With the threat of climate change being high, many people want to help in their own way. As a building owner, you are in an excellent position to make significant changes to your building. The general opinion is that integrating these innovations into the building can get expensive. However, modern
Following a resolution to grant, referral to the GLA and the completion of the Section 106 Agreement, Tide has received full planning permission for its new student development 30 Marsh Wall. Modular construction will cut carbon emissions; build will be faster, cleaner, and safer Scheme increases Tide’s pipeline to more
ONE of the UK’s leading contractors has been appointed to deliver a pioneering Passivhaus leisure centre, designed by the sports and leisure experts at GT3 Architects. Willmott Dixon has been named by Spelthorne Borough Council as main contractor on the £43.5m project in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, which is targeting a Passivhaus certification for low
Highbourne Group, one of the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchants and owner of brands such as City Plumbing, Plumbworld and PTS, has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer. Liz Forte, an award-winning marketing director with over 20 years’ experience working for some of Europe’s best-loved brands such as Starbucks
Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent
Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft,
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered
British underground construction innovator hyperTunnel will exhibit for the first time at the World Tunnelling Congress (WTC), 2-8 September 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark and return to the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) Conference & Exhibition in London on 11-12 October, after formally launching its method to transform underground construction at the
Accounting will always be a key part of running a business, regardless of the industry you’re in. But when it comes to construction, accountancy might seem like the least of your concerns. When you need to adhere to strict working practices while managing challenging projects that could pose a risk
With the threat of climate change being high, many people want to help in their own way. As a building owner, you are in an excellent position to make significant changes to your building. The general opinion is that integrating these innovations into the building can get expensive. However, modern technology can allow the addition of renewable tech easily. Here are some tips on how to do it. Solar energy The easiest way to integrate when it comes to renewables is solar energy. First, there is the use of passive solar energy. It refers to the indirect usage of the sun as an energy source. For example, you can consider adding more natural lighting to your building as a passive use of solar energy. Instead of paying for interior lights, you can install bigger windows and mirrors for better daylight lighting that can save you a lot of money. Another passive use is solar heating through better insulation and intelligent positioning of windows. This approach can be a big help during the summer months. For a more active use of solar energy, there is the installation of solar panels for the building. It should be easy to find a solar company in Manchester that can do the installation for those based in the area. It is a great way to use the rooftop space if you don’t have a penthouse. In addition, the electricity your panels can generate will cut down on the external energy consumption of your building. Wind energy Another easily accessible renewable method for a building is wind energy. Natural ventilation through the use of wind catchers can be a good alternative to mechanical ventilation and even air conditioners. If you position them in the right places, your building will always feel like it has fresh air moving through it. A building still in the design stage could also use clever design for better air movement. For example, large spaces connected to hallways naturally draw in the air so that you can encourage natural movement. For example, you can place an atrium in the direction of prevailing winds. This position allows the surrounding spaces to have cold air because of the windows while warmer air collects in the atrium. The temperature difference then encourages the hot air to spread out into the nearby space while the colder air rushes in. Geothermal energy While many think geothermal energy requires a nearby volcano or hot spring, the earth’s natural properties can provide some renewable energy. It is because the temperature below ground is much different from above it. Using a heat pump, you can pump in cold air to push warmer underground air to heat a building. You can also do the opposite with hot air passing underground and dispersing its higher temperature so you can cool a building. It takes some planning, but this approach can help reduce HVAC costs a lot. Final thoughts Adding renewable energy to your building is not as complex as it initially appears. The pointers above should give you an idea of integrating renewables into your building’s systems. You can assure yourself that you are doing your small part in fighting climate change.
Following a resolution to grant, referral to the GLA and the completion of the Section 106 Agreement, Tide has received full planning permission for its new student development 30 Marsh Wall. Modular construction will cut carbon emissions; build will be faster, cleaner, and safer Scheme increases Tide’s pipeline to more than 3,000 homes currently under construction with a significant further pipeline 30 Marsh Wall will provide 1,068 student beds with enhanced public realm including a park Industry leading modular developer and contractor Tide Construction has secured planning permission for a student accommodation scheme at 30 Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf, London, providing 1,068 beds. The building, designed by award-winning practice EPR Architects, will provide amenity space and a generously sized roof garden. The surrounding public realm will be enhanced with the creation of a much-needed public path between Cuba Street and Marsh Wall and a cleverly designed, high-quality recreational space or ‘pocket park’. Tide is the scheme’s developer and contractor and will construct the building with precision-made modules manufactured by its market-leading sister company Vision Modular Systems. The development further bolsters Tide Construction’s pipeline of projects under construction and in planning. Tide has more than 3,000 homes under construction and has seen sustained year-on-year growth in the past decade. Tide Construction, in partnership with its volumetric modular company Vision Modular Systems, has already delivered a significant portfolio of modular developments for institutional investors and partners in the UK across a range of asset classes including housing, hotels and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). A recent independent academic study of Tide & Vision’s accredited method of delivery found it reduces embodied carbon emissions by up to 45%. The approach also cuts construction time by up to 50% and results in a more dependable construction programme, with efficient construction logistics minimising disruption in the local area. At Marsh Wall, as pointed out by the planning officer’s report, Tide and Vision’s method of delivery will result in an 80% reduction in site waste, while ensuring that 100 % of any waste produced, is recycled. John Fleming, Chairman of Tide Construction, said: “This landmark scheme bolsters our portfolio of major schemes in London, further strengthening Tide and Vision’s role in revolutionising the way in which homes are delivered in the UK. Working in close collaboration with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and our consultants, this scheme will further demonstrate the power of modular to deliver buildings of the highest architectural quality with world-leading engineering. Thanks to sustained year-on-year growth in delivery and pipeline, Tide and Vision Modular will continue to develop and build institutional-grade buildings that confirm volumetric modular as a mainstream method of construction.” Pascal Wensink, Design Director of EPR Architects, said: “30 Marsh Wall truly showcases both the sustainability and the flexibility of the Vision Modular System, allowing us to have design freedom while benefitting from the offsite approach. The building has been designed to distinguish itself from a distance with a light bronze aluminium feature on the principal façade which extends vertically to form an expressive crown. The associated landscaping developed in collaboration with Spacehub forms part of a wider public realm strategy to enhance permeability and biodiversity on the Isle of Dogs.” Design Notes The form of the tower responds to the site’s complex triangular nature, proximity to adjacent buildings and significant level change. A light bronze aluminium vertical band on the principal façade highlights the main entrance before extending up the full 48 storeys, connecting with an identical feature on the opposite elevation at the top of the building to form a distinct crowning expression. Secondary horizontal articulations varying in depth to provide solar shading on each level with a white glazed terracotta infill creates an undulating pattern around the building, transitioning into a dark bronze to form a continuous plinth around its base. This scheme clearly demonstrates the flexibility in design that the Vision Modular System makes possible.
ONE of the UK’s leading contractors has been appointed to deliver a pioneering Passivhaus leisure centre, designed by the sports and leisure experts at GT3 Architects. Willmott Dixon has been named by Spelthorne Borough Council as main contractor on the £43.5m project in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, which is targeting a Passivhaus certification for low carbon buildings. The firm has been appointed alongside Passivhaus expert Gale & Snowden and will work collaboratively with GT3 to ensure sustainability is prioritised in line with the UK’s targets for reaching net zero. Spelthorne Borough Council have decided to adopt the Passivhaus approach, due to our net zero commitment, which will be the first wet and dry Passivhaus leisure centre in the UK. The centre will feature modern facilities such as a rooftop 3G pitch, sports hall, gym and competitive, learner and splash swimming pools. Alongside the core features, the design also includes a mini spa, flexible studio space, soft play, Clip n Climb and a community café, ensuring community-wide benefit for the project. Mark Gowdridge, director at GT3 Architects, said: “It’s great to see the progression of this fantastic project, and especially to have the team at Willmott Dixon now joining us with their wealth of knowledge in sustainable construction. “We are working ever closer to the Passivhaus certification for our design, which will save up to 60% in energy costs and ensure the building is futureproofed. We’re very happy with how the project is moving and having the input of Willmott Dixon will only enhance this. We are very much looking forward to bringing a fundamental space for health and wellbeing to the surrounding community.” Willmott Dixon is currently the only carbon neutral construction company and has set several further challenging targets to meet by 2030. Its ‘Now or Never’ strategy, launched in 2020, focuses on achieving operational net zero across all new build and refurbishment projects, being a zero-carbon company without any offsetting, and improving more than 100,000 lives through its social value commitments. Willmott Dixon has also shown its commitment to the environment by establishing the only dedicated in-house sustainability consultancy. Roger Forsdyke, managing director of London and the South, said: “We are hugely excited to be working alongside Spelthorne Borough Council, GT3 and Gale and Snowden on what will be a landmark project. Spelthorne Borough Council’s choice to adopt the Passivhaus approach is a testament to their commitment to carbon reduction. Within Willmott Dixon, we are putting maximum efforts in to supporting our customers to address the climate emergency, with projects like this ensuring we can continue in adopting our expertise to suit the ambitions of our partners. We are looking forward to working alongside both GT3 and Gale and Snowden again ensuring the project’s success will be realised.” Passivhaus methodology was established in the early 1990s and has since become the world-leading standard in energy-efficient design and construction. Passivhaus buildings provide users with a high level of comfort, while also using very little energy by optimising the design of the building and all its systems. Daniel Mouawad, Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be a pioneering authority, demonstrating our commitment to net zero by building an ultra-low Passivhaus leisure centre. Having declared a climate emergency, we recognise the need to lead by example to achieve cleaner and greener lifestyles and a sustainable borough for all to enjoy. This centre is a great example of partnership working and will provide the right infrastructure to meet our communities’ changing needs and will enable residents to stay active in a healthy environment, with low chemical pools and a dementia friendly design.” For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
Highbourne Group, one of the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchants and owner of brands such as City Plumbing, Plumbworld and PTS, has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer. Liz Forte, an award-winning marketing director with over 20 years’ experience working for some of Europe’s best-loved brands such as Starbucks and Sony, joins the business starting on 8th August from the world’s largest food contract company, Compass Group. Liz is now responsible for developing and overseeing the marketing and brand strategy of Highbourne Group to support commercial performance and raise visibility amongst new and existing customers, ultimately driving business growth. At the core of this senior role is leading and managing a large multi-disciplined team to market plumbing and heating products to our large installer base, major contract customers through a range of marketing tools available to us. This helps to make our customer journey easier for them to work with us on a daily basis. John Vaughan, Chief Customer Officer of Highbourne Group, said: “We are excited and delighted to appoint Liz, who has built her career on understanding business objectives and translating them into powerful and innovative marketing strategies, as our new chief marketing officer.” “Liz has a wealth of experience and specialises in growth transformation projects, demonstrated most recently in her previous role where she generated impressive figures for new business, despite challenges associated with the pandemic. “We are looking to unlock the next phase of Highbourne Group’s development and need a strong, insight-led, customer-focused strategic marketing leader. Liz is a perfect fit for this role, and we see her as a significant investment in our company’s future. Liz will report directly into myself and join the Highbourne SLT board.” Liz, who won the Contract Catering Marketing Award in 2022 for her work with Compass and has a history of consulting for private equity firms, takes pride in forging new marketing initiatives underpinned with a data-driven and evidence-based approach. She added: “This new role is a tremendous opportunity, and I am looking forward to being part of the team that will help shape the future and upwards trajectory of Highbourne Group. “I plan to use my expertise to enhance the trading brands of the company, building tangible relationships with its customers and driving sustainable business growth through innovative marketing techniques. “My new colleagues have given me a warm welcome and I already feel part of the Highbourne family.” For more information, please visit www.highbournegroup.co.uk Highbourne Group Limited, through its brands City Plumbing, The Bathroom Showroom, PTS, Plumbworld, The Underfloor Heating Store, Plumbnation, DHS and NSS is one of the largest merchants operating in the UK’s plumbing and heating sector. It sells and distributes plumbing and heating products to installers all the way through to major corporate customers and housebuilders. The group’s team of 3,500 colleagues operates from more than 600 branches and sites around the UK. Highbourne Group’s employees are experts and dedicated to delivering a fantastic service to its customers. Their mission is to supply the highest quality materials in the UK. The company’s business revolves around supporting our customers and exceeding their expectations, from providing first class service to sourcing our products and materials as sustainably as possible.
Planning secured for Phase One with estimated Q4 start on site Wilton Developments has secured detailed planning consent for the first phase of Doncaster North, with works due to start on site later this year. The first phase of detailed planning is for 2.26m sq ft of development immediately adjacent to J6 of the M18 at Thorne, this includes a unique opportunity in the UK to develop a single unit of 1.15M sq ft. The scheme will create around 8,500 jobs for the region. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council has approved the scheme which forms part of Wilton Developments’ wider 180 acre, 3.52M sq ft, industrial and logistics site, within one junction of the M62/M18 interchange. The first phase of delivery will extend to more than 700,000 sq ft across 6 buildings, ranging in size between 21,750 sq ft to 284,000 sq ft. The site, which will be delivered to a BREEAM Excellent rating and high specification with market leading ESG credentials, will address the trend towards larger units, responding to supply and demand with first buildings due to be delivered by 2023. CBRE and Knight Frank are appointed agents to market the Doncaster North scheme. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “A huge effort between ourselves, DMBC and our wider stakeholder partners has ensured that we are able to bring forward the first phase of this regionally significant Northern Powerhouse Logistics and Employment site. We are looking forward to getting on-site, delivering much needed industrial and logistics space with all of the positive socio-economic benefits that the construction and occupation of new buildings bring. The site’s enviable location close to the axis of both the M62/M18 and M18/M180 means it is well positioned to serve large swathes of the UK via the east coast ports and the national motorway network. Glyn Jones, Doncaster Council Portfolio Holder for Business and Housing stated: ‘It is excellent that this exciting industrial scheme is coming to fruition with support from Doncaster Council. We look forward to the site bringing forward a range of new employment opportunities to the north of Doncaster Chris Dungworth, Head of Business Doncaster added: ‘We have been supporting Wilton Developments for a long time on this development and look forward to working with them and the retained property agents to help attract quality businesses into these units. Mike Baugh, Executive Director, CBRE Leeds said “This is splendid news for the region, which is currently suffering with a lack of good quality, well located stock. Doncaster North is also hugely significant for the national logistics market as it is currently the only site in the UK with detailed consent for a single 1m sq ft + unit. We are seeing a continued trends towards larger scale distribution units, particularly from the online retail and 3PL sectors, this is creating a lot of interest in Doncaster North, particularly the 1.15m sq ft opportunity.” Rebecca Schofield, Partner at Knight Frank added: “We are delighted to be advising Wilton Developments on this flagship new development for the region. Doncaster North will offer a unique opportunity for occupiers looking for flexibility of scale, strategic connectivity, and best-in-class specification, coupled with the latest ESG credentials to satisfy occupiers’ growing need for sustainable buildings. “Consecutive record-breaking industrial take-up figures achieved over the past two years have left the region with a dearth of available stock; Doncaster North will help to address this supply/demand imbalance by providing occupiers with desperately needed space”.
Leading property developer and investor Barberry Industrial is closing in on completion of its £35 million speculative development of three market leading mid-box manufacturing/logistics units at a prime West Midlands business park. Construction at Hilton Cross Business Park, near Wolverhampton, where Barberry is delivering warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft, 62,000 sq ft and 113,000 sq ft on a 12-acre site, is expected to reach practical completion later this summer. South Staffordshire District Council approved the company’s detailed planning application for the development, which bring much-needed investment and jobs to the region. The development, known as Wolf Pack, is located at junction one of the M54 motorway. Barberry joined by Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of the Council, and Grant Mitchell, the council’s assistant director of enterprise and growth, at the site to check on progress. The development is being delivered by main contractor Benniman. Barberry was selected by the local authority as the preferred purchaser of the last two remaining plots on the business park. The units are being built to exacting energy efficiency and sustainability levels, to include photovoltaic cells on the south facing slopes of the roof and provisions for electric vehicle charging points and will achieve EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings. Development director Jon Robinson said: “This is a fantastic example of the private and public sector working hand-in-hand to deliver an outstanding development which will generate economic benefits and create new jobs for the region. Barberry has an excellent relationship with South Staffordshire District Council and it is great to be working with them to deliver this prime, motorway-connected logistics scheme of more than 222,750 sq ft of self-contained, high quality accommodation.” “We are excited to see the excellent progress being made at Wolf Pack. These three market-leading mid-box industrial/logistics units will help to address the ongoing pent-up demand for high quality mid-box warehouse and manufacturing units in the region.” He added: “Wolf Pack is being delivered with due consideration for many of the environmental, social and corporate governance ratings measuring the sustainability and social impact of new buildings. Barberry is using some of the latest environmental technologies to reduce the cost of occupation and cut the carbon footprint of our buildings. “Our market leading development is already generating a great deal of interest from potential occupiers in both the e-commerce and manufacturing sectors, providing an outstanding logistics location particularly for those supplying into i54 on Junction 2 of the M54 and those looking for proximity to an excellent labour demographic ” Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of South Staffordshire Council said: “The Council are delighted to see the progress Barberry have made in bringing the Wolf Pack site forward for development. When we sold the plots to Barberry, one of our key drivers was seeing the much-needed local jobs and benefits to the local economy as quickly as possible and it’s great to see that coming to fruition. I’m also very pleased with the high sustainability standards Barberry are bringing to the development to minimize its impact, which are very much in tune with the Council’s aspirations for climate change and future growth.” The Wolf Pack development includes eco-friendly features such as high efficiency air source heat pumps, an EPC A rating, LED lighting, photovoltaic cells and electric vehicle charging points, designed to reduce CO2 emissions and costs of occupation. Local occupiers include Tarmac, Moog, Jaguar Land Rover, DHL and Kuehne + Nagel. Barberry has a 4.6 million sq ft industrial and logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of in excess of £800 million. It is developing a £40 million state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in engine and flight controls systems in Gloucestershire. The 209,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment is being built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been newly refurbished and will provide over 450 workstations. The workspaces are designed to appeal to teams of all sizes – from 5 people to 100 plus – and are over three floors of the building, (ground, first and second). In addition, there will be substantial collaboration, meeting and event spaces. 1 Balloon Street is in the centre of Manchester, just minutes from Manchester Victoria station and the Arndale centre, the biggest shopping centre in the city. The workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for Manchester’s booming tech, finance and creative businesses, offering brand new: Design-led space that focuses on hospitality A wide choice of different working zones Outdoor space Large meeting room suite More space person than the industry norm On-site shower and changing facilities Unlimited barista-quality coffee Secure bike storage facilities It is the fourth flexible workspace that Orega has launched in Manchester. The company offers flex space from 18 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “We have enhanced our exceptionally strong Manchester portfolio with Balloon Street, where our landlord partner has intelligently invested to provide a first-class example of how the future of work will look. At Orega, we offer our landlord partners and occupiers a solution that monetizes their space with a high-end office product and building amenity- whilst allowing them to retain control of their asset and brand. This is what our truly bespoke ground-breaking new partnership model is all about.” Jonathan Cook, Director at CBRE, who advised the landlord, said: “We are delighted to secure Orega at One Balloon Street. They will make a fantastic addition to the building, satisfying the continuing demand from corporates seeking high quality flex space.”
CITB has announced an investment of more than £800,000 for the launch of a new employer network pilot project, which could revolutionise the way the construction sector access and receive funding for training in the future. Over 3,800 levy-registered construction businesses will be eligible to benefit from the pilot, offered across five locations in England, Scotland and Wales. While the pilot is open to businesses of all sizes, there is a primary aim to simplify the process for small and micro businesses, helping to place them at the heart of local training provision. Through the support of established and experienced delivery partners, the pilot enables employers to recognise their training priorities and receive guidance on how best to find and fund the training most appropriate to them. This transformative way of working provides a huge opportunity for employers to not only voice their training requirements, but also play a fundamental role in deciding how funds are used in their local area. As part of this new model, construction businesses will not need to access the grant scheme, as CITB is supporting the employer network to help organise and fund training directly. Many of the current requirements around training being “in scope” will also be relaxed to ensure the pilots can be as reflective of the employer’s needs as possible. Therefore, training can predominantly be in anything that helps a business work better, whether that’s a construction skill; a health and safety course; a business skill; or a future skill need, such as net zero. Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m really excited about this pilot – this is about putting employers in the driving seat to identify and address their local skills challenges and how best CITB can align our funding and resources to support their skills needs. I would encourage employers in the pilot areas to get involved and use their voice to shape and engage with the local training provision. “The pilots are being funded by CITB and delivered by local organisations with a pedigree in finding and delivering training in their area.” The five pilot areas covered are: Inverness in Scotland, provided by Scottish Civils Training Group Norfolk in England, provided by Norfolk Construction Training Group Lincoln in England, provided by Lincoln Group Training Association South West Wales, provided by Cyfle Building Skills The final pilot is specifically for Civil Engineering firms in the Midlands, provided by CECA Midlands. Anthony Rees, Regional Manager, Cyfle Building Skills Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be part of the employer network pilot scheme for the region. This will be a great opportunity for construction employers from the south-west Wales area to develop their workforce with relevant training. The pilot scheme will help construction organisations to engage with other local employers, our three local training groups, and industry stakeholders, and give them the opportunity to have their say on how funds are spent to develop their training needs.” John Farley, Chair, Norfolk Construction Training Group, said: “As an extremely active training group, we are delighted to be a part of the new employer network pilot, aimed at encouraging the wider construction community to engage in training. “We identify that training is essential for the industry to grow and thrive – this programme is an exciting opportunity to make that happen. “We feel once implemented it will have a serious impact with employers and improve much needed skill levels within the local area.” Herman Kok, Chair, Lincoln Group Training Association, said: “As chair of Lincoln Group Training Association (LGTA) l am excited and looking forward to delivering the employer network pilot and delivering innovative training support for Lincoln-based construction companies and their supply chain. We are grateful for the support we receive from CITB for these activities.” Through a more collaborative approach, the hope is to tackle specific local skills shortages and improve ease of access to training, particularly for smaller businesses without dedicated office admin or training staff. This pilot forms a part of CITB’s continuous efforts to create a skilled, competent, and inclusive workforce, now and in the future. For further information on the pilot and its associated areas, visit the CITB website.
British underground construction innovator hyperTunnel will exhibit for the first time at the World Tunnelling Congress (WTC), 2-8 September 2022, in Copenhagen, Denmark and return to the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) Conference & Exhibition in London on 11-12 October, after formally launching its method to transform underground construction at the same event in 2021. At both shows, hyperTunnel will present a working demonstration of a section of its robot-led swarm construction platform. Visitors will be able to see ‘hyperBots’ working from within an underground pipe to conduct their various programmed tasks as part of a grid. The method, via which complete structures are built according to a digital twin, is designed to be substantially faster, safer, more economical and more environmentally friendly than current techniques. “Our attendance at both shows reflects widespread industry acceptance of and interest in hyperTunnel’s solutions, from around the world. There is a genuine awakening going on in relation to the use of robots, digital twins and AI in construction – it’s not exclusive territory to hyperTunnel of course, but our advanced integrated package is now established as offering what the tunnelling and construction industries are aiming for in many existing and new applications,” said Jeremy Hammond, co-CEO and co-Founder of hyperTunnel. hyperTunnel has grown significantly during the past 12 months and enjoyed a string of successes in terms of new investments, industry partnerships, talent acquisition, the completion of a full-size pilot tunnel in the UK. In June hyperTunnel received a financial investment from VINCI to support business expansion and further develop the hyperTunnel method in practical situations. hyperTunnel was also selected by The European Innovation Council (EIC), Europe’s flagship innovation programme to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game-changing innovations, to receive funding of 1.88 million Euros under its EIC Accelerator scheme. hyperTunnel has been picked by Innovate UK to join its Global Business Innovation Programme. It has also won Startup of the Year at this year’s Construction Technology Awards in Dubai. In 2021, hyperTunnel was highlighted as a Top 50 Contech Startup and was among 10 winners of the global Construction Startup Competition. hyperTunnel continues to attract outstanding talent to the business: Sven Asmus, formerly Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at MBCC Group, is Director of Chemistry & Materials Development; Tao Xinghui, a leader in the field of data science, and Edge-to-Cloud AI, has been appointed Head of AI & Digital Twin; Sid Shaikh an ex Ocado, GSK and Mars technology innovator has been hired as hyperTunnel’s new Head of Robotics. At Ocado, Sid and his team developed and delivered into production the first three generations of the Ocado Smart Platform, a very similar system in principle, to the hyperTunnel method. At the forthcoming World Tunnelling Congress (WTC) and the British Tunnelling Society (BTS) events, hyperTunnel will present a working demonstration of a section of its robot-led swarm construction platform
Accounting will always be a key part of running a business, regardless of the industry you’re in. But when it comes to construction, accountancy might seem like the least of your concerns. When you need to adhere to strict working practices while managing challenging projects that could pose a risk to the health and safety of your workers, it’s easy to push paying your taxes to the back of your mind. However, accounting encompasses much more than simply filing a tax return and a combination of the right tools and a solid organisational system can put your business in good stead to not only survive but succeed. If you’re a construction professional working as a contractor or on the verge of starting your own business within the industry, then this guide to accounting will help you to get started on the right path. The importance of accounting in construction Business structures in the construction industry are variable, with every big project hiring a different combination of contractors and full-time staff. This can make paying the right amount of tax and keeping track of payroll challenging, especially if contractors are being hired on a day-to-day basis and subcontractors are routinely brought in to support with specialised tasks. This level of changeability requires construction professionals to pay close attention to their finances, as failing to maintain their accounts will result in missed payments, cash flow problems and, eventually, debt or shortages in capital. This contractor’s guide to ask for deposits can help professionals mitigate some of these costs, but a robust payroll system is the only real way to prevent shortfalls. Getting started with accounting The earlier you begin implementing an effective accounting system, the easier it will be to avoid all the challenges that come with working in the construction industry. Some of the basic considerations you must take include: Investing in the right tools Taking a manual approach to accounting in an industry that’s as changeable and multifaceted as construction will result in wasted time and complications arising from human error and ineffective organisation. Digital tools such as accounting software are by far the best way to manage not only your day-to-day finances, but your annual tax return, monthly payroll, and cash flow. Due to the high number of contractors you’re likely to be working with, it’s smart to invest in an accounting solution that can take care of invoicing, send out payment reminders and log the details of every worker for more efficient tax calculations. Not only will this ensure that you are always getting paid on time, but it will reduce the number of queries and complaints from contractors that either haven’t received any money or want to know when they will. If you aren’t sure whether accounting software is for you, you could get started with a builders invoice template, which will help you to improve payment communications through formatting. Over time, you can decide to integrate templates with software for a more seamless process. While accounting software does give you the power to manage your finances yourself, you may also want to consider hiring a bookkeeper or accountant as your business grows. This will help you to make full use of any expenses or allowances that are available to you, saving you tax in the long run. Understanding the regulations The construction industry is often subject to specific tax laws and regulations that can make its accounting processes more involved than they are in other sectors. These will vary depending on the country you’re based in and the type of project you’re undertaking. If you’re primarily carrying out work in the UK, you will need to familiarise yourself with the Construction Industry Scheme, which stipulates contractors are responsible for collecting any tax owed from subcontractors on the government’s behalf. This means that not only are they responsible for paying their own tax, but they also need to calculate and pay taxes for the contractors they hire, not unlike an employer would. In most other industries, contractors or freelancers are responsible for only their own taxes, which lessens their accountancy burden. In addition to construction-specific regulations, you will need to decide on the best structure for your business. The way you file your taxes will change depending on whether you’re a limited company, sole proprietor or part of a partnership. Taking out insurance Insurance might not seem like it’s directly linked to your accounting processes, but it will certainly help you maintain your business’s financial health should anything go wrong. You may need to take out multiple types of insurance in the event that there’s an accident on the construction site you’re working on and a contractor or employee is hurt. It can also be a good idea to insure expensive equipment or machinery for accidental damage. Without insurance, an accident could spell the end of your business, regardless of how well you’ve been managing your accounts and cash flow. Paying attention to your cash flow Many construction businesses have experienced financial difficulties due to a poorly managed cash flow. This is partially due to the amount it takes for some construction projects to be completed. If you’re going to be working on a site for many months or the best part of a year, there’s an increased chance of your client running out of funds, pulling out of the project or even going bankrupt. If you’ve already invested in all the materials and equipment needed to complete the work, you may find it difficult to take on new work if you lack funds after receiving only partial payment. To avoid cash flow issues, it’s important to spread payments across a project, sending invoices to your clients regularly and asking for advance payments instead of investing your own capital to buy equipment and materials. Accounting software will help you to keep track of your income and expenses, highlighting when it’s time to remind your client to make a payment or press pause on ongoing work. Take
