BFM December 2025

DECEMBER - 2025 www.bfmmagazine.co.uk building & facilities management

FIRE & HAZARD PROTECTION | SECURITY | SUSTAINABILITY

Warehouse Worker Choir Formed to Show How Music Can Improve Mental Health Within Sector see pages 22-23

INSIDE:

The future of FM outsourcing

see page 6

LIGHTING CONTROLS MADE SMARTER Optimise energy use and create adaptable spaces with intelligent lighting controls

Cut costs not performance

Sustainability made simple

Seamless integration

Eliminate unnecessary energy waste, helping budgets go further without compromising lighting quality

Optimise energy use in real-time, helping you meet carbon reduction targets and regulatory requirements

Scalable systems integrate with existing infrastructure, ensuring compliance and longterm savings with minimal disruption

Synapsys Lighting Control Systems help buildings to unlock smarter, more efficient lighting solutions - reducing waste, cutting costs, and enhancing comfort.

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Email | enquiries@synapsys-solutions.com Web | synapsys-solutions.com

On the cover: Warehouse Worker Choir Formed to Show How Music Can Improve Mental Health Within Sector

December 2025

BFM Team Business Development Director

James Scrivens

james@abbeypublishing.co.uk Production

Sarah Daviner

sarah@abbeypublishing.co.uk Accounts Manager

Katie Brehm

accounts@abbeypublishing.co.uk

BFM is published digitally 10 times a year b ­ y Abbey Publishing Ltd. To receive a copy free of charge, contact our offices.

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see page 22

Contents 4

News

18

Compliance

20

Building & Refurbishment

24

Energy Management

26

Outdoor Estates Management

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Sustainability

Subscriptions are available via www.bfmmagazine.co.uk/subscribe No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior permission from the publishers.

The publishers do not accept any responsibility for, or necessarily agree with, any views expressed in articles, letters or supplied advertisements.

Some manufacturers and suppliers have made a contribution toward the cost of reproducing some photographs in this magazine.

All contents © Abbey Publishing Ltd 2017 ISSN: 1470-5281

Building & Facilities Management

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FULLNESS, the All-in-One heat pump without outdoor unit for Nearly-Zero Energy homes Selected for publication in the ADI Design Index 2025 Clivet presents FULLNESS, the revolutionary all-in-one air-to-air solution without an outdoor unit for single and multi-family applications that exploits heat pump technology to guarantee total comfort for all types of housing solutions: efficiency and sustainability even in small spaces.

FULLNESS is the air-toair heat pump with R-454C refrigerant (GWP < 150) for Nearly-Zero Energy single and multi-family buildings with decentralised system, capable of satisfying all needs: heating, cooling, domestic hot water production, mechanical ventilation with thermodynamic recovery and electronic filtration, dehumidification.

Comfort is also ensured by the all-air system that uses heat pump technology to deliver air into the room at the ideal temperature and humidity conditions, easily selected through a colour user interface that allows the desired comfort conditions to be set in a few simple steps. The low thermal inertia of the air allows the FULLNESS system to quickly reach the set climatic conditions even in conditions where it is necessary to quickly switch from heating to cooling, thanks also to the possibility of working in free cooling.

The unit is designed to maintain the temperature of the domestic hot water contained in the optional tank that can be installed under or beside the heat pump module.

Through electronic filtration, FULLNESS allows for the purification of air in 4

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any environment and reduces humidity and pollutants for a natural climate in all seasons.

‘By using controlled mechanical ventilation ducts to maintain room comfort, FULLNESS makes it possible to reduce investment and management costs and simplifies installation, drastically reducing installation times as the heating plant, distribution columns and the installation of the satellite modules required for metering do not have to be built. - comments Stefano De Boni, Clivet Product Manager. Design is also simplified, offering architects and planners the opportunity to foresee the comfort systems already in the design phase for perfect building-plant integration. A solution that can be easily integrated into the building system, which contributes to increasing the energy efficiency class and therefore the value of the building.’

FULLNESS is designed to be combined with the AIRPATH distribution system, which is suitable for every plant situation thanks to the flexible, walkable and insulated ducts, which reduce installation space and leave maximum design freedom. The AIRPATH selection software allows to quickly and accurately identify all the elements of the air distribution system, ensuring optimal configurations for every design requirement.

The reduced number of elements and Plug&Play connections simplify and speed up installation, guaranteeing perfect tightness and reliability.

The silver ion-treated plastic film that covers the ducts provides excellent antibacterial and antistatic properties for maximum fresh air hygiene.

The smooth interior ensures low pressure drops, reducing ventilation consumption. The special AIRJET diffusers ensure homogeneous air diffusion.

FULLNESS has been selected by the ADI Permanent Design Observatory for publication in the ADI Design Index 2025, the prestigious selection that brings together the best Italian design products nominated for the ADI Compasso d’Oro 2026 award. www.clivetgroup.co.uk Building & Facilities Management

STAY SAFE, STAY OPERATIONAL THIS WINTER WITH OUTCO With over 20 years’ experience, OUTCO keeps your sites safe, compliant and accessible through fully managed winter services including gritting, snow clearance and salt supply.

Our award-winning technology activates visits using sitespecific forecasts, with every job evidenced through GPStracked reports for complete transparency.

Trusted nationwide with a 99.8% service success rate, OUTCO helps your operations keep moving whatever the weather.

0800 0432 911 enquiries@outco.co.uk

OUTCO.CO.UK

News

The future of FM outsourcing The ongoing maturity of the FM market has created a paradox. As outsourcing generations multiply and technology becomes increasingly common place, the availability of cost efficiencies of using a third party to deliver services is increasingly eroded.

At the same time, the lowering of the profile of procurement activity (multiple generations in, and these processes just don’t generate the C-Suite interest they did first time round) means that the development of the strategic case for outsourcing is a lost art – it simply becomes necessary to replace an expiring contract with the next edition.

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What this creates is a contract landscape where, increasingly, clients and contractors cannot understand each other’s objectives from contracts. In turn, this creates a commodity-based procurement and management process not geared up to define and deliver success.

How to solve this challenge?

The key is to be able to bridge the gap between the parties so that they each understand that the other has objectives to achieve and that neither side’s should be ignored. What’s needed is an independent focus on the contract itself, taking into account the aspirations of the client and contractor

but, fundamentally, setting out, tracking, monitoring and openly discussing the objectives of the contract and ensuring it is, and is seen to be, a success.

The landscape does not currently support this without independent thirdparty intervention. A broker who can understand both organisations and their objectives, but deliver ongoing focus to the contract itself.

This is the future of FM outsourcing. It’s bringing the aspects of collaborative partnerships to life within a structured approach that has all parties signed up, engaged and trusting. www.cadaema.com

Building & Facilities Management

10 REASONS TO PLAY MUSIC IN YOUR BUSINESS Like most businesses, you want yours to be the best it can be. Whether this is the through the products and services you provide, the prices you offer or the locations in which you are based.

So, why not provide the best experience? You could: Enhance the environment, set the tone, boost the mood and create a more upbeat atmosphere

06 retention through improving

02 by using music to create an

Boost customer engagement

07

03 Stand out from your competitors

the spending mood by 08 Set creating an upbeat and positive

01

entertaining environment

Foster customer loyalty and their shopping experience

Attract new customers

atmosphere employee engagement, 04 Boost collaboration and motivation

a feel-good factor 09 Create through the use of music

05 Support the future of music

10

Define and reinforce your brand

Find out more on how music could benefit your business.

0800 0720 808 (8am-6pm, Mon-Thurs & 8am-3pm, Fri)

pplprs.co.uk

News

Energy efficiency in buildings tops organizations’ infrastructure priorities: Siemens study • • • •

Improving energy efficiency in facilities and buildings emerges as the No. 1 priority for organizations in a 2025 Siemens survey, up from 7th place in 2023 55% of organizations plan to increase investment in smart building technologies

More than half of organizations say they are ready to implement autonomous building systems

Financing gap: lack of capital and cost of equipment and technology amongst top factors slowing down transition to net-zero buildings

Energy efficiency in facilities and buildings has emerged as the No. 1 infrastructure priority for organizations seeking to leverage it for decarbonization and competitiveness, up from 7th place in 2023, a recent Siemens survey and study finds.

In addition, a higher proportion of respondents say that onsite renewable energy production and the electrification of heating and cooling are now at mature or advanced stages, compared with previous findings in 2023. The study, Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025, shows that over half of survey respondents plan to increase investment in energy efficiency (57%), smart building technologies (55%), and building electrification (54%) in the year ahead.

Energy efficiency in facilities and buildings has emerged as the No. 1 infrastructure priority for organizations, a recent Siemens survey and study finds.

Despite many retrofits offering a strong return on investment (ROI), the top barriers to progressing with energy efficiency goals since 2023 have been cost-related, including lack of capital, rising energy prices, and the expense of new equipment and technologies. To overcome these challenges, Siemens is offering Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models, leveraging the in-house financing capabilities of Siemens Financial 8

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Services. By aligning payment structures with guaranteed results – such as energy savings and reduced carbon emissions – large upfront capital expenditures (CapEx) can be replaced with outcome-based operational costs (OpEx).

Digital technologies are also proving critical to accelerating this transformation. Over half (55%) of respondents say digitalization has a strong or transformational impact on energy efficiency, with 56% expecting it to reduce costs, and 55% stating it can improve workforce health and safety.

“Buildings are increasingly recognized as strategic assets in the infrastructure transition, with technologies such as AI, digital platforms, and autonomous systems acting as catalysts,” said Susanne Seitz, CEO Buildings at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “When it comes to autonomous systems, organizations clearly expect breakthroughs in energy efficiency, smarter anomaly detection, stronger physical security, and healthier, more comfortable spaces for occupants. This is exactly the path we’re charting at Siemens; creating humancentric, autonomous buildings that serve people better.”

However, only half (50%) of

organizations currently have the data they need to make informed decarbonization decisions – emphasizing the need to implement building technology. Followed by a strong ROI, increasing transparency is seen as the second-biggest benefit of smart building technologies, helping organizations understand their energy and emissions profiles, plan refurbishments, and optimize maintenance.

The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor 2025 explores the evolution of the infrastructure transition, highlights its urgent priorities, and lays the pathahead for business and government leaders. The report is a biennial study commissioned by Siemens, surveying 1,400 senior executives and government representatives in 19 countries across energy, buildings and industries. The buildings chapter explores the progress, priorities, and challenges involved in the decarbonization of real estate.

Building & Facilities Management

News

Protect Monitor Control

Environmental monitoring experts and the AKCP partner for the UK & Eire.

Save Energy with AKCP Sensors Contact us for a FREE site survey or online demo to learn more about our industry leading environmental monitoring solutions and how they can help to reduce your energy costs. Scalable, with Ethernet and WiFi connectivity, over 20 sensor options for temperature, humidity, water leakage, airflow, AC and DC power, a 5 year warranty and automated email and SMS text alerts.

0800 030 6838 hello@serverroomenvironments.co.uk

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Cooling | Power | Fire | Racks | Monitoring

News

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The Forshaw Group celebrates Developing Future Skills with Knowsley Business Awards Restoration specialist The Forshaw Group is delighted to announce that it has won the Developing Future Skills award at the Knowsley Business Awards.

Held on Thursday 27 November 2025 in the Grand Marquee at Knowsley Safari, the Knowsley Business Awards recognises and celebrates the fantastic achievements of businesses within Knowsley, supporting the community and highlighting positive change.

The Developing Future Skills award is designed to recognise the business that has done the most to promote opportunities in its sector, building the skills of the workforce of the future.

Based in Knowsley, The Forshaw Group works with insurance companies and loss adjusters to renovate commercial and residential properties damaged by fire or flood across the North West.

In order to continue to attract, train and retain the talent for the future, The Forshaw Group fosters a commitment to the Knowsley Schools and Colleges Apprenticeship Partnership, providing work experience opportunities and supporting and encouraging apprentices through partnerships with local schools including All Saints Catholic High School and Kirkby High School.

Through its own apprentice training academy, The Forshaw Group has helped attract over 100 students into apprenticeships in skilled trades, including building, restoration and renovation, engineering, decorating and loss adjusting across the region, and also into office and restoration roles at its company.

The Forshaw Group fosters collaboration between industry 10

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stakeholders, promoting the importance of businesses supporting one another in developing and retaining these skills over the coming years, and ensuring skilled professionals for the future.

The Forshaw Group is also committed to supporting causes and events locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, for the good of people, the community and planet.

This includes being a key driving force behind INSPIRE Academy, a national initiative founded in 2015 to bridge the growing skills gap in the construction industry.

It is dedicated to supporting young people entering the industry, providing structured learning, training, and realworld experience, for careers in specific trades or multi-trade roles tailored to insurancerelated building and repair needs, to over 1,000 young people across the UK. Speaking of the company’s success, managing director of The Forshaw Group, Liam Hanlon, says, “We are delighted to be presented with this award in Developing Future Skills. It acknowledges our passion for supporting young people into the construction industry and addressing the skills shortage.

“I am so grateful for the collaboration between all the companies involved in the Knowsley Schools and Colleges Apprenticeship Partnership and our dedicated training academy in helping us to achieve this,

raising aspirations and providing opportunities for young people to undertake work experience, placements and internships.

“We are proud as a business to invest in apprentices, equipping them with the necessary skills they need to develop a career, supporting both skill development and long-term sustainability. We whole-heartedly encourage others to do the same to help inform, shape and prepare the next generation to become the skilled workforce of the future.

“I would also like to thank and acknowledge JJ Smith & Co and Stirling Plastering Ltd., our valued partners and collaborators.

“What a fantastic evening celebrating employers from across the region.

Congratulations once again to all the winners and nominees from this year’s Knowsley Business Awards, the future of our region, community and industries looks bright!”

For further information on The Forshaw Group, please visit: https://www. theforshawgroup.com/ Building & Facilities Management

We deal with utility networks so you don’t need to Utility Infrastructure Management

“

Connectus Utilities provides us with real value for money, in terms of the effort involved in sorting out utility connections, saving us a great deal of time and hassle Steve Juson, Managing Director, Kind & Co

”

100% independent, we take the pain away from a process that can be a massive drain on resources

For your utility review, contact us today: WhatsApp us on 07939 155199 info@connectus-utilities.co.uk www.connectus-utilities.co.uk

News

Below Ground Pumping Station Spares Knowledgeable assistance and service!

Pump Technology Ltd is not only a manufacture of below ground pumping stations for commercial buildings and large housing projects (typically up to 110 dwellings), but also a renowned and trusted source for pumping station replacement components and assistance with station upgrades.

Pumps, guiderails, valves, covers, control panels and kiosks are all available from the experienced team at Pump Technology Ltd. If a pump needs identifying, or its age means that a direct replacement is not possible, they can specify a suitable replacement that matches both performance and fit. If new claws are required, or there is a question about the suitability of your existing control panel, the team will also check all of this out. This means that when engineers return to site they can carry out the repair or maintenance in one visit, on time and to budget.

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Building & Facilities Management

News Pump Technology Ltd are authorised by all the leading submersible pump manufactures, such as KSB, Lowara, Sulzer / ABS and many more, for the selection of their equipment. They hold one of the UK’s largest and most diverse range of submersible pumps in stock at their premises in Aldermaston, Berkshire for next day delivery, along with other components such as claws, valves, covers and control panels. This ensures that

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any emergency pump station challenges can be quickly solved.

If customers wish to visit Pump Technology Ltd, talk to the team, see its manufacturing facilities for below ground pumping stations and view it’s range of stock

components and pumps, they are always welcome.

News

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Wandle brings repairs service in-house with Totalmobile to deliver faster fixes Partnership marks a major step in Wandle’s repairs transformation programme, to deliver more transparent and resident-focused services to over 7,000 homes Wandle has begun a major overhaul of its repairs service after teaming up with leading field service management software provider, Totalmobile.

The housing association, which manages more than 7,000 homes across south London, is reshaping the way day-to-day maintenance is organised and completed so that its residents see quicker repairs and clearer updates.

As part of its Repairs Transformation Programme, Wandle is implementing Totalmobile’s award-winning Field First platform, which will bring scheduling, communication and reporting into one place, giving Wandle’s

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staff a live view of jobs in progress and helping them plan work more efficiently.

Francis Burrows, Executive Director - Customer and Operational Services at Wandle, said: “Our goal is simple: a repairs service people can rely on. Partnering with Totalmobile gives us modern tools and experienced support to make that happen for our residents.”

With the new platform, field operatives can view job details and update progress in real time, while residents receive automatic appointment confirmations and status messages. Managers will have better insight into patterns and performance, allowing quicker decisions when problems arise.

David Webb, Managing Director of Property and Facilities Management at Totalmobile, said: “Wandle

is taking practical, confident steps to put its residents first.

Our Field First platform will help them cut down admin, keep its residents better informed and allow its teams to focus their efforts where they’re needed most.”

The rollout is part of a wider push across the housing sector to improve frontline services amid rising resident expectations and greater regulatory pressure. Wandle’s new in-house model and tech-led approach aims to address those challenges by delivering faster, more visible and more residentfocused housing repairs.

For more information about how Totalmobile’s platform is transforming service delivery for Wandle and housing providers across the country, visit totalmobile.com

Building & Facilities Management

News Wastewater & Sewage Pumps & Systems CALL FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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Building & Facilities Management editorial content covers all the major FM areas of interest within the workplace and the built environment.

This includes industry developments, company news, case studies and application stories, product news as well as articles from leading authorities within the marketplace.

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Award-winning solar project at K2 Crawley Leisure Centre receives national recognition Award-winning leisure operator Everyone Active, in partnership with Crawley Borough Council and Leisure Energy, is celebrating national recognition after the successful installation of a landmark solar carport at K2 Crawley Leisure Centre.

The innovative renewable energy project has awarded as Highly Commended by the Energy Managers Association, recognising its excellence in sustainable design, delivery and long-term impact.

The installation directly supports both Crawley Borough Council’s and Everyone Active’s ambitions to reduce reliance on the national grid, cut utility costs, and champion low-carbon solutions.

K2 Crawley is one of the borough’s highest energy users, welcoming more than 1.5 million visits each year across its 17,000 m² (183,000 sq ft) facility, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, learner and leisure pools, a 12m climbing wall, a 150+ station gym, squash courts, sports halls, all-weather football pitches and accessible Changing Places toilets.

The solar carport scheme was made possible thanks to a £707,000 grant from the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund Phase II, supplemented by a £250,000 investment from Crawley Borough Council.

Together, the funding enabled the delivery of six solar carport canopies covering 162 parking spaces, designed to maximise energy generation while maintaining safety, usability and accessibility for K2 Crawley customers.

Leisure Energy played a central role throughout the project, including undertaking the feasibility study and acting as Principal Contractor. RenEnergy 16

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was appointed as the specialist solar carport installer.

Construction was carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption, with 75 per cent of the car park kept open throughout the works and the bus route maintained. Screw pile foundations were used to preserve existing parking spaces and reduce ground impact.

The completed structure features 1002 solar panels, supported by 501 Solar Edge inverters and optimisers, allowing realtime performance monitoring, remote fault detection and optimised energy output.

The panels became operational on 20 May 2025, with both Crawley Borough Council and Everyone Active now able to track detailed electricity generation via the Solar Edge Monitoring System.

Leisure Energy provides regular carbon-saving reports and will conduct a full performance review after the first year.

The Energy Managers Association award highlights the project’s role as a leading example of how leisure facilities can transition to clean energy while maintaining continuity of service for local communities.

Jon Hodgson, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see this project recognised at a national level. The solar carport installation is a major step forward in making K2 Crawley more sustainable and cost-efficient, and it reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved.

“As a centre that serves more than a million visitors each year, it’s important that we lead by example, and this investment allows us to reduce our environmental impact while continuing to provide high-quality

facilities for our community.”

Councillor Nick Hilton, Cabinet member for Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change at Crawley Borough Council, said: “We are proud to see K2 Crawley leading the way in sustainable innovation.

This solar carport project demonstrates our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and investing in clean energy solutions that benefit both the environment and our community.

By harnessing renewable energy, we’re not only cutting costs but also setting an example for how public facilities can embrace a greener future.”

Ashley Davison, Project Manager at Leisure Energy, said: “We were delighted to assist Crawley Borough Council and Everyone Active in reducing their carbon footprint at K2 Crawley with the provision of the solar panel car ports. Installing car ports are an effective way of providing a renewable energy resource for the leisure facility whilst helping to provide a sustainable community building for the future.”

Everyone Active manages three leisure centres in Crawley in partnership with Crawley Borough Council, including Broadfield 3G Pitch and Pavilion, Bewbush Centre and K2 Crawley.

For more information on K2 Crawley please visit the website here: K2 Crawley | Gym, Swim, Fitness Classes & Climbing | Everyone Acive Building & Facilities Management

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Compliance

The compliance culture shift: What every facilities management leader needs to know

By Francis Lyons, ECAT CEO Across the UK’s facilities management sector, compliance is evolving.

What was once a static, tickbox activity has become a dynamic, data-led process – one that now supports performance visibility, team morale and sustainability.

Yet not all organisations have kept pace. Many still rely on manual processes, outdated systems and long-standing assumptions – leading to inefficiencies, missed opportunities and increased risk.

In this article, ECAT CEO Francis Lyons explores how smart technology is reshaping auditing and compliance culture – and the vital role that facilities management leaders play in that transformation.

Active compliance Today’s compliance landscape is more complex and fast-moving than ever.

New standards – from the British Standards Institution’s AI assurance framework to evolving hygiene protocols and environmental, social and governance accountability – demand more than delivery.

They require demonstrable proof. That means traceability, transparency and realtime access to data.

Smart auditing tools are helping meet these demands by enabling teams to complete checks via mobile devices, upload evidence instantly and timestamp results as they happen. Managers gain the ability to spot issues before they escalate, track performance across multiple sites and drive targeted improvements.

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compliance

This is more than digital transformation – it’s a mindset shift: from ‘audit as event’ to ‘audit as insight’.

Empowering the front line Perhaps the most powerful shift lies in how smart auditing empowers operational teams.

Traditionally, audits placed frontline staff in a defensive position – waiting to be reviewed, rather than recognised.

With smart auditing technology, that changes. Teams can log their own tasks, flag issues as they arise and receive realtime feedback.

This visibility builds trust

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Compliance and engagement. In many organisations, the introduction of user-friendly, mobilefirst audit tools has led to a significant rise in compliance participation. When staff can see that their work is recorded, valued and acted upon, they feel empowered – not policed. High compliance doesn’t come from control.

It comes from ownership.

occupancy or need, facilities management teams can track real environmental impact.

In one hospital, digitising compliance helped save hundreds of kilograms of carbon dioxide annually.

Compliance and sustainability are no longer separate disciplines – they’re converging. And smart auditing sits at that intersection.

Sustainability, backed by data Net-zero targets and climate reporting are no longer peripheral – they’re embedded in the facilities management agenda. But while intentions are strong, many providers struggle to move beyond broad estimates.

Smart auditing technology makes sustainability measurable. By eliminating paper trails and aligning service delivery to actual

Leadership’s role in driving change Cultural change doesn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped by leadership – through the systems they choose, the values they promote, and the behaviours they reinforce.

Facilities management leaders must ensure that compliance tools are not just functional but usable – designed with the frontline

in mind. Systems should be intuitive, customisable and enable people to do their best work.

Perhaps most importantly, leaders need to communicate that compliance isn’t about catching people out. It’s about care, pride and continual improvement. When leaders embody that mindset, audit data stops being a burden and becomes a strength.

Final thoughts Compliance in facilities management is no longer just about proving the work got done. It’s about making that work measurable, visible and meaningful.

It’s a cultural shift – and those who embrace it are unlocking new levels of insight, value and team engagement.

Our Standards. Your Guarantee.

CHSA Certification Marks guarantee ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’.

Independent inspection assures Scheme conformance.

Every CHSA member has signed our Code of Practice, which includes the Competition & Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code.

For more information: 0800 243919 www.chsa.co.uk

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Building & Refurbishment

Engineered wood: The environmental and economic benefits David Connacher, Marketing Manager of West Fraser, discusses the benefits of engineered wood panels It is well accepted that the use of timber panel products began a century back when plywood was first manufactured in quantity. Aeons beforehand, the Egyptians also came to understand the benefit of gluing sections of timber together, enhancing the natural strength of wood fibres by alternating the direction of the grain.

Today, as mankind struggles with huge population growth and consequential pressures on natural resources as well as the wider environment, engineered wood products present some of the best opportunities to provide people with shelter and warmth, while also optimising our energy usage and better managing our forests: the lungs of the planet.

Despite its strength and general durability, the inescapable problem with plywood is its dependence on peeling wood veneers from large diameter, more mature trees. In fact, some of those presently being felled by manufacturers will likely have been planted in the years after The Great War had laid bare Europe’s landscape. By contrast, the timber which is currently being harvested to make more modern panel products like MDF, OSB or chipboard comes from well managed forests where these much younger, mainly softwood species are being replanted at a faster rate than they are being cropped.

Furthermore, because of the advanced production techniques employed in plants such as at West Fraser’s Inverness site, a far larger proportion of each tree is utilised in the process while what is theoretically waste 20

Building & Refurbishment

goes as biomass to fuel the driers or warm office spaces.

Even out on the hillsides, the brash that is cut from the likes of spruce and Scots Pine is laid down as a carpet to protect the ground from the weight of the machines.

While large scale structural elements like glue-laminated timber beams and walls of cross-laminated timber panels are featured around the interiors to schools, hospitals and other public buildings, much more engineered wood by volume goes unseen in less glamorous but vital applications such as sheathing, sarking, flooring and the facing to highly energy efficient structurally insulated panels (SIPs).

While the manufacturers of timber frames, SIPs and roof or floor cassettes proudly promote the low waste, chain of custody and other green credentials of the panel products they purchase, their performance potential is of even more importance longterm. Parameters like racking and pull-out strength, moisture conditioning, impact resistance and even acoustic control are all contributing factors in helping create buildings which will function properly for current and future generations.

Making the most of available materials for constructing the properties we live and work in is a crucial counterbalance for a world where factors like disposable plastics and fast fashion have hugely detrimental impacts on people’s environmental footprint.

The move towards offsite or Modern Methods of Construction has gained significant momentum during the first quarter of the 21st century, with timber framing being the biggest

beneficiary, bringing improved accuracy and better energy standards as well as far greater cost certainty. We are, however, only part way on a journey for engineered wood as a key component to offsite fabrication as well as the quest for Zero Defects and Zero Carbon.

In recent years, West Fraser has seen a big increase in the use of its SterlingOSB Zero and other products like CaberDek by engineered wood specialists, who cite their outstanding dimensional accuracy, stability and ease of machining as the use of CAD Cam production techniques eclipse traditional bench skills.

What is now a hybrid supply chain is not only delivering open and closed panel timber frames along with SIPs and cassettes or sectionalised loft structures, but there is also a boom in bespoke solutions featuring smaller components. The trees growing today across the forests of the Northern Hemisphere may still closely resemble the genotype of species which covered the landscape centuries ago, but the uses to which they are being put bears little resemblance to the timber framed homes of Tudor times or even 20th century construction. There is a whole new world of engineered wood. https://uk.westfraser.com Building & Facilities Management

What is the ‘digital switch’?

Analogue telephone lines have copper conductors. These are being updated with fibre connections to provide broadband connections to commercial and domestic users.

BT Openreach has an objective for all buildings to be on fibre connections by the end of 2025 when support of existing analogue lines will be no more! This has been further exstended to 2027 depending on your area and service provider.

Why does this effect your lift?

Many lift alarm systems use analogue telephone lines and need a dial tone and dual-tone multi frequency (DTMF) signalling to work.

Your lift alarm communication systems will need to work over fibre connections. However, fibre cannot carry a voltage and routers so you will also need a backup power supply to maintain the lift alarm in the case of power failure. See BS EN 81-28:2022

What you need to do NOW? Telephone lines are the responsibility of the building owner. Who need to be prepared.

1. Talk to your communication provider to understand the changes to your line and when it will happen.

2. Check with your lift maintenance company for advice on equipment that can be fitted.

Check you are complying with BS EN 81-28:2022 1. Test the emergency call system: Check test calls use the same method as the actual lift alarm calls.

2. Battery Back-up: - Make sure both the autodialler and GSM gateway have a monitored backup.

Or you may simply contact our friendly team

Who have the correct solution for you. Supplied Installed and Tested.



0203 376 6440

 service@ikoniclifts.co.uk

www.ikoniclifts.co.uk

On The Cover

Warehouse Worker Choir Formed to Show How Music Can Improve Mental Health Within Sector

In October 2025, marking World Mental Health Day, PPL PRS sparked a powerful and uplifting initiative within the workplace. We saw the creation of The PalletTones, a choir formed of 14 warehouse workers from Mira Showers in Worcester. Guided by conductor Gina Baker from Music in Offices, songwriter Dr Madeline Castrey, and music therapist Marianne Rizkallah, the choir performed an original piece, “A Day In My Life”, inspired by the real-life experiences of UK warehouse workers.

Understanding the Need

PPL PRS’ research found that over 53% of warehouse workers report that their mental health

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On The Cover

has been negatively impacted, with that figure rising to 60% among 25–35-year-olds. In a sector with a predominantly male workforce (66%), 77% of men experience anxiety, stress, or depression, and 40% of those remain silent about it. These statistics shine a light on the emotional toll of repetitive, physically demanding warehouse roles and highlight the need for creative initiatives that can help benefit employees’ mental health.

Songwriter Dr Madeline Castrey reflected on the research and shares that: “Despite the role feeling monotonous and even lonely sometimes, warehouse teams truly are a community in which

everyone has a place – so it felt pertinent to write a song that was ultimately uplifting.

But the choir’s harmonies, passion and pride take it to another level in a way I could never have imagined.”

Choir for Connection

Once ‘The Pallet-Tones’ choir was formed, they were invited to share personally meaningful songs in a guided music therapy-inspired session, laying the groundwork for the piece written by Dr Castrey.

The resulting lyrics, drawn from hundreds of sectorwide testimonies, reflect both the hardships and pride tied to warehouse work.

Marianne Rizkallah, music

Building & Facilities Management

On The Cover therapist for PPL PRS, commented: “Music can also connect teams – whether that’s singing together or simply bonding with a colleague because you love the same artist. I saw this first-hand when facilitating a music therapy-inspired session for The Pallet-Tones, then during their moving performance of ‘A Day In My Life’.”

During rehearsals and the final performance, choir members reported that singing together eased tension and fostered connection. “When we sing together, the stress of the warehouse fades away. It reminds us that we’re more than just our jobs,” shared Paul Baker, Logistics Manager at Mira Showers and PalletTones member.

Music as a Workplace Strategy

Music therapist Marianne Rizkallah emphasised that music at work may reduce stress, boost productivity, and evoke joy, especially when teams actively participate.

“Music can also connect teams—whether that’s singing together or bonding over a shared artist”, she noted.

Research confirms this, as PPL PRS found that 54% of warehouse workers feel happier, and 49% more energised, when music plays at work.

This initiative suggests that having a music licence for your business could potentially unlock broader benefits. From licensed playlists to team engagement like choirs or group singing, incorporating music into daily routines may not only enhance morale but also improve collaboration, reduce stress, and benefit your staff’s wellbeing.

Scaling the Initiative

With PPL PRS intending to expand this programme to other businesses across the UK in partnership with Music in www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

Offices, Greg Aiello, Managing Director of PPL PRS, said: “This marks the first stage in a multiyear initiative … to increase workforce wellbeing through music. We’re also raising awareness of the fact that music can be incorporated into a business’s employee wellbeing strategy. It could seriously improve morale, output and ultimately the bottom line.”

Businesses that are actively looking to improve employee wellbeing could use this initiative as a blueprint to improve the wellbeing of their employees. Investing in a music licence and providing space for creative wellbeing groups, as well as forging partnerships with music or mental-health professionals, could turn a logistical space into a community hub and turn the warehouse into a place where staff can express themselves through the power of music.

A Harmonic Conclusion

Warehouse life may be repetitive and physically demanding, but The PalletTones shows that human connection and creativity can disrupt that monotony. Music restores dignity, fosters camaraderie, and brings meaning to every shift. Marianne Rizkallah concludes that “life in a warehouse can be repetitive,

but music is an incredible motivator. Long hours can feel more manageable if you’re working to a good beat. Employees given the freedom to choose genres or playlists they love might be even more appreciative.”

You can visit our website at pplprs.co.uk or call us on 0800 0868820 to get TheMusicLicence or even increase your current usage. If you’re a warehouse business with a music licence in the UK and you’re keen to start a choir with the support of PPL PRS and Music in Offices, you can learn more by visiting: pplprs. co.uk/warehouse-choir/.

On The Cover

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Energy Management

Energy tech must evolve for the workforce we have

Sadiq Syed, SVP – Digital Buildings, Schneider Electric

The way we manage buildings is under unprecedented strain. On one side, a relentless stream of real-time data from sensors and smart systems promise insight and efficiency. On the other, decades of legacy infrastructure and fragmented platforms create complexity that few teams can master.

The result? A widening disconnect between what technology can deliver and what the workforce can realistically manage.

Facilities teams are evolving Facilities teams are caught in the middle of this disconnect. Walk into any data center, life sciences campus or hospital and ask about the facilities team. Chances are,

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Energy Management

the chief engineer has been in post for many years and knows every quirk of every system. When equipment behaves strangely, they can diagnose it quickly. System complexities don’t matter so much because they have seen it all before.

But experienced engineers who have spent years navigating these systems are retiring. In fact, 74% of global employers report difficulty finding skilled talent, with facilities management amongst the hardest hit sectors. New talent expects the intuitive simplicity they find in consumer technology, not the steep learning curve of outdated interfaces. All of this is happening at a time when compliance and increasing regulations are adding to facility teams’ pressure. This isn’t just a skills gap; it’s an operational risk

that threatens compliance, efficiency and resilience.

So, the question isn’t whether buildings will become smarter - they already are. The question is whether our systems and strategies will evolve fast

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Energy Management enough to empower the people who run them.

Simplified systems for a new generation The answer is not to reduce system capabilities. Critical infrastructure like hospitals and life sciences campuses need precise environmental control. Data centers require millisecond-level monitoring.

Complexity is inevitable, but we can control how it’s presented and hence improving the user experience.

This starts with interface design. A facilities engineer should be able to open a dashboard and immediately understand building performance across disparate systems. Temperature anomalies in a research lab or unusual power consumption in a server room should be visible at a glance. In an office environment, we are seeing the surging popularity of unified systems (e.g. HVAC, occupancy data and meeting room controls) that bring a range of tools together.

A similar bringing together of systems is needed for facilities teams – unifying data from disparate systems takes away the need to watch multiple platforms at once.

Contextual intelligence is also transforming how operators understand their facilities. Rather than working out what an alarm means by comparing data across multiple systems, AI is helping explain the issue in plain language and advising what actions to take. A voltage fluctuation might seem minor in isolation, but if it correlates with increasing load on cooling systems, the problem might be more severe.

Predictive capabilities dilute complexity in another way, autonomously identifying developing issues and www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

either resolving them or presenting operators with clear decision points. This shifts the role from constant monitoring to proactively handling escalating issues – a much more sustainable model for smaller teams.

Technology as Strategic Advantage Facility Operators who prioritize system accessibility could gain measurable advantages. From a personnel point of view, onboarding and training costs drop substantially, also improving opportunities to deploy staff more flexibly across different buildings. When a job feels more manageable, staff turnover also decreases.

An engineer who feels empowered by their tools is more likely to stay than one who struggles daily with impenetrable systems.

Perhaps most importantly, outcomes improve. Intuitive tools mean more consistent execution of best practices across an entire facilities team, not just the most experienced members. In the context of accelerating sustainability regulation, the execution of energy efficiency initiatives and monitoring of data take on huge significance. Maintenance happens more reliably, and even proactively, when staff can see what’s coming.

And having a well-oiled team that can deliver more efficient facilities has a direct impact on end user impact. Commercial real estate owners demonstrating superior operational efficiency attract tenants. Healthcare systems that maximise uptime deliver better patient care.

Educational institutions that optimise campus operations free up resources and budget for their core mission.

Building for reality Energy, power and building systems will always be complex - and they need to be, to meet the demands of critical environments. But complexity should never be a barrier to operational success.

We can’t keep designing for an imaginary middle ground; we must design for the workforce we have and the one that’s coming.

That means prioritising user experience with the same rigor we apply to technical performance. Interfaces must be intuitive, insights must be actionable, and systems must empower, not overwhelm, the people who run them. Simplification isn’t about reducing capability; it’s about making sophistication accessible.

This is where an operations platform for the built environment becomes a viable solution. Tools like EcoStruxure Foresight Operation unify disparate systems into a single intelligent interface, providing contextual insights, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven recommendations. Instead of forcing teams to navigate multiple platforms or decode complex alarms, these solutions deliver clarity and control, helping facilities teams work smarter, not harder.

The future of the built environment depends on this shift. If we want sustainable, resilient, and efficient facilities, we need technology that attracts talent, accelerates onboarding, and enables teams to deliver excellence at scale. The workforce of tomorrow is already here. It’s time our systems evolved to meet them. www.se.com/ww/en/ Energy Management

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Outdoor Estate Maintenance

True Grit: How to avoid cowboy gritters this winter

OUTCO explains how to tell a professional winter gritting service from the cowboys that will leave you out in the cold Winter gritting sometimes can feel like a grudge purchase.

It’s a cost you can’t avoid, for an overnight service that you often can’t see happening, to prevent risks that hopefully won’t happen. It’s like buying insurance, where efforts to compare options can feel like picking from identical offerings. But, like insurance, a wrong decision can only become apparent at the point when the service is really needed and when your provider fails to deliver.

However, there is a real difference in offerings: The winter maintenance sector has become increasingly professionalised and technology driven but not all providers have evolved. There is now an increasingly wide gulf between professional, dependable providers and “cowboy” services. This is where the risk lies for businesses and property owners. While a cheaper initial quotation might seem appealing, opting for a less reputable provider can lead to business disruption and significant costs through litigation and reputational damage. So, what are the differences between the professionals and the cowboys?

The foundations of a reliable gritting service are dependability, transparency, and comprehensive support.

Here are the things to look for.

Look for a robust triggering system that ensure a timely service in response to changing conditions. Working on an ad-hoc basis risks noshows, risky delays or even needless gritting when the weather doesn’t require it.

Consistent delivery – especially across a wide geographic area or portfolio of sites – demands meticulous logistical planning. This includes grouping sites for operational efficiency, ensuring adequate salt supply for replenishment, and possessing the necessary resources to efficiently cover a diverse portfolio of sites. By contrast, there are horror stories of contractors assigning a single individual an unmanageable number of sites, which presents significant

operational challenges and potential service failures.

The right people, trained right Professional services predominantly employ their own trained staff. They also vet their staff, requiring CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks to make sure that reliable and trustworthy individuals are performing the service. Where contractors are used, they should be thoroughly trained and required to adhere to the same stringent standards.

For example, at OUTCO we formalised this process by creating a training programme to certify our staff. We also implement robust quality control measures, such as dispatching personnel to sites during the night to physically inspect jobs.

Set up for consistent success Reputable firms should be able to demonstrate the capacity to deliver consistently - even in the worst weather conditions.

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Outdoor Estates Management

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Outdoor Estate Maintenance A comprehensive approach to risk

Training and quality control ensures a comprehensive approach to on-site risks that goes beyond just gritting car parks: experienced contractors will disembark from their vehicles to hand-grit specific areas such as walkways, pathways, and fire escapes.

This is crucial because an estimated 60% to 70% of litigation claims originate from incidents on walkways, not in car parks. Reputable services are adaptable to individual site needs, ensuring all high-risk areas are thoroughly covered, particularly those with multiple fire escapes or complex layouts.

Transparent service and dependable support

Customer support is a vital aspect of service quality to examine: a strong indicator of a supplier’s pedigree is the availability of a 24/7 support help desk. This means that clients can obtain assistance and information whenever required - especially during disruptive weather events.

Relying on a single mobile number is a major red flag.

As the industry becomes more technology-driven clients should never expect to be left in the dark and you can and should expect full and timely access to service information. With operators on the ground enabled with mobile technology, clients can be connected directly to the service via their own devices or web portals. This leadingedge approach lets customers view near-live information, such as scheduled gritting times or recent service delivery. GPS technology even makes it possible to see breadcrumb trail maps of where and when operators have gritted.

This granular data allows for verification, prompt query resolution and peace of mind.

By contrast, there are horror www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

stories of cowboy operators claiming to have gritted a site and even sending on old photos of past visits to charge for phantom visits.

Protection from legal risks today, tomorrow and years after too

Remember, the challenges of winter don’t just appear on frosty nights. In the context of slips, falls and compensation claims, the ability to provide comprehensive, long-term support over months and years is a key differentiator. While often overlooked, long-term record-keeping is incredibly important for slip and fall (SL) claims (we’ve heard of claims emerging even 4-5 years after an incident). Hence, professional services maintain comprehensive records, including vehicle tracking, precise arrival and departure times on site, prevailing weather conditions, the quantity of salt applied, staff training history, and even employment duration.

Detailed records can prove invaluable in a court case -

whereas less diligent service providers may leave you mired in claim and counter claim.

The right tools, ready for winter

There’s no escaping the fact that the right tools for the job matter and professional services will deploy the correct equipment to perform the job properly such as professionalgrade snow ploughs. This not only enhances service quality but also facilitates timely and efficient job completion. Again, quality winter maintenance isn’t just about doing the job when the freeze arrives: professional contractors must conduct regular servicing and maintenance and are generally working through the offseason (e.g., summer months) across multiple depots to ensure readiness and prevent breakdowns during winter.

A service and pricing model that suits your business

Reputable companies can also offer various strategic pricing models, including fixed Outdoor Estates Management

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Outdoor Estate Maintenance price, price per visit, and hybrid approaches, to provide the flexibility that clients demand.

Beyond this they can also operate more efficiently to prevent excess charges. For example, by leveraging the real-time meteorological data to trigger service, it’s possible

determine not only when to grit but also crucially when not to grit – helping to optimise client budgets.

Be aware of poor practices

Cowboy services can exploit a “cost per visit” model by making excessive visits or

fraudulently charge for phantom visits. The adage “you get what you pay for” holds true in winter maintenance. While a cheaper quote might seem appealing, if this means playing fast and loose with critical elements like risk assessments, compliance, proper record keeping or enabling fraudulent practices, it’s a false economy.

Insurance that’s winter-ready, too One less obvious sign of cowboy services is inadequate or incorrect insurance.

Professional providers typically require public liability insurance of £10 million and insurance documents must explicitly state that a contractor is covered for winter maintenance. Despite this, many contractors don’t have this specific cover which renders their policies invalid and places the financial risk back on the client.

True grit or a ride with the cowboys

Ultimately, making the right decision of winter maintenance contractor makes this less of a grudge purchase and all about gaining lasting peace of mind.

When tendering for winter maintenance services, ask thorough questions and understand the distinctions between professional providers and less reputable operators.

Focus on aspects such as transparency, detailed recordkeeping, robust training programmes, appropriate insurance, professional equipment, and comprehensive site coverage. This ensures you can select a partner that effectively mitigates risks and ensures the safety and operational continuity of sites throughout the winter season.

For more information on how OUTCO can bring an innovative approach to your winter gritting, contact 0800 0432 911 email enquiries@outco. co.uk or visit www.outco.co.uk 28

Outdoor Estates Management

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Sustainability

New RO Water Purifier for Humidifiers

Condair is launching the Condair RO-E reverse osmosis water purifier, which has been specifically designed for use with humidifiers. The Condair RO-E will reduce the service requirements of all humidifiers and improve humidity control when used with steam humidifiers.

The main service requirement of any humidifier is associated to managing the limescale that is left behind when the unit either boils, evaporates or sprays water into the air. The Condair RO-E removes the minerals from the supply water before they are introduced to the humidifier, thus significantly reducing residual limescale following humidification.

In steam humidifiers, this also improves humidity control, as the boiling chamber does not need to run dilution cycles to control mineral levels, and therefore water temperature and steam output is much more consistent.

As the Condair RO-E has been designed specifically for use with humidifiers, the range will deliver water with the ideal level of minerals for the type of application. Steam humidifiers benefit from water that is around 95-98% mineralfree. This quality provides a long service lifetime on the water filter membrane, optimal water consumption, and a significant reduction in the service requirements of the humidifier. The Condair RO-E+ model for spray humidifiers,

will deliver 99% mineral-free water. Very pure water results in dust-free spray humidification, with utmost hygiene control and mitigates the risk of spray nozzle blockages due to mineral build-up.

The Condair RO-E comes with an optional touchscreen controller that can be mounted directly on top of the unit or located remotely.

It offers intuitive control over all operations, as well as information on operational history. When used with any Condair humidifier that has the latest control interface, all functions of RO-E can be managed directly from the humidifier’s control panel.

Outputs across the range start at 40 litres per hour of product water on the smallest unit and go up to 300 litres

per hour on the largest. With models up to 100 litres per hour, an internal 25-litre expansion vessel satisfies instant demand for pure water, whilst the larger models come with a 140-litre external water tank. Recovery rates are 50% with hard water and 70% with soft water.

The Condair Group is the world’s leading specialist in humidity control and evaporative cooling, with energy efficient, hygienic and innovative technologies for commercial, industrial and heritage applications. Condair is represented in the UK by Condair Ltd, which offers system design, manufacture, supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and spares. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website at www.condair.co.uk.

Building & Facilities Management editorial content covers all the major FM areas of interest within the workplace and the built environment.

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Sustainability

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Sustainability

Revolutionising Retail: The Power of Real-time Energy Visibility

As the retail landscape evolves, the drive for sustainability and efficiency has never been more pressing.

Supermarkets, in particular, are at the forefront of this transition, embracing innovative technologies to strengthen their energy management strategies.

Among these innovations, real-time energy management systems, especially when integrated with solar PV solutions, are emerging as a true game changer.

Hark Systems, an energy analytics and industrial IoT company owned by SolarEdge, has worked with leading UK retailers including Sainsbury’s and Asda to analyse and optimise their energy use, buildings and industrial assets. In this feature, Hark Systems’ CEO Jordan Appleson discusses

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Sustainability

the benefits, challenges and transformative potential of real-time energy management in the supermarket sector.

The supermarket industry is characterised by intense competition and slim margins.

In this environment, optimising efficiency across every part of the business, from the supply chain through to onsite energy use, is critical.

Industry data shows that UK supermarkets currently account for approximately three percent of the country’s total electricity consumption. However, with the retail sector undergoing rapid digitisation and electrification, this demand is expected to surge in the coming years. A key challenge facing supermarkets will be meeting the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging, both for commercial fleets and customer vehicles

– a significant and costly energy load which will further escalate power requirements.

Of course, rising energy use, and therefore rising energy costs, is not the only issue keeping energy and facilities managers in the retail sector awake at night. They also need to balance these increases with ambitious carbon reduction goals.

Understanding The Energy Flow

To meet increasing energy demands, many supermarket operators are adopting renewable energy solutions to power their facilities with clean, low-cost energy, with solar PV emerging as a leading choice. Supermarkets, with their expansive, unobstructed flat roofs, provide the perfect

Building & Facilities Management

Sustainability

canvas for large-scale solar arrays. By harnessing solar energy during peak shopping hours, retailers can significantly reduce their reliance on grid energy, leading to lower electricity bills. Additionally, by integrating a battery storage system, excess solar energy can be stored for use during off-peak hours or after sunset – improving self-consumption and keeping essential appliances powered by clean, low-cost energy around the clock.

Advancements in solar technology, especially solar inverters using module-level power electronics (MLPE), are already unlocking powerful new opportunities for retailers to optimise solar energy production and usage. These innovations are driving higher energy yields, enabling greater cost savings, and reducing operations and maintenance (O&M) expenses through advanced monitoring capabilities.

But maximising solar energy production is only part of the picture. To fully unlock its value, www.twitter.com/BFM_Magazine

retailers must also manage how and when that energy is used, and this is where smart energy management comes into play.

By combining real-time data from onsite solar PV systems and energy-consuming assets such as freezers, lighting and EV chargers, retailers can gain a complete, data-driven view of their energy consumption.

These insights can then be turned into strategic actions that streamline operations, reduce waste, and unlock further cost savings.

Energy Management On The Edge

In an industry such as retail, achieving the crosscategory approach to energy management proposed here is not without challenges. What is required is a “single pane of glass” – a unified platform through which retailers can monitor and control energy production and consumption across their entire estate in real time. This can require installing thousands of sensors across diverse assets such as bakery

ovens, freezer cabinets, lighting, HVAC, EV charging points, and more. To support such an extensive hardware setup, an edge-based computing system must also be deployed to process millions of sensor readings in real-time, enabling visualisation, exploration and analysis of the data. Installing this infrastructure can be a significant undertaking even for a single store. When scaled across an entire network of stores, warehouses and logistics centres, the scope becomes even more substantial.

However, the benefits of such an approach can be both rapid and transformative.

A Success Story: Sainsbury’s

In 2017, Hark Systems partnered with Sainsbury’s to improve visibility and control of energy consumption across key asset groups, supporting the retailer’s goal to reach net zero emissions by 2040. Working closely with Sainsbury’s, the Hark team identified energyintensive assets and conducted an on-site survey to connect them to the Hark Connect Sustainability

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Sustainability platform. A proof of concept was then deployed in a single store, monitoring multiple asset groups, including bakery ovens, refrigeration units, HVAC systems, and lighting.

The initial energy monitoring highlighted errors in energy consumption processes that were the leading causes of high usage. For example, a malfunctioning asset was identified as being responsible for excessive energy draw, enabling Sainsbury’s to take corrective action and prevent further losses.

Following the success of the initial trial, Sainsbury’s scaled the Hark platform to more than 600 stores. Today, the retailer receives over 368 million energy readings daily across 40 different asset groups. This centralised system enables Sainsbury’s HQ to monitor all connected stores and devices, identify inefficiencies, remotely control energy usage, and anticipate potential asset failures before they occur.

In terms of bottom-line impact, Sainsbury’s has reported a 4.5% reduction in lighting costs alone. For large retailers, a 4.5% annual saving can translate into millions of pounds.

Switching On New Revenue Streams

The impressive results achieved by Sainsbury’s, and the many other leading UK supermarkets Hark Systems works with, highlight the real, measurable benefits of investing in real-time energy management. While the return on investment varies by use case, it’s possible for retailers to see a return of £3 to £4 for every £1 spent on advanced monitoring solutions within just a year, making the financial case clear cut.

The business case for realtime energy management becomes even more compelling when we consider the transformation underway in the 34

Sustainability

retail electricity market. We are entering a new era of flexible energy pricing, presenting exciting opportunities for enhanced energy efficiency and optimisation. Real-time monitoring enables retailers to navigate this shift effectively, allowing them to capitalise on favourable pricing changes and avoid potential penalties.

In a flexible pricing market, time-of-use (ToU) pricing strategies become incredibly important. Armed with a complete picture of energy consumption patterns across their stores, retailers can make smarter decisions about when and how to use energy.

For example, if a solar and battery system is in place, excess solar energy generated during the day can be used to pre-cool freezer units. This allows freezers to be turned off for an hour or two after sunset – when solar production drops and grid electricity prices typically peak – reducing costs without compromising the integrity of stored perishable goods. Additionally, by using excess energy in this way, businesses can avoid violating grid export regulations, which limit how much energy can be exported to the grid. This is important as exceeding these limits can result in hefty fines.

The evolving energy landscape also presents opportunities for retailers to engage in energy arbitrage – storing solar energy or buying and storing energy from the grid when prices are low and then selling it back when prices rise. At this point, the focus shifts from simply saving money to generating revenue, an attractive prospect for any business. By ingesting market operator data and tariff feeds and combining them with on-site energy information, real-time management systems enable intelligent energy trading.

This enhances decisionmaking by enabling retailers to monitor market conditions

and energy prices in real time and automatically buy and sell energy when trading conditions are more favourable.

While this process is still at an early stage, it’s important for businesses to proactively consider their energy strategies, particularly when planning new onsite generation assets. For example, I think we’ll begin to see more commercial operators intentionally oversize solar PV systems to produce more energy than they need in order to take full advantage of energy trading opportunities.

Sustainable and Efficient Retail Operations

The integration of real-time energy visibility within the supermarket sector is not just a technological advancement; it represents a vital shift towards more sustainable and efficient retail operations. As highlighted by Sainsbury’s successful implementation of a real-time energy management system, the potential benefits are significant – ranging from substantial cost savings and enhanced operational resilience to compliance with both internal and external carbon reduction goals.

As retailers confront rising energy demands and a rapidly shifting market landscape, the ability to monitor and manage energy consumption in real time will become essential.

By leveraging innovations in solar technology and advanced analytics, supermarkets can optimise their energy use and engage in energy arbitrage, not only to meet current demands but also to position themselves for a more profitable and sustainable future.

This transformative journey is not without its challenges.

However, with the right systems in place, supermarkets can position themselves as leaders in sustainability while navigating the complexities of a dynamic energy market.

Building & Facilities Management

Sustainability

Net zero integrated into fiscal planning: Why advanced carbon reporting tools matter now As sustainability shifts from aspiration to obligation, businesses must embrace smarter tools to stay ahead.

The UK government’s post Budget message is that net zero is nonnegotiable, economically beneficial, and fully integrated into fiscal planning.

This means businesses face mounting pressure to reduce emissions, comply with evolving regulations, and demonstrate ESG transparency.

Manual spreadsheets and fragmented data are no longer sufficient. Advanced Carbon Reporting Software is emerging as a strategic enabler, transforming carbon reporting from a compliance exercise into a driver of resilience, growth, and competitive advantage.

with automated calculations and robust audit trails.

3. Simplified Data Collection: Centralise emissions data from ERP systems, IoT devices, and utility meters for accuracy and efficiency.

4. Competitive Edge Through Decarbonisation: Identify highimpact reduction opportunities and achieve science-based targets.

5. Data-Driven Growth: Leverage predictive analytics to benchmark performance and future-proof operations.

6. Innovation for Net Zero: Align with global climate goals and unlock new market opportunities.

Why Carbon Reporting Software matters now

Modern carbon reporting platforms combine automation, AI-powered

Beyond compliance: A strategic advantage

insights, and compliance-ready reporting to help businesses embed sustainability into every decision.

Comprehensive systems will be able to conduct complete emissions tracking across energy, transport, waste, and supply chains, AI-powered analytics to model reduction strategies and identify hotspots, and interactive dashboards for monitoring progress toward Science-Based Targets.

“Carbon reporting is no longer a tick-box exercise, it’s imperative for businesses who want to thrive in their emissions reduction journey,” said Graham Paul, Service Delivery Director at TEAM Energy. “Our software empowers organisations to move beyond compliance, reduce complexity, and accelerate progress toward Net Zero.” www.teamenergy.com

Net Zero targets, investor scrutiny, and tightening regulations such as SECR and the upcoming UK Sustainability Reporting Standard (UK SRS) mean businesses must act decisively. Carbon Reporting Software helps organisations measure, track, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, while unlocking operational efficiency and stakeholder trust.

Six strategic benefits for businesses 1. Transparent ESG Reporting: Deliver credible, audit-ready disclosures aligned with frameworks like SECR, GHG Protocol, and UK SRS. 2. Regulatory Compliance: Stay ahead of evolving standards

Building & Facilities Management editorial content covers all the major FM areas of interest within the workplace and the built environment.

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Sustainability

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