South Coast Science supplies ambient air quality monitors to the Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport. 2 Praxis/Urban instruments have been supplied to each port for immediate deployment for measurement of NO2, SO2, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity. Each is equipped with a solar power supply and data is transmitted via
Oxford-based construction firm Beard is replacing 28 historic columns as part of a major refurbishment of a Grade I listed building, within the grounds of one of the UK’s most important architectural sites. The family-run firm, which specialises in the education sector, has been onsite from July at St
When you want to work in the real estate industry, you may need to think about ways to help you rise above other like-minded individuals. While it may be important for you to gain any required qualifications before embarking on your career, there are other ways that you can get
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, recently announces that it has acquired a site in Trafford Park, south-west of Manchester city centre, totalling nine acres. The site is currently occupied by Tenmat, a leading manufacturer of advanced materials and components who is subsequently relocating
West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, visited the Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) Skills Academy at South and City College Birmingham’s Bordesley Green campus yesterday and welcomed the news that 3,000 more local people are set to benefit from employment opportunities on HS2. The Balfour Beatty VINCI Skills Academy, which sits within
The Council is set to spend around £128 million over the next 12 months as it continues to invest in improving Council homes and building new affordable homes in Edinburgh. At a meeting of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee on Thursday (24 March), Councillors agreed a comprehensive spending
The Heat Pump Federation and its members welcome the Chancellor’s decision to reduce VAT to zero rate on energy savings materials, including heat pumps. Bean Beanland, the HPF’s Director of Growth & External Affairs said: “We, in concert with others in the sector, have long argued that the tax regime
In 1959, eight dairies in the Parmigiano Reggiano area founded the CCS Consorzio Caseifici Sociali. Over the years, the has business expanded to include the production and maturing of Parmigiano Reggiano. In 1995, the Granterre Consortium was established, bringing together the entire Parmigiano Reggiano dairy chain, and then almost ten
If you are running a construction business, then you always need to be aware of the storms that could be just over the horizon. There are countless examples of challenges that you could face running your construction company in the future. Here are some key possibilities you should consider. Low
Pre-engineered metal warehouses are a popular choice for many businesses because they offer a variety of benefits. The structural steel market size exceeded $285 billion globally in 2019. There are four essential factors to check before purchasing when you are in the market for a pre-engineered metal building. A good
South Coast Science supplies ambient air quality monitors to the Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport. 2 Praxis/Urban instruments have been supplied to each port for immediate deployment for measurement of NO2, SO2, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity. Each is equipped with a solar power supply and data is transmitted via 4G cellular communication, as well as being stored on the device. The instruments will be used to start new air quality monitoring programmes which are linked to the Port Air Quality Strategy for each site (The air quality strategy for the Port of Felixstowe is published here.) UK Clean Air Strategy and Ports Following the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy, published in January 2019, major ports in England were asked to develop air quality strategies, including plans to reduce emissions. In terms of emissions, the impact of SO2 generated by shipping is significant as are the NO2 emissions of dock-side mechanised handling equipment like cranes, forklift trucks and vehicles. For these kinds of projects, it is vital that all air quality benchmarking is done using products developed with academic rigour, as this ensures that all subsequent measurements are sound. The latest advances in low-cost sensor technology are now opening up access to air quality monitoring in a commercial context. It is now possible to gather real-time data from instruments whose accuracy has been independently certified. “At South Coast Science we’ve spent nearly four years working to improve sensor performance in our Praxis range of products, to provide a service that meets the commercial needs for reliable devices in a sometimes harsh environment. We’re very pleased to be working with Hutchison Ports.” – David Johnson, Sales Director at South Coast Science Real-world solutions for air quality monitoring A major blocker for large-scale, meaningful air quality monitoring in industry has been a lack of affordable devices which are known to produce reliable data. Low-cost sensors have historically had issues with variable performance in outdoor environments. Devices like the Praxis/Urban and Praxis/OPCube that offer validated monitoring data and operate reliably with minimal supervision, give much needed real-world solutions. This new generation of third-party certified monitors finally provides a commercially viable way to quantify which air quality interventions are likely to be most impactful and track progress. For more information about the Port Air Quality Strategies, please visit each site’s individual web pages. Visit the South Coast Science website for information on its monitoring products, or contact David Johnson, Sales Director.
Oxford-based construction firm Beard is replacing 28 historic columns as part of a major refurbishment of a Grade I listed building, within the grounds of one of the UK’s most important architectural sites. The family-run firm, which specialises in the education sector, has been onsite from July at St John’s College, Oxford, to work on the £10m project to refurbish the 16th century Old Library and 17th century Laudian Library extension, located in the Canterbury Quadrangle. The columns are a central part of the historic Quadrangle and had been beginning to fail structurally, ruling out a cosmetic repair. Once it was clear the columns would need to be removed, Wright and Wright architects and the Beard team set out to find the right replacements. As a world-famous seat of learning and listed building it was essential to ensure the aesthetic of the new columns remained in keeping with the rest of the building, however the site where the original stone was quarried has long closed down. The stone for the original columns is Bletchingdon marble and was mined locally. By working with expert stonemasonry firm, Szerelmey and Wright & Wright architects, a carboniferous limestone, Swaledale fossil, was identified as the ideal replacement. As the stone is not commonly used in Oxford, approval from Oxford City Planning Department and Historic England had to be sought. After passing these approvals, the stone was quarried and carefully worked to shape. The columns are particularly important as Canterbury Quadrangle is one of the few remaining examples in the UK of the high baroque architectural style, dating back to the early 17th century. The project manager at St John’s, Jonathan Brock from Beard explained: “It is a massive honour to be entrusted to work on a building of such huge historical and cultural significance. As the columns are vital for the structure, it was crucial we found the perfect stone. “By working with the expert team at Szerelmey and the team at the College, we’ve found the ideal replacement that will ensure the aesthetic of the College remains, while ensuring it is structurally sound. “The building has to be temporarily propped while the columns are removed and despite all the planning we’ve done it is still a nerve-wracking experience to replace the columns.” Beard, which has won a number of contracts from the University of Oxford in recent years, was trusted with this historically important building due to the quality of work and faultless delivery for phase one of the project, and its track record in the wider education sector. Zoe Hancock, Principal Bursar of St John’s College, said: “A site of such national importance requires a high calibre of expertise and quality of work which Beard and the team have delivered. “The replacement of the columns is a significant step in the refurbishment of this exceptionally historic building and to ensure it remains safe and sound for future generations.” The final phase of work is expected to be finished by early 2023 and consists of refurbishment of the College’s existing Laudian Library and Old Library, with remodelling of an area known as the Paddy Room under the Old Library.
When you want to work in the real estate industry, you may need to think about ways to help you rise above other like-minded individuals. While it may be important for you to gain any required qualifications before embarking on your career, there are other ways that you can get yourself ahead of the game. Not only could this aid you in gaining promotions, but you may find that some tips also help you to become a better real estate agent as a whole. Firstly, you may want to think about the type of company that you opt to work for. The amount you can earn may vary across the board. However, not all companies may operate in a way that you deem to be acceptable. You might find yourself asking if Compass realty a pyramid scheme, as an example, to check whether this is the kind of company you want to work for – however, Compass is not this type of business and might be the perfect stepping stone into real estate for you. When potentially working on a commission basis, you may want to look into the history and reputation of your chosen real estate company prior to signing any contracts or beginning work. This way, you may be able to confirm that they are, in fact, legitimate. Reading any contracts thoroughly can also help you to understand your role, and negate the likelihood of any nasty surprises along the way. Although you might have completed your preliminary qualifications, that doesn’t mean that your days of research are long behind you. Looking into the current state of the property market, as well as any price increases or decreases could allow you a bit of insight into the trends that might be likely to occur in the coming months. From this, you might be able to give your clients more information, and even close sales easily. In addition to this, being knowledgeable about your local area, including the building styles and eras, could have the potential to make you highly sought after when a new client looks to engage with real estate. You may also want to consider improving the ways that you communicate with others. At times, clients may quickly switch off to some of the spiels that real estate agents give them, especially if they feel like they are being pushed into a hasty decision. Although you may want to make that sale, you may also want to ensure that people listen to your words, and take them to heart. This could involve in-person conversations, as well as those conducted by telephone or email. When you are better able to hold a conversation, make meaningful dialogue, and listen attentively, you may be able to put yourself in a position where you are able to meet the needs of your clients and even help to appease any doubts they might have. There can be a number of aspects that could help you to advance your real estate agent career. Ultimately, not shying away from doing various types of research and personal growth could be a great weapon to have in your arsenal.
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, recently announces that it has acquired a site in Trafford Park, south-west of Manchester city centre, totalling nine acres. The site is currently occupied by Tenmat, a leading manufacturer of advanced materials and components who is subsequently relocating to a site in Irlam at the end of 2022, and has significant redevelopment potential. Cushman & Wakefield advised Tenmat on the sale of the site and the relocation to Irlam. Trafford Park is the premier industrial estate in the North West, covering approximately 1,940 acres and employing 40,000 people. Trafford Park was the first purpose-built industrial park in the world and remains one of the largest industrial parks in Europe, accommodating over 1,300 businesses including Amazon, Unilever, P&G and DHL. Manchester is also one of the UK’s most thriving cities for business and commerce, with the Greater Manchester economy having doubled in size since 2000. The park has excellent connectivity by road, rail and air, strategically located within five miles of Manchester city centre and benefitting from good access to the national motorways network, Metrolink tram and light railway system, and airports including Manchester Airport (11 miles away) and Liverpool John Lennon Airport (27 miles away). The site is within a five-minute drive of junctions nine and ten of the M60 motorway, and the Manchester Freightliner Terminal also provides approximately 20 daily services to the UK’s deep seaports. Adrienne Howells, Development Director at GLP, comments: “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire an attractive site in one of the largest, most well-connected logistics parks in the UK and Europe. The site lends itself to multiple redevelopment opportunities, including reformatting as a large single unit of around 200,000 SQ FT or splitting into an arrangement of smaller units. GLP has been extremely active in the UK recently and this latest acquisition and development intention indicates our confidence in the North West region.” Rob Taylor, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, comments: “This site represents one of the best opportunities to secure development land in a prime location in the region. There was strong interest in the site and we are delighted to have completed the sale on behalf of our client Tenmat and to achieve the result we have. We look forward to working with Tenmat and GLP over the coming months, as Tenmat starts the process of relocating to its new site in Irlam and a new future beckons for the Trafford Park site, with one of the most active developers in the UK at present.”
West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, visited the Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) Skills Academy at South and City College Birmingham’s Bordesley Green campus yesterday and welcomed the news that 3,000 more local people are set to benefit from employment opportunities on HS2. The Balfour Beatty VINCI Skills Academy, which sits within one of Birmingham’s most deprived wards, first opened its doors in November 2021, as part of a dedicated drive to upskill local people ready for work on HS2. Since it opened with £1.1m backing from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Skills Academy has supported local people who were out of work into a job or onto further training in readiness for their chosen career path supporting HS2’s construction. Today, the Mayor and Cllr Ian Courts, Chair of the HS2 Regional Enterprise Board, and leader of Solihull Council, welcomed the news that the Skills Academy is gearing up to train more people, ready to transition into 3,000 jobs over the next four years with Balfour Beatty VINCI’s labour supply chain partners. The Mayor said: “One of the main reasons I fought so hard to secure HS2 for the West Midlands was the local jobs it would create, and so it is brilliant to see that coming to fruition now. “This exciting collaboration between Balfour Beatty VINCI and South and City College Birmingham, supported by our funding, is helping to give thousands of local people the opportunity to find high-quality and well-paid jobs as part of this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project. This Skills Academy is exactly the kind of initiative that helps those who have fallen out of work find employment as part of my 100k jobs plan.” HS2 Minister, Andrew Stephenson said: “HS2 is about boosting transport, driving business and creating thousands of long lasting jobs that will level up the nation. “Balfour Beatty Skills Academy embodies all of this, not only supporting local jobs but giving workers the opportunity to upskill for free and gain valuable experience working on Europe’s biggest infrastructure project.” The BBV Skills Academy is the first of its kind in the region, but plans are in place to open more centres across the Midlands, making it easier for local people to gain the free training, accreditation and support they need to begin a career on HS2. BBV estimates it will support circa 7,000 jobs to deliver its programme of work on HS2, and in the West Midlands, it is estimated that the construction of HS2 will generate a constant labour demand of around 10,000 jobs from now until 2027/28. Shilpi Akbar, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Head of Skills, Employment and Education, said: “At Balfour Beatty VINCI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing employment opportunities for people across the region. It is one of our top priorities and a core reason we launched our Skills Academy at South and City College last year. “We want everyone – particularly those who are currently unemployed – to join us and realise the wide range of benefits that can be derived from a career in the construction and infrastructure industry; careers that will take shape and flourish while working to deliver Britain’s new high-speed railway.” At the Bordesley Green campus, thanks to BBV’s partnership venture with South and City College Birmingham, students can gain hands on experience in plant machinery operation, traffic and fire marshalling, alongside nationally recognised accreditation from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme. With no previous experience or skills required, students typically complete BBV’s specialist general operatives training programme in four to six weeks, enabling them to progress onto a paid work trial in their preferred construction career field. On successful completion of the trial, candidates are job matched to roles with BBV’s local labour providers, where they begin their career on HS2. In a short space of time, the programme has supported people of all ages and backgrounds who were formerly unemployed into work. René Nunes from Birmingham was unemployed for two years and was eager to find a job that provided long term security. Through HS2’s job brokerage partner model, which sees its contractors work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and National Careers Service to support local people who are out of work into a job on HS2, René was referred to the Skills Academy and onto the general operatives training programme. He is now working full time at HS2’s construction site in Water Orton and is a vital part of the facilities and maintenance team. René said: “I feel really privileged to have secured this job and to be working on a project of this scale. The sheer size of HS2’s construction programme is phenomenal and it’s great that I get to work at different sites and see it all coming together. “No two days are the same, which is what I really enjoy about my job, and I genuinely feel part of the team that is bringing HS2 to the region.” During the visit, guests were invited to meet with former trainees who have transitioned into employment, as well as students who have an expressed an interest in joining the next general operatives training programme. 35-year-old Imran from Sparkbrook in Birmingham lost his job during the pandemic. He’d always been interested in construction, particularly engineering and design. When he was given a flyer advertising the Skills Academy, and its free construction training programme, he jumped at the chance and registered for an induction. Imran completed his training in just six weeks and is now working with BBV’s surveying team at the Washwood Heath construction site which will be home to HS2’s train depot and control centre. Imran said: “I am passionate and proud to be contributing to HS2’s construction. As a member of the surveying team, I play a vital role in ensuring that designs are delivered to the exact specification and with precision. I work closely with the designers and engineers and really take pride in my job. Knowing that I am playing a part in
The Council is set to spend around £128 million over the next 12 months as it continues to invest in improving Council homes and building new affordable homes in Edinburgh. At a meeting of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee on Thursday (24 March), Councillors agreed a comprehensive spending programme for the year ahead. Under the plans, improvements will be carried out to more than 3,000 Council homes – making them greener, safer, and more accessible for generations to come. The investment plan will also drive forward the Council’s ambitious house building strategy, supporting the development, build and supply of even more sustainable and affordable new homes to address the city’s housing pressures and tackle the cost-of-living crisis. The Council aims to be one of the first local authorities in Scotland to pilot a ‘whole house retrofit’ approach to support the Council’s net zero carbon commitment. Councillor Kate Campbell, Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee said: We’re really scaling up our efforts to improve the condition of people’s homes and driving forward our housebuilding programme, so that residents can have permanent homes that are energy efficient, safe and affordable. Our ambition has been to deliver 20,000 affordable new homes by 2027 and we’re well on the way to achieving that despite the pandemic and Brexit, which have been really challenging for construction. And now we’re having to navigate a cost of living crisis, so we have set a rent freeze for our tenants to support them through this. But, longer term, all the work we’re doing now to make homes much more sustainable will also help us to drive down fuel bills. The steps we’re taking to make better use of shared greenspaces is also important for tenants’ wellbeing. Our investment plan for the year ahead will make a big difference to our tenants, both their quality of life in their homes, and to their cost of living. Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee said: There are huge pressures on housing in Edinburgh and those on low incomes continue to be the most affected by high rents and high bills. Housebuilding has a role to play in providing more affordable and energy efficient homes, and to help us meet the city’s growing demand for accommodation. While funding and land supply remain two key challenges, we’re doing a lot of work to maximise the number of homes we can deliver. But we’re also investing in existing homes and revolutionising housing to provide safer, warmer, and more enjoyable places to live. As we carry out this work, there is a real opportunity to work with staff and Trade Unions to grow our in-house team and further strengthen our repairs service, to provide the very best customer service and value for money we can. This is a complex piece of work but we’re committed to exploring opportunities for upskilling and apprenticeships in the years ahead. I’m pleased officers are looking into a plan, particularly as we scale up our housing investment as we emerge from the pandemic and move forward with innovative ways of working to make people’s homes energy efficient. A report will be brought forward in three months’ time to explore this in more detail. The Capital housing priorities for the year ahead were agreed by members of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on Thursday (24 March) and are outlined in the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme report.
The Heat Pump Federation and its members welcome the Chancellor’s decision to reduce VAT to zero rate on energy savings materials, including heat pumps. Bean Beanland, the HPF’s Director of Growth & External Affairs said: “We, in concert with others in the sector, have long argued that the tax regime in the UK has favoured the burning of fossil fuels, so this is a particularly welcome measure. We also understand that all materials and services are included. This level of simplicity is essential for the installer community, many of which are micro-businesses that struggle with overly complex tax rules.” “Setting the intervention for five years gives future visibility which will encourage investment in both skills and capacity, by the whole sector in the UK. When taken in conjunction with the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which also starts on 1st April, domestic scale heat pumps are going to be that much more affordable for both homeowners and landlords. “ “Capital costs are only one half of the equation, operational costs for heat pumps do still have to be addressed through the rebalancing of taxation on electricity and fossil fuels that reflects the relative carbon and other emissions. But for today, the VAT outcome is to be celebrated and the Government commended for the message that this sends to consumers and to the industry alike.” For interviews/information, please contact Bean Beanland: 07393 399685 / bean.beanland@hpf.org.uk / www.hpf.org.uk
In 1959, eight dairies in the Parmigiano Reggiano area founded the CCS Consorzio Caseifici Sociali. Over the years, the has business expanded to include the production and maturing of Parmigiano Reggiano. In 1995, the Granterre Consortium was established, bringing together the entire Parmigiano Reggiano dairy chain, and then almost ten years later, in 2004, control of Parmareggio Spa was acquired. In 2019 Bonterre Spa, the holding company under which the control of Parmareggio Spa and Grandi Salumifici Italiani Spa (controlled by UNIBON) was established. Then in 2021, Agriform Sca (leader in the production of Grana Padano PDO and the main Veneto PDOs such as Asiago, Piave, Montasio and Monte Veronese) merged with Parmareggio Spa to create the first Italian company in the world of PDO cheeses and cemented this new company as the leader in the Italian food industry. New company requires fire safety upgrade In 2021, the site at Sommacampagna required an upgrade of the fire detection system. Hochiki were the appointed manufacturers to supply the life safety system and devices due to their experience and expertise in the Italian fire safety market. Within food production sites, the temperature and humidity inside the environment must be carefully controlled to comply with food hygiene laws, and because of this, these sites can be notoriously complex buildings to design and install fire safety systems for. The customer was looking for a high-performance fire detection system that would not be affected by these environmental factors, and most importantly avoid false alarms which can halt production and cost the company thousands of Euros for every minute the site is not fully operational. The installation team also needed to pay particular attention to the installation of cables and piping. As a specialist in aged cheese production, it was imperative that the delicate work of the cheese wheels and the hot marking of the upper layer of the Parmesan rind was not affected during the installation project. One of the benefits to Hochiki products to this project was the ease of install and ease of use of the devices which had minimal impact on the business. To meet the requirements of the project, the installer NET Technologies Srl chose Hochiki’s market leading system L@titude to be the brain of the life safety system. This innovative fire detection technology combines the very latest hardware and software to produce a control and indication system which is powerful and sophisticated, yet simple to use and understand via a graphical interface. Mirko Corsini, project manager at Hochiki Italia, said: “The installer chose Hochiki’s L@titude panel together with our SPC-ET beam smoke detectors, which are characterised by low power consumption at rest and incorporate a sophisticated algorithm of automatic compensation to environmental changes. The technical features of these products make them perfect for meeting the needs of this type of food processing environment. The flexibility of the Hochiki ESP protocol made it possible, through the CHQ-SZM2/SCI Zone Modules, to integrate conventional detectors (SPC-ET) as if they were addressable devices, without having to use auxiliary power supplies that would have required additional cables and batteries.” Detectors with short circuit isolators were installed to ensure the system complied with the requirements of UNI EN 9795, which states that a short-circuit isolator must be installed for each room/compartment. Intelligent Photoelectric Smoke detector with SCI incorporates Hochiki’s newest High Performance Chamber Technology. This detector removes the need to use Ionisation Smoke Sensors in many applications. This also allows the sensor threshold level to be increased, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio, and reducing the likelihood of false alarms. Throughout the site Intelligent Loop-Powered Wall Sounder Beacons and Visual Alarm Devices were installed to ensure a fully compliant and state of the art fire safety system. Commenting on the project, Fabrizio Bergamin, Technical Coordinator at the installer company NET Technologies srl, said: “We chose Hochiki devices and system because of the technical characteristics and reliability that this brand offers, as well as a wide range of products that fully meet market demands. Post commissioning of the project, the operating conditions envisaged in the design phase have been amply met. Over the course of the next year, there will be further implementations of the fire detection system at the Parmareggio production site, with distributed intelligence solutions or with several autonomous and networked L@titude control panels. During the project we have had to deal with several technical design studios to solve various kinds of system problems; a fundamental role, together with the products they offer, is played by the Hochiki Italia technical support. They have responded competently to regulatory and design aspects, as well as proposed solutions for particular applications“.
If you are running a construction business, then you always need to be aware of the storms that could be just over the horizon. There are countless examples of challenges that you could face running your construction company in the future. Here are some key possibilities you should consider. Low Levels Of Productivity It is possible that one of the problems you could face with your construction business in the future is a low level of productivity. There are countless reasons why productivity levels might be low. For instance, you may find that it’s due to issues with your team. If so, it could be worth thinking about refreshing your team and recruiting a new group of workers. Alternatively, it could be because you have fallen behind in terms of the technology you should be using. A lot of construction businesses now have a cloud server integrated into their company model. Equipment Shortage Another factor that you should consider is whether you might struggle to source certain equipment you need for projects. Particularly, if you are working to a tight deadline. Some equipment like block paving extractor tools are easy to find from the best suppliers. However, there are others which are going to be more difficult to get because they use complex technology. Certain microchips are currently not being made at the level to match the demand due to the backlog from COVID-19. As such, it’s likely that you may struggle to get at least some forms of equipment. You may need to improvise here. Skill Shortage Due to an aging workforce as well as other mitigating factors, it’s likely that the construction industry will face a skill shortage over the next few years. One of the ways that you can deal with this is by ensuring that your business is accessible and exciting for young team members. You need to ensure that there are structures in place which will allow them to grow and thrive in their roles. It’s also important to make sure that you are investing in training for your team. Particularly as technology becomes more integrated into the construction process. Heavy Costs Finally, due to problems including inflation and the rising price of fuel, construction businesses could face significant costs in the future that they will need to handle. It will be more important than ever before to ensure that companies do get costs under control and manage them more effectively. One of the ways that they can do this is by hiring an accounting solution. The right service will mean that construction companies can keep track of their costs in real time. This will mean that they can avoid a disaster with mounting expenses that aren’t even noticed. We hope this helps you understand some of the common challenges that you may struggle with when running your construction company over the next few years. By taking the right steps here, you can guarantee that your business is on the right track and does not fall behind the competition.
Pre-engineered metal warehouses are a popular choice for many businesses because they offer a variety of benefits. The structural steel market size exceeded $285 billion globally in 2019. There are four essential factors to check before purchasing when you are in the market for a pre-engineered metal building. A good steel building company will ensure that the customers have all the information they need to decide about their new building. So, what should you be looking for when shopping for metal warehouse buildings? Read on to know more. 1) Zoning and Building Codes When looking for a metal warehouse, zoning and building codes are two of the most critical factors. If you don’t check these before getting to your metal warehouse, you could be in for some serious problems down the road. That’s why it is vital to have an expert walk through this with you beforehand. By checking these codes first and then finding a dealer that can work within those parameters, you will avoid breaking laws or violating any agreements made during your purchase. Zoning refers to how much land is available for construction on a property. It also measures what kinds of activities are allowed on each piece of property. For example, one parcel may allow storage buildings while another may not. Building codes are standards that dictate how a building must be constructed. These codes are in place to ensure the safety of the occupants and the structure itself. 2) Size The size of the metal warehouse is also an important consideration. You need to make sure that your chosen structure can comfortably accommodate everything you store. Calculate the dimensions of your inventory and compare it to the available space inside the warehouse. It’s important to leave extra room for maneuverability and future expansion. Another factor to consider is the height of the ceilings. If you plan on storing tall items, you need a warehouse with high ceilings. Otherwise, you might have to settle for a smaller space. 3) Location When finding a location for your new warehouse, you’ll want to consider proximity. You’ll want to be situated as close to the businesses you work with. It will minimize shipping costs and time spent transporting goods. Another important factor is access. Can large trucks quickly get in and out? Are there any height restrictions? You’ll need to have a loading dock or an area where deliveries can be made. It’s also essential to think about future expansion when choosing a location. You’ll want a site with room to grow, so you don’t have to move again in a few years. Take the time to do your research and find the perfect location for your new warehouse. It will save money and headaches in the long run. 4) Price Metal warehouse buildings vary widely in price. You can get a basic model for $20 per square foot, while a more elaborate one might cost $100. Prices will also be affected by the size and complexity of the build and any special features you want to be included. It’s essential to estimate the total cost accurately before committing to a purchase, so factor in all potential expenses. These will include the cost of the land, permits, and any site preparation that needs to be done. You should also consider the long-term costs of owning a metal warehouse building. Things like insurance, maintenance, and repairs can add up over time, so it’s important to factor those into your budget beforehand. Final Thoughts When choosing the suitable metal warehouse buildings for your needs, these are a few key factors to consider. By taking the time to consider each of these factors, you can be sure that you’ll end up with a building that will serve your business well for years to come.