The UK construction industry has experienced extreme highs and lows over the last ten years, however things are looking promising and these facts show that the UK construction industry is thriving. In August 2018 there were 52 habitable buildings under construction that are over 100 metres tall. Compared to the
Bury, Lancashire-based steel fabrication specialists, Wm. Hare Group has taken delivery of its first-ever Volvo truck – a brand-new FM-460 6×2 tractor unit with Globetrotter cab – which will be used for inter-depot and site deliveries across a large part of the UK. Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas
Bath’s vibrant leisure district has been further enhanced by the redevelopment of a stunning Grade II listed building, which has become the UK’s first casino operated by US-based Century Casino. The refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed premises and the brand-new shell and core helped to create a stunning
A 190,000 sq ft former engineering works on a 10 acre site adjacent to the East Gate at Port of Newport has been purchased by ABP South Wales. The sale of the site, known locally as the Neptune Works, is believed to be the largest industrial property sale in South
Pick Everard, the leading property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, has secured a four-year appointment to deliver a range of services to the healthcare and wider public sector through the NHS SBS Consult 18 framework. The NHS Shared Business Services framework provides business support services to the NHS and public sector
One of the UK’s hallowed university sites benefited from Sika’s waterproof liquid-applied seal that helps preserve the roofing detail. The roof refurbishment at Central Building – part of Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College campus – was one of the first projects to apply a pioneering approach. The approach included combining Sikalastic®-621,
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has been adopted enthusiastically in many different sectors for its ability to track people and items. For the building industry, too, it has a range of applications which help businesses to better manage their assets, materials, workforce and projects whilst also improving safety and security. What
Regional cities in the UK are playing an increasingly vital role in the UK construction boom. The demand for city centre property continues to be strong and the construction industry has been responding in turn. There has been an increase in building activity in many major UK regional cities. In
Wrightstyle is shortly to supply advanced glazing systems to a £7.5 million state-of-the-art care home being built by Deeley Construction. Wrightstyle will be installing fire-rated screens and doors at the Woodside Care Village, an inspirational new care home in Warwick which will provide care for 72 older people and people
Leading property maintenance provider Horbury Property Services, based in Rotherham, has won a contract with Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Derbyshire to provide planned maintenance and refurbishment services. The contract is for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend the contract for a further two years, and involves properties
The UK construction industry has experienced extreme highs and lows over the last ten years, however things are looking promising and these facts show that the UK construction industry is thriving. In August 2018 there were 52 habitable buildings under construction that are over 100 metres tall. Compared to the 74 buildings currently over 100 metres, this figure shows that the number of high rise buildings in the UK is sky rocketing. With limited space in UK cities, developers are choosing to go up rather than out and this increased number of high rise buildings will make an obvious mark on the UK’s iconic skylines. There are 2,731,370 people employed in the construction industry in the UK in 2018. The construction industry is one of the largest employers in the UK, with jobs that include wood trades, plumbing, surveyors, bricklayers, labourers and office-based staff. Its workforce of over 2.7 million people is bound to increase as the UK construction sector grows and strengthens. The number of homes constructed in 2016/17 was up by a huge 74% compared to four years previously. The UK housing crisis has been putting considerable pressure on the government, councils and construction firms. With more demand than ever for new homes, the UK government hit its housebuilding target in 2016/17 and is aiming for an ambitious one million new homes by 2020. This record increase of 74% more new homes in just four years is a vital part of this strategy. In 2016 the value of new construction work in the UK reached a record level of £99,266 million. This rise in construction work is great news for the industry, with record highs that even beat pre-recession levels. New construction work can be seen in nearly every UK city, which is a promising sign for the industry. Construction currently makes up 6.1% of the UK economy This makes it the third biggest contributor to the UKs economy after services and production. Construction has historically been a vital part of the UK economy and improving figures across the board are underwriting its importance in a country where residential property is in short supply. There are no height restrictions on buildings in Manchester and there are currently six buildings over 100m under construction there. The Northern city of Manchester has been experiencing considerable growth, both in population and in the amount of construction underway. Apartments in Manchester like those by leading property firm RW Invest are in high demand both with tenants and investors. The Shard in London is currently the tallest building in the UK, and 95% of the construction materials used were recycled. The rise in the amount of recycled materials used in construction shows how the industry is taking its environmental impact seriously. This iconic building is a great example of how recycled materials can be used in construction, no matter how large the project. Just 10.6% of the UK is classified as urban and just 2.27% of England is actually built on. Despite its many cities, towns and villages, the UK is surprisingly green. The urban 10% also contains parks, golf courses and reservoirs so there is plenty of land available. However, planning permission for greenfield sites is notoriously difficult to obtain, hence the high number of renovated buildings which are now being used for residential space.
Bury, Lancashire-based steel fabrication specialists, Wm. Hare Group has taken delivery of its first-ever Volvo truck – a brand-new FM-460 6×2 tractor unit with Globetrotter cab – which will be used for inter-depot and site deliveries across a large part of the UK. Paul McNicholas, Customer Solutions Manager at Thomas Hardie Commercials Ltd, supplied Wm. Hare Group’s inaugural Volvo prime mover, which features a 3,900mm wheelbase and a 7.5 tonne fixed pusher axle. Powered by Volvo’s D13K 13-litre engine rated at 460hp, the truck also features Volvo’s award-winning, I-Shift automated transmission system, with Long Haul gear changing software. Rear air suspension, a Jost JSK37 cast iron fixed fifth wheel and a drive axle with a ratio of 2.64:1 completes the business end. The FM also comes with the top option, Volvo Gold Service contract for 36 months, which delivers carefree operation and complete peace of mind to operators, like Wm. Hare Group, wishing to focus solely on their own core business and customers. “Before purchasing a new truck, we asked some of our sub-contractors for feedback on truck makes and performance standards,” notes Amie Smith, Transport and Logistics Manager at Wm. Hare Group. “Volvo came back as the top choice for reliability and durability, so we were happy to proceed with the order for an FM-460 with Thomas Hardie Commercials.” Amie adds. “We needed a workhorse to haul steel and fabrications between our network of depots across England. The Volvo FM has been in service since early July and it works mostly night shifts. I’m happy with its performance and so far its fuel returns across the M62 Motorway are impressive and a real improvement on our other two trucks.” Wm. Hare Group’s new Volvo is also proving popular with its driver. “He really loves the FM Globetrotter Cab’s comfort levels and it has proved an easy truck to work with. We’ll definitely consider Volvo again for future fleet purchases,” Amie concludes.
Bath’s vibrant leisure district has been further enhanced by the redevelopment of a stunning Grade II listed building, which has become the UK’s first casino operated by US-based Century Casino. The refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed premises and the brand-new shell and core helped to create a stunning gaming space set across three storeys. The work was undertaken by developers, Phelans, overseen by architects Design @ Source, and took 26 weeks to prepare for action. The real jewel in the crown of this construction was the casino’s exclusive Beau Nash Suite: an elegant, lavish top floor gaming room complete with its own balcony looking out onto Bath’s historic cityscape. The building itself has had a much-needed facelift, accentuating its Georgian style and heritage with a stone-clad façade. Each gaming floor will deliver quintessential card gaming and roulette, as well as state-of-the-art technology for those preferring a 21st century casino experience. The US-based Century Casinos brand acquired the building on Saw Close for just £600,000 but invested a further £4.6 million on the overall fit-out and regeneration of the property. Alongside the gaming space, there is due to be a string of additional leisure facilities, along with a four-star hotel complete with 147 bedrooms. The Z Hotel is the chain’s third hotel outside of London, with the Z Hotel Liverpool and Z Hotel Glasgow opening their doors in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Bath’s version comprises of six Georgian townhouses, converted into 114 bedrooms and a magnificent breakfast room. Nevertheless, the gaming action is what will really draw in the crowds to Saw Close. The magnificent Georgian space has opened up to allow 15,000 square feet of gaming floor, complete with 35 slot machines and 24 automated live gaming terminals. Century Casino has been built as a luxury gaming venue along the lines of those that exist in London’s Mayfair district. 18 gaming tables are also in action, with Texas Hold’em cash games hosted every Tuesday and Wednesday as it seeks to become the leading venue for offline poker action in the west of England. Elsewhere in this historic spa city, the University of Bath has also been given the go-ahead to commence the construction of a new £70 million building, acting as part of the Claverton campus’ business management school. Architects, Hopkins Architects have been tasked with designed the structure. This is a firm with a prestigious history of striking projects including the velodrome for the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Gibbs building at King’s College, Cambridge and many world-class universities in the United States such as Harvard and Princeton. According to the initial architectural drawings and visualizations, the building – which will create over 100 new jobs for the area – will feature substantial multi-storey glass facades and a striking entrance, complete with a canopy overlooking the lobby area. It’s yet another exciting development for Bath as it attempts to cement its university’s reputation for world-class research and teaching, helping it to compete on a global scale in the post-Brexit era. Just 11 miles down the road, Bristol’s leisure industry was dealt a hammer blow recently when plans to construct a new 12,000-seater concert arena on Temple Island were scrapped. Fears over mounting development costs and the sums needing to be borrowed were the primary reasons behind the project’s collapse. A mixed-use development looks a more likely alternative on this site, with Bristol City Council already exploring options regarding hotel and bespoke conference facilities. visit: https://theinternetslots.com/ca/200-free-spins-200-no-deposit/
A 190,000 sq ft former engineering works on a 10 acre site adjacent to the East Gate at Port of Newport has been purchased by ABP South Wales. The sale of the site, known locally as the Neptune Works, is believed to be the largest industrial property sale in South Wales so far this year. By purchasing the Neptune Works, the port owner and operator will be able to expand its offering to customers interested in port-centric manufacturing. It will also serve to increase storage capacity for current customers who export and import via the Port of Newport. “The Neptune Works lies adjacent to the northernmost part of the port and its acquisition makes perfect sense – either to enhance access to the port, enable us to expand by adding good quality storage accommodation or by letting it to a third party,” said Rhys Morgan, Head of Property, ABP South Wales. “For instance, its size, height of access, cranes and yard space make it potentially attractive to accommodate plant and engineering works for some of the major infrastructure projects under way in South Wales and across the South West, such as Hinkley Point C,” Rhys continued. ABP has invested significantly in Newport over the past few years, in schemes including new warehousing facilities, open storage areas, and additional rail sidings. The Neptune Engineering Works was established early in the 20th century and soon after became Braithwaite & Co., Neptune Works. The works specialised in structural steelwork and continued to do so as part of the Rowecord Group. It was more recently used by AIC Steel. ABP South Wales’ five ports of, Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Port Talbot and Swansea contribute £1.5 billion to the UK economy every year and support 21,800 jobs across the nation, as well as handling over 12.5 million tonnes of cargo every year.
Pick Everard, the leading property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, has secured a four-year appointment to deliver a range of services to the healthcare and wider public sector through the NHS SBS Consult 18 framework. The NHS Shared Business Services framework provides business support services to the NHS and public sector across the country and it will see Pick Everard building on its expertise in the management consultancy market, providing advisory and consultancy services. “The NHS is a treasured British institution celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and we’re extremely proud and excited to have been appointed to its new Shared Business Services framework. Under the NHS banner, clients in the healthcare and public sectors can be assured of a robust procurement solution from trusted suppliers,” said Dr Nicola Thompson, national director at Pick Everard. Valued at between £20 million and £50 million, the Consult 18 framework has been divided into 10 lots that cover a range of consultancy services to support healthcare and public sector organisations, from GP practices to major public authorities. Pick Everard will be delivering a number of services for three different lots, with services such as strategy development, management support, capital asset delivery, complex projects and change management. “The rapid, sustainable growth Pick Everard has experienced over the past five years – along with our focus on quality, high levels of service and technical excellence – has been delivered on the back of major appointments such as this one,” said Rod Burton, partner at Pick Everard. “Being a multi-disciplinary consultancy allows us to deliver a wide variety of services across a range of different sectors and I’m looking forward to seeing our management consultancy services offering growing over the next four years and beyond. The Pick Everard team has worked hard to develop tailor-made delivery approaches for each contract, which has put us in the best position possible to meet the complex needs of different organisations,” he continued. Pick Everard employs more than 450 staff across its 11 UK offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services.
One of the UK’s hallowed university sites benefited from Sika’s waterproof liquid-applied seal that helps preserve the roofing detail. The roof refurbishment at Central Building – part of Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College campus – was one of the first projects to apply a pioneering approach. The approach included combining Sikalastic®-621, a highly-durable and elastic liquid polyurethane system, designed for areas with complex detailing, with Sika Sarnafil’s single-ply waterproof membrane. Working closely with architect Cullinan Studio, contractors Gunite (Eastern) and Roofing Contractors Cambridge (RCC), and the college, Sika’s challenge was to create an appropriate waterproofing solution for the roof’s intricate design. Constructed in 1963 by renowned architect Denys Lasdun, the original Central Building features protruding ‘scalloped’ detailing, hence the contractor’s potentially challenging requirement: waterproof the flat roof – which itself had plenty of challenging details – and the scalloped areas, whilst maintaining the look and integrity of the roof and the building as a whole. Concrete repairs were carried out to the underside of the protruding scallops. Initially, this involved applying Sika® MonoTop®-610, a high performance, polymer-modified primer, in lieu of high-build concrete repair mortar: Sika® MonoTop®-615. The steel reinforcement was protected with Sika® FerroGard®-903+. This penetrates the concrete and forms a protective monomolecular layer on the surface of the reinforcing steel, to prevent its corrosion. The concrete was finished with Sikagard®-550W, a high-performance anti-carbonation coating, with crack-bridging capabilities, that protects the concrete, whilst meeting the aesthetic requirements of the structure. “Due to the unusual shape of the scallops, it wasn’t aesthetically practical to install sheet membrane on them, so many, many discussions took place to decide how best to tackle this. The Sikalastic® product ensured these unique details would be protected without altering their shape. It’s not unusual for a project to incorporate small amounts of Sikalastic, but this is one of the first projects where the Sarnafil membrane and Sikalastic®-621TC have been used over large areas together,” said Save Stewart, RCC Managing Director. It was thanks to the collaborative relationship between Sika Sarnafil’s technical experts, RCC’s highly experienced fitters and concrete repair contractor Gunite (Eastern), that the finished roof met the strict requirements of the architect and client.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has been adopted enthusiastically in many different sectors for its ability to track people and items. For the building industry, too, it has a range of applications which help businesses to better manage their assets, materials, workforce and projects whilst also improving safety and security. What is RFID technology? RFID is a technology that enables a microchip to interact with a reader using radio waves. The small RFID chips can be embedded into tags or sticky labels and attached to items. When a chip comes within range of a reader, the information stored on it is read and sent to a central IT system, enabling the item to be located and tracked. Crucially, RFID tags and labels, such as those available from Universal Smart Cards, don’t need their own power source as they are activated by the reader, this makes them ideal for low-cost tracking. Chips can also be embedded into smart cards and wristbands enabling members of the workforce to be tracked as they move around construction sites. Here, we’ll look at four ways RFID technology is changing the building industry. Automated timekeeping and payroll One significant benefit of RFID is that it can automatically log the entry and exit of every member of the workforce on the site. Using fixed readers at the entrance totally eradicates the need for any manual recording of arrival and departure such as signing or clocking in. And there is no potential for workers to forget to sign in or out. This process drastically reduces the administrative burden on construction companies as the time each worker spends on site is automatically recorded. The data collected by the system can also be used to automate payroll reducing costs even more. By placing readers at other points around the site, employers can get further insights into working patterns, tracking the movement of workers and the time they spend in various places on the job site. This can be used to help find more efficient ways of working and to increase productivity. Asset management Building companies have a vast array of expensive equipment that they need to manage. From vehicles to hand tools, it is important to know where these items are on a construction site and who has been using them. By scanning items in and out of storage areas, it is possible to track when they were used, how long for and when they were returned. If RFID access control is used to authorise entry into the storage area, the system also logs the identity of the person who takes the equipment. Using fixed readers on the entrance to the storage area means the worker and the item are logged on the IT system as leaving at the same time. With fixed readers in situ around the site or by using handheld readers, it is also possible to locate any items which go missing. However, if workers know that they have been logged using the item, they are more likely to look after it responsibly and take it back when finished. Materials management A problem for many building companies is having to pay workers to do nothing because it has run out of materials. Not only does this reduce the profitability of each job, it also delays schedules which could be a major issue if another contractor coming on board has to wait for the work to be finished. This can result in contractual problems, fines and reputational damage. RFID can provide a workable solution for these types of problems as it enables companies to keep track of the materials that are in stock. Simply attaching an RFID sticker to items enables them to be scanned, letting site managers know how much of each item is on the site. As supplies begin to get low, orders can be placed with suppliers before materials run out and workers are left at a standstill. Making sites safer Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations is paramount on any building site. RFID technology can enhance safety for workers, especially in areas where there are potential hazards, as tags embedded in their ID smart cards can be used to trigger safety alarms when they get near. Depending on the nature of the site, this can be sound alarms, flashing lights or both. At the same time, access control systems can be programmed to restrict access to authorised users only. This can be done on an individual basis. This means entry to potentially hazardous areas of the site can be restricted to specific people. If someone without authorisation enters, an alert can be sent immediately to the site manager. Wrapping up RFID tags and sensors provide building companies with more effective ways to manage their assets and materials, improve health and safety, track worker activity and reduce administrative burdens. In doing so, they improve the efficiency of the company, helping it to reduce costs and losses whilst providing insights that can make it even more productive.
Regional cities in the UK are playing an increasingly vital role in the UK construction boom. The demand for city centre property continues to be strong and the construction industry has been responding in turn. There has been an increase in building activity in many major UK regional cities. In Belfast, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester there were almost 17,000 homes being constructed. Residential property demand has been one of the driving forces in this construction boom. There was a 60% year on year increase in residential units in Manchester last year, which is the third year of growth in construction levels. The UK has been experiencing an overwhelming housing crisis, with an ever-increasing need for residential rental property. The UK has been falling behind targets for new home construction and it seems that figures are finally on the rise. Government measures and investment schemes have been attempting to address this by making it easier for buy to let landlords to purchase property. They have also experienced a growing demand for residential property has seen an upswing in construction across the UK. The UK has experienced a significant shift towards city centre living in the past few decades. Many of these UK regional cities have grown in prominence due to their universities. The increasing number of students, from both home and abroad who are studying and staying in UK regional cities has been transformative. Cardiff is a key example of the effect new students can bring to a city, with its students now making up 20% of the population. Young people are flocking to UK regional cities more than ever before for a world class education, the cost of living in many of these cities is also a key draw, as is the quality of rental accommodation they can afford. Manchester is one of the best examples of this recent construction boom. Manchester’s skyline has dramatically changed over the past decade. A high demand for city centre rental property has been compelling developers to build up rather than out. The amount of land available for developers is diminishing and increasing in price, so renovations and skyscrapers are becoming ever more common. As of January 2018, there were six towers above 25 storeys currently under construction in Manchester. Manchester property developers are seeing worldwide demand for their regional city centre apartments. Ensured rental rates of up to 9%, huge tenant demand and affordable investment costs mean that properties like those by RW Invest are flying out. Young professional tenants are looking for increasingly high-end properties with great design and modern amenities. Investment in Manchester has been hitting record highs and now other UK regional cities are following suit. Property investors are growing in confidence in these northern cities that are on the rise. Levels of investment from both private and public sectors are continuing to restore and regenerate these cities. UK cities are no longer competing with each other as much as they are competing with the world. Manchester was recently found to be the 35th most liveable city in the world, ahead of the capital and other huge cities. For wise property developers, these city centre apartments are becoming an ever more valuable asset. Now is the perfect time to purchase buy to let property in a regional city as an investment, with increasing prices and rental rates looking set to continue across the board.
Wrightstyle is shortly to supply advanced glazing systems to a £7.5 million state-of-the-art care home being built by Deeley Construction. Wrightstyle will be installing fire-rated screens and doors at the Woodside Care Village, an inspirational new care home in Warwick which will provide care for 72 older people and people living with a dementia, due to open in 2019. The new home is being built for Warwickshire-based charity WCS Care, and has been designed by local architects Robothams. There will be a relaxing spa, pamper salon, deluxe cinema, and café, as well as table tennis and companion cycling for two, complete with a cycle track. It will also feature a shop and traditional launderette, accessible by an open-air courtyard, as well as the latest technology including circadian rhythm lighting and night-time acoustic monitoring. Designing buildings for older people, particularly for those living with a dementia, involves many challenges for glazing. Floor-to-ceiling windows have been included to maximise light, which can have positive health benefits for residents, and avoid using window frames that block views from the line of sight of people using wheelchairs or who might be sitting down for long periods of time. The windows will provide uninterrupted views from beds which also aids recovery and wellbeing. Tamper proof window restrictors enhance safety and security in rooms. Suppression and containment capacity if a fire breaks out is also an important element in any healthcare facility housing occupants unable to self-rescue, and Wrightstyle has long experience in the UK and internationally in designing and supplying glazing systems to contain fire at source. In the UK, fire safety in residential care premises are subject to strict fire regulations and dealt with under Approved Document B Fire Safety, and fire precautions in England and Wales fall under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO). While fire suppression is important, the other component is containment – ensuring that any fire remains trapped in one area, and giving staff adequate time to evacuate the building. That’s where advanced glazing systems have a role to play, providing complete protection against fire, heat and toxic gases for up to 120 minutes. Wrightstyle systems, which are specified worldwide, most recently in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, can be found in a variety of hospitals and other healthcare facilities. www.wrightstyle.co.uk
Leading property maintenance provider Horbury Property Services, based in Rotherham, has won a contract with Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Derbyshire to provide planned maintenance and refurbishment services. The contract is for an initial three-year period, with the option to extend the contract for a further two years, and involves properties across its whole estate, ranging from carrying out small repairs to large refurbishment projects. Richard Sutton, General Manager at Horbury Property Services, said: “This is our latest contract win in the healthcare sector, which is a result of our expertise in property maintenance. We demonstrated that we were able to offer a service that is excellent value for money, as well as having the expertise to deliver high quality repair and refurbishment services.” This latest contract follows Horbury Property Services recently becoming one of the delivery partners on a three year framework agreement to provide repairs and refurbishment work to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The company also recently became an approved supplier of hard FM services to NHS Shared Business Services (SBS). This agreement will see Horbury Property Services providing fire door inspection and remedial, building fabric maintenance, flooring services, ironmongery, partitioning and re-lamping services. Horbury Property Services provides a full range of repair, refurbishment and maintenance works. This includes inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of fire doors, joinery works, fire stopping, sealing, fire compartmentation, planned preventative maintenance regimes, portable appliance testing, electrical testing and installation work, building fabric repairs as well as external cladding and render repairs. In addition, the wider Horbury Group provides dry wall partitioning, painting and decorating, ceiling and flooring upgrades and de-mountable screens, amongst others. The company has regional offices in London and South Wales, together with a South Yorkshire Head Office, ensuring a truly national capability. This regional presence enables its teams to successfully deliver responsive repairs or large planned refurbishment and maintenance programmes. For more details, visit www.horburypropertyservices.com or call 01709 917555.
