Kingspan Data & Flooring, the industry leader in data and flooring solutions, has successfully completed their first external ISO 37301 audit, the global benchmark for state-of-the-art compliance management. ISO 37301 forms part of a new commitment by Kingspan Group to have all 190 of its manufacturing sites around the world
As a country that experiences some extreme weather, Australia’s architects are heavily invested in finding cladding solutions that are durable, affordable and stunning. There are thousands of architectural cladding options on the market, but the same categories remain popular for their beauty and longevity. We’re going to discuss some of
In the wake of a sector-wide initiative, Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) is advocating for better collaboration within the construction industry. The organisation has joined the Construction Industry Collaboration Initiative (CICI), which is made up of like-minded bodies that have identified collaboration as a challenge across multiple sectors, including construction.
The new EG Radius feature will enable investors, landlords and developers to access live energy performance certificates EG, an established provider of data, news and analytics for the commercial real estate sector, has launched an Environmental, Social and Governance Certificate (ESG) dataset in the EG Radius platform, providing property owners,
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the latest Future Trends survey results, a monthly report of the business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. Architects’ outlook for future work remains positive. In April 2023, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index stayed at +8, the same as in March, and the
The NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders, is available to download now. Compiled by experts in the field this comprehensive report offers guidance and insight for housebuilders covering everything from what constitutes a hazardous ground gas, initial investigations and assessment of ground gas
82% of UK builders experience mental health problems due to work-related issues, a new study has found. The research was commissioned for Mental Health Awareness Week (15th-21st May) by IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, and the results have been published in the third edition of their annual industry report. It found that
World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and its network of over 75 Green Building Councils are launching the Circular Built Environment Playbook — a critical guide for the building and construction sector around the world to accelerate the adoption of circular economy and resource efficiency principles. The principles of the circular
SCAPE has become the first public sector body following publication of Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 to adopt the Common Assessment Standard for its pre-qualification requirements, joining a growing list of major contractors and clients specifying the standard for their supply chains. PPN 03/23, which was issued by the Cabinet
The findings of a recent report have indicated the growing need for independent merchants to find the right balance between fulfilling in-person trade sales and providing support via digital channels. The new report from National Buying Group (NBG), Valuing Local Independent Trade Merchants in a Digital World, analysed the role
Kingspan Data & Flooring, the industry leader in data and flooring solutions, has successfully completed their first external ISO 37301 audit, the global benchmark for state-of-the-art compliance management. ISO 37301 forms part of a new commitment by Kingspan Group to have all 190 of its manufacturing sites around the world accredited and was the first time Kingspan Data & Flooring has sought to achieve this ISO standard, which replaced ISO 19600 in 2021. At its core, ISO 37301 examines whether compliance and risk management systems meet international standards. The assessment was conducted by Advanced Certification and awarded in March 2022. The accreditation is the culmination of 12 months’ work by Kingspan Data & Flooring’s Management Systems Specialist, Phil Major, with assistance from internal teams. Donagh Nolan, Divisional Operations Director Europe, said of the achievement: ‘We’re thrilled the auditor has recommended that our Hull site in the UK can be added to the list of global Kingspan sites to be accredited to ISO 37301. It recognises the strides we’ve made as a business to reach our compliance goals, investing in training & development of our team, identifying compliance risks and introducing new policies and procedures to ensure our product performance continues to align with local legislation and published product data.’ Kingspan Data & Flooring Technology’s Managing Director, Seamus Cussen, added: ‘Achieving ISO 37301 accreditation is testament to Kingspan’s values, culture, and leadership. It demonstrates the progress our team in Hull has made to establish, develop, implement, evaluate, and improve effective compliance management systems within our business. We will continue our focused efforts to improve and innovate, and our commitment to this accreditation will be driven from all areas of our business.’ ISO 37301 combines ISO standards with international agencies’ guidelines, including the International Chambers of Commerce, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the UN Convention against Corruption. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As a country that experiences some extreme weather, Australia’s architects are heavily invested in finding cladding solutions that are durable, affordable and stunning. There are thousands of architectural cladding options on the market, but the same categories remain popular for their beauty and longevity. We’re going to discuss some of the most common cladding solutions and how they’re being put to use in Australia’s modern architecture scene. 1. Bricks and Brick Veneer Bricks have long been one of Australia’s most popular cladding options. Affordable, attractive and highly durable, bricks make for some of the best exterior finishes on the market. These days bricks come in thousands of different shapes, sizes and formats, making them the perfect solution for architects that want to make their projects stand out. As an added bonus, bricks also offer natural thermal efficiency, making them ideal for Australia’s harsh climates. But bricks aren’t always the correct solution, and brick veneer may be more appropriate in some settings. Brick veneer is designed to look and feel just like real brick. In reality, brick veneer is an imitation product that’s made up of thin slivers of bricks and mortar. These types of veneers have all the warmth and durability of real brick, but they’re a fraction of the cost and much lower weight, making them suitable for decoration, high rise buildings or budget-conscious projects. 2. Weatherboard Cladding Weatherboard cladding is an ever-popular solution, known for its affordability and durability. Weatherboards are available in a huge range of sizes, styles and materials, making them perfect for any aesthetic. Traditional weatherboard products were made from timber. These days, weatherboards are made of all types of timber, vinyl and fibre cement. This allows them to be moulded and shaped into a variety of formats and profiles. These can then be used to create stunning, textured exteriors that boast all the beauty of the natural timbers that inspired the trend. 3. Timber Cladding Timber is an all-time favourite cladding material all over the world. Originally used as simple weatherboards, timber cladding products have come a long way in recent years, and the stunning natural material is now the perfect architectural choice. The major benefit of timber is that it’s a living material. It changes over time, allowing your home to blend into its surroundings. This effect is highly prized in natural settings where homes sit among Australia’s iconic bushland. If you need more convincing, timber remains a popular solution thanks to the sheer amount of choice available. Timber cladding manufacturers supply panels in a huge array of colours, sizes, shapes and profiles. These panels can be used to lend an unparalleled sense of texture and depth to your project. 4. Fibre Cement Cladding Fibre cement is often viewed as a budget option, and it arguably doesn’t lend as much character or variety to a home as the alternatives. But fibre cement is one of the most environmentally friendly materials on this list, and it’s available in a huge range of colours and finishes, so it can be used to achieve anything you have in mind. 5. Stone Cladding Stone remains one of the most characterful cladding options on the market today. Australia’s natural stone deposits mean we have fantastic access to cladding systems that include granite, limestone and quartzite. These natural stones not only look fantastic, they’re highly weather-resistant and an attractive option for all internal and external spaces. Natural stone cladding typically requires very little upkeep. Like brick, it’s capable of withstanding Australia’s harsh sun and weather without the need for coating or repainting. It’s also highly thermal efficient, making it ideal for our hotter climates. 6. Metal Cladding Metal cladding products such as Colorbond have always been considered a budget alternative to alternatives like timber. But metalworking has evolved, and steel cladding options are now more versatile than ever. From flat-panel products that provide a sleek and minimal aesthetic, to textured and ribbed panels that offer unrivalled depth, metal cladding can achieve it all. The majority of metal cladding systems are produced in either steel, aluminium or a combination of the two. This provides the most design flexibility and allows cladding styles to be mixed and matched for maximum visual impact. 7. Aerated Concrete Cladding Finally, aerated concrete cladding has been gaining popularity for its affordability and industrial aesthetic. While aerated concrete sheets were once exclusively used for commercial and industrial buildings, the material has become increasingly common in residential projects. The sharp lines of concrete lends itself to brutalistic and minimalistic design languages, and it also pairs perfectly with natural materials like timber.
In the wake of a sector-wide initiative, Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) is advocating for better collaboration within the construction industry. The organisation has joined the Construction Industry Collaboration Initiative (CICI), which is made up of like-minded bodies that have identified collaboration as a challenge across multiple sectors, including construction. Despite previous attempts to encourage collaboration within the building industry, progress has been patchy, according to CICI, however, as the industry continues to face issues such as labour shortages and supply chain problems, the time is ripe for collaboration to improve contract delivery. CESW is leading the effort to improve the construction industry in the South West, with a goal of enhancing industry performance and creating a better built environment. It forms part of Constructing Excellence a national platform for industry improvement that delivers excellence through collaborative working with clients, industry, and users. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of effective collaboration, change negative attitudes, and share knowledge, learning, and experiences. The primary focus currently is on value-for-money training in the key behavioural aspects of effective collaborative working, delivered through a five-hour online training course held over five weeks, as well as a one-day, face-to-face session for people to learn and develop collaborative skills. Alison Nicholl, Head of Constructing Excellence, stated: “Collaboration is fundamental to Constructing Excellence. This initiative led by the South West is an excellent mechanism to upskill and train those at all levels in the sector on how to effectively collaborate.” Kevin Harris, CEO of CESW, added: “We are confident that the Construction Industry Collaboration Initiative will help to address the challenges that have persistently hindered the construction sector, and we look forward to working with our members to drive positive change in the industry.” For more information about this new collaboration initiative and how to get more involved visit: https://hub.leadersmeets.com/cici
The new EG Radius feature will enable investors, landlords and developers to access live energy performance certificates EG, an established provider of data, news and analytics for the commercial real estate sector, has launched an Environmental, Social and Governance Certificate (ESG) dataset in the EG Radius platform, providing property owners, investors and developers with a quick and reliable way to access commercial property energy efficiency information. EG’s new functionality compiles ESG data, which users can currently only access through different segments on the UK Government website, into one streamlined process, enabling EG Radius customers to easily identify if an existing property is in need of energy upgrades. The data will be available within Property Reports on EG Radius and will include energy performance certificates (EPCs) for domestic and non-domestic properties as well as display energy certificates (DECs) for public authority buildings and properties with a floor area over 250m2 together with recommended improvements. The launch of the ESG dataset follows the introduction of the anticipated minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) legislation in the commercial sector, requiring buildings to meet certain energy efficiency standards. Providing clear and accurate information surrounding a building’s energy efficiency, the new feature will highlight the building’s current rating (A being most efficient and G least efficient) and offer insight into recommended improvements to enhance the property’s energy rating. Michael Marciano, Product Director at EG, said: “Following the introduction of MEES and the minimum EPC standards in the commercial real estate sector, landlords are now required, by law, to ensure their properties meet the required EPC rating. Currently, an EPC rating of band ‘E’ is the minimum a commercial property must hold prior to any new leases or renewals – with this set to increase to a rating of C in 2027 and finally B in 2020. “The addition of ESG data in EG Radius will enable investors and landlords to identify opportunities for properties that need upgrading. In doing so, they can drive their investment strategies by easily identifying new properties in need of energy upgrades that could deliver an effective return on investment. It will also support agents and tenants looking for quality properties with a high EPC rating and in turn, lower running costs.” With flexible search and filter options, users can break down their search into units, or different spaces within the building, and view when a building has an expired certificate. This provides a time-effective solution as EG Radius users no longer need to navigate through various information sources, including the UK Government website, to access the property’s energy efficiency information. Michael further commented: “The CRE market will see an increase in the demand, and rental premiums, of buildings with higher EPC ratings due to the number of properties that are not currently compliant. In London alone, 24.1million sq. ft are expected to fail to meet the new regulations, putting the equivalent of 20 Shard’s at risk. And regulations will only become stricter over time. “Investors and developers will benefit from EG’s new dataset as it will enable them to filter for lower rated assets to seek opportunities but also enable them to help meet the market demand for energy efficient, sustainable buildings.” For more information, please visit https://eg.co.uk/esg-data/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the latest Future Trends survey results, a monthly report of the business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. Architects’ outlook for future work remains positive. In April 2023, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index stayed at +8, the same as in March, and the third successive positive month. The RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index remains positive and improving, at +3. The commercial sector expects more work for the first time in a year, though the housing sector is less optimistic. Medium and large practices still see a bright future, while the regional picture is mixed. However, current workloads remain down on a year ago, and those in smaller practices are more likely to be underemployed. Slower processing of planning applications is worsening project delays compared to two years ago. Workload expectations remain stable The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index stays at +8, the same as in March. Over the next three months, 28% of practices expect workloads to increase, 21% expect them to decrease, and 51% expect them to stay the same. Medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remain firmly optimistic about future workloads, with a combined figure of +29. Small practices (1-10 staff) remain positive but fell 3 points to +4. The regional picture remains mixed, with most regions feeling positive about future work. There is some growing optimism – the North of England (+28) rose by 10 points and Wales & the West (+17) rose by 3 points. London’s (+3) outlook dipped but remains positive. The Midlands & East Anglia (-5) remains negative, and the South of England (-2) fell by 10 points. Three out of four monitored work sectors show an improved outlook. The commercial (+3) sector had a positive outlook for the first time since May 2022, indicating growth is anticipated. Whilst remaining negative, the public (-6) and community (-3) sectors improved, with the latter rising by 5 points. The housing (-2) sector fell by 3 points. Staffing levels expected to hold steady The RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index remains positive, rising by 2 points to +3. Planning application delays increasingly holding up projects Our results show that the speed with which planning applications are being processed is deteriorating compared to two years ago, causing project delays. What action is RIBA taking? In addition to monitoring and reporting on the impact of planning delays, our Policy and Public Affairs team has responded to a number of government consultations relating to the planning system this year, making recommendations that reflect the concerns of our members. We have repeatedly called for the Government to invest in building up the capacity of local authority planning departments, particularly with qualified design expertise. As part of this, we have also called for planning departments to be allocated additional financial resources to recruit and retain planning professionals. In January 2023, former Housing Minister (current Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP spoke at an event held in conjunction with the Office for Place at RIBA HQ in London. Our engagement with government continues. Commenting on RIBA’s survey findings, Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: “It is widely recognised that Local Planning Authorities, along with the wider public sector, are facing significant resourcing challenges. We have continuously warned that chronic under resourcing is burdening our Local Planning Authorities, leaving them struggling to meet public expectations and support the delivery of much needed homes and infrastructure, for example. This survey’s alarming results illustrate the consequences of neglecting our planning departments. The ongoing housing crisis demands our immediate attention. Without a sufficiently resourced planning system, the homes that individuals, families, and communities desperately need will remain out of reach.” Commenting on the RIBA Future Trends April 2023 report, RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said: “Architects remain cautiously optimistic about future work. London is positive, regional work remains strong in the West and North, the commercial sector is improving, staffing levels are steady, and larger practices are increasingly optimistic. However, while architects are looking beyond immediate difficulties to see growth ahead, ongoing challenges include PII costs, fee pressure, and the continuing adverse effects of our current EU trading arrangements. Inflation and interest rate increases are hindering practices. Inflation is increasing project costs while decreasing the value of fees. Higher interest rates are increasing the long-term capital costs of projects, deterring potential clients. The speed with which planning applications are being processed is deteriorating compared to two years ago, delaying projects, holding back architects and the creation of the buildings we need. Nevertheless, some practices report increasing workloads, brisk enquiry levels and improving activity from developers. We will continue to report our findings to the Government and work with other built environment bodies to monitor trends.”
The NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders, is available to download now. Compiled by experts in the field this comprehensive report offers guidance and insight for housebuilders covering everything from what constitutes a hazardous ground gas, initial investigations and assessment of ground gas to gas protective measures. Developed in partnership with Buro Happold and Environmental Protection Group Ltd (EPG), the advice detailed is applicable to all sites, whether large or small, and all development types. The guidance will help housebuilders to: The report guidance also addresses the current gap between the conclusions and recommendations of ground investigation reports and the structural design of buildings where gas protection measures are not always included. Hugh Mallett, Director, Ground Engineering, Buro Happold said, “This new NHBC guide on hazardous ground gas will help housebuilders and their advisors to better assess and manage gas risk and ensure the efficient building of new homes. Buro Happold, EPG and NHBC have worked hard to ensure the guide delivers current good practice and that the advice is practical and relevant to all housebuilders. Following the six-stage process and recognising the importance of competence at each stage will help housebuilders get it right first time and avoid potential pitfalls, saving time and money, whilst delivering homes safe from the potential risks of hazardous ground gas.” “Adoption of the good practice procedures described in this report will lead to better quality practice, cost savings and a greater understanding of specific issues around detailing, construction and verification,” commented Richard Smith, Head of Standards, Research & Technical Competency at NHBC Foundation. “Early consideration of the risks of hazardous ground gas is essential for all developments and we are pleased to be able to guide housebuilders through this potentially complex process.” Written specifically for housebuilders wanting to get up to date and widen their knowledge on this important subject, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders is available to download here.
82% of UK builders experience mental health problems due to work-related issues, a new study has found. The research was commissioned for Mental Health Awareness Week (15th-21st May) by IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, and the results have been published in the third edition of their annual industry report. It found that 73% of builders experience some form of mental health problem, such as stress, anxiety or depression, every month, and sadly, 45% feel symptoms every single week. Furthermore, 92% say they do not feel comfortable talking about their mental health with others, and only 10% have spoken about it with their friends or family. Across all trades, while financial worries remain among the leading causes of stress, the wider Cost of Living crisis is now the number one concern, with almost two in five (39%) saying it’s affecting their mental health. Almost two in five (39%) workers are now doing extra shifts as a result, risking burnout. The rising cost of materials is now also amongst the main stressors (36%), and tradespeople recently ranked the issue as the biggest challenge facing the industry in 2023. In 2023, the most common cause of stress for builders is the cost of living crisis (44%). The top 10 most common causes of stress for tradespeople are: Unfortunately, despite the benefits of doing so, more than four in five (84%) tradespeople don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their feelings. Just one in six (17%) have spoken to friends or family about their mental health. Furthermore, one in ten (10%) worry what their colleagues would think if they told them what they were going through, and more than a quarter (27%) feel they can’t take time off work for mental health reasons. Builders are the most likely tradespeople to feel stressed or anxious on a daily basis (16%), but overall, mental health problems are most common amongst surveyors. Almost all of those surveyed (98%) say they experience issues at least once a year. The trades that are most and least likely to experience mental health issues at least once a year are: As part of their campaign to raise awareness of mental health amongst tradespeople, IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect are partnering with Basildon Mind, the mental health charity, and is donating over £5,000 to support its vital services. Emma Mamo, Head of Workspace Wellbeing at Mind, said: “In male-dominated industries such as construction, employees are often less willing and able to open up about their mental health and ask for support. This can be problematic because mental health problems often become worse if left untreated, and the consequences can be fatal. “We urge employers to create cultures where employees can speak openly and honestly about their mental health.” Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult few years for the country, and the current Cost of Living crisis is certainly taking its toll on many people. Our research shows that the trade industry and its brilliant people have been hit hard, and mental health problems are common. “As difficult as it might seem at first, it’s incredibly important that you talk to someone about your feelings, whether that’s your partner, a friend or family member, a colleague, or a professional. This can open the door to getting help and starting to address the problems you’re facing.” To read IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect’s Mental Health in the Trades: 2023 Report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and its network of over 75 Green Building Councils are launching the Circular Built Environment Playbook — a critical guide for the building and construction sector around the world to accelerate the adoption of circular economy and resource efficiency principles. The principles of the circular economy can help us to achieve global climate targets: from minimising the extraction of materials and using more efficient designs, to optimising nature-based solutions and closing material loops at the end of a building’s lifecycle. This report presents strategies for the built environment to reduce its resource consumption and features market leadership and solutions from across WorldGBC’s global network. The use and waste of materials and products is trending in a dangerously unsustainable direction, with latest estimates showing that the world is only 7.2% circular, meaning over 90% of everything we make is discarded after use. Furthermore, in 2022, a year’s worth of biological resources were used in just seven months — that means currently we consume 75% more than the earth is able to replenish each year [1]. With our cities producing an estimated 70% of all global greenhouse gas emissions [2], and consuming almost half the resources extracted globally, our sector holds a significant portion of the responsibility. In ‘The Circular Built Environment Playbook’ WorldGBC acknowledges the essential role of the circular economy in tackling the global environmental crisis; whilst providing an unparalleled opportunity to regenerate resources and accelerate socio-economic development. Circularity is fundamental for humanity to thrive alongside the natural environment, and within planetary boundaries. Through this playbook we hope to make the complex principles of the circular economy easy to understand for every actor in the built environment. We have mapped out more than 20 strategies of implementing circular design, construction and operation for the built environment, illustrated with best practice case studies from all over the world. All stakeholders must be ‘circular ready’ and lead the sector towards circularity becoming the new business-as-usual. Every actor in the building and construction supply chain must take action and help the transition — cross-sector collaboration will be key to overcome barriers towards a circular future. WorldGBC’s network aspires to see leadership from all governments and businesses. A circular economy is an essential part of the sustainability solution providing a foundation for future policy change and business innovation. Cristina Gamboa, CEO, WorldGBC, said: “It is clear that if we want to secure a future for our planet and people, then we cannot keep going on this path of consumption and waste. That’s why our network is taking action to increase awareness and accessibility of circular economy solutions, by guiding all stakeholders towards sustainable, circular decision-making. The need for a circular built environment has never been more important and our Circularity Accelerator programme is shining a light on the solutions available.” Jona Byskata, Head of EU Public Affairs, Kingspan, said: “Circularity in the buildings sector is a very broad topic, and requires collaboration across all stakeholders. The Accelerator partnership allows such discussions to develop to help set future priorities where the environmental impacts matter most.” Dorota Bacal, Sustainability and Innovation Lead, VinZero, said: “You can only improve what you measure” has become the mantra of our industry. Data-driven decision making completely revolutionises the sustainability outcomes for the companies we work with. Data insights can significantly boost operational efficiencies, improve processes and reduce waste, whilst delivering cost, raw material consumption and carbon savings.” Chris Trott, Partner Head of Sustainability, Foster + Partners, said: “Adopting circularity in the built environment is essential to achieve a regenerative balance, by facilitating the decarbonisation of the industry, limiting finite raw materials extraction and waste production all while staying within planetary boundaries.” Thank you to our global programme partners: Brightworks Sustainability, Foster + Partners, Vinzero and Kingspan and our technical partners, WSP, CBRE. We also thank our steering committee, expert panel, designers and dedicated team at WorldGBC for their support in developing the Circular Built Environment Playbook. References: [1] Circle Economy, 2022 Circularity Gap Report, January 2022 [2] United Nations (2018) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SCAPE has become the first public sector body following publication of Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 to adopt the Common Assessment Standard for its pre-qualification requirements, joining a growing list of major contractors and clients specifying the standard for their supply chains. PPN 03/23, which was issued by the Cabinet Office in response to calls from Build UK and its members, updates the pre-qualification requirement for central Government departments and wider public sector bodies, meaning they can now use the Common Assessment Standard to pre-qualify suppliers for construction works contracts, rather than PAS 91. The Common Assessment Standard was developed by Build UK to raise the bar in assessing the competence of the construction supply chain. It has two levels – desktop and site-based – allowing companies to apply for the appropriate level dependent upon their trade, size and the requirements of their public and private sector clients. Currently available from any one of the Recognised Assessment Bodies, the Common Assessment Standard delivers on the commitment in the Construction Sector Deal for a standardised pre-qualification process and was recommended for use in the public sector by Professor David Mosey as part of his independent review of frameworks to “reduce waste and duplication [and] creat[e] efficiency savings for clients and industry”. The Common Assessment Standard will help to streamline public sector procurement as suppliers that hold certification from a Recognised Assessment Body will have already been assessed for stage 1 pre-qualification, meaning contracting authorities can focus on project specific requirements. SCAPE Group Procurement Director John Simons said: “Being able to use the Common Assessment Standard is a significant step forward in the simplification of the selection process for the public sector. Its use will not only de-risk elements of the process, but also enable public sector organisations to focus on project specific requirements for those firms who have already met the standard. The Common Assessment Standard will effectively standardise the selection process for the construction supply chain as only one annual assessment will be required in order to gain access to valuable opportunities.” Build UK Deputy Chief Executive Jo Fautley said: “We are delighted that SCAPE has joined organisations across the industry using the Common Assessment Standard. With pre-qualification costing the industry up to £1 billion each year, the efficiency savings offered by the Common Assessment Standard are more important than ever in the current market, and PPN 03/23 means that projects and programmes across the public sector can also now benefit from a reduction in duplication of time, effort and resources.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The findings of a recent report have indicated the growing need for independent merchants to find the right balance between fulfilling in-person trade sales and providing support via digital channels. The new report from National Buying Group (NBG), Valuing Local Independent Trade Merchants in a Digital World, analysed the role of digital in the traditionally low-digital builders’ merchant sector. Specifically, it surveyed UK tradespeople to find out if and how buying channels had changed post-COVID, why customers continue to buy from independent builders’ merchants, and the role digital has to play in the industry. Despite the post-COVID rise of digital channels, the survey revealed that 92% of trade sales continue to be made over-counter, marking the builders merchants’ sector as uniquely low-digital. Although 61.5% of tradespeople said they bought more online during the pandemic many have now reverted to a hybrid approach to sourcing supplies, with 60.5% claiming to buy both in-store and online now. According to NBG Managing Director Nick Oates, these findings demonstrate the strength of the sector, which is adopting the best of both the physical and non-physical worlds. “As our new report demonstrates, while digital sales have made huge inroads across the retail sector post-COVID, builders’ merchants are bucking this trend,” he explains. “This is understandable – unlike in some other industries, there are many factors to in-person buying in this sector, and especially with independent merchants, that are hard to replicate online. “But this is not to say that the sector, and more specifically, our Partners and Suppliers, is not implementing digital practices. As our report makes clear, tradespeople are using these channels to carry out activities that complement the trade counter, including research, price-checking, basket building, videos, reviews and business administration. It is clear there has been a sea-change in best practice, and the role of digital for tradespeople may not lie solely in sales, but mainly in support functions that bolster over-counter sales.” The survey highlighted the main reasons tradespeople choose to buy in-store or in-person, with location (54.5%), customer service (54%), convenience (40.5%) and access to product knowledge and advice (32.5%) deemed the main lures of the trade counter. By comparison, when it comes to buying digitally, convenience (60.5%), price (41.5%) and product range (41.5%) were given as the main reasons why tradespeople choose to buy online. The report also collected qualitative evidence from respondents to further explore the reasons behind these findings. According to Nick, the data demonstrates the key role independent merchants can play in customers’ buying decisions, citing factors such as personal relationships, expertise, personalisation and feeling part of a community. “While it has been heartening to see that the digital literacy of tradespeople is increasing, it is also highly encouraging to see feedback showing how customers have returned to trade branches,” Nick concludes. “This is testament to the strength of independent builders’ merchants, and the value of strong relationships. We believe tradespeople are more inclined to work with merchants they know and trust on a personal level, and this will be vital to ensuring all parties are able to thrive despite the challenges 2023 might bring.” To download National Buying Group’s latest report, Valuing Local Independent Trade Merchants in a Digital World, click here. For more information on National Buying Group, including how to join the premier buying group for independent merchants, visit https://www.nationalbuyinggroup.com/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
