I have a challenge I believe your readers will enjoy during lockdown. Sussex-based plant hire company, BPH Plant Hire has created a ‘Where’s Wally’ type brainteaser to help relieve some boredom. So far it’s taken an average of 1 minute and 23 seconds to find Barry and readers are being challenged
As the UK government unveils new guidelines for making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’, global health and safety expert Bureau Veritas is advising businesses that their safe return to work depends on their ability to “win the hearts and minds of employees” alongside creating clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. On
According to new figures from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job postings were up by 0.7% following the government’s announcement that key industries could go back to work, with the construction industry (up 36.8%) experiencing an even bigger increase. The job board looked at the amount of jobs posted w/c 11th May, vs those posted w/c 4th May and found
Working in conjunction with Mecalac Financial Solutions, Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has launched an unbeatable Buy Now… Pay Later finance package across its entire range of excavators, wheel loaders, site dumpers, compaction rollers and backhoe loaders. For all new models ordered and delivered before 31 July 2020, customers benefit from
The employee-owned packaging company recently announced the design and supply of a new protective face visor for the NHS which saw them supplying several hospital trusts in the West Midlands. The company has also offered further support to organisations that had limited access to PPE yet were supporting front line
Since the emergence of COVID-19 and the UK’s public health countermeasures, many industry suppliers have seen demand for some products rocket. Online retailer, Zoro, supplies businesses across all industries with the tools and equipment they need to get on with the job, over 310,000 products. In recent weeks the company
A disused site in Dorset is set to have fresh life breathed into it with a new commercial property development. Penton Motor Group is building four units on the former Boyland Joinery site in Stony Lane, Christchurch, to create a trading hub for businesses. The hub is to be known
How does a medium sized, niche business navigate through numerous conformance requirements to secure its place in today’s construction supply chains? The construction industry has always presented opportunities for the army of innovative and specialised small and medium sized business based in the UK. For every £1 spent by the
Solihull-based Terra Strategic has received Detailed Planning Consent for a scheme of 36 new homes off Bedford Road (A603) and Park Road in the small rural village of Moggerhanger in Central Bedfordshire. Terra Strategic has worked with the landowners to secure the planning status for the 1.44-hectare (3.6-acre) development, which
With Homes England – the government’s housing accelerator – being tasked with generating a significant hike in the number of new homes of all kinds nationwide, notable beneficiaries of their Building Fund include off-site fabricators of modular buildings whose use is set to boom as the production of new homes
I have a challenge I believe your readers will enjoy during lockdown. Sussex-based plant hire company, BPH Plant Hire has created a ‘Where’s Wally’ type brainteaser to help relieve some boredom. So far it’s taken an average of 1 minute and 23 seconds to find Barry and readers are being challenged to beat this time.
As the UK government unveils new guidelines for making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’, global health and safety expert Bureau Veritas is advising businesses that their safe return to work depends on their ability to “win the hearts and minds of employees” alongside creating clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. On 11 May, the government published guidance for employers to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating safely following almost two months of strict coronavirus restrictions. The new guidance covers eight workplace settings that are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites through to factories and takeaways. The guidelines focus on five key points; work from home if you can, carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with workers or trade unions, maintain social distancing and, where this is not possible, manage transmission risk, all of which must be supported with more stringent cleaning processes. And with many businesses now facing the daunting challenge of implementing the guidelines, Bureau Veritas, which has been working with a number of sectors to help them safely resume operations, believes that those firms that work collaboratively with their workforce to introduce new ways of working are likely to fair better. Ken Smith, UK Chief Executive at Bureau Veritas UK, said: “For almost all British businesses, introducing the appropriate health, safety and hygiene measures required to make workplaces ‘COVID-secure’ as per the new government guidelines will require a complete overhaul of their current operations. “It’s a mammoth undertaking which will only be successful if employers win the hearts and minds of employees to ensure they are empowered and committed – and must be underpinned by clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. To achieve this, businesses are advised to introduce measures in consultation and consensus with staff, have regular communication and active engagement on whether these are effective as well as creating a system that encourages staff to come forward and voice concerns if at any point they feel unsafe at work.” Other challenges the employers should consider, says Bureau Veritas – which recently launched its ‘Restart Your Business’ assurance service to help firms manage their return to work strategies – includes how the government’s advice to avoid using public transport will impact employees as well as having a better understanding of the movement of people around business premises. “Taking the time to understand the occupational use of buildings – logistics, deliveries, how lifts are used, desks are spaced and the hygiene of frequently used touchpoints – will stand duty holders in good stead for resuming operations. “Given the sheer size and complexity of making workplaces safe against the threat of coronavirus transmission, a nuanced approach that truly reflects best practice, could ultimately, help to save lives.” The ‘Restart Your Business With Bureau Veritas’ service provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a firm’s COVID-19 readiness to re-open their business premises, with a statement of assurance issued on completion that can be displayed on its website and at its properties. To find out more about ‘Restart Your Business With Bureau Veritas’, call 0345 600 1828 or visit: https://share.hsforms.com/1tTRe4h7IQZOBHtRBmdDDfg2z02a.
According to new figures from CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, job postings were up by 0.7% following the government’s announcement that key industries could go back to work, with the construction industry (up 36.8%) experiencing an even bigger increase. The job board looked at the amount of jobs posted w/c 11th May, vs those posted w/c 4th May and found that the sector experienced the second biggest hike in vacancies week-on-week: Agriculture +124.1% Property +47% Manufacturing +42.9% Customer Service +38.9% Construction +36.8% Administration +35.3% Accounting/Finance +30.5% IT +24.4% Electronics +23.4% Retail +22.4% On the other end of the spectrum, the industries that saw the biggest fall in job adverts include leisure/tourism (down 86.7%), automotive (down 72.8%), catering (down 34.2%), charities (down 18.2%) and medical (down 17.9%). Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments on the findings: “While the UK continues to follow strict social distancing guidelines, the government’s announcement that key industries could return to the workplace on Wednesday 13th May appears to have instilled confidence back into employers. As a result, we’re slowly seeing job numbers pick back up; though they are nowhere near the levels they would normally be.” The findings will come as welcome news to the millions of professionals who are actively looking for work right now. Indeed, a study CV-Library conducted amongst 1,408 professionals in May reveals that 90.9% of people who are currently unemployed in the construction industry are hoping to find a job during the coronavirus pandemic. Biggins continues: “Prior to this pandemic, the labour market was largely candidate-driven but this has definitely shifted. The demand for jobs is outstripping supply and it’s going to take some time for this to change. What’s more, a lot of companies are reliant on the government’s furlough scheme to keep their employees in work, so unemployment rates aren’t yet at their peak. “That said, our findings do provide some reassurance that the government’s effort to kickstart the economy again are working, though we cannot rest on our laurels just yet. Businesses must continue to make smart decisions and follow guidelines closely.”
Working in conjunction with Mecalac Financial Solutions, Mecalac Construction Equipment UK has launched an unbeatable Buy Now… Pay Later finance package across its entire range of excavators, wheel loaders, site dumpers, compaction rollers and backhoe loaders. For all new models ordered and delivered before 31 July 2020, customers benefit from zero repayment instalments and zero interest for three months.* Twelve weeks later, payments recommence, spread over either 36, 48 or 60 months (as per individual finance agreements). Paul Macpherson, UK Sales and Marketing Director at Mecalac Construction Equipment UK, commented: “During such exceptional times, we wanted to give something back and provide construction professionals nationwide with a simple, affordable way to purchase the latest Mecalac models. “Our Buy Now…Pay Later finance offer has been designed with the customer firmly in mind. Available through your local Mecalac dealer, the package offers a risk-free revenue source for three months before the first payment is due.” A global leader in the design and manufacture of compact construction equipment, Mecalac boasts a comprehensive portfolio of site dumpers, backhoe loaders, compaction rollers, excavators and wheel loaders. The latest, Stage V-compliant models feature a number of highly innovative technologies and capabilities to improve on-site efficiencies and performance. For more information about the Buy Now… Pay Later finance package, or to find your nearest dealer, visit www.mecalac.com/en.
The employee-owned packaging company recently announced the design and supply of a new protective face visor for the NHS which saw them supplying several hospital trusts in the West Midlands. The company has also offered further support to organisations that had limited access to PPE yet were supporting front line workers. Across their 7 regional distribution centres in the UK, based in, Gateshead, Rotherham, Coventry, Swindon, Letchworth and Portsmouth, Kite has donated 5,000 protective face visors to a total of 108 separate organisations including care homes, hospices, charities, nursing homes, pharmacies, police stations, foodbanks and NHS workers based in the community. Several of the Kite Team went that extra mile and personally delivered many of the donated visors, observing strict social distancing of course, to ensure that the organisations could have access to vital PPE. To find out more about Kite Packaging please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
Since the emergence of COVID-19 and the UK’s public health countermeasures, many industry suppliers have seen demand for some products rocket. Online retailer, Zoro, supplies businesses across all industries with the tools and equipment they need to get on with the job, over 310,000 products. In recent weeks the company has seen a huge surge in demand , with Zoro’s staff working non-stop to keep UK industry moving and people at home fully occupied. Chris Matenaers, marketing director at Zoro said: “Compared to the same period last year, we have seen demand across some products more than double. “Our office staff are working from home and staff in our warehouse are using appropriate PPE with strict social distancing rules in operation. Our teams are working longer than usual hours to get the much-needed supplies out of the door, to keep UK industry workforces safe.” An NHS nurse commented: “Had a hard time looking for a respirator (I am an ITU nurse in NHS and currently taking care of COVID-19 patients) and I am lucky enough to buy one from Zoro. It arrived after 2 working days (free shipping) and as expected. Thank you very much. Now I am more confident to work.” Zoro are working at full capacity to fulfill orders and customers are being advised to expect a slightly longer delivery time due to the unprecedented demand. Matenaers said: “Delivery times are a little longer than usual as the pandemic takes its toll on both supply chain and demand on courier companies. We appreciate the patience of our customers while we work to get products out of the door.” Although delivery times are slower during this time, a customer on TrustPilot commented: “A lot of sites have increased prices on certain items considerably since lockdown! This company has not! Excellent prices and quick delivery […] highly recommend.” The buying team is focused on finding replacements for out of stock items and working with suppliers to identify new products, such as signs for social distancing signs. Marcus Nelson, managing director of Zoro said: “We are monitoring the situation daily, listening to government advice. The safety of our workforce is of paramount importance and I’m extremely proud of their dedication and hard work every day during this difficult time. “We are proud to be supplying NHS nurses and front line key workers with PPE. I want to reassure our customers that we are doing everything we can to keep the stock that is in high demand coming into our warehouse, then getting it out of the door as quickly as possible.” For more information visit www.zoro.co.uk.
A disused site in Dorset is set to have fresh life breathed into it with a new commercial property development. Penton Motor Group is building four units on the former Boyland Joinery site in Stony Lane, Christchurch, to create a trading hub for businesses. The hub is to be known as Penton Business Park. Over the past eight years Penton Motor Group has built four new showrooms for its franchised motor business and renovated a further three separate investment buildings. This is a new direction for the long established Wilson family business, which has locations in Christchurch, Poole, Andover and Salisbury, to develop a ground-up commercial investment property other than for its own use. Fellow Christchurch firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) has designed and manufactured the steel frames, decking, cladding, glazing and doors for the project. An estimated, circa 30 new jobs could be created in a boost for the local economy providing a total of 1,885 sq metres / 20,300 sq ft for trade counter, light industrial, storage and possible gym uses with ample parking for 50 vehicles. Leading national chains have already taken space, with up to 12,000 sq ft remaining available. Simon Boyd, Managing Director at 130-strong REIDsteel, said: “We work across the UK, Europe and the world so it is great to work on a project a little closer to home. “We have been able to provide our design, fabrication and manufacturing expertise for the entire building envelope, including its cladding, glazing and decking requirements. “We are delighted to support the Penton Motor Group to create this high-quality development which will bring significant jobs and economic benefits for the area.” The scheme involves demolition of the former Boyland Joinery building on the site to create up to a five unit split measuring from 4,000 sq ft, to 12,000 sq ft. REIDsteel is due to erect the steel work on site when the coronavirus pandemic eases and regulations allow. It will use 65 tonnes of British Steel as well as British made Tata composite panels for cladding. The development will be wholly owned and managed by the Penton Motor Group. Penton Group Managing Director Robert Wilson said: “This new development demonstrates our confidence in the commercial property sector and the Christchurch area. “With the possible creation of 30 jobs, it represents a significant boost for the local economy and regeneration of a disused brownfield site. “It is an exciting circa £2.5m investment for our business, on which we can use our expertise and experience in showrooms and service centre development to expand further into the commercial property market. Jan Dibden our Financial Director and his team have successfully headed up this project and we have been delighted to work with REIDsteel a local firm. “We all look forward to seeing this development progress as soon as conditions allow.” Penton Motor Group is a 100% family business of 50 years standing in the new and used car market with over 120 staff and turnover of £60 million. It has Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and DS new and used dealerships in towns across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, including Christchurch, Poole, Andover and Salisbury. REIDsteel remains family owned and celebrated its centenary in 2019. It has exported to more than 140 countries to date. The firm specialises in providing entire steel frame and building envelope solutions all under one roof. Thanks to its in-house capabilities and expertise, it is regularly contracted to design, manufacture and supply complete steel structures including the cladding, glazing, louvres and staircases for projects anywhere in the UK, Europe and across the world. They include bridges, hospitals, sports stadia, disaster resilient buildings, defensive structures, churches, schools, industrial & commercial buildings, warehouses and advanced aircraft hangars. Visit www.reidsteel.com for more details and www.pentonmotorgroup.com
How does a medium sized, niche business navigate through numerous conformance requirements to secure its place in today’s construction supply chains? The construction industry has always presented opportunities for the army of innovative and specialised small and medium sized business based in the UK. For every £1 spent by the industry in the UK, around 90p remains on-shore, and on top of that, 99.9% of businesses in the sector are classed as SMEs.[1] But large main contractors and public sector organisations are operating under increased demands for accountability, and that means requiring high standards of conformance from every business in their supply chain. How does that look for a medium sized, niche organisation? Founded nearly fifty years ago, Wiltshire manufacturing company Audience Systems is the UK market leader in a very specialist industry – retractable and auditorium seating. Employing around 120 people in the UK, Audience Systems turns over around £11m, with a growing export presence, particularly in North America and Australia. The company tends to work directly with main contractors on new builds and major refits, and with venue managers in sport, education and the arts on refurbishments. Many of its projects are in the public sector. “Ten years ago, the quality landscape was very different for us,” says Managing Director Keith Ritson. “We had strong relationships with clients, and healthy scores on contractors’ databases based on a good record of work. Our products were tested to the relevant standards, and we had an internal quality systems and training schemes in place, supported by industry-wide training such as CSCS.” “But main contractors are being asked by their clients to hold their entire supply chain to the same standards which apply to themselves, and this means that smaller businesses are being held to the same rigorous obligations as large corporate organisations.” Change has come from multiple directions, and Audience Systems has had to innovate to keep up. Some changes have benefitted them – for example, when the Department for Education issued their latest design brief for school premises, it included a requirement for auditorium seats to conform to the relevant British standard at the highest level. That gave the company an immediate advantage. They had always emphasized strength in the design of their products, and most of their range was already certified to that level. Other requirements have proved more onerous. “In the UK, many of our clients have moved to Constuctionline Gold accreditation as a minimum requirement for subcontractors. It’s been a jump up from the Silver accreditation we already had, asking about issues from BIM to GDPR to modern slavery, and although the vast majority of the work has been around creating more official documentation of processes we already had in place, it’s still a big undertaking for a small management team.” Another unexpected challenge was the exclusion of the seating installation trade from the general CSCS scheme. Audience Systems had to innovate quickly, leading the industry in creating a bespoke NVQ programme for all site staff to ensure ongoing access to sites. Again, a major project for a medium-sized manufacturing business to take on. The compliance landscape continues to evolve and work is ongoing across the company, from R&D to Quality to Purchasing to anticipate and meet future requirements. “Of course, much of this work brings benefits – the NVQ scheme for instance, is far more fit for purpose than the old CSCS card scheme. Developing products that conform to US standards has helped us open up a major new market. But it’s also essential for us to still have time to do the things that enthuse us – improving products, developing new products and applications and continuing to expand our export businesses. We don’t just want to be meeting requirements, we want to be doing the exciting things – and doing them well. “The key to it is to make sure that where our customers ask more from us, we accommodate them in a way that works for us. That’s the only way we can avoid being overwhelmed by compliance issues, and use them to our advantage.” [1] https://www.bsigroup.com/Global/BSI%20UK%20SME%20Landscape%20Report%20-%20Stage%201.pdf
Solihull-based Terra Strategic has received Detailed Planning Consent for a scheme of 36 new homes off Bedford Road (A603) and Park Road in the small rural village of Moggerhanger in Central Bedfordshire. Terra Strategic has worked with the landowners to secure the planning status for the 1.44-hectare (3.6-acre) development, which lies opposite the historic park and gardens of Moggerhanger Park. The scheme was created by residential design specialist A2 Urbanism & Architecture. The land was previously unused and designated for agricultural uses. The scheme will deliver 36 high quality family homes to the village, consisting of 10 two-bedroom homes, 19 three-bedroom designs, and seven four-bedroom executive homes. 13 of the two and three-bedroom dwellings have been allocated for affordable housing. An area of public open space has been incorporated into the design for the scheme to encourage safe family play. All homes will also have private rear gardens and a generous provision of soft landscaping to fore gardens. James O’Shea, Managing Director of Terra Strategic said: “Our Moggerhanger scheme is a great example of how we have worked with the landowner, the Parish Council, Central Bedfordshire Council and Hayfield to promote the concept of a high quality residential scheme on land previously designated for agricultural uses. “We are delighted to have been awarded planning permission and our look forward to watching the development commence later this year. Having engaged in constructive pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority and then having worked closely with key consultees throughout the planning application process, we have built on the positive working relationship we had already established with the Council and Local Planning Authority. “These 36 family homes will be a high-quality addition to this small rural village and will add vibrancy to the area. The location – in close proximity to Moggerhanger Park – together with the public open space that has been designed into the centre of the scheme, will ensure these homes will be popular with local families, as well as those looking to move into the area.” The new development will be constructed with a mixture of red brick and render. 34 of the homes will be two-storey, with two being single-storey dwellings to reflect the large number of single-storey properties found in the village. Terra Strategic is an experienced residential land specialist, which enters into agreements with landowners and then pursues, funds and secures an agreeable planning permission. It also has the financial resources to secure land with or without residential planning consent to assist landowners looking for a quick sale process. Terra Strategic has a national reach, having secured residential land in Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, The West Midlands, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.
With Homes England – the government’s housing accelerator – being tasked with generating a significant hike in the number of new homes of all kinds nationwide, notable beneficiaries of their Building Fund include off-site fabricators of modular buildings whose use is set to boom as the production of new homes ramps up when the UK eases its way out of lockdown. But specialist development lawyer Zoe Stollard warns those involved all along the design, production and installation chain that because the number of variables involved in modular projects will be very different to traditional build projects they should seek expert legal advice at the outset, to avoid getting their fingers burnt further down the line. Zoe Stollard, who is a partner in Clarke Willmott LLP’s construction team, said: “Modular homes have been around for some time, but new technologies and the UK’s growing housing need are resulting in a boom in demand which is likely to change building methods across the board. “This will impact on the way the various parties work with each other, on build times, repairs and maintenance programmes, contract models, cooperation with utility providers and statutory undertakers to name but a few. “And so the increase in the use of modular buildings is likely to have a noticeable impact not just on building methods but on the required workforce, design control, contractual mechanism and cross-party interactions across the sector as a whole. “For this reason it is crucial that the parties involved do not rush into a modular build project before considering bespoke amendments to the agreements they use. “Modular projects are exciting, innovative and really promising if used on the right development in the right way but – particularly given the likely rapid pace once works commence – a well thought-out contract from the outset will assist in the ’low cost, high speed’ approach being a success.” Modular homes producer Ilke Homes, which received a £30m injection from Homes England at the end of 2019, recently welcomed Simone Protheroe who leads Clarke Willmott’s construction cases for Homes England, and members of the wider Clarke Willmott Construction Team to their factory in Flaxby, Yorkshire, for a tour of live modular operations which illustrated the issues and potential challenges surrounding the method of construction involved in modular building. The factory is expected to deliver 2,000 homes next year, and the recent investment is intended to help boost its annual capacity to 5,000 homes within the next five years. Following the visit, Simone Protheroe said: “There are most impressive steps forward being demonstrated in the sector but advance planning is key to modular contracting and solutions need to be found at pre-tender, not just before start on site or whilst on site as too much of the works will, in effect, be complete by this stage.” Parties involved in any part of the modular design, build and installation process can find a useful free analysis by Simone and Zoe of the most prominent benefits and challenges for modular homes and what this is likely to mean for construction contract and project relationships on Clarke Willmott’s website at https://www.clarkewillmott.com/news/modular-homes-rethinking-the-industry-means-rethinking-your-contracts/ Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with seven offices across the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton. For more information visit www.clarkewillmott.com .