up to house a few days of live performances that bring together musicians and festival goers alike. It is all well and good merging nationalities, as everyone celebrates a common interest in music and live acts, but it is also important to remember the dramatic affect that these types of festivals can have on the environment. We have put together this post to highlight some of the environmental issues that take place during music festivals and the steps we can take to help prevent or minimise these. Think, ‘leave no trace’ as you start to pitch your tent. Festival attendees can enjoy the great outdoors responsibly, so it is about being mindful when on public lands. It is important to help sustain healthy, vibrant natural lands for all people to enjoy, now and in the future. During festival season it is a time of high use in terms of camping and using public land. Take a look at some of the issues below along with ways we can help to resolve them: Waste Within the short space of time a music festival takes place, people seem to forget their daily responsibilities and the fact that littering is not just frowned upon, it is illegal. As the mountains of empty cups and food containers stack up it is apparent just how harmful these events can be to the environment. By disposing of waste properly and inspecting your campsite area for litter or spilled foods can help the land space a considerable amount. Things such as repackaging food before you arrive into biodegradable containers, using recyclable cups or investing in Hessian bags to carry food and camping essentials from suppliers such as Weirbags, will all help towards sustaining the festival surroundings. By storing food rations and litter securely this will also help protect any wildlife in the area. Hygiene Ensuring a festival is hygienic is vital, especially when it comes to campers needing to do their business. Using a portaloo hire company for portaloos is the first step. Also ensuring there are regular hygiene stations that provide alcohol hand gel, as well as cabins that offer showers will help festival-goers reduce their need to be unhygienic and rely on “wet wipe showers” which will likely result in pile-ups of wet wipes that cannot be recycled. Regular reminders will also minimise the spread of illness. Bugs such as the common cold are widespread, but unhygienic practices can soon spread around the campsite and potentially result in widespread illness. By providing services to encourage hygienic practices while also reminding campers to regularly practice hygiene by washing their hands is an effective two-pronged attack. Transport Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse emissions are caused from music festivals alone as they consume energy, food, water and other materials and produce waste and carbon emissions as a result. Travelling to these types of venues causes an excess of greenhouse gas emissions affecting the rise in air pollution. If you have secured yourself a ticket for this year’s music festivities, then book yourself a coach service to help reduce the amount of emissions. Most venues offer public transport to and from the festival and some are even included in the ticket price. Many people take the opportunity of booking a music event to go abroad and celebrate with friends in the sun. This could be a step in the right direction in terms of combining holidays and festivals and not travelling multiple times to do them individually. Energy Aside from the essential energy costs required to run a music festival in terms of traders, bars, DJ sets and speakers for live performances, campers have also created a demand for other ‘not so essential’ amenities such as, blow dry bars, showers and phone charging stations. If we focus more on the music and leave life’s luxuries at home, we will help reduce the levels of energy required to run the show. Music festivals are becoming increasingly popular, so it is critical that people are more mindful of the impact these field parties have on the environment. Remember to leave what you find in terms of rocks, plants and other natural objects. Do not build furniture or dig trenches and refrain from using marking paint or flagging your camping spot. By planning ahead and knowing the campsites regulations you may be able to contribute to eliminating some of the environmental issue’s music festivals bring.
GRAHAM has completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound upgrade to the Port of Southampton’s Ocean Cruise Terminal. Regarded as Europe’s leading cruise turnaround port, the reopening of its largest terminal marks the commencement of the busy cruise season. Beginning in October 2018, the GRAHAM phase one programme of works involved infrastructure upgrades on the quayside with 18 new 150 tonne bollards replacing the existing 50 tonne bollards. Key elements of the scheme also included the addition of a new entrance lobby, the alteration of the terminal building to provide improved, and additional, vertical transition, the expansion of the security X-Ray area and the provision of access to the second Seaport Passenger Boarding Bridge (SPBB). The alteration of the store’s building roof, provision of a roof structure over the ‘fourth’ inward cabin baggage portal, the completion of a canopied vehicle set down area and the paving of the HGV marshalling zone, accommodating the realignment of the fencing and gates, plus new drainage, were additional features of the programme. Commenting on the successful project completion Leo Martin, GRAHAM Managing Director – Civil Engineering, said: “The first phase upgrade at the Port of Southampton is an important infrastructure project that will help to support continued growth in the cruise sector. “The technical competency and engineering excellence of our team facilitated a smooth process throughout the project. Indeed, our alternative solution for the construction of the new 150 tonne bollards on reinforced concrete foundations, with the removal of the existing bollards, was specifically chosen for use by ABP (Associated British Ports). “We have consistently demonstrated our capacity to deliver high-quality projects on time and to budget in the face of the unique challenges presented by port and marine environments.” Partnership project The overall Port of Southampton upgrade is a £12m partnership project between ABP and P&O Cruises. It has been commissioned in readiness for May 2020 when the cruise line’s newest flagship, Iona, will arrive in Southampton from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. The entire project will be completed in early 2020 with the installation of two new airbridges and a further 2,000 roof-mounted solar panels. Iona, which will homeport in Southampton, is the first of two new ships of the XL class for P&O Cruises, with the next ship on order to be delivered in 2022. She is the first British cruise ship to be powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). Alastair Welch, Director at the Port of Southampton, said: “Cruise is a growing industry and we continue to make these significant investments which are crucial to ensuring we are in a good position to welcome the larger ships and the increase in passenger numbers.” ABP, the UK’s leading port operator/owner, has previously selected GRAHAM to complete a range of challenging programmes of work including the design and construction of the world’s largest dedicated biomass handling facility, the £120m Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal, the £114m redevelopment of Alexandra Dock at Green Port Hull, and the £26m transformation of Grimsby River Terminal.
Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has officially opened Glenrothes’ new district heating network. Supported by £8.559 million investment from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, the £24 million collaborative project between Fife Council and RWE has been delivered on time and on budget. The new network, constructed in central Glenrothes, provides low carbon heating to Fife House complex, Rothes Halls and the sheltered housing complex at Jubilee Grove by using the steam from the RWE biomass CHP plant at Markinch. Scotland’s Energy Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “I am delighted to officially open the Glenrothes Energy Network today. This ambitious project, which has received £8.6 million support from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, is already providing reliable low carbon heat to a number of buildings and has potential for expansion in the future. “I would like to congratulate both Fife Council and RWE on the way in which they have worked in partnership and their success in constructing the new energy centre and network within the town centre which will make a valuable contribution towards reducing carbon emissions and our renewable heat targets.” Vital Energi’s Operations Manager, Scott Lutton explained, “We have been delighted to support Fife Council and RWE in their ambition to provide lower-carbon heat to this local community. The Energy Centre and Heat Network have been constructed through diligent planning and collaboration which has under pinned the success of the project. This is a significant addition to Scotland’s low-carbon energy infrastructure as it continues to prove itself as a leader in renewable energy generation. Cllr Ross Vettraino, Fife Council’s spokesperson for the environment said: “Fife continues leading the way in tackling climate change. Bringing this district heating scheme to Glenrothes helps Fife Council reach its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. The scheme demonstrates how to tackle the Government’s long-term climate change targets at a local level and helps build confidence in modern, low carbon heat technology.” Along with the three partners, several organisations have provided invaluable support delivering Glenrothes Energy Network: WSP – design and specification Scottish Futures Trust – project assurance and expert advice Brodies – specialist legal advice Balfour Beatty – main network contractor Vital Energi – district heating installation and energy centre contractor. Cllr Vettraino concluded: “This project is an exemplar of partnership working and what it can achieve. Thanks go to everyone involved in bringing this stage of the network to successful completion.” Steve Glover, Director of Hard Coal & Gas Power Plant UK, RWE Generation: “RWE is proud to be part of this innovative partnership; the Energy Centre is one of the quickest built projects of its kind in the UK and represents a significant investment in our Fife operation. This scheme offers the opportunity to provide affordable heat and lower carbon emissions and RWE are delighted to be part of its success.” The official opening marks the completion of the core network construction. Work is currently underway looking at connecting local businesses. The network is ready for the future with the potential to connect more domestic customers when additional funding is sourced. For more information on the project please go to www.glenrothesenergynetwork.co.uk
Leading supplier AEI Cables is highlighting the need for the highest quality of cabling for use in sprinkler systems increasingly being specified for use in new modern buildings. This follows a call from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to make the installation of sprinklers mandatory in all residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools and care homes taller than 11 metres. The same organisations have also called for sprinklers to be retrofitted where possible. Graham Turner, of AEI Cables, said the issue of providing continuous power to sprinkler systems is a key component of improving fire safety in buildings nationwide. He added: “Buildings such as tower blocks, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, airports and those areas with large numbers of people moving about need cabling which will continue to operate in a fire and provide power for the highest fire protection of 120 minutes. “This ensure fire and rescue services can safely evacuate people and that sprinklers will continue to operate in the event of a fire.” The Hackitt Review into the Grenfell disaster sets out a series of proposals to make tower blocks safer to live in but stops short of recommending a mandatory requirement for sprinklers to be fitted. The new generation AEI Cables’ fire performance cabling ensures critical fire-safety circuits can continue to operate in the event of a fire from 30 minutes up to 120 minutes. Using the very latest in technology and science, the Firetec Total Fire Solutions range from AEI Cables offers enhanced fire performance cabling, accessories and technical support from one source. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB covering design, manufacture and supply. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and works to international standards around the world.