Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

Page 1

March 2019

Brexit - are construction workers leaving or leaving their options open

CONSTRUCTIONMAGUK.CO.UK

BDP JOINS FORCES WITH LEADING CANADIAN PRACTICE

THE TULIP

COLLINGWOOD LIGHTING

THE PROFESSIONAL’S DOWNLIGHT

ESTIMATED TO OFFER ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF NEARLY £1 BILLION AND 600 FULL TIME JOBS

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: WHY COLLABORATION, AND NEW TECHNOLOGY, WILL REVOLUTIONISE THE SALES LEAD INDUSTRY

Szerelmey Specialists in stonework and restoration since 1855

Curo, Swan and Homes England establish Strategic Partnership to deliver 1,000 affordable homes



Contents March 2019

04

L&Q acts to address construction industry’s image problem

06

Winvic Secures BTR Contract to Redevelop Former Post Office Building

10

The Tulip estimated to create London nearly £1 billion and 600 full time jobs

16

First Details of New Edinburgh Marina Clubhouse revealed

17

Willmott Dixon Interiors to update National Gallery

22

Plans submitted for Notaro Park on Junction 24 on the M5

26

100% full funding and support for 27 superb apartments in Solihull

30

BakerHicks complete their part on new £17M Gorbals Health and Care Centre

38

Why collaboration, and new technology, will revolutionise the sales lead industry

41

BDP joins forces with leading Canadian practice

48

Envac gears up for growth as project pipeline increases

49

Plans submitted for Feltham Magistrates’ Court development

50

Scotland Build returns to the SEC Glasgow on the 20th & 21st March

06 10 16

17

22

26

30

38

41

48

49

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Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 03


Latest News

L&Q acts to address construction industry’s image problem following startling new research Less than one in ten young people would consider a career in construction, even though more than half are interested in subjects that qualify them for the industry, new research by L&Q has revealed. L&Q, one of the UK’s largest housing associations and developers, surveyed 1,095 16-18 year-olds about their career aspirations. Around 50 per cent of the young people said that they were interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). However, only nine per cent stated that they would consider a career in housebuilding. The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that 230,000 new recruits will be needed by 2020 to support construction growth and account for an ageing workforce. There are 167 different careers in construction, and the built environment is the second biggest employer in the country after the NHS. Around half of all construction careers require degrees in a STEM subjects. However, the new research revealed that the industry was perceived as challenging and unexciting by students. The findings were revealed today as L&Q launched its new schools programme aimed at increasing the number of young people joining the construction industry by raising awareness of the wide variety of jobs available.

Learning to Succeed is a £1 million programme that will seek to address the sector’s image issues by offering free STEM education lessons and careers advice to 30 schools in 12 London boroughs. The programme is being developed and delivered in partnership with Construction Youth Trust, the construction industry’s youth charity. Schools became obliged to provide weekly careers advice to all pupils in 2018, although no extra funds have been allocated. L&Q is the first housing association in the country to offer careers advice and assistance of this kind. The survey also revealed: • Science is the most popular school subject, closely followed by maths • Young people cited concerns that construction wasn’t an exciting field to work in or they thought they wouldn’t be good at it as reasons for their lack of interest • However, for the nine per cent who were interested in construction, the “excitement” of the field was the biggest factor for their interest • Exactly 40 per cent of young people feared they wouldn’t be good at the job. To address this, L&Q is promoting the benefits of apprenticeships where people are paid to learn.

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• The results suggested that having an exciting career was more important than money to the majority of young people, in our survey the young people who did want to work in construction said they were motivated by excitement rather than money Matthew Corbett, Director of the L&Q Foundation, said: “Construction isn’t just about hard hats and steel capped boots, it’s also about innovation, technology, great design, communities and placemaking. If we’re going to solve our housing crisis, then we need our young people to help – but first we need to increase interest and awareness of the opportunities the industry has to offer. “The average age of a tradesman on a site is now 45-years-old. And Brexit is looming. We’ve got a serious amount of work to do in promoting ourselves if we’re ever going to fill the substantial gaps in our skills base and make the industry more appealing to younger people.” Construction Youth Trust Director, Carol Lynch, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with L&Q to develop and deliver the Learning to Succeed programme. It is through the development of programmes like Learning to Succeed that we can challenge the negative misperceptions of the construction industry and inspire young people to choose a career from amongst the amazing breadth of roles available within the sector.”


Latest News Schoolchildren bury time capsule in Midsomer Norton to mark start of construction of new Curo affordable homes Pupils from Somervale School today buried a time capsule on the site of a new development delivered by Curo and contractor E G Carter. The time capsule was buried as part of a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction works at St Chads Green in Midsomer Norton, where 16 new affordable homes will be built by the end of the year. Children were invited to provide items for the time capsule, which will remain underground for at least 30 years. Among the things they buried were a signed uniform tie in their school colours, pictures, letters describing life in 2019, their predictions for the future and a copy of Midsomer Norton Life magazine. The new homes represent an investment by Curo of almost £2m and are being delivered in partnership with Homes England, who provided funding of £480,000 and Bath & North East Somerset, who have awarded a further £200,000 grant. The development includes a mix of 15 houses with two, three and four bedrooms and a one-bedroom apartment. Four of the new homes will be available to buy via Shared Ownership, while the other 12 will be let at affordable rents to local people currently on the local authority’s housing waiting list. Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’re very excited to start building works with contractor EG Carter today at our new affordable development, where more local families will soon benefit from a secure, long-term home.

© Anna Barclay

“Regeneration projects like this give us the opportunity to create high-quality affordable homes in key areas of towns and cities and we look forward to welcoming the new residents at St Chads Green later this year. The 16 new family homes are replacing a former sheltered accommodation scheme of 23 flats, increasing the number of people to be housed at St Chads Green by 33 and responding to the greatest pressures on the housing list – which show that the highest demand for affordable housing in the local area is for family homes. Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet member for Economic and Community Regeneration, Councillor Paul Myers said: “As mayor of Midsomer Norton I am especially pleased to see this development break ground. Midsomer Norton is a great place to live and it’s

fantastic that Curo, with support from the local authority and central government, are delivering a 100% affordable housing scheme here. “This development will make a big difference to the local families who will move in at the end of the year, as they’ll be able to put down roots in a brandnew, modern and efficient home in an area they love.” Joanna Postlethwaite, Headteacher of Somervale School, said: “The children were delighted to get involved in the event today and worked hard to put together a selection of items for the time capsule that will provide an historic snapshot of our school and town. We’re very pleased that 16 new families will get the chance to move to this great area soon and look forward to welcoming their children to our school.”

Construction PMI freezes – “Unlike the weather, no thaw in sight for UK construction” – Naismiths surveyors Blane Perrotton, managing director of the national property consultancy and surveyors Naismiths, commented: “Unlike the weather, there’s no thaw in sight yet for Britain’s construction industry. “Such an abrupt slide in sentiment has plunged the sector back towards levels not seen since the deep-frozen lows of last March. “It’s little wonder optimism is so fragile. Last week official data confirmed what

many in construction had feared – our industry has the highest insolvency rate of any sector, and nearly 3,000 construction firms went to the wall in 2018. “With the PMI data showing both output and new orders sliding too, 2019 is off to a faltering start. And more worrying still is the slowdown in housebuilding activity, which for much of 2018 provided a ‘get out of jail’ card for an otherwise embattled industry.

“Input cost pressures are easing, but this is a modest silver lining to a very dark cloud. 60% of Britain’s construction material imports come from the EU, meaning the sudden imposition of WTO tariffs in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit would hit hard. “Brexit fears have squeezed developer demand ever since the EU referendum, but as the prospect of a ‘no deal’ exit looms ever larger, Britain’s builders are grappling with the realisation that things could be even worse than feared.”

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 05


Project News

Woodhead Group secures place on Pagabo framework Woodhead Group has been awarded a place on the national Pagabo framework for medium works. Pagabo helps public sector organisations across the UK by providing EU compliant framework agreements, a Dynamic Procurement System (DPS), and bespoke consultancy - delivered and backed up by a team of MCIPS qualified procurement professionals with a huge range of experience. The four-year framework will give Pagabo’s customers the confidence to select a contractor, that has already been taken through a robust procurement process, speeding up appointment and enabling projects to mobilise efficiently. Woodhead Group Director, Tom Woodhead, said: “Partnership working is something we are so passionate about, it delivers better value, more positive social impact and enables collaboration. What makes the Pagabo framework special

is their absolute commitment to social value. Pagabo has enabled £782,905,110 of social value to date and we are looking forward to working with our customers to support this excellent work.” Woodhead Group is one of 46 national and regional contractors covering three different value bands, offering a wide choice of relevant companies to those organisations looking to appoint. Contracts can either be directly awarded to one contractor, or a number of contractors will be invited to submit proposals through a further competition process. Simon Toplass, Pagabo CEO, said of the appointment: “We’ve got off to a flying start with our Medium Works Framework, which is already gathering momentum. The team at Pagabo dedicated a great deal of time, to develop a ground-breaking framework that hits so many spots – tangible social value, supportive of SMEs with a thorough regional focus.

“We regularly hear our clients say that they’re not just buying a building, but they want a service that gets them to the outcomes they want. With our contractors sharing our vision across our family of contractor frameworks we will certainly demonstrate the very best in service to our clients. “We’re very excited about working closely with Woodhead, who have a great track record in delivering outstanding outcomes, and we’re looking forward to a great future.”

Winvic Secures BTR Contract to Redevelop Former Post Office Building in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter Multidisciplinary main contractor, Winvic Construction Ltd, has been appointed by Lionel House Developments Ltd and Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) to develop a new 14-storey, build-to-rent (BTR) complex. Lionel House, located on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, will comprise 259 high quality managed apartments - 156 one-bedroom, 90 two-bedroom and 13 three-bedroom. Other features of the development include a landscaped roof terraces, ground floor communal areas for residents, a 17-space car park and cycle storage for every apartment.

Winvic are due commence the works on Lionel House in June 2019. The scheme, which is the second BTR project that Winvic will be delivering in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, will be ready for occupation by summer 2021. It brings the total number of multi-room beds that Winvic has been contracted for and completed to 7,183. Mark Jones, Winvic’s Director of Multiroom, commented: “Another contract win in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter brings our total current multi-room projects to eight, and we always feel fortunate to work with new clients

who have recognised our enthusiasm and expertise. We are looking forward to commencing this 14-storey, 259 apartment scheme later in the year.” Lionel House Developments Ltd is a development vehicle of Stamford Property Investments Ltd; Matt Horne of Stamford Property Investments Ltd commented: “While this is our third development in Birmingham, it is the first time we have worked with Winvic. The company’s steady growth in the BTR sector, the quality of their projects and their working style impressed us from initial discussions. We are also delighted to be partnering with ASI and are looking forward to Winvic delivering a premium BTR scheme in 2021.” Ed Crockett at ASI, commented: “The location, on the edge of both the vibrant Jewellery Quarter and the central business areas, make this a fantastic location for build-to-rent. “We’re enthused about the deal, as it represents ASI’s first UK investment for its pan-European ASPER fund, but also because we’re working with Stamford Property Developments and Winvic, two experienced and well respected companies in the sector.”

06 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019


UK Power Generation Facilities Adopt Made-toMeasure Composite Trench Covers Electrical power generation facilities have large quantities of cabling running below the ground as a matter of course, which must be accessed regularly. Back in the 1960s when many of these facilities were built, heavy concrete and steel or cast-iron trench access covers were the only option available. While there were associated risks and often specialised equipment required to remove and replace them, they served their purpose. Today, many sites are discovering deterioration of the structural integrity of their steel and concrete trench covers, exacerbating manual handling risks, and, where located on road crossings, potentially restricting vehicular access to certain areas of the site.

GRP Composites: A Safe, Long-Term Solution Many sites are subsequently upgrading to made-to-measure heavy-duty lightweight Fibrelite GRP composite trench covers, especially on road crossings where both a high load rating (often D400 40 tonne) and frequent access is required. With an unrivalled strength to weight ratio, Fibrelite’s highly engineered GRP composite material is significantly lighter than metal, yet just as strong, and is fast becoming recognised as an effective modern alternative to traditional steel and concrete. Deterioration of concrete cover on UK power station

In fact, due to the lightweight properties of their composite material, Fibrelite GRP covers are approximately one third of the weight, and all can be safely manually removed by one or two people with their ergonomically designed lifting handles. Fibrelite’s highly engineered composite covers also have an inherent resistance to corrosion, requiring a minimum of maintenance while providing a long-term solution.

Fibrelite: Over 30 Years of Composite Expertise Fibrelite, the global leader in the manufacture and development of GRP manhole and trench covers draws their expertise from over 30 years of working with and being specified by the majority of the world’s leading oil companies including locally BP, Esso, Total, and many more. Look down on any petrol station forecourt, and

Bespoke D400 Fibrelite composite covers installed at UK power station (top) to replace failing concrete covers (below)

odds are, you’ll see one of their covers. They actually invented the world’s first composite access cover back in 1980 for Esso UK (ExxonMobil) to solve manual handling injuries; and their covers are now specified in myriad industries globally. Fibrelite is proud to design and manufacture in the UK for the UK, enabling a rapid design to delivery process. Since 2013, Fibrelite has been a part of OPW (a Dover company) allowing the company to offer an unprecedented portfolio of complementary best-in-class products. For more details on how and where Fibrelite covers are being adopted, visit their case studies page. Fibrelite GRP composite covers (pictured) are approximately 1/3 the weight of traditional materials

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 07


Latest News Alarm bells for construction as output plummets, says FMB Rising costs and uncertainty relating to Brexit are to blame for the sharp drop in output growth in January 2019, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the latest PMI data. The January 2019 PMI data revealed a fall from 52.8 in December to 50.6 in January, against the neutral reading of 50.0. January data pointed to a loss of momentum for the UK construction sector, with business activity growth grinding to its weakest for ten months. Commenting on the results, published this morning, Brian Berry Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The latest PMI data shows a slowdown in growth in construction with business activity growth easing to its weakest for ten months. The ongoing political uncertainty is partly to blame for this set-back. “Political uncertainty is the enemy of construction firms that rely on the spending power of homeowners to commission home improvement projects. The UK is set to leave the EU next month, and yet we are still none the wiser about what the future holds. Given these intense headwinds, it should not be surprising that the sector suffered such a sharp decline.” Berry continued: “Alongside the political uncertainty, the cost of doing business is also rising for construction firms up and down the country. Material prices have been rising steadily since the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum. “Looking ahead, material prices are expected to continue to cause a headache for the construction industry with recent research from the FMB showing that 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months. What’s more the construction skills crisis means that key trades are extremely difficult to recruit and the upshot of this is rising wages in construction. “Tradespeople know they can command higher salaries than they did preciously as workers are scarce, and this means a squeeze in margins for firms. This will only worsen if the post-Brexit immigration system that the Government has planned goes ahead. If the sector isn’t able to draw upon crucial EU workers of all skill levels, who have so far served to mitigate this shortage, the slowdown of growth will continue.”

Brexit - are construction workers leaving or leaving their options open • Over a third of EU nationals have considered leaving the UK due to Brexit • One in four believe EU nationals will leave due to a drop in construction projects • One in five construction workers have considered leaving the country amid Brexit uncertainties Results from a survey of over 10,500 construction workers carried out by world leading recruiter Randstad, has revealed that one in three EU nationals have considered leaving the UK because of the Brexit referendum. The truth is that it’s the potential drop in construction projects, subsequent funding, and availability of jobs that’s the biggest driving force influencing the 39% who are expressing concern. This is followed by uncertainty over trade deals with the EU (19%), new findings suggest. A no-deal Brexit raises the prospect of delays and cost increases, as employers face difficulties to get vital EU workers to UK building sites, threatening timing of projects. With seven percent of construction workers in the UK and over a quarter of London’s construction workforce coming from other EU countries (ONS), plus the £10bn (15%) of incoming building materials from the EU, it’s clear that action needs to be taken. The good news is that there is still time to make a difference and retain highly-skilled workers. As the country gets closer to withdrawing from the EU, it is becoming evident that employers and employees are skeptical of what the industry will look like later this year in terms of workforce and materials supply. Of all of those surveyed, one fifth admitted that they have considered leaving the country amid Brexit uncertainties.

08 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

Owen Goodhead, Managing Director of Randstad Construction Property & Engineering said: “It’s interesting to discover a disconnect between what the wider population think are key issues for EU nationals working in construction in the UK, and what those individuals actually believe. “With the potential impact of Brexit being so high on the news agenda we were able to capture an incredibly relevant audience, allowing us to really tap into the minds of the current workforce and understand exactly how they think. “Where UK workers believe complications around visas are the main problem driving EU nationals away from the UK construction industry, the reality is that it’s the potential drop in projects and jobs which could cause workers to explore other opportunities. “This valuable insight can help employers get ahead of the curve while there’s still time, by preparing for a postBrexit industry - the key is to listen to the current workforce, focus on retention strategy and to ensure robust contingency plans are in place.” Specialist recruiter Randstad has compiled a report following the survey containing top tips and guidance for employers within the construction industry. There is still time to act. Employers must be adequately prepared to continue supplying skilled individuals once the UK leaves the European Union, to ensure the industry which employs 10%* of the country’s workforce continues to thrive.


Latest News Corporates Outlook 2019/ Construction: Slower growth, rising costs are challenges in Europe Europe’s construction sector faces modest revenue growth and mostly stable profit margins in 2019, but the credit outlook is in danger of deteriorating as the business cycle turns, particularly for smaller companies with less international reach. Scope Ratings says slowing economic growth and persistent labour shortages are set to weigh on construction activity in Europe after six years of growth. Scope has revised its forecast for 2019 and 2020 down to 2.0% yearly growth from our 2.5% forecast in December 2017.

“We expect growth in the proportion of their nonEuropean revenues in 2019 and 2020 compared with 2014-17, partly reflecting significant outbound M&A activity in the past year,” says Wass. Hochtief AG and Atlantia SpA acquired Abertis in a joint EUR 16.5bn deal. France’s Bouygues SA acquired ALPIQ for CHF 0.9bn, while local rival Eiffage SA acquired Meccoli, Kropman Group and EDS.

“Stable demand for residential construction – supported by demographic trends, increased household income and low mortgage rates – faces capacity constraints in some regions, relatively high construction costs as well as the prospect of rising lending rates longer term,” says Philipp Wass.

On the other hand, cash flow is likely to come under pressure: Increased capital spending and more dealmaking by larger firms; rising labour costs for the overall sector. Tight labour markets, notably in Germany and the UK, are pushing up wages especially in hiring subcontractors. Where labour markets are less stretched, much of the available workforce is unskilled – as it is in France, Spain and Poland – making it hard for companies to improve productivity.

“In contrast, civil-engineering activity remains buoyant and we see an increase in nonresidential output given stock under development is still below the 10-year average for Europe’s major markets,” says Wass. Demand for office space for most of Europe’s major cities remains robust, he says.

Rising construction costs are problematic in the residential segment. Combined with relatively low housing prices and rents in the suburbs compared with more soughtafter central metropolitan locations, they are discouraging developers from going ahead with new projects despite pent-up demand.

For the largest companies in the sector, namely those that have diversified beyond their home markets and have prominent positions in civil engineering and concessions, the outlook is relatively stable. The biggest companies by revenue – such as France’s Vinci SA, the Spanish-German tandem ACS-Hochtief and Sweden’s Skanska AB – will benefit from Europe’s continued low interest rates, their exposure to other highergrowth markets, responsible for more than half of sales in some cases, and highermargin, government-backed projects.

In these circumstances, the credit outlook is less benign for smaller firms, typically those with revenue below EUR 1bn. They face tougher competition from multinational corporations in home markets – especially in sourcing skilled employees, which hampers their ability to respond to changing market conditions – and lack exposure to higher-growth markets outside Europe. Should the downturn prove severe, smaller companies will become prey for larger construction firms.

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Find out more Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 09


Project News

The Tulip estimated to offer economic benefits to London of nearly £1 billion and 600 full time jobs J. Safra Group has submitted to the City of London Corporation an Economic Impact Assessment of the proposals that were made in November 2018 to build The Tulip at 20 Bury Street. The Assessment is submitted as an objective analysis of The Tulip’s impact on London’s economy, and is now part of the planning application, which is currently under consideration by the City of London Corporation.

The Tulip, which would be the City’s tallest building, would attract an estimated 1.2 million visitors per year according to the submitted planning application. This would make it one of London’s top 10 paid attractions, and be a significant draw within the tourist industry, both UK and internationally.

the construction period, the facilities, and based on the projected visitor numbers, has estimated the total economic impact of the Tulip as a unique visitor attraction on Greater London and beyond. These estimates cover the preconstruction and construction phase of 2019-25 and 20 years of operations between 2026 - 2045.

Deloitte has analysed the current plans for

The main findings of the study are: Estimated economic Impact: • Boost the Greater London economy by an additional £970 million in total monetised value by 2045 • Provides a total positive impact to the UK economy of £1.6 billion in monetised terms • Generates total tax revenues for UK exchequer of £590 million • For every pound spent attributable to the Tulip, economic activity in Greater London increases by 63p Job Creation: • 460 full time jobs per year during construction • 600 additional permanent full time jobs during 20 years of operations • £150,000 per year on-site productivity per worker when operational, 3 times higher than the UK average

10 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019


Project News

Education: • Educational benefits of £450,000 per annum and £9 million over 20 years o 40,000 free places per year to London state school children gives unique opportunity for learning to 800,000 children over 20 years Public Realm: • Enhanced public realm and impact on sustainability valued at £9 million, with total green space increased by c.1,085m2 Icon Value • £100 million from ‘existence’ value and increased choice for consumers because of The Tulip A recent poll of Londoners by ComRes found that The Tulip proposals are well regarded

by Londoners. 63% of London adults think that the Tulip would have a positive impact on the economy of the City of London, 69% a positive impact on the City of London’s attractiveness as a visitor and cultural destination and two thirds of London adults (65%) think that The Tulip would be an attractive addition to the London skyline. The project team believe that the creation of a world class visitor attraction is in line with the City of London Corporation’s proposals to transform the Square Mile by creating the Culture Mile with world-class tourist facilities to attract more visitors. The Tulip will further enliven the City of London at all times of the day and evening, seven days a week. This will create opportunities for a diverse range of businesses to operate outof-office hours, bringing real economic and

social benefits for the local community and for London. A key feature will be the education facility within the top of The Tulip, offering 40,000 free places per year for London’s state school children. This educational resource, provided by the J. Safra Group, will deliver national curriculum topics using innovative tools to bring to life the city’s history and dynamism, inspiring the creative young minds of tomorrow. The analysis by Deloitte suggests that a successful development of The Tulip is likely to generate immediate and longer-term socio-economic benefits to London and the UK as a whole. Images: © dbox / Foster + Partners

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Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 11


The Long Barn - the laying of Lignacite

Photos by Doug and Louise

The Long Barn and Lignacite

‘The innovative design of The Long Barn project at Tibenham, from the ground up, to the spec on materials is exacting, with quality being the primary factor. We selected the140mm blocks from Lignacite because they more than met the spec. The blocks are excellent quality, competitively priced and the smoother surface makes them easier to lay which, on a large build, is not only more comfortable it is also cost-effective’. Darren Greenacre, Builder.

The ‘Lignacite’ commodity block - a perfect illustration of the versatility of Lignacite products.

The Long Barn, is a project run by Doug and Louise Morton near to Lignacite’s Plant in Brandon, Suffolk. A great example of why the ‘Lignacite’ block is such a popular product. It all began with a 1980’s asbestos-clad steel framed barn in Tibenham, South Norfolk and a vison for a large, high end, contemporary build’, says Louise.

‘The first task was to remove the asbestos cladding from the walls after which we were able to dig the footings around the perimeter and across the inside for spine footings. This was the point at which we had to make a decision about our block work and, since a significant amount of it would be subterranean, our architect and builder immediately concluded that we needed to use high density concrete blocks up to ground level. Lignacite were the obvious choice for our builder, Darren Greenacre of Greenacre General Builders and within a few days of placing our order for 912 blocks, a gleaming HGV with trailer pulled up at the Barn. The driver could not have been more helpful and he was also very interested in our project, which was a pleasant surprise. In no time at all, the bundles of blocks were off-loaded and stacked neatly by the driver.

We hope our barn will be inspirational for those looking to embark upon the self-build journey, to build something imaginative that pushes the boundaries rather than conforming to the norm. It’s an exciting venture which, of course, comes with its various stresses but if you have a great team around you, which we do, then there’s nothing you can’t achieve.’

Catch up with Doug and Louise’s project on instagram: @the_long_barn_norfolk Project links: Architect: studiogray.co.uk Builder: darrengreenacre.co.uk Supplier: steelsecure.co.uk

For further information about Lignacite commodity blocks and Facing Masonry: Tel: 01842 810678 Email: info@lignacite.co.uk Visit: lignacite.co.uk

The Team

www.lignacite.co.uk | brandonsales@lignacite.co.uk | 01842 810678


Right block. Right place. Right time.

AFM • 6 different finishes • Up to 10 colour choices

ROMAN BRICK • Contemporary alternative to brick • 440mm long x 65mm high

MEDIUM DENSE • High acoustic performance • Up to 100% recycled aggregate

Samples and Swatch Guides showing all our block finishes can be requested via our website. Design Guidance and Sitework Guides can be downloaded from the Technical Library on our website.

Find out more about our BLOCKS at lignacite.co.uk

Telephone: 01842 810678

| info@lignacite.co.uk


People on the move David Appleton, Trade Sales Representative [Midlands], Gira UK

Gira UK introduce New Team Members Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for building management, is pleased to welcome three new team members to its prestigious UK brand and business. This new trio will join as Trade Sales Representatives across key areas of the UK and will each be responsible for: • Visiting and developing business relationships with the electrical wholesale: new and existing

Global Infrastructure Hub announces Marie Lam-Frendo as new CEO The Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Lam-Frendo as its new CEO, effective 28 January 2019. Marie brings 18 years of experience in developing, financing and managing large infrastructure programs and initiatives, with a particular focus on emerging markets. She has extensive experience in advising governments on establishing their infrastructure project pipeline and supporting their project preparation, as well as sound expertise in financing strategy, especially in blended finance. Marie was previously the head of APAC for Atkins Acuity, the advisory business of Atkins and SNC Lavalin group. Before joining Atkins in 2015, she headed the Infrastructure Initiatives department of the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she led their thought leadership

activities, publishing several reports on best practices in the infrastructure sector. She led the dissemination effort of these best practices to governments and advocated to coalitions such as the B20 and the G20. Before that, Marie worked for European utilities Essent then RWE where she drove their business development activities in the Africa and Central Asia region, including their equity investment in LNG and hydro power plants. She started her career in 2001, and worked for various engineering consulting firms holding several technical and commercial positions for energy and transport projects in Africa, Middle East and Europe. Marie holds an MSc of Civil Engineering from EPF, an MSc of Marketing and Strategy from ESCP-EAP (Paris), an MSc of Management and Leadership from WEF - in partnership with LBS and INSEAD. She is a Global Leadership Fellow of the World Economic Forum. GI Hub Chairman, Philip Gaetjens, said that Marie’s extensive knowledge of the infrastructure sector will be a positive influence on the GI Hub and take it into its next phase following the renewal of the organisation’s mandate for a further four years. “Following a rigorous global recruitment process, I am delighted to announce Marie’s appointment as CEO,” Mr. Gaetjens said. “2019 will be a defining year for the GI Hub. The Board is of the view that the organisation needs to have greater outward focus and more involvement

14 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

in helping countries close their infrastructure gap. “Marie’s positive approach and strong network of relationships will allow the organisation to further collaborate with key stakeholders, including the private sector, leveraging the work that has been done to date to ensure the GI Hub delivers meaningful outcomes in the infrastructure space.” Marie’s appointment to the GI Hub comes at a significant time for the organisation. The G20 Leaders’ renewal of the GI Hub’s mandate reflects the continuing importance that the G20 places on infrastructure as an economic driver, and as a means for addressing inequality and improving social outcomes. Further, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced funding for the GI Hub in September 2018, which included opening an ancillary office in Toronto. This office is expected to open in early 2019. The Board would also like to thank Mark Moseley, who as Acting CEO ensured that the GI Hub continued to produce valuable research and tools, and engage with the G20 and key stakeholders during the leadership transition period. The GI Hub has set an ambitious and challenging agenda for the year ahead, closely linked to the priorities of the G20’s Infrastructure Working Group. With a renewed mandate, and a new leader at the helm, the GI Hub looks forward to continuing its work to support the G20’s infrastructure initiatives.


People on the move • Promoting the Gira product portfolio via its relevant business channels • Promoting key promotional offers by Gira • Offering basic in-store Gira training for respective customers David Appleton, Trade Sales Representative [Midlands], Gira UK Appointed 7th January 2019 - David comes with a great background and working knowledge of Trade-Counter operation, having worked for the UK’s largest electrical wholesaler and supplier, CEF for over a decade. Since 2009, David’s role covered all aspects of the business including the warehouse and trade counter, to developing into the role of Business Development Manager at CEF. This position involved safeguarding current business relationships by regularly visiting customers and implementing new tactics for generating first-hand leads and sales. Benjamin Middleton, Trade Sales Representative [London], Gira UK Appointed 7th January 2019 - Ben also brings a formidable knowledge of B2B relations via the Trade-Counter, benefitting from 6 years’ experience at CEF, when he then moved to a smaller independent supplier which concluded

Mr. Matthew Ireland, Trade Sales Representative [London], Gira UK

Benjamin Middleton, Trade Sales Representative [London], Gira UK

in a role at the UK’s largest electrical distribution company, Edmundson. During this process, Ben gained valuable insights into the different approaches taken by each Trade-Counter: how it operated, the company structure and unique business strategies to secure new business, partners and achieve set goals.

for leading UK distributor, DAB pumps. Matthew was involved in driving target based sales, elevating industry awareness for both brand and business, as well as being responsible for hosting breakfast mornings, events and attending exhibitions to generate leads and purchasing.

Mr. Matthew Ireland, Trade Sales Representative [London], Gira UK Appointed 7th January 2019 - Matthew impressed Gira UK in the initial stage of interview, substantiating his expert sales approach, process and industry knowledge of the electrical retail sectors: bolstered by palpable sales. Matthew’s career history includes a variety of relatable positions to Gira, starting with his role as Sales Representative

Mark Booth, Managing Director at Gira UK says “We’re happy to welcome three new additions to the UK team, offering a sound knowledge of electrical wiring components, extensive sales experience and strong collaborative mentally. Their keenness to progress is vital to the development and increased specification of Gira products and services, helping our business further understand this segment of the market and encourage a new level of market endurance.”

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Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 15


Project News

Curo, Swan and Homes England establish Strategic Partnership to deliver 1,000 affordable homes It was announced today that Curo and Swan Housing Association (“Swan”) have successfully secured a Strategic Partnership with Homes England and a grant allocation of £51.1m to build 1,067 new affordable homes by March 2024, in addition to their existing development plans. The programme will comprise a mix of homes available for social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership. The allocation was announced as part of Homes England’s second wave of Strategic Partnerships and is one of only 21 announced to date. Curo, based in Bath, and Swan, based in Essex, operate in regions where high property values mean that homes for private rent and market sale are often unaffordable. By working in partnership the two housing associations will share resources and expertise to maximise the number of new homes that can be delivered in areas with high affordability pressures. Victor da Cunha, Curo’s Chief Executive, says “Securing Strategic Partner status with Homes England is great news; we exist to provide affordable housing for local people and this additional funding will enable us to deliver hundreds of new homes over and above what’s already in our business plan.

“Specifically, it accelerates our total building programme to 2,520 homes over the next five years. This will increase our housing stock by more than 20% and means that we’ll continue to play a full and active role in addressing the regional housing crisis across the West of England. “We’re proud to have been selected as one of only a small number of partners to work with Homes England. We’ve been asking government for some time to provide additional funding to speed up housing delivery, and they have listened.” John Synnuck, Swan’s Chief Executive says “As a Housing Association working in Essex and East London, becoming a Strategic Partner of Homes England ensures that we can continue to build much needed affordable homes in Essex. This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary as an organisation and we continue to be as dedicated as ever to providing affordable homes for those who need them. We currently own and manage over 11,000 homes and this funding will enable us to deliver 505 much needed additional affordable homes over and above what’s already in our business plan representing a 5% increase in our housing stock - helping us towards our ambitious target of building an additional 10,000 homes by 2027. ”

16 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

First Details of New Edinburgh Marina Clubhouse revealed Edinburgh Marina Holdings Ltd, the developer of Scotland’s premier waterside destination, today unveiled details of the new Edinburgh Marina Clubhouse. The Clubhouse, which forms part of the state-of-the-art Edinburgh Marina with 340 berths and 24/7 access at all tides, will be a purpose-built yachting and entertainment facility for boat-owners, visitors and local residents to enjoy.

meeting room and a 50 person function and dining space both with outdoor terraces. As well as the Edinburgh Marina chandlery/ shop, Marina berth holders and daily visitors will have access to the use of luxurious fully-equipped male and female changing rooms, with lockers, showers, toiletries, hair driers, towels, robes, and washer/ driers ideal when preparing for or returning from a long day on the water.

The new clubhouse amenities have been revealed for the first time and will include; a 100 covers bistro/ café and bar with beautiful outdoor terraces overlooking the new Marina, a 12 person private dining/

The new 340 berth Edinburgh Marina with its unique 24/7 access at all states of tides, is the centrepiece to the wider Edinburgh Marina development, which is located 2.5 miles (4km) NW


Project News

Willmott Dixon Interiors to update National Gallery Willmott Dixon Interiors is furthering its track-record for transforming the inside of iconic London buildings with its appointment by the National Gallery to update key areas of the museum’s interior. The project will see Willmott Dixon’s fit-out specialist enhance facilities at the worldfamous gallery on Trafalgar Square that enables over 5.5 million visitors each year to see for free the work of artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Constable, Ingres, Monet and Van Gogh.

of Edinburgh city centre. In addition to the state-ofthe-art Edinburgh Marina, which has already received worldwide interest, there will be a new 187 bedroom Hyatt Regency Spa & Conference Hotel with 98 serviced apartments. Edinburgh Marina residents and visitors will enjoy unrivalled amenities, including preferential access to the Hyatt Regency hotel spa and gym and Marina berth reservations. The Edinburgh Marina development also includes the recently launched Royal Wharf Living for Retirement luxury residential scheme and the Chestnut Yard medical hub and local shopping. The Edinburgh Marina development is a unique new leisure and residential destination for Scotland’s

capital city, bringing life and vibrancy to a key area of Edinburgh’s coastline with the creation of more than 850 full-time employment opportunities for the local community. Kevin Fawcett of Edinburgh Marina Holdings Ltd commented: “The bistro/cafe bar and amenities in the new Clubhouse will be accessible to everyone, underlining our commitment to create a new sought-after cross generational leisure and residential destination for Edinburgh. Only last week, Andrew Wilson, economist and former SNP MSP, penned the Edinburgh Waterfront as “one of the two best economic development opportunities in the UK”, and we couldn’t agree more!”

Working with the architect Purcell, it involves the complete refurbishment of Room 32, the largest within the National Gallery, as well as refurbishing parts of the existing basement and ground floor areas. When completed in summer 2020, the new space will deliver a modern, flexible working office environment for Gallery staff, with new meeting rooms and breakout areas, as well as changing the use of several back-of-house rooms. It heralds an exciting new era for the National Gallery team at the historic Grade I listed building designed by William Wilkins in the 1830s. Willmott Dixon Interiors’ project will be delivered in the extended part of the Gallery designed by Edmund M Barry that was completed in 1876. The company is already working nearby to deliver the high-end Page Hotel by converting 7-8 Martins Place, a five-storey office block, into a 136-room hotel complete with a fifth floor restaurant. It is the latest major landmark

in London that Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to transform and is also the second major cultural attraction in three years. In 2016, Willmott Dixon Interiors completed work to refurbish the Grade 2 listed vacant Commonwealth Institute building and create a thriving new home for the Design Museum, adding new galleries, learning spaces, library and office areas across 10,000m² of space. The company also recently completed new hospitality facilities at Twickenham’s East Stand, which saw the company deliver over 11,000m² of new space in time for the 2018 autumn international season. The scope over five levels included space receptions, parties and dining, and a new rooftop rose garden which has a built-in stage for live music performances. Willmott Dixon Interiors managing director Graham Shaw says,”We’ll be able to use our track-record of transforming historic buildings, such as the Commonwealth Institute, for the benefit of the National Gallery. Our team are really looking forward to enhancing another London landmark so that it can be enjoyed by millions of people over the coming years.” “This also further underlines the scope and complexity of work we deliver, illustrated by the Design Museum and Twickenham Stadium, which has seen us deliver over 200,000m² of new interior space in London over the last five years. We’re proud to be helping shape the capital’s future.”

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 17


Plasloc scores at Wembley Stadium with innovative hoarding solution Ground-breaking, modern, stylish, pioneering – just some of the words that describe London’s magnificent Wembley Stadium, the home of English football. They are also the very same words that describe Plasloc, a hoarding solutions specialist, making them the perfect match for the development of the iconic stadium’s latest project. Dubbed an “industry innovator,” Plasloc supplies unique hoarding solutions for major infrastructure and construction projects. The hoarding is designed for quick installation and easy removal. So, when leading architecture and design specialists KSS Design Group, in partnership with Design Coalition, needed some modern hoardings for work to be done on Wembley’s latest development, they turned to the Newton Abbot-based company for help.

The result was clean and light hoarding that provided a major contribution towards the construction of The Lioness, a new membersonly gastropub and the latest addition to the well-established Club Wembley line-up of exclusive matchday experiences. Situated on the north-west side of the stadium, The Lioness boasts three bars and a 1,000 capacity, and opened its doors for England’s recent Nations League autumn fixture against Spain. For the development, Plasloc was asked to supply and set up their hoarding to provide segregation between the construction site and the huge number of visitors to the venue. Director Leigh Matthews said: “We are delighted that our hoarding provided a safe environment for both construction staff and visitors as the structure had to withstand a huge number of people passing it while work was going on. “Wembley is a national symbol and one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, and we are absolutely thrilled to have been one of the lead contributors on this exciting development. We are all England fans too, which made it even more special.”

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18 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

High on Wembley’s list of priorities is sustainability and for the last eight years the stadium has been a zero waste to landfill venue. Importantly, Plasloc shares this philosophy as its screens represent an environmentallyfriendly alternative to traditional building materials. After the screens at Wembley were removed they, like all Plasloc’ s other partitions, were recycled to produce more Plasloc in a process that creates zero waste and sets Plasloc apart from other hoarding and screening solutions companies. Plasloc has been an essential component in more than 5700 projects and is a recognised brand amongst the UK’s leading retailers and building contractors. Their high standard of work on projects such as The Lioness has helped them win a whole host of new contracts and sees them well on course for substantial growth through 2018/19. Last year the Newton Abbot based company delivered many complex projects, including Channel 4s head office refurbishment, St Thomas’s Hospital and the University of Cambridge, part of a £1bn development. For more information please telephone 01626 356 995, email info@plasloc.com or visit www.plasloc.com.


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Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 21


Project News

Plans submitted for Notaro Park – new business park and contemporary motorway services at Junction 24 of the M5 Planning applications for a new employment park and motorway service station at Junction 24 of the M5 have been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council. The applications relate to an area of approximately 85 acres of land to the East of the motorway junction, which is allocated for development in the emerging Sedgemoor Local Plan. The proposals include over 850,000 sq ft of employment space which may provide for up to 1,200 jobs in a number of new buildings. Reflecting the variety of demand for commercial and employment space, the buildings would range from 10,000 sq ft to over 250,000 sq ft and include warehouse, light industrial and general industry space. This would be alongside a modern,

contemporary, new service area, generating approximately 70 new jobs including a brand new amenity building with a unique roof terrace area accessed by an external walkway. The rooftop terrace will be in addition to the more traditional ground floor seating, and a business-focused lounge on the first floor. Submitted by property consultants JLL on behalf of the land owner S Notaro Land Ltd and the new motorway services operator, Euro Garages, the plans have been prepared by a consultant team including Peter Brett Associates (part of Stantec), LHC Design and ADS Architects. The application for the overall employment park and motorway services is in outline only. A detailed reserved matters application has also been submitted at the

same time for the proposed motorway service station immediately adjacent to junction 24. Fuel pumps for cars and HGVs will be separate on different sides of the service station building, with clearly defined parking areas for cars, caravans, coaches and HGVs. Eight electric vehicle charging points will be provided as part of the proposals, to help to encourage the shift to more environmentally friendly transport. The service station building itself will be a modern contemporary design, with an open central space lit by large glazed walls at either end. The building will be clad using a terracotta façade system which is environmentally friendly, as well as giving the building a unique appearance in service station design. The whole employment park is to be set within a wider landscape framework, which will protect the homes in Huntworth whilst celebrating the new economic opportunities of the park, through quality landscaping and the feature service area building. Joe Notaro of S Notaro Land Ltd said: “Notaro Park is a really important development for us as a family business. It is literally on our doorstep and we are determined that the whole park is a legacy that the family can be rightly proud of.” The employment park will be marketed by property consultants JLL. Giles Weir, JLL Director added “Notaro Park will meet the very great need we are seeing at the moment for good quality space in an excellent location

COLAS WINS LEEDS CITY COUNCIL FLOOD MANAGEMENT CONTRACT COLAS UK has been awarded the Killingbeck Meadows Flood Management Scheme, a key environmental project led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, with a value estimated at just over £2m.

22 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019


Project News

right on the important M5 corridor. The industrial and logistics sector remains a strong performer in the market so sites such as this on busy motorway junctions are vital for growth and meeting occupiers’ requirements”. The Motorway Service Area will form the first phase of development and provide the principal site infrastructure to enable Notaro Park to develop soon after. Phil Bartleet of Euro Garages commented: “We are very excited by the opportunity that this new service area presents. As a company we are expanding into this market and the Junction 24 location will be a real flagship for us, helping us to bring something new to the market for the users of the M5 in the South West”. Part of the Natural Flood Management Programme and WykeBeck Valley Project, The Killingbeck Meadows Naturalised Flood Management Scheme aims to reduce the risk of flooding to a number of key areas of land, housing, businesses and brownfield sites across east Leeds and Leeds City region. It will also protect land for new development and provide a refuge for a number of vulnerable and endangered animals. The scheme will involve Colas creating a flood storage reservoir and wetland area to attenuate approximately 40,000m³ of water over a 6.7 hectare site.

Colas was initially involved in developing the scope and construction phase of works, but following the contract award, was required to immediately start work on a number of ecological elements of the project to be completed upfront of the main works award. The most significant of these was a temporary river diversion of an element of existing channel that would be located below the new flow control channel, resulting in the great success of the rescue and relocation of over 600 native white clawed crayfish to suitable habitat with the WykeBeck Valley. Commenting on the award, Colas UK

Regional Operations Director, Michael Holmes said: ‘Following an extended period of ECI working with Leeds’ Flood Risk Management (FRM) team it is pleasing to see our effort paying dividends. This award, the first of potentially five high-profile Flood Alleviation projects along the WykeBeck in West Yorkshire supports our strategy for further diversification of offer and provides a strong case study for further FRM works across the public sector.’ The Killingbeck Meadows Flood Management Scheme is Colas’s third major flood alleviation scheme in the UK, following significant projects at Murton Gap in North Tyneside and Anlaby in Humberside.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 23


Project News

The Coachworks; Ashford’s £650,000 plan to transform disused industrial buildings into food, drink, event space and start-up business hub Planning approval has been granted for The Coachworks in Ashford, an exciting urban design scheme in the heart of the town. Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee last night (16 January) gave the green light to the transformation of land known as “the Island Site” into a mixeduse campus called The Coachworks. It will provide a co-working space aimed at start-up businesses, flexible indoor and outdoor event space and a food and drink destination showcasing local producers and suppliers. Multi-award-winning Carl Turner Architects - which is responsible for some of the most innovative and groundbreaking projects in London - has been engaged by the council to design, deliver and manage the project, which is destined to breathe new life into disused industrial buildings in Dover Place, close to the international train station. The authority purchased the site in 2014 when it acquired the nearby International House. By undertaking ‘light touch refurbishment’ with minimal alteration to the fabric of the buildings, the cost of delivering the project is set at £650,000, and The Coachworks could be open as early as this autumn. When open, it will comprise four distinct spaces: • The Hothouse - the former Ashford Youth Theatre building, empty since 2016 and known to Ashfordians for

its distinctive external artworks - will be transformed into a feast of food and drinks outlets, with event space added. An eye-catching mezzanine level bar will be created providing seating overlooking the indoor events area. The building will become a big greenhouse that acts as a lantern at night; • The Platform - the three-storey Corn Store will be converted into a ‘business incubator’ with start-up work spaces and shared facilities. It is big enough to host up to 200 people across the flexible space; • The Loggia - Sandwiched between the two buildings is a large open air space that will be subdivided to create two zones, a Loggia or covered structure providing a grand entrance to the site and acting as a series of sheltered outdoor rooms plus; • The Event Yard - an open-air space which is ideal for events such as theatre, cinema and live sports screenings. This will have tiered timber seating, with the option of projecting films onto the walls of the surrounding buildings. After councillors voted to approve the plans, Stewart Smith, senior development and regeneration manager at Ashford Borough Council, praised Carl Turner Architects for delivering “a stunning response” to the brief to find an imaginative new use for industrial buildings that date back to 1846, and were originally used by a corn merchants. He said: “Drawing on Ashford’s rich history as a centre of trade, these proposals provide

24 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

a platform for the next generation of cultural and creative innovators. The mixeduse campus provides a variety of work, performance and leisure space for people to enjoy. There is nothing else like this in Ashford and across the region and I’m confident that The Coachworks is going to prove hugely popular and draw people into the town from far and wide. There is so much to admire in the ideas presented by Carl Turner. For example, the walls in the building where the food and drink hub is located will be re-clad in a profiled polycarbonate sheeting, which transforms the building into a huge lantern at night.” The inspiration for The Coachworks name comes from a firm of coachbuilders who were based there for 30 years from the 1960s; Crofords Carriages counted the Royal household and Harrods among its customers and the company still operates from Ashford today. The Coachworks scheme is termed a ‘meanwhile’ development and it’s anticipated that it will have a five year lifespan. This is the interim use of land or buildings for which the long-term plan is yet to be decided. Without this investment in The Coachworks, the site would remain undeveloped and play no part in the current development of Ashford town centre. Planning consent has been granted subject to a number of conditions, including adopting measures to limit noise, provision of adequate cycle parking, and agreeing details of external signage and lighting.


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Go Develop

100% full funding and support for 27 superb apartments in Solihull A successful housebuilder approached Go Develop for 100% joint venture funding to cover the entire cost of a high quality, residential development in Solihull, Birmingham. With planning permission in place, demolition and replacement began on the exiting property to construct a new apartment block comprising of 27 two-bedroom apartments with associated infrastructure, parking, bin and cycle storage and served by a new access point.

COMPLETION SUMMER 2019: 27 fantastic two-bedroom apartments with 50% already sold off plan. Visit www.parkviewshirley.co.uk to book a viewing.

26 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019


Solihull - Case Study IN CONSTRUCTION - Go Develop are experts in property and take care of the legal work, surveying, and all the time draining paperwork to allow our partners to build.

Full funding certainty was provided covering everything from land and build to stamp duty and soft costs – no fees or deductions, to the total of £4996,090 over 18 months. The developer was impressed with Go Develop’s professional approach, speed of funding and hardworking team.

The people at Go-Develop are amazing, the knowledge and experience within the team is second to none. They provide the highest level of expertise and talent, and I’m so grateful to be working with some of the best and most wonderful people in the Industry, thank you -R. Lewis, housebuilder. 92% of Go Develop partners return with further projects, impressed with the fact that there is no outlay with funding, no debt servicing as all costs are rolled up to the end of the project, and no red tape or U-Turns. The support given to housebuilders from their initial plans right through to the sales and marketing of the finished product is second-to-none. The criteria is kept simple: for full funding there needs to be planning permission in place, with a project that’s up to 24 months duration and a GDV between £2-£15million, it should involve a multi-unit

residential new build or conversion. There also needs to be a margin of 25% on GDV pre-finance. In the Solihull scheme, a new ‘SPV’ was set up the same day for the developer, to hold the project until it was finished and sold, and a profit share contract was created for both parties, with the developer getting the lion’s share. The result is a superb modern development ideal for first time buyers and downsizers alike, with fabulous views overlooking approximately 37 acres of open parkland. With light and spacious interiors, these attractive apartments benefit from open plan living and generous living spaces that enhance a sense of wellbeing. Working in partnership, Go Develop assisted with an entire marketing suite including brand, brochure and website design for the development, CGIs and drone photography, sales progression and exit, hoardings and promotions. Taking on the strain and drain, they went beyond 100% funding to ensure a successful and profitable outcome.

With over 1,100 units currently being built across 29 partnerships it’s worth taking a look at why Go Develop are fast becoming known as the funder who make projects happen. Why not take a look at

a selection of case studies on go-develop.co.uk

or email joinus@go-develop.co.uk

THE SITE – Developer approached Go Develop for 100% joint venture funding to cover the land, build, stamp duty and project costs.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 27


IT’S NO MIRAGE, THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING FAST…… Says Tony Gittings, managing director of Rinnai, a global leader in the manufacture of hot water heating units and systems. And it is the end user that is emerging as the determining force in making changes to suit today’s demands and expectations. In the past several years we have seen some extraordinary changes in our little patch of the wide heating and plumbing arena. Gone are the established supply lines, gone too, is the dominance of the ‘traditional’ products in the supply of hot water in commercial and institutional sites. Water is the stuff of life, simple as that. It is a very precious commodity that is the foundation of our entire quality of life. In 2013 the Energy Savings Trust completed and issued a major report titled ’At Home with Water’. The report detailed our domestic use of water. It came up with some stunning figures re: the amount of water used domestically – each person uses approx. 140 litres of water daily with the average household using almost 350 litres per day. Just think of a one litre bottle of water, then multiply it 350 times – it’s a huge amount and it is not decreasing. One of the biggest water companies has a consumption guide on its website and it estimates that just one person will use almost 180 litres of water daily. A quick website also shows the per person consumption of hot water when they are away from home. When someone stays at a hotel or hospital, they consume 160 litres of hot water each day! Offices use a measly 22 litres in comparison! So, there is no doubt that hot water consumption is rising and, given the rapid development of techniques building energy efficient homes which require less than 10kW heating, means that hot water provision is getting more and more driven by the end user.

Tony Gittings, Managing Director of Rinnai At the moment, domestic hot water provision is provided via the boiler, usually a combi type, although those homes with renewables tend to use a water heating appliance as an auxiliary supplement. But the biggest development in the last few years has been the launch of installing companies which are wholly and totally based online. These typically give the consumer a quote, a date for installation and provide finance. The installer is given a date and time to do the installation - no buying of materials - the domestic heating marketing is now thinking inside the Box because of innovations like Boxt. It really does look like the days of boxshifting are gone. Commercial systems of hot water provision come mainly via the traditional style ‘stored’ system – or the Rinnai continuous flow method where hot water is delivered instantly, economically and efficiently in an engineering sense. But the consumer and the installer - domestic or commercial – are beginning to demand a complete service

now. We have seen and even anticipated these changes. Rinnai has made considerable financial investments in the two critical areas of any commercial enterprise - high quality of products and service excellence aimed solely at the installer and their end user. We espouse the concept of complete system efficiency in terms of hot water delivery and we practise that every single working day. Our products are of the highest possible quality, offering long term, robust performance giving useable hot water on demand at the turn of a tap, all at an economic and energy efficient level. Coupled with that is our service – we have a dedicated salesforce dealing directly with installers, contractors, designers, consultants and facilities & estate managers. We have very deliberately aimed the bulk of all marketing communications direct to these sectors offering instant technical support, design service, comprehensive training courses at either our own tailormade facility or at a venue of a customer’s choice. We have also initiated five accredited CPD courses. We believe that we are the best value-formoney units and systems of hot water delivery currently available to the UK commercial and residential market. And we have proof of that in two independent reports from AECOM which show continuous flow as being at least more economic than any other type of system or unit. For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com

28 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019


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BAKERHICKS BRINGS CIVIL & STRUCTURAL EXPERTISE TO NEW £17M HEALTH AND CARE CENTRE BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design and engineering company, have completed their part in the successful design and construction of the new Gorbals Health and Care Centre. The Glasgow city centre facility, which opened to the public at the end of January, consolidates a number of local GP, social care and dental practices within a single, sustainable and fully accessible building. Appointed by hub West Scotland, BakerHicks provided the civil and structural design of the new £17 million building, which incorporates a steel framed structure with composite floor slabs. Working closely with JM Architects, BakerHicks’ knowledge and expertise were also used to influence the floor layout proposals to achieve the most structurallyefficient and cost-effective design possible. This minimised the tonnage of steelwork and concrete required, as well as reducing the volume of material needing to be taken off site, helping meet sustainability targets and avoiding costly landfill charges. BakerHicks modelled the structure in a 3D BIM environment, enabling a greater level of cross-discipline coordination with the architects and mechanical and electrical

engineers. This ensured a fully integrated design prior to construction work starting, reducing site queries and helping mitigate potential delays. The company also designed Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) to provide treatment to contaminants in surface water run-off prior to discharge to the sewer. Sub-consultants from BakerHicks’ supply chain, including Kaya Consulting (Flood Risk) and Mason Evans (Ground Investigation), were engaged to provide strategic services where required. Andy Gotts, director for civil & structural engineering at BakerHicks says: “This architecturally impressive building is the second of five new facilities we’re involved in that mark a step-change in local health and care provision in Scotland. We’re proud to be delivering civil and structural engineering services across these, with each providing unique design challenges. “A local community project such as this requires co-operative engagement with the stakeholders. We worked closely with the wider design team, hub West Scotland, NHS Great Glasgow & Clyde and Glasgow City Council to ensure the project met their aspirations within budget.”

30 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

David Williams, chief officer for Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, adds: “The opening of this multi-million pound facility is a major boost for the area. Everyone involved has worked hard to deliver this new centre which will greatly enhance the quality of healthcare and support available to the local community.”

The opening of this multimillion pound facility is a major boost for the area. Everyone involved has worked hard to deliver this new centre which will greatly enhance the quality of healthcare and support available to the local community. The new facility will deliver primary and community care, as well as introducing a range of specialist services including children and families’ social work, alcohol and drug recovery, and children’s services. It follows on from the award-winning reference design project, Eastwood Health and Care Centre, which was completed in 2017. Work on three further centres is currently underway, with Woodside Health and Care Centre in the North of Glasgow being close to completion; construction underway at Greenock Health and Care Centre; and Clydebank Health and Care Centre at the detailed design stage. Website: www.bakerhicks.com


Get qualified with the Institute of Risk Management “We have just offered someone an IT Risk and Assurance role because they had already completed the IRM certificate and it showed at interview. They had the natural language of risk and the risk approach in a commercial setting. That will be a great help in building my professional ERM team.”

Alastair Allison MSc, CISM, CMIRM Director of ERM, Risk and Compliance Bupa Insurance

“The risk management field is gaining in prominence within the Infrastructure industry and clients have developed a very high expectation of the risk management function. IRM qualifications are a necessary quality benchmark.”

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T GUNNING COMPLETES c£700,000 REFURBISHMENT PROJECT FOR UAL T. Gunning, the Chartered Building Company, has completed an extensive series of internal refurbishment work for the Estates Project Team at the University of the Arts London (UAL). Not only was the volume and scope of work substantial, but it also had to be completed within a ten-week window. Despite the challenge, it was completed under budget and ahead of schedule. In early 2018, Pete Newman of UAL began planning the work to transform UAL’s London College of Communication (LCC) in Elephant and Castle by remodelling and refurbishing more than 40 areas of teaching spaces and offices across four parts of London College of Communication’s estate: the tower block; workshop; media block and design block. As a contractor on UAL’s minor works framework, T Gunning tendered for the project and won, with a brief to transform the insides of the building to create more versatile teaching/office spaces, enhancing the learning experience of the students and the facilities the college can offer. “Student experience is of paramount importance to LCC,” Pete continues. “But as a world leading art and design establishment, we also need to attract the best academics, and that means creating exceptional facilities to help them deliver their courses.” To this end, the staff at LCC had a key input into the new designs, remodelling the rooms to meet their specific requirements, taking down walls or extending areas as needed. Existing lighting and lighting controls were stripped out and replaced with LEDs, and any

affected ceilings, walls and flooring made good and redecorated. The light fittings were only removed where necessary and all replaced with LEDs, and paints, materials, flooring and carpets were all chosen or re-used to conform with ISO 14001 accreditation for sustainability. T Gunning re-used doors and partitions, and even re-used glazing to create internal windows thereby saving considerable cost. “They were very pragmatic in their approach when it came to the processing of waste materials and were able to reclaim, recycle or re-use 95% of the materials used.” T Gunning divided the programme into two tranches, each with its own contract manager, with all works to run concurrently. To ensure the project ran smoothly, a site meeting was held every Tuesday, with a weekly progress report (complete with photographs) circulated in advance for discussion.

As well as the contract managers and the Estates Project Team, the maintenance contractor, IT cabling contractor, the FM and H&S teams etc were also involved so that the work of all of the individual parties could be effectively co-ordinated. The removal or making safe of any hazardous waste, including asbestos, was also closely monitored and controlled as per regulations. “Having teams from T Gunning permanently on-site gave great confidence to the client and enabled them to create a genuine partnership based on mutual trust,” Pete continues. “T Gunning was very good at managing change requests and associated costs, and in finding solutions wherever possible to often difficult challenges.” The urgency with which the work needed to be completed necessitated around the clock and weekend working, and the smooth running of the project was helped by highlighting key areas of concern at the precontract planning stage to ensure that any revisions were programmed in. “Work of this nature can only be accommodated when the students are absent,” Pete says, “and all of the rooms had to be finished and handed over well before the students returned to allow any specialist equipment (e.g Audio Visual, laboratory equipment etc) and furniture to be installed and last-minute snagging issues dealt with. Sometimes the client would only realise late in the day that they needed to move or replace a socket, for example, so allowing for this in the planning was critical. “T Gunning played a key role in handing over the project, where we also invited the academics as well as the relevant Union representatives so they were clear on the work we had completed to confirm their approval.” Pete is delighted with the completed work: “The collaborative approach, and an honest, transparent relationship has resulted in a successful project we can all be proud of.”

Website: https://tgunning.co.uk

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CONSORT CLAUDGEN LAUNCHES BIM LIBRARY

New flame-retardant membrane for the construction market Walki is launching a new flame-retardant membrane. Walki®Wall Tight FR G A2 is a unique vapour barrier that ensures fire safety for construction assets and people in case of rescue or evacuation operations.

Consort Claudgen has launched their first BIM (Building Information Modelling) objects which include panel heaters, fan heaters, recessed ceiling heaters and air curtains.

The building regulations amended by the UK government, that came into force in December 2018, bans the use of combustible materials in the external wall of buildings. The Walki®Wall Tight FR G A2 can be used in walls and ceiling as a construction membrane, preventing heat radiation and moisture transfer. As the Walki®Wall Tight FR G A2 is non-combustible, it is ideal as an internal vapour barrier in public buildings such as schools, hospitals, shopping centres and restaurants. Walki has worked on developing the product for over two years. The membrane is based on lacquered aluminum layers laminated with strong glass fabric, attached together with a special flame-retardant glue.

Architects and specifiers can now access the BIM models for their BIM projects from Consort Claudgen’s website or the NBS National BIM Library. The objects are authored and developed to the trusted NBS BIM Objects Standard and are free to download in both Revit and IFC format. The BIM objects featured in the NBS National BIM Library also includes technical details such as dimensions, ratings, insulation standard classes and electrical specifications to aid architects and specifiers in their design process. For details, visit www.consortepl.com/bim-modelling

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People on the move IVORY EGG WELCOME SUE MILNE AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR As of 2nd January 2019, Ivory Egg, specialists in KNX intelligent building technology solutions, are delighted to introduce Sue Milne as new Managing Director at their headquarters in Bosham, West Sussex.

Offering a strong background in B2B sales in digital media and the luxury yacht market, Sue and her team delivered CRM systems to assist in the development and growth of its customers business. Experienced in leading multiple sales and customer engagement teams across Europe and UK respectively, Sue brings a wealth of transferable skills that will further improve Ivory Egg’s position as the market leader for KNX building controls in the UK. Sue Milne, Managing Director at Ivory Egg, says “I am very excited to be working with such a talented and knowledgeable team, especially in an industry that is developing intelligent homes for the future.” She continues “Ivory Egg already offer a superb portfolio of products and solutions that enable them to provide the most suitable solutions to their customers, and I will be working hard with the team to back that up with unrivalled service and support.” Over the next few months, Sue will prioritise customer engagement, meeting with existing clients and suppliers to develop her understanding and the needs of each business through the relationship with Ivory Egg. In addition, Sue will support the UK team with the primary aim to elevate Ivory Egg’s market endurance and continue to offer a premium level of service, bolstered by a quality portfolio of KNX products and solutions

SD Sealants appoints Financial Controller to senior team Peter Penfold, formerly of global coatings firm Hempel is joining the UK’s leading sealants and cosmetic repairs provider as its Financial Controller. Peter has a wealth of experience in finance, having spent 16 years working with large global groups in the construction, FMCG sectors, as well as working with ownermanaged businesses that supply retailers and merchants. He joins SD Sealants as it heads towards the conclusion of a second consecutive record year of business, and will be forming part of the senior management team that aims to drive the company forward through its next objective cycle. The UK-wise business, which provides sealant application, cosmetic repairs and tiling for house builders and commercial businesses, has seen rapid growth in the past two years, creating over 30 jobs and launching new patches in London and Leeds. SD Sealants’ Managing Director, Nick Jones, explained: “Peter joins the team at a time of continued growth for the business. As well as rounding off another record year, we have some exciting and

ambitious plans for the next 12 to 18 months centered around recruitment and expansion into new areas. Having somebody of Peter’s calibre joining the senior team - who brings with him a great deal of knowledge and experience in finance and construction - will be vital in improving our business decisions as we continue to expand. We’re certainly very excited to have him on board with us.” On his new role, Peter said: “I’m delighted to be joining SD Sealants during this period of rapid growth and new developments for the business.

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“It’s a very uncertain time for both the sealants and wider construction industry – with the ambiguity around Brexit and how this might influence everything from trade and the availability of materials to recruitment, and so it’s more important than ever that businesses in this sector are considering their decisions carefully and planning for the future. “I’m looking forward to working with SD Sealants during such an interesting and exciting period, and leading them in what is I’m sure going to be a standout year.”


People on the move Polypipe welcomes new MD to civils division Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), has appointed a new managing director to lead one of its biggest divisions. Steve Durdant-Hollamby will head up Polypipe Civils, part of the FTSE 250-listed multinational Polypipe Group, the UK’s leading developer of Green Infrastructure and SuDS solutions to the built environment sector. The 45-year-old, of Cambridgeshire, will also play a major role in the company’s commitment to creating innovative solutions to help to meet the challenges of climate change, a population growth and sustainable urbanisation. Steve, who has 26 years’ experience in the water management industry, said he was instantly drawn to the “great manufacturing company with a renowned brand.” “The Polypipe brand is synonymous with quality,” he said. “The Civils division has enviable manufacturing capabilities, incredible sector expertise, an excellent workforce and, of course, market-leading ranges of products. I am very much looking forward to a successful future as part of the Polypipe family and feel confident I can continue to add to the impressive performance achieved by the company over the years.” The former MD of the water management division at building products manufacturer Alumasc, who took the helm in January, also laid out his vision for the future of the business. He said: “We have great ambition to expand further using new techniques and entering new markets. Our goal is to realise unique end-to-end solutions that will inspire the next generation of engineers, architects and planners.”

The Loughborough-based division, which employs nearly 500 staff, is among the UK’s leading manufacturers of water management solutions, having played a key role in projects such as tennis mecca Wimbledon’s new £7m facelift, the £150m Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh, and a £5.7m social housing development in Yorkshire over the last 12 months. It has also developed the UK’s first passive Green Infrastructure system capable of creating and sustaining green spaces in almost any environment, including densely populated cities. Polypipe Group chief operating officer, Glen Sabin, said Steve’s vast sector experience

and expertise would enable the civils division to “further strengthen its market position as the go-to water management systems specialist.” “Steve brings with him a wealth of senior management and directorial experience,” he said. “His entire career has been centred around water management, and the building and construction industries. I am confident that the team, complemented by Steve’s experience and leadership, is capable of continuing the development and growth of the civils business in both the core infrastructure and water management solutions market.”

Actavo appoints Managing Director of UK Building Solutions Arm Actavo, a leading international engineering solutions company headquartered in Dublin and operating in 100+ locations worldwide, has appointed Adrian Williams who joined Actavo in November 2018 as Managing Director for the company’s Building Solutions division in the UK. Adrian is taking up his position with immediate effect and will be based in Hull. Adrian Williams has extensive operational, manufacturing and plant management experience gained within fast moving

manufacturing environments. He is fully experienced in lean manufacturing methodologies and continuous improvement which will be of significant benefit within Buildings Solutions UK. He has worked extensively within manufacturing and construction industries across a broad spectrum of products. He has previous experience of the modular sector having worked for Adroit, Elements Europe and Gateway Bathroom & Kitchen pods. Adrian holds a Masters’ Degree (MBA) from

Hull University and is a qualified Electrical Engineer. Part of the structural division of Actavo, Building Solutions focuses on designing and manufacturing quality buildings. Using innovative construction techniques to reduce overall construction programmes and time onsite without compromising on design or quality. Managing projects from initial planning design, manufacture through to completion with particular expertise in the healthcare, education, corporate, rail and defence sectors.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 35


HOISTS, LIFTS & WORK PLATFORMS For over 70 years, Alimak has been the world’s leading producer of rack and pinion driven access lifts, construction hoists and mast climbing work platforms. Alimak offers an efficient solution to the vertical transportation of passengers and materials. The heavy duty drive system is perfect for use in the construction industry and in a range of industrial facilities, such as: • • • • •

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ALIMAK MAMMOTH With a total payload capacity of 5,500kg, a load space of 45 cubic metres and measuring 3m wide x 5m long x 3m high, the Alimak Mammoth is one of the world’s largest construction hoists. The twin masted hoist offers flexibility, efficiency, safety, productivity, low energy consumption and low cost of ownership, making it the ultimate choice for both construction and rental companies on projects with extremely high demands on performance. Alimak products are designed and built to operate in the harshest environments, including construction sites, offshore oil production vessels, cement plants, power stations, mines, ports and warehousing.

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Digital transformation: Why collaboration, and new technology, will revolutionise the sales lead industry The construction industry, by its very nature of site-based working and fluidity, has historically lagged behind other industries when embracing new technology. The UK government has pledged £250 million of funding to construction to support uptake and integration of technology. And with over 600,000 workers needing to be reskilled by 2040 to ensure they are up to date with evolving technologies, it’s clear there is a huge way to go to embrace a true digital revolution within the industry. With a heavily mobile workforce, complex supply chain and site-based labour at its core, shifting the culture of the industry to embrace digital is a tall order, and one which Lincolnshire-based firm, The Marketplace, is tackling through it’s bespoke, on-line, sales lead generation service.

Gareth Alexander and Jason Kay

Jason Kay, Co-Founder of The Marketplace, believes new technology, quick and easy access and a more ‘personal’ approach, will revolutionise the way in which the construction industry searches for tendering opportunities and sales leads in the future, he says: “We know from our own trials with innovative systems and applications that technology can bring huge benefits to the way people search for tendering and contract opportunities. Accessing accurate and valid data, at the right time is a challenge every business faces, none more so than in the construction industry. We’ve had over 40 years in supply chain management and procurement and we’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to SME’s ability to access new business. The Marketplace is based on our philosophy of know, like and trust – a collaborative approach which puts the ‘human’ element back into sales lead generation. We believe our digital offering and our more personal approach fits today’s need for a closer connection with the supply chain and opportunities to tender for work. After all, people buy from people!” With constricting construction output, there has never been a better time to provide a unique service, especially for SMEs. Digital tools, such as The Marketplace system, offers quick and easy access to a timestrapped construction professional. Gareth Alexander, Co-Founder of The Marketplace believes a more bespoke digital lead generation service gets you quickly to the sales leads which are right for you. He says:

manner. We often find that SMEs are frustrated by the lack of opportunities afforded to them, especially when dealing with established consortiums and relationships within the industry. Our database and fee structure gives SMEs more flexibility with no minimum contract, and no out of date information all delivered digitally.”

“We provide access to sales leads that are unadvertised, and really want to level the playing field when it comes to giving SMEs the chance to tender for projects in a timely

Unlike other industries, there is a huge interdependency in construction; between architects, suppliers, contractors and workers, and it is the relationships between

38 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

these groups, which ultimately decides who gets the job. Digital technology can make the transition between these relationships smooth and effortless. Clients also benefit from personal weekly reports on tender activity and hot leads that are accurate and relevant to their business. For the price of a daily coffee, it gives them real value for money. Website:

www.my-marketplace.co.uk


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Company News

CONSTRUCTING THE FUTURE - SOBEN LAUNCHES INAUGURAL INDUSTRY REPORT Leading quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy, Soben Contract and Commercial, launched its first industry report this week entitled Constructing the Future. The report, based on results of Soben’s recent Market Survey*, examines market changes across 2017, 2018, and predictions for 2019, as well as looking at changes in tender volumes, margins, and pricing, addressing some of the key issues the construction industry faces today. It also examines attitudes to Brexit across the construction industry. Founder and Managing Director, Scott Smyth, commented: “Our clients often ask for our opinion on market trends, tender prices, and general industry sentiment. “At the end of last year we launched our first Soben Market Survey, attracting responses from many senior construction professionals throughout the UK. These responses are analysed within the report, shining a light on some of the key issues the construction industry is facing around tender volumes and pricing.” Headline statistics include: 2018 vs 2017 • 77% of construction professionals state that construction costs are higher • 70% of construction professionals state that tender volumes are the same or lower • 85% of construction professionals state that the volume of single stage tenders** is the same or higher • Over 80% of construction professionals stated that margins had lowered or stayed the same for the period 2018 compared to 2017 Scott Smyth commented: “We can see that 2018 has been a challenging time

for many of our respondents, with contractors facing increased volumes of single-stage tenders and increased costs that cannot be fully passed onto their clients.” 2019 Predictions • 79% of construction professionals predict that the volume of tenders will be lower or about the same as 2018, • 76% of construction professionals predict that the volume of single-stage tenders will be higher or the same as 2018 • 74% of construction professionals predict that construction costs will rise, yet only 53% think that tender prices will increase • 80% of construction professionals anticipate that margins will continue to lower or stay the same for 2019 Scott Smyth commented: “Essentially our respondents think that supply chain construction costs will rise more than main contractor tender prices, putting contractors under yet more financial pressure.”

Soben Recommendations Scott Smyth commented; “It is clear that we are at a pivotal point in the construction industry. Those involved in construction need to work together in order to meet the UK’s ever-growing building needs whilst creating an efficient, sustainable, and profitable future for contractors. “It is evident that the industry has been given a wake-up call, and it is up to all industry players, as well as the UK Government, to take a considered look at tendering processes, moving away from a ‘low price at any cost’ mind set, to one where quality and efficiency are given top priority. “By collaborating at the very earliest stage in building design, contractors, clients, quantity surveyors, and architects can work together to ensure maximum efficiency by using the latest technology and construction methods available. The early appointment of Tier 1 contractors to act in a consultative role at this time is to be advised.”

Covers Alresford donates materials to Sun Hill Junior School Covers Alresford has donated materials to Sun Hill Junior School to help convert a previously unusable area of space into a picnic terrace. The timber and builders’ merchant, which is based on Prospect Road, delivered items to the school, including artificial grass, helping it to create a new all-yearround useable space complete with picnic tables. Emma Polglaze, who is the chair of the PTA at Sun Hill Junior School, said: “With

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school budgets more and more stretched, it is extremely difficult to make much needed improvements to our facilities. It’s only from the generous donations of others, including Covers, that we are able to make the differences that will benefit our teachers and children. Thank you Covers for your support!” Michael Sheath, Depot Manager at Covers Alresford, said: “It’s a pleasure to help Sun Hill Junior School with this project. We hope the teachers and pupils enjoy their new picnic area for many years to come.”


Company News BDP JOINS FORCES WITH LEADING CANADIAN PRACTICE Leading UK and Canadian architectural practices form partnership to create a platform for broadened international growth and expertise BDP has made a strategic investment in Toronto-based Quadrangle, one of Canada’s most respected architecture and interior design practices. The partnership will create a platform for continued international growth in key markets and sectors across Canada and North America. John McManus, Chief Executive of BDP says: “Quadrangle supports our strategy to grow operations in the Canadian marketplace and greatly enhances our expertise and resources. The addition of a 200-strong studio in one of North America’s largest cities will not only provide exceptional opportunities for our people, it will also enable both BDP and Quadrangle to expand our services into new regions. BDP’s collective grouping of professions design with a progressive outlook and a sensibility towards the creation of a sustainable and human environment. We are confident that our culture and ethos will be greatly enhanced by the addition of Quadrangle. We are also delighted to welcome four of Quadrangle’s Principals to the BDP Group Board.”

renowned for its client service resulting in long-term relationships.

Quadrangle Executive Principal, Anna Madeira, says: “We are incredibly excited to join BDP. This partnership infuses our business with greater expertise, services and resources that we can offer to our clients, and it enables us to provide our staff with increased opportunities to work on diverse projects.”

The firm’s portfolio spans the commercial, mixed-use, multi-unit residential, content media and retail markets, and includes specialisations in areas such as masterplanning, accessibility, sustainability and adaptive re-use. Quadrangle’s office of over 200 architects, interior designers, technologists and support staff will continue to operate under the Quadrangle brand and under the direction of Quadrangle’s principals.

Founded in 1986, Quadrangle is an architecture and interior design firm

“Our firms share common values — that design begins with people, and great

architecture and interiors are accomplished by developing close working relationships with clients and stakeholders. Both companies are passionate about the role of design to improve everyday life.” comments BDP Chair Chris Harding. “BDP is a natural fit with Quadrangle,” adds Quadrangle Executive Principal Richard Witt, “We enjoy a similar collaborative, supportive, culture and passion for design excellence as a means of creating better cities. We are confident that this union will build on our separate accomplishments and establish a shared platform for even greater things, together.” Quadrangle is currently completing the Yonge-Sheppard Centre, a large mixeduse development in North Toronto; 80 Atlantic Avenue, Toronto’s first wood office building in over one hundred years; and Downtown Markham, a large scale mixed use development featuring retail, housing, office and hospitality in a progressive urban setting. BDP is currently providing full interdisciplinary design services to restore and safeguard the future of the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the United Kingdom’s parliament. In Toronto, BDP has designed a three-level retail podium for RioCan at The Well - a large mixed-use commercial development, currently under construction. BDP is the 30th largest practice in the world with 378 qualified architects according to BD’s World Architecture 100 league table. Quadrangle is at position 94 with 110 qualified architects.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 41


MAKITA’S NEW FACTORY SERVICE CENTRE OPENS IN LONDON Makita UK has opened a third regional Factory Service Centre (FSC) in the busy London borough of Hounslow. This new FSC joins Makita’s HQ facility in Milton Keynes, which serves the whole of the country, as well as Glasgow, which supports the rapidly expanding market penetration of the brand in Scotland and northern England. The London FSC will primarily service the essential London and South East region. In order to offer the best service levels in the industry Makita is committed to offering improved national coverage for the benefit of end user customers, as well as the network of Makita distributors, by building these dedicated FSC’s. While these facilities satisfy a vital role in providing technical repairs and maintenance services for all mains and cordless construction machines, and the rapidly

expanding range of grounds care tools, including 2-stroke and 4-stroke petrol engine products, training remains the cornerstone of Makita’s marketing success. It ensures that both authorised distributors and operators are fully conversant with the power tools they own, or may purchase in the future; how to obtain the best and safest performance from these machines, and how to maintain them for efficiency and productivity. The first FSC to be opened is based at South Street, Glasgow, which offers Makita product training across the complete range of products; product servicing courses, as well as accredited courses such as the successful and certificated City & Guilds Correct & Safe Use of Handheld Power Tools. A user or instructor certificate is issued upon successful completion. Courses are available to meet individual needs and bespoke power tool training can be designed to meet specific requirements. At each location the theory elements of courses are held in a lecture theatre, followed by essential hands-on practical work which is carried out in specially adapted and fully equipped training demonstration rooms. Courses are of 1 or 2 day duration or tailored to specific needs. The CITB certificated course, which can include a combination of in-house and on-site training, relates to abrasive

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wheel training, and both instructor or user courses are available. Gas nailer user training, chainsaw cross cutting and service courses are also available. Makita has great experience in supporting worthwhile challenges as WorldSkills UK, APL Apprenticeships and Hire Association Europe Apprenticeship schemes to help support customers of the future with product and training support. Employees and employers can benefit from Makita’s outstanding training courses, which compliment high quality power tools used by professional trades’ people, raising ambitions and abilities for many. The Makita range is supported with an equally comprehensive range of over 4,500 accessories and consumables products. For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com. Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk

Snickers’ NEW Street-Smart Stretch Trousers For Maximum Mobility on Site These NEW slim-fit stretch trousers deliver extreme working comfort. Hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping designs in the NEW FlexiWork SoftShell Trousers from Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility wherever you are.

The Hire Supply Company (UK) Ltd has been supplying the UK’s hire market for over 17years with quality and innovative products designed to be hired out time and time again generating a good return on investment. Our own branded ELITE products come with a minimum of 1 years warranty and have gained an enviable reputation within the hire trade as a proven mark of quality. The Hire Supply Company (UK) Ltd is also known as hsc and our products are available from National and Independent tool hire companies throughout the UK and Southern Ireland. Orders are despatched same day to UK mainland addresses for a next working day delivery. We have two new “Hero” products scheduled for launch mid 2019 which fore fills the desire for innovative, energy saving and aesthetically pleasing products to be used on site. Watch out for our adverts later this year.

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The brand new 4-way stretch comfort fabrics integrated into these Work Trousers deliver enhanced freedom of movement as well as improved ventilation and overall comfort. With great fit and superb value for money, they also have a slimmer tailored fit for better all-round looks and protection against snagging, plus Armortex Kevlar reinforced stretch fabric in the KneeGuard Pro System for greater flexibility, comfort and durability. So check out these and the other Stretch Garments from Snickers Workwear – the optimal choice for craftsmen and women who need to get every job done comfortably on site. Getting information on the Snickers’ new Comfort garments is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

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Hybrid Power by Energy Solutions – Hybrid Systems for Construction & Maintenance Reducing operating costs, emissions and noise Temporary power is a necessity in many construction and maintenance environments; a site may need power for a variety of reasons such as security, lighting or a welfare cabin before mains power is connected. However, running temporary power with a generator alone can leave companies with high costs and an unwanted carbon footprint - particulate and NOx emissions from diesel generators are an increasing concern in built up areas and construction sites. Energy Solutions’ hybrid power units reduce the run time of generators substantially – therefore cutting down these emissions. And whilst a hybrid system does not stop generator use completely, they make a significant difference to the local air quality, which is a benefit for both onsite staff welfare and local residents. Mark Penny, Commercial Director at Energy Solutions explains: “Operational systems have shown considerable reductions for clients in diesel associated emissions, noise levels and diesel costs compared to using a diesel generator 24/7. Some clients are seeing an 70% reduction in operating costs by utilising hybrid power on site.” Hybrid Power by Energy Solutions offers a range of hybrid power units that are ideal for the construction industry, in particular SiteGrid – which can be connected to an existing generator set, and VariPower – a variable speed generator and energy storage system.

SiteGrid – Hybrid Power System SiteGrid is a three phase hybrid power system that delivers convenient and efficient power to any construction environment without a grid connection. Utilising your existing generator and renewables if available, SiteGrid stores power in a sophisticated battery bank with a dedicated monitoring & control system, delivering silent power from the battery when needed. The generator will only be started when loads demand more power or, to top up the battery. Significantly reducing emissions, the size of generator required and fuel costs. In addition, for intelligent power management, SiteGrid has an optional Energy Management Unit (EMU) which allows six separate loads to be fed independently and programmed with their own unique schedules.

SiteGrid offers • 30kVA & 45kVA options • Renewables ready – solar & wind • Installation – simple installation and configuration

VariPower – Variable Speed Hybrid Generator & Energy Storage System Designed and built in the UK by Energy Solutions, the VariPower system addresses the increasing market demands for quiet power with economical generator use. The unit offer true variable power from the built-in generator – it can run at any level between 900 and 2000 rpm; coupled with an inbuilt lithium energy store - giving it two major advantages over a traditional generator. Firstly, economy - if the power demand is only low the unit can run at just 900 rpm, fewer revolutions mean the generator is using less fuel and creates less noise. Secondly, longevity - the unit is not going to be worked so hard, it will only be powering at the level required, therefore increasing the interval between generator services and renewals.

46 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

In a temporary power environment the VariPower has the ability to act intelligently without manual intervention - as power demands increase the generator will seamlessly increase its rpms to deliver the capacity needed, and reduce again as required. For periods of very low load, i.e. during the night or day when only a few loads need to run, the system will simply use the power stored in the batteries. This gives silent power when most needed. • Variable speed generator • Built in fuel tank • Lithium energy store options from 10 kWh to 60 kWh • Renewables ready See full details of the Hybrid Power range at www.hybridpower.co.uk or contact the sales team on 01634 290772


Latest News Permitted development is a product of planning mismanagement Baroness Thornhill has expressed her disappointment on how permitted development rules remain an example of top down planning. She argued that elected councillors and officers are better judges than ministers or civil servants on balancing the need for employment space with providing new homes. The Liberal Democrat peer referenced her own time as mayor of Watford, when she saw the number of office-to-residential conversions rising, despite the quality of these homes being below acceptable standards and her council’s “ability to scrutinise outcomes of these conversions […] at best limited, at worst non-existent.”

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) welcomes efforts to deliver good quality homes, but believes that Baroness Thornhill’s assessment of how we get there is inconsistent. The Government introduced permitted development because it was dissatisfied with the decisions taken by councillors and officers when planning their communities. Too few homes are planned for, site allocations are politically motivated and building up is seen as more acceptable than building out. For NFB members, local house builders who typically build houses and not conversions, the move to permitted development is not that surprising.

The desperately slow planning process and the focus on large and slow-to-deliver housing sites has caused demand to overtake supply. The Government therefore had to step in and encourage more homes, more quickly, because local government was failing in its duty. Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy at the NFB, said: “Permitted development is a product of housing underdelivery. While we need greater scrutiny of permitted development, too many of those who scrutinise it also get to decide how many homes get built and where. Permitted development will continue to be needed unless we speed up the planning process, allocate deliverable sites for housing, and support house builders who win work for the quality of their work.”

NEW CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT FIGURES: LEADING PROPERTY CONSULTANTS COMMENT The new construction output figures published by the ONS today show a mixed picture for the industry: • The all work series decreased by 0.3% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2018, following an increase of 2.1% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2018; this decrease was driven by repair and maintenance output, which was down by 2.8%. • The decrease in repair and maintenance was caused by drops in private housing and non-housing repair and maintenance output of 4.0% and 2.9% respectively. • These falls were offset somewhat by a 1.1% increase in all new work, driven by

increases of 1.9% in infrastructure and 1.4% in private commercial new work. • The monthly series saw a sharper decline, with the all work series in December 2018 decreasing by 2.8% below the level seen in November 2018; this is the largest month-on-month fall in growth for all work since June 2012, when the series dropped by 4.3%. • When compared with 2017, the level of all work in 2018 saw a 0.7% increase; this was the lowest annual growth since 2012, which saw a 6.9% decrease in annual output. Commenting on the figures, Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction

consulting and design agency McBains, said: “Today’s figures show a mixed picture – unsurprising given concerns about the UK economy and whether it can withstand a no-deal Brexit. These fears, coupled with longer running issues such as high import costs and skilled worker deficits, are now cutting through and impacting key investment decisions. “To turn the corner, the industry needs confidence and the support of the Government. The Brexit uncertainty will need clarifying soon if the sector is to push on and build the homes our country needs.”

MAKING CONSTRUCTION A PERIOD DIGNIFIED ENVIRONMENT Increased awareness about periods is the best way for industry to improve its working practices Unite the union has conducted a survey of 2,000 women working across the construction industry about their experiences with period dignity. 65% of those who responded said their employer had failed to make adjustments to accommodate their needs as female workers. A lack of sanitary bins and clean toilets were highlighted as major concerns. Unite are calling for four policies which they believe can make a significant improvement to the lives of female construction workers:

1.

Designated female toilets, always accessible, regularly cleaned and lockable Handwashing facilities with running water and soap provided Sanitary bins provided which are clean and regularly emptied Sanitary products provided in a dispenser in a discreet location and ideally free.

“This survey highlights what more the industry can do to create excellent working environments and as a trade federation for construction SMEs, we welcome these findings. Increased awareness about periods is the best way for industry to improve its working practices.”

The National Federation of Builders (NFB), the trade association for SME constructors and house builders, welcomes the campaign’s effort to increase awareness about period dignity and believes it is the best way to deliver improved working environments.

“We cannot speak for other companies, but at Golden Houses we always try to provide the right facilities for women.

2. 3. 4.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said:

Monika Slowikowska, NFB member and director of Golden Houses Limited, said:

“If we’re going to encourage more women into the construction industry, their basic needs must be met. Talking more openly about those needs is an important first step to meeting them.”

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 47


ENVAC GEARS UP FOR GROWTH AS PROJECT PIPELINE INCREASES Envac, the UK’s only automated waste collection system (AWCS), has appointed another contracts manager as it prepares for what its Managing Director claims will be the year of AWCS as multiple developments across the UK include the technology in planning applications. Alex Sophocli joins Envac UK from EJ, the world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of access solutions, where he was responsible for managing water utility projects to refurbish and upgrade existing water assets throughout Thames Water infrastructure. Alex is responsible for assisting with the ongoing Envac rollout across Quintain’s Wembley Park site and supporting the current installation at Barking Riverside, which is expected to go live in April as tenants begin to move into the newly built homes. The appointment comes as forthcoming sites in London, and even Hampshire and Buckinghamshire, opt to move away from traditional bins in favour of a waste collection solution that releases space, reduces waste collection vehicle traffic and improves the sustainability credentials of a development. Dave Buckley, Managing Director at Envac UK, comments: “We’ve been communicating the benefits of AWCS over traditional bins

We’ve been communicating the benefits of AWCS over traditional bins for some time and now, ten years since the first system was installed in Wembley, we’re beginning to see the message resonate with local authorities and developers not just across London, but across the country. for some time and now, ten years since the first system was installed in Wembley, we’re beginning to see the message resonate with local authorities and developers not just across London, but across the country. “Developers now understand that the space saved by using an underground pipe infrastructure can be used for further commercial development and this, combined with the fact that fleets upon fleets of bins is no longer a feasible solution, is beginning to shift opinion towards a system that not only improves local environments, but also costs less to run than multiple collection trucks operating all day, every day. Alex’s appointment is essential in growing the business in line with growing demand for AWCS and we welcome him to the team.” Work on Barking Riverside’s collection station, which is due to be commissioned

48 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

towards the end of March, is nearing completion. The system, which will replace 19,000 traditional bins with only 460 Envac waste inlets connected to an underground network of pipes that transport waste, via airflow, from inlets to the collection station, will be the biggest in Europe when fully operational. Alex adds: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business. I now look forward to growing with the company as the technology gains further acceptance and the UK market for AWCS develops.” There are now over 1,000 Envac installations worldwide across a number of regions and countries including Scandinavia, the Middle East, Singapore and South Korea. For more information visit www.envacuk.co.uk.


Project News Plans submitted for Feltham Magistrates’ Court development MCR Property Group has submitted a planning application to transform Feltham Magistrates’ Court into 27 new homes. Built in 1902 to serve as Feltham Town Hall, then used as a court from 2013, plans submitted by MCR Property Group aim to convert the locally listed, Victorian-era structure into a mixed-tenure residential development. The scheme, designed by rg+p, will comprise one studio apartment, five one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom flats, alongside a fourbedroom apartment and a four bedroom townhouse.

MCR Property Group will retain the building’s existing façade and side elevations – key elements of its locally listed status. The other existing areas of the building will be demolished to make way for a three-storey new-build structure to accommodate the 26 new flats. The three storey townhouse will sit adjacent to the building. A number of units will benefit from private balconies and gardens, with plans to incorporate a privates residents’ roof space. On-site parking will be available, with eight spaces proposed.

The site is situated on Hanworth Road in the heart of Feltham, accessible by two roads. It sits approximately 300 metres from a mainline rail station served by regular services into London Waterloo, while Heathrow Airport and the M25 motorway are also in close proximity. Nick Lake, asset manager of MCR Property Group, said: “Our plans for Feltham Magistrates’ Court presents a chance to transform this disused, historical building, helping to meet the demand for new-build homes in the town, while retaining the most idiosyncratic aspects of this striking building. “Feltham is a commuter hotspot that is well served by excellent travel links into the city and to Heathrow Airport, a major contributor to the town’s economy. This mixture of high-specification homes is designed to enhance the local community, providing a range of properties for firsttime buyers, professionals or families.” Grant Giblett, associate director at rg+p, added: “Derelict since 2016, the site of the former Feltham Magistrates Court sits within the town centre conservation area. Responding sensitively to the character of the area, our proposal emphasises the existing building’s fenestration rhythm and detail whilst also embracing the local material palette and brick bond.”

BRITCON TO BUILD PHASE TWO AT MARKHAM VALE SCHEME Building and civil engineering company Britcon has secured a £1 million contract to deliver new speculative industrial premises in phase two of a new development at Markham Vale in Derbyshire. Britcon has been appointed to build the 15,000 sq ft unit, along with 1,500 sq ft of integral offices, by development partnership Priority Space. Britcon has already delivered 13 SME units in phase one on the site which is now 75% sold.

The scheme sits within the Markham Vale flagship regeneration zone which is a 200-acre business and distribution park at Junction 29A of the M1 motorway. Lee Buchanan at Priority Space said, “We have already invested £2.5 million into the business park with phase one which was delivered to exacting standards by Britcon. With strong interest from owner occupiers we are confident in progressing phase two with Britcon to build out a significant detached unit that would suit

a larger operator requiring self-contained facilities.” Britcon’s commercial sector experience includes the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Sheffield, Treleigh Industrial Estate in Cornwall, and Langage Science Park in Plymouth. It has also recently completed a £2 million expansion of premises for packaging firm CEPAC. Established for more than 30 years, Britcon is £47 million turnover business headquartered in Scunthorpe and directly employs 110 people on its project sites across the UK. Key contracts secured in the last 12 month includes Key contracts secured in the last 12 months include a £5 million project for McCain Foods, a £13.5 million contract to deliver a new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in Dagenham for food waste recycler ReFood (UK) Ltd, a series of new developments, extensions and refurbishment projects valued in total over £20 million for Lidl, and contracts worth over £4 million for global chemicals business Kemira.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 49


SCOTLAND BUILD 2019 Scotland’s leading and largest building & construction show, Scotland Build, returns to the SEC Glasgow on the 20th & 21st March This is not your average construction show. Scotland Build believes doing business should be fun and includes within the event the Festival of Construction, featuring entertainment, competitions, prize giveaways, live music and much more! The free-to-attend show attracts thousands of decision makers from across the Scotland’s construction industry including all Tier 1 contractors, house builders & associations, developers, subcontractors, architects, specifiers, civil engineers, local councils, government, distributors, suppliers, manufacturers and many more. The extensive exhibition will feature over 150 exhibitors showcasing their latest innovation, products and services, including A13 Steel, Aarsleff Ground Engineering, ACO Technologies, EPSM, Catnic, DuoTools Direct, Gripple Ltd, Home Renewables, Fosroc Limited, Natural Cement, Rockwool Limited, Emtec Energy, Core Conservation, Openreach, Revizto, Plastic Surgeon, Screwfix, Siemens Limited, Tascomi, Wheatley Group, Scotia-Supplies and many more. The exhibition plays host to 5 dedicated conference theatres with over 150 hours of free CPD conference and workshop sessions discussing the latest developments, challenges and opportunities across Scotland’s built environment. With sessions

on the Future of Construction, Sustainability, BIM & Digital Construction, Architecture, Skills & Development and more, this is your one-stop-shop to gain all over your CPD points over two days. With over 150 speakers from BAM Construct UK, Mitie, Wheatley Group, Galliford Try, Mott MacDonald, BDP, Holmes Miller, 3D Reid, Arup, Balfour Beatty, Amey, Clyde Gateway, Wates Group, Aecom, Morrison Construction, Kier Construction, Mace Group, Morgan Sindall, The Scottish Government and Multiplex Construction and many more. Scotland Build is extremely active in the promotion of inclusivity, diversity and equality in the in-dustry. The annual Women in Construction Networking Event in Glasgow, now in its third year will take place on March 21st, attracting thousands of empowering women working in construction for an open panel discussion session and plenty of networking. The involvement of 50+ high profile partners, enables Scotland Build to continue delivering on the exciting content and high-level networking for all in attendance. The Built Environment Networking Hub will

50 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

host free-to-attend exclusive networking events across two whole days, including the Builder’s Breakfast, Architects Hub, Festival of Construction and more. Build your connections, gain inspiration from industry thought-leaders and win business at the show which offers it all. Join the Scotland’s building and construction industry and register today for your free tickets: www.scotlandbuildexpo.com or email selena.moseley@oliverkinrossevents.com for further details.


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The future of the built environment Introducing Futurebuild 2019 Futurebuild is the evolution of ecobuild. It brings together opinion-shapers, decision-makers and product innovators under a common purpose to explore the latest technologies and approaches, and debate the biggest issues facing the built environment – now and in the future – both in the UK and overseas. @FuturebuildNow

Futurebuild is home to six focused Hubs dedicated to knowledge sharing across key elements of the built environment and an industryleading content programme driving meaningful debate on the biggest industry issues.

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Awards News

QUEEN’S AWARD PRESENTED TO BARNSLEY ENGINEERING FIRM The success of a Barnsley engineering firm’s innovative product for the construction industry has been recognised with the presentation of a highly-coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. Manvers Engineering Ltd received the award for their Plant Nappy product in an official ceremony held at their headquarters in Park Springs, Barnsley. Andrew Coombe, Her Majesty’s LordLieutenant of South Yorkshire, who made the presentation after being given a tour of the factory, said: “I’ve been blown away

with what I’ve seen and it is a delight to be able to give them their award. It is a wonderful story of someone who had the courage to think outside the box. They had an idea and the tenacity to see it through. “What they’re producing now is an extraordinary product that is essential to improving environmental control in

the construction industry. If you look at the product, it is simple, powerful and professionally constructed. “The brainpower and the thought and the innovative techniques that are being used, adapted and invented to create it, are extraordinary.” Colin Ibbotson, managing director of Manvers Engineering Ltd, is delighted that the hard work put in by everyone at the company over many years has been recognised in this way. “It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award, highlighting our innovation in the field of environmental protection,” he said. “The success of Plant Nappy is due to the dedication of all management and staff at Manvers Engineering. Innovation is not an overnight success. It takes years of dedication and research to achieve the final goal, which is what we have achieved today and will continue to achieve with the research and development of our products. “We try to meet market needs rather than invent needs and we welcome problems from people in the construction industry that we can possibly help them overcome.” The Plant Nappy® is designed to replace existing forms of drip trays with a light, user-friendly method of spill containment. The nappy is rugged enough to stand plant equipment/machinery on it in all weather. Whilst encapsulating any drips or spills of oil, the nappy freely allows passage of water, such as rainfall, thus eliminating costly emptying of contaminated trays after use.

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 57


Company News

BAM Nuttall renews framework partnership with Lanes Group BAM Nuttall has renewed a framework partnership which has seen drainage specialist Lanes Group plc deliver services for scores of projects on behalf of the leading civil engineering contractor. Lanes Group National Business Development Manager Andy Botfield and James Lees, Head of Supply Chain at BAM Nuttall, signed documents to renew the agreement which has already lasted nine years. In that time, Lanes drainage teams have worked on projects for BAM Nuttall and its associated companies across the UK in many different sectors, including highways, nuclear energy, rail, and construction. Andy Botfield said: “We’re proud of what we’ve contributed on behalf of BAM Nuttall for many major projects, including development of infrastructure for the Olympic Park in London.

“We’re very pleased that our partnership is continuing. BAM Nuttall champions a transparent, fair and constructive approach to doing business that is appreciated by our teams across the country.” James Lees said: “Our relationship with Lanes is based on shared values and standards which include a strong focus on health and safety, environmental protection and innovation.Lanes has demonstrated consistently high performance, shared learning and excellent communication, so we know we’re always supported, and the drainage work we need doing will get done.” The renewed rolling 12-month agreement ensures Lanes teams at 22 depots across the UK are ready to respond seamlessly to

BAM Nuttall’s service requirements. In a recent project, drainage engineers from the Lanes East London depot used innovative pillow packer technology to install point liners to repair a culvert for BAM Nuttall at a major new wildlife reserve. BAM Nuttall was the main contractor responsible for creating the 670-hectare Wallasea Island Wild Coast in Essex, the largest coastal habitat creation of its kind in Europe. Other services regularly delivered by Lanes for BAM Nuttall include rail track drainage cleaning and renewal, CCTV drainage surveys, sewer cleaning, and pipe rehabilitation, including lining.

Mather+Stuart announce multimillion pound Volt Safe investment Mather+Stuart Power Solutions, the temporary power equipment division of A-Plant, has announced that it will be investing almost £3m in new Volt Safe equipment. The company’s spending spree forms part of a wider strategic investment programme and follows a £6m order of Harrington and JCB Generators last autumn. All of the new equipment features the latest telemetry and the first £1.3m order, comprising 56 units, has already arrived into the fleet. An additional 60 units will be delivered in the coming months, providing a further £1.4m investment. Gary Orton, Director of Mather+Stuart, said the investment reaffirms the

company’s commitment to offering customers the very best equipment available in the industry. He said: “To support our expansion plans, keep up with customer demand and ensure we remain one of the UK’s market leaders it is vital that we continually update our fleet. Volt Safe systems are unique to the industry and we are thrilled to be able to continue offering our customers the most innovative, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly equipment available.”

58 Construction UK Magazine - March 2019

Volt Safe is a super-silenced generator, electrical distribution board and a high capacity, triple-bunded fuel tank. Reducing noise to as low as 58dpa at one metre, the system is amongst one of the quietest machines across Europe making it ideal for use on noise sensitive sites. As the equipment is housed within an anti-vandal steel container the system also helps to battle incidents of theft and vandalism on site, as well as protecting the system against spillages of engine oil, anti-freeze and diesel.


Company News

Van Vault. Stored & Secured. Leading manufacturer puts full weight behind campaign to protect against tool theft. Joining other industry/brand leaders, Van Vault the originators of in-vehicle secure storage is putting its full weight behind an innovative campaign to tackle tool van tool theft. Based in Loughborough independent plumber Peter Booth (@PBPlumber) launched a petition last year aiming to get the issue of van theft taken more seriously. His #noVANber social media campaign calls on the Government to look at increasing ways to protect tradespeople from van tool theft. The campaign has garnered huge support, with the online petition now having over 38,000 signatures. Once 10,000 signatures are achieved the Government will respond to the petition and if it hits 100,000 it will be considered for debate in Parliament. Van Vault is the UK’s premier brand of containers for storing and securing tools in vehicles. Their range is available in a variety of sizes, each designed for use is different types of vehicles. Van Vault is supporting the campaign by promoting the petition details across all its own social media and online channels as well as offering products to incentivise people to sign up to the petition.

Looking for a life partner?

Recent reports* claim that a van is broken into and tools stolen every 23 minutes in the UK, with an average of 62 thefts per day. This is reflected in data that shows that tool theft claims have increased by over 15 per cent and that the value of claims themselves have risen too, now averaging around £1,692.00

Working long hours with little chance to socialise?

Tool theft is plaguing many sectors, the construction industry specifically has recently reported that more than half of builders in the UK have had their tools stolen, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Fed up of the trauma of on-line dating sites and apps? Jealous of your friends with great partners at home? Holding out to share your life with a fellow Christian?

Deborah Hunt, Marketing Manager at Van Vault comments “Peter has done an excellent job of raising this as an issue and we’re hoping that by adding our support we, together with other leading brands, can take the campaign to the next level to an even wider audience.”

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Peter Booth added: “I got tired of seeing photos and stories from tradespeople who had their vans targeted and tools stolen, stopping them from working. I didn’t think it was fair. I wanted to gather support using social media influence to try and get the Government to look at possible ways to help make this crime less profitable for the culprits.

“Friends1st does what it says on the tin. You feel special as soon as you join.”

“We now need to reach more people that are not on social media. If you could ask your customers, friends and family to support the cause by signing the #noVanber petition, we may be able to reach our target of 100,000 by May.”

Geoff (from Derby)

Construction UK Magazine - March 2019 59

21/02/2019 16:00:27


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