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 Brinell Building, a speculative office development in Brighton, has been fully let ahead of completion in June 2019. The newly developed 65,253 sq ft Grade A, seven-storey office building, is being delivered by developer and contractor McAleer & Rushe. The Brinell Building achieved record rents for the city with
Do you manage a block (or blocks) fitted with a fire alarm system? If so, to remain compliant with British Standard 5839 you should be testing the system every week. In my experience this is simply not happening. It is unrealistic to expect property managers to visit all their sites
Fashion trends change every year and yet the redesign of a kitchen can be expected to last 10 years or more. So how do you design a kitchen that will not only feel fresh and modern today, but also remain functional throughout the entire life of the design. What is
Forticrete has been granted three UK patents for its innovative SL8® large format roof tile. The leading manufacturer of concrete roof tiles, architectural masonry and walling and cast stone, which is part of Ibstock plc, has been granted patents which cover the camber of the tile, interlocking design and features and
SELECT, the campaigning body for Scotland’s electrical sector professionals, has joined with other organisations across the country to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group. Since its inception in 1993, SEC Group has provided a strong lobbying voice to support the specialist engineering sector especially in
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.
The Brinell Building, a speculative office development in Brighton, has been fully let ahead of completion in June 2019. The newly developed 65,253 sq ft Grade A, seven-storey office building, is being delivered by developer and contractor McAleer & Rushe. The Brinell Building achieved record rents for the city with each pre-let transaction, topping out at £32.00 per sq ft. Unity Technologies, the ApS video game development company based in San Francisco with a market cap in the region of $2.5Bn (May 2017), has become the final occupier to take space at The Brinell Building. The tech company, who will be the anchor tenant, has committed to 37,398 sq ft over the first to fourth floors on a ten-year lease. Unity Technologies joins other standout occupiers including Diversified, the leading technology integrator delivering innovative digital media, broadcasting, electronic security and OTT solutions, which has pre-let 8,272 sq ft on the ground floor on a 15-year lease. As well as professional services firm Dehns which has pre-let the top two floors covering 18,514 sq ft on a 15-year lease. Angus Monteith, Property Development Director at McAleer & Rushe, said: “McAleer & Rushe successfully developed CityView in 2016 and we saw the opportunity to bring forward additional office space to meet untapped demand in central Brighton. Our decision to speculatively develop The Brinell Building has been rewarded with 100% pre-lettings to a first class tenant line-up six months ahead of practical completion.” Jack Riley, Associate, National Offices Knight Frank, said: “The Brighton occupier market has historically been underpinned by corporate giants like L&G, American Express and BUPA but the letting success at The Brinell Building highlights demand from the ever-expanding TMT sector. Brighton’s amenity offering coupled with a young, skilled labour force and growing tech sector is making it a hotbed for talent. With vacancy rates at an all-time low, speculative schemes providing Grade A office stock, such as The Brinell Building, are crucial for the continued growth of Brighton’s thriving business community.” Emma Lockey, Associate at CBRE, said: “We have worked alongside Unity for a number of years, advising on its original offices at CityView. We are delighted to have secured The Brinell Building for one of Brighton’s rapidly growing businesses in what is one of the largest office pre-lets for many years.” Knight Frank acted jointly with SHW for McAleer & Rushee and CBRE acted for Unity Technologies.
Do you manage a block (or blocks) fitted with a fire alarm system? If so, to remain compliant with British Standard 5839 you should be testing the system every week. In my experience this is simply not happening. It is unrealistic to expect property managers to visit all their sites weekly to test the fire alarm is in good working order. And paying for a ‘skilled person’ to carry out these tests can prove expensive over the course of a year. However, these arguments won’t wash if you find yourself involved in a dispute revolving around an untested alarm system. With this in mind, Future Fire Systems is offering a solution to make testing simple and ensure the safety of all your residents – why not let us train your cleaning team, or any contractor that attends your sites weekly, to test the alarms for you. What’s involved in weekly testing? For fire alarm systems with a control panel (BS 5839) a testing regime could be to: Test a different manual call point each week Confirm that the fire alarm equipment is providing an output to the fire alarm sounders Confirm that the fire alarm equipment is providing an output to an ARC (Alarm Receiving Centre) – if applicable The result of the weekly test and the identity of the manual call point could then be recorded in the system logbook. If the system is connected to NOD*, the property manager will receive the weekly fire alarm test signal, so KPIs can be monitored. In addition, for interlinked fire alarms of the domestic type, good practice for a weekly test would be to: Test a different sensor each time Confirm that the sensor activates its sounder, along with others that are interconnected – if practical The result of the weekly test and the identity of the sensor can then be recorded in the system logbook. Six- monthly inspections – which are common – are too far apart. That’s leaving it a very long time before you discover that something isn’t quite right with the system/signalling. Ensuring that systems that are tested weekly, at approximately the same time each week (or at least on the same day) and advising residents that this service is in place, not only promotes the professionalism of the property manager but also gives flat owners peace of mind that the system is working. Train the trainer Of course, each site will have a different version of the fire alarm control panel, along with different manual call points. We are happy to train the supervisor of the cleaning or maintenance team to ensure he or she is fully competent to carry out the testing. If you are interested in accessing this service, we will provide: Crib sheet for each site specific Correct test key for call points Correct fire alarm panel control key A, B, C guide on testing the call point / silencing the control panel / resetting the control panel / data entry to the log book / contact name _ number if system didn’t perform to requirements *NOD is an auto-notification device that can be retro-fitted into existing alarm control panels to monitor systems in real time, sending signals to a cloud-based app or web portal if the system is in fault or fire condition. Bradley Parker, Managing Director at Future Fire Systems.
Fashion trends change every year and yet the redesign of a kitchen can be expected to last 10 years or more. So how do you design a kitchen that will not only feel fresh and modern today, but also remain functional throughout the entire life of the design. What is making all the difference in current design is the useful of new technology and clever solutions to ensure that function does not have to be sacrificed for fashion. In addition, greater focus is being given to smaller kitchens for modern apartment and city living which have very different needs compared to the huge american kitchens so often used to showcase modern kitchen design. Space is at a premium, and small kitchens are expected to work hard than ever in the home. Here are some of the ways in which 2019 trends are being influenced by smarter solutions and use of space. Clever space solutions more important than ever The kitchen is the heart of the home. Often the most used room in the house, not only for spending time with family but highly functional in the preparation of food. This is why it is so important for the flow of movement through the kitchen to be clear of obstacles and have a natural order to things. We have all known for many years the optimal triangle for placement of the sink, fridge and oven or hob, yet you also need to ensure you can work easily between the three without getting obstructed by an open cabinet door. You also need to make sure you can easily reach your appliances and other kitchen utensils and crockery. Depending on the layout of your kitchen, switching how the cupboards open can make all the difference, especially in the corners. By switching the corner cabinet hinges to a style that not only swings out , but fold back on themselves, you can save a surprising amount of room, but also reduce obstruction to the contents. Perfect for busy kitchens when you are constantly in and out of cupboards, and perfect for any corner or L-shaped unit. Access all areas, no more continuously rearranging cabinets The other issue with space, is actually being able to access all the internal cupboard space. How often have much loved appliances remained unused at the back of a dark cupboard because it is a lot of trouble to reach it. Or worse – every time we want to use the blender the entire cupboard contents have to come out. With the right kitchen corner cabinet solutions now available, this no longer needs to be the case. The new innovations are going to be big in design this year, in addition they are also quick to assemble and practical. Solutions such as the ‘Rincoplus40’ for example has a moveable corner post that opens the corner unit up wide. Alternatively there is also the ‘Rincobasic40’ design which also gives 100% access, but opens from the centre outwards, like you would see on a typical double wall cabinet, but designed to fit neatly into a corner unit. Minimal hardware with sleek lines and finishes Another big trend for 2019 is a big reduction in visible hardware such as traditional handles. Sleek lines and clean finishes will be big in the coming year and there is no better way to show this than through the use of clever profile handles. Profile handles are key in any modern minimalist design. Integrating neatly into the front of a kitchen cabinet or drawer, aesthetically it can appear as if there are no handles at all. Elegant and revolutionary in their design and installation using the innovative click system, the various Syma S32, Syma 50 Customizable, Syma 32 Inglete, Syma 2 Inglete, models will be big this coming year. Available in all the finishes set to be big in kitchen design, such as the darker colours and matt finishes tips to be hot next year also they are perfect for kitchen designs. These small innovative touches are what makes a kitchen stand the test of time, and these types of features will be considered a must have in kitchen cabinet solutions in the future.
Forticrete has been granted three UK patents for its innovative SL8® large format roof tile. The leading manufacturer of concrete roof tiles, architectural masonry and walling and cast stone, which is part of Ibstock plc, has been granted patents which cover the camber of the tile, interlocking design and features and dry verge design. Specifically, the patent for its dry verge design includes the term concealed guttering as the tile channels water to the gutter. The SL8 roof tile was 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. Additional benefits include its thin leading edge – which is up to 50% thinner than other large format tiles – which creates an impressive visual characteristic. John Lambert, Managing Director of Forticrete, comments: “Forticrete has a long history of introducing innovative products which offer building efficiencies. Our SL8 roof tile is one of these and we are delighted to have achieved these design patents. In designing the SL8 tile, we listened to what our customers wanted; the result is an innovative roof tile that meets market demands. It reduces the number of tiles needed for a roof by up to 20%, meaning it is more cost efficient and tiles are easier to handle and lay. The aesthetics of SL8 are also much more appealing as its thin leading edge and dimensions go a long way to replicate real slate. “Being awarded three UK patents means we have 20 years protection on our design and our customers can be assured they are using market leading products for the construction projects.” Forticrete is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of concrete construction products including roof tiles, concrete decorative facing blocks, walling stone and cast stone dressings. For more information visit www.forticrete.co.uk.
SELECT, the campaigning body for Scotland’s electrical sector professionals, has joined with other organisations across the country to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group. Since its inception in 1993, SEC Group has provided a strong lobbying voice to support the specialist engineering sector especially in the vital areas of contractual issues. In value terms, members of the SECG represent the largest sector of UK construction, comprising the industry’s premier trade associations. In exclusively working on behalf of specialist contractors, it has not only improved the trading environment but it has also become a driver for real l change and a strong proponent of a more collaborative and project-oriented culture. Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, said: “Electrical contractors were among the first to agree, that specialist engineering required its own representational body and SELECT has been proud to be a part of SEC Group over the years. “SEC Group aims to influence at the highest levels of government and it continues to do that by offering well-researched, sensible, pragmatic solutions which are of significant benefit to both businesses and their clients.” SEC Group now includes; the British Constructional Steelwork Association; the Building Engineering Services Association; ECA, the electrotechnical and engineering services trade body; the Lift and Escalator Industry Association; the Scaffolding Association; SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland; and SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation. Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan, the President of SEC Group, said: “Specialist engineering contractors across the UK deliver design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair and replacement of complex structures and systems. “Over 25 years, the group has worked tirelessly to inculcate a greater awareness amongst policy makers of the specialist engineering contribution to the life cycle of buildings and structures. In terms of the technologies involved that contribution is huge and will continue to grow.” Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills in the Scottish Parliament, said: “Over the years, SEC Group has grown significantly and the businesses it represents now account for 35% of the construction output across the UK. “In particular, I welcome the commitment SEC Group members have made to promoting and providing career and training opportunities for our young people through the protection and expansion of the apprenticeship programme.” SELECT’s 1250 member companies account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland. They have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000 people. For more information please contact Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577. F: 0131 445 5548. E: admin@select.org.uk. W: www.select.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/updates_select https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJVjt14CvIig8bIKwidVug