Construction & Civil Engineering Issue 142 August 2017

www.ccemagazine.com

ISSUE 142 AUGUST

Testing

times

There are several criteria you should consider when looking for the right materials testing partner See page 32

Robots at work

Mabey uses new robots to support manufacture

Water feature

Hidden drainage feature in Serpentine Pavilion

Urban milestone

Polish project features high tech surfacing material

LINKS IN THE FOOD CHAIN T H WHITE Projects has gained a strong reputation for the design and construction of bespoke systems handling the processing and storage of grain and free-flowing materials for the food and drink industry.

But that’s only part of our contribution to the food chain. T H WHITE Group started business in 1832 as an agricultural ironmonger and today T H WHITE Agriculture is still at the forefront of supplying Britain’s farming industry, operating premier dealerships for New Holland and Case IH machinery and other leading brands, supported by legendary aftersales service.

Fulfilment of your project is likely to call upon many resources and T H WHITE Construction can help to meet on-site equipment challenges.

For the full picture, call us today.

Nursteed Road, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 3EA.

GROUP

T: 01380 723040 E: projects@thwhite.co.uk www.thwhite.co.uk

contents FEATURES

Chairman Andrew Schofield Editor Libbie Hammond

2 WOOD AND TIMBER Over the last decade, hardwood industries, especially in Europe, have looked to construction as a growth opportunity

libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Assistant Editor Will Daynes

6 News

Art Editor Gerard Roadley-Battin

Updates and information from the construction and civil engineering market

Production Manager Fleur Daniels

8 STAFF TRAINING

Advertising Design Fiona Jolliffe Staff Writer Jo Cooper Operations Director Philip Monument Editorial Administrator Emma Crane Editorial Researchers Mark Cowles Alasdair Gamble Jeff Goldenberg Natalie Griffiths Tarjinder Kaur D’Silva Adam Blanch Managing Director Joe Woolsgrove Sales Tim Eakins Darren Jolliffe Jonas Junca Dave King Mark Cawston Rob Wagner Theresa McDonald Production/ Office Manager Tracy Chynoweth

Schofield Publishing Cringleford Business Centre, 10 Intwood Road, Cringleford, Norwich, NR4 6AU, U.K. Tel: +44 (0)1603 274130 www.ccemagazine.com

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© 2017 Schofield Publishing Ltd

32 Cover story company profiles 38 42 44 46 48 50 52

54 57 60 62 64 67 69 72 74 76 80 82 85 87 90 92 94 97

102 104 107

110 113 115 118

JANSON BRIDGING WILLOWBROOK PLANT SERVICES JOSEPH ASH GALVANIZING NMC SURFACING BOSS CABINS ESSEX SERVICES GROUP BRITISH AGGREGATES ASSOCIATION LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE GROUP VINCENTSTOKES ROCK CIVIL ENGINEERING DUCHY HOMES VIVALDA GROUP P.A.W STRUCTURES MR SCAFFOLDING SERVICES ACORN PROPERTY GROUP STRUYK VERWO AQUA MACHINE MART GRANADA GLAZING EVERLAST SCAFFOLDING KING LIFTING JR CONSTRUCTION HURKS GROUP KEEPMOAT REGENERATION ARTICON GECO MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL GARRIOCK BROS STRUKTA GROUP SANDVIK MINING AND ROCK TECHNOLOGY TANAP R&W CIVIL ENGINEERING BAUFRITZ ABBEY PYNFORD

Construction has been talking about its need for leadership for at least three decades and the theories for success are evolving

11 CHP CHP may be a traditional technology, but its valuable contribution to the energy mix remains undiminished

14 LIGHTING Introducing energy efficient lighting will reduce any company’s CO2 emissions and save them a sizeable amount of money

16 HEALTH AND SAFETY The harmful risks that UV rays pose to outdoor workers and how health and safety managers can minimise the dangers

18 3D DESIGN Companies using advanced 3D simulation control and command technology will capitalise on new market opportunities

20 BUILDING ON BROWNFIELD The issue of asbestos in soil and the importance of effective air monitoring and analysis techniques

24 ECO BUILDING The use of natural materials and how they can contribute to the green credentials of a building project

26 VIRTUAL REALITY The potential benefits of VR technology to the construction industry and an example of a virtual ‘groundbreaking’

28 FOUNDATIONS What you need to know to ensure your buildings are complying with the latest guidelines and standards

32 SPECIALIST SERVICES A best-practice approach to materials testing and how specialist advice can benefit a project from the outset

36 IT Driving efficiency and cutting costs through the development and construction of smart buildings

Please note: The opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers within this publication do not necessarily coincide with those of the editor and publisher. Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information published is accurate, and correct at time of writing, but no legal responsibility for loss occasioned by the use of such information can be accepted by the publisher. All rights reserved. The contents of the magazine are strictly copyright, the property of Schofield Publishing, and may not be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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WOOD AND TIMBER

F feeling strong Looking good,

Timber has a new cast of performers. By David Venables

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or decades, our choice of wood species for timber construction has often been determined by price rather than performance. But times are changing and so are the products and construction techniques available to engineers who want to build in timber. Glulam has been around for a long time. I was surprised to learn that the

Over the last decade, hardwood industries, especially in Europe, have looked to construction as a growth opportunity after years of declining consumption in traditional interior markets such as furniture and flooring. Of course, there is much more research and development and product testing needed. But new products are already out there being used: oak glulam, beech LVL, birch and tulipwood CLT. Our journey to promote the use of American hardwoods for structural applications began back in 2001 with Arup’s pioneering use of American white oak beams for the courtyard roof of Portcullis House in Westminster designed

by Hopkins architects. Subsequent testing at BRE produced detailed strength values for four hardwood species: white oak, red oak, ash and tulipwood. A series of iconic experimental installations followed; in 2008 David Adjaye’s Sclera (tulipwood), 2011 Amanda Levete’s Timber Wave (red oak) and 2013 dRMM’s Endless Stair (tulipwood); all landmark projects for the London Design Festival.

first applications in Germany go back nearly a hundred years!

But now we have Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). The latter, undoubtedly a game changer, has helped propel large-scale timber construction from the drawing board to the construction site, where it is now increasingly being considered as a first-choice option over concrete and steel. Until recently

almost all the raw material focus has been on softwood as it provides a cheap source of fibre that offers good strength performance relative to its weight and cost and will continue to do so. However, the possibility of using certain hardwood species to enhance the appearance and performance of timber structures is an exciting new development being welcomed by architects and engineers.

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WOOD AND TIMBER

As a result of the Endless Stair we learnt that tulipwood is nearly three times stiffer than spruce in rolling shear and one can achieve the same strength performance as softwood with thinner panels.

Then there is the advantage of more attractive colours and grain patterns, so no need to hide internal faces.

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But it was only last year we began to realise tulipwood’s full potential as a pioneering species for hardwood CLT, when Zublin Timber produced the first industrial sized panels. The Smile pavilion for the 2016 London Design Festival pushed the boundaries of what is possible in CLT. It was the result of an extraordinary collaboration with award-winning architect Alison Brooks and engineering masters Arup. We all knew at the time how important this experimental structure was: with its simple form that belied the incredible complexity of the engineering challenge. To us mere mortals, 60 people standing at the end of a 34m double-curved wooden cantilever is either a crowd, or an obstruction to the perfect photo! To the timber experts at Arup it was another exciting

and seemingly insurmountable challenge for what they later described as ‘the most ambitious CLT structure ever built’. It was, in that sense, their Everest, a chance to better themselves and reach a new high point in what can be achieved with timber. They appeared to derive a perverse pleasure from those many days and sleepless nights huddled over computer models, drawings and unreadable calculations.

The Smile may have been a temporary installation, now recycled, but its legacy is not temporary. It will remain an important marker for what is possible. In a recent article in the Financial Times, Edwin Heathcote’s piece about the rise of timber construction had a picture of The Smile beaming from the page and cited the importance of CLT as ‘lighter,

faster and greener to build with than steel and concrete’.

But, it is the first ever use of tulipwood CLT in a permanent structure, dRMM’s Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Oldham that is a really defining moment and opens the door to a whole world of new possibilities as it confirms that hardwood CLT is

now a viable option for architects and engineers. The opening of Maggie’s in early June comes just weeks after another defining project for structural hardwood; American white oak features in the redevelopment of the Warner Stand at one of the world’s most iconic sporting facilities, Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London. In this pioneering project, designed by Populous architects and engineered by Arup, the roof of the stand is formed from 11 cantilevered glue laminated (glulam) oak beams, the largest in Europe, that radiate dramatically from the corner of the Ground.

They were produced in Germany

by Hess Timber and according to Arup ‘the use of AWO glulam at this scale for the Warner Stand, is amongst the first of its kind in Europe and required extensive testing of its material properties

and glueline integrity to satisfy European codes and standards’.

At a recent meeting in London of the European structural committee responsible for updating Eurocode 5 for timber, there was clear acknowledgement that more use of hardwoods will be an important element of future development of timber construction and that new codes and standards need to reflect this.

A sentiment echoed at last year’s International Holzbau Forum where a number of projects were presented where both European and American hardwoods had been used innovatively and structurally. As one delegate commented from a packed auditorium ‘hardwoods have arrived and they are here to stay’.

David Venables is European director of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC).

AHEC is the leading international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing the committed exporters among American hardwood companies and all the major US hardwood product trade associations. For over 25 years, AHEC has been at the forefront of international wood promotion, successfully building a distinctive and creative brand for American hardwoods.

For more information, please see

www.americanhardwood.org

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news

Putting robotics to work

Doubled fleet West Point Construction has added eight more custom Kubota KX057-4 excavators to the six bought from supplier BTE Plant Sales Ltd in July 2016. Plant and Equipment Manager, Jodie McGinn, commented: “We’re thrilled to be taking on more Kubota’s, they’re essential to our work and the guys on site love them. Thanks to Kubota’s quality and BTE’s bespoke customer approach, we can now operate efficiently and meet deadlines without stress or extra cost. With improved operator comfort, reliability and performance, we are able to maximise the potential of our resources, eliminating the time and costs we used to face on a regular basis. We haven’t needed a repair once in almost a year of having our KX057-4s, so our confidence in the brand is very high.”

BTE has taken Kubota’s customisability to the next level, fitting the excavators with automated flashing beacons that respond to the status of the driver’s seatbelt.

In addition to Kubota’s anti-theft technology, the new machines are all fitted with Trakm8’s telematics technology. This allows the team in West Point’s central office to remotely monitor the excavators’ location, fuel usage, service warnings and operator performance. As expected the KX057-4 is also fully compliant with the new EN474-5 safety legislation.

Compact with impact EvoQuip has launched a new addition to its impact crushing range: The Cobra 230 impact crusher. Matt Dickson, EvoQuip, Product Line Director said: “The Cobra 230 Impact Crusher is a machine that provides class leading productivity, unmatched versatility and excellent fuel efficiency. The quick set up times, simple intuitive operation and ease of transport makes this machine an ideal solution for all applications.”

The Cobra 230 has been on test with J & V Construction in Ireland. Gerd McCann – J & V Construction Director commented: “The EvoQuip Cobra 230 has managed to surpass our expectations, handling a mix of difficult rock and heavy duty recycled concrete with ease, and turning it into products we have been able to reuse on our construction sites.”

The Cobra 230 offers users a range of benefits, including ease of use, optimal material flow, performance, and serviceability. Additionally, its compact footprint makes the Cobra 230 easy to transport and also makes it an ideal machine for working in urban areas.

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Mabey has put its new robots to work at its Mabey Bridge site in Lydney, Gloucestershire.

Forming one complete cell, the new robots support the manufacture of the Mabey Compact 200 (C200) – the world’s most widely used modular steel bridge.

Investing £2.6m in the new robots, they will enable Mabey’s C200 bridging system to be manufactured more quickly, safely and efficiently, halving the manufacturing time for the C200’s panels and chords.

Michael Treacy, Chief Executive of Mabey Bridge, said: “Our investment demonstrates our commitment to accelerating own manufacturing and construction processes.

Significantly, the robots reduce manual lifting and handling while ensuring the quality, and consistency of our products – all part of our broader aim to maintain a faster, safer and more efficient way of working.”

Call for moratorium A major new report has called for a moratorium on the construction of new tower blocks until their safety can be assured following the Grenfell tragedy. The Housing & Finance Institute (HFI) also wants a review into the future of existing high rise blocks, which would consider the feasibility of these buildings being made safe or whether they should simply be demolished. More than 75 tower blocks have already been identified as being ‘at risk’ by the authorities. The HFI has set out a three-pronged strategy for ensuring such a disaster does not happen again. Most significantly, the Institute says no new tower block construction should be allowed to start until their safety is absolutely guaranteed.

Milestone in urban architecture The ultra-modern OVO Wroclaw complex comprises 50,000 square metres in Wroclaw, Poland. Designed by Gottesman-Szmelcman Architecture, with JSK Architekci as executive architects, this statement-making project is located near the historical market square and its inspiring rounded façade was made with DuPont™ Corian® hightech surface in Glacier White. An astonishing 6000 square metres of Corian® wraps around corporate offices, 180 luxury residences and a five-star DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. Corian® was also used for making the DoubleTree

by Hilton backlit logo and in a variety of other interior applications in the hotel, including an elegant welcome

area at the reception, backlit signage of individual apartments and bathroom work surfaces.

As the site is highly congested with guests coming and going, it must withstand a great deal of traffic while still maintaining a fresh and clean appearance over a long period of time. That is why Corian® in Glacier White colour is a perfect choice as no dirt or bacteria will appear on its surface. Corian® was also used in wall cladding in conference rooms and bathroom countertops.

This sleek white structure takes its place next to the classical Brick Expressionism post office and is now a part of Wroclaw’s evolving urban landscape.

Water feature Visitors to the 2017 Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens will enjoy its spectacular effects unaware of the below ground water management solution provided by the sustainable drainage market-leader SDS. A rainwater cascade from the Pavilion’s arching tree-like roof canopy is a central feature of this year’s design by Burkina Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kéré.

During peak summer storms, rainwater is designed to run off the Pavilion’s expansive roof into an open central courtyard, so an underground attenuation solution using GEOlight® geocellular storage from SDS was designed by the engineering project team from AECOM. The roof canopy is supported by a central steel framework and covered with a transparent twin-wall polycarbonate skin. With the roof pitch varying between 5° and 9°, the rainwater is conveyed quickly through a funnel before dropping into the centre of the courtyard.

7

STAFF TRAINING

people Leading your

Jackie Casey examines leadership, emotional intelligence and soft skills

F

or a long time now leadership skills have been bandied about as being essential for the construction industry to progress. Back in 1998 Sir John Egan reported that ‘The industry must provide decent and safe working conditions and improve management and supervisory skills at all levels’.

Ten years later the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) published their ‘Leadership

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in the Construction Industry’ report which also highlighted that leadership is more than just deploying ‘the so-called Hard Skills such as planning, directing, organising and keeping score’.

Since then the industry has had a variety of initiatives including Construction Commitments and Construction 2025 all pretty much focused on the fact that change was needed but both upholding a better focus on Health and Safety and both giving greater emphasis to People and Leadership in the industry.

21st century research by academics and psychologists also defined leadership as having been an issue in construction

‘traditional’ leadership style in the industry has been based on technical skills with a focus on managing activity in order to complete projects, a more ‘production-oriented rather than relationship-oriented style of management’.

My own ongoing research since 2011 shows that construction leadership is focused on technical ability and project completion rather than vision, people engagement and leading people into the future. Of course, this study followed an extremely difficult recession and therefore leaders could be forgiven for focusing on efficiencies and procurement practice, perhaps

because understandably their perspective was one of having more important things to think about than their leadership approach, their personal style or that of their supply chain.

Construction has been talking about its need for leadership for at least three decades (Latham, 1994) and the approach remains based on improving efficiency both in delivery and in procurement. But is this enough?

What about communicating vision and employee engagement? And what of leadership style?

Like most things if there was one simple answer we would have found it by now and already be implementing it! Leadership

style is important but is only one piece of the jigsaw and there are volumes written on the subject.

Experience and knowledge is key and we do know that in terms of leadership style, those with a ‘transformational style’ tend to focus much more on supporting, developing and motivating others in order to achieve greater success. Whereas, the transactional style of leadership which is customary in the industry is much more about ‘command and control’ in order to complete a project or achieve greater cost savings, retentions and supply chain control.

The very nature of the command and control style is

about managing loss or avoidance of loss, whereas the nature of transformational leadership is about people and those people being engaged and motivated enough to pull out the stops to get the job over the line.

From an equality and diversity perspective studies show that the transformational style is much more easily adopted by female leaders because they have a more interactive and inclusive style.

In my study in it was evident that most leaders at that time had progressed into leadership roles not based on style but based on technical and mechanical ability and longevity in the industry. As with most things there is a flip side to this coin too.

Those with experience and capability bring much to the table but the very depth of experience that they bring can often lead to them doing the same thing and operating in the same way, and of course doing that never gets you different or better results, so what benefits could better construction equality and diversity deliver?

When you read anything that relates to improving skills, teams or leadership it is usually followed by a reference to ‘Soft Skills’ but what exactly does ‘Soft Skills’ mean? And what impact can Soft Skills have on leadership?

Soft Skills can have an enormous effect on getting things done. If you liken ‘soft skills’ to being the glue that enables people to relate, communicate, manage themselves and others then that is good place to start.

Many now believe that Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is fundamental to great leadership and as a subject or science has been increasing in popularity and recognition over the last 25 years or so particularly in

9

STAFF TRAINING

relation to leadership. One of the leading exponents of EQ is Daniel Goleman who writes that at higher levels, interpersonal abilities matter more than technical skills in setting star performers apart. Emotional Intelligence in leadership is about inspiring and motivating others to engage with your vision and mission. Developing your EQ as leader helps you to recognise and handle your internal responses maintaining your effectiveness as you work towards achieving the business goals. Another aspect of EQ is about recognising and being sensitive to the emotional states of others and communicating in a way that doesn’t violate the relationship and encourages and motivates.

As a leader, knowing what triggers motivation at a ‘below consciousness’ level in yourself, employees and even clients adds invaluable information to any situation even those of a

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more personal nature, and only increases your effectiveness to influence and achieve organisational and personal goals.

EQ’s Daniel Goleman states that most leaders are hired on their technical ability and expertise but will be judged and fired based on their lack of emotional intelligence. In the 2015 white paper published by Roffey Park, ‘Building leadership capability in the construction sector’ their findings clearly indicate that what troubles leaders right now and in the next five years relates to Leadership, People, Skills, Management and Employee engagement.

Effective leadership is important in any organisation because there is no escaping the fact that it is the people in an organisation who will deliver a leader’s vision.

This means that the discretionary effort made by the workforce will undoubtedly depend on the level of relationship, respect

and engagement that an organisation’s leader(s) has with its people.

Success Train People is always keen to hear from organisational leaders who would like to learn more about tools for leadership enhancement, for themselves and their employees.

Jackie Casey is Managing Director of Success Train. People development and business growth are at the heart of Success Train’s specialist services. To survive and thrive companies need to generate work, improve business procedures and cultivate teams to progress and succeed.

Success Train provides specialist services including coaching, leadership and management development, psychometric assessments, recruitment support and bespoke training programmes in a range of topics including equality and diversity, communication, language and behaviour patterns and advanced sales training.

For more information, please see

www.successtrain.co.uk

CHP

dependable Not dispensable..

How CHP is essential to the future energy mix. By Chris Marsland

I

sometimes hear the flawed argument that with advancements in renewable energy, low carbon generating technologies such as combined heat and power (CHP) have had their day, and that modern power will be so cheap that it will reduce the need for energy efficiency.

In my opinion, CHP is the ultimate agile and flexible technology that has a useful contribution to make both during the transition years from fossil fuels to renewable energy and far beyond.

The contribution of CHP Demand side response, climate change, greener buildings, the growth of district heating and

smart grids, and the need to improve energy productivity, are all reasons why CHP will remain an important part of the UK’s energy generation mix.

One of the weakest links in the current energy supply chain is wasted heat. Forty per cent of the UK’s energy is used to generate heat energy; and heat wasted from buildings accounts for half of

our total energy emissions.

Research led by the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) has highlighted the problem of poor energy productivity, largely due to wasted heat. ADE estimates that 54 per cent of energy used to produce electricity is being wasted via conventional power production, which relates to £9.5 billion per year.

CHP, or cogeneration, generates both heat energy and electricity from a single process, capturing and utilising waste heat to reach total efficiencies of around 90 per cent. That’s more than double the efficiency of conventional power production.

It consistently provides the most effective way of burning gas (including carbon-neutral fuels

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CHP

such as biogas), particularly for applications where there is a large heating or cooling demand over an extended period of time.

CHP’s potential to achieve cost savings of up to 40 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30 per cent add to its popularity.

In addition, it scores in terms of versatility - since it is suitable for new and refurbished buildings, as a replacement for an ageing boiler plant, or in augmenting existing or new boilers.

In the current market of low wholesale gas prices and with UK tax-saving opportunities, such as exemption from the Climate Change Levy for small-scale installations, the financial returns of CHP can be highly attractive for the right sites. A return on investment of three to five years is typical for ‘Good Quality’ CHP.

Greener building strategy CHP is making an important contribution towards the move to greener buildings. The

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government’s construction strategy targets a 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from buildings by 2025. Most local authorities champion CHP as part of local planning and building regulation approvals, with assessments required to consider district heating networks and community heating schemes with CHP as a main energy source. The Government is also supporting the development of heat networks.

Chris Marsland is Head of Cogen Product and Technology for CHP specialist ENER-G

New buildings need to be greener, with designs that prove the development will be environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout its lifetime. Local authorities insist on an energy strategy and/or sustainability policy statement, with planning applications showing how the design will reduce energy use via climate change resilience, resource efficiency and pollution

reducing measures. In particular, BREEAM awards credits for the use of innovative, energy saving technology, such as CHP.

Securing and balancing power supply CHP also plays a starring role in securing power supplies and underpinning the growth of intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

The technology is capable of offering grid support with minimal start up times, so not only does it serve as a transition technology towards a renewable future but it can also offer grid stability to prevent brown outs and black outs.

CHP systems have rotating momentum that provides system inertia – helping to stabilise the network and manage system stresses when there is wide fluctuation in power output, as is the case with wind and solar. As we move towards a future energy mix with a large proportion of renewables, and with the increasing penetration of heat pumps and electric vehicles, peak demands will be exacerbated and place an additional strain on local and national electricity grids. The use of flexible generation, such as CHP, can reduce network stress at times of high consumption and defer or remove the need for more grid reinforcement.

The use of CHP and other decentralised supplies, is being taken to a new level via local smart grids, such as the Cornwall LEM (Local Energy Market) Energy Storage and Renewables Project, developed by Centrica.

This pioneering project will test the use of flexible demand, efficient low carbon generation, renewables and storage, and reward local people and businesses for being more flexible with their energy. It will use connected technologies such as CHP, Solar/PV and battery storage to provide power to businesses and users, as required.

The potential to cluster CHP assets in a decentralised smartgrid or virtual network has

previously been demonstrated by research undertaken by ENER-G in partnership with Advanced Digital Institute; Flexitricity; Smarter Grid Solutions and UK Power Networks.

With growing demands on power networks there’s an urgent need to stabilise supply and demand and CHP, plus CHP in tandem with battery, heat pumps and other technologies, has a key role to play.

But the contribution of embedded generation must be encouraged via a market or incentives that reward CHP developers and owners for their contribution to lower system running costs.

CHP may be a traditional technology, but its valuable contribution to the energy mix remains undiminished. It will

continue to have a big role to play in productive decentralised energy production, in helping to stabilise and decarbonise energy supply and in future-proofing its security.

Chris Marsland is Head of Cogen Product and Technology for CHP specialist ENER-G, part of Centrica plc. He chairs the Building Forum of the Association for Decentralised Energy, and is Chair of the Technical Committee for the Association of Power Generating Systems. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Since the 1980’s ENER-G has undertaken all aspects of its Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects in-house. From the initial design stage to the long-term care of the installation, making it the leading CHP provider.

For more information, please see

www.energ-group.com

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LIGHTING

ideas Bright

When it comes to identifying warehouse or distribution centre property to lease or buy outright, would-be occupiers must pay special attention to a unit’s lighting system if they want to ensure that their day-to-day operating costs will be minimised, says Martin Needham

A

s they strive to cut costs from their operating processes, warehouse companies dedicate time and resources to ensuring that their materials handling equipment (MHE) fleets perform as energy efficiently as possible, yet they often overlook the one thing that does most to run up their energy bill: lighting.

It is estimated, that within any warehouse distribution centre, recharging the fuel cells of battery-powered forklifts and other MHE accounts for around 25 per cent of a company’s annual energy expenditure. The cost of lighting the building with old fashioned sodium luminaires meanwhile, makes up 70 per cent of the bill!

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Savvy companies have realised this and more and more are introducing energy efficient LED luminaires throughout their stores and DCs and they’re enjoying an almost instant return on their investment. “The ROI numbers are staggering,” says Martin Needham, managing director of Leicestershire-based luminaire specialist, Ecolighting.

For example a move to energy efficient lighting has allowed warehousing and transport specialist, Paul Ponsonby Ltd, to cut annual lighting costs from £15,035 to £3,030 – an annual saving of over £12,00 or 80 per cent. This means that the company will achieve payback in under three years.

Another third party logistics specialist, Great Bear, was able to slash its yearly lighting bill from

£146,207 to £23,844 – a saving of £122,363 (83 per cent) in 12 months. The company’s annual CO2 emissions were also cut from 799,265 kg to 130,348 kg.

The tax breaks that are available to companies who install energysaving lighting make the case for investment even more compelling.

“The Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme encourages businesses to invest in energy saving lighting equipment that meets the performance standards set out in the Energy Technology List (ETL),” explains Martin.

He continues: “Lighting products that meet the ETL standards may be eligible for first year tax relief - meaning that you can write off the whole cost of the equipment against your taxable profits in the year that you buy it.

“This can be very helpful for

cashflow purposes – although, of course, it makes sense to get confirmation from your supplier that the equipment meets the ETL criteria before you invest in it.”

And, Martin says, when it comes to identifying new-build or old stock warehouse or distribution centre property to lease or buy outright, would-be occupiers must pay special attention to a unit’s lighting system if they want to ensure that their day-to-day operating costs will be minimised.

“The cost of energy is one of any warehouse operator’s biggest overheads, and inefficient lighting burns more energy than most things. So, it is surprising how few occupiers consider the energy consumption of a building’s lighting system when looking for a property,” he explains.

“Occupiers, landlords and

developers tend to focus their attention on other important factors such as a building’s proximity to the motorway network, its number of goodsin and out bays etc, but energy usage should really be top of the agenda,” he adds.

“I would strongly recommend that any company seeking new warehouse or distribution centre property asks questions about the building’s energy efficiency and in particular it’s lighting,” says Martin.

“I would also advise any landlord that hopes to achieve the highest rental yield for an industrial property to ensure that the building is fitted with energy saving luminaires because going forward it will be something that is demanded by tenants.”

From April 2018 a new legal standard for minimum energy efficiency will apply to rented commercial buildings. At the moment commercial buildings have an energy efficiency rating that goes from A - G. F and G are the worst performing. What the new law will do is introduce a minimum standard of E and that means that buildings cannot be rented out unless they meet that standard.

Industrial buildings are exempt from the new standard and Martin feels that this has to change.

“As things stand there is no accepted means of measuring an industrial building’s energy efficiency. As a result, occupiers have no way of telling if the building is efficient, inefficient or somewhere in between,” says Martin.

He continues: “A system that gives industrial property an energy efficiency rating would be hugely beneficial to both existing occupiers and those looking to rent or lease a new unit.

“For example, it would allow tenants and prospective tenants to negotiate better rental fees with landlords if the building was clearly not as energy efficient as it might be.

“Equally, it would enable those

landlords that have invested in the energy efficiency of their units to charge premium rents if they had a credible system of measuring and demonstrating the building’s performance.”

It seems that the rather depressing reality is that, despite the great strides taken in recent years to run businesses in a more environmentally-friendly way, companies are still failing to cut their energy burn and its costing their shareholders – and the planet – dearly.

“Firms across all industry sectors like to play the ‘green card’ by being seen to add solar panels to their buildings, put up wind turbines in the car park and plant flowers on roundabouts, but a plan to reduce energy consumption has to be the starting point for any realistic energy efficiency policy,” says Martin.

“Introducing energy efficient lighting will reduce any company’s CO2 emissions and save a sizable chunk of the money they are spending on energy. Any company that is serious about its environmental credibility and minimising operating costs, simply has to review its lighting policy.”

Martin Needham is managing director of Ecolighting. Based in Leicestershire, Ecolighting has been providing energy efficient luminaires for more than 40 years. The company’s experienced project managers, qualified electricians and office-based staff ensure that Ecolighting’s customers benefit from a true full turnkey service – whatever their requirements.

For more information, please see

www.ecolightinguk.com

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

Protection for outdoor

workers We are warned before we go on holiday of the dangers of the sun and ultraviolet (UV) rays, but more should be done to make outdoor workers aware of the risks and how to stay protected? Paul Jakeway explains the harmful, or even deadly risk that UV rays pose for outdoor workers, and how Health & Safety Managers can minimise the risk

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oofers, construction workers, gardeners, builders, electricians; all spend the majority of their working day in the light of a silent threat to the health of their skin.

Without adequate UV protection, they are putting themselves at risk.

According to a recent study by Imperial College London, working outdoors could lead to one death and around five new cases of melanoma skin cancer a week.

The study, which was published in the British Journal of Cancer, highlighted that it was construction workers which recorded the highest number of deaths (44 per cent), followed by agriculture workers (23 per cent) and public administration and defence workers, including the

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police and armed forces (ten per cent)1.

The findings from the study were hardly surprising, given that IOSH’s No Time To Lose Solar campaign revealed that despite working outside for up to seven hours a day, only 59 per cent of construction employees regularly applied sunscreen2.

Who is responsible for effective skin protection? The worker, or the Health & Safety Manager at the workplace? The truth is, both parties need to understand the risk that working outside poses and the simple ways to minimise it.

Understanding the threat UV light is invisible, and there are three distinct types: UVA rays contribute to skin burning, skin

cancer and premature ageing.

They have a longer wavelength, which means they are able to penetrate deeper into the base layer of the skin. UVB lights are the primary cause of sunburn and also contribute to skin cancer.

UVB rays have a much shorter wavelength and burns the outer layer of the skin. Lastly, UVC radiation is blocked by the ozone layer whilst UVA and UVB reaches the earth’s surface. UVC rays are created artificially during industrial processes, such as welding.

Often there are misconceptions regarding when protection from UV rays is required, which can make compliance problematic. UV rays are not affected by sunlight or temperature, and can’t be seen or felt, meaning outdoor workers

are often unaware that they are at risk.

Interestingly, it has also been suggested that these same UVB wavelengths can be beneficial to employees if exposure is minimal and controlled. These wavelengths can kick off the chemical and metabolic chain reaction that produces Vitamin D. According to Professor Andrew Wright, Consultant Dermatologist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, “15-20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, without skin reddening or burning, per day should be sufficient for most people to produce the required Vitamin D level.”3 It is crucial that Health & Safety Managers are able to establish when UV protection is necessary, and for this to be effectively conveyed to employees.

Duty of Care In terms of solar exposure, employers have a duty of care to protect their employees from hazards in the workplace and according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines, UV radiation should be considered an occupational hazard for people who work outdoors. However, many employers are failing to meet this responsibility, as a study which IOSH conducted in conjunction with the University of Nottingham revealed that 70 per cent of employees claimed that they had never received training on the risks of working outside .

It is a problem which is becoming increasingly prevalent, and one in which Health & Safety Managers must help to solve.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it estimates that between two and three million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur globally each year5.

The key to combatting skin damage and even skin cancer for outdoor workers is by changing their attitude on the protection 4

of their skin through education and training, whilst also providing employees with effective solutions.

Such a change in behaviour does not happen overnight, though. A detailed introduction – informing staff about the risks of unprotected UV exposure and giving them practical advice on how they can protect themselves – should be followed by an ongoing effort to engage staff on the issue. Education on UV protection is not a one-off event; it is a constant conversation.

Regular presentations or staff meetings can help to keep it going, while posters or freely available leaflets and brochures are a good way to raise awareness on a day-to-day level.

UV protection explained Before educating employees on the solutions that they should use, they must first be aware when these solutions should be used. Workers must be aware that for most skin types, effective protection will be required when the UV Index – adopted by the WHO – is three or above, but of course extra protection may be needed for those with fair, freckled skin for example.

When it comes to choosing an effective solution for outdoor workers, it is crucial that Health & Safety Managers choose a ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen which provides protection against UVA, UVB and UVC rays.

With regards to application, for the average sized adult, it is recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists that employees should apply at least one teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and face (including ears and neck). Where possible, it should be applied to clean dry skin 15 minutes before the initial exposure, and reapplied liberally every two to three hours. For industrial workplaces, it is also crucial that the sunscreen chosen

is both water and sweat-resistant, to ensure that they remain protected at work. Additionally, it is important for sunscreen to offer quick skin absorption to ensure that the hand dexterity with tools isn’t negatively impacted.

For outdoor workers who spend the majority of their day outside, it is also recommended that a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is used – either minimum SPF30 or SPF50 is advised. Sunscreens with a lower SPF such as SPF15 will only be able to filter out 93 per cent of incoming UVB rays, whereas SPF30 and SPF50 sunscreens are able to filter out 97 per cent and 98 per cent of all incoming rays respectively6.

Through implementing training for all employees, and introducing sunscreen dispensers and the relevant educational material, Health & Safety Managers will not only ensure that workplaces contain more informed employees, but they will also be healthier, happier and will have minimised their risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer.

1 Imperial College London 2 IOSH No Time to Lose Campaign 3 Professor

Andrew Wright, Consultant Dermatologist at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 4 IOSH 5 World Health Organisation (WHO) 6 Skincancer.org

Paul Jakeway is Marketing Director at skin care expert Deb. For over 80 years, Deb Group has been establishing skin care regimes for all types of workplace and public environments, spanning industrial, automotive, healthcare, commercial, hotels, restaurants, catering and leisure, food manufacturing and retail sectors. Deb comprises 21 companies operating in 16 countries, with Deb products sold in over 100 countries. It is estimated that 40 million people use Deb products every day.

For more information, please see

www.debgroup.com/uk

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3d DESIGN

Breaking with

tradition

Why the construction industry needs an industrial revolution

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ntil recently, the construction industry has suffered a technology bypass, relying on centuries-old processes and procedures to manage dazzlingly complex modern projects. Today, however, the same software applications that make manufacturing industries so efficient are being deployed in building construction with transformative results says John Stokoe.

In 50 years of the most accelerated technological advances, a period in which industry after industry has used technology to improve efficiency, the art of building has lagged far behind. Consequently, studies of the construction industry by The National Institute of Standards and Technology SITC, as well as Tulacz and Armistead, have

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Below John Stokoe is Head of Strategic Development EuroNorth, Dassault Systèmes

documented 25 per cent to 50 per cent waste in co-ordinating labour and in managing, moving, and installing materials. In many cases talent and skill are underused, avoidable accidents happen and productivity remains low.

The only upside to these statistics is that the construction industry offers tremendous potential for gains in efficiency levels, simply by applying the same proven processes, practices and technologies already common in more automated industries.

With high projections of growth – PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicts that by the end of this decade, construction will account for more than 13 per cent of the global economy; the time is ripe for change.

Current thinking is that the construction industry needs to look to history for inspiration – specifically to economist Adam Smith.

Adam Smith’s ideas of segregating tasks and the division of labour have been implemented in engineering over the last 250 years to produce an abundance of goods at affordable prices. This increase is the result of productivity that has been accelerated through the application of Statistical Process Control (SPC) on a unified business platform that helps both to generate supply and to satisfy demand.

Tall storeys Process models for construction have remained largely the same for hundreds of years, with highly skilled labour carrying out tasks for which they are over qualified 80 per cent of the time. Simply externalising work, i.e. making components in a factory, enables manufacture by lower skilled operators. This cuts cost, improves

quality, reduces on-site re-work and allows total operational control. In this system, work onsite consists of assembly of qualityassured parts, each guaranteed to be fit for purpose.

Applying SPC to the automotive industry allowed cars to become better and more affordable. The lack of the same methodology in construction has contributed to waste and to soaring prices.

But this is about to change because new technology oriented companies are looking at construction as a huge opportunity. We are also seeing contractors joining into larger groups. They are changing building and construction from a cyclical, low-tech, physically exhausting and unsafe industry to one reinventing itself and attracting new innovative talent.

Zero error Stacking problems occur when small errors in structural components multiply over multiple floors. This leads to electrical, power and other services, such as heating and ventilating, no longer fitting the structure. That usually requires the deployment of highly skilled workers on-site, remodelling concrete with rock drills or making expensive and potentially problematic changes to mechanical services at the point of fitting. Statistical variation techniques, which have been standard practice in the automotive industry for 60

years, would solve the problem at a stroke.

Unfortunately, construction industry investment in research and development is among the lowest of any major industry.

But when you start to innovate with technology to drive the use of standardised products and modularised processes, productivity gains are spectacular.

3D simulation technology has made significant inroads into architectural design and fabrication to excellent effect, but process modelling is virtually still non-existent.

To increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and increase profit margins, companies in the construction industry, as well as governments, must invest in R&D. If they don’t, they should be prepared for extinction at the hands of more technologically sophisticated competitors from within or beyond the construction industry.

Those that have invested achieve cost reductions and quality improvements that let their companies win contract after contract. New types of companies are building at 40 per cent lower cost. Zero-error buildings are being made where the reduction of re-work is producing bigger profits for those involved.

Clever moves Attracting outside talent to newly structured construction enterprises gives them a much needed and valuable intellectual boost. The construction industry is

being changed by a small number of very clever and enterprising people who are transforming the industry by taking new approaches, even going beyond 3D simulation implementing new technologies like 3D printing for construction. Unshackled by tradition and equipped with portable, powerful robust and unified platform technology, they are bringing the business into the 21st century.

Construction industry players who don’t step up to the challenge of modernising their processes contribute to holding back the entire industry. The construction industry would do well to look at the legendary thinker and teacher W. Edwards Deming, who made significant contributions to industrial science and practice. Deming proved that individual performance could only be improved by ‘elevating the entire system.’

Using ideas from Newton, Adam Smith and, in the 20th century, Deming, and combining these with a single universally accessible business platform, the whole of industry has been able to progress to its current advanced state. Generally, the construction industry did not follow the same enlightened path. Unless prompt action is undertaken, it will be surprised by new companies using advanced 3D simulation control and command technology that efficiently capitalises the massive economic opportunities that present themselves in this rapidly growing industry sector.

John Stokoe is Head of Strategic Development EuroNorth, Dassault Systèmes. Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations.

Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported.

For more information, please see

www.3ds.com

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BUILDING ON BROWNFIELD

Practical

management Dave Cooper looks at the issue of asbestos in soil and the importance of effective air monitoring and analysis techniques to reduce exposure risks

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istorical waste management and demolition practice has resulted in asbestos containing materials (ACMs) being potentially present in soil or made ground at any brownfield site. The widespread use of asbestos in building materials until it was banned in 1999 means ACMs may have been buried on site intact, broken up and mixed with other wastes and also potentially imported onto sites as a contaminant in recycled aggregates or made ground materials.

For construction and demolition companies, The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) places specific

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requirements on clients, consultants and contractors to protect workers and the general public from asbestos exposure resulting from work activities on brownfield or contaminated land development. CAR 2012 (along with the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015) require adequate protection of any workers who may be exposed to asbestos during the investigation, assessment, management or remediation of asbestos containing soils (ACSs).

Last year, the publication of CAR-SOIL1 guidance provided additional information on achieving compliance with CAR 2012 for those working with soil and construction and demolition (C&D) materials that may be

contaminated with asbestos. More recently, the Construction Industry Research and Information Industry Association (CIRIA) has also issued C7652 as a good practice site guide for all site workers who may come into contact with, or are required to manage, soils that have the potential to contain asbestos.

This latest advice focuses on practical management of ACS in field conditions and builds on earlier CIRIA C7333 guidance on understanding and managing the potential health risks and associated liabilities when asbestos-containing soils are encountered on site.

In principle, the general tiered approach to the assessment and management of potential risks posed by ACMs/ACSs is the

previous legal cases in relation to mesothelioma claims and reaches the conclusion that meeting the objectives of planning requirements many not be sufficient to avoid liabilities under common law.

In particular, for those involved in brownfield or contaminated land development, in order to avoid subsequent civil liabilities, mitigation measures are needed to protect neighbouring residents and the public to airborne asbestos contaminant levels which might be deemed to be significant in the future.

This is a more stringent requirement than has traditionally been required and it follows that soil and air analysis methods may need to be more detailed than those traditionally used to demonstrate compliance with CAR 2012.

This situation is increasingly being reflected by planning officials, contaminated land officers and regulators placing more emphasis on remediation strategies that incorporate scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis methods to fully evaluate the fibre exposure levels present. same as that for other any other contaminant. However, the unique nature of asbestos means that different methods of analysis, exposure and risk estimation are required.

The likely airborne fibre concentrations released from asbestos containing soils will depend on the types of activities involved (hand, mechanical or pneumatic drilling etc.), the amount and type of any ACMs being disturbed and the level of mitigation measures employed.

As part of the planning system, developers are also required to undertake soil risk assessments to show the development will be safe and that the site is suitable for use. On this point the CIRIA guidance includes references to

Asbestos in soil Higher concentrations of asbestos in soil have the capacity to liberate higher concentrations of asbestos fibres into the air, but this is also very dependent on the type of ACM present.

The release of fibres from ACMs is determined by the friability of the material and the degree of degradation and wear. In this respect, thermal insulation and asbestos insulating board may deteriorate relatively quickly, but the degradation of bound materials such as asbestos cement may take a long time.

Free asbestos at the surface can become airborne due to wind or physical disturbance during either site development phases or during site use. Soil moisture is a major inhibitor of fibre release and other factors that will reduce the release of airborne dust and fibres include dense vegetation or coverings (such as paving stones or tarmac).

CAR 2012 places specific legal duties on those responsible for works at sites where ACSs may be present and this includes site investigation and analytical techniques. The CIRIA C733 advises that where asbestos concentrations in soil are to be used to assess potential risks to human health, any analysis should be conducted using a validated method with both detection limits and quantification limits of 0.001 per cent or less.

Such quantitative analysis of asbestos in soils can be undertaken successfully using techniques based on optical microscopy. However, under some circumstances CIRIA advises that more sensitive or selective tests may be needed (eg scanning or transmission electron microscopy) - particularly when dealing with finer fibres and where there is a need for the identification of the type of asbestos present.

In addition, CIRIA also suggests that, although fibre release potential testing of ACSs is not currently a practical option it

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BUILDING ON BROWNFIELD

should be applied in research investigations to strengthen risk assessment capabilities.

Air monitoring and analysis Industry guidance highlights the important role of effective air monitoring and analysis in a ‘lines of evidence’ approach to assessing airborne asbestos exposures and consequent risks to health.

When monitoring around sites with ACSs, to avoid civil liabilities, it is often necessary to demonstrate that airborne asbestos concentrations do not exceed background levels of asbestos present in the air – and it is in this process that the advantages of electron microscopy are highlighted in achieving the specificity and low detection limits required for monitoring environmental situations.

Air monitoring must be carried out under the control of UKASaccredited analysts and involves air being drawn through a filter at a known flow rate for a known

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period of time. The filter is treated in a manner appropriate to the analytical method to be used and the fibres are identified and counted manually using phase contract optical microscopy (PCOM). Such methods normally provide a limit of quantification (LoQ) of approx. 0.01f/cm3 but provide poor fibre discrimination (eg with non-asbestos fibres often being counted as asbestos fibres).

In terms of background concentrations of asbestos fibres, the historic widespread use of asbestos has resulted in detectable background environmental concentrations, particularly in urban areas. For example, the World Health Organisation (2002) has reported that background concentrations can be 0.0001 f/cm3 or less.

Given these concentration levels, it follows that analytical methods using PCOM are therefore not regarded as sufficiently sensitive or selective for assessing environmental exposures but may nevertheless suffice for perimeter monitoring

as a first check that fibre concentrations during remediation are not out of control.

However, perimeter monitoring to demonstrate that airborne asbestos concentrations are not significantly increased by site activities will require analytical methods with a much more powerful analytical capability than that provided by PCOM.

The importance of detailed analysis and records CIRIA guidance on understanding the risks associated with asbestos in soil points out that, as CAR 2012 continues to reduce occupational exposure to asbestos, the relative importance of non-occupational and environmental exposures may increase.

Environmental air monitoring and analysis is often used as a good practice measure to demonstrate low risks when excavations are near to sensitive areas such as residential properties.

In the future, however,

the contributions of such environmental exposures to cases of asbestos related diseases may increasingly become the focus of compensation claims, particularly where obvious occupational exposures cannot be identified – although there are currently no plans for statutory regulation of such environmental exposures.

In asbestos related disease there is usually a time interval of decades after the exposure and before the onset of disease.

This often means that the case investigations can run into evidential difficulties – with memories and documents being lost or imprecise. However, the judge can decide as ‘findings of fact’ matters that may be in doubt.

These findings of fact are not generally capable of challenge on appeal so it is vitally important that all documents are retained to show clearly what was done.

For the person responsible in law for the asbestos-containing land, and for those on-site who have a high level of control over

exposure risks, the prospects of civil litigation arising at some time in the future from a very small contribution to the asbestos exposure of someone who subsequently develops mesothelioma should not be overlooked. It is therefore important to keep all records in order to show a judge the work that was/has been carried out and to present the facts accurately.

With the monitoring and analysis of asbestos in the air, the prediction of risk requires estimates of the potential cumulative exposure to be produced. Measurement of the current concentrations of asbestos in air can be used to estimate contemporary exposures.

As a result, when carrying out monitoring around sites with ACSs, if civil liabilities are to be avoided, it will often be necessary to demonstrate that airborne asbestos concentrations do not exceed background levels.

To be representative the sampling needs to coincide with suitable site activities and weather conditions – however, the impact of false positives associated with the inclusion in samples of non-asbestos fibres can be considerable.

PCOM will give only a total fibre concentration rather than an asbestos fibre concentration, so discrimination between asbestos and non-asbestos fibres is usually facilitated by the use of more sophisticated microscopy methods utilising transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

SEM with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA) allows analysts to discriminate between asbestos and non-asbestos fibres and between amphibole and chrysotile asbestos. In particular, SEM enables asbestos in air to be quantified to very low levels, achieving lower limits of detection to 0.0005 fibres / cm3 and below, compared to the 0.01 fibres/ cm3

capability of standard PCOM. TEM with EDXA and electron diffraction (ED) is even more powerful, but is more expensive and less available in the UK than SEM. In the circumstances, in terms of understanding and managing the risks associated with the presence of asbestos in soil, the detailed analysis of air filter samples using SEM provides a powerful and more effective means of identifying the levels of exposure present and the associated risks involved.

1 Produced by CL:AIRE on behalf of the Joint Industry Working Group (JIWG) and with the assistance of and endorsement by the Health & Safety Executive, the CAR-SOIL ‘Interpretation for Managing and Working with Asbestos in Soil and Construction and Demolition Materials’ document presents a full explanation of what steps are required for compliance with The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). Details at www. claire.co.uk/asbestos.

2 CIRIA C765 ‘Asbestos in soil and made ground: good practice site guide’ (2017) has recently been published to give advice to all site workers who may come into contact with, or are required to manage, soils that have the potential to contain asbestos. It provides a framework to help minimise the potential health risks and associated liabilities when asbestos-containing soils are encountered on site. Details at www.ciria.org/

3 CIRIA C733 ‘Asbestos in soil and made ground: a guide to understanding and managing risks’ (2014) provides comprehensive information on the safe investigation, assessment and remediation of soil and made ground containing (or suspected of containing) asbestos fibres or ACMs. Details at www.ciria.org/

Dave Cooper works for Lucion. Lucion was established in 2002 and now operates a group of asbestos, environmental, remediation and occupational safety management activities, with a network of 11 regional offices around the country.

For more information, please see

www.lucionservices.com

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eco building

Ecoexpectations Callum Tasker examines the industry standards set to dominate the future of green building, as well as providing insight on the usage of natural materials on projects

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he concept of green building is a familiar one within the construction industry, quickly evolving from a trend to watch, to achieving mainstream status.

With ambitious Government deadlines on energy efficiency fast approaching, alongside the introduction of various new sustainability standards, demand is stronger than ever for materials and construction practices to help make green projects a reality. Even the consumer is driving this demand, as they become more educated on the benefits of eco, natural and sustainable building methods.

There are now hundreds of industry regulations, initiatives and rating systems to assist in the construction and demonstration of sustainable green buildings, and with over 600 green product certifications globally, it can be a challenge to determine which are the most credible to achieve true green status.

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Setting the standard

Callum Tasker is operations director at e-tailer Construction Materials Online

Demand has been the major driving force behind green construction, with environmental issues such as energy efficiency and fuel poverty at the top of a global agenda. As a result, the UK Government appears committed to integrating green building specifications and codes into construction practices, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

As such, voluntary standards are increasing in uptake, as every level of the build supply chain from the architect, to the specifier – seeks out innovative ways to differentiate their projects. There is also substantial pressure and responsibility being placed on local authorities to deliver new, high quality sustainable homes, meaning that green building practices, methods and natural materials are now being ‘strongly encouraged’ during the early stages of planning.

Certification schemes such as BREEAM, Passivhaus and the

Home Quality Mark are quickly becoming trusted methods of green measurement. For each standard, a developer must provide credible and verifiable evidence of how a property meets a series of strict criteria, with focus on all elements of a build supply chain, from design and planning, to material procurement and long term energy efficiency.

This includes hitting targets which cover a building’s performance, such as heating demand, cooling demand, primary energy demand, and air changes per hour.

BREEAM is now regarded as a tried and trusted scheme, with over 250,000 homes certified globally, and also serves as the basis for many newer standards.

However, both Passivhaus and the Home Quality Mark are two of the fastest growing green standards in the world. Each encompasses every aspect of a building, from design and location, to ventilation and air tightness, ensuring a home is simultaneously energy efficient,

comfortable, affordable and ecological.

Whilst currently only having voluntary status, standards like these are an attractive option for those looking to achieve the maximum in home efficiency, with the potential to become mandatory requirements for all developments in the future.

Pioneering products True green construction projects focus on quality assurance at every stage of a building’s life cycle, from planning and specification, to final occupation and even demolition. As a result, the industry has seen a sharp increase in the specification of green, natural and eco-friendly products, with architects transitioning towards sustainable design in a bid to reduce a building’s impact on the surrounding environment. The materials industry has reacted accordingly with thousands of innovative solutions flooding the market, alongside a resurgence in traditional building methods.

For instance, timber framing has experienced a revival in recent years, and is accredited as being the most economical and efficient method of construction.

As the only renewable commercial building material which is effectively carbon neutral, it is further enhanced by the fact it is easy to install and can be manufactured offsite, with timber build programmes being completed up to 30 per cent faster when compared to traditional methods. It offers greater quality, an easier build, simplified on-site construction and the ability to offer greater choice and flexibility to the customer.

With contractors now under more pressure to achieve the increasingly stringent U-values demanded of them, alongside

greater demand from the end user for sustainable materials, specifiers are increasingly turning to natural and recycled insulation as a means for meeting strict green targets. Just some of the natural options available include wool and cellulose, as well as recycled products made from cotton or plastic.

However, sheep’s wool remains a go-to option for many green builds. As one of the most efficient natural thermal insulators available, sheep’s wool is proven to absorb and neutralise harmful substances, while improving air quality, as well as an occupant’s general health. It can also absorb 33 per cent of its weight in moisture without compromising on its insulating ability.

Other green insulation innovations include recycled plastic products. Constructed from 85 per cent recycled plastic bottles and 15 per cent nylon, these are safe to install and free of floating fibres and dust – supporting green construction methods of installation. Products such as sealing tapes have also been improved for green builds, used to seal breather membranes as a means of maximising ventilation systems and reducing energy loss.

Going green inside & out Roofing is also an area which has benefited substantially from green building, with a broad range of materials now available which do not compromise on the quality or design of a project. These include unbreakable synthetic slates, which leave no waste during installation, lightweight polymer tiles, made from reclaimed products which were otherwise destined for the landfill, and green, living roofs, with plants pre-grown in the UK – all have excellent green credentials and

are becoming popular choices for both commercial and domestic projects.

Even drainage is getting a makeover to tackle crucial issues surrounding planning and building in varied climates, helping to improve resilience to flooding, droughts, rising sea levels and extreme weather by mimicking natural water management processes. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) are also now frequently specified during planning for large scale developments, with materials including galvanised steel, iron and copper often being preferred to standard plastics.

Green construction is now a mainstream building practice, and with the range of innovative, high quality, natural and sustainable materials only looking set to increase in the future, green builds could set the standards for all new developments and projects.

Engineers, contractors, architects and even homeowners can be expected to collaborate more closely than ever, as they seek to satisfy and meet regulations associated with green standards, make time savings and achieve long term benefits, including significantly reduced energy costs, improved health and a comfortable environment.

Callum Tasker is Operations Director for e-tailer, Construction Materials Online, which includes Roofing Superstore, Insulation Superstore and Drainage Superstore.

Construction Materials Online is a leading online supplier of construction materials in the UK. The company challenges traditional channels in the distribution of building materials, providing the convenience of online retail with comprehensive product knowledge.

For more information, please see

www.constructionmaterialsonline.co.uk

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VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual reality,

concrete benefits A recent showcase of a virtual reality system in the US has raised awareness of the potential benefits of this innovative technology to the construction industry.

Simon Jones delves a little deeper…

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ossibly still seen by many as a thing of make believe and science fiction, the notion of virtual reality in the construction industry is already a physical certainty.

A virtual groundbreaking has already been carried out by architectural visualisation specialist Theia Interactive for Suffolk Construction, in the US, but the potential benefits of the technology run far deeper than further enhancing the traditionally headline-friendly PR opportunity that is a project kick-off.

Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly evolving, surprisingly low cost technology that has already proved itself at development and

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Simon Jones is Director at Unreal Engine

retail levels for industries such as automotive, where major vehicle manufacturers have utilised VR to provide design and point of sale competitive advantage.

For Suffolk Construction, it offered a novel way of providing a spectacular groundbreaking where VR headsets replaced hard hats and HD screens delivered a breath-taking view of not only proceedings on the day, but of how the company’s new headquarters will look as construction progresses.

Major stakeholders were fully immersed in an interactive experience, visualising the ceremonial movement of earth – or pixels, in this case – using commercially available hardware:

Suffolk Chairman and CEO John Fish, Suffolk Northeast President Angus Leary and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh all donned HTC Vive VR headsets to begin proceedings, while attendees watched on using large HD screens. As the earth was moved, an architecturally precise visualisation of the future HQ formed to provide a glimpse of the future in more ways than one. But how was this scenario created, and how can the construction industry further benefit from this emerging tech?

For this project, Theia Interactive used Unreal Engine, a physics-based, real-time rendering engine, which has been in continual development by global games company Epic Games for nearly 20 years. Now at version 4.15, this free development tool is driving some of the most cutting edge AEC projects in the world.

Some of the benefits of using an established games engine is that it is incredibly powerful, easy to

learn and very intuitive, allowing the entire Suffolk visualisation to be constructed in only four weeks. The key to this remarkable turnaround, says Theia, is the flexibility of Unreal Engine, which uses a visual scripting system called Blueprint to make it fast and intuitive to build VR experiences. Using data taken directly from Computer Aided Engineering systems, VR models can be constructed with great precision in a fraction of the time required by previous-generation systems.

Theia stated that, during work on the Suffolk Construction project, its operators were amazed at the ease of use and fluidity of the Unreal Engine system, providing the feeling that ‘artists became programmers’ quickly during the process. An idea may look great in an architect’s head, and even once it’s been through CAD, but VR can take that proof of concept one giant step further.

NASA, for instance, has even

used the Unreal Engine platform to develop a training programme featuring a technically precise, graphically stunning visualisation of the International Space Station.

That means that architects and developers can quickly visualise their ideas for customers, planners, investors and other critical stakeholders. They can discuss changes, up-sell to more costly options, explore radical ideas, and progress more exciting projects more quickly.

It also helps to reduce costly late-stage changes because the development can be explored and evaluated at any stage.

A recent prediction from Goldman Sachs suggested that by 2025, 3.4 million design and manufacturing engineers would be using VR technology to design, prototype and manufacture products. The Unreal Engine Enterprise division, set up specifically to work with a quickly growing list of nongames partners, is confident that

equivalent growth will be seen in the construction sector.

The accessibility of VR and its potential to increase early-stage collaboration between architects, engineers and construction specialists – not to mention introduce cost- and time-saving benefits to help streamline processes – makes it hard to argue with the business experts’ prediction. From a cost perspective, too, VR has never been more attainable: companies such as Sony, Google, Oculus and HTC market affordable, commercially-available VR headsets, ultra-high definition 4K TVs, monitors and OLED technology are rapidly evolving and now commonplace, and computers with the required power are available on most high streets.

Following the development of its world-first virtual groundbreaking, Suffolk Construction stated that ‘pixels are cheaper than bricks’ with relation to architectural design and evaluation, promoting fresh ideas and strengthening any initial, in-built failsafe at the start of any new design project. It’s a message that may well filter through the industry as we approach what could be a very intriguing time for VR technology adoption in the engineering and construction sector. If it’s good enough for NASA… Simon Jones is Director at Unreal Engine.

Unreal Engine Enterprise makes it simple and affordable for businesses to create Real Time and Virtual Reality applications. From new ways to engage with customers to methods to simplify the engineering of complex products to techniques for global collaboration in new product development, Real Time and Virtual Reality are driving process improvement, saving time, adding competitive advantage and increasing sales.

For more information, please see www.unrealengine.com/enterprise

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FOUNDATIONS

Foundations of

success Martyn Ellis explores the latest developments in foundation testing, and explains what construction professionals need to know to ensure their buildings comply with guidelines and are capable of standing the test of time

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he UK construction industry is enjoying a tall structure building boom at the moment.

In London alone, more than 100 towers of 20 storeys or more are expected to be built over

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the next few years. While cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle all also have multiple skyscraper projects under way. In addition, construction started just last year on the world’s largest offshore windfarm near Hornsea,

East Yorkshire. More than 174 turbines, each 190m in height, will be built in the first phase of the project alone.

What all these projects have in common is a requirement for deep foundations and piles to

induced flaws from excavations and plant movements across the site. All of these can affect the ability of the foundations to withstand their anticipated loads.

With this in mind, it is crucial that an appropriate level of testing is carried out on all foundations on site. This is a necessity both to pass Building Control inspections, and to ensure the eventual buyers of a development are able to obtain warranties on the build quality of their new property. It is vital that these quality assurance procedures are undertaken in line with the latest guidance, and with the most advanced techniques, to ensure the foundations are fit for purpose, and also to demonstrate due diligence to future property owners.

Changing guidance

Martyn Ellis is operations director, Infrastructure Services at ESG transfer the forces of the structure to the strata and firmly anchor it in place. However, it is not enough to simply bore and construct these foundations - there is always the possibility of a geotechnical design failure or structural failure.

There could be inclusions in the concrete from a partially collapsed bore wall, or fractures induced by ground heave coupled with unusual occurrences or delays during concreting. There is even the possibility of mechanically

Earlier this year, the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) introduced the third edition of its Specification for Piling and Embedded Retaining - the standard in the UK for highquality piling. The guidance is an evolution of the previous edition, but has been updated to reflect evolving EU and UK legislation, as well as changes in technology.

The principal difference in the updated specification that engineers need to be aware of is the requirement for maintained load testing to be carried out

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FOUNDATIONS

automatically, rather than manually, from a remote location with online access to ‘live’ data.

This is crucial to ensure optimum accuracy, and minimise the risk of errors affecting the results.

Engaging foundation testing specialists can help engineers ensure that their quality assurance processes are as accurate as possible. There are UKAS accredited foundation testing teams available now, ESG being the only team that hold

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accreditation for Maintained Load Testing, that can help provide high-precision measuring, and ensure compliance with the latest ICE guidelines.

Evolving processes Under the updated ICE guidelines, it is still the case that, when carrying out quality assurance on deep foundations, the most appropriate technique must be chosen. One such method that is being widely adopted in the

UK as a means of meeting this requirement is a technique known as Thermal Integrity Profiling (TIP).

This method uses the heat generated by curing cement (hydration energy) to assess the quality of cast-in-place concrete, such as bored piles, diaphragm walls, or barrettes. The thermal profile of the material as it cures can be used to evaluate the homogeneity and integrity of the pile within the deep foundation element.

When implementing TIP on a site, it is important for the location plan to provide a cable for every 0.25m to 0.35m of diameter.

Ideally, an even number of cables should be used, containing a thermal sensor every 0.3m to aid analysis of questionable areas and evaluate cage eccentricity.

The expected temperature at any point on a pile is dependent on the diameter of the shaft, mix design, the time of measurement and the distance from the centre of the shaft. With all this in mind, TIP measurements can be used to estimate the actual shape of the pile, and compared with concreting logs to assess the overall quality of the shaft. Data is acquired by thermal sensor cables tied to the rebar cage, installed prior to or soon after concreting.

TIP measurements that are colder than normal at a particular point on the shaft indicate necks, inclusions, or poor quality concrete, while warmer than normal measurements are indicative of bulges. Variations of temperatures between diagonally opposite pairs of cables reveal cage eccentricity.

Another advantage of using TIP to measure pile quality for engineers is the speed with

which results can be available after placement. It also eliminates concerns regarding the connection of sonic tubes used in the crosshole logging method.

Laying the foundations With the publication of the new edition of the ICE guidelines, engineers need to ensure not only that the pile designs they use meet best practice guidance, but that the testing techniques they employ are fully compliant.

Working with UKAS accredited

foundation testing experts can go a long way towards achieving this goal. Such consultants have a comprehensive understanding of the latest standards, as well as innovative new analytical practices, which can help engineers ensure that the piles they install are of the highest possible standard. In doing so, they can ensure the foundations offer the stability required to guarantee the long-term performance of the structures they are supporting.

Martyn Ellis is operations director, Infrastructure Services at ESG. ESG is the UK’s leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, offering comprehensive solutions for the Infrastructure, Built Environment and Energy & Waste sectors. The company, which employs more than 1400 people, delivers in excess of seven million tests a year to over 5000 customers.

ESG is committed to continuous improvement and the development of new, innovative methodologies, processes and products. The business invests heavily in both employees and the latest technology to ensure it remains at the forefront of innovation.

For more information, please see

www.esg.co.uk

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Specialist services

Testing

times

Materials testing not only mitigates risk associated with major infrastructure projects, it can have a positive impact on both timelines and budgets. Dave Goddard explores a bestpractice approach to testing and the importance of engaging with a specialist testing house from the outset

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he materials testing industry has experienced a sustained period of change over the past 20 years. An increase in regulation and a loss of retained skills across the construction industry has effectively siloed materials testing as a specialist resource.

There was a time when almost every major construction firm in the UK wold have retained its own materials testing skills in-house.

However, with an aging workforce,

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increasingly complex compliance regulations and a recession-hit construction market, retaining specialist departments made less financial sense.

It’s easy to see why. Testing typically represents less than one per cent of project costs; with a disproportionate cost associated with maintaining compliant testing facilities and keeping qualified engineers on the payroll.

As a result, the industry has seen a consolidation of skills within specialist testing houses.

Sub-contracting The construction industry is very familiar with the concept of sub-contracting when it comes to specialist services. It simply doesn’t make financial sense to spend time and money establishing a testing laboratory that is not going to be running at capacity – the equipment is expensive, it takes up a lot of space and the technicians needed to operate the equipment are becoming a scarce resource.

Maintaining a lab capable of

commercial consideration – the cheapest quote is not always the best quote. An appreciation of why the test is needed, rather than just what test is mandated, can generate significant savings.

Not all testing houses are created equal. It is important to choose a partner that can offer more than simply a battery of tests. Communication is key. With fewer materials engineers in the industry, project managers may not have access to best-practice advice in terms of test methods, frequency and timings.

Keeping on top of the materials testing industry can be challenging. Tests come in and out of popularity; often as a result of changes in legislation. Don’t assume that because a test can be carried out by a supplier, that they can also design a test schedule and interpret the results on your behalf.

There will be times when your materials absolutely must be tested to a UKAS compliant standard, but there will also be times when flexible scope is suitable. At times like this, it’s useful to find a supplier that can offer both – delivering compliance when necessary and cost efficiency when it’s appropriate.

carrying out a wide range of tests is not without its challenges.

Keeping up to date with the latest regulations, motivating and retaining experienced technicians and maintaining accreditation involves a degree of investment that many businesses are not prepared to commit to. When times get tough, it’s the peripheral services that tend to get cut first.

For the testing houses, it means their services are almost always in demand. However, the deskilling within general contractors

can have a negative impact on the testing process. A lack of understanding or appreciation of the desired outcomes of a series of tests can lead to over or under-scoping, which will have implications for project timelines, budgets and general health and safety.

A knock-on effect of this loss of in-house experience is often experienced during the project scoping or tender phases.

Obtaining quotes for a range of tests shouldn’t be a purely

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Specialist services

Scoping for success When it comes to preparing a testing schedule, it isn’t always an experienced engineer tasked with putting the spec together, so there are a few things to bear in mind: First of all, it’s rare that testing requirements will be identical from one project to the next. There will be similarities, and it isn’t unusual to see a schedule with some components that have been cut

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and pasted, but the devil is often in the detail.

It’s important to get your testing house involved as early in the process as possible. Engage with the experts as a part of the scoping process – it might change the way you approach the project completely.

Review the testing requirements thoroughly before submitting.

Even if you aren’t an experienced technician, you’ll get a feel for

whether it makes sense or not.

Don’t forget to include the time it takes to carry out tests, receive results and seek approvals in your project plan and understand how it will impact on your delivery schedule.

Why do we test?

It might seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth going back to basics and remembering why you are testing. On a fundamental

the last thing you need is to add unnecessary risk.

Whether you are testing earthworks, concrete or asphalt; testing for stability, strength or contamination, the implications for your project timescales and budgets are significant – especially if you get it wrong.

Site laboratories For major infrastructure projects, it makes sense to establish a site laboratory, as this can provide faster, more cost-effective results for materials testing. However, the benefits of an on-site laboratory go beyond simply speed of access.

Site laboratories are a turnkey solution that can be developed to meet the specific needs of your infrastructure project. Working with your testing partner, you can define the scope and scale of the laboratory in advance of deployment on site.

A UKAS accredited site laboratory will provide immediate access to testing, reports and analysis. The speed and accuracy of a site laboratory can generate significant savings – in both time and money – over the lifecycle of a project.

If you find the right testing house, they may also be able to offer additional support in the form of access to qualified health, safety and quality engineers who can assist in the design and management of the laboratory. level, you are testing to ensure the suitability of a material for its intended use as well as its final performance characteristics such as density or strength.

This will influence the best choice of test and remember, don’t simply test to achieve the result you want. If you are scoping tests with an agenda in mind, the chances are you’ll find the answers you’re looking for.

Whether excavated or imported,

materials should be tested prior to use and, ideally, both at source and at deposition. This establishes the suitability of the materials in terms of physical properties, density, moisture content etc.

We also test to manage risk.

This is increasing important as the burden of risk on major projects has shifted away from project designers to contractors. When you are already operating within a tightly regulated environment,

Dave Goddard works at CET, one of the UKs leading materials testing companies. It provides a comprehensive range of soil, aggregate, concrete and asphalt tests from its nationwide network of UKAS accredited laboratories. In addition, CET provides specialist structural, geotechnical and environmental consultancy services, including phased site investigation, waste soil classification and contaminated land surveys.

For more information, please see

www.cet-uk.com

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IT

Clever

construction How organisations can drive efficiency and cut costs with smart buildings. By Paul Mason

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ith the rise of integrated and Internet of Things driven technologies, the popularity and prevalence of smart buildings has risen dramatically – with this pattern being likely to continue over the next few years. A recent study by Zion research revealed that the global smart building market was valued at approximately $7 billion in 2014, and is expected to grow to $36 billion by 2020.

In an IoT world, smart buildings use Web-enabled technologies for managing heat, lighting, ventilation, elevators and other systems. The latest smart technologies are boosting building insight and control, as well as establishing a better, more personalised experience for users.

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Changes in regulations and expectations Now more than ever, it is important that buildings are as efficient as possible when it comes to energy consumption. As part of the 2015 Energy Efficiency Regulations, it will be unlawful to grant new leases of residential or commercial property with an EPC rating of less than ‘E’ in England and Wales after the 1st of April 2018. Considering this, overall efficiency should be at the forefront of building construction and management.

Furthermore, end users are beginning to expect the same mobility and ease-of-use in professional environments that they find in their personal lives from smartphones and tablets.

With the swipe of a finger, they can check the weather, pay for a coffee, or use GPS to navigate

their way through the city. We constantly use our smartphones to interact with our surroundings, and it is unrealistic for us to leave this expectation at the door of a building.

In fact, companies competing for talent are taking steps to ensure that the technology in their buildings can be used as a potential differentiator. Flexible workspaces, indoor navigation, colleague collaboration, smart parking, ordering food and refreshments, booking meeting rooms, and the use of gymnasiums are all becoming basic expectations for building occupants that impact talent retention and employee wellbeing.

These expectations can be met through smartphones and the IoT. Similarly, integration also benefits the real estate owner as they can maximise occupancy

and increase revenue, as well as asset value through commanding a price premium. There’s even opportunities to open up new revenue streams through location based services - push notifications can be sent to occupants’ smartphones to drive footfall into nearby retail areas.

Building smarter with digital blocks Fortunately, there are a number of steps that can be taken to make buildings more intelligent.

This notion of connectivity - and the improved experiences it enables for building occupants - is made possible through an interconnected framework of components. These smart building blocks can be installed at any time, but should be a key consideration when planning the building’s user experience.

These components can include everything from connecting devices, mobile apps and cloudbased data management, to real-time services and social networking. For too long, buildings have been seen as a drag on an organisation’s profitability. But they can in fact be an enabler for growth as a strategic asset, providing smart technologies are adopted.

Benefits of connected services By turning to the cloud, a company can promptly recognise any irregularities within its building that might need attending to. For example, space utilisation data can be merged with HVAC data in the same cloud. Building owners can hone HVAC equipment performance by using rules to optimise set points and schedules based on occupancy. Energy consumption can be drastically cut, and asset life is increased.

Furthermore, occupancy heat mapping can be examined to identify areas of the building that are not in use, such as meeting

rooms. In this instance, cleaning crew would not need to attend to this area, thereby optimising workforce efficiency and total cost of operations.

With a smart building, companies no longer have to rely on maintenance schedules and reactive fault-finding. This may sound inconsequential, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. A cloud-enabled building management platform provides a crystal-clear picture of overall site performance and where changes can be made to better building performance.

In addition to the above, mobile applications can help companies cut costs and improve user experience. Incorporating mobile technology allows employees to use their smartphone to pass through an IoT enabled access control reader. Issues such as lost or forgotten passes are bypassed, and the first step towards a digital experience has been taken. Moreover, integrating mobile applications with access control adds a higher level of security, as digital credentials add levels of encrypted security.

Mobile applications also offer environmental plus points, since badges no longer have to be printed for employees.

And the advantages do not end there. Mobile-based access control makes the workers’ lives easier as they have one less item to bring to work with them. Given the global dependence on smartphones, it’s rare that we forget to take them with us when leaving the house.

The same cannot be said for our office card or fob. Employees can also move through the facility more smoothly by opening doors from even greater distances with their smartphone in comparison to key card technology.

Learning from Virgin Money By using IoT technologies – specifically mobile applications and cloud-based analytics,

Virgin Money has simultaneously strengthened control over costs and minimised energy use. Its head office complex in Newcastleupon-Tyne has witnessed an increase in productivity by roughly 15 minutes per person through connected services. Workers now benefit from faster access into their office with mobile technology, and are given greater control over their environment.

Additionally, the building itself is more efficient as potential problems can be determined and resolved before the workforce is impacted. Algorithm-based automatic fault detection and analytics has led to a reduction in the amount of engineering service calls, and those efforts can now be redirected towards the more pressing issues.

With business owners constantly facing pressures for their company to be financially successful, the benefits of smart buildings cannot be ignored.

What’s more, buildings across a wide range of industries can benefit from using connected services. The advantages extend to airports, hospitals, commercial properties, and retailers, to name a few. Operational performances can be enhanced, costs can be cut, and occupants can interact with buildings in ways they never could before. It’s no wonder that more and more organisations are now turning to their buildings to help meet operational targets.

Paul Mason is European Digital Services Leader at Honeywell Building Solutions. Honeywell Building Solutions is a part of Honeywell Home and Building Technologies (HBT), a global business with more than 44,000 employees worldwide. HBT is a leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) and creates products, software and technologies found in more than 150 million homes and ten million buildings worldwide.

For more information, please see

www.buildingsolutions.honeywell. com/en-US/Pages/default.aspx

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profile: Janson Bridging

Forming connections

As the market leader in Europe for the rental and sale of steel modular bridges, pontoons, roros and ferries, Janson Bridging has the experience and know-how to deliver the best possible solution for its customers permanent, temporary or emergency requirements

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he definitive, full service expert in modular steel bridges, pontoon systems, roros and ferries for both civil and military purposes, Janson Bridging offers its innovative solutions on a rent, buy or finance basis. Thanks to more than 20,000 tonnes of stock in-house, the company is ready and able to provide a fast, reliable and high quality solution, with engineers happy to further assist clients with any structural/ technical issues and standards.

Excelling in knowledge, experience, stock and flexibility, Janson Bridging has gained an enviable portfolio of clients and a diverse backlog of successfully completed complex projects.

Discussing the company’s growth is Paul Hill, Managing Director at Janson Bridging: “We

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started 40 years ago in Holland and have since grown to become the largest stock holder of modular bridging in the world. We operate in a number of countries, such as the UK, Germany, Holland, France and Belgium where we have permanent bases and are able to operate globally. Over a number of years we have grown organically and are now also one of the world’s leading modular bridging companies, so not a bad place to be!”

He continues: “In terms of our core products and services, we are known within the bridging world for our modular bridging capabilities, which are both portable and quick to use. To deliver this service, we have three core systems, beam bridges, panel bridges and plate girder bridges, which are used particularly within the rental market. Beyond that, we

have in-house engineering, which includes modular designs for portable steel bridges that work to 100 metre spans, as well as designs for modular ferries, roro facilities at harbours and plastic bridges.

“Our three core bridges are in stock and can be set up anywhere at any time, while the other solutions are bespoke; while this may cause challenges for other companies, we have a quick turnaround time as we have the IP on the product and existing design. With this in place we have a 90 per cent solution for someone so it is a matter of adding the remaining ten per cent. Thanks to our collaborative attitude, which works well with big infrastructure schemes, we can get in at the early stages of a project to understand what customers want and help ensure

they gain the best possible solution by undertaking some tweaks and looking at specific issues. Other companies are two years behind on this curve as they have to work on the R&D for the project to reach the point that we start at.”

Looking in more detail at Janson Bridging’s core product range, the company’s beam bridge sections are designed for temporary and permanent use in situations wherever shortspan bridges up to a maximum length of 21 metres are required for general traffic. With a special coupling system and integrated lifting lugs, the pre-assembled Janson beam bridges can be installed quickly, which saves on time and money. The ideal system for spanning over roads or waterways as soon as the capacity of an existing bridge

is temporarily insufficient, the Eurocode compliant bridge’s low profile also reduced the need for long approach ramps.

Recent projects for the company include the turnkey delivery and installation, alongside all related civil works, of 463 composite (steel – concrete) beam bridges. “This is a project that the Sri Lankan government has undertaken to change their economic landscape by opening up other rural parts of the country for development. Our role in this strategy is the building of more than 400 bridges to connect these rural parts together, which will not only provide economic benefits but will also mean children can go to school without undertaking a huge detour when floods are there. These new bridges also mean people will no longer be crossing bridges that

were already in place but quite dangerous.”

Meanwhile, the company’s panel bridges are designed for temporary and permanent use wherever bridges with a span of up to 80 metres for general traffic are required. The system is based on the original Bailey Bridge concept and uses trusses assembled from modular panels. Furthermore, individual components are designed to be constructed using light tools, which enable the panel bridge to be installed on sites that inaccessible to heavy equipment vehicles and cranes.

Designed for temporary or permanent use, particularly in areas of heavy traffic where free spans of up to 40 metres are required, the plate girder bridges are designed and manufactured for rapid and simple construction.

The bridge sections are transported to the building site, lifted into position and bolted to create a complete bridge in minimal construction time.

Moreover, the plate girder bridges can be connected longitudinally or laterally and offer a vast range of spans and road widths.

Alongside these three bridge options are the Truss bridge and pedestrian bridge range.

The former is a bridge intended for permanent use that was particularly developed for rural locations where infrastructure and transport facilities are limited as well as for emergencies caused by catastrophic natural events such as floods and earthquake; it is also used for peacekeeping operations.

Pedestrian bridges, on the other hand, consist of two systems: the Janson pedestrian bridge system and the Janson pedestrian Truss bridge system. The panel bridge is designed for temporary and permanent use wherever light traffic bridges with a span of up to 61 metres are required, while the

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profile: Janson Bridging

Truss bridge system was designed for permanent use wherever pedestrian bridges with a span of up to 48 metres are required. For this bridge, all components are bolted together using standard fasteners.

The company recently worked on the delivery of a 225 metre double lane Truss bridge in three spans of 75 metres each, which also included two side external pedestrian walkways.

Designed and produced in The Netherlands and shipped to Saronbrug Paramaribo, Surinam, for the Ministry of Public Works of Surinam, the bridge was then installed alongside the concrete deck by local contractors.

“The original bridge had a central support that was taken out by a ship that was blown down the river during a hurricane or typhoon, which caused the bridge to collapse. Within six months of that happening we had designed, fabricated, shipped, built and opened the new 220 metre bridge for the customer, which, in terms of engineering capabilities, was a huge feat that stems from us having portable steel bridge designs in-house,” says Paul.

He continues: “We operate both on an international and national scale, with big projects currently underway in South East Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as our core market of Europe where we are very busy in the UK and Germany. The north of Europe is currently outperforming the south, with big infrastructure schemes a general trend in this area making us phenomenally busy. In terms of Europe, we have a contract with the Belgian military where we supply bridging equipment so the military doesn’t have to hold large amounts of stock itself and can instead dip into our stock as and when they need it.

We probably have the amount of stockholding that is double that of any other company in the

world when it comes to what we do, and we are not sitting on a lot of stock, which says a lot about demand at the moment!”

In the UK market, the company is working on the A14 Highways England scheme, where it is looking at delivering nine bridges that will include everything from a 13.5 metre bridge to 61 metre bridges that will be able to handle the weight of dump trucks to a 55 metre bridge that is going to be built over the carriage way.

“Other recent modular bridge projects include being involved in Heathrow Terminal 5, for which we delivered bridges that enabled the dump trucks to go over the perimeter road, as well as emergency flood projects in Warrington,” says Paul. “Our collaborative way of working and innovation is highly beneficial to customers as we will always seek to find the best solution. For example, if there is an earthworks programme, we have the knowhow to perhaps make the bridge three times wider so there is then two-way traffic, which ensures the project will be complete in one summer instead of three. We can take years off a programme and have the flexibility to get stock at short notice in case things happen and requirements change.”

One example of Janson Bridging’s innovative nature shines in a project the company undertook in Ghana, where a bridge was originally the plan

but proved to be impossible.

“The bridge would have been over a mile long and there were too many issues with building a temporary bridge while an existing bridge was refurbished.

In response to this, we developed a modular ferry solution that goes on shipping containers with integrated engine units and so on; it was fully tested with maritime certificates to take people so we are transporting residents back and forth over this lake in Ghana over the 2.5 years it will take for the original bridge to be rebuilt,” highlights Paul. “You would expect us to build a bridge, but we looked at the situation and came up with a better solution that cost less and was quicker.”

Moving forward, the company is anticipating increased demand as the HS2 scheme gets underway and Highways England continues with its commitment to one of its biggest spends. On top of this, there are major utility and rail programmes taking place as well as civil and infrastructure schemes that are ongoing, which puts Janson Bridging in an enviable position over the coming years.

“It is a matter of making sure that people know what we can do and for us to try and understand their needs so we can adjust stock levels and the type of stock we hold for our UK customers accordingly. By working in this way and delivering a collaborative approach to the projects we are involved in we can meet our clients’ demands. We want to be actively involved and innovative so we can flesh out how we can help each customer individually as opposed to thinking in a more traditional manner,” Paul concludes.

Janson Bridging www.jansonbridging.co.uk Services: Largest modular bridge manufacturer and bridge building firm 41

profile: Willowbrook Plant Services

Ground breaking

B

eginning operations in 2008, at the very start of a global recession, Willowbrook Plant Services Limited has not only survived against the challenges of being a new business in a depressed market but also grown and profited. Building the business on the strength of high quality service and its parts background, the company has developed a solid reputation over the last nine years. Further cementing its foothold in the market with highly skilled staff that have both experience and a clear vision for future success, Willowbrook Plant Services has gained notable contracts from blue chip organisations that appreciate this is a company to trust.

The first major contract for the company was awarded by the Takeuchi Excavator Dealership for Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and Bedforshire as well as Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in October 2009. This contract enabled

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the company to build a strong customer base so it could expand further in the future. Further major developments took place in July 2011, when Willowbrook Plant Services was awarded the Hyundai Heavy Line dealership for Northants, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire to supply backhoe loaders, site dumpers and rollers – a milestone that now allows the company to offer the full package of equipment to the construction industry.

More recent contracts include global equipment solutions provider Terex Construction appointing Willowbrook Plant Services as a sales, servicing and support provider for companies across the East Midlands. For this contract, Willowbrook Plant Services is playing a key role in retailing machinery, providing servicing support and developing strong customer relationships across the region. Compact construction equipment supplied to Terex includes compaction rollers, heavy-duty site dumpers and a wide range of backhoe loaders in line with Terex’s

strategic drive to increase penetration in the compact market.

Thanks to its expertise and experience in sales, service, parts and finance, as well as its flexibility at working locally and nationally to suit the timescales of customers, Willowbrook Plant Services has built a network of blue chip clients that rely on its services and unique produce range. In more detail, the company’s portfolio includes breakers, grabs, multi-processors, crushers, shears, compactors, mini excavators, track loaders, tracked dumpers, wheeled excavators, crawler excavators and wheel loaders from major brands such as Hyundai, Takeuchi and Daemo.

On top of this, the company carries a large stock of spare parts to service its customers’ needs, a service that is complemented by its wealth of industry know-how that ensures Willowbrook Plant Services’ employees can find the necessary parts quickly.

Products include the Hyundai hydraulic tank breather, Hyundai R800-7A, R210LC-9 diecast model

and a fuel filter. Alongside its main dealerships, the company is always happy to help customers with any products they require and is able to source parts for Volvo, Bomag, Doosan, Caterpillar and JCB. For those seeking a more costeffective option, the company also sells used products such as the Hyundai R480LC-9 and Hyundai R140LC-9 excavators as well as the Hyundai HL760-9A shovel.

Other options are used parts and attachments, which includes engines, hydraulic and manual couplers, long Hyundai dipper arms, track idlers, cab assy’s and cabcare demolition guards.

When it comes to services and repairs, the company offers a number of repair operations to its customers; these include 12 month inspections (LOLER) and

brake testing, fixed price service contracts, Groeneveld Group automatic greasing systems, oils and coolent SOS sampling, plant maintenance and specialist services.

As industries such as construction and agriculture in the UK continues to grow, the company is certain to remain in demand as it prepares for LAMMA 2018, the UK’s largest agricultural and machinery show where it made its debut in 2015 with the new Hyundai agricultural

specification wheeled loader – a machine that was being seen for the very first time in the UK market. Alongside this machine, the company also took a Hyundai R140LC-9A to the show where it gained a great deal of interest, particularly for the HL757-91 wheeled loader. Three years on, the company is looking forward to further opportunities from LAMMA 2018, where it anticipates a great deal of leads, networking opportunities and a strengthened profile in the market that will result in further growth and success over the coming years.

Willowbrook Plant Services www.willowbrookplant.com Services: Plant sales, service, repairs and the supply of a large haulage fleet

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profile: Joseph Ash Galvanizing

Galvanised by

growth

From its eight plants in the UK, Joseph Ash Galvanizing continues to do what it has done better than most for the past 160 years, which is answering the steel finishing challenges faced by its diverse mix of customers

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ince Joseph Ash Galvanizing last featured within the pages of Construction & Civil Enginnering the dynamics of the business have shifted ever so slightly. While the company remains the UK leader in the field of steel finishing services including galvanising, spin galvanising, shot blasting and powder coating, in the time since our last conversation it has gone on to acquire the business of Premier Galvanizing.

“The smooth acquisition of Premier Galvanizing and its plants in Hull and Corby in December 2015 has helped to open up new geographic areas in which we were previously not present or trading,” begins Steven Hopkins, Managing Director of Joseph Ash Galvanizing. “As well as providing a good opportunity to share best practice, the acquisition

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has allowed us to inter-trade between our own plants. An example of this can be seen at our Chesterfield plant, where we have a 16.5 metre bath designed for structural steels and lighting columns. Use of this bath can now be offered to the local customers of Premier Hull and Premier Corby, as well as our Medway plant, thus creating synergies that benefit all parties and sites involved.”

Over the last 18 months the company has carried out significant upgrade and extension projects on its pre-existing facilities, namely its Walsall and Medway plants. In the case of the Walsall plant, work was carried out to increase factory floor space by 25 per cent. In order to achieve this an older lean-to bay was knocked down to be replaced by a new bay that has enabled the plant to further automate its crane system in order to increase work

capacity, efficiency and weekly output. By increasing the number of cranes that can be used in the system the company has also achieved a remarkable speeding up of the entire production process.

In the case of the Medway plant, and phase 1 of its own upgrade and extension, what Joseph Ash Galvanizing has done is construct a new office block for its administration and sales teams, and incorporated new changing facilities for its operators, and a new hardstanding bay for trucks.

Prior to work being carried out said facilities sat within the factory space, meaning that with extension work being completed the plant now has significant additional capacity available to increase its own throughput rate.

Phase 2 of the Medway expansion will begin at the end of 2017, when work will commence on further improving the heart of the plant’s production process, while at the same time new facilities will be installed that will create significant, long-term environmental benefits.

Technical expertise and customer care have been the guiding principles that have steered the company for almost 160 years, and have allowed it to become a preferred supplier of galvanising solutions to customers in a variety of key industries.

“Rather than one particular sector driving our growth, we are experiencing a scenario where business across the board has remained steady,” Steven states. “Within the rail industry we have been gaining work on a consistent basis, mainly as a result of the nationwide electrification programme for the network.

This programme requires miles and miles of electric cable to be strung across gantries up and down the country’s track network, which means that there is a great amount of steel required. There has been a steady period of

investment in the rail sector as a whole in the UK, in the last fiveto-six years specifically, and whilst the Department for Transport has just announced cancellation of certain line projects, in practice we would have expected a gradual ‘drip’ feed anyway so I doubt we’ll notice any difference. We are also finding ourselves increasingly being tasked with carrying out steel-related works on car parks being built at major rail stations.

“Meanwhile, some of the other markets that we are securing work from include the energy sector, particularly when it comes to supporting solar power projects.

These projects, which involve a fair tonnage of steel work to support solar panels, are typically overseen by our sister company Hill & Smith. We also have another sister company called TopDeck, which manufactures steel car parks which we galvanise as well.

Other areas of the construction market have been proceeding nicely, as have a number of smaller niche markets where the trend seems to be to move away from painting, into galvanising.

Such occurrences are especially pleasing as it means that the galvanising industry is continuing to win market share against other forms of corrosion protection.”

Each project taken on by Joseph Ash Galvanizing is characterised by its complexity and intricacy. “We will often be delivering products direct to a customer’s construction site, so we need to provide extremely precise delivery schedule times, literally to the minute, if we are to avoid being the cause of any delays,” Steven adds. “We have also found that safety standards throughout our various industries continue to be heightened. We work hard to respond to these changes with one example of this being the fact that, in the last 12 months, we have secured bronze certification under the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme

(FORS). This is specifically related to the management and training of transport fleet teams, and we are already moving forward to secure silver certification in the near future.”

Looking ahead to the remaining months of 2017, Steven anticipates the galvanising market to grow by approximately seven-toeight per cent compared to the previous year, with average growth of around five per cent, year-on-year, thereafter. “The good thing for us is that there is no sign of uncertainty in any of the markets in which we operate when it comes to future work,” he concludes. “This bodes well for our plans to achieve further organic growth going forward. At the same time, we will continue to invest in our plants with a keen

eye on improving efficiencies, and our people. The nature of our work provides for multiple opportunities for our people to progress as we look to source the next generation of senior managers and developers.

From safety, engineering, sales, production, chemistry and metallurgy, to HR, IT, marketing and finance, there are a number of potential specialisations within Joseph Ash Galvanizing and this provides an excellent opportunity for our 550 employees to aspire to grow within the business.”

Joseph Ash Galvanizing www.josephash.co.uk Services: Steel finishing services

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profile: NMC Surfacing

Minimum disruption for

maximum results

Working collaboratively with its customers, NMC Surfacing provides bespoke teams and solutions to deliver surfacing and civil engineering projects from concept through to completion

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ormed in 2008 by its owners Gary Burns and Andrew Wilson, it has taken less than ten years for NMC Surfacing (NMC) to become recognised as independent surfacing and civil engineering specialists. From its network of five regional offices, this young, dynamic and growing business provides a 24/7 nationwide service to some of the best known blue chip companies present in the UK. Typically tasked with utilising its specialist knowledge and site management expertise to deliver complex project objectives, NMC is unique in that, unlike the vast majority of subcontractors, it has adopted an approach that sees it actively pursuing direct, one-to-one relationships with its customers. “What our approach is essentially built around is cutting out the middle man, as it were,” explains James Graham, Northern Commercial Manager of NMC. “Our ability to work directly with the customer throughout an entire project, from inception through

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to completion, is something of an enigma in our business, setting us apart from other surfacing and civil engineering contractors.

“The most obvious advantage of this is that we are able to pass on considerable cost savings to the customer, and by offering a single point of contact we are greatly simplifying the process for them as well. By providing a complete turnkey service we can easily keep track of the work we carry out as it is happening, monitoring the quality of the tasks being completed, ensuring that the highest levels of health and safety are maintained at all times, and promising minimum disruption to the customer’s business.”

NMC’s particular niche covers large scale projects that usually occur in and around retail superstores, retail parks and industrial areas. This, as James confirms, makes NMC very much a ‘customer-facing’ business and one that can be found carrying out its work never more than two or three metres away from members of the public. The nature

of its work also means that NMC has a clear understanding of the challenges its customers face in having projects carried out in a working environment where members of the public need to have access to their premises, particularly during peak times.

“One of our biggest selling points is the fact that we recognise the importance of minimising the disruption faced by our customers and the public,” James says. “It is for this reason that you will find NMC carrying out much of its work ‘after hours’.

In the case of a retail centre car park for instance, we would typically look to arrive at the site at around 8pm when its stores are closing, mobilise our teams, arrange traffic management and commence with the work, whether it be resurfacing, relining or a combination of tasks, before clearing the site in time for the aforementioned businesses to reopen the next morning.”

As the company name suggests, surfacing work is very much the main staple of the business, yet

there is much more to NMC than this one specialty. In addition to offering a fully comprehensive surfacing package the company also operates nationally as a main contractor, managing and carrying out all elements of civil engineering works. NMC also has an in-house line marking division, a dedicated surveying division, and can install proprietary mastic asphalt and resin coating systems that offer waterproofing solutions.

There are a number of excellent examples of NMC applying its multi-disciplinary talents to great effect in order to complete large-scale projects. Case studies that immediately spring to mind include its work on the Harvey Centre, Harlow and on Associated British Ports (ABP) Gresley Way, Immingham. In the case of the former, the company applied its waterproofing, line marking and specialist surface treatment skills to carry out a full repair to the upper deck of the customer’s multi-storey shopping mall car park. A complete repair of the 3600 square metre area was required and was completed with three months. As for the Immingham project, this required civil engineering, drainage, groundworks and concrete works in order to install the necessary pipework, gullies and manholes needed to repair and replace a significant drainage system within a three-week period.

“A case study that really captures what is our bread and butter business is that of McArthur Glen Shopping Centre in York,” James adds. “This involved work on a large car park, the surface of which was in a shocking state and needed to be resurfaced with minimal disruption to retailers and shoppers. As we knew that the busiest times for business for such centres are usually Friday until Sunday, we carried out our work during the weekdays and within five weeks the transformation we facilitated

helped create what remains one of our best jobs.”

As the company carries on expanding its reach it continues to invest in the people, equipment and methodologies needed to take it to its next stage of development.

“One of the things we are currently rolling out is a Continual Professional Development (CPD) solution, which we are offering to all of our clients,” James states.

“This solution will allow us to offer our particular expertise through training programmes that we can deliver to a client’s staff in the form of training sessions at their facilities.”

In terms of turnover, NMC’s growth has come about very organically. “Picking up new projects has never been an issue for us, rather the challenge for

any company in our position is having the staff in place to carry out said projects on time and as required,” James concludes.

“What we have done is bring in a comprehensive recruitment process that will help us to deliver what we know can be a £20 million-plus business in the coming years. With our current overheads, our improved staffing profile and strong projections for future work we are already putting the wheels in motion to fulfill our turnover goal of £24 million by 2019.”

NMC Surfacing www.nmcsurfacing.co.uk Services: Surfacing and civil engineering specialists

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profile: Boss cabins

Showing who’s

boss

Thanks to a fierce passion for innovation and manufacturing, Boss Cabins has taken the welfare cabin sector by storm, reinvigorating a once stale market

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t was in 2010 that Duncan Wordsworth, together with sons Matthew and Niall, Graham Stansfield and Tim Allan, decided to leverage their considerable collective experience within the construction industry to enter into the welfare marketplace. Identifying this as somewhat of a stale market at the time dominated by two existing suppliers, the team immediately recognised the potential to make a telling, positive and lasting impact, in the same way they had when they dominated the site dumper market with Barford Site Dumpers several years prior.

Initial start-up challenges aside, the company they formed, Boss Cabins, quickly learnt a number of important lessons, which continue to inspire its actions as the leading designer, builder and manufacturer of welfare cabins in 2017. “We effectively consider ourselves serial entrepreneurs, when we see an opportunity we go for it,” states Managing Director, Matthew Wordsworth. “We have made a name for ourselves for creating products that are better suited

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to the needs of the customer and create a greater return on their investment.”

Boss Cabins remains a family owned business, one that makes sure to invest its profits back into its operations. To date, it is estimated to have invested more than £7.5 million in new technologies and resources, with no signs of stopping anytime soon. The company’s innovative range, including mobile welfare cabins, secure storage and specialist storage units, coming fitted as standard with the ground breaking Redbox Infinity generator which offers 2000 hours run time between each service and with the option of a complete stainless steel build with a 25 year anti-corrossion gurantee.

“Almost all manufacturers

produce their products in mild steel,” Matthew states. “The issue with welfare cabins is that, in a construction environment, they are prone to damage, which leads to rust, which ultimately affects the ability to rent out the unit for top money. In response to this we decided to offer units built from stainless steel, which is shown to be 25 per cent tougher than mild steel, and thus less susceptible to damage and impervious to rust. The result is that the lifespan of the unit is greatly increased, meaning that the hirer can earn considerably more from the hire of the cabin over its life time. Such has been the response to this that 85 per cent of everything we now make uses stainless steel.”

Big yet versatile, Boss Cabins’ offer a range of mobile and static cabins in a selection of sizes 12 feet to 32 feet in length. As well as its inventory, Boss Cabins has also invested heavily in its aftercare services, including its accident and repair centre, refurbishment services and trade capabilities.

A good entrepreneur is of course recognised for the innovation he or she introduces to the world. For its part, Boss Cabins has two particularly special patented concepts that its customers are benefitting from.

The first of these is its patent of the Red Box Infinity Generator, a self-manufacturer product, fitted as standard, which comes with a 2000-hour service interval that outperforms its nearest competitor four times over.

Present at Plantworx 2017, the company took the opportunity to launch its new Eco Ultimate product, a game-changing development that creates the most fuel efficient electrical system in the welfare cabin industry. Effectively an intelligent load management system, Eco Ultimate uses technology to prioritise energy output from a 3.5KVA generator so that no energy is wasted. The on-demand

functionality of the Eco Ultimate system means that it activates the generator at the flick of a switch, before power is distributed between various tasks, such as the running of hot water or the boiling of a kettle, automatically.

“When developing the Eco Ultimate system, we ran real life field testing to find out how much it could save in terms of fuel use,” Matthew enthuses. “Based on a typical day’s usage we identified that a user can run their cabin at a cost of only 56 pence per day, which is phenomenal. Prior to showcasing at Plantworx we had already secured an order for 60 units incorporating the Eco Ultimate system from Elliot, the UK’s largest supplier of portable accommodation, worth nearly £1.5 million, based on the prototype version alone. Since

then we have sold another 60 units to customers who have completely embraced what is, in my opinion, the most ground-breaking innovation we have ever created.”

In June 2017, the company announced its next move in expanding its fleet of cabins. As market leaders in mobile welfare, its customers have long requested that Boss Cabins apply the same design and innovation it has become known for to the static cabin market. It is now excited to reveal it has designed a concept static range in 24 foot, 28 foot and 32 foot sizes, applying the same quality, features and durability as it mobile range.

The recognition afforded to Boss Cabins was again on display last year when the company was voted 75th in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, an

amazing achievement for any engineering business. “There are a lot of competitors who claim to be innovators, but the key to our success is that we don’t innovate for the sake of it, rather we do so to offer solutions that directly benefit our customers,” Matthew concludes. “When we entered the market in 2010, it was dominated by two big players who had become lazy and complacent.

Today we find ourselves ahead of them both in terms of volume of units we sell and the range and options we offer our customers and we have no intention of slowing down anytime soon.”

Boss Cabins www.bosscabins.co.uk Services: Design, build and aftersales of welfare cabins

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profile: Essex Services Group

Aiming higher

Essex Services Group PLC is the one of the UK’s largest mechanical and electrical engineering services providers, with a core focus on large construction and refurbishment projects

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multi-disciplined and progressive MEP business, Essex Services Group (ESG) was founded as an electrical services contractor in 1975 by John Sampson. Initially offering contracting services to the retail industry, the company expanded into the emerging banking and commercial sectors before integrating a mechanical services division in 2003. This integration, alongside the company’s existing contract services department, enabled ESG to become a single source solution for MEP. “During 2012, we expanded further by adding technology solutions to the services we provide, with data centre projects so far completed throughout the UK and mainland Europe,” says Mark Sampson, Managing Director of Essex Services Group PLC. “Furthermore, in 2017 Modular Engineering Ltd, a new division within ESG, was developed; this is a design-and-build manufacturer of pre-fabricated services that is mainly focused on residential utility models and is designed to meet logistical requirements. The division can also assist in a faster

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REHAU REHAU is a leading provider of innovative polymer-based products for buildings, which incorporate the latest thinking on energy efficiency, renewable energy, water management, and modern living, to deliver futureready solutions, today.

Established in Germany in 1948, REHAU believes that buildings are complex structures, made up of different elements and circuits. This is why it designs systems, not products, for the construction industry.

REHAU building systems address sustainable design priorities to reduce energy costs, create healthy and safe environments, and conserve finite resources, as well as provide enhanced comfort and convenience.

construction process as off-site and on-site activities occur in parallel, which reduces on-site material wastage to virtually zero,” he adds.

Thanks to the company’s ongoing dedicated approach to delivering high quality solutions as well as the retention of core family values of commitment, trust and responsibility, ESG’s name has become synonymous with professionally engineered solutions. This solid reputation in the market has resulted in the company working on major projects within the £8 million to £25 million price range, such as the Television Centre, White City, London, various UK sites for Tesco, including the retailer’s

biggest ever developments – Woolwich Central; the Broadgate Tower, London, and UBS 5 Broadgate, London.

For the latter, UBS required not only the high standards that ESG could deliver, but also a contractor with logistical experience and the capability to provide electrical infrastructure systems, switch room connections and vertical distribution to feed the trading floors within a demanding construction environment.

Using its specialist technology solutions team who have worked together for more than 15 years, the company demonstrated its capabilities in delivering BIM compliant projects and a highquality end product.

Another notable project is Vauxhall Sky Gardens, which was successfully handed over in 2017 following an MEP shell & core fit-out of the 35-floor tower block and the smaller block of affordable housing, which was developed as part of a larger regeneration effort in the Nine Elms area. “We operate across a diverse range of industry sectors, such as residential, hotels & student accommodation, retail, commercial fit-out, public & education, and contract services.

Our annual turnover for 2016 was in excess of £104 million for MEP contracts,” says Mark.

Committed to making the best use of its resources, the company’s retail division has played an important role in its history, with projects delivered by a dedicated team who have longterm experience in this sector.

These strengths have resulted in an enviable portfolio of customers that includes anchor retail client Tesco, Sainsbury’s Westfield, ASDA, M&S and Canary Wharf Group PLC. To remain competitive, the company has made the strategic decision to enhance this business segment, as Mark notes: “It is our experience that sets us apart from other service

contractors and to enhance our capabilities we have begun to incorporate commercial fit-out and other affiliated projects into this department’s offering. To promote the specialist nature of this expanding team and to highlight the fact this division no longer deal solely with our retail projects, we are launching a new brand: ESG Prime.”

Achieving eighth place in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200, a list that ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastestgrowing international sales that are measured over the last two years, the future looks full of opportunity for ESG. Moving forward with plans to further grow the business, the company has strengthened its senior management team with the

introduction of a new operations director who will enable ESG to further position itself in the commercial and fit-out market sector. “Alongside turning our attentions to our leadership team and ensuring our senior team is committed and aligned with our core values and common goal of being the contractor of choice, we will also be defining our three offerings: ESG, ESG Prime and modular engineering internally and externally to the market; this

is a key driver throughout 2017,” says Mark.

“Looking further ahead, the ESG 2020 vision is to have a strong, dynamic leadership team, aligned to our core values, which is focused on quality, safety and consistency of delivery. This way of working will drive our bottom line of being profit focused, not turnover focused. Embracing technology and challenging installation methods as well as delivery patterns will allow us to reduce programme and quality risks, which have a huge impact on project delivery, and in turn project profitability,” he concludes.

Essex Services Group PLC www.esgplc.com Services: Mechanical and electrical service provider

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profile: British Aggregates Association

Voicing

support

Operated daily by people experienced in all aspects of the minerals industry, the British Aggregates Association (BAA) provides essential support and advice when health and safety, technical, planning and regulatory issues arise

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ince its formation in 1999, the British Aggregates Association (BAA) has firmly established itself as the voice of the UK’s SME quarry operators. Not only ensuring that those within the independent sector of the quarry industry are heard at all levels of the UK and EU administrations, the organisation also provides essential support and advice in all areas of health and safety, planning, technical and regulatory issues.

“Initially the BAA was set up by Robert Durward, our chairman, as well as a number of other people he knew who wanted to establish an organisation that could represent the independent part of the quarry industry. Over nearly two decades we have grown from three starter companies to in excess of 70 members that operate around 200 quarries in the UK. We also have additional associate members who provide services such as plant to planning,” explains Trefor Evans, Officer of the British Aggregates Association.

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As one of the oldest industries in the world, the UK quarry industry is also an integral part of the country’s industrial heritage.

Extracting approximately 200 million tonnes of materials annually to provide the essential raw materials for the nation’s infrastructure, the industry and aggregates play an essential part in housing, roads, schools and hospitals. Moreover, the industry provides the raw materials for the £92 billion construction sector, which in 2014 provided more than two million jobs and represented 6.4 per cent of GDP. A strong supporter of local aggregate production, the BAA is proud of the quarry industry and is wholly committed to providing highly skilled support as well as direct access to top decision markets in government; it is also skilled in countering adverse comments from those who neither understand or appreciate the nature of the quarry industry and defending the industry as a whole.

For example, the organisation is continuing its battle against

the aggregates levy, a UK tax on the commercial exploitation of rock, sand and gravel that was introduced as an environmental tax in 2002 to encourage the recycling of aggregate. “We are still trying to take the government to court in The European Court over the aggregates levy, so the process is ongoing,” says Trefor.

He continues: “Another problem that our members face is that the system in the UK puts major companies in a position to employ their economies of scale and have whole departments that our members don’t have the resources for. This is where the BAA comes in as our members can’t afford to send people to all of these meetings so we represent them on issues and provide feedback; this is particularly important when it comes to legislation planning, European law and so on. By working with independent companies, we can counteract these issues, particularly against the major firms, to a certain extent.”

Alongside strong support from knowledgeable, passionate and experienced associates, members also benefit from a weekly newsletter and regular updates on all issues, access to the members only area of the BAA and CPA websites, and the option to attend meetings such as the annual seminar, AGM and dinner, and regular planning meetings. Members also get advice on moisture rebates, discounts and reliefs when it comes to the aggregates levy. Another major benefit of Membership is the award-winning safety accreditation scheme which is run by the Association and is has currently been awarded to more than half the quarries run by members. This is an ongoing scheme which more members are currently working towards and is independently verified and recognised.

“There is a broad range of benefits available to those who become a member. For example,

small organisations, and I speak as someone who owned a quarry company and ran a number of quarries in Yorkshire, get help with planning issues,” says Trefor.

“We also hold regular events such as BAA Annual Meeting and AGM and the annual Golf day; in 2017, we had a record number of delegates attending our annual meeting, with more than 100 people as well as 13 or 14 people with advertising space. It was a very full day, with around ten different speakers, many of whom focused on the topics of new rules regarding apprenticeships, which is something we are keen to get on board with alongside our members, as well as general planning issues However, the main keynote speaker was Lord Digby Jones, who gave an interesting speech on the state

of the nation and the way he saw things going forward.”

Following the success of the BAA Annual Meeting in June 2017, the organisation anticipates a productive year ahead that is as full of opportunity for its members as it is challenges. “We don’t know what will happen when we leave the European Union, however we do know that the government is planning large-scale work in terms of houses and infrastructure in the UK. This should provide a great

opportunity for our members, however we don’t know what the other side of the demand chain will be like post Brexit.

Another issue is that although the government is keen to promote housebuilding, we don’t receive any real support when it comes to a managed aggregate supply system. There is a lack of joined up thinking and we are concerned there is a lack of government priority towards the aggregate industry. Looking ahead, we will keep abreast of any changes to legislation leading on from Brexit and keep our members informed and updated.”

British Aggregates Association www.british-aggregates.co.uk Services: The voice of the UK’s independent SME quarry operators

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profile: London Stock Exchange Group

success Inspiring

1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017 is London Stock Exchange Group’s latest annual report to shine a spotlight on the very best of British business

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hen London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) launched the inaugural edition of its 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report in 2013, its stated aim was to bring to the nation’s attention a fact that LSEG already knew to be true, that the dynamic small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that make-up said list are the lifeblood of the UK economy. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) would subsequently go on to confirm how just 3000 scale-up, medium

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sized businesses contributed £59 billion to the UK economy over a three-year period.

Meanwhile, in 2016 alone, the UK created a record number of 650,000 start-up firms.

“The 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017 report is the latest in a series of annual reports which identifies some of the most exciting, fastest-growing businesses active in the UK today,” explains Emma Titmus, LSEG’s Business Development Manager in the Primary Markers team. “The report forms a conscious effort from ourselves to profile some of the fantastic companies we have operating right across the country, shining a light on their wonderful achievements and success.”

In order to build the list of 1000 companies, LSEG employs the expertise of the financial technology company DueDil. They combine key financial performance indicators and sector benchmarks to populate the list. In order to qualify for the list, companies must be active and registered in the UK, and

while Ltd, PLC and LLP entities are all considered, investment vehicles and funds, charities and non-profit organisations are excluded. Independent company, or consolidated group, revenues must total from £6 million to £250 million, based on the latest filings with Companies House, and companies are excluded if they have been incorporated in the previous three years.

Each company’s average annual turnover growth rate is calculated over a three-year period, based on four sets of accounts, with calculations weighted to favour latest-year growth. Any company with over 20 per cent deterioration in net assets over a three-year period is excluded.

Once the long list has been identified the eligible companies are separated into their Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)

groupings. Within each sector the companies are ranked by individual growth rates and those that have most outperformed their sector averages are identified.

“This year’s report makes for wonderful reading and a particular highlight is seeing the growth of companies in specific regions,” Emma continues. “In the West Midlands, for instance, the average annual growth rate of the companies showcased comes in at 60 per cent, while in Scotland average revenue growth stands at 91 per cent. At the same time, it is very positive to see a further increase in the number of companies from Wales spotlighted, which just enhances the strong sense of regional representation that the 2017 report possesses.”

Following the publication of the

2017 edition of the report, LSEG hosted a series of celebratory events, taking in visits to London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh throughout the months of June and July. “The management teams of the companies featured in this year’s list, along with selected invited alumni from previous editions gathered at these events where we had the opportunity to raise a glass to their achievements,” Emma enthuses. “It is at these events where we also get a real insight into what these companies are doing and how we can possibly be of service to them. It also gives them the opportunity to network and possibly look to do business with one another.”

The release of LSEG’s annual 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report also provides an opportunity for reflection on the 12 months that have just passed, and for attention to turn to the year to come. “We have seen some interesting events in recent times in the UK, not least of all the vote to initiate Brexit,” Emma says.

“I think it is more important now than ever that companies have strategies for growth in place, that they are investing in innovations and new technologies, and that they are choosing the right partners to help them scale-up in a sustainable way that adds long term value to the business.

“Despite us, as a country, having a degree of uncertainty about the immediate economic future, there are clearly still a lot of excellent opportunities for companies in the UK. We have an incredible business culture, companies are continuing to thrive and we are not seeing the massive slow-down that some feared would occur, all of which is positive news.”

London Stock Exchange Group www.lseg.com 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017 55

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profile: VincentStokes

Hassle free

construction

Proud to be a main contractor with a difference, VincentStokes delivers a hands-on approach throughout the entire life cycle of logistically complex construction projects

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nvolved in projects from the preparation of initial feasibility business cases through to delivery, VincentStokes’ ability to provide a hands-on, collaborative approach during projects has resulted in an enviable number of returning customers from both the private and public sector.

Operating within the leisure, healthcare, commercial and retail markets, these clients include Third Space, Another Space, Nuffield Health, YO! Sushi, the NHS, Everyone Active and a number of Local Authorities.

“Those operating within VincentStokes all come from backgrounds that involve training from major companies, however Phil Stokes and I founded the company as we wanted to be part of an organisation where you wake up in the morning and enjoy going to work. We also work with people that we like, whether that is clients, internally or with our suppliers, some of which we

have been working with for 14 years. To us it is about operating with integrity through having an extremely professional approach and being hands-on with customers and employees alike,” says Rachel Vincent, Founder and Director at VincentStokes.

A dynamic company with a focus on delivering a personal service to customers, VincentStokes demonstrates

its value through successfully tendering design and build schemes as well as negotiating with their repeat business clients. Aligning its business with its clients, the company thus understands what its customers’ drivers are as its employees use their cost, programme and technical skills to provide best value from cradle to grave.

Alongside more traditional tendered procurement routes, the company can manage the project from feasibility to opening, initially developing the concept design within the brand, cost and programme parameters. The project will then be delivered by the team, either under a design and build contract where the entire risk is under management of VincentStokes as main contractor, or under a construction management agreement where the risk is managed by the team but overall cost and contractual responsibility remains with the customer. The choice between these two routes is dictated by the nature of the project and its complexity, but also by consideration of the customer’s preferred approach.

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profile: VincentStokes

“The beauty of delivering an end-to-end service is that our customers know that they have a team that understands their business case, so there would be no point in providing them with a scheme that is more than that.

The time to market is also very slick as we can go in with our customers when they provide tender bids to the council, for example, and we see the facility and what improvements can be made as well as what extra facilities can be fitted in. We can pull together a high-level cost plan and see if it works with their business case; if they are successful and the team gets the green light within six weeks of being awarded the management contract we can be in refurbing for a 12 to 20 week contract. In 20 weeks time they can have a brand new, refurbished facility where they can drive sales and their business case instead of only just beginning to work out what to do with regards to designs and tenders. It is all done and dusted, which works very well for our clients and for ourselves,” highlights Rachel.

The company’s customers are split into five segments, leisure, healthcare, pool & spa, retail and commercial. Experts in operational leisure refurbishments nationwide, VincentStokes carries out internal reconfigurations, refurbishments, rebranding and new extensions while working closely with the operations team to ensure there is

minimum impact on the business and customers throughout the project. As a result of its in-depth understanding of the operational requirements in this sector, the company has established close working relationships with returning clients in both the private and public sectors. The company now has a Major Projects division, which is focusing on expanding its new build portfolio.

“Our projects range from £500,000 to £10 million, however all projects are treated with the same processes as each other.

We do the refurbishment while the facility is operational so you can imagine the logistical hurdles that we have to get over to deliver that. A lot of work we do is in central London, where there is a huge cost per month to be members of these leisure facilities so it is about ensuring members still get what they pay for while we refurbish different parts while also focusing on health and safety,” says Rachel. “Complex operational refurbishment doesn’t only take place in leisure centres, which is our area of expertise, but also in other locations such as kids clubs and private hospitals; you can appreciate that keeping a hospital operational when we are building theatres next to live theatres is a challenge but our niche is complex projects – the more complicated the better for us! We also provide services to restaurants and have been a delivery partner for YO! Sushi

for 13 years, having previously developed a great working relationship with the client in a previous organisation; we have also gained contracts from other third parties who have experienced us deliver successful projects for our clients.”

This collaborative way of working and stringent focus on quality in all areas of the project has proven fruitful for VincentStokes, which anticipates a turnover of £18 million to £20 million in 2017 following a turnover of £14 million in 2016. The company’s ongoing success has also resulted in it being identified as one of London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain, a list of companies that have shown consistent growth over a minimum of three years. Rachel comments on the company’s growth: “We are a medium-sized company that is aiming to maintain our USP of being hands-on with customers; we are mindful that we have grown and we would like to continue having organic, yet sustained growth so we don’t lose the ethos of the business and the reasons we became established in the first place: to serve our clients personally.

“Looking ahead we want to maintain the client base that we have gained over the past 14 years by continuing to service their needs and deliver good quality projects for them. We also want to develop new client relationships to maintain our turnover and reputation in the industry. We believe through continued training of our excellent team in areas such as health and safety, planning and programming we will continue to deliver successful projects. It is about moving with the times but also remembering your values,” she concludes.

VincentStokes www.vincentstokes.com Services: Main contractor on complex projects 59

profile: Rock Civil Engineering

Rock solid Rock Civil Engineering specialises in civil engineering and groundwork undertaking projects for individual housing developers and some of the largest construction companies in the UK

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ased in Nottingham in the UK, Rock Civil Engineering (Rock Civils) is a leading groundworks and civil engineering contractor, which has been experiencing rapid growth thanks to the rise in housebuilding across the country since the recession in 2008. The company’s revenue increased by over 40 per cent in 2016 to almost £13 million and with further important contracts on the horizon, this success looks set to continue.

With a specialisation in residential groundworks, Rock Civil Engineering also works on general civil engineering works, general groundworks and commercial building projects.

Residential In the residential sector, Rock Civils has created an unsurpassed record of quality and safety, combined with vast experience, and this has resulted in a consistent delivery record and the ability to appreciate and stick to an agreed budget.

The business also recognises that residential work often involves dealing with members of the general public, not only

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handling problems and issues in a professional and understanding manner, but also appreciating the little aspects of construction work that can make community life difficult, such as safe and tidy sites, and the minimal possible disruption to the area.

Civil engineering Within civil engineering (and as you might expect from the company name) Rock Civil Engineering offers a complete package of works across the East Midlands, including: • • • • • • • • •

Ground stabilisation Earthworks cut and fill Bunds and embankments Highway adoption works Gambion walls Underground storage tanks Retaining walls Culverts Sports fields

When working with clients, the business prioritises adhering to both deadlines and budgetary requirements – by understanding the needs of customers and the challenges they face, it is able to offer advice on the most efficient and successful approach.

Groundworks Within the Groundworks Division, Rock Civils is experienced in all types of foundations. It can deliver strip; piled; raft; block and beam; and trench fill, complemented by second stage site works such as slabbing; driveways; topsoil and surfacing. One critical element of any groundworks project is health and safety, and in this area Rock Civils maintains an exemplary record, which when partnered with excellent customer care, results in high levels of repeat business, and a workforce that is clearly recognised and valued as an essential part of the success of the business.

Commercial The fourth and final segment, Commercial, sees Rock Civil Engineering offering a complete package for every aspect of a commercial building project, from ground stabilisation and foundations to highway adoption works. Each site is left safe and tidy, ready for the next stage of the operation, whether that might be providing a simple base for an electrical sub-station or a full site clearance and foundation installation - each project is

WORKSOP TARMACADAM

approached in a methodical and professional manner.

It is clear that Rock Civil Engineering prides itself on excellence and performance, and this hasn’t gone unrecognised – it was recently named as part of the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017. The businesses highlighted in the report are the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK and to be part of this is a huge honour for Rock Civils, and an acknowledgement of all the hard work and dedication the business and its staff invest into each and every project they undertake.

In order to maintain these levels of success, as well as add to them with further growth, Rock Civils has been instituting an investment plan, with new plant being

Proud to be celebrating 40 years in the surfacing industry, Worksop Tarmacadam carries out machine and hand lay surfacing works, alongside final adoption and civils remedial works with its highly-qualified operatives, management and administrative team.

From domestic driveways to large scale commercial contractors and developers, along with major housebuilders, Worksop Tarmacadam puts health and safety, and quality at the forefront of its business and holds CHAS, Worksafe Contractor Accreditations and Constructionline Certification.

Worksop Tarmacadam has had a longstanding and valued working relationship with Rock Civil Engineering for many years. Its site teams and operatives are focussed on ensuring the quality of its work is maintained throughout. By working closely and flexibly with Rock Civil Engineering, Worksop Tarmacadam can provide a quick and flexible response time to ensure its completion deadlines are met. purchased to enable it to meet the demands of its clients. It has a preference towards the Volvo brand, and has invested around £200,000 in new plant each year. This enhances its fleet and introduces new technology which can save time and make every project more efficient.

As Rock Civil Engineering heads into the second half of 2017, the company is welcoming exciting new contracts into its order

books, with a prime example being a major new groundworks deal for a 1000 home development at Arnold Lane, Gedling, at the former site of Gedling Colliery. This new estate will border Gedling Country Park and will also eventually include a new primary school, retail outlets, medical centre and open spaces.

It is a significant project for both the local community and for Rock Civils, and the company will as ever, work hard to maintain its reputation with partners, utilities companies, local authorities and its supply chain.

Rock Civil Engineering www.rockcivils.com Services: Leading groundworks and civil engineering contractor

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profile: Duchy Homes

Qualityat the

core

Duchy Homes is an award-winning residential developer that focuses on luxury homes in the north of England

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ware that buying a home is one of the most important decisions that people ever make, Duchy Homes focuses on quality in all areas of home building to ensure the move into one of its homes runs as smoothly as possible. With quality taking precedence, Duchy Homes puts choosing the right location, style and construction processes at the heart of its operations. However, to add extra peace of mind, Duchy Homes offers a ten-year NHBC warranty on all of its homes as well as operating a two-year policy with a dedicated customer service team on hand.

Since its foundation in 2011, the company has grown significantly through cautious investment and a focus on building small developments and creating luxury homes. “We started with a blank canvas and a sparse office without mobile phones or computers, we were a standing start SME with good, supportive investors and a lot of experience. We set about finding land in the right places and

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have grown our business year-onyear by setting ourselves sensible, achievable targets,” begins Jim Cropper, Group Managing Director of Duchy Homes.

Another key reason behind the company’s growth is the funding it has received by its senior debt providers, predominantly RBS together with Barclays, as Jim notes: “This was especially true of RBS five years ago when SME housebuilders were not the flavour of the month, it was very supportive of us and continues to be so. I think the reason we changed the outlook of RBS was our risk profile, management experience and general offering, which was likely to be quite different to what was around at the time. We were offering four-to-five five bedroom quality detached houses, not mainstream two-to-three bed homes or small four beds.

Furthermore, if you put sensible land acquisition together with relatively small numbers in a market place that we hope will sustain demand even if there is a down turn and have the right

product that people will want, you have a good offering for the bank.”

Today the company has three established offices in Leeds, Manchester and Gateshead and has recently opened a new base in the Midlands, which opened in May 2017. Building on the success of its other locations, the company’s plan is to satisfy demand for a small luxury housebuilder in the region. “This is a people-based business and an ex-colleague of mine became available who is based in the West Midlands so my investors have considered the person and the location and said ‘OK, let’s do it.’

We have gone from a standing start SME with one division to four divisions in the space of five years,” says Jim. “Our success stems from a measured approach; we don’t have any aspirations other than opening new divisions and don’t wish to go beyond the core business of 20-25 houses a year in the first instance. That way we can keep the quality, ensure customers are satisfied and keep our overheads at a sensible level.”

Duchy Homes’ current

FORTICRETE

developments are in Watermill Gardens, Penistone, South Yorkshire, Tower Gardens, Scawthorpe, South Yorkshire and Chesters Meadow, Humshaugh Northumberland. Starting in the next few weeks are The Ings, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, High Gables, Ranskill, Nottinghamshire, Tranby Lane, Swanland, East Yorkshire; and Bunbury, Cheshire.

Discussing the length of time in building these developments, Jim states: “It takes a minimum of six months to get planning permission, however in terms of time on site, if it is a fiveunit site you will be in-and-out in approximately 12 months; if it is a 15-unit site add another six months on top of that. The very best we have done from finding the site, getting planning permission to build and finishing

Forticrete is a leading manufacturer of concrete roof tiles, architectural masonry and walling, and cast stone. Established in 1921, the business has pioneered the development of aesthetic concrete products, including the innovative, Queens Award-winning Gemini rooftile. Forticrete has long been the driving force at the forefront of innovation in architectural concrete block development, and this reputation now extends to the processes it uses and the services it provides to serve the UK construction industry as a whole. Forticrete products are highly sustainable, offering precision engineered and attractive alternatives to traditional building materials.

Forticrete's range of products is unrivalled in its field. it has probably been 18 months to two years. The normal length of time is two to 2.5 years.”

Having gained a strong foothold in the market thanks to a wellearned reputation for high quality developments and services, the award-winning Duchy Homes was honoured to be named in the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report. “We had no knowledge of this and it was a very pleasant surprise for us,” says Jim. Looking ahead, in the short-term, the company sees potential challenges ahead with regards to Brexit and the recent election, which is causing people to slow down

in their decision to move house.

However, over the coming years, Duchy Homes is focused on its offices in North East, North West and the Midlands reaching their targets of £10 million to £12 million turnover. “Now that Yorkshire has reached its original goal of £10 million turnover, established its reputation for health and safety and quality, it will now seek to double its turnover. We anticipate the remaining offices will reach their target turnovers over the next three years; once this has been reached we will consider prospects for future growth,” Jim concludes.

Duchy Homes www.duchyhomes.co.uk Services: A residential developer, specialising in new build luxury homes

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profile: VIVALDA Group

Dynamic

decor

In less than two decades, VIVALDA Group has undergone a significant period of growth, during which time it has tackled projects of various sizes and has come to be recognised as an expert in the field of façades

S

ince it was established in London in 1999, VIVALDA Group has offered a fast, efficient and reliable nationwide service, allowing it to become the UK’s leading distributor of decorative rainscreen cladding panels, fixing systems and building boards to the construction industry. With a vast stock of external cladding in various colours, and building and fire boards available for immediate delivery, it is the UK’s primary supplier of brands such as Trespa, Marley Eternit, FunderMax, Parklex and Cembrit.

As established façade specialists within the industry, the VIVALDA Group produces a slimlined portfolio of products and is very much recognised as being an expert within its particular field of the construction industry.

This expertise has resulted in the company cultivating a customer base which extends from members of the public to blue chip contractors, such as Laing O’Rourke and Bouygues UK. “VIVALDA Group began life in a small 4000 square foot unit in London, selling select materials to

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Above: The Yorkshire Schools Priority Building Project A £150 million scheme won by Laing O’Rourke to rejuvenate schools around the Yorkshire region, VIVALDA completed a number of the schools including Deans Trust Academy Ardwick, Manchester Enterprise Academy, Beckfoot Upper Heaton, Samuel Lister Academy

Mainline As a proud supply partner to the Vivalda Group, our successful partnership is firmly rooted in the quality of our product, our colour matching technology and Mainline’s unrivalled service, which provides a four-day turnaround on any colour or quantity.

Only Mainline can match fixings and profiles to the latest industry trends for multi-tonal chameleon, anodised and metallic colours, along with standard RAL/NCS matches.

We also produce bespoke rain screen tooling, a full range of façade accessories and are now pleased to introduce our latest range of Weatherboard profiles.

the decorative market,” explains VIVALDA Group Managing Director, Ben Jayes. “In the years that followed a programme of continued investment in the business, together with an appetite for seeking out new opportunities, took the business to where we are today. Regular investment has also contributed to a wide geographical spread and the chance to develop the business from a sales volume perspective, which in turn has created increased profitability.”

The growth of the business has been impressively rapid, taking turnover from £8 million in 2008 to £27.5 million in 2016. For the financial year 2017, it is on course to increase this further still to £35 million. As a result of this success VIVALDA Group now boasts eight facilities across the UK and six depots, each of which is a fully-fledged, self-sufficient fabrication facility boasting computerised cutting systems, CNC machines, a fleet of lorries, fork trucks and highly qualified personnel.

“Each of our depots has the required resources needed to act as a standalone entity, taking in materials, fabricating, machining and delivering the end products in a controlled manner to anywhere in the UK,” Ben continues.

“Investment in 2017 has already seen us add four new beam saws to our inventory, taking our total number of cutting facilities to 12.

As we speak we are also in the process of purchasing two new lorries, new fork trucks and also carrying out the refurbishment of our Birmingham location to create

5000 square feet of head office space where we will be expanding with a view of creating new divisions.”

One of the Group’s newest divisions, which has experienced unprecedented success in the last few years, is Pura Façades.

It specialises in supplying lightweight natural façade cladding, focusing on the raw material itself, and offers sustainable options for futureorientated architecture. “The products sold by Pura Façades, which include glass reinforced concrete (GRC) and terracotta cladding specification, are pure and organic in nature,” Ben adds.

“Our goal with Pura Façades was to overlap it with our existing VIVALDA Group customer portfolio and this has proven to be highly effective, resulting in a turnover of £5 million in 2016, with predicted turnover of up to £7 million for 2017.”

The projects that VIVALDA Group have been contracted to carry out work on over the years have been varied, encompassing undertakings of all manner of size and scale. Projects of note include work on the Citizen M Hotel.

Situated opposite the Tower of London, this 1500 square metre building is made of light coloured stone and deep sided, formed, black GRC vertical fins, with ‘luce’ particles added to catch sunlight.

Work on this building was carried out for its contractor, Balfour Beatty.

In addition to private buildings, many examples of VIVALDA Group’s work can be found throughout the education sector.

Northway Infant School in Tewkesbury and The University of Suffolk are two such examples, and the respective work on each also highlights the flexibility of the Group. The former is a bright and colourful infant school building.

Using over 1200 square metres of ROCKPANEL Colour and Woods, the mix of colours used gives the building a unique personality, creating an engaging learning environment.

The University of Suffolk Waterfront building, located in the heart of Ipswich, acts as a central hub for students and houses dedicated facilities for their studies. Marley Eternit EQUITONE Natura fibre cement boards in ivory and titanium were chosen to create the building. Finishing it to the highest standards RMJM Architects, Cambridge, chose

to use a secret fix adhesive to ensure the EQUITONE panels created an uninterrupted façade.

Furthermore, VIVALDA has completed a number of schools as part of a £150 million scheme won

by Laing O’Rourke to rejuvenate schools in the Yorkshire region.

Recently included within the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017 report, an achievement that Ben says as recognition for the hard work, energy and commitment of VIVALDA Group’s staff and management, the group is also poised to enter a new phase of growth as it extends into Ireland this year. “Our job is to be productive in what we do and to constantly be looking at how we improve upon, and reinvent, processes within the façade market,” he enthuses.

“We are rightly proud of what we have achieved and the way in which we have managed to stay at the cutting edge of new market trends, driving change by introducing new products, finishes, new methods of fixing and new overlays, therefore differentiating ourselves from the competition. By continuing to lead from the front we believe our strategic vision of taking this business to the point where it achieves a £50 million annual turnover is not far away from being realised.”

VIVALDA Group www.vivalda.co.uk Products: Façade panels and fixing systems

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profile: P.A.W. Structures

steel Men of

The bespoke light gauge frame and structural steelwork solutions provided by P.A.W. Structures have contributed to the successful construction of a host of the UK’s more dynamic, innovative and complex buildings and developments

H

aving accumulated more than 40 years of experience in the construction industry, P. Alan Walker made the decision in 2001 to found P.A.W. Structures.

Originally conceived as a lifestyle business that would deliver portal shed and small office block designs, the company would go on to bring Warren Mitchell into the fold in 2002 at Director level. Two years later, it gained approved installer status from an industry-leading structural frame supplier, to work on prestigious, large scale projects. Over the last four years PAW Structures has developed and launched its own Sigmat system ushering in the next generation of light gauged steel frame buildings.

“Today, we are acknowledged as being the UK’s leading panelised light steel frame specialist,” explains P.A.W.’s, James Walker (Commercial Director). “In addition to the design, supply and erection of light gauge steel frame structures, we also undertake hot rolled podium structures, giving

us a unique position within the marketplace. The niche nature of our work has seen us through periods of uncertainty in the industry and given us a strong competitive edge.”

P.A.W. possesses a comprehensive project capability, which allows it to offer a complete range of project services covering light gauge frame and structural steel solutions. Its ability to contribute to all stages relating to the specification, manufacture,

logistics, delivery and installation of frames and structural steel work makes it the only company within its field to offer a true ‘source-to-site’ solution. By contracting P.A.W. at an early stage of a project customers are able to expand the scope of their options, allowing P.A.W. to propose bespoke solutions that optimise quality, lifetime performance, cost and value, and programme efficiencies.

The company’s aforementioned

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profile: P.A.W. Structures

capabilities have resulted in it working with clients from a wide range of sectors. While the extent of P.A.W.’s involvement varies according to the needs of each client, in every case it aims to fulfil the client’s goals of achieving the desired build quality, while completing its work on time and within budget. Clients of P.A.W. have included the likes of Berkeley Group, Oakapple, Orchard Care Homes, Premier Inn, Travelodge, University Partnership Programme and Tesco.

“The largest project we have been involved in, in terms of scale at least, was Byron House in Nottingham,” James states. Located in the centre of Nottingham city centre, this award-winning accommodation scheme, with a contract value of approximately £4 million, incorporates a series of five interlinked buildings of between four and nine storeys, which provide a total of 911 beds for the city’s students. “This was a particularly complex undertaking for P.A.W., during which time we worked closely with the main contractor, Vinci and Architect, Church Lukas, to deliver a successful scheme within a constricted urban site.

“A further pair of projects that we are particularly proud of are the IQ project in Bristol and the Anderson High School project.

The former offers state-of-the-art private student accommodation, and with 11 floors sitting upon a first-floor podium we believe it represents the tallest light gauge steel structure in the country. Our understanding and knowledge of the parameters of such a project allowed us to complete this project in just 17 weeks. The Anderson project, meanwhile, was a logistically complex undertaking, which required all of the panels used to be built in Yorkshire, before being shipped up to Shetland. By making sure all of the components arrived safely and

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Technic Concrete Floors Ltd We have built a strong relationship with PAW Structures over the years.

Our joint efforts have provided our clients with a quality product.

Technic Floors have secured work with many high-profile clients across all sectors, including agriculture, industrial, commercial, whiskey distilleries and retail superstores. Our services include concrete to metal decking, laser screed (including dry shake finishes), mobile concrete pump hire and concrete hardstandings.

We are proud of the extensive list of decking projects and ground floor projects and our expertise/ services offered in the industry.

on time this project represented another enormous success for the company.”

While P.A.W. was recently one of the businesses to be included within the London Stock Exchange Group’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain 2017 report, this news was greeted in typically humble fashion by James. “Our inclusion came as something of shock, to be honest, but it is of course a fantastic achievement,” he says. “We tend to keep our heads down and keep ourselves busy, but to receive such recognition for our work is always welcome.”

P.A.W. most certainly has a strong, solid base to build upon as it looks ahead to the next few years of prospective growth.

“In the student accommodation market, we continue to see opportunities, particularly in

the bigger towns and cities that have more than one university,” James adds. “In the wider scheme of things, we need to increase our level of expertise within the business, bringing in new talent.

For a number of years now we have gone about our business fairly quietly, but we are now in the process of pushing ourselves forward from a marketing perspective as well, getting the P.A.W. name out there to a wider audience, publicising our previous successes and detailing how we are looking to build upon these as we enter the next phase of our own development.”

P.A.W. Structures www.pawstructures.com Services: Light gauge frames and structural steelwork

profile: MR Scaffolding Services

Structured

growth Having rebranded and invested £4 million in new equipment, MR Scaffolding Services has achieved rapid growth in the scaffolding market thanks to its ability to compete for bigger and more complex projects

M

R Scaffolding Services has developed a strong reputation in the market since it was established more than 40 years ago in 1974, and has gone on to become specialists when it comes to providing access solutions to the construction industry. Founded by Michael and John Trayfoot, this wellestablished, family business is today run by sons Matthew and John Jnr, alongside Contracts Director, Frank Pickford.

Adhering to best practice and safety principles, regulations and industry standards, the company’s primary business is derived from providing access to buildings and facilities through the creation of scaffold structures that can be used for ongoing building works. Proud of the team it has developed over the years, the competent and experienced firm works both on and offsite to deliver services by sector.

These include commercial fit out, transport, commercial new build, and advertising and specialist

structures. Proactively working with each client, MR Scaffolding Services provides innovative ideas to maximise the customer’s budget, while also delivering the best possible end result. To make this possible, the company stays at the forefront of technological developments and meets the latest NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) standard TG20:13.

Examples of MR Scaffolding Services ’s services being put to use can be found throughout London and the South East, and take in all manner of undertakings, from small scale buildings right up

to iconic structures like London’s Hotel Russel. In instances where the customer in question is carrying out a building fit out, MR Scaffolding Services will provide the scaffold structures needed for complex work to be carried out safely, for example tasks that take place on the façade of the building in question or the changing of windows. Separately, the company also provides scaffold structures that allow for the raising of materials from ground level to the upper reaches of buildings, structures that create temporary stairwells on the inside of units, and mechanical components for complex ‘birdcage’ structures that provide access in and out of buildings where work is ongoing.

MR Scaffolding Services’ expertise also extends to providing safe access routes for the general public. Each undertaking that calls upon the services of MR Scaffolding Services, or any like-minded company for that matter, must take into careful consideration the well-being of the public,

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profile: MR Scaffolding Services

particularly when work is being carried out in densely populated areas. The structures provided by the company allow for the public to navigate around and through the affected site in a safe manner.

Working in this way has resulted in a reputation for excellence and glowing recommendations from customers including being awarded the prestigious City of London Considerate Contractors Gold Award.

In addition to its core business of providing access, MR Scaffolding Services has various prestigious sites across London and the South East where it works with contractors and advertising agencies to create scaffold structures that can not only be used for ongoing building works, but also to incorporate advertising on the façade. Viewed as a good way for contractors to decrease project overheads and deliver an aesthetically pleasing façade for the surrounding community to enjoy, the company is proud to have been involved in the erection of Superman Man of Steel advertising on St Paul’s Church in Hammersmith in recent years.

This advert was visible from the A4 flyover and attracted positive attention and feedback.

To remain at the forefront of scaffolding services, MR Scaffolding Services has recently undergone a major rebrand and expansion phase. Over the last few years, as the company has undergone major internal changes, and has seen rapid growth and doubled in size. This is due to the collective vision of the current directors on how a company can grow and be successful in a competitive market as well as major new contracts, an increase in highly trained staff and a booming construction market.

Indeed, as the company has grown, so too has the size of the contracts it is competing for as more customers benefit from its specialist expertise in commercial fit-

out services. Furthermore, because it is able to deliver the appropriate design and planning solution, as well as passenger and goods hoists, beam hoists, scaffolding staircases and temporary roofs, MR Scaffolding Services has the flexibility and knowledge to be able to respond to a variety of requests from customers.

To give MR Scaffolding Services a stronger foothold in the growing construction market, the company has not only rebranded with a new vehicle livery and company logo to appear more modern, but have also purchased a new fleet of trucks and other vehicles. These vehicles are named after John and Matt’s parents and other family members as a symbol of MR

Scaffolding Services’s continuity as a family firm.

With two years of major change behind it, MR Scaffolding Services is wholly prepared to take on the challenges of the construction industry as it not only benefits from a fresh look, increased staff numbers and a brand-new fleet, but also from the four decades of tradition that has shaped it into a well-reputed and trusted scaffolding service provider.

MR Scaffolding Services www.mrscaffolding.com Services: Speciality fit out, transport and commercial new build scaffolding service 71

profile: Acorn Property Group

Different by

design

With an expert team of industry specialists and boundary pushing designers, Acorn Property Group has cemented its status as one of the UK’s leading design-led developers. For over 20 years Acorn has been creating bespoke developments that complement their environment whilst embodying sustainable architecture

A

corn’s ‘Different

by Design’ ethos illustrates the company’s strong focus on design, from creative placemaking to understanding how people use their private space, “If there is an opportunity to improve the quality of homes that we build; the quality of the places that we create, then we will strive to achieve this. We don’t stop designing until the project is finished. This is reflected in how projects develop with well-rounded design solutions developing out of an organic process,” discusses Acorn’s Design Director Julian Hampson.

Acorn has a strong reputation for considerate but practical design. “Considering day-to-day human activity - how people use their own homes, is core to the design process at Acorn.” This is reflected in Acorn’s commitment to key design principles which focus on people, places and partners.

Acorn builds in urban and rural locations, brownfield and

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greenfield sites, building new build and conversions, listed buildings and residential and commercial schemes. Each scheme is unique and personal, committed to striking design which complements the social, historical and architectural environment in which it sits.

Key to Acorn’s growing reputation and something which it makes as a point of difference is commitment to community engagement. “Engaging with the local community is really important to us. Working out local concerns and aspirations for a site allows us to develop a design solution which balances the needs of the community with that of future occupiers. We aim for designs that fit their environment

and that the community can eventually be proud of,” says Julian. “We pride ourselves on some very favourable reports from local people and parish councils, once they see that we are committed to high quality design.

They can see that we are trying to make a positive contribution to the area. It is a sensitive subject, often challenging, but we feel it is always best to start openly.”

Creative regeneration is ingrained in Acorn’s ‘Different by Design’ philosophy. The independent developer has restored several historic and landmark buildings, preserving facets of an area’s history whilst breathing new life into derelict sites.

“Working on historic and listed buildings is not always the most

predictable form of development, and one that many developers shy away from,” explains Julian.

“We have some wonderful historic projects and we are proud to restore many neglected sites, bringing them back to everyday use.”

Acorn’s Hepple & White development in London’s historic Borough and Bankside upholds this ethos. “Two of the oldest houses in the area (c.1732) had been crudely converted to offices in the 1970s. We are returning them to the original use of single family dwellings, restoring key historic features such as fireplaces and stairs but also, where the historic content has been completely removed, providing contemporary insertions to restore the ongoing line of history.”

With a broad portfolio spanning a range of sites and buildings, Acorn’s expertise is underpinned by its team of committed professionals. “At the heart of it all is a passion to do a good job and we are building within Acorn a huge wealth of experience. We have been expanding recently to make sure we have all the key disciplines in the business: Architects, Planners, Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and M&E consultants. They are spread across Acorn’s five regional offices but they are all on tap to the rest of the Acorn family, available for anyone who needs advice.”

Having such a team of skilled professionals, working collaboratively across the industry, allows Acorn to fine tune all aspects of its developments.

Planning consultations are thorough, designs are continuously scrutinised and improved, construction is methodical and efficient.

Assembling the right talent and encouraging it to grow within the business is at the heart of the company. Acorn has a low staff turnover, and passion for the job and pride in the business is high.

“Reputation is everything,” adds Julian. “We do a lot of repeat business meaning developing with the same partners, consultants or local authority.”

Establishing and maintaining good working relationships is at the heart of Acorn’s day-to-day operations. With its collaborative team ethic, strong focus on design and pride in each of its developments, Acorn has established itself as a flexible and experienced joint venture partner to a wide range of individuals and organisations, including landowners, housing associations, charities and public bodies.

“We treat our partners as clients so we can identify their needs and deliver the optimum value for their land assets. We tailor finances to suit our partner and

have acquired the confidence to do this from working for a long time with a range of finance providers. Recently we have been working with a long-established charity who were interested in retaining the land and a long-term income stream from retaining several of the units for rental. With our flexible approach, we have enhanced the value of their asset by over 80 per cent through a tailored development agreement, a well-considered design solution and a successful planning process,” concluded Julian.

Acorn Property Group www.acornpropertygroup.org Services: Design-led development group

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profile: Struyk Verwo Aqua

Total solution provider With its years of experience and market knowledge, drainage product manufacturer Struyk Verwo Aqua is proud to be a valuable partner to its clients

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truyk Verwo Aqua is a leading specialist in drainage and water treatment.

The company offers a wide range of concrete cast iron products for drainage applications, including gutters, soil and well covers, and its brands AQUAWAY and AQUAGATE are well known in the industry for their innovation and reliability.

As Mark Baetsen, Operations Director, explained, the company started life as a family-owned concern, which was sold around the turn of the millennium. This marked a change of focus, with the business moving away from the manufacture of pipes and cornerstones, and really targeting its range of drainage products, such as channels, gullies and covers. “In 2007, we constructed and moved into a new plant ten kilometres from the old one and then another change happened very recently, when this year we were sold to a Dutch investor,” he began.

“This will give us the opportunity to grow further and acquire other companies

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ourselves, who are working in the drainage area. We’ve also purchased 11,000 square metres of land next to our company that we are now developing in order to expand our production.”

Initially this new space will increase the gully and cover production, and as Mark noted, it could be only the start of Struyk Verwo Aqua’s facility expansion: “There is another option for 20,000 square metres of land that we have at the moment but it does require the change of status from agriculture to industrial, and that process can take a couple of years. But we do want more space as we have plans to expand our other product areas as well.”

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of both traditional and innovative concrete and cast iron products for drainage, Struyk Verwo Aqua is involved in some of the most diverse infrastructure and industrial projects in the Netherlands. Its drainage products and (prefabricated) custom solutions are of very high concrete and/or cast iron quality, comply with European

directives and can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications in sectors such as agriculture, airports, industrial, logistics, public transport, recreation, roads and waterworks, seaports, and utilities building. “Our main customers are contractors, and in terms of significant recent projects we’ve done a few airports, with Amsterdam Airport in 2017 and Rotterdam Airport in 2016/2017 and Brussels Expo in 2017.

On the Amsterdam contract, we produced six kilometres of channel for them, and for Rotterdam we made special high resistance channels with gratings.”

He continued with some details on why customers come to Struyk Verwo Aqua for their drainage products: “I think our new, efficient factory makes us competitive on costs and prices.

We also very much focus on operational excellence, and we have several programmes running here that are designed to make our production processes operate more efficiently. We have a very flexible engineering department, which is also very inventive when

it comes to finding solutions to our customers’ problems. We keep the lines of communication short between engineering and production so we can act quite fast and keep flexible, and we have a technical department where some staff are available to

and going forward we see lots of opportunities as the demand for better water management increases. There is a huge market for drainage and filtration and we foresee that the coming years will be very active.”

He concluded with some

details on the development of some products that will be a focus for Struyk Verwo Aqua in the future: “We already produce oil and grease separators in our factory in Belgium but our sales department has been changed so we are going to focus on a total concept that we can deliver for water treatment,” he said. “We can now deliver an entire concept, which includes channels, gullies, oil separators and infiltration to help our customers. In the future we want to be seen as a company that delivers a total solution, not just the parts.”

Struyk Verwo Aqua BV www.struykverwoaqua.nl Services: Leading specialist in drainage and water treatment work quickly if a change needs to be made to a mould for example – we would be able to react to that sort of request very promptly.”

Another area that sets Struyk Verwo Aqua apart is its green approach. Many of its products are available in standard, middle or premium options, and the premium versions include some more environmentally-friendly materials, as Mark explained: “So for example with a concrete product we include reused material that has been crushed, and we also recycle some plastic materials to reuse as well. More and more clients are requesting this, especially on government contracts for cities, who ask if we can fulfil their need to use parts that are environmentally-friendly.”

Struyk Verwo Aqua has seen a lot of recent changes, and as the acquisition process matures and the company grows even stronger, Mark can see that there will be more improvements on the agenda. “We can reduce costs further, both in our own processes and on the prices of the end products. We can continue to improve efficiency

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profile: Machine Mart

No compromise on

quality With more than 6000 catalogue lines as well as the XTRA section of its website, Machine Mart is the biggest specialist supplier of tools and machinery in the UK

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stablished more than three decades ago, Machine Mart has expanded over the years to have 66 superstores nationwide, a dedicated mail order department

and a 24 hour website that offers high quality branded items at fiercely competitive prices.

Viewed as the first choice for quality tools and equipment, the company prides itself on merging the provision of cost-effective quality brand products and an unrivalled customer service.

These products are placed in relevant segments such as air compressors, garage equipment, wood burning stoves, tool chests and storage, fans and air conditioning, wood working, water pumps, generators and hand tools as well as welding products and pressure washers. Within these areas are top brands that include

programmes that enable employees to develop valuable skills and experiences. Once these skills have been honed, personnel will have the opportunity to progress in their career thanks to Machine Mart’s policy of internal promotion whenever possible.

This has resulted in a team that is passionate about equipment and tools as well as the delivery of exceptional customer service.

This passion to serve is not only based on the shop floor, but is also readily available to customers seeking mail order or telesales services, where trained operators are ready to advise clients on the range of products available.

Additionally, the company has an after sales team available six days a week who offer unrivalled support via its technical hotlines.

Not only offering a diverse range of products at value for money

Bosch, Clarke, Ryobi, Dewalt and Makita alongside an excess of 17,000 spare parts that are available for immediate dispatch from its central parts warehouse.

Headquartered in Nottingham, the company and its team of over 400 expert staff that are located throughout England, Scotland and Wales are known to eat, sleep and breathe specialist tools and equipment. Indeed, Machine Mart is aware that its continuing success is not only down to its product range, but also the talent, hard work and dedication of its personnel. Because of this, Machine Mart has established training and development

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profile: Machine Mart

and expert advice from friendly, efficient and knowledgeable staff at its 66 superstores, the company also has a dedicated mail order department and a 24 hour run website that offers quality branded items at competitive prices. Furthermore, Machine Mart produces a catalogue of its ever-growing product range twice a year; viewed as a musthave catalogue for professional and DIY users alike, it can be purchased in-store or online.

Recent additions to the company’s product portfolio include the XEV16/150 industrial air compressor, which provides the ideal solution for operators in need of a greater

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volume of compressed air but who are also limited to 230v, one-phase power supply.

This heavy duty unit is fitted with V-twin air compressor pumps, which displaces up to 14cfm of compressed air for the running of most professional spray guns and air tools. Specification also includes a 150litre air receiver, 3HP motor, safety valve, air outlet valve, pressure gauge and drain tap (400v models are also in stock).

Other new products are the Clarke professional CIR18LIC 18V 2Ah Brushless ½� Li-ion Impact Wrench and its bigger brother the Clarke CIR184 with a 4Ah battery. They are great additions to the already impressive range of corded and cordless impact wrenches in stock at Machine Mart. Both feature new brushless technology making them more efficient at delivering up to 350Nm of torque power when needed and are more compact for confined

spaces. Weighing from only 1.18kg these impressive power tools also feature three forward and reverse gears and come complete with two batteries for maximum versatility.

Also available to customers is Machine Mart Xtra, which has more than 20,000 products online, including more than 14,000 hard-to-find specialist products for any application. Products in this range include water pumps, motorcycle gear, hand tools, gardening and leisure products and bike tools.

With a new store due to open in Blackpool in July 2017, Machine Mart remains committed to seeking new properties throughout the UK in order to strengthen its network of stores, a trend that is set to continue throughout the coming years.

Alongside this development, the company is also looking to strengthen its operations via acquisitions, which will not only bolster its offering but also increase profit in a competitive market.

Brennenstuhl Brennenstuhl is a leading international company in the field of electrical engineering and electronics, with world-wide distribution capabilities. The brand enjoys a high reputation for quality and innovation. Main products include power distribution and lighting equipment, such as cable extensions, industrial and workshop lighting, and LED lighting.

For more than 20 years Brennenstuhl has been supplying Machine Mart with reliable and safe products, making it a trusted partner.

Machine Mart www.machinemart.co.uk Services: Specialist supplier of tools and machinery 79

profile: Granada Glazing

Amazing

glazing Granada Glazing is the leading UK proponent of high quality commercial secondary glazing, with years of experience in delivering the right design, manufactured and installed with precision

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s the largest manufacturer of bespoke aluminium secondary glazing in the UK, Granada Glazing has over 15 years’ experience in the industry, and has worked on a huge variety of award-winning construction and renovation projects with architects, contractors, project managers and developers.

Thanks to the inherent strengths of its offering, Granada Glazing regularly works with recognised industry names such as Bam Construction, Vinci Construction, Taylor Woodrow Construction and others, delivering solutions for industries such as education, hospitals, hotels, retailers and property developers.

What is secondary glazing?

Secondary glazing involves fitting a discreet internal window in addition to existing, single, double and triple glazed windows. It is a cost effective and efficient way to insulate and soundproof windows, and is preferred for the use within Listed Buildings and conservation areas. It offers a cost-effective way to meet building regulation

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requirements whilst achieving superb results.

Recommended by English Heritage, the Listed Property Owners Club and the Energy Saving Trust, the benefits of secondary glazing include: • Up to 80 per cent noise reduction • Minimise drafts, reduce heat loss by up to 65 per cent • An additional security barrier • Condensation control • Reduced carbon footprint • Retains character of heritage properties When it comes to projects, Granada Glazing’s aim is to provide a bespoke, tailored service to ensure both design aesthetics and thermal and acoustic functionality is achieved. It not only has the scale to work with large commercial construction companies, but also is happy to work directly with homeowners, architects and trade clients and actively encourages partners to think outside of the box. Having earned a reputation for being able to deliver within time and budget constraints, Granada is regularly challenged to meet difficult briefs, involving irregular frames, unusual

materials or difficult locations.

The structure of Granada Glazing means that it has been set up to provide an end-toend solution, from design, to manufacture and through to installation. Understanding the requirements of customers is a top priority and by being the key point of contact for the client, Granada is able to oversee all aspects of the glazing project.

The choice of the most suitable glass and product style is the starting point and Granada will be there to advise on how to achieve bespoke detailing or unusual applications. Clients choose from two ranges, Traditional and Heritage: Traditional offers minimal sight lines and easy access to the primary window and is popular with homeowners; while Heritage utilises a slightly thicker aluminium profile to support large-scale commercial installation, as well as smaller domestic applications.

Windows are made to measure, with options to accommodate nearly all window styles.

Horizontal sliders are the most popular choice, though Granada can supply and install vertical sliders, hinged units, fixed and liftout windows.

Once the designs are finalised, the products move into the factory and all of Granada’s commercial secondary glazing products are manufactured in its state-of-the-art facilities in Dinnington, Sheffield.

These have recently been extended, and include bending equipment for arched windows; paint and powder coating technology to offer a range of colour options; and an infrastructure that has been designed to deal with continual planned expansion over the next five years. The Dinnington site also offers up-to-the-minute product training and technical backup, and welcomes visitors to meet experts and technicians, and see many of the products that are on permanent display.

All of Granada’s products are extensively tested, carefully assembled and backed-up with a full five-year warranty, and furthermore, it holds significant levels of stock, making it possible to provide a fast, nationwide delivery service, without rushing orders or compromising renowned attention to detail. Standard frames can be manufactured and delivered within ten working days, and most UK postcodes receive free delivery.

Even when the products have been manufactured and delivered, Granada is still part of the process, as it appreciates that the perfect fitting of new windows is a huge part of a successful project. The company works with the best local consultants and installation teams, all of which are carefully vetted, with the vast

AMS With over 25 years’ experience in the design and supply of high quality, efficient and sustainable façade systems, AMS has the technical expertise and environmental focus to future proof your building, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions and significant savings on energy costs.

Services include high quality façade systems, bespoke façade design, a state-of-theart aluminium extrusion facility, sheet metal fabrication, and weather and thermal performance testing.

Its window and door systems are part of the widely recognised CEN solutions, ‘Gold’ standard quality scheme. System energy performance, coupled with high levels of security, durability and cost effectiveness makes AMS one of the market leaders in the supply of high performance façade solutions. majority being members of the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA).

FENSA installers provide an added layer of protection and, if applicable, will ensure complete compliance with the Building Regulations without the added cost and time of arranging assessment

by Building Control. Throughout the entire process, Granada’s team of

knowledgeable and helpful staff are only a call away should any queries or issues arise.

It is clear that over the years it has been established, Granada Glazing has honed and refined its strategy and processes to create the most efficient and highest quality service and products possible. While it may work on complicated projects, the business has a simple ethos – ‘to mean what we say and to be the best in what we do: source, supply and install quality secondary glazing products’ and it continues to achieve this on a daily basis.

Granada Glazing www.granadaglazing.com Services: Aluminium secondary double glazing manufacturer

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profile: Everlast Scaffolding

Achieving

excellence The Everlast Group carries out more than £12 million worth of projects throughout the UK and Europe annually, and the scaffolding division is going from strength-to-strength

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ince it was established over two decades ago the Group has grown significantly and has evolved into a leading specialist in the building envelope, in particular roofing. In fact, the Group today offers a wide range of different services, including waterproofing, rail, specialist surveys, managed assets, green roof systems, consultancy, rapid response and scaffolding.

In this last category, Everlast Scaffolding is regarded as a leading specialist scaffolding company in its own right, offering expertise across a wide range of industry sectors. As one of the fastest growing scaffolding companies in the north of England, with fully trained installers and a large stock of materials, this division ensures its solutions meets the high standards and requirements of its blue-chip client list.

Whilst Everlast Scaffolding does offer additional services including safety netting, guard rail systems, temporary roofs, hoist and access solutions, it is construction scaffolding that is at the heart

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of its business. In this area, it only uses the highest quality equipment which is maintained and inspected at regular intervals, and supports both commercial builders and private individuals, throughout the duration of works.

It covers all access requirements from large multi-storey structures on a long-term basis to small domestic short term needs for varying trades and clients. Prime examples of its work range from a small £12,000 contract for Finham Park School in Coventry to a £500,000 scheme at Park Hill Flats in Sheffield - the largest listed building contract in the UK. What sets Everlast Scaffolding apart from the competition is its totally bespoke offer, and part of this is its ability to create a solution from both traditional tube and fitting, and system scaffolds.

This approach ensures that when planning each installation, it can combine the time saving advantages of a system scaffold with the flexibility of tube and fitting scaffolds. This ensures that it is providing the best system to meet the requirements of each project.

Indeed, planning is an essential part of the Everlast service, and every project begins with a full understanding of a build’s requirements to ensure that what it delivers is going to meet the expectations of the client.

Following the planning stage, Everlast implements scaffold design and scaffold build with two objectives in mind. The first is to protect all those who set foot on the scaffolds and the second is to use its experience and expertise to save clients time and money.

Through a strategic alliance, it can provide a scaffold design package for all scaffold erections that fall outside the scope of ‘basic scaffolds’ which is detailed within NASC guidance TG20:13. For nonscaffold design and calculation works the company utilises the NASC TG20:13 Compliance Sheet – furthermore it can support all designs with the appropriate site specific drawings and design calculations.

This attention to detail and dedication to implementing the best solution is also fundamental to addressing Health and Safety requirements. Given the

height hazards and efficiently manage scaffolding inspection procedures.

It is clear from how Everlast Scaffolding runs its operation that quality is a foundation upon which every other service is based and to ensure that this is maintained requires a certain standard of staff training, qualifications and experience. Never leaving this essential element of success to chance, Everlast’s team of highly skilled and experienced scaffolders are kept up-to-date with the latest industry standards through continued development, as well as being fully regulated by the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS), carrying CSCS cards and being qualified to the relevant industry standard.

Everlast Scaffolding’s success has been earned over the course of its history through hard work and dedication, and as it stands in 2017 the company has the capability to provide optimum solutions in terms of quality, cost and programme delivery.

Now working on even bigger contracts such as a £3m hotel development in Manchester and a project in Sheffield worth £1.8m, the future is looking bright for the firm, rewarding its focus on the continuous delivery of exceptional customer service, value and safety.

Everlast Scaffolding www.everlastgroup.co.uk Services: Scaffolding supplier to all industries

dangers associated with both the construction industry in general and scaffolding in particular, it is no surprise that safety is Everlast’s main priority - whether this is on behalf of its own workforce, contractor’s working on the scaffolding, or to members of the general public. Everlast strives to continually adopt and adapt working practices to not only meet, but exceed the requirements of the latest legislation, as well as providing risk assessments, safety policies, and method statements. It openly shares its health and safety information and expertise with clients, and works with them to improve all round performance.

As part of this it has implemented a complete Safety Management System to help ensure that the company is fully aware of the continuously changing requirements of the industry.

Regular inspections are also carried out to ensure that scaffolds are safe to use. Everlast’s experienced people are trained in advanced scaffold inspection and it employs the scafftag system – this helps prevent working at

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profile: King Lifting

Lifting

expectations King Lifting is the UK’s leading provider of cranes and lifting equipment

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stablished in 1982 by current Managing Director Bob King, King Lifting is a family business that has remained true to its founder’s vision of being an independent crane hire company that offers customers optimum quality, service and value for money over the last three decades.

This commitment to delivering professionalism and a complete project managed solution for its customers’ machinery movement and installation requirements has resulted in King Lifting achieving steady growth since its inception and, more notably, significant success over the last five years.

“The business began in a branch in Bristol some 35 years ago and has since expanded via a network of depots and throughout the UK. These are located in Birmingham, Cardiff, East and West London, Southampton, Swindon and Yeovil,” says Tristan King, Director at King Lifting. “We have also naturally grown our fleet of mobile cranes to 106 and broken King Lifting down into divisions; these

consist of crane hire/contract lifting, heavy crane/project engineering, telecommunication logistics and plant & mechanical movement. Structure wise I manage the first three, with my brother Kieron King taking care of plant & mechanical movement.

As far as crane hire and contract lifting goes, we offer a service where we manage a lifting operation from start to finish for the client. For those seeking crane hire, we have the youngest fleet of mobile cranes on the market, with an average age of 4.8 years, which means we can offer reliability of service thanks to the high quality of our equipment.

The telecommunications market is

based around upgrading existing networks for the likes of Eriksson, Huawei and Vodafone; the next big launch will be 5G, which we are still waiting on a definitive timeline on.”

Benefiting from specialist knowledge that enables it to provide a one-stop-shop solution to customers in the telecommunications division, King Lifting utilises its modern fleet of cranes from several depots to guarantee that a King Lifting crane is available to any location in its area of coverage.

For those in the sector requiring a solution, the company can offer managed or non-managed services, traffic, pedestrian and drop zone management solutions and the latest CSD and 3D planning facilities. Other services include full support of installation, commissioning and maintenance of communication equipment and all terrain 4x4 remote site team equipment storage, transportation and deployment.

For those seeking plant & machinery movement, King Lifting offers safe, practical and efficient

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profile: King Lifting

solutions that ensure downtime and inconvenience is minimised.

Services in this segment include machine and factory relocations, plant and machinery installations, plant assembly and protective covering, industrial dismantling, transport and storage and contract lifting. Further strengthening operations in these segments is the company’s modern, technologically advanced heavy crane fleet, which are reliable, modern and readily available for those seeking contract lifting and crane hire.

No stranger to investment in the business, King Lifting continuously acquires new machinery and invests in its people to ensure high standards of safety and reliability.

New products introduced to the company’s portfolio include mobile cranes, mobile tower cranes, mini crawler cranes and specialised lifting equipment.

“In 2016 we invested in ten Leibherr cranes, with a further six this year and another three to come. We have also got another strategy where we take another 12 cranes from 2018 to 2019.

In terms of plant, we have two

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chosen manufacturers, Demag and Leibherr, with 70 per cent of the fleet comprised of Demag and the rest Leibherr. These two companies are our chosen partners because of the support structure they have in the UK and the quality of the product we purchase,” says Tristan.

This ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible solution to customers via modern machinery and an expert service has cemented King Lifting’s reputation in a number of growing markets such as construction and infrastructure and has thus led to an increase in demand from a diverse range of clients. “We not only serve customers in the construction and infrastructure markets, but also serve the renewable sector, which involves wind turbines and erection maintenance as well as solar farms. Other markets include the oil & gas and petrochemical market, the private sector and the house building market, which has been very buoyant. Rail is another big sector for us and our heavy cranes and we also work a lot

installing the overhead gantries and signage on various motorway networks across the UK,” says Tristan.

Elaborating on the company’s success over recent years, he continues: “There are three fundamental factors for our growth, one is health & safety and environmental policies, the second is the quality of kit and equipment that we provide, and the third is the trust and satisfaction of the service that we give to customers by delivering on time, on budget and with the relevant resources and personnel assigned to deliver that. In 2013 we had a turnover of £13.8 million and for the financial year of 2017 to 2018 we will have a turnover of £32 million.”

With a steady year of growth ahead of it despite a slowdown in the market, King Lifting anticipates an increase in demand over the coming years as major projects get the green light and the company takes advantage of upcoming opportunities in the market. “We have to adapt to the market as and when it changes and continue with our growth strategy to ensure we sustain this level of success,” concludes Tristan.

King Lifting www.kinglifting.co.uk Services: Cranes and lifting equipment

profile: JR Construction

Diverse services under one

roof

With long-term expertise and new management that is focused on continued solid growth, JR Group’s new construction segment is poised for significant success in the Scottish market

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ounded in 1995 by John and Anne-Marie Horne and with one other employee, the JR Group began as a scaffolding company supplying to public sector and commercial clients, providing aluminium access towers for light duty works and general maintenance before moving onto larger and more complex projects in later years.

Gaining specialist accreditation, the company was able to work within asbestos affected areas; this development led to major contracts involving work in food factories, schools, hospitals and distilleries.

As the division started to grow into one of Scotland’s largest providers of specialist scaffolding services, JR Group began creating innovative design structures to support some of the iconic buildings in Scotland. These include the University of Glasgow and The Hunterian Museum; the company also worked on small scale projects for affordable and private housing clients.

Taking the strategic decision to diversify its services in 2006 in response to a particularly complex project that required its competent and skilled labour force, the company added roofing repairs and joinery work to its portfolio. As its reputation for high quality customer service grew, so too did the company’s realisation that further diversification was key for ongoing success. With this in mind, the business became JR Group in 2009, with the group operating in three distinct areas: scaffolding, construction and specialist building services.

In operation for 22 years, JR Scaffold Services, now part of the JR Group, is one of Scotland’s

largest suppliers and delivers its services to customers in the public, commercial, local authority, refurbishment, social housing sectors; education, specialist design projects, listed buildings and gas/petroleum. Additionally, the division works in asbestosaffected areas as it can provide safe support services to a wide range of buildings including the complex removal of asbestos from Dounreay Nuclear Power Plant as part of decommissioning works. With JR Scaffolding announcing in 2017 that it has had its asbestos ancillary license renewed for the next three years by the Health & Safety Executive, further asbestos-related projects are certain to be coming up in the future. The company has held the license, which allows it to legally and safely work in areas that have asbestos exposure, for the past nine years.

This ability to work on the most challenging of projects successfully has resulted in the company gaining trust from British Gas Services and the University of Glasgow, which

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profile: JR Construction

has resulted in long-term working relationships with both organisations that have lasted almost two decades. On top of this, the company’s services are used for roofing, roughcasting, stonework, newbuild houses and general maintenance works.

Serving the same sectors is JR Construction Services, which has supported a variety of specialist trades for over 20 years. Thanks to this long-term expertise, the company benefits from unique knowledge of the construction industry and a strong competency in developing sustainable partnerships. With an experienced network and industry know-how, JR Construction is well placed to deliver each customer’s building needs, whether that be an industrial shed or retail parade or general repairs and maintenance.

Past projects include the renewal of 7500 windows for two Scottish Housing Associations and the provision of more than 70 joiners to work on newbuild apartments; with an extensive range of projects behind it, JR Construction has the experience and ambition to continue growing in the commercial, retail and leisure sectors.

JR Specialist Services, meanwhile, supports contract and project managers by providing an

extensive range of niche services such as roofing, roughcasting, stonework and gas installation as well as general maintenance and repairs. Key to this service is its ability to provide reliable and highly skilled teams with a specialist understanding of jobs and any complexities, in particular within the joinery business which, at any one time, can have up to 70 joiners working on a new build development. Because of the niche nature of the company’s expertise, JR Specialist Services provides a trusting partnership with project managers who know that the work will be carried out and completed within the timescale and budget framework, which thus allows the project manager to get on with more pressing matters.

Having successfully segmented the group’s activities under one umbrella, the next step for the Paisley based JR Group is the spearheading of growth, which it anticipates will be achieved following the joining of Gary McGregor, formerly Group Managing Director of CCG (Scotland), in 2016. Focused on increasing growth in both construction and specialist building services, Gary will also oversee the company’s 100 strong staff as well as

recruitment; this includes the addition of apprentices as the firm develops in the steadily growing construction industry.

At the time of Gary’s appointment, JR Group launched a dedicated construction division; in the first 12 months of trading this division has secured more than £35 million worth of orders, which includes a number of developments such as affordable housing in Luss Village, Loch Lomond, as well as the refurbishment of a former mill in Denny. Moreover, in March 2017, JR Construction was awarded a contract to work on a newbuild residential development in Nitshill Road, Glasgow, with work scheduled to start on a collection of 25 new properties.

As Scottish housing continues to boom and growth potential becomes increasingly clear, Gary will lead the way for JR Group as it continues to successfully deliver solutions to complex projects and, in turn, achieve higher turnover numbers and a broader customer base.

JR Construction www.thejrgroup.co.uk Services: Scaffolding, construction and specialist services 89

profile: Hurks group

Building a brighter

future

The ability of Hurks’ group of companies to collaborate has resulted in more than 100 years of client satisfaction and has helped shape the urban landscape of the Netherlands, and beyond

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n 2016,” explains Koen Waijers, Director of Hurks Precast, “Hurks celebrated its 100-year anniversary, which obviously was a big milestone for us.” Quite the significant milestone indeed, but one that was extremely wellearned, what with Hurks having gained a reputation for being a reliable, proactive and financially sound partner, one that has helped its clients to realise their expectations for more than a century.

Embracing all of the fundamental disciplines that make up the building chain, Hurks’ activities are spread across three main divisions; construction and real estate development, pre-cast and aluminium façade production, and trading. Hurks’ head office, and the hub for its construction and real estate businesses, is located in Eindhoven, with satellite offices in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Elsewhere within the Netherlands the company has pre-cast production plants in Tilburg and Veldhoven, the latter also hosting Hurks’ façade and aluminium “

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Mammoet Mammoet has a long-term relationship with Hurks Precast for the rental of cranes and the assembly of precast concrete buildings.

This relationship is built on operational excellence, combined with the highest standards of safety performance. The skilled and experienced personnel of Mammoet are very pro-active in optimising the whole precast assembly process, resulting in reduced construction periods. Mammoet’s approach to safety and state-of-the-art equipment ensures that any potential risks are mitigated or minimised throughout the assembly process.

windows and glazing plant, while Hurks Precast also has an office in London. Across the group of companies Hurks employs a total of approximately 700 people.

Over the years, the company has gained considerable experience and knowledge within the key fields of the residential and non-residential construction industry, making it a true European market leader when it comes to urban development, the construction of complex projects and transformations. “In London, we are currently involved in several important projects,” Koen continues, “including London City Island and Royal Wharf, both of which are situated in the East of the city.” The former involves the construction of prefab residential towers with a total of 1750 units, while Royal Wharf features over 3300 homes spread across a 40acre site. Both of these projects are taking shape in one of the capital cities fastest growing areas of urban development.

“Meanwhile in the Netherlands,” states Rick van Heumen, Managing Director of Hurks

Construction and Real Estate Development, “we are active across a broad range of projects. These include the Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam (STCA), which involves the construction of a brand-new laboratory wing on the grounds of the research centre, as well as several major retail and residential, office, parking and hospital facilities. We are also currently in the midst of the construction of a 49,000-square metre food production facility for Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition. Upon completion, this facility will supply baby food products to more than 80 countries, including China where they are in extremely high demand, and we anticipate first production to commence in Q2 2018.”

One source of the company’s vast portfolio of projects is a boom in the residential property market in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. With the growth of these population centres also comes the need for key services like hospitals and schools, and amenities such as car parks and retail complexes, thus presenting increased opportunities for Hurks to capitalise on.

“We have worked hard over the years to differentiate ourselves from other like-minded companies,” Ricks goes on. “We have always been, and will remain, a family company that works for and with each other, and one that revolves around our core values of family, independence and constructiveness.”

Complementing the company’s values are its unique systems and innovations. A particularly good example of this is the company’s Da Vinci House concept. “With Da Vinci House,” Koen states, “the company has combined its years of experience in developing and building homes to create a smart, tailor-made engineering tool that provides a high level of

efficiency when it comes to the designing, building and organising of residential properties.

Working with a configurator, Da Vinci House makes a swift and detailed analysis of the client’s requirements and requests, and generates a digital building information model of the property’s expected finish, its cost and its level of sustainability.” “Another example is Hurks’ prefabricated system, where complete buildings are constructed off-site and assembled on site. The system consists of pre-casted walls, floors, cores, stair flights and landings and the façade elements.

The latter are integrated parts of the structure, such as balcony brackets, plenum boxes, etc. The Hurks’ aluminium windows & glazing are fitted at the plants.

This results in faster construction on site, creating a wind- a watertight structure and façade without the use of scaffolds.”

With contracts throughout its home markets, the efforts of Hurks and its companies will now be on not only consolidating the work it has, but also extending its geographic reach and its capacity.

“We have a respected and trusted reputation when it comes to delivering large, complex projects

and we want to capitalise on growth in our core market segments,” Rick says.

“Outside of our present markets we are witnessing increased demand for the type of work that we specialise in, for example a requirement for new prison complexes, in countries like Hungary and Romania,” Koen concludes. “There are also opportunities that we are starting to identify in areas like Scandinavia that will undoubtedly benefit from Hurks’ unparalleled ability to deliver quality, profitable projects.”

Hurks Group www.hurks.nl Services: Building development and construction

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profile: Keepmoat Regeneration

The next

generation Having been acquired by energy powerhouse ENGIE, Keepmoat Regeneration is set to further enhance its status as the UK’s leading provider of regeneration services

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pecialists in creating great places for people to live, work and play, Keepmoat considers itself to be not just a house builder, but a creator of entire communities. A leading housing and construction company, with a workforce of some 3400 people, Keepmoat has been responsible for 30,000 homes at its last count. These range from two bedroom apartments through to large detached homes, all of which demonstrate the company’s innovative design philosophy.

Committed to building in the most sustainable of ways, reducing its carbon footprint from the building of energy efficient homes, Keepmoat prides itself on adding economic and social value to those it works with. It does so through not only the building of new homes, but also the providing of responsive maintenance and repair services, retirement

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solutions and community regeneration, the latter being undertaken by Keepmoat Regeneration.

Keepmoat Regeneration is the UK’s leading national provider of regeneration services, creating long term partnerships with public and private sector organisations that have unused land or property, building homes and communities that are recognised for their quality and affordability.

Specialising in employing local people, and working with local residents, the company has an excellent legacy of transforming disused land, tired properties and large estates. Working in close partnership with local authorities, private sector funders and landowners, Keepmoat Regeneration has helped deliver thousands of much needed new homes across the country, creating employment for 2500 people and an annual turnover of around £800 million.

The company’s projects range from wholescale housing-led regeneration of large, monotenure housing and smaller, locally sensitive infill developments, to innovative joint venture and funding solutions in conjunction with public and private sector partners. Its deep understanding of its partners’ local economic and social goals means it is able to place shared vision and values at the heart of its actions, setting these priorities above contractual terms and costs.

Engaging with local communities is fundamental to Keepmoat Regeneration.

Its approach is to firstly work with them and stakeholders to understand their requirements and the challenges they face, and to then collaboratively design and deliver tailored strategies. Such a model has resulted in a number of successful ventures, including the creation of the Sheffield Housing Company, a £295 million

joint venture between Sheffield City Council, Great Places Housing Group and Keepmoat Regeneration. This will ultimately bring about the delivery of 2300 new homes across the city over a ten-year period.

In early 2017, it was announced that a deal had been signed by ENGIE, the global energy operator, to acquire the regeneration business of Keepmoat for £330 million from TDR and Sun Capital. Closely aligned to ENGIE’s own energy and services strategy in the UK, which is to expand its offering and energy efficiency capabilities, the acquisition of Keepmoat Regeneration will enable ENGIE to offer a complementary range of services to local governments, cities and businesses across the UK, and strengthen its existing network of local authority partnerships.

The combined capabilities will enable the business to support local government in meeting challenging budgetary and emissions targets, while also addressing the wider needs of their communities.

Keepmoat Regeneration has built strong partnerships over the last 30 years and has long-term relationships with more than 170 local councils and many of the largest housing associations. The business currently has a £1 billion order book and a £9 billion pipeline of regeneration opportunities across the UK. “ENGIE aims to be the number one partner for cities and places in the UK, and with the Keepmoat Regeneration business we are extending and deepening our relationships with local authorities right across the country,” commented Wilfrid Petrie, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE in the UK and Ireland, at the time that the agreement was announced. “By combining our energy expertise with an expanded services capability, we can make a bigger impact, as we help to improve the lives

of the communities we serve.

Today, buildings account for 30 per cent of UK carbon emissions and our investment in Keepmoat Regeneration underlines our long-term commitment to the UK as it transitions to a lower carbon economy. This transaction will also support our growth ambitions for decentralised energy networks and our home energy business as the regeneration activities will bring us closer to the end customer.”

Dave Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer of Keepmoat, will join ENGIE upon completion of the acquisition, along with Keepmoat Regeneration’s entire infrastructure and its employees.

“Keepmoat Regeneration has exciting prospects as part of ENGIE,” Dave added. “It is

very clear that ENGIE shares our belief that by working in partnership with local authorities, registered providers and the private sector, we can help cities and communities improve the places where people live.

Adding Keepmoat’s market leading regeneration business to ENGIE’s capabilities opens up new opportunities for both our customers and employees. We look forward to working together to provide our partners with broader expertise and innovative solutions to meet the future needs of communities across the UK.”

Keepmoat Regeneration www.keepmoatregen.com Services: Home regeneration services

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profile: ArtiCon

A collaborative approach

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ArtiCon is the largest contractor on the Faroe Islands, working on projects in the fishing, power and domestic industrial building markets

ince its establishment in 2001, ArtiCon has become one of the fastest growing companies in the Faroe Islands. With nearly 250 personnel operating under its umbrella, the company has developed a strong reputation in a number of market sectors, having worked on a variety of notable construction assignments.

Committed to its motto ‘A Solid Foundation’, which it views as its keyword and guiding light, ArtiCon strives to be transparent, reliable and to honour and fulfil all commitments and obligations that it undertakes. With dedicated and skilled employees, the company benefits from modern equipment and financial strength that thus enables ArtiCon to deliver building and construction solutions throughout the Faroe Islands.

Services delivered by ArtiCon include soil reclamation, sewage, concrete work, building construction, road and port construction, wood and joinery.

ArtiCon is capable of working

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as the main port of call in a project as well as part of a wider range partnership with other complementary firms.

To further strengthen operations, ArtiCon acquired a new mobile crane that increases flexibility and efficiency in the final quarter of 2016; easy to manoeuvre on the unique terrain of the Faroe Islands, the Grove GMK5250L joins the 75 tonne rough terrain crane in the company’s portfolio and will prove highly beneficial for upcoming projects. Not only extremely mobile, the crane also has a VIAB turbo retarder clutch that will

lower operating costs thanks to its wear-free starting and braking and reduced fuel consumption.

Delivered by UN Mobilkraner, the 250 tonne GMK5350L also features a 70 m main boom and an operator-friendly Crane Control System (CCS).

Once the crane was delivered

by UN Mobilkraner, members of ArtiCon spent a week in Denmark gaining knowledge on how to handle the crane and use its features. On top of this, UN Mobilkraner also provided ArtiCon with a maintenance and support package, which will prove vital when it comes to efficiency. Since its delivery, the crane has been put into service a number of times and recently helped with the construction of a new fish farm for the Faroese salmon producer Bakkafrost. It will also play a role in the building of a new power plant for SEV, the public energy company for the Faroe Islands.

While delivering high quality services to customers, ArtiCon maintains a strong focus on health, safety and environment

and firmly believes its employees must be healthy, safe and comfortable during operations.

By ensuring the satisfaction of personnel, ArtiCon naturally ensures that true creativity takes place during production and efficiency is increased.

Key to continuing this mission of solid HSEQ operations, the company educates personnel and also ensures all sponsorships, chairmen, agency leaders and management have experience in first aid; ArtiCon also believes that it is a good idea to take care of employees as this leads to a more secure and happy workplace.

This friendly and collaborative approach to business extends throughout operations, with coworkers encourages to come up with ideas and express opinions.

Additionally, employees should be

familiar with one another and have close working relationships with clients to ensure that agreements and plans are maintained throughout a contract. This way of working has proven fruitful for the company as it has become known for its ability to get results in a short amount of time. Indeed, the company has been involved and succeeded in completing projects in a mere week and has a

reputation for working in a timely and responsible manner.

Having recently added eight apprentices to its company, ArtiCon is preparing for the future as these new employees gain experience in timber, masonry, concrete, soil and sewage. With a focus on enhancing the skills of employees, new and old, and ensuring a friendly, efficient and competent work place is maintained, the future looks full of opportunity for ArtiCon as it continues to deliver high quality solutions in a timely, cost-effective and collaborative manner.

ArtiCon www.articon.fo Services: Construction contractor

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Energy Management With Ingenuity, we transmit and distribute electricity safely and reliably siemens.ae/energymanagement

profile: GECO Mechanical & Electrical

values

Business and

Celebrating more than 45 years of continuous growth and development, GECO Mechanical & Electrical is a leading construction business that has paralleled the expansion of the UAE national economy during the past decades

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aving offices in all of the emirates, GECO Mechanical & Electrical (GECO) is a construction business with a proven history of delivering comprehensive services across a broad base of applications. The company has established an enviable reputation within the fields of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP); Facility Management Division (FMD); Fire Protection (FP); and Power Division (PD), within which GECO strives to provide the highest levels of quality and customer service. Indeed, the business is fully certified in accordance to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS

18001:2007, which enable GECO to deliver advanced solutions within its main areas of expertise.

It currently employs around 600 members of staff and 2400 operational staff; numbers which keep growing.

The company’s dedicated services areas are comprised of mechanical engineering, high voltage and low voltage (HV & LV) electrical engineering, power generation, power distribution, fire alarm and fire-fighting services,

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profile: GECO Mechanical & Electrical

supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), building management systems (BMS), low voltage system (LV) and complete facilities management.

Under these specialised areas, GECO also undertakes a suite of multi-service turnkey projects that ensure that it is able to fully address the diverse requirements of the construction industry.

GECO employs a large and highly skilled team of technicians, engineers and construction operatives that are each specialised within their own respective engineering fields.

This ensures that the company is able to deliver premium levels of technological sophistication and quality throughout the construction industry. In this respect GECO MEP Division is able to manage unique solutions that apply to its MEP operations, as well as the wider activities of the business.

Within the field of facility management, the company is proud of its unwavering reputation as one of the most reliable service providers within the UAE. While operating within this field, the company delivers a comprehensive package of services including: • H eating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) • Mechanical applications • Electrical engineering • Plumbing • Building management systems • Low voltage system • Fire protection services • Fire detection systems • Carpentry • Swimming pool maintenance • Grounds maintenance • Fountain maintenance During its history the company has expanded to provide professional solutions to clients at

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Siemens Siemens is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years.

The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalisation. One of the world’s largest producers of energyefficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions, and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. In fiscal 2016, which ended on 30th September, 2016, Siemens generated revenue of 79.6 billion euros and net income of 5.6 billion euros.

At the end of September 2016, the company had around 351,000 employees worldwide.

over 400 different sites throughout the UAE, which are managed from offices situated in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To achieve the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction GECO FMD also utilises the latest technology in conjunction with the best international industry practices.

The business is able to address every conceivable maintenance need, which are backed by a fleet of modern service vehicles. These include fully stocked maintenance vans that enable operatives to provide immediate services as and when required.

By maintaining a fully capable fleet of equipment and welltrained service personnel, GECO FMD is ready and able to rapidly respond to emergency situations across its managed buildings and facilities. To this end the business ensures that stocks of maintenance equipment and spare parts are stored at its regional bases to allow for guaranteed availability where and when stocks are requested. These units include a main facility located at the company’s Sharjah head office, which is comprised of a 5000 ft2 space that holds all of the parts required for GECO to respond directly to client enquiries.

GECO manages its dedicated GECO Fire Protection Division which allows the company to operate as a complete solution and service provider within the

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profile: GECO Mechanical & Electrical

Safety Electrical Group Safety Electrical Group (SEG), founded by Mr. B.G. Gurnani in 1982 and successfully entering its 35th year in operation, has served and partnered with some of the most prestigious clients across the region with one simple motto: Engineering…Relationships and Beyond. Today, as a prominent industry leader in the electrical and lighting sector, the company specialises in the engineering, manufacturing and assembly of switchgear panels, as well as the trading of electrical and lighting products for commercial, industrial, hazardous and adverse environment applications.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, SEG chartered a farsighted growth plan, which started with establishing a centralised logistic and warehousing facility in National Industries Park (formerly Techno Park). The SEG Group is marching towards a bigger, better and brighter future with a resolute mission and a sound strategy. fields of fire protection and reliable detection systems. Indeed, within this safety critical market the business offers several robust solutions that include: • O xygen reduction fire prevention systems by WAGNER, Germany • Air sampling detection system • F ire alarm and detection System

by Bosch, Germany • P ublic address and voice evacuation systems • F ire/safety photo luminescent signage systems by Everlux, Portugal • F irefighting/foam system by Safex of Malaysia • A utomatic sprinkler/deluge/mist System by Victaulic, USA The activities of GECO within the market for fire protection and prevention systems are further complemented by the company’s presence within the Power Services Sector.

Here GECO Power Division has established a proven track record of carrying out power related work throughout the emirates.

These include substation works at low, medium and high voltages; cable laying and transmission; and distribution networks that can be maintained on a turnkey basis.

Indeed, the company has vast experience in the field of electrical power works and has been present within this industry since 1979. The first milestone achieved

by GECO within this area was the development of a bespoke distribution network for Um Al Quiwan in 1982. This was carried

These complex services have identified GECO as a market leader throughout the UAE and beyond. This reputation has been built on the belief that business and values are inseparable and quality, service and innovation continue to be the main driving forces behind the company.

During the coming years, GECO will look forward to further extending its services to new and existing clients as the UAE economy continues to advance.

out for one of the company’s most prestigious clients - the Ministry of Electricity and Water (now the Federal Electricity and Water Authority), with contract value of AED 45 million.

GECO Mechanical & Electrical www.gecome.com Services: Comprehensive services across a range of applications 101

profile: Garriock Bros

out Branching

By strengthening its services through strategic acquisitions and investment, Garriock Bros Ltd has achieved more than four decades of steady growth

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riginally a small, family-owned joinery firm based in Westerwick in the Shetland Isles, Garriock Bros Ltd has since grown, diversified and matured into one of the biggest privately owned firms in Shetland. Elaborating on the major milestones in the company’s history is George Garriock, Managing Director of Garriock Bros Ltd: “Our company became Limited in 1975 and two years later my brother left the company, however, I continued with the business and began buying plant in 1979. We then purchased the Hewden plant hire depot in Shetland in 1994 before acquiring another depot in Edinburgh in 2002, followed by the Coventry depot in 2010 and then the Inverness depot in 2015, which is doing very well and has recently hired out machines to Germany.

Garriock Bros. Ltd then bought over local firm (T & N Joinery) to create the ‘GB Building Centre’ that supplies and fits bespoke kitchens and bathrooms and other joinery related works. The ‘Window

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Centre’ and ‘Glass Centre’ are also located at these same premises now and offer quality windows/ doors and glass products, all made locally. These strategic acquisitions have certainly helped the significant growth that we have achieved since I first began working with my brother as a joinery firm in 1972.”

Moving into plant hire in the early 1990s, the company developed the Hewden plant hire depot in Shetland into the biggest plant and equipment hirer in the islands. Adding depots in Lerwick and Brae to its portfolio, the company boasts a wide range of machinery that is readily available to commercial and domestic markets. Additionally, Garriock Bros operates a large retail facility in Lerwick that supplies over 10,000 product lines to complement its hire equipment.

No stranger to expanding into new markets, the company moved into the highly competitive mainland market in 2002 and took over a heavy plant and crushing operation in Midlothian and became the official Scottish

distributor of Metso Minerals’ mobile quarrying and recycling equipment in 2005. It is at the Edinburgh branch that the company focuses on the aggregate and heavy plant industry. “Metso has always been a big part of our business and we have a positive working relationship,” says George. “We began using their machines in 2001 and following the success of this, we were appointed official distributors for England and Wales in 2011. We sell Metso machines all over the world to locations such as New Zealand, the US, Greenland and Africa.”

With numerous other acquisitions taking place during the last three decades, Garriock Bros Ltd today operates ten different divisions through five branches in Shetland, Orkney, Edinburgh, Inverness and Coventry; these branches are comprised of civil & building contracting, plant & tool hire, the Window Centre, the Glass Centre, GB Building Centre, Brae Depot, Orkney Motors, Drive Orkney, Contract Crushing, Coventry,

Inverness and Quarries. Each division boasts a significant market share, which is thanks to the company developing strong, trusting and long-lasting associations with satisfied customers.

market doesn’t stay the same so it is matter of continually changing and looking out for new opportunities.”

In line with this ethos, the company has recently launched a number of new pieces of machinery, such as two of each Volvo EC18D, Volvo ECR 25D and Volvo ECR50D, with one of each model going to its Lerwick and Brae depots. Added to the hire fleets in May 2017, these machines come complete with full cab, hammer pipework, variable under carriage (EC18D), work lights at the front of the cab, a rotating beacon, hitch and three buckets. Available for short or long-term hire, these Volvo’s will enable the company to meet the requirements of local customers.

Keen to stay ahead of market

trends and the competition, the well-reputed and diverse Garriock Bros Ltd anticipates further growth and opportunities despite potential issues surrounding Brexit. “We want to expand more and hire more machines to customers who are seeking a more cost-effective solution and competitive rates. This is what we will be focusing on over the coming years,” concludes George.

Garriock Bros Ltd www.garriock.co.uk Services: Civil engineering, house building, plant hire, quarry operations, contract crushing, machine sales and window manufacturing services

At the Shetland branch, the company’s services include civil & building contracting, which is delivered through the subdivisions general and civil engineering works, and house building. The Orkney branch focuses on the automotive industry, where the company trades as vehicle MOT and servicing garage Orkney Motors and car and van hire firm Drive Orkney, while the most recent branch in Inverness focuses on plant hire and sales to customers in the North East of Scotland.

“Our turnover averages between £21 million to £24 million per year,” highlights George. “Our success stems from sheer determination and perseverance. We also believe that everyone makes mistakes but if you learn from them and alter your way of working you can benefit from them. Looking at the range of businesses we have within our portfolio, we have been very busy in the Shetland Islands as a new gas plant is being built, however this is now slowing down. Nevertheless, we see that the depots are very active at the moment, with Inverness involved in a lot of plant hire. The

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profile: strukta Group

Going for

growth

Known for its unique green branding and long-term expertise within the construction industry, strukta Group is the market leading building merchant of choice for those seeking high quality supplies and services from foundation to finish

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stablished in 2013 following the highly successful merger of Southern Building Supplies and Coastline Building Products, strukta Group has become a leading specialist building merchant, providing its growing customer base with unbeatable service and products. Discussing the background of the two firms is Myles Moggach, Sales & Marketing Director of strukta Group: “Southern Building

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Supplies had been in business since 1989, while Coastline began operations in 2000. With both companies based on the south coast of the UK, we had known one another for many years and felt the opportunity was there to merge and thus increase our brand presence.”

Despite both businesses being successful, the two companies realised an increased market area with their product range would result in more sales within the construction industry, as Myles continues: “We felt we were constrained and seen as being local businesses, however, by creating a new brand under the merger and creating a larger organisation we could become a regional and national presence.”

Today strukta Group’s services are aligned with the two sides of the business, steel fabrication experts and specialist builders merchant. struktaSTEEL provides customers with exceptional service from initial enquiry through to contract completion with a dedicated steel team, has more than 30 years of experience in the construction sector, and

can deliver the finest quality installations throughout London and the south of England. The specialist builders merchant offers a comprehensive range of leading brands at competitive rates, and provides a range of services to help customers across all types and size of project. For those seeking assistance, the company’s struktaSUPPORT team solves issues ranging from order and quote queries, sourcing non-stock items, to scheduling services to ensure products for customers’ projects are delivered in a precise and efficient manner.

“As a business, we listen carefully to what our customers tell us and use their feedback as a basis of continual improvement.

Our customers rely on us and we will go the extra mile to ensure we do what we say we will, which is a brand value that runs right through the organisation.

In talking to our customers, we found the best way to service them was through having plenty of communication. This was important on the structural steel side of our activities where we today provide design, co-ordination and collaboration, all the way through to assist with project management and onsite installation.

“As a specialist builders merchant, co-ordinating the supply chain is especially critical.

As well as seven Trade Stores in the south of England, we deliver direct to site throughout the UK and are very proud of our On Time In Full KPI of 98 per cent.

It is a great record that we work hard to maintain.”

He continues: “We achieve these high results by keeping things simple and managing our supply chain effectively with a strong team in the procurement and operation side of the business. We have also improved our direct to site deliveries, by offering a same day solution in addition to next day service, which was always

market leading in the construction industry. As the market gets busier same day delivery means we can get products to site that can solve customers’ problems quickly. We are keen to support our customers and do exactly that.”

Lauren Moggach, Projects Director, adds: “One example of this is our struktaSTOR offering where we provide a fully stocked storage unit on large building sites and we replenish them as and when needed. This is just one of the ways we’ve used our customer feedback to innovate, and means we can be there when they need us all the way through a project.

“We’re currently working closely with one of our customers on a project, that involves maintaining a period frontage, whilst installing a curved steel frame to a new

reinforced concrete structure in the space behind. The project incorporates both cold rolled and hot rolled steel packages, and will require careful delivery and erection as the plot is surrounded by buildings on the other 3 sides,” says Lauren. “This has given us the opportunity to deliver value right through the project and we’re looking forward to its successful completion.”

“We are able to incorporate the building supplies part of a project and the fabrication and installation of the structural steel needed on a site too. By providing for both these sides of a development and bringing them together we provide a unique service offering,” Myles confirms.

With the construction industry going through a period of growth, strukta Group is enjoying

the opportunity to increase its market share as it expands across the regions and develops its reputation on a national scale.

“The amount of investment that the Government is to make in the UK with additional housing developments and garden villages, for example, will provide us with some fantastic opportunities.

We are also looking forward to promoting and developing our brand, particularly at the UK Construction Week Build Show in October 2017,” Myles concludes.

strukta Group corporate.strukta.co.uk Services: Steel fabrication and specialist building merchant services

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profile: Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology

Driving

change The ‘Stuttgart 21’ rail project will one day connect 35 million people across Europe, a feat that would not be achievable without the expertise and equipment of Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology

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n 1 July 2016, the global powerhouse that is the Sandvik Group took the decision to merge two of its core divisions, Sandvik Mining and Sandvik Construction, creating Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. With its operations organised in a decentralised business model, each respective product area of the new business was granted full independent responsibility and accountability.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s service offering covers rock drilling, cutting and crushing, loading and hauling, and materials handling. Its cuttingedge solutions and equipment are designed to help its customers to mine safer and more productively, wherever they are in the world.

As of 2015, sales for the business were approximately 33 billion SEK and it was providing employment for some 15,000 employees in continuing operations.

“Products developed for the customer segments of mining and construction are based on common technologies with a similar aftermarket offering,”

said Björn Rosengren, Sandvik’s President and CEO, at the time of the merger. “In addition, manufacturing units are already largely shared with front line resources. By joining the operations into one business area we achieve a leaner and more efficient structure. The decentralised business model enables an even clearer focus and faster response to our customers.”

The Sandvik Group is, and has been, an integral part of countless projects in multiple fields of industry throughout its existence. An ongoing undertaking of note is one of Germany’s largest infrastructure projects, the ‘Stuttgart 21’ rail project. The culmination of almost a century of urban development in and around the city of Stuttgart, the project will see a 1500 kilometre railway line responsible for connecting 35 million people in five countries, enabling travel from Paris, Strasburg, Munich, Vienna, and connecting Bratislava to Budapest.

A part of the central West-East line, it represents a key piece of the jigsaw that is bringing Western and Eastern Europe together economically and culturally.

Three different consortiums will utilise Sandvik tunneling equipment and software as they carry out the redevelopment and refocus of the rail hub, construct four new stations and lay a 57 kilometre section of new track.

Before work on the infrastructure can begin however, all parties involved are having to deal with the challenge presented by the unique topography and geology of the area, which requires the creation of new tunnels. Some of these new tunnels have been created using mining construction methods, with rock and stone being excavated from the mountain using drilling and blasting methods. The roof section of the tunnel is typically produced in the first stage of the process, following which the lower half is excavated until the complete tunnel profile is complete.

In total, 63 kilometres of tunnel will be excavated during the duration of the Stuttgart 21 rail project. In order to achieve this the project’s contractor has relied heavily on a fleet of 14 Sandvik tunneling jumbos and associated equipment. Further to this, Sandvik’s dry drilling system

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FROM PROTECTING COMPONENTS TO DEFINING SKYLINES SHELL TELLUS S2 VX MAKES IT POSSIBLE Innovation for improved1 operational efďŹ ciency.

Offers better wear protection2 and reduces your equipment downtime3 Reduces stick-slip4 for smooth performance in systems Has a longer TOST life of 5,000 hours5 for efficient operation shell.com/lubricants

SHELL LUBRICANTS TOGETHER ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

1

Compared with industry limit in all the system efficiency tests such as filterability, water separation, air release. 2Compared to FZG test (ISO 14635-1) by achieving FLS 11 at ISO VG 32, and FLS 12 for ISO VG 46 and 68. The limit for industry is 10. Compared to the OEM wear test Eaton 35VQ25 (E-FDGN-TB002-E) limit.

3 Compared with Tellus S2 V. 4Compared with Tellus S2 V using modified ASTM D1894 method in collaboration with international OEM to reflect the actual operating conditions. 5Compared using TOST and RPVOT tests limit.

Shell Tellus_S2 VX Toolkit_Construction Sector Poster Portrait.indd 1

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profile: Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology

has proven itself to be invaluable, being the only proven technique to be used successfully at the projects Feuerbach sector, where a 2449-metre-long main tunnel is being driven through the 312 metre Prague intermediate heading. A series of meetings and site visits

by Sandvik’s technical personnel resulted in the converting of the tunneling jumbos to the dry drilling system. This has subsequently provided a mobile solution for the 400 to 600-metre-long section which will see 475,000 cubic metres of material being excavated at approximately 80 cubic metres per pull.

Complicated geology is very much a shared trait across the project’s key locations. In Bad Cannstatt, the pipe roof method of driving is being used as it increases stability in the driving area. In the cover drilling process, the pipe roof system is being excavated bit by bit via a rotary striking motion that uses both of the Sandvik jumbo’s drill heads. In the area where the pipe roof is being excavated, some 80,000 elements are being installed as a result of the diligent work of 40 experienced tunnel miners. The machines being used in this phase of the project include four three-armed electro-hydraulic Sandvik D11 tunneling jumbos, one two-armed electro-hydraulic DD820 jumbo, one Axera D06 and one Commando 121 drill rig.

Meanwhile, further to the southwest, at the Albabstieg consortium site, nine additional Sandvik jumbos and drill rigs will ultimately also be in use.

The Sandvik equipment used on the Stuttgart 21 project is being operated in conjunction with the group’s tunneling software, iSURE. An advanced new tunnel management and information analysis software package, iSURE provides specific support for the various stages of the drilling and blasting processes, guaranteeing smooth tunneling progress and reduced project costs.

Sandvik’s iSURE software produces the best results by ensuring that the interaction between drill design, explosive charge and ignition intervals is smooth and fully coordinated.

This enables depth of pull, profile and base control, metres drilled, blast vibrations, vibration capacity, tunneling progress and costs to be measured, analysed and adjusted where necessary. Such an integrated process has proved to be absolutely vital to tunneling projects like Stuttgart 21.

While Sandvik’s advanced equipment and software solutions have won considerable praise during the life of the project to date, they would be of less use without the support provided by the group’s service engineers and technical support staff, whose actions have also found significant favour. Even when presented with the considerable geological challenges detailed previously, these individuals remain willing, able and capable of delivering what is required to support the tunnel excavation process.

As well as the long-term economic effects of the project, Sandvik has also placed considerable emphasis on the environmental future of the areas where work is being carried out. Upon completion of shell construction work, existing railway structures at the Albabstieg and the intermediate heading tunnels in the Lehrer Tal will be dismantled

and the site installation areas will be backfilled. This will allow for local farmers to resume their work in unspoiled fields. A great deal of thought has gone into the environmental side of the project, with preservation of the locale given high priority with as much work as possible being rectified to preserve the unique look of the region.

As is the case with the work carried out on the project itself, Sandvik’s personnel and equipment have played a key role in maintaining this historic and environmental dimension, receiving considerable praise in the process. Sandvik’s efforts throughout the course of the Stuttgart 21 project are clearly reaping benefits for the environment, the consortia, the contractors and, ultimately, Europe as a whole.

Shell Lubricants Faced with evolving technology and tougher operating conditions, modern manufacturing companies are placing greater emphasis on improving operational equipment efficiency (OEE) and driving down total cost of ownership (TCO). The condition and quality of the hydraulic oil has a direct impact on the performance of the system. Indeed, many surveys conducted by hydraulic equipment manufacturers and other industry bodies have shown that 50 per cent to 70 per cent of equipment failures are related to improper hydraulic fluid condition. Every part of your machine or process has been meticulously engineered, so you want to be sure that you choose a lubricant that has been designed to ensure that your equipment is well protected and works efficiently. The results show that suitable fluids substantially lengthen the service life of hydraulic components and therefore significantly lower the probability of failure. Shell has a global agreement for the supply of lubricants to Sandvik.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology www.miningandconstruction. sandvik.com Services: World leading producer of specialist mining and construction equipment 109

profile: TANAP

Bold plans in the

pipeline

The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) will secure delivery of natural gas to European markets

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uilding the bonds of brotherhood in the modern world with the promise of ‘one nation, two states’, Turkey and Azerbaijan are extending the success of previous projects in the energy sector with the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP). Bonding the countries together with a mission of huge importance, the TANAP project will establish a voice in the world energy markets by focusing on meeting the natural gas needs of both Europe and Turkey while also offering diversity in gas products.

Developed to meet the growing demand for natural gas in Turkey while also contributing to the socio-economic development of the country, the TANAP project officially started following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) within the framework of the TANAP Natural Gas Transmission Company in June 2012. With the TANAP project established, the design,

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construction and subsequent operation of the project was authorised too. Following this, the Intergovernmental Agreement concerning the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline System between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as the Host Government Agreement, which constitute the legal basis of the project, were signed in Istanbul on June 26th 2012.

Amended and signed on May 26 2014, the revised Host Government Agreement was ratified by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on 10th September 2014. Since then, TANAP has focused on its policy to ship Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and Europe through natural gas pipeline systems that use the best practices and exceed industry standards. While conducting such activities, TANAP will achieve sustainable development objectives such as following all national laws and regulations, applicable international standards, best practices within the natural

gas industry and carrying out all work within the project in full compliance with the requirements of national health, safety and environmental regulations.

Involving the construction of a 1850 km long pipeline to supply gas from Azerbaijan, a country with gas reserves that exceed three million cubic metres, to Turkey and Europe, the construction of TANAP project began in March 2015.

Shareholders of the project is SOCAR, BOTAS and BP, with 58 per cent, 30 per cent and 12 per cent shares respectively.

Traversing 20 provinces, 67 districts, 600 villages and running for 19 km below the Sea of Mamara, the 56 inch and 48 inch pipeline system is to stretch from the Turkish village of Türkgözü in the Posof district of Ardahan province; it will then connect to the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) and will culminate at the Ipsala district of Edirne province on the Turkish-Greek border.

From here it will then be linked to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and connect to convey

natural gas to European nations.

Two off-take stations are located within Turkey for national natural gas transmission, one located in Eskişehir and the other in Thrace.

Alongside the pipeline, a number of off-take stations and underground installations are to be constructed; this includes seven compressor stations, four measuring stations, 11 pigging stations, 49 block valve stations and two take-off stations that will supply Turkey’s national natural gas network. In addition to these aboveground installations, temporary camps to accommodate workers, pipe storage areas and access roads will also be built during the construction phase.

Sourcing gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz II field in the Caspian Sea, the new pipeline was

scheduled to start in 2018 and will supply ten billion cubic metres of gas annually to Europe as well as six billion cubic metres of gas per year to Turkey. The pipeline’s capacity will have been increased to 31 billion cubic metres. However, with TANAP General Director Saltuk Düzyol pointing out that 80 per cent of the section of the phase zero TANAP line has been completed in April 2017, it is anticipated that the first delivery of gas will be delivered in June 2018.

Described by BP as the global oil and gas industry’s ‘most significant and ambitious undertaking yet’, the TANAP project, which involves seven countries and 11 companies, will be regionally integral when it comes to meeting the future gas demands of both Turkey and the EU. Furthermore, the

project will ensure Azerbaijan’s integration with the world as an important and strategic natural gas exporter as Turkey and Azerbaijan emerge together into the European market for energy transportation. However, above all else, those involved in TANAP remain committed to their mission of building and operating a secure and reliable gas transmission pipeline system of the highest quality, while also ensuring health and safety and high social and environmental standards are maintained.

Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project www.tanap.com Services: Meeting the gas needs of Europe and Turkey

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profile: R&W Civil Engineering

The right

way

A recipe of expertise, knowledge and innovation has contributed to R&W Civil Engineering’s ability to deliver innovative and complete solutions in the only way it knows how; the R&W Way

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ince it was established in 1981, the R&W group has successfully operated across the south of England, providing a comprehensive range of civil engineering, traffic management and environmental services. With specialist expertise in highways maintenance, R&W’s people collectively embrace its traditional values of reliability, adaptability, trust and integrity, which allows it to provide all of its customers with an unrivalled first-class service. Whilst retaining these core values, R&W has also developed and expanded upon them to create the ‘R&W Way’.

“Our vision is to be the employer and contractor of choice

across the south of England,” explains Mark Hepburn, Director of R&W Civil Engineering. “The R&W Way, which embraces the values of being safe, showing respect and always delivering, is the organisational ethos that is helping us to achieve this goal, while also helping us develop enduring and effective relationships with our clients.”

Utilising a combination of extensive in-house resources, local knowledge and technical expertise, R&W offers innovative and complete civil engineering solutions to customers including tier one contractors, such as Kier, Skanska and Balfour Beatty,

private developers, public sector clients and local town councils.

Be it bridge reconstruction, groundworks, drainage schemes or vehicle restraint systems, R&W is able to offer planning, building, repair, maintenance, refurbishment and recycling services through its five businesses; R&W Civil Engineering, R&W Traffic Management, R&W Environmental, R&W Rail and R&W Langley.

R&W Civil Engineering strives to create added value for its civil engineering clients. With a reputation for reliability and exceptional service delivery, it is commonly the first port of call in challenging emergency situations such as flooding, structural or embankment failures, and road collapses. By being able to understand its clients’ constraints, as well as their desired outcome, it is little surprise that the company has gone on to be responsible for the planning and reactive maintenance of many of the UK’s busiest roads.

“The services we provide vary from groundworks to complex repairs to structures such as motorway bridges,” Mark continues. “On occasion,

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we will provide civil engineering and traffic management work separately, but typically we provide these as a package, providing our clients with several important benefits, including cost savings, the pooling of resources, the sharing of experience and various operational efficiencies. As a result, we remain incredibly busy across the business, with all teams fully occupied and a healthy amount of work in the pipeline.”

R&W Civil Engineering’s success can also be measured in the numerous awards it has been presented with for its service, operational excellence and its positive environmental impact.

Understandably, the company is very proud of the awards it has received, seeing them as recognition of the way it conducts itself. In 2015, the company was included in the London Stock Exchange’s list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’, rewarding its sound financial management and strong growth in the preceding years.

“We have accrued several awards in the field of sustainability thanks to our proprietary wet waste recycling centre, including a 2015/16 Rushlight Award for water management and the Constructing Excellence Award for Innovation 2016. We were also finalists in the 2017 CIHT awards for sustainability,” Mark reveals.

“We are particularly proud of our record when it comes to recycling and our approach to waste management. We believe our efforts are making a significant positive contribution to our region and on behalf of our industry, with 60,000 tonnes of reprocessed material reused on the roads and 7500 tonnes of wet waste diverted from landfill per year as a result of our actions.”

In 2017, one of R&W’s directors, Christine Allen, was the recipient of the Women in Construction award for Business Leader of the Year, recognised for the

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SELWOOD At Selwood we are proud to supply R&W Civil Engineering with our world-renowned range of contractors pumps and plant equipment.

Selwood has enjoyed a strong relationship with R&W Civil Engineering over the past five years, notably supporting the company with equipment for work on its major project on the M5 motorway.

Selwood’s renowned D range of drainer pumps and industry-leading solids handling ‘S’ pumps, as well as quality-assured dumpers and excavators, have time and time again proved invaluable to R&W Civil Engineering wherever they have been working in the UK, thanks to Selwood’s UK-wide network of pump rental and plant hire branches.

collaborative approach she has taken within the UK highways sector throughout her career.

Meanwhile, the company has been named as a finalist at the 2017 Construction Excellence in the South-East Awards in the category of People Development, and the CECA Southern Award for Inspiring Change.

R&W is committed to the promotion of home-grown talent and encouraging progression through the business. Kate Whiles, R&W’s newly appointed eighth Director, is a shining example of this. Kate was recently promoted to Commercial Director and has joined the Board. She joined the group in 2005 as its first quantity surveyor before going on to

take up the role of Commercial Manager, where she built up a highly successful team.

R&W made the move in 2015 to further enhance its reach in the civil engineering market through the purchase of Langley Civil Engineering. “The joining of forces between R&W and Langley has brought great benefits to both companies,” Mark says. “R&W Langley, as it is now known, has benefitted from the financial strength, infrastructure and

support services that the R&W Group enjoys. At the same time, R&W’s other companies have gained from Langley’s largely distinct client base in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.”

Highways England has a commitment in place to spend over £15 billion on major road schemes between 2015 and 2021.

Each of the country’s political parties have made clear that they view the issue of upgrading and developing the UK’s infrastructure as a priority and this has emboldened R&W’s belief that its own opportunities will continue to grow, as will its presence across the south of England.

With an increase in projects comes the need to recruit and R&W is keenly aware of its own responsibilities towards encouraging more school-leavers to pursue science, technology and maths (STEM)-based careers. For its part, R&W has several STEM ambassadors and works closely with local schools, colleges and universities, while also offering apprenticeship, work experience and graduate schemes to help young people enter the sector.

“Our vision is to attract the best talent in order to continue growing our multi-skilled teams,” Mark concludes. “We strive to be recognised as the employer and contractor of choice in the south of England, and we believe success is as much about how we do things as what we do.

By employing the best people, looking after them, keeping them safe and by providing the best possible service to our customers, we will continue to meet our goals, while growing in a strategic and sustainable manner.”

R&W Civil Engineering www.rwcivilengineering.co.uk Services: Civil engineering, traffic management and environmental services

profile: Baufritz

future Facing up to the

For 121 years, the Baufritz name has been synonymous with producing the most innovative eco-homes available on the market. Its infectious positivity for future growth opportunities hints at many years of success to come

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ince the UK made the historic decision to vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, the repercussions on businesses from all manner of different industries and sectors have been well documented. While the majority of the worse-case scenarios depicted in the run-up to the referendum have since been proven to be unfounded, there is no denying that Brexit, and its long-term impact, has created considerable market trepidation and a dip in investor confidence.

“The current state of the UK market, which is defined by a large degree of uncertainty, is one that affects the entire construction industry,” explains Oliver Rehm, UK Managing Director of Baufritz. This was all the more relevant when we spoke to Oliver, with the UK in the midst of a snap General Election campaign at the time. However, it is these very conditions that allows one to truly appreciate just how Baufritz has continued to prosper during these challenging times.

With a history dating back to 1896, when master carpenter Sylvester Fritz first opened the doors to his carpenter’s workshop,

Baufritz has spent the following 121 years honing its expert craftsmanship, creativity and spirit into becoming one of the most innovative eco-home building companies in Europe, renowned for its prefabricated timber homes. Today the company operates under its fourth generation of family management, producing more than 200 homes a year and providing employment for over 350 employees.

“We are fortunate in that we have been dealing with many of our customers for many years,” Oliver continues. “A healthy number of these customers have more of a long-term view of their own business and perhaps are not as distracted by the current political situation. This has been an important factor behind our own resilience.”

Equally as vital has been the company’s ability to identify new markets for growth and expansion to compensate for any slowdowns that may occur in more established regions. “We believe there is a good market for Baufritz in Ireland, which we feel has the ability to benefit from the Brexit process as companies consider establishing their operations there in order to retain close links to the European Union,” Oliver reveals.

“In December 2016, we signed a large building contract for a 25-home project in Dublin. The groundwork for this project will begin in the second half of 2017, with an anticipated construction period of two years. This is a project that we have very high hopes for and is one that really works well financially for both ourselves and our customer. We believe that the combination of our speed of construction and the quality of our product means that these homes will be relatively easy to sell and will act as an advertisement to developers that could go on to become customers of Baufritz in the future.”

Baufritz is targeting markets where it can transfer its years of experience of working within the UK and apply its proven business model. This has opened up discussions with developers in the Channel Islands and has led to the signing of a large contract for a project in Jersey. On mainland Europe, the company’s activities continue to grow at a steady pace in Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, while in its domestic German market there has been notable movement towards multistorey and apartment buildings in recent years.

As a result of its need to

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facilitate the changing requirements of its customer base, Baufritz commenced with the extension and modernisation of its factory in Erkheim in the Autumn of 2016, a task that was completed in January 2017. “Due to the large number of orders on our books it became a necessity to reconfigure our factory, not only to meet this demand, but also to reduce lead times for our customers,” Oliver states. “The need to increase floor space and invest in new machinery actually resulted in the factory being closed for almost six weeks, so this was clearly a time sensitive undertaking. While it was a huge challenge, its success has resulted in increased capacity of approximately 30 per cent, which is a massive future investment for the company.”

Another exciting recent development for Baufritz is the opening of its latest show house. “This new show house is radically different from any that we have unveiled before,” Oliver enthuses. “We worked closely with a product designer to create a vision of what we think a future home will need to be like, specifically one that deals with the concept of generational living. We are very pleased with the coverage the new show house has received internationally, which will help us as we look to spread our vision of future, ecological buildings across Europe.”

Oliver is aware that while mainstream coverage of the need for new homes will continue, particular as populations increase or age, the reality of the issues of securing land and gaining funding from banks will continue to create challenging conditions.

Nevertheless, with a full order book taking it through the next few years and a positive approach towards the future, he is convinced of the company’s ability to adapt, and indeed prosper.

“Baufritz is a business set up to achieve growth,” Oliver says.

are determined to not only meet, but to exceed. We have been building houses now for more than 120 years, which in itself is a clear sign of consistency. We will always invest in our own future, much in the same way that we will always produce homes that we consider to be future proof.

I personally believe that even in times of uncertainty people will look towards those individuals and businesses that represent stability and retain a positive outlook towards what is coming next around the corner, and that is what Baufritz is all about.”

Glatthaar Glatthaar provides the foundation upon which Baufritz homes stand on.

Be it a basement or a raft foundation slab, we pride ourselves in delivering a comprehensive package in support of Baufritz projects.

In all building conditions, our product delivers the safe foundation for your new home. With over 35 years of experience in basement and foundation construction, you can be assured that our basement system, which is unique to the English market, will give the support that the Baufritz product needs. We are the only basement company in England that offers a complete package from design to delivery, with everything provided by our own employees.

We look forward to a continuous partnership with Baufritz and wish them a very successful future.

“We are always on the lookout for new opportunities and every year we set ourselves higher quality and service targets, which we

Baufritz www.baufritz.com Services: Specialist prefabricated timber house builders

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profile: Abbey Pynford

Total support

Built on a solid foundation of engineering expertise and an in-depth research and development culture, Abbey Pynford provides comprehensive ground engineering solutions across several construction industry applications

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perating from its headquarters based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, Abbey Pynford is an established leader in the provision of bespoke

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ground engineering solutions that are delivered to clients across several industry sectors. The company was jointly founded in 1988 by Paul Kiss and Phil Jones, who formed the business based on their mutual civil engineering

experience specialising in ground works and underpinning. Abbey Pynford today offers a service portfolio that is divided between two main areas, which are comprised of operations taking place within both open and restricted sites.

Within the field of open site works, Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions undertakes operations that involve piling, basement construction and proprietary newbuild foundations for housing, as well as generally more complex structures within the education, commercial, industrial and retail sectors. Within this market Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions provides two main service lines, which consist of its highly successful ‘Housedeck’ and ‘Comdeck’ applications. These services reflect the fact that traditional pre-designed schemes provided by consultant engineers are increasingly being replaced throughout the construction industry by modern design and build solutions that are bespoke to individual client requirements, as well as to the needs of particular site conditions and geotechnical information. Indeed, Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions is able to take on and fully understand the specifications and unique requirements of its clients to develop several concept schemes and price each one accordingly.

While price is always considered to be a driving factor, the company also places further emphasis on important areas such as speed and environmental impact.

This allows Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions to provide finely honed projects that offer innovative execution and the greatest value for money. Housedeck for example, represents a one-stop-shop for foundation solutions for housing and is designed specifically for use in the development of homes and flats to be able to support all forms of construction,

desirable advantages that include: • A value engineered approach • The opportunity to cut programme times by up to half • Reduced preliminary activities • Far less excavation and resulting debris to be cleared • The potential elimination of engineered piling mats • A greener approach • Innovation and minimised costs • A complete service package

including brick built, timber frame, steel frame and bespoke modular build systems. The Housedeck system is a proprietary house foundation solution that incorporates specialist innovation and versatility that replaces the need for either traditional strip foundations or pile and beam construction, while further negating any associated brickwork and flooring.

Housedeck also offers the same desirable benefits as other popular foundation systems in terms of cost, sustainability, time and quality, while further limiting the environmental impact of operations by offering significant reductions in the carbon footprint of sites.

This service is complemented by the Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions Comdeck proprietary foundation system, which has been specifically designed for use within commercial applications.

The system again removes the requirement for either traditionally excavated foundations or pile and beam with associated flooring works and represents a more efficient, economical and reliable solution, which offers additional advantages in terms of quality and environmental considerations.

Indeed, Comdeck provides a proven foundation system that affords clients several highly

This commitment to offering a compete service package allows clients to work alongside Abbey Pynford Foundation Solutions with the confidence of knowing that the company is on hand to offer expert support and bespoke problem solving solutions.

The proven competence of Abbey Pynford in the field of open site works is further enhanced by its expert foundation solutions within the arena of restricted site operations. Indeed, Abbey Pynford Geo Structures

represents a recognised industry leader within the foundation and complex geostructural engineering sector. The business delivers targeted services across two dedicated divisions that are comprised of its basement engineering specialists and underpinning solutions, while its geo structures team offers a full spectrum of engineering solutions that range from developing multi storey retro-fit basements through lifting and moving buildings to piled or excavated underpinning operations. This comprehensive package of services further affords clients a full operational portfolio, which is boosted by close on-site support and includes: • Basement construction • Commercial and industrial foundations • Restricted access works • Party wall checking engineers • Piled underpinning • Lifting and moving structures

GAP Hire Solutions GAP Hire Solutions has over 130 locations across the UK. Traditionally known for plant & tool hire, GAP has diversified its offering and now has eight divisions providing a wide range of equipment for hire, all backed up with excellent customer service. GAP’s divisions include; Plant & Tool Hire, Non-Mechanical Plant, Lifting Hire & Sales, Welfare Services, Event Services, Survey & Safety Hire, Vehicle Hire and London Tools & Access. GAP invests more of its turnover into new equipment than any of its competitors to ensure the company has the best products available for hire in the industry.

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• G eostructural engineering services • F oundation repair and replacement • Traditional underpinning • Basement impact assessments Throughout its history Abbey Pynford has taken a leading role in providing expert ground engineering solutions, while further working to champion the wider ground engineering industry. Indeed, both Paul Kiss and Phil Jones have been involved in the formation and operation of the independent ASUC trade association, which was formed by a number of leading contractors to promote professional and technical competence within the subsidence industry. The company has also undertaken several highly publicised projects including

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an operation to lift the historic 150-tonne ‘Smithy’ building by Crane in London during 2016, which further led to the business receiving several awards from its industry peers in ASUC as well as at the 2016 CN Specialists Awards.

Further to boasting an impressive portfolio of completed projects, Abbey Pynford is also currently engaged in undertaking several major projects including

operations for both commercial and residential buildings, as well as contracts for rail and piling work. Indeed, with a strong order book that has been achieved by leveraging the company’s solid industry reputation, 2017 is set to be a highly successful year for Abbey Pynford. During the coming months the business will seek to continue to build on this momentum, while further investing in the training and development of its staff at both operational and management levels to ensure the strength and continuity of the company for years to come.

Abbey Pynford www.abbeypynford.co.uk Services: Bespoke ground engineering solutions

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12/09/2016 14:23

Editor Libbie Hammond libbie@schofieldpublishing.co.uk Sales Team

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