The pressure to meet an ever-increasing demand for school places is one that has been felt by local authorities across the UK for a number of years, with the requirement for places across primary, secondary and special education on the rise. The London Borough of Hounslow is one local authority
One of Canary Wharf’s spectacular high-rises, 20 Canada Square was subject to a crucial ceiling refurbishment by specialists SAS International. With 12 floors of commercial office space offering panoramic views of London’s financial district, the building’s contemporary finish optimises plenty of natural daylight from every angle. SAS has been a
Crime Prevention Through Pro-Social Design recognises that the offender is very likely to be part of our community and that enhancing an offender’s emotional or moral attachment to an area through its design may reduce their desire or inclination to commit crimes within the community A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield professor has investigated
Former England footballer Graeme Le Saux has been announced as this year’s guest speaker at the annual Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Education Awards. Graeme will lead the celebrations, which will recognise the outstanding educational achievements of the door hardware industry’s rising stars at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London
SELECT, the campaigning body for the electro-technical trade in Scotland, has been updating its members on key points from the newly launched 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations. SELECT’s Technical Standards Adviser, Bob Cairney, prepared the guide which is available in an on-line format to assist members to understand
Trade shows and exhibitions are a fantastic way of networking with like-minded professionals and customers, as well as generating leads. They’re the perfect way of cementing your brand within the industry, attracting new business and helping you to build new partnerships. Further to this, attending industry events allows you to
Architectural cladding specialist Pura Facades has been appointed as the sole UK distributor of VetaBric, the latest entrant to the fast-growing brick slip panel market. The lightweight panel alternative to traditional bricks can accurately reproduce the aesthetic of the majority of brick brands. It is also available in a new,
In 2005, the Fire Safety Legislation was implemented. The rules put an emphasis on fire safety and risk management, and the new legislation lays out the responsibilities of an organisation’s management. The legislation lays out the duty to manage fire safety, and describes what Fire Safety elements should be covered
Fork Lift Truck Association reveals ways companies and individuals can reward excellence (and be rewarded, too!) With preparations underway for the 2019 FLTA Annual Awards for Excellence, the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) is encouraging individuals and companies involved in lift truck operations to get involved. Now in its 25th
3D Laser Mapping Ltd and GeoSLAM Ltd merge, creating a global market leader in mapping and monitoring. Leading UK laser scanning and monitoring companies 3D Laser Mapping Ltd and GeoSLAM Ltd have merged to create one of the world’s most innovative mobile mapping and monitoring technology providers. 3D Laser Mapping
The pressure to meet an ever-increasing demand for school places is one that has been felt by local authorities across the UK for a number of years, with the requirement for places across primary, secondary and special education on the rise. The London Borough of Hounslow is one local authority that has proactively approached the challenge and worked with its partners to devise and deliver a solution. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard looks at the approach and its results so far. In 2012, Hounslow Council commissioned leading property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard to deliver multiple new primary, secondary and special education needs school places over a five-year period within challenging cost parameters. The requirement for new school places in Hounslow is extensive and as such, a dedicated multidisciplinary team has been allocated to develop the new and improved facilities. The £300 million Capital Expansion Programme once completed will have delivered 3,000 new primary places, a further 5,000 in secondary education and 600 new SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) places. The story so far Since the Capital Expansion Programme was established, more than 6,000 school places have been created by the local authority: 2,840 primary school 2,820 secondary school 440 SEN Working in partnership, Pick Everard has contributed significantly to this successful outcome, with new buildings and extensions at 24 primary, infant and junior schools, and some selected secondary schools. Alongside this, the firm has also undertaken a programme of dedicated refurbishment and new build projects to expand nine of the borough’s existing SEND sites culminating in substantial new build, all through specialist schools. Facing unique challenges Unlike many traditional school expansion and improvement schemes, Hounslow presented the team with a series of unique challenges as a result of the borough’s location under the flight path for Heathrow Airport. At its busiest, one plane lands or takes off here approximately every minute – meaning potential disruption to the teaching and learning environments sitting below. Working in collaboration with our acoustic sub-consultants to undertake detailed surveys at each school to determine exactly what impact the aircraft noise has on each site and what measures must be employed to mitigate this to provide a high-quality learning environment. Findings from these early site investigations allowed us to develop an affordable yet flexible design concept, incorporating a highly insulated concrete structural envelope combined with a sophisticated ventilation strategy, balancing noise insulation with thermal comfort. This bespoke acoustic design was adapted and applied to the new buildings as well as pre-existing schools throughout the programme, demonstrating value for money while delivering top quality facilities for staff and pupils. The completed projects have all been designed to withstand the effects of the evolving environment and any impact it might bring on the schools such as the Heathrow Airport expansion. An innovative approach An important part of ensuring best value and devising the most appropriate solutions was delivering an innovative approach throughout. As well as assessing the most suitable route for each project – an extension or refurbishment, or a full new build – for each individual school requirement, we also worked to deliver savings through modern methods of construction. We also implemented BIM throughout the programme to achieve an integrated approach, advancing designs and increasing stakeholder engagement during the design. For example: BIM training through free workshops to help the client understand and use the data efficiently Producing 3D walkthroughs and visuals to share with key stakeholders Community benefits Engaging with and providing opportunities for the communities in which we work is priority for the team at Pick Everard and this programme is no different. As well as addressing the need for additional school places across Hounslow, the programme has also delivered a number of benefits for the local community. Some 30 per cent of the workforce involved in this series of projects lived within 40 miles of the site and the entire supply chain spend was delivered through SMEs – ensuring a positive economic impact locally. It is hoped that sports facilities included within school projects across the borough will be available for wider community use outside of school hours in addition to pupils and teachers during term time – creating an important legacy for local people and benefitting not only school children but their families and neighbours. Value engineering Building in value was vital for the London Borough of Hounslow, which needed to keep to strict budgets and timescales throughout the programme – and this needed to be balanced with the requirement to deliver high quality new teaching and learning spaces. As well as looking at ways to save money on the actual build costs – through developing a standardised palette of materials and considering various modern methods of construction – Pick Everard worked with the client to provide construction solutions that will deliver value through greater longevity and reduced maintenance during the whole building life. New build or extension? This was most clearly demonstrated when initial plans proposed an extension to Hounslow Town Primary School but, upon examining the project in further detail, it was identified that a new build scheme on an adjacent site would actually offer better value and provide a long-term solution to pupil provision for the local authority. Not only did this mean that the school could be delivered with less disruption, but it also acted as a catalyst for further projects, including a brand new music centre for the community to use. What next? Pick Everard is working with the London Borough of Hounslow into 2020, completing an estimated £120m of school projects across the borough. It is expected that this second phase will be completed in September 2020. The firm boasts significant experience in the education sector, especially within London having worked on hundreds of schools within the M25 boundary in recent years. For example, the firm completed ten primary school expansions and five master plans for projects within the London Borough of Richmond. Our expertise has allowed us to work in collaboration
One of Canary Wharf’s spectacular high-rises, 20 Canada Square was subject to a crucial ceiling refurbishment by specialists SAS International. With 12 floors of commercial office space offering panoramic views of London’s financial district, the building’s contemporary finish optimises plenty of natural daylight from every angle. SAS has been a major supplier to the Canary Wharf vicinity since 1995, so the client, Brookfield Properties, desired SAS’ most sought-after and latest product to feature in 20 Canada Square’s new ceiling installation, SAS330i. In order to maintain its sleek interior and exterior, refurbishments are integral to the building’s overall aesthetic. SAS worked with the client to develop a unique ceiling containing fully integrated LED lighting. SAS ensures that all ceiling designs are built for the long-term; therefore, the new SAS330i system was installed alongside other large areas of SAS330 ceilings. SAS330i offers integrated lit c-profiles to enhance light throughout the floor. Other characteristics of the ceiling design include the floating edge trim TCA0862, which lightens the room even though the ceiling is enclosed in large floating islands. Overall, the ceiling generates buoyancy and brightness to increase the room’s impact whilst remaining efficient and practical. As this was a renovation of a post-modern building, there were certain challenges to overcome. The building’s complex floor plate contained curved corners and two large atriums, meaning SAS had to supply a combination of double and single lighting modules to create floating ceilings of different sizes. Although this added to the process, it ensured that every profile in each SAS330i ceiling fitted perfectly and was lit without any inconvenience. Other additions to the ceiling included the following: each 3m length of light was furnished with two DALI dimmable drivers to enable daylight energy saving where required. PIR sensors were installed to ensure energy is saved when the space is unoccupied, and plain c-profiles created a central service zone in order for integrated sprinkler systems to be allotted in the future. The 20 Canada Square refurbishment signifies SAS’ ability to meet the project’s aesthetic and performance requirements as well as showcasing how the company goes above and beyond to ensure clients’ expectations are exceeded.
Crime Prevention Through Pro-Social Design recognises that the offender is very likely to be part of our community and that enhancing an offender’s emotional or moral attachment to an area through its design may reduce their desire or inclination to commit crimes within the community A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield professor has investigated ways in which the design of dwellings and the layout of residential areas can deter offenders. Now, she aims to discover if better buildings and more sympathetic spaces can prevent people from turning to crime in the first place. It was while conducting research with convicted burglars that she was inspired to take this new direction. Rachel Armitage is Professor of Criminology at the University and one of her key areas has been the field termed Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), which has established that buildings and the spaces between them will experience varying levels of crime based on their design, build and management. Now, Professor Armitage has made what she describes as a significant change in her research and is focussing on what she terms Crime Prevention Through Pro-Social Design (CPTPSD). She has outlined her new ideas at a major overseas conference and will now edit a special journal exploring the concept. “CPTED treats offenders as external, as ‘outsiders’, so you protect an area by designing them out. But Crime Prevention Through Pro-Social Design recognises that the offender is very likely to be part of our community and that perhaps enhancing an offender’s emotional or moral attachment to an area may reduce their desire or inclination to commit crimes within the community,” said Professor Armitage. Secured by design As part of her designing-out-crime research, she showed a number of convicted burglars a series of photos of houses and streets, in order to discover the features that made properties and neighbourhoods most vulnerable – such as low fences, or footpaths at the back of a house. But two of the images elicited a very different response. “The offenders would say ‘I wouldn’t burgle that house because it reminds me of where I grew up’, or ‘it’s like where my grandma lives’. These were a kind of moral responses to the features of the area, as if the design sparked a feeling that it would be wrong to commit a crime against something personal to them,” said Professor Armitage. This was the trigger for her new direction, and she explored the idea when invited to deliver a keynote address at the 2018 Crime Prevention and Communities conference hosted in Melbourne by the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Victorian Department of Justice and Regulation. Her well-received paper was titled ‘A more reliable glimpse’: Re-positioning the offender in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. “There is a lot of research on how the design of an environment can impact on someone’s mental health – such as their vulnerability to becoming depressed, anxious or to using drugs,” said Professor Armitage. “All of those factors can increase a person’s risk of becoming an offender, so if we brought the two areas together and designed places which reduced mental illness and which reduced exclusion, then these people may feel less inclined to commit crimes in those areas.” Professor Armitage has now been invited to edit a special edition of the Journal of Social Sciences. Due to appear in 2019, it will be titled Crime Prevention Through Pro-social Design. An international call for contributions has now been made. “I am asking people to submit papers that explore how design can impact on offending from a very different perspective. It is a matter of designing in pro-social behaviour,” said Professor Armitage. “Designing out crime definitely still has a place and we have come a long way towards embedding this into our planning system. I was involved in that. But I think CPTED needs to evolve.”
Former England footballer Graeme Le Saux has been announced as this year’s guest speaker at the annual Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Education Awards. Graeme will lead the celebrations, which will recognise the outstanding educational achievements of the door hardware industry’s rising stars at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London on 8 November. As well as his role in the national team, Graeme also played for Chelsea Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, helping the latter win the Premier League in 1995. Since his retirement from football in 2005, Graeme has worked as a pundit for the BBC and frequently undertakes project work with the FA, UEFA, FIFA and the Premier League. The GAI Education Awards include Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for the top students in the Diploma and the Pinnacle Award, sponsored by ASSA ABLOY, for the student with the best aggregate results over the three years of the Diploma programme. The GAI Diploma is designed to give students a high level of product knowledge and the ability to write accurate hardware specifications and quotations. The qualification is particularly suited to those in customer service, contract management, scheduling and estimating, and sales. GAI president, David Stacey, said: “The Education Awards is a great opportunity to recognise students’ hard work over the past three years. It is also a chance for companies to celebrate the individuals within their teams who are going above and beyond to offer architects and contractors high-quality technical knowledge.” The only recognised architectural ironmongery qualification in the world, the Guild’s education programme has been running for more than 50 years, training future generations of architectural ironmongers to British and European standards. This year’s GAI Education Awards is sponsored by dormakaba. To book your tickets to the 2018 GAI Education Awards, visit the GAI website: httZp://www.gai.org.uk/events-117/gai-education-awards2018/book-here?prv=1
SELECT, the campaigning body for the electro-technical trade in Scotland, has been updating its members on key points from the newly launched 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations. SELECT’s Technical Standards Adviser, Bob Cairney, prepared the guide which is available in an on-line format to assist members to understand the changes contained in these important regulations. The guide will also feature in the next issue of SELECT’s CableTalk magazine. Bob said: “BS: 7671:2018 (The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations) contains a number of significant changes which reflect industry best practice. “We have recently been out on the road to highlight the changes during our recent very successful Scotland-wide Toolbox Talks. These were held a few weeks ago and the presentations were well received by the members who attended”. A central theme of the regulations concerns improvements to the level of safety provided in new electrical installations and in particular with regard to fire safety. The 18th Edition introduces new devices called arc fault detection devices (AFDD) and these, where installed can provide an additional level of electrical safety from faults which other protective devices cannot detect specifically arcing faults. These are expected to be widely adopted by the industry. There is also new guidance on types of RCD and arrangement of devices to achieve selectivity between protective devices. Also of interest is informative guidance on energy efficiency. Darrell Mathews, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “These regulations incorporate the latest in technological developments across our sector and, while they do not come into force until 1 January 2019, we want SELECT members, as ever, to be in pole position.”
Trade shows and exhibitions are a fantastic way of networking with like-minded professionals and customers, as well as generating leads. They’re the perfect way of cementing your brand within the industry, attracting new business and helping you to build new partnerships. Further to this, attending industry events allows you to keep up to date with the latest trends, new regulations and other changes in the area. To make the most of these events, we recommend creating a bank of promotional industry materials for you to distribute. Brochures and business cards are great, but creating something unique to you, such as a custom created USB device from the likes of USBMakers.com and pre-loading it with data is the perfect way to display your knowledge and professionalism. If you’ve not been to any events so far this year, do not fear, as there are still lots of great events coming up. Here are some to consider: ARCOM Conference Date: 3rd-5th September Where: Belfast The theme for this event is ‘A productive relationship: Balancing fragmentation and integration’. It’ll cover various topic, including BIM, infrastructure development, offsite construction and health and safety. Constructing the future Date: 18th September Where: London Run by The City & Guilds Group and the Work Foundation, this networking event will bring together representatives from the CBI and TUC, with the discussions focusing on the future challenges facing the construction sector and the ways in which skills development and government policy such as the National Retraining Scheme needs to respond. Annual Conference and Housing Exhibition Date: 19th-20th September Where: London This event is incredibly popular and one not to miss. It’ll bring together thousands of housing professionals with top-level speakers from within the housing industry. London Design Fair Date: 20th-23rd September Where: London London Design Fair hosts the largest collection of international exhibitors, designers, brands, features and exhibitions including Tent London & Super Brands London in one place. It’s ideal for those wanting to showcase their furniture, lighting, textiles, digital media, architecture and graphics. London Homebuilding & Renovating Show Date: 21st-23rd Sep 2018 Where: London This show is aimed at consumers who are looking at undertaking self-build or renovating projects. Kent Construction Expo Date: 4th October Where: Maidstone This event attracts over 3,500 visitors and perfect for those in the south-east. UK Construction Week Date: 9th-11th October Where: Birmingham This is THE biggest gathering of Contractors, Consultants, Architects, Manufacturers, Project Managers, SME’s and Developers. It consists of nine shows under one roof, Build Show, Building Tech Live 2018, Civils Expo, Energy 2018, HVAC 2018, Plant & Machinery Live, Surface & Materials Show, Timber Expo and Grand Designs Live. London Build 2018 Date: 23rd-24th October Where: London Only have time for one event this year? Then make it this one! This event attracts over 300 exhibitors over 8 exhibition zones and usually brings in 30,000 attendees. All CPD and conferences are free to attend and cover topics such as BIM & Digital Construction, Sustainability, Fire Safety, Interiors and much more. Scotland Build 2018 Date: 21st-22nd November Where: Glasgow Just as with the London Build Show, the Scotland Build show brings together some of the industry’s greatest minds. There will be over 200 exhibitors and over 10,000 attendees. This is one not to miss. There are more events still to be announced, but this list is sure to get you started.
Architectural cladding specialist Pura Facades has been appointed as the sole UK distributor of VetaBric, the latest entrant to the fast-growing brick slip panel market. The lightweight panel alternative to traditional bricks can accurately reproduce the aesthetic of the majority of brick brands. It is also available in a new, ultra-thin, pre- mortared joint, which gives a distinctive, sleek and modern look to the facade. Weighing just 12.5kg per m2, VetaBric panels offer a lightweight alternative to brickwork and can be erected safely by trained construction site workers. While architects love the creative possibilities that VetaBric can bring to projects, contractors appreciate the speed at which the panels are hung – up to a third quicker than traditional bricklaying according to Pura’s commercial director James Butler. Commenting on the UK launch of VetaBric, he said: “Given the dearth of skilled labour and long lead times of bricks in the UK, solutions such as VetaBric are becoming much more popular with developers, architects and contractors. And despite being only 25mm thick, we’re finding the product to be dense and rigid – therefore very robust once installed on site. “A project we were recently involved with – a residential development in Thornton Heath, South London – shows how effective brick slip can be. The project was finished on time and within budget, thanks in some measure to the adoption of VetaBric.” Manufactured off-site, VetaBric supports the UK’s move towards modular construction methods. It can be fixed onto a wide range of substrates including masonry, lightweight steel or timber frames – all using the extensive range of fixings provided by Pura. Manufactured in Lille, northern France, VetaBric provides a joint free solution to facades, as any visible fixings are hidden by mortar applied once the panel is installed. To find out more about VetaBric, go to www.purafacades.co.uk.
In 2005, the Fire Safety Legislation was implemented. The rules put an emphasis on fire safety and risk management, and the new legislation lays out the responsibilities of an organisation’s management. The legislation lays out the duty to manage fire safety, and describes what Fire Safety elements should be covered in a risk assessment, as well as who is responsible for them and how regularly they should be updated. Fire risk assessments cover the property that you are in and any potential risk to your employees and to any service users that you may have. They look at the structure of the property, the people who use it, and the equipment that is in the building. For example, the risk assessment may consider: The Size and Layout of The Property In the event of a fire, how easy would it be for people to get out? Would people be able to evacuate quickly or would they get lost? Is there anywhere that could be particularly dangerous if, for example, someone were to get stuck in a specific room and the fire blocked the exit? If the lights went out when the fire broke out, would people be able to safely navigate their way to an exit? Are the fire exits clearly marked? These things are all important. It is not always easy for people to rectify problems identified in this part of the risk assessment, but it is important that there is a plan put in place and that measures are taken to mitigate the risk. Things Stored on the Property The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers a lot of topics relating to fire safety, including flammable substances, fire extinguishers, etc. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to worry about the substances that are stored on the property. If you have petrol, oil or other flammable substances then they must be stored in a way that minimises the fire risk. If you store other goods on the property, then you must make sure that the areas where people walk are kept clutter free and that fire doors are left unobstructed. One of the most common reasons for small businesses to fail fire inspections is that fire exits are used as a storage area, or fire doors are jammed. If you have electrical appliances, then you should make sure that they are in good working order, and tested regularly. Customers should be discouraged from plugging in electrical appliances of their own since their safety cannot always be verified. Things like heaters should be tested regularly and kept free from obstruction. Fire Extinguishers Fire blankets and fire extinguishers are essential and they should be properly installed and then inspected on a regular basis. The number and type of fire safety items that you will need depends on the size and layout of the property and the kind of fire that you have to worry about (e.g. fat, electrical, paper, etc). A good fire safety company will be able to give you advice on that sort of thing. Evacuation Another area that is important to consider when it comes to your fire risk assessment is the evacuation plan. If a fire breaks out, then who will sound the alarm (and what is the alarm). The fire brigade should be called, but are there any other organisations that may need notified, based on the location of the building? Where will staff and service users gather? Do you take registers of attendance or do head counts for the number of people in the building? In some properties it is not feasible to do this but if you run an office or a school then you should know how many people are in the property at that time. You should nominate an assembly point that is outside of the building and that will be safe for people to congregate. The assembly point should not be on a main road or somewhere that is going to put people in danger, and it should be somewhere that will allow you to do a headcount and ensure that people are all safe and unharmed. Educate your users about the importance of leaving the building quickly if the smoke alarms go off. Tell them not to collect their belongings or go back in until the fire brigade has raised the all clear. Fire Alarms Your risk assessment should include smoke alarms. Do you have enough of them? Are they positioned in areas where they will be able to give an early warning about fire? Are they inspected regularly to ensure that they are safe and working properly? Every company will have a risk assessment that looks slightly different. There is no right or wrong way to complete one, as long as it is a realistic and honest assessment of the risks of your property and a good faith effort to make the establishment safe.
Fork Lift Truck Association reveals ways companies and individuals can reward excellence (and be rewarded, too!) With preparations underway for the 2019 FLTA Annual Awards for Excellence, the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) is encouraging individuals and companies involved in lift truck operations to get involved. Now in its 25th year, the Awards is a firm fixture on the materials handling calendar – providing an opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate those who are working to raise standards. FLTA chief executive Peter Harvey explains: “Because the Awards has been created by the industry and for the industry, it’s vital that our Awards represent every aspect of it… and, to do so, we need everyone involved: from operators and colleagues on the front line through to dealers, manufacturers and suppliers. “We’ve designed a number of routes for companies and individuals to get in on the action… whether they’re small operations or large corporations.” The Fork Lift Truck Association has identified the five most popular ways to take part. They are: Enter a product or service. Launched something special between 1st October 2017 and 30th September 2018? Then you could find yourself in line for an Archie statuette. Modelled on Archimedes, it’s the fork lift industry’s version of an Oscar. Categories include: Environment Ergonomics Safety Innovation Put forward an individual or team. There are also awards that look to honour companies or individuals who have done something special. While Dealer Member of the Year recognises the FLTA Member who embodies the Association’s values, the Safe Site Award, for owners and operators of forklifts, recognises those teams who have strived to make operations safer. In addition, there are individual Awards which recognise those changing the industry and/or the Association for the better, including: Lifetime Achievement, Services to the FLT Industry and Services to the FLTA. Awards nominations are open to anyone within the industry – not just members – and many previous FLTA winners have put themselves forward for an Award. Become a sponsor Staging an event of this scale would be impossible – without the unwavering support of Sponsors and Supporters. Peter Harvey adds: “These companies play a particularly prominent role throughout the event, as well as in pre and post event publicity. “Each year there are fresh opportunities to link your brand to the industry’s most prestigious and most publicised event.” Join the jury Introduced in 2016, the Awards Jury plays a significant role in ensuring the event’s integrity, fairness and integrity. Peter Harvey explains: “Over the years, we’ve had representatives from dealers, manufacturers, trainers and end users sit on this panel. Importantly, each of the 12-strong jury possesses in-depth understanding of lift truck operations – including the latest products and developments. “With so many different views present, it can make deliberations a challenge. But, because of this, we are confident that this group is equipped to review, assess and select our winners in key categories, such as Innovation.” Book a ticket Join the FLTA in celebrating the best in the industry, and network with dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, and customers on Saturday 30th March 2019 at the International Centre, Telford. “And, if you are a Member,” adds Peter, “make sure you login to get a significant discount on the cost of attending.” Remember, the closing date for awards entries is the 30th September. Details on all the above are available on the FLTA website. The Fork Lift Truck Association is the UK’s independent authority on fork lift trucks. For more information, please visit www.fork-truck.org.uk or call 01635 277577.
3D Laser Mapping Ltd and GeoSLAM Ltd merge, creating a global market leader in mapping and monitoring. Leading UK laser scanning and monitoring companies 3D Laser Mapping Ltd and GeoSLAM Ltd have merged to create one of the world’s most innovative mobile mapping and monitoring technology providers. 3D Laser Mapping is a world leading geospatial technology supplier and innovator. Working alongside some of the world’s biggest mining companies, governments, universities, blue-chip firms and operators of highways, power lines and railways. 3D Laser Mapping helps its customers to capture and understand their world in 3D. GeoSLAM is a global market leader in 3D hand held mobile mapping technology solutions. Their unique “go-anywhere” technology is adaptable to all environments especially spaces that are indoor, underground or difficult to access, providing accurate 3D mobile mapping without the need for GPS. Graham Hunter, the founder of 3D Laser Mapping explains, “This merger will combine the best of the two leading organisations with strong global coverage. They both have very different skill sets with GeoSLAM specialising in global sales, marketing and distribution, whilst 3D Laser Mapping bringing advanced R&D capabilities. This will enable the new organisation to supply next generation leading products worldwide. The contribution of CSIRO since the formation of GeoSLAM in 2012, has been significant in creating the market for handheld mobile mapping and I look forward to strengthening our relationship through this merger”. Shareholders agreed to merge the businesses to take advantage of new world market opportunities, increased R&D capability and ensure greater market reach. Shareholders include Graham Hunter, the founder of 3D Laser Mapping and CSIRO’s Data61, Australia’s data innovation network, part of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia’s national science agency. Adrian Turner, CEO of CSIRO’s Data61 is equally supportive of merger, “We’re proud to have been a part of the GeoSLAM story so far and are looking forward to collaborating on its next chapter, providing data analytics and prediction capabilities to support its growth trajectory. The merger with 3D Laser Mapping will accelerate the business into the geospatial data analytics domain, which has potential to reinvent industries worldwide.” SLAM – Simultaneous, localisation and mapping technology was developed by the CSIRO to solve the problem of mobile mapping from an unknown location. The merger of the two companies will unify under one roof an extensive range of specialist personnel and expertise in the mobile mapping industry. The newly merged companies will trade as GeoSLAM Ltd, leveraging its global brand that has been developed over the past years. David Burton, CFO of GeoSLAM commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to be merging the companies and believe that the combined resources of these businesses will help us to exceed our level of service and support to global customers and dealers. We will continue working with our customers and dealers in the same way as we do now, but look forward to enhancing their experience by bringing together two innovative and ambitious organisations.’’ The new GeoSLAM has offices located in the UK, USA, Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. Details of the group’s activities to date can be found on the websites: www.3dlasermapping.com and www.geoslam.com.