Pell Frischmann, the globally recognised engineering consultancy with headquarters in central London, has secured a multi-million GBP finance partnership with new banking partner, HSBC UK, to support its ambitious growth strategy in the UK and overseas. The business, which was established in 1926, carries out major public and private sector
Wendy Ajuwon has been appointed Head of Marketing at the British Board of Agrément, the UK’s leading building products certification organisation. Wendy, a CIM Chartered Marketer, joined the BBA earlier this year, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience spanning all aspects of media production, public relations, advertising,
With a record number of skyscrapers under construction in the UK, Aggregate Industries is reminding contractors that innovative concrete solutions such as Lytag are proving increasingly essential to achieving world-class sustainable building design for high-rise structures. According to the latest report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,
Wakefield-based manufacturer of steel construction connectors, BPC Building Products Ltd, has joined Vista Engineering, in a move which sees the group strengthen its position in the UK market and significantly enhance the product range offered to its customers. “There is a tremendous amount of synergy between BPC and Vista, and
HS2 will release images of two of its brand new stations, marking a significant milestone for the programme, cementing the project’s commitment to the Midlands and emphasising the region’s place at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network. The images will be released at Birmingham Library at the first
The work involved in a construction site is extremely challenging and risky as the work demands exposure to various hazardous chemicals, acids, flames, heat, bricks, beams and what not. Hence, protection from these dangers is necessary in order to prevent accidents. Like how the other professions such as Doctor, Nurses,
There has been much talk about the lack of investment opportunities in the UK in recent years. And it seems to be getting worse, with some UK cities now offering worse rental yields than they did a few months ago. It may even be too late to invest in properties
A new flooring finish was required for a school atrium which hundreds of children use or pass through each day. Because the atrium floods this area of the school with so much light through a Perspex roof, it meant that whatever was chosen had to be UV stable, hard wearing
Almost 3 years after opening the doors of a purpose-built hire depot on Aberdeen’s East Tullos Industrial Estate, Jarvie Plant Group say they’re now firmly established and geared up for growth. The Grangemouth-based firm are now working with businesses across a whole range of sectors including house building, construction, local
Forticrete will be showcasing its innovative range of precision engineered concrete building products at the Build Show, part of UK Construction Week (October 9-11 2018). Amongst the products on display will be its Low Pitched Roof Window System and SL8® large format roof tile. Forticrete’s low pitch roof window system
Pell Frischmann, the globally recognised engineering consultancy with headquarters in central London, has secured a multi-million GBP finance partnership with new banking partner, HSBC UK, to support its ambitious growth strategy in the UK and overseas. The business, which was established in 1926, carries out major public and private sector infrastructure projects in the UK, India, Europe, and Middle East. The backing provided by HSBC UK has enabled Pell Frischmann to secure a number of major infrastructure projects in India and Iraq. These new projects will contribute to Pell Frischmann’s growth and are expected to create hundreds of new jobs across both countries and in the UK. With HSBC UK’s support, the company will now also look to accelerate its plans to make asset purchases in the UK. A combination of growth by acquisition and continued organic growth is expected to contribute to Pell Frischmann’s ongoing success. Daniel Russell, HSBC UK’s Area Director for London North, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Pell Frischmann with its exciting global expansion plans. HSBC UK’s ability to provide the business with cross-border finance, which it hadn’t had access to before, helped us stand out amongst our competitors and means Pell Frischmann was able to win two exciting new projects overseas. These projects will create hundreds of jobs and puts the business on track to significantly increase its turnover in the next few years.” Jonathan Grady, Chief Financial Officer at Pell Frischmann, added: “With HSBC UK’s support, we’re able to operate more efficiently in the countries in which we work. With access to cross-border finance, we now have the ability to secure larger projects in some of our key global territories. The contract wins in India and Iraq represent exciting next steps for Pell Frischmann and demonstrate our commitment to continued growth both in the UK and overseas. With plans to expand further into Asia and the UAE, we are pleased to be working with a truly global bank.” Part of RSBG Investment, Pell Frischmann has 17 offices globally. In response to a number of significant wins and to accommodate it’s growing UK team, the company has recently taken larger premises in Birmingham and Luton and opened new offices in Maidenhead and Manchester. Pell Frischmann has won a number of industry accolades, most notably the British Expertise International Master Planning Project of the Year Award in 2017 and The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for a second consecutive time in 2015.
Wendy Ajuwon has been appointed Head of Marketing at the British Board of Agrément, the UK’s leading building products certification organisation. Wendy, a CIM Chartered Marketer, joined the BBA earlier this year, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience spanning all aspects of media production, public relations, advertising, customer experience and marketing gained around the globe working for – and with – a broad range of organisations including the BBC, Subaru Motors and Samsung. She holds a Masters degree in Media Production from the University of Central England and a BA (Hons) from the University of Wolverhampton “Working at the BBA gives me the opportunity to help shape the marketing direction of a pedigreed organisation that provides expert service in Product Approval and Certification, Audit and Inspection and Testing to construction product manufacturers. It is a role I inhabit with pride,” said Wendy. “In addition to this, helping to promote the core values of courage, integrity, quality, loyalty, collaboration, passion and accountability that the BBA embodies and strives to provide to construction product manufacturers, trade associations, specifiers, contractors, the government and the public at large, gives me a sense of purpose and achievement. These lofty ideals and realistic execution displayed by staff and management as they continually push bounds to create excellence in the industry and for the public interest, has made this an ideal place for me,” she added. The British Board of Agrément was formed in 1966 and offers installer approval and certification and test services to manufacturers of construction products and systems. It is also the UK’s leading authority on the assessment of insulation products and installation techniques. BBA Certification is universally recognised as a mark of quality, safety and reliability that a product is fit-for-purpose.
With a record number of skyscrapers under construction in the UK, Aggregate Industries is reminding contractors that innovative concrete solutions such as Lytag are proving increasingly essential to achieving world-class sustainable building design for high-rise structures. According to the latest report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, more high-rise towers are being built in the UK in 2018 than in the previous ten years1, with a record 510 tall towers at more than 20 storeys high, currently planned or under construction in London alone2. With this in mind, Aggregate Industries is advising the industry that using lightweight concrete solutions – often more cost effective and sustainable than standard options – has never been more crucial, particularly for meeting the complex design challenges of the UK’s most high-profile construction projects. Barry Mellor, Lytag commercial manager, comments: “The task for the modern structural engineer or contractor is not an easy one. Given the growing trend for high-rise developments across the UK, the onus is on creating cost-effective and sustainable structures which, at the same time, provide scope for greater design freedom than ever before. “As such, lightweight concrete solutions such as Lytag, a secondary aggregate up to 50% lighter than natural aggregate, can help developers to make the seemingly ‘impossible’ possible by enabling them to achieve remarkable architectural feats. Providing the same level of structural performance as standard weight aggregate used in concrete formulation, Lytag is ideal for reducing the number and size of columns in order to create bigger structures with greater spans, whilst at the same time being able to reduce the total load of their builds. Essentially, it reduces the volume of foundation needed by using less concrete and steel during the construction process.” What’s more, Lytag is made from fly ash generated by coal fired power stations. Being a secondary aggregate means it can drastically improve the green credentials of a build as seen during the construction of the £135m 70 St Mary Axe landmark development – the latest skyscraper set to transform London’s skyline. Lytag was instrumental in helping the tower recently receive an Excellent rating in BREEAM by conforming to clause WST 02 in relation to recycled aggregate. Barry adds: “Pushing boundaries is the cornerstone of pioneering design and, in turn, maintains our status as a world-leading construction company. And at the heart of this is seeking innovation in all areas, including building materials such as concrete, which as the most widely used man-made material in the world, has for far too long been viewed as an everyday, standard construction commodity. “However, since its inception 60 years ago, Lytag has had an incredible track record of helping to create the London skyline – usually on projects considered the first of their kind, which use space wisely, boast impressive aesthetics and keep sustainability at the forefront. “We’d recommend architects, developers and contractors, who haven’t done so already to continue to use Lytag’s unique capabilities to achieve the gold standard in high-end, intelligent and sustainable building design.” For more information on Lytag call 01904 727922 or visit www.lytag.com
Wakefield-based manufacturer of steel construction connectors, BPC Building Products Ltd, has joined Vista Engineering, in a move which sees the group strengthen its position in the UK market and significantly enhance the product range offered to its customers. “There is a tremendous amount of synergy between BPC and Vista, and bringing the two companies closer together will generate additional benefits for both sets of customers,” explains BPC Managing Director, Gareth Simister. “This is great news for customers of both businesses. The acquisition will allow access to a wider range of products together with improved technical support and customer service levels.” “We’re delighted to welcome BPC as part of the expanding Vista group,” adds Vista managing director, Phil Travis. “We have worked together as distribution partners for many years, and look forward to strengthening the relationship we’ve already established. “Vista is a proudly British company which offers high quality products. We combine the best quality raw materials and state-of-the-art technology with over 40 years of experience, and would only ever consider forging a closer relationship with a company like BPC which shares our high standards and aims for the future.” For more details please visit either www.vistaeng.co.uk, email sales@vistaeng.co.uk or call 01663 736700 or www.bpcfixings.com, email sales@bpcfixings.com or call 01924 364794.
HS2 will release images of two of its brand new stations, marking a significant milestone for the programme, cementing the project’s commitment to the Midlands and emphasising the region’s place at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network. The images will be released at Birmingham Library at the first of a series of public engagement events during October, which give people the opportunity to see the new designs and give feedback. Curzon Street station in central Birmingham will be the first brand new intercity station built in Britain since 19th century, create a new landmark for the city and boost opportunities for regeneration in the city. Opening with seven high speed platforms in 2026, the new station will not only be for high speed rail passengers, it will be a brand new public space in Birmingham city centre. It will be fully integrated into an extended tram network, as well as offering pedestrian, cycle, taxi, bus and conventional rail connections to the rest of the city and the wider West Midlands. Interchange station will be a new major gateway station for the region, part of a new public transport interchange serving Solihull, the West Midlands, Birmingham Airport and the NEC. The station will help deliver longer term development and growth proposals for the area around the station, including new homes, business space and jobs. HS2 is also considering a number of extra elements to the scheme put forward by the Urban Growth Company (UGC) which aim to maximise the opportunities the new HS2 Interchange Station presents as a key catalyst for growth. WSP UK Ltd, working with Grimshaw Architects LLP is designing Curzon Street and Arup is designing Interchange station. Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, marked the start of works on the site of the future Curzon Street station last week. Works are well underway on 60 sites across the route from London to Birmingham, with over 7,000 jobs supported by the programme across the country on our way to 30,000 jobs at peak construction. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “These brand new stations will be catalysts for regeneration, creating jobs and opportunities for local people and economic benefits for Birmingham and the Midlands. Curzon Street station will put Birmingham at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network and enhance the rail connectivity for the city, whilst Interchange provides a once in a life time opportunity to help drive the growth of the region.” HS2 CEO Mark Thurston said: “Both of these new stations will be transformational for the Midlands and will create opportunities for regeneration, growth and economic benefits for the city and region. Preparatory work for the stations is well under way, with a variety of enabling works including the construction of access roads and archaeological investigations. “As part of our plans to deliver a ‘green corridor’ across the whole route, we’re also creating new ecological habitats, community and amenity spaces to help integrate the new line and our stations into the surrounding landscape and environment. All of this activity is already creating job opportunities not just in the region, but across the whole country.” Sir John Peace, Midlands Engine Chairman said: “HS2 is already a huge part of the Midlands’ success story, bringing jobs and investment with it. These pioneering new station buildings will showcase a rail revolution which has our transformed region at its core. “HS2 will be one of the most celebrated infrastructure projects in the world when trains start rolling in to Interchange and Curzon Street in 2026, with a regenerative ripple effect that will be felt across the Midlands. I can’t wait to see the stations take shape.” Both stations have been designed with features to make it easy and simple for passengers to navigate the stations, access the platforms and connect seamlessly to other forms of transport. HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Birmingham will be at the heart of HS2, and the transformation that is already taking place shows exactly how our new high-speed railway will drive forward regeneration and economic growth across the country. “Unveiling the station designs for Curzon Street and the Solihull Interchange is a milestone moment. These stations will be catalysts for local jobs and new homes, as well as giving passengers access to thousands more seats, more services and better journeys. “We also want HS2 to set a new benchmark for truly inclusive travel, creating a railway that works for everyone. The task for our designers and engineers is now to take these ideas from the drawing board to reality, building iconic stations that are accessible, safe and open to all, no matter their needs.” Carol Stitchman, WSP Design Manager on Curzon Street said: “As well as being a catalyst for regeneration, the new HS2 Curzon Street station will become a landmark destination, welcoming people to the heart of Birmingham. Our design recognises the station’s function as a place of arrival and connection. It is the only HS2 station that welcomes you with a view of the city, where you can see the city from the train, and the train from the city. “WSP has welcomed 16 new apprentices to the Curzon Street station project, as part of our 140-strong project team. We are committed to boosting the skills of Britain’s next generation while delivering this transformative project.” Neven Sidor, Lead Architect, Grimshaws, for Curzon Street station, said: “HS2’s new Curzon Street station is inspired by the best station design of the past, inspired by Britain’s pioneering railway and industrial heritage reimagined for the 21st century. The elegant sleek low arch which will make the station instantly recognisable in the surrounding area and its warm coffered soffit will join the growing list of modern Birmingham icons. The West concourse will have the ambiance of a modern airport terminal with both platform and waiting areas included in the grand arched space. The East concourse has been designed to include the historic
The work involved in a construction site is extremely challenging and risky as the work demands exposure to various hazardous chemicals, acids, flames, heat, bricks, beams and what not. Hence, protection from these dangers is necessary in order to prevent accidents. Like how the other professions such as Doctor, Nurses, Teachers have a prescribed dress code similarly, the workers working in a construction site should also follow their dress code in order to safeguard themselves from the dangerous chemicals and equipment. How Clothing Plays a Crucial Role in Construction Sites? The construction workers working in the construction sites wear overalls to protect themselves from the various perilous elements as mentioned above. Overalls safeguard the players from hazards such as fire or flames. The overalls are made up of flame resistant fabrics which protect the players from hot liquid spills. Safety is indeed the highest priority in the construction sites because the workers engage in risky and unsafe activities and use tools like pliers, screwdrivers, spanners for their operation. Overalls also have pockets where the workers can place their tools in it. The use of eyeglasses and masks are some of the requisites for protection and safety. Other Factors that Contribute to Working in a Construction Site Comfort is also one of the factors to be taken into consideration for the workers working in the construction sites. Keeping comfort the priority, the overalls provide the workers with many safety pockets and belts which allows the workers to work peacefully and calmly. Also, the overalls made up of Karam which keeps the workers cool and comfortable when they work in heated environments. To be Seen As the construction site workers work in challenging and risky locations, it is of utmost importance that they are seen by others in the site in case of an emergency. Hence, the overalls are designed with 500 CD/Lux reflective tape which reflects any light that shines on them making them visible at all angles even when there is poor lighting around. Different Roles Involve Different Clothing It is the work environment which determines the outfit of the workers. The most extreme environments include the nuclear power plants and research laboratories. The workers working in a nuclear power plant have to be watchful in order to protect themselves from the various dangers around as it involves high risk. The employers must make sure that the workers have the right kind of overalls suiting to their role and also ensure that they wear it every day while they are at work to prevent accidents. The construction sites should also offer counselling sessions and provide the workers with the dos and don’ts to be followed while working in a construction site. Counselling despite being industry differences works really. To quote as an example how good it works, one of the recent reports reveal as to how one of the leading online casinos in Australia named Extra Vegas proved that counselling sessions can help in preventing compulsive gambling. The casino offers its players free instant advice and tips on controlled gambling. Hence, counselling plays a key role in determining the safety of the workers in an organisation. Spreading awareness about safety and security is highly essential for the well being of both the company as well as the workers. Happy working!
There has been much talk about the lack of investment opportunities in the UK in recent years. And it seems to be getting worse, with some UK cities now offering worse rental yields than they did a few months ago. It may even be too late to invest in properties near the long-awaited Elizabeth line in London, as the benefits are already priced in. The good news is that there are still some areas which offer good investment potential. UK law is also comparatively reliable, making it one of the safest places in the world to invest in property. Coupled with a vibrant economy and plenty of rental demand, the UK remains a popular choice for international investors. University towns are continuing to provide some of the highest rental yields in the UK. Affordable student flats in areas like Liverpool and Middlesbrough are providing rental yields up to 7 times higher than in London. Investing in student property can be especially profitable as there is reliable high demand and consistent rents, meaning shorter void periods. There are also stark regional differences, the North of England is now the only option for investors looking for cash generating assets. Manchester has received the largest number of investments outside London, and the Manchester-Liverpool metropolitan area is ranked the 10th most popular location in the world for foreign investment. Manchester has a large student community with four universities and houses a student population of 100,000, meaning demand for rental properties will remain high. Liverpool currently has some of the UK’s largest public investment projects, like the £5 billion Liverpool Waters Scheme. This has had a positive knock-on effect on Liverpool’s booming property investment market. The transformation of a 60-hectare brownfield site is making way for five new neighbourhoods and is part of a widescale regeneration of the region. Liverpool’s average house price also ranks well below the UK average; while the average UK property is valued at £231,422, the average house price in Liverpool is £148,031 which paints an attractive picture for any would-be investor. While the investment potential of properties along the Elizabeth line have been exhausted, areas around the Crossrail 2 still offer promising rental yields. Birmingham remains a UK property investment hotspot, having recently been ranked 21st for its overall investment prospects in Europe in 2018. The average house price in Birmingham stands at £183,399, as opposed to London’s £484,926, and has an average yield of 5.02%. Birmingham also offers great investment potential. Britain’s second most populous city has ambitious plans to improve transport links. As well as receiving the new Crossrail, Birmingham will see an extension to its metro, and Birmingham Airport is expected to add many more international routes over the next few years. Sourcing and buying are just the first steps in making a good property investment. Depending on your strategy, managing a portfolio efficiently is arguably the most important and time-consuming part of being a property investor. Luckily there are a range of cloud-based property management platforms that can save you time and money. With new cloud-based technology, you can manage your investments from anywhere in the world, broadening the areas you may consider for investment, and opening up the best opportunities from around the world. Systems including GoTenant and Arthur Online are entirely customisable. You can use them to remain in a central managerial position while not actually being on the ground, as things like tenant check/out can be handled by local agents. You can arrange viewings, sign documents and assign workorders to contractors all through dedicated apps. This new generation of proptech is making the property sector more connected, ultimately helping investors manage and grow their portfolios efficiently and hassle free, while opening up the most profitable opportunities. Marc Trup is the Founder and CEO of Arthur Online After selling his business to BUPA in 1998, Marc started investing in rental properties in London. Over the next 15 years Marc grew his portfolio to over 85 properties. While successful, self-managing his portfolio became increasingly difficult. With technological advances and greater connectivity, he assumed there was software available that would allow him to manage his business from his smart phone, while sipping espresso at the local coffee shop. Following a long search, he found that nothing quite cut the mustard. So being an entrepreneur, he started Arthur Online to make not only his life easier, but also that of other property managers. Arthur Online is a cloud-based platform that enables property managers to respond instantly and solve problems fast from anywhere in the world, be it with tenants, contractors, property owners or letting agents. Since launching in 2015, it has helped thousands of property managers like Marc run their portfolios in the cheapest, most efficient way possible by using the full potential of new technology and cloud computing. Start your free trial today by going to www.arthuronline.co.uk
A new flooring finish was required for a school atrium which hundreds of children use or pass through each day. Because the atrium floods this area of the school with so much light through a Perspex roof, it meant that whatever was chosen had to be UV stable, hard wearing and safe. With hundreds of children crossing the floor each day in the Radclyffe School in Oldham, Greater Manchester, priorities were for an improved decorative finish which was safe, suitable for steps and compatible with existing large expansion joints as there had been a lot of movement in this building. The system also had to be economic, hard-wearing, easily cleaned, have low odour during application and chemical resistance, slip resistance and non-dusting. Sherwin-Williams’ technical flooring experts looked at their diverse range of options for this specific application covering 800 sq metres. The floor finish chosen was a multi-coat resin system incorporating decorative multi-coloured Resuflake, with clear seal coats ensuring strong UV stability because of the amount of natural light coming into the area. This complements adjacent flagstone areas in the school atrium, and provides a continuous flooring system which is safe, easily cleaned and hard-wearing for the long-term. Because the system was applied to a concrete substrate, it also became a part of the building rather than an add-on and meets all original requirements. Contact Sherwin-Williams, tel +44 (0)1204 556420, email sales.uk@sherwin.com or see https://protectiveemea.sherwin-williams.com/
Almost 3 years after opening the doors of a purpose-built hire depot on Aberdeen’s East Tullos Industrial Estate, Jarvie Plant Group say they’re now firmly established and geared up for growth. The Grangemouth-based firm are now working with businesses across a whole range of sectors including house building, construction, local authority, events and renewables. On Wednesday last week Jarvie Plant hosted a Demo Day at their 1.5-acre facility on Greenbank Road at which an array of hire equipment, including plant, accommodation and vehicles, was on show. The firm recently announced it had made a further ‘significant investment’ in its fleet of hire equipment with the addition of telehandlers, rotating telescoping handlers (rotos), access platforms, and industrial forklifts. To cope with the demand from the construction sector and house builders, all of the new machines will be made available across the Group’s network of 9 depots serving Scotland and the north west of England. “We have enjoyed a steady start since opening in Aberdeen and we’re more than ready to support some major new projects in the region,” says Jarvie Plant Group’s sales director, Ian Hutchison “As the long awaited AWPR nears its final completion we’re in a strong position to provide high quality equipment to projects such as Countesswells or the expansion of Aberdeen Harbour.” Jarvie Plant’s depot is located to the south of the city centre which according to their regional operations manager, Graeme Milne, has proved to be of strategic importance since opening: “Being based where we are means we are very accessible from the main routes leading into and out of the city allowing us to react quickly to customer requirements. “In one recent situation we provided Aberdeen Harbour’s principal contractor with 12 tonne and a 16 tonne self-propelled rollers within an hour of an order being placed.” Last winter, the firm also provided several telehandlers which which were used to load up gritters in the Aberdeenshire region from October to March. Following the completion of AWPR the next major infrastructure project will be the upgrade of the 108-mile-long railway line between Aberdeen and Inverness due for completion in 2030. “We have extensive knowledge and experience of similar projects having supplied plant to the Borders Railway, M8, M74 and Queensferry Crossing in recent years,” added Mr Hutchison. “In that particular project our 360-degree rotational telehandler provided the client with a significant saving.”
Forticrete will be showcasing its innovative range of precision engineered concrete building products at the Build Show, part of UK Construction Week (October 9-11 2018). Amongst the products on display will be its Low Pitched Roof Window System and SL8® large format roof tile. Forticrete’s low pitch roof window system has been specifically developed to enable roof windows to be installed at pitches as low as 10° – much lower than many other systems, when used with Forticrete’s Centurion roof tile. Designed primarily for single storey extensions, the revolutionary system includes a patented two-piece tray drainage flow system. This stops water pooling and leaking by collecting water running under the tiles, dispersing it and controlling its flow into the guttering with no overshoot. The SL8 roof tile is another innovation designed to meet the increasing demands of the roofing market. With just 8 tiles per square metre needed it provides greater coverage with approximately 20% less tiles required per roof. It also has the visual characteristics of natural slate with benefits that no other interlocking tile can match. John Lambert, Managing Director of Forticrete, says the Build Show is the ideal opportunity to discover Forticrete’s range of products. He comments: “With well documented waiting times for popular building products, and margins being squeezed, we’re actively encouraging everybody in the supply chain to look at the alternatives, such as products made from concrete. Our precision engineered range includes products which are revolutionary in design and meet the growing demands of the construction sector. By considering materials that are sustainable, durable and have a more competitive price point, it provides a win-win for everyone in the supply chain.” Forticrete, part of Ibstock plc, is a leading manufacturer of concrete roof tiles, architectural masonry and walling and cast stone. Visit Forticrete at Stand B642 or visit www.forticrete.co.uk.