Hogan Concrete has taken delivery of the UK’s first concrete-mixer based on a DAF 8×2 rear-steer chassis. The new Euro-6 DAF CF 400 FAX eight-wheeler is fitted with an 8m3 capacity Cifa SL8 body. Hogan, which also has DAF LF 7.5 tonne and XF tractor units in its fleet,
Scotland faces an ‘enormous challenge’ to build the homes needed for a growing population, according to new research from the UK’s leading property consultancy, JLL. In a new report – Rising to the Challenge – JLL warns that Scotland is not building enough homes to meet either current demand or
Future-proofing of requirements has enabled a new school to employ state-of-the-art ventilation to achieve a BREEAM very good standard. Manchester City Council engaged the North West Construction Hub as a procurement vehicle to select ISG Construction Ltd as building contractor for a new, £1.6m extension at Benchill Primary School.
A Staffordshire-based housing association is in the running for two prestigious industry awards for its commitment to regeneration and the innovative ways it engages with local communities. Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has been shortlisted in two high-profile categories at the Housing Innovation Awards, with the transformation of the Penkside area of
Whether it is a commercial, industrial or residential building, the importance of getting lifts serviced should never be disregarded. In commercial and business properties, lifts are meant for visitors, clients and potential clients. Imagine the impression it would create if the lifts break down or work intermittently? They may associate
Composite panel construction and industrial waterproofing specialist ISD Solutions, following another profitable year with revenues now exceeding £30 million, is well positioned to continue its recent growth and boost manufacturing at its Gloucester production facility. Specialising in the development, construction and maintenance of cold stores, firewalls, data centres and clean
Composite panel construction and industrial waterproofing specialist ISD Solutions, following another profitable year with revenues now exceeding £30 million, is well positioned to continue its recent growth and boost manufacturing at its Gloucester production facility. Specialising in the development, construction and maintenance of cold stores, firewalls, data centres and clean
Considerate Constructors Scheme launches new Monitoring Checklist New Checklist helps tackle key issues: Ensuring the legitimacy of the workforce Attracting and retaining skills The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national Scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has launched a new Monitors’ Checklist. The
Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, part of the Portakabin Group and the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has started work on a contract worth in the region of £500,000 to construct a much-needed Youth Centre in the Hampshire market town of Romsey. The scheme is Foremans’ fifth project
An invasion of meeting pods are modernising workplaces across Manchester. Manchester offices are changing it’s furniture from the classic table and chairs. Ikon have worked with many organisations installing bespoke & high quality office furniture into offices such as Zuto, Rental Cars, Join The Dots, Liquid Personnel, Gunnercooke,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Hogan Concrete has taken delivery of the UK’s first concrete-mixer based on a DAF 8×2 rear-steer chassis. The new Euro-6 DAF CF 400 FAX eight-wheeler is fitted with an 8m3 capacity Cifa SL8 body. Hogan, which also has DAF LF 7.5 tonne and XF tractor units in its fleet, said that it selected the 32-tonne GVW 8×2 rear-steer chassis to provide additional payload benefits while retaining the handling and manoeuvrability characteristics generally associated with a 6×4 chassis. “DAF’s FAX rear-steer eight-wheeler is well-proven in the agricultural sector,” said managing director Kevin Hogan, “and I was confident that the chassis’ attributes would translate well into our line of work. “DAF’s standard CF 8×4 Construction model is a tough, durable truck, but it would not have been a suitable replacement for the 6×4 CF. The FAX 8×2 provides us with significantly more carrying capacity while retaining the manoeuvrability of a 6×4,” he said. “It’s critical for us to have a vehicle that can handle on-and-off-road operations, make light work of tight site access and one which enables our dispatch team to provide the service our customers require.” The CF 400 FAX is powered by a 10.8-litre, 400bhp Paccar MX-11 engine. Cifa’s 8m3 drum capacity SL8 Truckmixer body has an EKOS drum closing gate and pneumatically operated SL45 telescopic chutes – rather than a folding mechanism – resulting in less handling for the operator and so faster dispensing. The Italian-made body was supplied and fitted by Cifa’s UK agent, Spanners Mixer Hire in Market Deeping. “We’re a mixed fleet,” added Kevin Hogan, “but, over the years, the DAF marque has out-performed its competitors in all areas – product quality, reliability and aftersales, and that’s no mean feat considering the tough work our vehicles endure. “We use Holyhead Trucks in Mona, Anglesey for regular servicing and maintenance while the main DAF dealer, North West Trucks in Liverpool, supplies our vehicles – both are superb. The collaboration between DAF and Spanners, the Cifa agent, has been first-class, and has ensured the acquisition of a truck to our exacting specification.”
Scotland faces an ‘enormous challenge’ to build the homes needed for a growing population, according to new research from the UK’s leading property consultancy, JLL. In a new report – Rising to the Challenge – JLL warns that Scotland is not building enough homes to meet either current demand or the Scottish Government’s current recommended targets for homes, with latest figures suggesting development volumes are plateauing at best. The report was launched by JLL at seminars at its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. In the year to Q2 2015, a total of 15,260 homes were completed, well short of both the five-year average to 2007/8 of 21,170 homes a year, and even further behind the Government’s current recommended target of 36,000 homes a year. The number of households in Scotland is forecast to rise by approximately 74,000 in the five years to 2020, with 15,100 in Edinburgh and a further 10,400 in Glasgow. Even accounting for the Scottish Government’s latest £195M funding stimulus, JLL believes that the forecast increase in households over the next five years will create demand that far outstrips the supply of additional housing. Looking ahead, JLL believes that development activity will begin to rise, albeit modestly, but this will lead to even greater competition and pressure between demand and available supply in both the sales and the lettings markets in Edinburgh and Glasgow. JLL also predicts that the next few years will finally see the embryonic start of Build to Rent or Private Rented Community (PRC) development in Scotland’s key cities. Jason Hogg, Director of JLL’s Residential team in Scotland, said: “2016 will be a year of challenging questions rather than unbridled forward momentum. And there are several questions on a variety of residential issues which need addressing. “The greatest challenge is how the housebuilding industry and the Scottish Government will move towards building the greater volume of homes the country needs. Development activity is better than three to four years ago but still nowhere near the 23,000 homes a year target. The Scottish Government is allocating funds to assist, but we believe closer collaboration with the industry, more innovative and more directly beneficial initiatives as well as higher funding need to be considered if the housing shortfall is to be addressed. “2016 will also bring into play legislation that will rebalance the private landlord and tenant relationships. However, we will have to wait and see whether there are any wider market implications or whether any local authorities will use their rent cap powers.” Edinburgh house prices set for continued growth as supply remains sparse In Edinburgh, the city centre residential sales market is buoyant with demand outstripping available supply. On average, sales prices in the city increased by 3.5% during 2015, continuing a trend of strong growth. This is expected to increase by 22.2% in the five years to 2020. Rental prices, meanwhile, have increased by 6.3% on average and are forecast to rise by 22.8% by 2020. With a growing population, Edinburgh city centre’s development pipeline is sparse. PRC developments are gaining traction, with strong demand but accommodation of this type is not being delivered at the same pace as other tenures. With the city centre land supply constrained, peripheral locations with good transport links such as Leith and West Edinburgh are likely to become more attractive. Glasgow house prices set to rise alongside increase in new development schemes In Glasgow, prices have increased by an average of 4.1% in 2015 with rental values increasing by 5.6%. By 2020 it is anticipated house prices will have increased by 19.3% while rental growth is forecast at 19.9%. Like its capital counterpart, lack of housing continues to be a feature of the Glasgow residential market. However, development activity has increased with a number of key schemes set to be progressed in 2016. This includes the former NS&I and Cowglen Hospital site, which will provide in excess of 500 homes, the Candleriggs scheme in Merchant City and the proposed redevelopment of Jordanhill Campus. This year is also expected to bring further discussion around PRC schemes in the city. Jason Hogg, Director of JLL’s Residential team in Scotland, added: “With some PRC schemes set to get underway in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and with more sites being considered for the private rented model, the shift in development bias towards PRC rather than private sale will be an interesting change to monitor. “The development and private sale markets in Scotland’s larger cities will also have to adapt to the less favourable private investor environment following tax relief and LBTT changes.” The full report – Rising to the Challenge – is available at http://residential.jll.co.uk/new-residential-thinking-home/research/scotland-residential-forecast-february-2016.aspx
Future-proofing of requirements has enabled a new school to employ state-of-the-art ventilation to achieve a BREEAM very good standard. Manchester City Council engaged the North West Construction Hub as a procurement vehicle to select ISG Construction Ltd as building contractor for a new, £1.6m extension at Benchill Primary School. Architect Stephenson Studio designed in natural ventilation for the modular two-storey, 900m2 timber frame building comprising 6 x classrooms, a nursery, kitchen, administration area and ‘break out’ area. Building services engineers Ameon and international construction services company ISG met the ventilation brief by using the new Mistrale Fusion, developed and manufactured by leading air movement specialist Gilberts (Blackpool) Ltd. The Mistrale Fusion 128 units have been fitted into the bulkhead of each of the classrooms and the nursery, with bespoke double direction grilles to provide compliant airflow of 8l/p/s into the room required by current Department of Education Building Bulletin (BB101) and PBSP guidelines. Installed through the façade, uniquely, Mistrale Fusion mixes internal and external air to ventilate the internal space and deliver optimum internal air control for less than £5.00/room/annum1. The unit focuses on natural ventilation, incorporating a mixing damper within to modulate airflow and allow the new, fresh air to mix with warm exhaust air, thus extracting its heat without the need for an exchanger. An integrated low energy fan energises to blend the internal air, ensuring an even distribution of airflow, with control over temperature and CO2 levels within, and maintenance of internal occupant comfort conditions. Each unit also achieves relevant acoustic considerations: its operational ‘noise’ is less than 32dbA, and it has been engineered to absorb external noise to keep within the classroom criteria required by BB93. Mistrale Fusion attains air leakage better than legislative requirements- 5m3/HR/m2, and a U value of 1W/m2/°C. As with all Gilberts’ ventilation solutions, it delivers efficient weather performance via its bespoke louvre system. Explained a spokesperson for ISG, “Planning and aesthetics of the building meant we needed a ventilation solution that would function as a ‘stand-alone’ system in each classroom that would be simple to expand as/when additional learning space is added in the future. “Gilberts’ Mistrale Fusion met that requirement, and could be discreetly installed in plasterboard bulkheads; Gilberts’ ability to tailor-make a deflection grille to meet the design and airflow requirements was also an influencing factor.” Founded 50+ years ago, privately owned Gilberts is unique in having its own, on-site (85,000ft2) manufacturing facility, producing engineered solutions, with an in-house test centre. Technical expertise is supported with full in-house testing addressing air movement andcombining with computational fluid dynamics CFD).
A Staffordshire-based housing association is in the running for two prestigious industry awards for its commitment to regeneration and the innovative ways it engages with local communities. Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has been shortlisted in two high-profile categories at the Housing Innovation Awards, with the transformation of the Penkside area of Stafford firmly in the spotlight. Known as ‘Total Place‘, the £6.7 million project caught the attention of judges in the Most Innovative Regeneration Scheme category, whilst the housing association’s Community Learning Programme, engagement days and estate ‘walkabouts’ have seen it shortlisted for a Most Innovative Use of Community Engagement Award. The award winners are set to be announced at a special event in London on Thursday, February 18, and SARH Chief Executive, Karen Armitage, said she was delighted to have reached this stage of the competition. “These Awards are highly respected by professionals in the housing industry, and we feel justifiably proud to be amongst a wide range of high-profile organisations to reach the shortlist.” “We’re particularly pleased at this recognition for Total Place, a partnership project that’s done so much to improve an important area in Stafford with the refurbishment of more than 350 homes. “This has significantly improved the appearance of the area whilst having a hugely positive impact on the lives of our customers and other local residents.” Work on the properties included new raised roofs, double glazing and cladding alongside the creation of garden areas with privacy walls, picket fencing, gravel and paving. Meanwhile the housing association’s Community Involvement Team is also looking forward to the awards, organised by Excel Publishing and Housing Magazine. SARH reached the shortlist in the Community Engagement Award for its efforts to help build stronger communities by helping customers and other local residents to boost their job hunting skills, learn practical skills or even improve their diet. Alongside a wide range of workshops and events, customer engagement runs through all levels of the organisation. Whilst Customer Inspectors play a vital scrutiny role, and make recommendations when they see room for improvement, the Customer Board focuses on improving landlord services. Karen added: “Customers are at the heart of everything we do, alongside our efforts to build neighbourhoods that residents feel proud of. “It’s fitting that the award judges have recognised both a flagship project to improve the built environment and our efforts to build stronger communities.”
Whether it is a commercial, industrial or residential building, the importance of getting lifts serviced should never be disregarded. In commercial and business properties, lifts are meant for visitors, clients and potential clients. Imagine the impression it would create if the lifts break down or work intermittently? They may associate the poor service of the lift with the overall service of your commercial or business establishment. In an industrial setting, such as a warehouse where large lifts are used to transport goods from one point to another, a broken lift can result in serious injuries or even lead to fatalities. This could result in claims and high medical expenses, something that businesses are looking to avoid. It also is important to note that, when faults and problems are neglected, they can quickly worsen. As a result, repairs will cost more. It is best to address even the smallest lift issues immediately to prevent costly repairs later on, or avoid accidents and fatalities. Regular Lift Servicing When lifts are serviced regularly, minor faults and problems can be addressed before they cause more serious problems. This ensures that the lift works seamlessly and reduces breakdowns. Lift service is an investment and not an expense as it can help with the transportation of both people and materials, will prevent large repair costs, and ensure that no accidents or deaths occur due to lift accidents. Making the Right Choice The company handyman is not the person to call upon for lift repairs and service. This requires specialised knowledge and skill and only a professional, who has experience and knowledge of lift repairs and services, will be able to do it correctly A handyman will not necessarily have the knowledge or skill to understand the sophisticated parts and systems of a lift, which could cause more harm than good. If cost is a factor, then getting the services of a qualified technician will offset this cost in the long run. It is important to get an experienced company that specialises in servicing and repairing lifts, and does not believe in cutting corners when making repairs or completing servicing. Calling on the services of experts, such as RJ Lift Services, will ensure the lift works seamlessly for years to come.
Composite panel construction and industrial waterproofing specialist ISD Solutions, following another profitable year with revenues now exceeding £30 million, is well positioned to continue its recent growth and boost manufacturing at its Gloucester production facility. Specialising in the development, construction and maintenance of cold stores, firewalls, data centres and clean rooms, plus industrial cladding and waterproofing, the £300,000 investment to improve its manufacturing facilities includes a new roll forming line for composite panel metal skins, plus vacuum lifting and fabrication equipment. Following an extensive evaluation, the company has also switched to the BASF Elastopor rigid polyurethane foam system used for the rigid core of structural insulated panels and doors, due to its superior and consistent thermal properties over a predicted 25-year lifespan. Other benefits include a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of ‘less than 5’ and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of Zero. The investment will increase capacity and support continued quality and efficiency improvements covering the production of a range of bespoke insulated structural panels, cold-room doors and associated fittings used in a variety of construction and maintenance projects. These cover supermarket cold stores, food preparation and cleanroom environments, plus other commercial and industrial buildings. At the same time increased capacity will reduce the dependency on imported cold room products and improve quality and product development for the company’s expanding off-the-peg modular and bespoke cold room solutions, used in a wide range of smaller businesses from catering to pharmaceuticals. Tony Wall, Managing Director of ISD Solutions commented: “Boosting our manufacturing expertise and capacity in this way allows us to take more control over product delivery and quality and fits perfectly with our long term strategy to provide a totally integrated end-to-end solution for our customers incorporating consultancy, design, manufacturing, installation. This extended capability will also benefit customers taking advantage of our newly formed cold store maintenance division.” Wall continued: “The new more environmentally friendly BASF foam also fits with our desire to be conscious of the responsibility we have to work in ways that reduce our impact on the environment.” With 6 new staff appointments in the last year alone taking headcount to 105, and in recent months the establishment of a new design office team, cold store maintenance division and an industrial waterproofing division, this new manufacturing capability will support further growth. Meanwhile the company already has healthy order books for 2016. Recent projects include the completion of the 150th cold store development for Morrisons supermarkets, a multi-million pound cold storage warehouse for the Spanish pharmaceutical giant Grifols and we continue to be one of Aldi’s approved contractors for building new stores.
Composite panel construction and industrial waterproofing specialist ISD Solutions, following another profitable year with revenues now exceeding £30 million, is well positioned to continue its recent growth and boost manufacturing at its Gloucester production facility. Specialising in the development, construction and maintenance of cold stores, firewalls, data centres and clean rooms, plus industrial cladding and waterproofing, the £300,000 investment to improve its manufacturing facilities includes a new roll forming line for composite panel metal skins, plus vacuum lifting and fabrication equipment. Following an extensive evaluation, the company has also switched to the BASF Elastopor rigid polyurethane foam system used for the rigid core of structural insulated panels and doors, due to its superior and consistent thermal properties over a predicted 25-year lifespan. Other benefits include a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of ‘less than 5’ and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of Zero. The investment will increase capacity and support continued quality and efficiency improvements covering the production of a range of bespoke insulated structural panels, cold-room doors and associated fittings used in a variety of construction and maintenance projects. These cover supermarket cold stores, food preparation and cleanroom environments, plus other commercial and industrial buildings. At the same time increased capacity will reduce the dependency on imported cold room products and improve quality and product development for the company’s expanding off-the-peg modular and bespoke cold room solutions, used in a wide range of smaller businesses from catering to pharmaceuticals. Tony Wall, Managing Director of ISD Solutions commented: “Boosting our manufacturing expertise and capacity in this way allows us to take more control over product delivery and quality and fits perfectly with our long term strategy to provide a totally integrated end-to-end solution for our customers incorporating consultancy, design, manufacturing, installation. This extended capability will also benefit customers taking advantage of our newly formed cold store maintenance division.” Wall continued: “The new more environmentally friendly BASF foam also fits with our desire to be conscious of the responsibility we have to work in ways that reduce our impact on the environment.” With 6 new staff appointments in the last year alone taking headcount to 105, and in recent months the establishment of a new design office team, cold store maintenance division and an industrial waterproofing division, this new manufacturing capability will support further growth. Meanwhile the company already has healthy order books for 2016. Recent projects include the completion of the 150th cold store development for Morrisons supermarkets, a multi-million pound cold storage warehouse for the Spanish pharmaceutical giant Grifols and we continue to be one of Aldi’s approved contractors for building new stores.
Considerate Constructors Scheme launches new Monitoring Checklist New Checklist helps tackle key issues: Ensuring the legitimacy of the workforce Attracting and retaining skills The Considerate Constructors Scheme – the national Scheme to improve the image of the construction industry – has launched a new Monitors’ Checklist. The Checklist is the key method which Scheme Monitors use to assess and score sites, companies and suppliers’ performance against the Code of Considerate Practice. It comes into effect from 1 February 2016, but there will be a three month transition period until 1 May 2016, to ensure all Scheme registered members have sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the new requirements before any changes affect their scores. As the Scheme carries out around 18,000 sites, companies and supplier visits every year, the information gathered within the Monitors’ Checklist provides an essential barometer of how the industry is improving and the key issues it must tackle. Whilst the 2016 Checklist has undergone changes in all five sections of the Code, the most significant changes are within the ‘Value their Workforce’ section. A number of new questions have been introduced to help the industry tackle the critical issues such as combatting illegal workers and modern slavery on site and in supply chains, as well as attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce. New questions include: How does the site assess and monitor the legitimacy and competency of the workforce? What is the site doing to improve its image and the overall image of the industry to attract and retain the workforce necessary for the future of construction? Commenting on the new Checklist, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: “Our work to stamp out illegal working involves close collaborative working with lead industry bodies. We are fully supportive of genuine efforts, such as this scheme, to drive compliance with the rules. “Employers within the construction sector have a crucial and ongoing part to play in helping to combat illegal working by ensuring they carry out the straightforward ‘Right to Work’ checks on potential employees.” Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “Scheme registered sites, companies, suppliers and their clients are demonstrating a continued eagerness to keep raising the bar of considerate construction and improve industry standards across the UK. The new Checklist will be a significant driver in helping to achieve this goal. Mr Hardy added: “The Checklist is reviewed annually to ensure it remains current, relevant and challenging. The new questions including those around the legitimacy of the workforce and attracting and retaining skills are clearly crucial issues for the future of the industry. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is delighted to be at the forefront of challenging the sector to improve performance in these areas”. Find out more about the new Checklist here
Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, part of the Portakabin Group and the UK’s largest supplier of refurbished Portakabin buildings, has started work on a contract worth in the region of £500,000 to construct a much-needed Youth Centre in the Hampshire market town of Romsey. The scheme is Foremans’ fifth project for Hampshire County Council in the last year. A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction works on the site. The project is jointly funded by Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council and will provide young people in Romsey with a purpose-designed facility, in an accessible location close to a sports complex, cricket club and skate park. Designed by Hampshire County Council’s Property Services team and built by Foremans, the centre will be all on one level, making it fully accessible, and will offer facilities for wider community use. Foremans is constructing the building from recycled steel modules fitted out with all-new fixtures and fittings – a faster and highly sustainable alternative to site-based construction methods but with no compromise on quality. This innovative approach will reduce work on site to just 10 weeks so the new facilities will be up and running for use by the local community at a much earlier stage – and with a lower carbon footprint. Due for completion in Spring this year, the building will be operated by Youth in Romsey, a charitable organisation offering support and information for young people aged 11 to 25 years. The charity has outgrown its current premises and needed better disabled access and a more suitable location for its activities. Commenting on the project, Ricky Barford, General Manager at Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, said, “We are delighted to be involved in the construction of such a valuable community facility. We are also proud to be working on our fifth project for Hampshire County Council in less than a year.” “The cost, speed and environmental benefits of recycled and refurbished modular solutions are proven and far outweigh site-based construction. The approach will provide young people and the wider community in this part of Hampshire with a high quality, purpose-designed building for generations to come.” Test Valley Borough Council’s Community and Leisure Portfolio Holder, Councillor Tony Ward, said, “I am delighted that work has commenced to deliver the new youth centre, and I am pleased that we have been able to work with Hampshire County Council and Youth in Romsey to help make this happen. We are committed to supporting our communities and this new facility will ensure that Youth in Romsey can continue to offer an incredibly valuable service to young people in the area. I look forward to the completion and opening of the new centre later in the year.” A large activity room, a smaller group room, a consulting room, offices and kitchen will be provided in the centre. Externally, the building will be brick-clad with an integral canopy over the main entrance and solar panels on the roof. The refurbishment of modular buildings is one of the most environmentally-sound methods of construction – helping to reduce carbon emissions, waste sent to landfill, and improving a building’s carbon footprint, with no compromise on quality or design flexibility. For further information about refurbished Portakabin buildings, visit www.foremansbuildings.co.uk, email info@foremansbuildings.co.uk, or call 01964 544344.
An invasion of meeting pods are modernising workplaces across Manchester. Manchester offices are changing it’s furniture from the classic table and chairs. Ikon have worked with many organisations installing bespoke & high quality office furniture into offices such as Zuto, Rental Cars, Join The Dots, Liquid Personnel, Gunnercooke, High Access and Myersons to name a few around Manchester. One product in particular has sparked the interest with them all, the Pod. Pods are becoming the new way for businesses to interact and become more productive in the office either in meetings, interviews or for time out for colleagues. Organisations have said the pod range enhances the meeting experience as they include Pluto Dome which enables connection to devices for power and transfer data to a TV for presentations through a USB port. The TV’s are attached to a particular Pod, the Charlie Pod which High Access have installed in their offices. As well as Ikon personalising them with the organisation’s specific requirements such as the business’s colour themes. Leanne Adcock – Operations Manager, Liquid Personnel, said “The pod in our office is a great space for anyone in the business to utilise during work hours and their lunch break. The main use for the pod is to accommodate non-confidential meetings, head of department meetings and general impromptu meetings that do not require the confidentiality of a closed room. The pod is used daily and often a struggle to get some space as it is a chosen place for those quick meetings. We have a small table in the pod which allows many of us with laptops to plug them in and work through things that require peace and quiet without disrupting the busy room booking calendar.” Standing pods are becoming more popular for organisations which Ikon have recently found. Benefits include the increase of productivity. It’s proven decisions get made quicker and make the meeting more productive by making the employees less comfortable. Standing up also provides focus for employees as they’re more likely to be involved with conversation. A study co-commissioned by Public Health England showed that it’s recommended for office workers to be on their feet for at least two hours of their working day. Ikons design of a standing pod which is found at Join The Dots Manchester, will also “avoid the ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle” – Public Health England Gunnercooke Manchester required a Pod design that’s suitable for single person use. Ikon provided a Personal S Pod. It gives privacy to those wanting to work in a quiet and personal space in the office & home. Like all the other Pods, the S Pod utilises space for organisations such as Gunnercooke to make space for private working space as well as giving privacy for the user. Again hard to get in a busy city centre office. Another piece of furniture that is used to get privacy & utilise space in office space is the Beatnik Chair. Ikon Furniture is the UK distributor for the chair that’s designed and made in Slovenia. It’s a very versatile piece of furniture while being the first chair to have Apple AirPlay technology and also support bluetooth communication for the transmission of high quality sound from mobile devices. People at work can use a laptop or mobile device to listen to music or on a laptop while taking time out of a busy office to work independently. The built-in 2.1 BOSE Sound System and integrated sound system in the tall walls protects the user against unwanted sounds from the environment and at the same time ensures privacy. An exceptional piece of modern technology combined with fabulous design. Ikon Furniture are offering the chance for someone to WIN a fabulous Burrone Chair. All they have to do to enter is to make sure they are following @ikonfurniture and share the image attached on their own Twitter & Instagram page while tagging a friend. The post with the most retweets & likes WINS! Closing date 23:59pm, 29th February 2016. Terms & Conditions available at info@ikonfurniture.co.uk . To find out more information or enquire about any products from Ikon Furniture, visit the website www.ikonfurniture.co.uk or email info@ikonfurniture.co.uk or call 0161 359 3229.
