Electric vehicle charging provider Pod Point has won a three-year supplier agreement with Kier. The agreement will see Pod Point provide chargepoint installations at Kier offices across the UK, including six twin 7kW charge points at its UK headquarters in Sandy, Bedfordshire. To support the growing number of its employees
Construction-related companies across Scotland are being hit by a double whammy of rising costs and late payment, according to an influential new business survey which tracks quarterly activity and trends. On the issue of payment, respondents to the survey confirmed that just under half of all payments from public sector bodies
Leading property maintenance provider Horbury Property Services, based in Rotherham, has won a contract with Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Derbyshire to provide planned maintenance and refurbishment services. The contract is for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend the contract for a further two years, and involves properties
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new Head of Test Services Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez as Head of the BBA Testing Unit, based in Watford, Hertfordshire. Alvaro is a chartered engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously held
Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor
BEESTON in Nottingham is set to benefit from a new mixed-use development which will bring 132 new homes, a cinema and food and drink outlets to the East Midlands town. A two-acre site is now being offered for sale as a freehold development and is expected to reach offers in
Figures published last week highlight the fact that our major contractors are a spent force, and ultimately why they should no longer be allowed to dominate the industry and influence government policy around construction. Disappointingly, even after the collapse of Carillion, major contractors continue to sweep up the vast majority
Building services firm and gas specialists, J Tomlinson, are proud supporters of Gas Safety Week 2018, which will be taking place between 17th – 23rd September. The campaign, now in its eighth year, is designed and co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, and aims to raise awareness of the vital importance
VPS Site Security, responsible for Europe’s largest fleet of CCTV Towers, has backed a ‘Secure It, Keep It’ campaign to reduce a rising trend in construction crime. Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation, together with Ireland’s National Police and Security Service reported a 35% rise in construction crime last year. Vehicle theft
One of Ireland’s leading testing and inspection specialists for lifting equipment has switched to a new RFID system to improve safety and efficiency. Cork based Anderco Lifting is using CoreRFID‘s CheckedOK system for its on-site reports. CheckedOK offers equipment safety testing and inventory reports enabling users to pull all data
Electric vehicle charging provider Pod Point has won a three-year supplier agreement with Kier. The agreement will see Pod Point provide chargepoint installations at Kier offices across the UK, including six twin 7kW charge points at its UK headquarters in Sandy, Bedfordshire. To support the growing number of its employees opting to drive plug-in vehicles, the partnership will also assist with the provision of domestic charge points. In addition, Kier has also carried out several successful trials of electric vans for its commercial fleet. Anthony Parish, group director of Fleet for Kier, said: “More and more of our workforce are interested in and opting to drive electric cars and we are delighted to support this movement by working with Pod Point as one of our preferred suppliers to install charging points across the country. “We are committed to offering travel solutions that enable our diverse business and workforce to conduct its work in an environmentally responsible manner and it supports our overall company vision and strategy to reduce our use of energy 30%, by 2030.” Erik Fairbairn, CEO and founder of Pod Point, said: “It’s always a privilege to work with a company that’s involved in the kind of large scale, prestigious projects that Kier is synonymous with. At Pod Point we’ve launched some exciting products to support largescale chargepoint installations, such as our Array Charging load balancing system. To be chosen as a preferred supplier by companies like Kier is testament to our product innovation and dedication to offering the best possible customer experience.”
Construction-related companies across Scotland are being hit by a double whammy of rising costs and late payment, according to an influential new business survey which tracks quarterly activity and trends. On the issue of payment, respondents to the survey confirmed that just under half of all payments from public sector bodies were made within 30 days. But by contrast, only 30% of payments from commercial clients were made within 30 days with the rest taking up to 89 days to settle their accounts. The survey was carried out on behalf of the Electrical Contractors Association, the Building Engineering Services Association, Scottish electrical trade body SELECT and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation. It also showed that the costs faced by companies shot up in the second quarter of the year, reflecting ongoing political uncertainty and wider international commodity ramifications. More than 70% of respondents said that material costs were higher than at the start of the year whilst 29.51% said that the cost of being tendered to had risen. Other Scottish Government initiatives to improve payment were having little overall impact with just over 10% of respondents saying that their organisations’ projects used Project Bank Accounts (PBAs). Darrell Matthews, who took over as Managing Director of SELECT earlier this year, said: “The construction sector is currently in a good place in Scotland, but this masks some bad practice in the industry, as this survey highlights. “Whilst it’s good to see some public sector clients’ efforts on fair payment policy heading in the right direction, it is vital to ensure that SMEs, the lifeblood of the Scottish economy, are paid on time. “It is also a tribute to the resilience of both small and large employers that they are generally more optimistic about future work despite rising costs and recurring late payment issues. “The Scottish Government could do more to assist SMEs by enforcing their own powers under the Procurement Act to make sure payments are made on time right down the contractual chain. Changes to the levels at which PBAs are introduced would also help in speeding up payment”. 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. The organisation helps to shape the market environment by representing the industry to all levels of government and helps influence legislation to create industry conditions which enable member firms to provide a quality service and maintain profitability. For more information please contact Alan Wilson, Head of Membership and Communications at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T: 0131 445 5577. E: admin@select.org.uk. W: www.select.org.uk Twitter: http://twitter.com/updates_select
Leading property maintenance provider Horbury Property Services, based in Rotherham, has won a contract with Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Derbyshire to provide planned maintenance and refurbishment services. The contract is for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend the contract for a further two years, and involves properties across its whole estate, ranging from carrying out small repairs to large refurbishment projects. Richard Sutton, General Manager at Horbury Property Services, said: “This is our latest contract win in the healthcare sector, which is a result of our expertise in property maintenance. We demonstrated that we were able to offer a service that is excellent value for money, as well as having the expertise to deliver high quality repair and refurbishment services.” This latest contract follows Horbury Property Services recently becoming one of the delivery partners on a three year framework agreement to provide repairs and refurbishment work to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The company also recently became an approved supplier of hard FM services to NHS Shared Business Services (SBS). This agreement will see Horbury Property Services providing fire door inspection and remedial, building fabric maintenance, flooring services, ironmongery, partitioning and re-lamping services. Horbury Property Services provides a full range of repair, refurbishment and maintenance works. This includes inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of fire doors, joinery works, fire stopping, sealing, fire compartmentation, planned preventative maintenance regimes, portable appliance testing, electrical testing and installation work, building fabric repairs as well as external cladding and render repairs. In addition, the wider Horbury Group provides dry wall partitioning, painting and decorating, ceiling and flooring upgrades and de-mountable screens, amongst others. The company has regional offices in London and South Wales, together with a South Yorkshire Head Office, ensuring a truly national capability. This regional presence enables its teams to successfully deliver responsive repairs or large planned refurbishment and maintenance programmes. For more details, visit www.horburypropertyservices.com or call 01709 917555.
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new Head of Test Services Alvaro Enguita-Gonzalez as Head of the BBA Testing Unit, based in Watford, Hertfordshire. Alvaro is a chartered engineer with more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously held the role of Business Manager – Construction at Lucideon, a position which brought him into the testing and certification industry. He holds a degree in Construction Engineering from Valladolid University, Spain, and is a Chartered Construction Engineer at COITAG and member of the Chartered Management Institute. Alvaro’s career has taken him over many roles, all of which have given him experience across the full construction project life cycle, from building design to construction consultancy, product manufacturing, building surveying and construction management. He brings in-depth knowledge of the construction industry coupled with strong expertise in business management to his new role within BBA Test Services. The testing unit employs 21 people and performs more than 1,000 tests each year, either for BBA Certification, at the request of manufacturers bringing new construction products to market, or for those wishing to evaluate the technical performance of existing products. Alvaro said: “The BBA offers me the opportunity of working at the most respected testing, product approval and certification and assurance organisation in the UK. I am working alongside an incredible group of professionals, all dedicated to upholding the highest standards within the construction sector and developing services to better fulfill our clients’ needs and match the requirements of the industry.” BBA Commercial and Marketing Director Richard Beale said: “We are happy to have Alvaro join the team and believe his experience and vision will continue to grow the scope, influence and expertise of the BBA Test Unit.”
Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor Boyle who had all but given up hope after applying for job after job but never hearing back. New-dad Connor, from Kersal, who welcomed his daughter into the world in June, said: “When I found out I’d got it, I was over the moon. I just want the chance to make a future for myself and my daughter. “I’d applied for so many different jobs and apprenticeships and had never been successful. I’d given up hope, but Salix Homes has been so supportive and all the way through the recruitment process, they made me believe I could do it – and now I know I can.” Connor is embarking on a plumbing apprenticeship, following in his grandad’s footsteps, and will be learning the tools of the trade four days a week while spending a day in the classroom with education providers Total People, working towards an NVQ. Over the past three years Salix Homes has created more than 50 apprenticeship positions through its Earn as You Learn programme, both within the organisation and with its partner contractors. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our newest cohort of apprentices onto our successful Earn as You Learn apprenticeship programme, which is helping local people in Salford build themselves a bright future. “An apprenticeship is a fantastic route for not only the apprentice, but for Salix Homes as an employer too. They’re gaining essential skills and experience while getting paid, while for Salix Homes, we are providing opportunities for local people and building our workforce of the future. “Our latest apprentice cohort will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of a dedicated mentor who will provide one-on-one support throughout their apprenticeship journey.” The new apprentices joining Salix Homes’ Repairs and Maintenance Team have been provided with new toolkits from its partner building merchants – Travis Perkins Managed Services. Maggie Devine, social value manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: “We are passionate about supporting apprentices coming into the industry, and hope that the provision of these new tools will support them on their journey to train in their chosen profession. We wish them the best of luck through their apprenticeship and their future career.”
BEESTON in Nottingham is set to benefit from a new mixed-use development which will bring 132 new homes, a cinema and food and drink outlets to the East Midlands town. A two-acre site is now being offered for sale as a freehold development and is expected to reach offers in excess of £1.5 million. Broxtowe Borough Council – which is acting as the lead developer – is in advanced negotiations with a national cinema operator after unanimously securing full consent and outline planning consent for 79,182 square foot residential and 6,225 square foot of commercial space. Councillor Richard Jackson, Leader of the Council for Broxtowe Borough Council said: “Beeston presents an exciting development opportunity for those who are looking to capitalise on an up-and-coming area of Nottingham, which is fast becoming a destination of choice for many businesses. “This scheme gives the town space to grow further by offering modern and flexible spaces for restaurants, bars and cafes alongside flexible lease commercial opportunities in an already thriving area. We’re working to revitalise Beeston’s night-time economy by driving increased footfall to the town from the local and surrounding communities.” The development offers four commercial units available to lease on flexible lease terms for retail and food and drink tenants. Jackson added: “We’re confident that we will secure a cinema tenant with up to six screens in the coming months and we’re looking forward to taking this project forward. It’s only right that we ensure Beeston takes advantage of the growth opportunities taking place in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands.” The scheme forms the second phase of a £50 million development which involved the refurbishment of the shopping precinct, new and improved public transport connecting the town to the NET tram network, more retailers, cafes and a gym. Work is expected to start next year and will consist of two buildings with surrounding landscaping and additional outdoor space for people to enjoy. The scheme has been developed by Nottingham-based Leonard Design Architects and is being marketed by agents HEB Tel: 0115 950 6611 and JLL Tel: 0115 908 2120. For more information on the scheme and to view the designs, visit https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-business/town-centres/beeston/beeston-square/
Figures published last week highlight the fact that our major contractors are a spent force, and ultimately why they should no longer be allowed to dominate the industry and influence government policy around construction. Disappointingly, even after the collapse of Carillion, major contractors continue to sweep up the vast majority of publicly funded projects. Local authorities are still falling over themselves to outsource, and despite nice words, small works packages continue to be bundled up into mammoth frameworks, locking out small and medium sized contractors who have the genuine ability to deliver. Turning over £27bn between them, the country’s top ten contractors managed to return a loss of £189m; yes, a loss. On top of that, they are riddled with a debt pile of £3.8bn and no realistic prospect of paying it back any time soon. Their assets are worth less than their debt, they owe more to their suppliers than they are owed by their clients, and at any point – if a line were to be drawn in the sand – most of them by any normal measure would be declared insolvent. The picture improves as you reduce turnover. The optimum turnover for a construction firm seems to be around £500m, yet historically this has not satisfied institutional share-holders, so firms in that bracket (unless privately owned) go through rapid expansion or are vulnerable to aggressive takeover. My previous employer, Alfred McAlpine returned healthy profits, boasted happy employees, valued customers and a full order book and yet were swallowed up by Carillion who had none of the above. And this was all because Carillion convinced the clueless stock market investors that the merger made perfect sense and that “synergy savings” would increase dividends to shareholders. We now have the likes of Balfour Beatty saying they are putting margin above turnover, but do they really mean it, and will they stick to the plan when their share price starts to dip? Kier have increased their turnover and along with it doubled their debt and reduced their margin. It won’t be long before, like Carillion, Kier’s biggest profit centre will be the CITB grant and levy scheme. Interserve lost a staggering £244m, and Laing O Rourke, who would have followed Carillion by now if not privately owned, have done really well only losing £66m this year down from £245m last time out. And many of the household names will be caught up in the Crossrail bun fight as the client gets tough after acceleration costs failed to deliver the scheme on time. The big boys, the fund managers who invest in them, and those who are paid to write about them like to overcomplicate matters hiding what is blatantly obvious behind overly complicated valuation mechanisms and jargon. And maybe that’s the nub of the problem, large construction projects used to generate positive cashflow but a low margin at final account. Back in those days when they were owned by those who needed cash, this suited just fine. However, it doesn’t now suit stock market algorithms which generate an insatiable hunger for growth. And regardless, modern contracts do not generate the same positive cashflow as they used to and FM contracts suck it up. The cold, hard facts are that these firms are too big to manage; their multi-millionaire execs are captains of rudderless ships, they have diversified beyond their core markets, bought up failing competitors to sing to the stock market tune and it won’t be long before more of them are holed below the waterline. Carillion is just the latest big name to disappear, the big names 20 years ago included Amec, McAlpine, John Laing, Birse, and Mowlem. The question I would like to ask is – how long does this carry on before the majors lose their influence and grip, and we can move on and reform?
Building services firm and gas specialists, J Tomlinson, are proud supporters of Gas Safety Week 2018, which will be taking place between 17th – 23rd September. The campaign, now in its eighth year, is designed and co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, and aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of gas safety and ensuring gas appliances throughout the home and workplace are properly maintained. A poorly maintained gas appliance has the potential to lead to devastating consequences, including gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – the ‘silent killer’ which causes approximately 25 deaths in England and Wales every year. In 2017, thousands of organisations across the UK signed up to help promote awareness of gas safety amongst their customers and local communities. This year, J Tomlinson will be running a week-long campaign starting two days ahead of Gas Safety Week, where the company will be spreading the word at the Nottingham City Homes Annual Fun Day with activities and educational materials for all the family. Whilst parents will be provided with informative leaflets and flyers, children will be able to take home gas safety-specific puzzles and quizzes designed by Gas Safe Register – and will even have the chance to get a themed glitter “tattoo” of the symbolic blue flame. While gas has become an important part of our lives and its increasing prices make people to look for gas gift cards, it is very much required to use this resource efficiently. The company will also be taking to social media to manage a six-day Gas Safety quiz, which will test consumers’ knowledge on the topic, such as how often gas appliances should be checked, as well as startling statistics about gas safety in the UK. Individuals with the most correct answers will be entered into a prize draw to win a carbon monoxide alarm and a Love2shop gift card. J Tomlinson, which primarily operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, works with numerous organisations to provide a 24/7 gas service to clients including Ashfield District Council, emh homes and Bromford Group. 100% of gas work is undertaken by the firm’s directly employed workforce – offering a 3* gas service and 4* star gas service to customers. Steve Kirkland, managing director (repairs and maintenance/facilities management) at J Tomlinson, commented: “J Tomlinson has provided gas servicing, maintenance and installation for over 20 years, and we pride ourselves on our knowledge and expertise in the areas of safety, workmanship and customer service. With over 21 million UK households using gas for heating, hot water and cooking, we are passionate about promoting the importance of gas safety to our customers and local communities, and strongly encourage all homeowners to ensure their gas appliances are checked on an annual basis by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can verify by checking their ID card.” Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s so vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe.” Nottingham-based J Tomlinson offers a range of integrated building services which include construction, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), facilities management, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance and regeneration. The company works in many sectors, including supported living, care home and senior living, health, commercial, industrial, blue light and heritage. For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk. To find out more about how you can help stay gas safe, visit https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk.
VPS Site Security, responsible for Europe’s largest fleet of CCTV Towers, has backed a ‘Secure It, Keep It’ campaign to reduce a rising trend in construction crime. Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation, together with Ireland’s National Police and Security Service reported a 35% rise in construction crime last year. Vehicle theft from building sites made up over 40% of these crimes. “This staggering rise in thefts in Ireland is likely to be reflected across the UK and Northern Ireland experience also, where the latest estimates calculate plant and equipment worth up to £2 million a day is stolen from construction sites” comments Mark Wilson, Head of Operations at VPS Site Security. “So little of the stolen tools and equipment are recovered, the key to managing down this cost is to get the security right first time.” VPS Site Security has listed their ‘Great Eight’ Secure It, Keep it checklist tips: Set up CCTV – JCB SmartTowers, with day and night vision cameras, remote control movement and both pre-recorded and live response audible warning systems are “like having several guards 24/7 on site.” Check and secure perimeters Fences or hoardings are effective to keep a compound secure Deploy good lighting especially when the clocks go back (October 28th) Keep the number of gates to site entrance to a minimum Temporary security alarms should be used that can operate without external power and be easily relocated as the construction site develops Control access to the site – and use the CCTV to help monitor and check visitors Store your tools and equipment in a secure area – some sites use sea containers to lock up and store their equipment Report all thefts and suspicious activity on sites to the police VPS Site Security provide inspections for construction sites to help identify potential security weak spots. VPS www.vpsgroup.com Phone: 0330 005 5300
One of Ireland’s leading testing and inspection specialists for lifting equipment has switched to a new RFID system to improve safety and efficiency. Cork based Anderco Lifting is using CoreRFID‘s CheckedOK system for its on-site reports. CheckedOK offers equipment safety testing and inventory reports enabling users to pull all data together in one place and send it directly to clients. Its RFID based system can reduce reporting times from a couple of days to a matter of minutes. It can be integrated into users’ IT systems and customised for specific client needs such as adding new equipment categories. Anderco, which is well-established in the Irish utilities, chemicals, construction and petroleum industries, is planning to offer a new training service for its CheckedOK users. Anderco’s MD Jim Lennon comments: ‘Our previous system could no longer deliver the increased functionality, flexibility and time efficiency clients increasingly want from their reporting systems. CheckedOK enables us to offer clients the service they want as well as improving our processes, especially in terms of booking in regular checks.’ CoreRFID’s technical director Munzi Ali comments: ‘The CheckedOK Solution is widely used to help improve safety management in construction, engineering, manufacturing and chemical industries. ‘The system enables customers to easily collect and access inspection data using handheld computers, Android and Windows tablet devices or mobile phones and so reduce human error as well as speeding-up the process. ‘Even though its well-established, we’re looking to continually update its capabilities and functions and we recently added a camera to complement data collection.’ CoreRFID’s Irish client base includes long-time users of CheckedOK Walter Watson, which manufactures overhead cranes, Prolift Handling, a supplier and service provider of lifting and material handling equipment and Hoistech, a specialist in manufacturing and testing lifting equipment. https://andercolifting.com www.corerfid.com About CoreRFID CoreRFID is a specialist developer and supplier of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) using mobile and fixed RFID readers. Its global client base includes GE Power, Astra Zeneca and ICL. Contact details Rob Baker rob@turquoisepr.co.uk