The Workplace Summit is a one-day conference and exhibition which takes place on February 6th2019 at Croke Park. It is the first conference in Ireland to centre on the three key areas of Workplace, – People, Place and Technology, attracting Senior Professionals from Facilities Management, Property, HR & IT. We
One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles have been used to provide high levels of thermal insulation and an outstanding external appearance for the 11 new
The aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire last year has had a far-reaching impact on countless individuals, authorities and businesses. The negative spotlight on cladding materials, which are reported to have aided the spread of the fire, has had a major knock-on effect for the construction industry, from builders
Focus Consultants has been appointed to deliver sustainability services for a new East Coast Hub for the global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted, which is currently building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world. Currently in construction on the Royal Docks at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the building will represent a
Leading volumetric modular housing manufacturer Totally Modular has announced the launch of its new TM line of modular houses for 2018. The portfolio comprises 10 models with the domestic range starting at 18.2m2 single module buildings and stretching up to 93m2 three storey domestic houses. Commercial solutions include single-module micro-living
East Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition has marked another success in 2018 with the election of managing director Richard Dolman as vice president of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE). Mr Dolman was voted into the position at the IDE’s annual general meeting, held in Drapers Hall in London earlier
The industry’s first property management franchise scheme, SDL Property Partners celebrated its ‘first birthday’ in style at an exclusive Central London location on Friday 12th October. The event which took place at the RAF Club in London’s Mayfair, celebrated all of the year’s achievements with the SDL Property Partners team and
In this technological era, everything seems to be easy. Most things can be done with just a single tap on your device. From setting the room temperature to opening the garage gate, you don’t need to stand up and do it by yourself. Imagine yourself coming home after a very
Not all bridges are built equal, it must be said. Some just get you from one point to another. How boring, especially when you consider that some bridges out there can curl up on themselves to let boats pass, or even breathe fire! There’re bridges that are said to claim
Crown Worldwide, today announces the acquisition of Premier Workplace Services as the group underlines its commitment to the workspace sector. The acquisition is a catalyst for Crown’s continued expansion in the workplace services arena and is one of the business’ most significant in its 53-year history. Crown Workspace, one of
The Workplace Summit is a one-day conference and exhibition which takes place on February 6th2019 at Croke Park. It is the first conference in Ireland to centre on the three key areas of Workplace, – People, Place and Technology, attracting Senior Professionals from Facilities Management, Property, HR & IT. We intend the Workplace Summit to be innovative, interesting, disruptive and fun! We have some of the best people in their areas to deliver talks which will inspire those involved in the Workplace professions in Ireland to influence their own organisations and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We are delighted to announce Chris Kane(ex -Disney and BBC) will chair the Workplace Summit. Already the following speakers are confirmed: Margot Slattery(Sodexo Country President Ireland); Bashar Kassab(Facilities Director, the Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall), Hannah Dwyer(Head of Research, JLL), Fionnuala Byrne(Director of Facilities CEMEA, Google), Neil Usher(Workplace Director Sky); Chris Moriarty(Head of Insight, IWFM), Euan Semple(business strategist and facilitator), Hung Lee(CEO, Workshape.io), Mary Connaughton (CIPD Ireland Director), George Harold(CEO, Integrated Facilities Solutions), Martin Pickard(Managing Director, FM GURU), George Muir(Futurist, LiveTiles) . Workplace Summit tickets are available on Eventbrite or contact us on email info@advancedworkplacesolutions.ie
One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles have been used to provide high levels of thermal insulation and an outstanding external appearance for the 11 new properties which make up the development in St John’s Wood, London, close to the world-famous Abbey Road Recording Studios. Created by the Dwyer Property development group, the Hamilton Drive scheme includes a terrace of 10 homes – each with three storeys above ground and two below – plus a separate larger property. The houses were required to achieve a very high standard of architectural finish and detailing, plus a BREEAM Excellent rating for construction sustainability. Sto solutions were selected for this project as they offered a unique combination of speedy construction and outstanding quality of finish. “Building the properties with traditional methods and using stone detailing for the façades would have taken considerably longer, and the client was looking for a fast-track solution,” explains Sto’s Regional Sales Manager, Pete Bishop. “Our StoTherm Classic system was specified as it provides outstanding thermal performance and can be installed quickly and easily. StoDeco Profiles were chosen for the intricate ‘stone’ architectural detailing, providing the same look as stone, but in a material that is both lightweight and easy to cut and shape.” The StoTherm Classic external wall insulation used on the 70,000sq ft project was installed onto an NHBC-compliant pvc rail system, using a drained cavity designed to ensure that water and moisture is excluded from the main wall structure. The cement-free StoTherm Classic EWI System offers market-leading impact resistance, being able to withstand impacts of up to 60 joules – up to 10 times more than a cementitious system – and as it needs no additional expansion joints the system allows greater freedom of façade design. For this project the system was finished with a 1.5mm coat of StoSilco silicone resin render to provide a high degree of water repellence and resistance to the effects of weathering. “The architectural detailing on the building façades was created using StoDeco Profiles,” explains John Tehan of Smallwood Architects of London. The range of profiles, manufactured using the remarkable Verolith material, are weather resistant, durable, lightweight and easy to work and install. Available in a wide range of standard designs, including sills, cornices, and many other decorative architectural elements, StoDeco Profiles can also be custom made to provide a unique visual appearance. “At Hamilton Drive the profiles were used to create cornice, window and chimney detailing, plus a wealth of columns, arches, dentil courses and other features that were required to enhance the building’s classically-inspired design,” adds John Tehan. “Sto were closely involved with this project, and many of the individual StoDeco Profiles were manufactured to bespoke sizes and designs, to allow the required detailing to be created.” “There was an enormous quantity of detailing required on this project and the standard of finish had to be the very best,” comments John Bishop of Kennet Construction, a Sto authorised applicator who completed the installation work. “Fortunately, the Sto products were very easy to work with. Many of the StoDeco Profiles were pre-cut prior to delivery, and they proved to be very easy to work, shape and sand on-site so that we could achieve a perfect finish.” Picture caption: One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles were used on the project in St John’s Wood, London.
The aftermath of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire last year has had a far-reaching impact on countless individuals, authorities and businesses. The negative spotlight on cladding materials, which are reported to have aided the spread of the fire, has had a major knock-on effect for the construction industry, from builders and subcontractors to architecture firms. Days after the incident, cladding installed on buildings more than 18 metres in height was called into question by the Government, leading to significant increases in premiums for Professional Indemnity Insurance. Nottingham-based architecture firm Church Lukas experienced first-hand the difficulties of navigating the confusion circulating within the insurance world to keep their risk profile in true perspective. John Freeman, Director of Church Lukas, said: “The insurance market changed radically post-Grenfell. With the media focusing mainly on cladding, and a public enquiry underway, insurers perceived any tall building as an insurance risk. Prior to Grenfell, insurance was very straightforward – we would receive our policy renewal form, complete it and send it back. Premiums would fluctuate slightly, but post-Grenfell they have increased significantly. “When it came to renewing our policy, we faced an increase in premiums, but also a reluctance on the part of insurers to cover previously completed buildings above 18 metres without the inclusion of onerous caveats. As we work in sectors including student accommodation, residential, office and industrial this presented a particular problem.” With Church Lukas in the difficult position of needing to find a new policy at very short notice, independent insurance broker Russell Scanlan, also based in Nottingham, was able to find a solution. John said: “The Russell Scanlan team was very thorough in going back to the insurance market and explaining what we did differently to reassure them. It was a case of navigating the market at a time when there was significant upheaval across the construction sector, both in terms of contractors who deliver the work and architects who design the buildings.” He continued: “Russell Scanlan worked doubly hard to ensure that we had an insurer in place when we got to the point of renewing our insurance policy. Thankfully, we now have policy which covers buildings we’ve already completed and ones we are yet to start, which is not significantly different from our old policy. For us, that was a positive result, if we hadn’t been able to renew our policy on favourable terms we would have been left in a very difficult position.” Bryan Banbury, Managing Director of Russell Scanlan, said: “The insurance market for architecture firms has proved to be very challenging due to the implications of the Grenfell Tower fire. Professional Indemnity Insurance underpins the business of architects, but many have found insurers are reluctant to provide cover. “In the case of Church Lukas, we found the information necessary to obtain quotes on their behalf and approached the market. Through some long-winded negotiations, we managed to find a solution they were happy with in terms of both cover and additional services to assist with checking contract wordings. We’re pleased to say they now have a stable insurer and we’re delighted we could help.” Church Lukas, which is based in Nottingham city centre close to Russell Scanlan’s offices, is an award-winning architecture firm which operates across the construction industry, ranging from £50,000 minor refurbishments to £100 million regeneration schemes.
Focus Consultants has been appointed to deliver sustainability services for a new East Coast Hub for the global leader in offshore wind, Ørsted, which is currently building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world. Currently in construction on the Royal Docks at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the building will represent a state-of-the-art operations and maintenance hub to support both the construction and operation of Ørsted’s offshore wind farms, from which they currently operate more than 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity with a further 2.6GW under construction. “The construction, operation and maintenance of such a large off-shore wind capacity necessarily requires a highly specialised and high-quality base from which to conduct activities,” said Focus partner Jason Redfearn. “The new O&M hub, being constructed by Hobson & Porter, will provide such a facility. As a part of this, Focus Consultants has been appointed to undertake a BREEAM sustainability assessment of the building’s design and construction. With a target of ‘Very Good’, this requires the implementation of sustainability standards that surpass those of UK Building Regulations.” Focus, which is based in Nottingham and has branches in Leicester, London, Newark and Boston in Lincolnshire, is a sustainability specialist and offers a range of energy and sustainability services including BREEAM assessment, with expert advice on sustainable building methods, building physics, Energy Compliance and Testing. Material selection within any development underpins the sustainable standards incorporated as part of the construction. The Ørsted O&M hub is targeting high scores within this section of BREEAM, which rewards those who procure materials with low environmental impact, including embodied carbon, over the life of the building. The scheme is also actively trying to manage the source of materials by selecting, where appropriate, suppliers that have EMS (Environmental Management Systems) in place. As part of the build, the development has set ambitious and high targets in relation to water consumption and conservation. Through the use of efficient fittings and flow restrictors, which decrease the water used and wasted, a 40% reduction in water use over the baseline amount calculated is achieved. In addition, water consumption through the construction process will be managed in accordance with BREEAM, with monitoring through all stages to incentivise efficiency. “Energy efficiency measures are also being incorporated into the design in order to reduce the overall building’s operational consumption,” added Jason Redfearn. “Photovoltaic panels will offset a proportion of the electrical energy requirements for the building, which otherwise would have been drawn from the grid. The development is targeting a performance which is the equivalent of an ‘Excellent’ rating under energy, even though the building is being developed to a ‘Very Good’ standard. This increased target exemplifies the desire of Ørsted to incorporate a sustainable approach into the design. “The Focus Consultants service for the project has, to date, entailed full consultation with the design team to create an environment within which each member of the team can feel engaged in the process and a close working relationship with the team to ensure the process is made as smooth and efficient as possible. Focus is delighted to have been appointed to work on such a high-profile scheme to support Ørsted’s sustainability aims.” Ørsted is creating the biggest offshore wind farms in the world off the Yorkshire Coast; Hornsea Projects One and Two’s 339 turbines will be able to provide enough electricity for well over 2.3 million homes, when the wind farms become operational in 2020, and 2022 respectively. For more information about Focus Consultants, visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk.
Leading volumetric modular housing manufacturer Totally Modular has announced the launch of its new TM line of modular houses for 2018. The portfolio comprises 10 models with the domestic range starting at 18.2m2 single module buildings and stretching up to 93m2 three storey domestic houses. Commercial solutions include single-module micro-living units up to temporary accommodation blocks designed using 17 modules. Two volumetric module sizes are used in various layouts to create flexible accommodation solutions. In this way, Totally Modular, is helping to address the housing crisis from different angles, providing both low-cost affordable housing in large numbers and high-quality exclusive options to take advantage of compact city opportunities. The design of the TM line is inspired by both modern and traditional elements of British architecture with different exterior cladding options available such as redwood or cedar, render, bricks or cladding panels. All of which provide quickly inhabitable modular living spaces for individuals, couples and families. The modular houses are 97% complete when they arrive on site, including fitted kitchens and bathrooms, external finishes and electrical cabling. The home is then delivered to the building site and craned into place, typically onto a slab-on-grade or concrete piled foundation, although units can be placed on traditional foundations steel frames or existing roofs with the necessary structural calculations and planning permission. The offsite engineered production-line building of houses from the TM line reduces waste by up to 80% and helps reduce CO2 by 50% when compared to traditional site construction. In addition, the materials used to manufacture the TM line are sourced from suppliers that use mostly recycled materials. Homes are extremely energy efficient and low-maintenance. Mick Pettitt, Operations Director at Totally Modular, commented: “The main goal of Totally Modular is to provide a great quality house for everyone. With our TM line, we can offer a range of solutions that fit different family sizes and needs. Thanks to our modular offsite manufacturing capabilities, the homes in the TM line are quick to build, reliable, affordable, sustainable and customisable.” “Modular construction satisfies a number of demands in addition to fast build times for developers; we have consistent quality approval processes so avoiding extended approvals and re-work onsite. We can also build exclusively affordable housing on any size of development plot, which is proving extremely attractive to housing associations with quotas to fill.”
East Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition has marked another success in 2018 with the election of managing director Richard Dolman as vice president of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE). Mr Dolman was voted into the position at the IDE’s annual general meeting, held in Drapers Hall in London earlier this month. The honour caps an eventful year for AR Demolition in which the company, which is based near Nuneaton, achieved record turnover and was named in the London Stock Exchange Group’s prestigious ‘1000 Companies To Inspire Britain’ report. Mr Dolman said: “AR Demolition is becoming recognised as a truly innovative, cutting-edge company and we are doing our part to help create a demolition industry for the future. “I hope to use my position as vice president of the IDE to help address the skills shortage, inspire a new generation of demolition engineers, to promote ideals throughout our connected sectors and promote safer ways of working in our industry. “I look forward to working closely with the IDE’s new president Gary Bishop in working with industry and government bodies to promote innovative thinking to complex scenarios, sharing best practice and raising the positive professional profile of demolition within the construction industry.” Mr Dolman was made a Fellow of the Institute of Demolition Engineers in 2016 and already occupied a seat on the body’s council of management. Alongside other IDE members he has been instrumental in developing and promoting the industry’s first Foundation Degree and Masters Degree in Demolition Management, with the University of Wolverhampton. He said: “As owner of AR Demolition, I am a passionate advocate of innovative demolition techniques and health and safety best practice. Our company has invested heavily in cutting-edge plant over the past two years, bringing efficiency, safety and environmental benefits for our personnel, our customers and the communities in which we work. “The other major issue I want to tackle is the skills shortage in our industry and this is where our work with the University of Wolverhampton can be key. “Alongside the qualifications which I and two of my co-directors are currently studying for, we are also proud to be developing graduate schemes and apprenticeships which will help attract talent from the construction sector towards our industry. “The demolition industry has great potential to contribute practices and processes which can have enormous and widespread ramifications throughout construction and society in general. I am excited to be in a role at the IDE which can help facilitate that change.” AR Demolition recently reported its best ever start to a year in the first half of 2018, with the six month period to July seeing turnover rise by 54% compared to the same period in 2017 and with year-on-year gross profit increasing by 18%. The figures follow significant investment in new plant and machinery, including £1.5m spent on three new cutting-edge high reach Kiesel machines last year after previous investment of £1m in 2016.
The industry’s first property management franchise scheme, SDL Property Partners celebrated its ‘first birthday’ in style at an exclusive Central London location on Friday 12th October. The event which took place at the RAF Club in London’s Mayfair, celebrated all of the year’s achievements with the SDL Property Partners team and the scheme’s franchisees. As this event was held during the same week as World Mental Health Day (Wednesday 10th October), the day’s agenda reflected this. There was a seminar session with SDL Property Partner’s own Business Development Manager, Fred Hopkins, on how to overcome obstacles and mental barriers, as well as News on the Block’s Louise Newton, treating delegates to an introduction to yoga therapy, meditation and mindfulness. In addition to shining a spotlight on mental health, one seminar focused on how property managers could be key in stopping domestic abuse. The passionate talk given by Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance’s (DAHA) co-founder, Gudrun Burnet, urged the property managers in the room to stop and consider if antisocial behaviour shown by a tenant could be a sign of domestic abuse. The day’s agenda also looked at the franchise’s first year, as Nick Faulkner, managing director of SDL Property Partners took the opportunity to thank his franchisees for all their work and belief in the scheme during its first year. Above all, he thanked their efforts in helping to change the industry’s image with their professional approach. Nick commented: “I have been in the property industry for 26 years and I wanted to give people some of the opportunities I have had along the way. This is a great industry to generate repeat income and provide a quality service to leaseholders. SDL Property Partners has provided an amazing chance to give back, and we have changed the industry in the space of a year. “Our next challenge is to grow this franchise and have a network of over 100 franchisees; that will be when open the champagne again and have our next celebration!”
In this technological era, everything seems to be easy. Most things can be done with just a single tap on your device. From setting the room temperature to opening the garage gate, you don’t need to stand up and do it by yourself. Imagine yourself coming home after a very long and tiring day. That was winter and the cold wind is blowing angrily on your window. You quickly enter your house and only to find that the cold has penetrated the insides of your home. You immediately turn on the thermostat. But before it could manage to heat the whole place up, you are already shivering with cold. Grabbing your favorite blanket, you head to the couch and roll yourself into a ball. Well, that should not be happening by now with smart thermostats readily available in the market. With the smart thermostat, you can turn it on way before you even step on your porch. Once you arrive at your house, the room has been heated up and all. Smart thermostats also turn itself off automatically if it doesn’t detect any motion happening in the house. That comes handy when you forgot to turn it off. Instead of consuming a lot of energy, it helps lower down your energy bills. One of the best thermostats you can buy is Nest. You can easily connect it to the Wi-Fi network in your home plus you can control it using your smartphone by downloading the Nest app from the Google Play Store. There, you can see the room temperature as well as the temperature outside your house. You can also adjust the temperature according to your liking. Aside from Nest, there are still other thermostats that can fulfill your needs. If you want to know what are the best thermostats that are compatible with Google Home, you should check out the article The Best Google Home Compatible Thermostats for Smart Climate Control. You’ll be offered 7 thermostat options and helpful answers to the frequently asked questions. A Brief History on Smart Home Since day 1, people have been obsessed with creating machines that would lessen manual work. Before smart devices are a thing, electric-powered appliances have been helping humans in getting the work done fast and efficient. In the early 1900s, the first washing machine, vacuum cleaner, clothes dryer, dishwasher, water heater, sewing machine, and refrigerator were introduced. Those machines did reduce the workload, and their success became a stepping stone for more home automation projects. More than 70 years after, the first general-purpose home automation technology was born. The network was meant to control multiple tasks at once, which in turn, will consume less time and require lesser effort to manage. Although technological breakthrough seemed slow, its potential can’t be denied. True enough, we’re now living in a world where almost everything can be manipulated using smart devices. And it seems like we are not stopping, either. Creating Smart Homes From Scratch To have an automated home, it should be smart from the ground-up. Of course, that requires a great deal of planning and . . . money. However, for the homeowners of the future, it sure doesn’t matter as long as it will make their life much easier. It’s true that you can purchase individual smart devices to handle different tasks, but it’s a lot better if you integrate home automation while you are still building your home from scratch. In that way, you can manage them all using just one platform. Controlling different home features such as security, temperature, lights, and maintenance can be quite tiring and difficult. But, you have a choice to do it simultaneously if your house is smart enough from the beginning. Supposing that the world is heading is up for more advancements, we can rightfully believe that in the years to come, all homes will be controlled by smart machines. Why not start now? It is a good investment as it will increase the value of your home with a couple of thousand dollars. Wrapping Up Internet of things, or IoT, is gradually being seen as the new standard nowadays. As the world becomes more and more tech-oriented, no doubt, smart homes will be the home of the future. Home development will never be the same, but way better.
Not all bridges are built equal, it must be said. Some just get you from one point to another. How boring, especially when you consider that some bridges out there can curl up on themselves to let boats pass, or even breathe fire! There’re bridges that are said to claim souls, bridges built from tree roots, and bridges hundred of years in the making. With the expertise of structure analysis software providers Oasys, we take a trip around the world without leaving our desks to see the best bridges. 1. A bridge that the Devil built Photograph by A. Landgraf When coupled with its own reflection on the water’s surface, Rakotzbrücke in Germany takes the form of a perfect circle. The bridge is said to have been commissioned by a knight in 1860. But the rocks and stones used for its creation are jagged and spikey, so it was dangerous to cross. Earth Trekkers notes that Devil Bridges were built a few times in history, and were deemed a challenge of a mason’s skill. The idea was that only Satan himself could help with a difficult build such as these bridges, and the first human who crossed the completed bridge would pay for the Devil’s helping hand by giving up his soul. The bridge is off-limits today in order to preserve it. But it is still an oddly beautiful sight to behold! 2. A bridge that tidies itself away Photograph by Loz Pycock A creation of Heatherwick Studios, London’s Rolling Bridge allows people to cross an inlet. What makes this bridge so unique is that it can tidy itself away! When needed, this bridge curls up into an octogen shape to stand on one side of the canal until a boat passes. The bridge also curls up every day at noon, if you want to see it in action! 3. A bridge built by the trees Photograph by Arshiya Urveeja Bose Roots, time, and a lot of patience went into these bridges in India. These beautifully natural bridges were formed by guiding rubber tree roots with hollow canes so that they would grow outwards and meet from either side of a stream. It would take years to reach the opposite bank, but the hard work paid off as these Living Roots bridges can support the weight of a human. They were originally made by the Khasi tribe, who realised the bamboo bridges they were building would collapse or rot after a monsoon or heavy storm. 4. A bridge of water and fire Photograph by Ehrin Macksey / Noi Pictures Be careful not to say “dracarys” when crossing this bridge! Located in Da Nang in Vietnam, the Dragon Bridge is certainly a spectacular sight. The bridge is the result of an international competition by the Da Nang People’s Committee in order to improve travel in the city. The bridge has six lanes for vehicles, two lanes for pedestrians, and 2,500 LED lights. Best of all, the Dragon Bridge can actually breathe fire. In fact, the bridge can spout water or fire, and this display is often used for special occasions in the city. 5. A bridge hundreds of years in the making Photograph by Egil Kvaleberg The blueprints for this bridge were originally drawn up around 500 years ago by Leonardo da Vinci. The intention was for it to be built across the Golden Horn in Istanbul. The original drawing had a single span of 240 metres, but the project did not go ahead as it was believed that such a design was not feasible. It would be many years before the bridge was finally built, and its construction in Norway is the first example of a major engineering success from a da Vinci sketch. The bridge has just three arches to support the structure. Though the Norwegian bridge is a smaller version of the original plans, it shows that the design works — one arch under the bridge, and two arches either side leaning inwards to spread the weight. Sources: https://bocadolobo.com/blog/architecture/10-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-and-unique-bridges/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/design/g248/4335705/ http://boredomtherapy.com/unique-bridges-around-the-world/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea_and_Rhododendron_Park_Kromlau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_root_bridges https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/rakotzbrucke-devils-bridge/ https://www.earthtrekkers.com/rakotzbrucke-fairytale-bridge-saxony-germany/ https://www.flickr.com/people/45649858@N08 http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150218-indias-amazing-living-root-bridges https://www.flickr.com/photos/blahflowers/ https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/rolling-bridge-london https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn1510-da-vinci-bridge-finally-built-after-500-years/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_inventions_of_Leonardo_da_Vinci#Bridges_and_Hydraulics http://www.vietnam-guide.com/da-nang/attractions/dragon-bridge.htm https://www.louisberger.com/our-work/project/fire-breathing-dragon-bridge-vietnam
Crown Worldwide, today announces the acquisition of Premier Workplace Services as the group underlines its commitment to the workspace sector. The acquisition is a catalyst for Crown’s continued expansion in the workplace services arena and is one of the business’ most significant in its 53-year history. Crown Workspace, one of the group’s key growth brands, already provides interior design, fit-out, space planning, move management and commercial relocations. With a 20-year plus track record, Premier Workplace Services is a recognised leader in the workplace services space with £20m turnover, 200 staff and a roster of 600 clients, including a wealth of blue-chip businesses such as KPMG, Tesco, Transport for London, Metropolitan Police and Man Group. Combined group services will include: commercial relocations, space planning, design, interior refurbishment, fit-out, specialist IT, and sustainable furniture. Premier Workplace Services will retain its brand, with both businesses run in parallel. The heads of each reporting to Steve Hardie, Managing Director UKI & Northern Europe at Crown Worldwide Group. Steve Hardie, Managing Director UKI & Northern Europe, commented: “This acquisition enhances our total offering and provides a wonderful opportunity to share skills and expertise. We will provide a business-as-usual service for our customers, who we believe will benefit from the many synergies and shared values, such as Premier’s ‘business class’ service and commitment to sustainability. “We are very excited about developing this market together as we welcome Premier Workplace Services to the Crown family.” The purchase offers new opportunities for both brands to capitalise on Crown Worldwide’s global footprint across its 265 offices in all four corners of the globe. David Russinger, Director of Premier Workplace Services, added: “I am immensely proud of what our teams have achieved over the last 22 years. We have a strong platform for growth and an exciting new phase in the company’s development to look forward to. “We had many offers from prospective buyers to consider and Crown stood out. Finding the right cultural fit was a very important consideration for us. Despite Crown’s much larger size we could see straight away how our common values and culture would benefit our staff and clients. “We are looking forward to developing our service offering further and widening our geographic reach as part of the Crown Worldwide group.” Established in 1965, Crown Worldwide operates in some 60 countries, with services spanning workplace services, global mobility, relocation, records and information management, logistics and storage services.