A-Plant will rebrand as Sunbelt Rentals from 1st May 2020. This change brings all A-Plant’s brands under one banner and aligns it with the other operating businesses of Ashtead Group plc, which trade under the Sunbelt Rentals brand in the United States and Canada. Andy Wright (pictured), CEO of A-Plant,
Many small business owners are unsure of what they need to know about asbestos. The material is widely known to be dangerous, but there are many misunderstandings about it, and what businesses are required to do about it. This is especially true of smaller businesses who may have only recently
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven
At the start of 2019 the employee-owned packaging company set a target to reduce their usage and their customers usage of plastic by 120 tonnes. Having recently completed an audit of the project the company has announced the final figures for 2019 are a massive reduction of 207 tonnes. The
There has been high usage of psychometric tests in the recruitment process by the large companies that need to screen a lot of candidates for the same position. The psychometric test for pilots is the most common approach adopted by all companies nowadays. These are a quick way for any player to
Finding And Choosing Right Plumbers In Perth Whether you’re facing a plumbing emergency or you are searching for plumbers in Perth for regular plumbing work, you would want to hire the services of a reliable, experienced and reputable company. You shouldn’t choose the first plumber you can find even though
THE STEEL frame of the University of Nottingham’s new £13.5 million Power Electronics; Machines and Control (PEMC) research facility is now in place as Woodhead Group progresses with one of its largest builds to date. After being appointed as the contractor for the new building earlier this year, Woodhead Group
Leading energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £67million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Tamworth Borough Council. As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to provide high standards of affordable housing for local residents, the contract – which begins on 1st April 2020 –
There are times when a same day loan is the only solution to face a problem. Same day loans are a viable option in certain circumstances. Online lenders, banks, and even credit unions offer same day loans. Other same-day solutions also exist but it’s not worth to apply for one
GMI Construction Group has today announced that it has secured projects valued at in excess of £95 million across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands. The projects awarded to GMI by a combination of new and existing clients come from across a range of high profile industrial/warehouse, retail, office
A-Plant will rebrand as Sunbelt Rentals from 1st May 2020. This change brings all A-Plant’s brands under one banner and aligns it with the other operating businesses of Ashtead Group plc, which trade under the Sunbelt Rentals brand in the United States and Canada. Andy Wright (pictured), CEO of A-Plant, said: “Our rebranding to Sunbelt Rentals is the culmination of work to unify our UK brands under one powerful banner.” A-Plant’s businesses include Hewden Industrial, Live Trakway, A-Plant Lux, Rapid Climate Control, Mather+Stuart Power Solutions, Leada Acrow, A-Plant Rail, Tool Hire Express, A-Plant Powered Access, PSS Hire, Inlec, Evercal, Hoist It, Opti-cal Survey Equipment, FLG Services, Astra Attachment Solutions, GB Access, A-Plant Accommodation and Plantfinder. These businesses will all be branded as Sunbelt Rentals, and the company says each will have an identifiable sub-brand that recognises the services they provide.
Many small business owners are unsure of what they need to know about asbestos. The material is widely known to be dangerous, but there are many misunderstandings about it, and what businesses are required to do about it. This is especially true of smaller businesses who may have only recently opened a business premises. Businesses are governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 which hold a number of strict rules regarding what is to be done in order to control the substance and minimise the risk of exposure. It is absolutely vital that companies adhere to these rules, not only because asbestos can be extremely dangerous, but also because your company can be heavily fined if you do not follow the rules. In this article we take a look at the facts about asbestos and how this relates to small businesses. Asbestos use is illegal (but you can still find it) Asbestos was officially and completely banned in the UK in 1999, making it illegal to use the substance in any kind of work on residential or commercial buildings. However, this has led to a misconception that this means that asbestos no longer exists in properties in the UK. It is important to note that the ban was on the use of asbestos – there was no requirement to remove or destroy any current asbestos. This means that it is still present in many buildings that were built before 2000. So unless you operate from a property that was built after 2000, there is a chance that it could contain asbestos. The risks of asbestos exposure Asbestos has a reputation for being very dangerous, and this is well-founded. According to asbestos specialists Crucial Environmental “when materials containing asbestos become disturbed or damaged, they release microscopic fibres into the air. Once these fibres have become airborne, people working around the area can then inhale the particles into their lungs”. When these fibres get into the lungs, they are extremely difficult to remove, and while the damage doesn’t result in immediate danger, the damage is done over a long period. Ultimately, symptoms may not present for in excess of 20 years after exposure – but asbestos exposure is considered the direct cause of a number of conditions including various cancers and conditions affecting the lining of the lungs. It is necessary, then, for you to take asbestos very seriously. If you own a property… If you are the landlord of a business property then you have a duty of care to ensure that the risk of asbestos exposure is minimised to you, your employees, and any members of the general public. Ultimately this means establishing whether any asbestos is present at your property – usually through an asbestos survey – and having a plan in order to minimise the risks. If you have recently bought a property you should have details of any known asbestos provided to you by the seller. However, it should be noted that asbestos is not always known about. If you are leasing… If your business is leasing a property then it is important that you should check with the landlord over who is responsible for managing asbestos at the property. Once again, any asbestos found should be detailed to you by the landlord. However, you may be required to correctly maintain and supervise the asbestos under the conditions of the lease. You need an action plan If you are responsible for the asbestos in your property, then you need to have an action plan in place. This plan should detail any known asbestos on the property, provide insight into the condition of the asbestos, and also have a plan to ensure that the asbestos is not disturbed or to ensure that it does not deteriorate. In the majority of cases, asbestos in good condition is not a threat to health. It is only when the fibres are disturbed that it becomes dangerous. You can’t do it all yourself It is important to note that no matter what you need to do about your asbestos, you will need expert advice and guidance. Asbestos specialists can provide you with information not only about the asbestos and its condition, but also in establishing a plan that puts in the necessary precautions to keep every in your business premises safe.
SELECT, the trade body for electrical professionals in Scotland, has welcomed a small but significant upturn in the number of young women undergoing apprenticeships as electricians. Figures gathered by Scotland’s largest trade association show that there are now 13 female apprentices training to be electricians in 2019-2020, compared to seven in 2018-2019. Fiona Harper, Director of Employment and Skills at SELECT, said: “This is excellent news, coming as it does in Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 2 to 6 March. “An electrical apprenticeship for a young woman, just as for everyone else, is a life-changing experience which can open many doors, not only to further career progression and global travel, but also to professional regard and life fulfilment.” To mark the occasion, SELECT has commissioned a short film, The Power of Apprenticeships, which features an interview at a member company in Falkirk with one of its female apprentices, Neave Brownlie. The TClarke trainee says: “I finished school and could have gone to uni, but I preferred the idea of being paid while I was learning to become a qualified electrician. “I’m enjoying it; you’re never left alone on site, there’s always someone there supporting you and making sure you are safe. I’m treated like a daughter or a sister and everyone I’ve worked with has been lovely. “The exciting thing is the opportunity to travel the world once I have completed my apprenticeship and become a qualified electrician.” The Power of Apprenticeships also features another TClarke employee, Elyse McBride, a qualified electrician who is now office-based and is training to become a quantity surveyor. Elyse – a former SJIB Apprentice of the Year finalist in the SELECT Awards – said: “Completing an apprenticeship as an electrician was fundamental to me moving into a managerial role. “There are any number of different paths that can be followed as a qualified electrician, and the career world is your oyster.” Filmed at TClarke in Falkirk, and now available to view on SELECT’s YouTube channel, the video was produced in partnership with the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) and Unite the Union. Ms Harper, who is also The Secretary of the SJIB, added: “There is a world of opportunity for young women in the electrical sector and with this film we hope to encourage many more of them, currently in school or college, to consider an electrical apprenticeship as a serious career option.” Founded in 1900, SELECT is Scotland’s largest trade association. It has nearly 1,250 members businesses with a collective turnover of approximately £1bn, employing more than 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices. SELECT also delivers training courses to more than 3,500 electricians each year and is committed to regulation of the industry for a safer Scotland. The Scottish Joint Industry Board was founded in 1969 by SELECT and Unite the Union.
At the start of 2019 the employee-owned packaging company set a target to reduce their usage and their customers usage of plastic by 120 tonnes. Having recently completed an audit of the project the company has announced the final figures for 2019 are a massive reduction of 207 tonnes. The success of the campaign comes after a successful year of new product launches, with a key focus on not only offering products that use less plastic but also ranges that are alternatives to plastic or products that can be reused. In support of new product initiatives Kite also continued to offer free audits, through their specialist support divisions, for any business seeking to explore environmentally friendly packaging solutions. With a strong start to 2019, seeing the launch of their dynamic gummed paper tape dispending machine, their range expansion of paper tapes, the launch of their paper padded envelopes and the development of their sugar cane bio film, to name a few, Kite demonstrated a firm commitment to plastic reduction and elimination. Kites new product drive has continued into 2020 and they have recently increased their paper bag offering to now include twist handle paper carrier bags, tape handle paper carrier bags, brown paper bags, strung paper counter bags and paper mailing bags. For more information on Kite Packaging’s products and services visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
There has been high usage of psychometric tests in the recruitment process by the large companies that need to screen a lot of candidates for the same position. The psychometric test for pilots is the most common approach adopted by all companies nowadays. These are a quick way for any player to gain an understanding of the personality, skills, aptitude, IQ and the intelligence level of the candidate. This will help in the siding what task is to be given to them and on what job position will be work best. There are different types of information which help the people place the candidates on the right job so that the productivity and the efficiency of the organization is increased. These results can help the recruiter to decide who is right for the organization and who are not right for the organization. They help in providing the best of the results with high-level is of accuracy and these have become a regular feature in the whole recruitment process nowadays. Earlier the employers only used to assess the candidates based on educational background or intelligence but with the advent of the best technology, this is not the only thing which is considered now. The psychometric tests are done preliminary stages of the whole process and are taken at the assessment centres. Three main areas are considered under this which is personality, aptitude, and skills. There are several kinds of tests for all these things and they provide an idea about the performance of the people in each of these videos these are taken place at assessment centres and also can be done online. Some people still use paper and pen for such kinds of tests to make the candidates familiar with the whole thing. Usually, the tests have the multiple-choice format and are designed to look at the skills and aptitude in proper regard to the time attached to them. These tests give an idea about how to handle the pressure and to provide honest answers to the recruiters. Following are the types of psychometric test which are undertaken in such cases to have the placement of the right employee on the right job: 1. Aptitude test: The following are the things that are considered under aptitude tests so that there is theright placement of the people on the right job. Abstract reasoning: There are proper reasoning and diagrammatic tests that help the people who have an idea about the logical aspect of the knowledge. They are designed to test logical reasoning ability and the ability to learn new things very quickly. One can do this by it is analysing the response towards various patterns charts and diagrams. One has to identify the patrons in a series that are governed by some rules and the sorts of tests are best for technical roles like engineering and aviation. Verbal reasoning: this kind of test looks at the way how the information is processed by the person and how well he or she communicates. One will often be given a passage of text and there will be series of questions following it which are to be answered in the best of manners and they help in judging the ability to analyse the information and how well one can draw the conclusion from the text. Things like grammatical errors spellings are also judged here. One must try to be accurate at the best possible levels. Numerical test: these can be used to assess how well one can deal with the numerical data and how well one can solve the advanced level problems. The candidate is provided with a series of graphs, stats, and reports based on which there are some questions to which answer is to be given. These also help in judging the problem-solving abilities of the people. Logical reasoning: The ability to conclude by studying all the facts and figures and presenting them in the best possible manner is judged here so that one can place the right person on the right job and the overall goals of the organization or never affected adversely. 2. Skills tests: the ability to carry various roles and applying the knowledge acquired by the theoretical part is judged here. This will help in also judging problem-solving abilities and give real-life exposure to the people which will help them to solve various problems. For example, a few members can be given a task to resolve an issue with the tricky passenger. This will help in judging the mental abilities and things like presence of mind which will help in solving various purposes. 3. Personality tests: these are the most important thing which is undertaken by the recruiters to evaluate how will I can approach the task and how well one can perform the work. This will help in indicating if one is suited for the role or not and even one can stay in the role for an extended period or not. There is no right or wrong answers in such tests. But one must be aware of doing things in the right manner and the most ethical ways. This helps to judge if the person can fit in the culture of the organization or not. There can be many questions and scenarios and the responses to them a record which helps in deciding the personality type of person so that he or she can be placed on the right job as per the personality. One must be mentally prepared for all these kinds of tests so that one can perform well. One must inquire about the format so that one can go with practicing the things in real life matters. Even one must be aware of the things that affect negatively so that one can improve the strategy as well. Thus, the psychometric test for pilots is very well in use and helps in employing the best of the people for the aviation companies.
Finding And Choosing Right Plumbers In Perth Whether you’re facing a plumbing emergency or you are searching for plumbers in Perth for regular plumbing work, you would want to hire the services of a reliable, experienced and reputable company. You shouldn’t choose the first plumber you can find even though it seems the easiest thing to do in a plumbing emergency. The thing is anyone can start a plumbing company and start offering their services at a cheaper price just to get a foot in. It’s up to you to do your homework and research to ensure hiring of a reliable and experienced plumber. Here’s what you need to do in order to make the right choice when hiring a plumber. 1. Finding Plumbers There are several sources. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations or ask a neighbour if they have used the services of a plumber in the recent past. Use your favourite search engine or online directory to discover plumbers near your location. Plumbing companies also tend to advertise in local newspapers. Check local newspapers to find plumbing companies. 2. Check Their Licensing Before you think of giving them a call, make sure they are properly licensed. Keep in mind that you might be on the hook for damages in case an unlicensed individual tinkers with the plumbing system and causes problems for you or for your neighbours. So, make sure to check their licensing information. Ideally, this information should be available on their website. If the plumber doesn’t have a website or this information is unavailable there, ask them politely. Experienced Perth Plumbers understand the importance of sharing license information when customers ask for it. 3. Check Their Insurance All licensed and professional plumbing companies maintain proper insurance. It is important to have necessary insurance as without insurance they might be on the hook for damages caused by a person working in their company. However, you should never take their word for it and ask them to share it politely. They should never shy away from providing the required information when you ask them politely. 4. Check their Experience Plumbers are known as tradesmen as they learn most of the things while on the job. There is some theory to learn but most of the plumbing knowledge comes from practical experience. Check the website of the plumbing company to find their experience, especially the experience of the person who will work on your property. If the experience isn’t available on their website, ask them politely about it. Don’t hire a plumber who does not have many years of experience in the industry as plumbing can’t simply be learned from the books. 5. Reviews All plumbers use the same tools and techniques but still, there’s a lot of difference in the level of service performed by different plumbers. This difference in their service levels is reflected in customer reviews online. Fortunately, you can now check reviews from real customers for all kinds of services and a plumbing company is no exception. Use your favourite search engine to discover forums and review websites where users from Perth share information about plumbers in Perth. Go through the reviews and make sure the plumbing company you are considering has mostly positive reviews. Don’t be deterred by a few negative reviews as nobody can keep everyone happy. 6. Pricing Transparency One of the most common problems people have with plumbers is hidden charges. They will quote one price when you call them and describe the plumbing issue but when you get the final invoice, the numbers are completely different. You do not want to work with a company that is not clear on their pricing. If you’re not in a plumbing emergency, ask for estimates from at least 3 different plumbing companies who have years of experience and are known to be reliable, before choosing one. It will help you in getting the best value for your money. Conclusion To summarise, hiring a plumber without proper research is inviting trouble into your home. Follow the above tips and make sure you check their experience, license and insurance before allowing them to work on your property.
THE STEEL frame of the University of Nottingham’s new £13.5 million Power Electronics; Machines and Control (PEMC) research facility is now in place as Woodhead Group progresses with one of its largest builds to date. After being appointed as the contractor for the new building earlier this year, Woodhead Group has led construction of the University’s entire Research and Innovation Centre for Power Electronics and Machines, which when completed will be home to the PEMC research group. As the largest-ever contract secured by Woodhead, the research and innovation centre will join a host of their other high-profile collaborations between Woodhead Group and the University, including the BREEAM Excellent rated Ingenuity Lab and the Research Acceleration Demonstration (RAD) building. The two- storey, 60,000 sq ft PEMC research facility, part-funded by Research England’s UK Research Partnership Investment Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, will be located on the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus. Once completed in 2020, the PEMC building will provide office and research accommodation for the world-leading Power Electronics, Machine and Control research group which sits within the faculty of engineering at the university. It will host academic offices, three laboratories for high power, power electronics and drives and will also contain open-plan research space, seminar rooms and exhibition spaces. There will also be a workshop and office space for 144 researchers and PhD students, further supporting the University’s dedication to cutting edge innovation. Commenting on the progress of the project, Robert Martindale, Project Manager at Woodhead Group said: “We’re very pleased with the progression of the PEMC site. The site team also applaud the relationship with the University team and their assistance whilst working on this demanding project. “The space is going to create such a great opportunity to grow and expand on some of the world’s leading research and engineering research for the University, and we’re incredibly pleased to be the main contractor working again with the University of Nottingham on such a ground-breaking research facility. “The University and Woodhead Group have developed a great collaborative relationship over the years. We’re dedicated to upholding its world-class reputation as an innovative leader in its field through the transformation of their campus.” Richard Wigginton, Head of Capital Projects at the University of Nottingham said, “We are pleased to see this key milestone has been reached, demonstrating the work towards an important facility that will be home to revolutionary research, helping to shape the future of the UK manufacturing industry.” Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said, “It is excellent to hear that the steel frame structure is now in place for the Power Electronics, Machines and Control facility. This is a step closer to the development of this research environment which will address the hugely important area of technological advancements in industry and science, and the decarbonisation of energy”. Working alongside Woodhead Group will be architects Bond Bryan and cost consultants Turner and Townsend. The project is managed by Aecom. To find out more, contact Woodhead Group at woodhead-group.co.uk or join the conversation @WoodheadGroup.
Leading energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £67million repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Tamworth Borough Council. As part of the council’s ongoing commitment to provide high standards of affordable housing for local residents, the contract – which begins on 1st April 2020 – will see ENGIE provide responsive repairs, adaptations and estate management services to more than 4,200 homes across the borough over a ten-year period. In addition, ENGIE will also provide gas maintenance work, day-to-day and out of hours emergency repairs and the servicing of void properties. Martin Smithurst, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working once again with Tamworth Council – a partner that so closely shares our core values. “ENGIE has a proven track record of providing an excellent repairs and maintenance service, as well as helping our partners across the UK address their housing, social value and climate emergency-related priorities, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating that in Tamworth.“ Cllr Michelle Cook, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Communities, said: “ENGIE was selected after a robust, two-stage procurement process which included external legal and consultative support, interviews involving tenants and detailed assessments of all elements of the bids submitted. “All submissions were of a high standard and the winning contractors demonstrated an understanding of our needs and instilled confidence in their ability to deliver the service.” As part of the contract, ENGIE has commited to a number of social value measures which will benefit the wider community. These include training opportunities and the creation of apprenticeships for local people, as well as improvements to council-owned facilities such as play areas and community buildings.
There are times when a same day loan is the only solution to face a problem. Same day loans are a viable option in certain circumstances. Online lenders, banks, and even credit unions offer same day loans. Other same-day solutions also exist but it’s not worth to apply for one because they don’t have the same benefits. Before applying for a financing solution, you need to check its terms and conditions because many generate predatory costs and come with great risks. And don’t even consider the option of taking your engagement ring to a pawn shop because it’s an expensive solution and you’ll disappoint your partner for not valuing their gift. Some online lenders offer same-day approval and funding, but most of them need 2 working days to check your financial history and decide if you’re eligible for a loan. So, when you need money fast look for exceptions, for places that not only advertise same-day services, but also stay true to their words. The Internet is the best place to find an online lender that provides same-day cash. Your search engine suggests a list of lenders and offers reviews and rates for each of them to help you find a reliable one. Where can you get a same day loan? Personal loan providers – working with personal loan providers is the best solution because they usually have reasonable APRs and don’t ask collateral to secure financing. To get same-day cash apply with an online organisation because they have the best same day loans. Internet-based entities created their services to help people overcome their daily struggles and function similarly to other online providers that offer same-day services. Only that this time you don’t pay to get a pair of shoes the same day, you get money in your account by the end of the day. Some offline personal loan providers also offer quick financing solutions (around 2 working days approval and funding), but when you need money fast to solve an emergency, online lenders are the best pick. Pawn shops – pawn shops are a traditional solution for people who don’t have access to the Internet and need money fast. A pawn shop temporarily purchases one of your valuable items for part of their value (from 20% to 60%). You leave the store with cash after you give them your belongings, but the repaid sum includes interest that can vary from 2% to more. If you don’t reclaim the item in a determined period, the pawn sells it to get their money back. Auto title lenders – they offer same day cash if you use your car documents to grant it as collateral. Most of them offer from 35% to 50% of the vehicle’s value for no more than a month. But if you fail to pay the money back, they take your car. However, some auto title lenders allow you to roll over a loan into a new month if you pay additional fees. Don’t forget that this solution is more expensive than a personal loan because it can cost you up to 25% of the sum you borrow.
GMI Construction Group has today announced that it has secured projects valued at in excess of £95 million across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands. The projects awarded to GMI by a combination of new and existing clients come from across a range of high profile industrial/warehouse, retail, office and hotel scheme developments which include: Plot A, Goole 36. A new 238,710 sq. ft. warehouse/industrial unit for new customer Tritax Symmetry pre-let to Croda Europe Ltd. Kirkby Retail Development. A new 94,000 sq. ft. retail park development featuring a new 42,000 sq. ft Morrisons Store and Petrol Station for long standing customer St Modwen. Booths Park, Knutsford. A new two storey 70,676 sq. ft. office building development for repeat customer Bruntwood in Cheshire with the end occupier being Portswigger Web Security. Hampton by Hilton York. A new 143-bedroom hotel in the heart of York City Centre awarded by Avantis Hotels and with a value of £25 million. Harrier Park, Hucknall. A new 195,840 sq. ft. UK headquarters for leading educational resource supplier RM Educational Resources on behalf of Muse Developments and Rolls-Royce within the heart of a 70-acre mixed use site in Hucknall. Park Lane, Leeds. A 188-bed student accommodation scheme on Park Lane, Leeds for Waypoint with a project value of £20 million Speaking about the announcement, Andy Bruce, GMI’s Group Managing Director said: “2019 was a record-breaking year for GMI in all aspects but particularly in terms of new client wins, expansion into new sectors and the growth of our order book. To open things up in the same fashion so early into 2020 is a very encouraging sign, a solid endorsement of our credentials and a strong indication of further growth to come this year. It’s also very encouraging to see GMI securing such high-quality repeat business from several of its most valued and long-standing customers together with picking up new project instructions from new customers including some of the market’s biggest operators. We will continue to strengthen our offering in the sectors we are strongest in together with our unswerving commitment to the highest levels of customer service, quality and innovation. Our expanding divisional operations in the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the North East continue to reap strong rewards and fully justify our commitments to grow our capacity in those areas in the face of strong demand” Andy Bruce is GMI’s Group Managing Director responsible for the day to day running of the business and expansion into the Midlands. GMI’s Manchester Office is presided over by Marc Banks in the role of Divisional Managing Director. Marc has worked on many of GMI’s prestigious projects, developing relationships with a number of clients and securing repeat business. GMI’s Yorkshire/North East Office is led by Lee Powell also as Divisional Managing Director. Lee brings 25 years’ service in the construction industry, with a wealth of experience across all industry sectors and a background based in a regional contracting