Able Humber Ports Ltd (AHP) welcomes £490k Site Accelerator Grant to accelerate development of Able Humber Port
Able Humber Ports Ltd is pleased to announce the award of a £490,000 Industrial Strategy Zone (ISZ) Site Accelerator Grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This targeted funding will fast‑track the technical, commercial and procurement activity required to unlock the next phase of the Able Humber Port (AHP) development-one of the UK’s most strategically important clean‑energy infrastructure projects. Located on the Humber Estuary, AHP offers 332 hectares of port land, including 177.7 hectares within the Humber Freeport Tax Site, and a further 39.73 hectares enabled through new quay construction. The grant will help bring the site to investment‑ready status within six months, underpinning what is set to become the UK’s largest fully integrated offshore wind cluster port. The development is expected to enable more than £535 million of private‑sector investment and support approximately 4,000 high‑quality jobs across the region. Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson commented:“This grant marks an important step forward in unlocking the full potential of Able Humber Port. The Humber has a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to become the heart of the UK’s offshore wind industry. We welcome the continued support from government, the Humber Freeport, and our regional partners as we bring this nationally significant development closer to delivery.” AHP will play a central role in supporting the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing and installation capacity, industrial decarbonisation and Freeport‑driven economic growth. With the scale and planning consents already in place, Able Humber Port is uniquely positioned to anchor a world‑class offshore wind ecosystem and contribute significantly to the UK’s 2030 target of 50GW of offshore wind. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands construction firm chooses CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero for reliable, fast, and high-quality flooring installations
Leicestershire-based construction business, WP Developments Leicestershire Limited, now in its tenth year of trading, continues to specify West Fraser‘s CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero as its preferred flooring solutions across new build residential projects. The firm recently completed the flooring works for 20 new-build homes on a David Wilson Homes development in Wigston, North Leicestershire. CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero were used to deck out all joists across the plots, forming the structural base for finished floors and providing a robust working surface for follow-on trades. “Consistency and reliability are key for us, especially on larger multi plot projects,” William Woolhouse explained. “CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero give us confidence that the finished floor will stand up to site conditions and deliver the performance expected by major housebuilders. The product quality is consistent, performance on site reliable and we have complete confidence in the finished floor which is obviously crucial. For us, it’s important that sheet materials feel solid underfoot and behave predictably from one board to the next. CaberDek and SterlingOSB Zero deliver exactly that.” In general, there is a host of reasons the company specifies the West Fraser collection. Speed of installation allows the teams to progress quickly and efficiently while the finish is dependable and durable even before the final floor coverings are installed. This combination of speed and predictability helps maintain programme momentum on multi plot developments where efficiency is critical. “They’re easy to handle, cut and fix,” William added. “Because they work so well with our standard workflow, there’s no disruption or need to adapt how we operate.” All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation. Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC certified and created from locally grown timber, cutting the embodied carbon associated with transportation. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hazardous lighting for L’Oréal NZ hub
When global beauty leader L’Oréal set out to develop its new distribution centre in Auckland, New Zealand, the brief extended far beyond operational efficiency. The Dangerous Goods Store within the facility required a robust, compliant lighting solution for a Zone 2 hazardous environment, while also contributing to a sustainability ambition that would ultimately make history in New Zealand. Delivered in November 2025, the project brought together a strong collaboration team: developer James Kirkpatrick Group, architect Gravitas Consulting, builder Waide Commercial Construction, and Electrical and Lighting Consultant Electrical Consulting Services. Electrical Consulting Services, in collaboration with Techlight, was entrusted with delivering a lighting solution that would meet stringent safety, performance, and environmental benchmarks. There was only one manufacturer they wanted to partner with, Petrel. Designing for Zone 2: Safety Without Compromise The Dangerous Goods Store was classified as Zone 2, an environment where explosive gas atmospheres are not likely to occur in normal operation, and, if they do occur, will exist only for a short time. In such settings, lighting is not merely functional; it is critical infrastructure. To address this, 73No Petrel ALED4/G/Z2/156E luminaires were installed as high-bay fittings, illuminating aisles and open warehouse areas with powerful, consistent light output. These fixtures are engineered specifically for hazardous locations, providing the necessary ingress protection, durability and compliance for Zone 2 applications. Their robust construction ensures long-term reliability while minimising maintenance requirements, an essential consideration in environments handling dangerous goods. Complementing the general lighting, 12No Petrel 9LED5700/EM units were deployed to provide emergency illumination across aisles and open areas. In any hazardous facility, emergency lighting must operate seamlessly in the event of power failure, ensuring safe evacuation and maintaining visibility during critical incidents. The integration of dedicated emergency luminaires reinforces the project’s uncompromising approach to safety. Supporting a 6-Star Green Star Milestone While safety and compliance were paramount, sustainability remained central to the project vision. The distribution centre has achieved New Zealand’s first-ever 6-Star Green Star Design Certified rating, the highest possible rating awarded by the New Zealand Green Building Council. This world-leading certification represents excellence in sustainable design and places the facility at the forefront of environmentally responsible industrial development in New Zealand. Commenting on the project, Stuart Head, Technical and Certification Manager at Petrel Ltd said “Lighting is central to Green Star performance, influencing energy use, operational carbon and overall environmental quality. By combining high-performance LEDs with precise optical control, the L’Oréal Dangerous Goods Store achieves lower emissions, reduced energy demand and safer working conditions. Petrel is proud to have supported the delivery of this award-winning outcome.” By combining hazardous-area compliance with energy-efficient design, Petrel’s solution demonstrates that performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually reinforcing. Collaboration Driving Innovation Projects of this calibre depend on close collaboration between stakeholders. Early engagement with the end user, developer, design consultants and construction team ensured that lighting specifications aligned seamlessly with architectural intent, structural constraints, electrical and fire suppression infrastructure. The result is a facility that not only meets stringent hazardous-area standards but also aligns with global best practice in sustainable industrial design. Techlight’s National Sales Manager, Pierre Abrahamse, said: “The L’Oréal Dangerous Goods Store project sets a new benchmark, demonstrating how specialist lighting capability can drive both operational excellence and environmental leadership. Credit goes to the team at Petrel for their skill, commitment and genuine passion for the sector.” In an era where supply chain infrastructure must be safer, smarter and greener, this Auckland facility sets a new global standard. Through thoughtful design, precision engineering and collaborative delivery, it proves that even the most technically demanding environments can achieve world-class sustainability outcomes. To learn more about this story and the products featured, please visit Petrel’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mears sharpens housing focus with £18m FM disposal
Mears has sold its education and health facilities management division for £18m as it accelerates its strategic shift towards core housing services. The contractor confirmed the sale of Morrison Facilities Services Limited following a competitive sales process, marking another step in its plan to streamline operations and concentrate exclusively on the housing sector. The transaction was completed on a debt and cash-free basis with a normalised level of working capital. Morrison Facilities Services, which primarily delivered facilities management contracts across education and healthcare settings, generated revenue of £32m and pre-tax profit of £2.8m in the year to 31 December 2025. The business had previously been reported within Mears’ maintenance-led segment. Mears originally acquired the business in 2011 from Anglian Water Group for £24m. The latest disposal reflects a decisive repositioning of the group’s portfolio in response to evolving market conditions and long-term demand dynamics. Chief executive Lucas Critchley said the move represented further progress in simplifying the group’s structure and aligning it with its strategic priorities. He added that the disposal reinforces Mears’ focus on delivering housing services, a market underpinned by strong regulatory drivers and sustained investment requirements. The decision comes at a time when social housing providers and local authorities are facing increasing pressure around compliance, building safety and decarbonisation. These factors are driving significant, long-term demand for maintenance, refurbishment and asset management services across the housing estate. By narrowing its operational focus, Mears is positioning itself to capitalise on these structural growth drivers while reducing exposure to non-core activities. The sale is expected to provide greater clarity to investors regarding the group’s direction and strengthen its ability to allocate capital and management resource towards its core housing operations. The disposal signals a more concentrated and disciplined strategy as Mears seeks to build scale and resilience within the UK housing services market. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architectural trends bridging the gap between interior and exterior spaces
The traditional boundaries between the home and the garden are increasingly blurred in modern architecture. As homeowners seek to maximise their living areas without the logistical nightmare of a full-scale brick-and-mortar extension, architects and developers are turning toward versatile, high-end structural solutions. The goal is no longer just to provide a view of the outdoors, but to create a seamless transition that allows the exterior to function as an integral part of the home’s floor plan. This shift in residential design is driven by a desire for “indoor-outdoor” living, a concept that has evolved far beyond the simple patio door. Modern developments now prioritise thermal efficiency, structural lightness, and aesthetic cohesion. By treating the garden as an additional “room,” developers can significantly increase the perceived value and utility of a property, providing the flexible spaces that the 2026 market demands. Integrating the glass sliding door into contemporary building design At the heart of this architectural evolution is the widespread adoption of the glass sliding door as a primary structural element. Unlike the heavy, framed bifolds of the past, today’s minimalist sliding systems offer expansive, uninterrupted views that effectively remove the visual barrier between the lounge and the terrace. These systems are designed to slide effortlessly, allowing for a large-scale opening that creates a fluid thoroughfare for air and light. From a construction perspective, these glass walls provide a sophisticated solution for managing natural light in narrow urban plots. They allow architects to flood interior spaces with daylight, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and improving the overall wellbeing of the occupants. When specified correctly, these systems maintain high levels of insulation, ensuring that the home remains energy-efficient during the winter while offering the possibility of a completely open-plan living experience during the summer months. Enhancing property utility with a modern carport While much of the focus on outdoor living remains on the rear of the property, the front elevation is seeing its own functional revolution. The traditional garage is often viewed as a missed opportunity for space, frequently used for storage rather than vehicle protection. Consequently, we are seeing a rise in the specification of the contemporary carport in new build developments. These structures provide a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing alternative to the enclosed garage, offering protection from the elements without the heavy footprint of a traditional building. A well-designed aluminium structure can complement the lines of a modern house, providing a sheltered area that is both practical and visually unobtrusive. This is particularly relevant in the context of the growing EV market, where homeowners require easy, sheltered access to charging points. By integrating these structures into the initial design phase, developers can offer a premium feel that maintains an open, airy street scene. The future of modular outdoor structures The trend toward modularity in construction shows no signs of slowing down. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to customise their properties over time, and high-quality modular kits allow for this flexibility. Many industry professionals are now looking toward specialist manufacturers like Tuinmaximaal, who provide robust, professional-grade aluminium components that can be tailored to fit specific architectural requirements. This “plug-and-play” approach to high-end garden structures allows for rapid installation with minimal disruption to the site. Ultimately, the successful bridge between interior and exterior spaces relies on the quality of the materials and the thoughtfulness of the design. By incorporating expansive glass systems and functional sheltered areas, we can create homes that feel larger, brighter, and more connected to the world outside. As we look toward the future of UK residential development, these versatile structures will continue to play a pivotal role in how we define the modern British home.
Why Equipment Availability Is Starting To Be A Big Problem in Construction Projects
Construction projects have always relied on a delicate dance between labour, materials and machinery. While supply chain disruptions and labour shortages have been getting a lot of attention in recent years, another factor is slowly but surely emerging as a major headache: equipment availability. The machinery that gets the job done – excavators, loaders, telehandlers and compactors – is the backbone of most construction activity. Without reliable access to these machines, the whole operation can quickly come to a standstill – particularly when it comes to earthworks and site preparation, and getting materials where they need to be. As construction demand is on the rise globally, and governments are pouring more and more cash into infrastructure projects, contractors are starting to wake up to the idea that equipment availability is a strategic risk that needs better planning and coordination. The Growing Demand for Construction Equipment Looking across many regions, it’s clear that demand for construction equipment has skyrocketed over the past decade. Urban expansion, infrastructure upgrades and energy transition projects have all driven up construction activity. You’ve got large-scale transport infrastructure projects, renewable energy developments and residential construction projects all going on at the same time, which just creates a massive demand for machinery across multiple sectors. And in some markets, equipment fleets just can’t keep pace with growth. While the bigger construction firms may have their own fleets, many contractors rely on equipment hire providers to get the gear they need. But when multiple projects are all vying for the same types of machines, it can quickly become a problem – especially when it comes to specialised equipment. As a result, contractors are starting to realize that equipment sourcing is no longer just a simple operational task, but a critical part of project planning. When Equipment Just Cant Be Sourced When you can’t get the equipment you need in a hurry, project timelines can quickly be affected. And it’s the early stages of construction that are especially sensitive to equipment availability – things like earthworks and site preparation. For example, delays in getting your hands on excavators or loaders can postpone site mobilisation and rip through the project schedule as a whole. Because construction projects are all about tightly sequenced activities, a small delay can start a whole chain reaction of problems. In some cases, contractors might try to find alternative solutions – like substituting one machine for another, or adjusting workflows to keep on track. But these workarounds often end up reducing productivity and piling on extra costs. So improving visibility across the equipment supply chain is getting more and more important for contractors who want to avoid these kinds of problems. Industry tools like an equipment hire directory can really help by giving project teams a clear view of the machinery that’s out there, and by letting them quickly and easily compare and contrast suppliers. The Problem With Fragmented Equipment Supply Networks One of the reasons equipment availability can be such a pain to manage is the fragmented nature of the hire market. In a lot of regions, construction equipment fleets are spread out across loads of independent suppliers. This can be good in the sense that it gives contractors a lot of flexibility and competition, but it also makes it much harder for them to get a clear view of what’s out there. Project managers might need to contact loads of different suppliers just to confirm availability, compare spec sheets and arrange delivery logistics. And during peak demand periods, this can be a real time-suck. Limited visibility across suppliers just makes it more likely that machines are just sitting idle in one place, while other projects are struggling to find the gear they need. Digital tools are starting to chip away at this problem by providing a clearer view of what’s out there. The Rising Cost of Equipment Another thing that’s making equipment availability even trickier is the rising cost of machinery. New construction equipment is a big investment, and manufacturers keep introducing new features and technologies that just drive up the price. As a result, some contractors are getting a bit more cautious about expanding their fleets. Instead, they’re relying on flexible hire models that let them access equipment only when they need it. While this can help with cash flow, it can also make contractors more dependent on hire markets – which can be a problem during peak construction activity. Having access to a broader supplier network can really help mitigate these risks by giving contractors a better view of what’s out there. Equipment hire platforms like Quotor can really help by connecting contractors with suppliers across loads of different regions, and by giving them a better view of the equipment that’s out there. Making Better Use of Equipment Equipment availability problems also highlight the importance of getting the most out of the equipment that contractors do have. Construction machinery is often one of the most expensive assets on a project, but it can spend loads of time just sitting idle between projects or waiting for specific tasks to start. Improving utilisation across the industry can help reduce the need for extra machinery, while making sure that the equipment that is out there is being used a lot more efficiently. When machines can move more easily between projects, and contractors can get a clearer view of what’s out there, the industry as a whole can operate with fewer idle assets and just more overall productivity. Digital platforms that provide a clearer view of the equipment supply chain can really help make this happen. Planning for Equipment Risk As equipment availability becomes a bigger and bigger issue, contractors are starting to incorporate machinery sourcing into their project planning processes a lot earlier. Rather than just treating equipment hire as a last-minute operational decision, project managers are starting to think about availability right from the get-go. This can help teams anticipate potential shortages, get their hands on machinery earlier, and identify alternative suppliers if needed.