Demolition Hub Magazine - October 2021

DeMOLITION

HUB MAGAZINE October 2021 | Issue #7

UK, European & worldwide demolition DEMOLITION DISCUSSION David Darsey, Erith

matters

The British Demolition Awards 2021 review

Demo Expo 2021 review and pictures

Cover story: Mark Loizeaux of Controlled Demolition Inc talks to Demolition Hub

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PUBLISHER

Ben Chambers ben@chambers.media 01903 952 648

EDITOR

Toby Wilsdon toby@chambers.media 01903 952 645

DEMOLITION EDITOR Paul Argent paul@chambers.media 07813 064 590

COLUMNISTS

Well that was quite the exciting interval between August’s issue and this one. September was the best month of my career in the media. On the publishing, promotional and events side of demolition, this was the month we all got together in person once again.

We started September with the seemingly universally acclaimed British Demolition Awards in Brighton. You can read all about that on page 38. A week or so later was the fantastic Demolition Expo in Coventry, where Demolition Hub apparently had a stand. I say apparently as I didn’t spend any time there. I was too busy being entranced by seminars, networking with people who until then I’d known only as a voice on the phone, and interviewing friends old and new.

Then there was the matter of directing our drone pilot and as you can imagine, being pulled from pillar to post – quite happily as it goes.

The following week I met with Keltbray, Brown & Mason and Euro Demolition at the Contamination & Geotech Expo show at the NEC, where in differing conversations we talked about new site visits, awards participation and more about this magazine.

That almost takes us to the end of the month, but we didn’t stop there. Well, we did stop something – the publication of this magazine as I was invited by Cawarden to attend a site in Leeds where their monster Komatsu high reach was busy demolishing a five storey office block, which you can read about on page 52. This will also be available as a video on our Demolition Hub TV YouTube channel. Thank you Cawarden for your hospitality.

This issue has most of the above featured alongside our Demolition Discussion with Erith’s David Darsey, Supplier Talk with Epiroc’s Keith Lambourne, Paul Argent out and about and an awful lot more.

A quick final note. On meeting the industry en-masse for the first time since the Hub’s inception, I can only thank everyone I have had the pleasure to meet for your kind words and comments on the magazine, brand and awards. And to respond to someone I spoke with yesterday, yes, we will continue to do what we are doing.

Thank you

Ben Chambers Publisher, Demolition Hub ben@chambers.media Reach out to me via: ben@chambers.media

Jacqueline O’Donovan Richard Dolman

SALES

Ben Chambers ben@chambers.media 01903 952 648 Luke Chaplin luke@chambers.media 01903 952 643

DESIGN

Nicki Chambers nic@chambers.media Aaron Lloyd Alex Jarrett

PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY

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Demolition Hub is the official media and PR partner to the National Federation of Demolition Contractors.

Demolition Hub is the international media partner for the European Demolition Association.

Demolition Hub is published six times a year.

The subscription rate is £60 per year.

Subscription records are maintained at Global News Media Ltd, Suite 5 & 6, Chapel House, 1-6 Chapel Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1EX. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Global News Media Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 3

CONTENTS

28

6

NEWS

TDL Equipment now official Promove dealer UK construction vacancies reach record levels

10

CONTROLLED DEMOLITION INC

Demolition Hub talks to Mark Loizeaux of Controlled Demolition Inc about the Miami Surfside tragedy and how CDI made the site safe

16

THE DEMOLITION DISCUSSION

David Darsey, Managing Director (Demolition) at Erith Group

24

DEMOLITION EXPO

The NFDC’s annual show reviewed in words and images Jonathan Cox and Ben Griffiths revisit their talk about Rye Demolition’s Sustainable Standard

32

SUPPLIER TALK

Keith Lambourne, National Sales Manager, Epiroc

38

52

32

AWARDS

The British Demolition Awards 2021at Brighton and Hove Albion’s AMEX stadium

42

LIVING HOARDINGS

Richard Sabin, Managing Director of Biotecture, discusses how living hoardings reduce dirt and noise, beautify and bring the public onside

46

SITE VISIT: InMotionUK

Paul Argent visits Bristol where InMotionUK are making space for a new residential development

48

PLATINUM TRAINING

Sinead Robinson on the development of Platinum Training, the dedicated service provider for demolition in the North West

4 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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52

SITE VISIT: Cawarden

Ben Chambers gets a site tour of Cawarden’s urban demolition of an office block in the crowded city centre of Leeds

56

CASE STUDY: BossTek

Mike Lewis, Vice President of BossTek writes about East Coast Demolition’s dust control strategy when demolishing The Village Shops at Kingsmill in Williamsburg, Virginia in the USA

62

SAFER THROUGH SCIENCE

Lloyd Ludlow and Philip Lancaster tell Demolition Hub about their bringing demolition and asbestos cleaning products to Australasia

68

CASE STUDY: Thompsons of Prudhoe

Paul Argent witnesses the demise of the Teesworks steel plant

74

GETTING DUST CONTROL RIGHT Nathan Wilkinson-Jones on Respiratory Protective Equipment

82

SUPER SANY

Paul Argent on Tyne Tees Crushing’s experiment with a SANY SY215C

84

SITE VISIT: RYE DEMOLITION

Paul Argent visits the former Kodak factory in Harrow, razed by Rye Demolition

88

OPINION

Richard Dolman on how buildings’ end of life should be planned for from the start Terry Lloyd on funding the post-COVID construction industry Jacqueline O’Donovan on meeting the UK’s and the demolition industry’s labour shortage

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news 6 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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news

TDL Equipment now official UK Promove dealer Sheffield based TDL Equipment is delighted to announce that it is now the official UK dealer for the Promove Demolition range of attachments.

TDL Equipment has supplied equipment to the UK construction, demolition, scrap and waste sectors for more than 20 years and is delighted to be adding the Promove Demolition range to its portfolio.

TDL Equipment is the UK Dealer for the ATLAS range, including material handlers, excavators, road rail equipment and scrap attachments. It has now bolstered its range with the comprehensive Promove Demolition portfolio.

Promove Demolition, an Italian brand founded in 1989, boasts a combination of experience and enthusiasm for top quality attachments. The company has an enviable reputation for quality across all sectors and is recognised internationally for its class leading manufacturing technology and state of the art production facilities whereby all major parts and demolitionhub.com

components are manufactured in-house using certified high quality steel.

TDL is pleased to be offering the excellent Hydraulic Breaker range, compatible with excavators ranging from Micro 0.6-tonne up to 130-tonne heavy duty excavators. The hydraulic breaker range has a proven pedigree worldwide, supported by innovative features such as the Smart Valve, which stops unintentional blank firing, auto greasing systems and comprehensive ‘E-Breaker’ telematics to optimise fleet management.

The company will also supply the full Selector Grab range, which is available on 0.7 to 200-tonne excavators, designed with a compact structure for enhanced material handling, paired with the range’s large grab opening and high loading capacities.

Supplementing the offering will be the Promove Scrap Shear range, perfect for the most demanding scrap yards across the UK,

compatible with excavators from two to 85 tonnes.

The Promove Demolition range includes Multi-Processors, Fixed Pulverisers and Rotating Pulverisers compatible with machinery up to 50 tonnes. The demolition range is designed with the operator in mind and includes features including reversible blades, heavy duty and oversized pivot components and large jaw opening to optimise demolition productivity.

The official launch of the Promove range from TDL Equipment took place at the Lets Recycle Live event on 15 and 16 September, where the company showed off its attachments in the live demonstration.

TDL Equipment will offer full national sales, service and parts support for the complete range in the UK, supported by an experienced team who are happy to help. For further information, visit TDLEquipment.com or email sales@tdlequipment.com and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 7

news

UK construction job vacancies continue to reach new record levels

by Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect As the number of jobs available in the UK climbs to over one million for the first time since records began, the amount of vacancies in the construction sector has also reached its highest ever level, with 37,000 listings between June and August.

This is an increase of 2,000 from May to July, which, at the time, was another record for the industry, showing a definite trend.

Such high numbers of vacancies suggest that UK construction firms are feeling confident about their

8 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

future and have sufficient work and finances to be able to increase their staff numbers.

This is good news for unemployed construction workers, as the number of people out of work currently stands at 53,000. Hopefully they will be able to take advantage of the vacancies and get back into employment.

They may consider turning self-employed, as the latest data suggests many workers in the sector are doing just that. There was a big jump between March and June, with 28,000 new self-employed construction workers, taking the UK total to 269,000, which is the highest in a year.

This follows the general pattern in the industry, as the total number of employees in UK construction reached 518,000 in June, which is the highest since records began in 1978.

There is some regional variation, however. While some areas, like London (14 per cent) and the West Midlands (six per cent) saw growth, others experienced slight decreases in their staff numbers, such as the East Midlands at minus five per cent and the North East at minus two.

This shows that while the country appears to be heading in the right direction and recovering after a long and challenging 18 months, there is still work to be done before everyone is back to where they were before.

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case study

Emergency control On 24 June, the 12-storey Champlain Towers South in Miami’s Surfside community underwent a partial progressive collapse in two stages, leaving the western portion of the building standing, alongside neighbouring towers.

The search, rescue and recovery operation was always going to be challenging to all involved, including, of course, victims, first responders and decision makers. Two days after the collapse, 127 people had been accounted for, with 159 unaccounted for and four confirmed dead. By 2 July, the number of confirmed casualties had risen to 22 and with concerns rising about the safety of the remaining

structure and the approach of Tropical Storm Elsa, Mayor Levine Cava ordered its demolition at the earliest opportunity.

Normally, a demolition of this type would be weeks or months in the planning, but making the site safe in advance of the storm and enabling rescue workers to carry out what was now a recovery operation across the entire site demanded a faster response.

World renowned explosive demolition expert Mark Loizeaux of pioneering company Controlled Demolition Inc told Toby Wilsdon about the work he and his company carried out in Miami this summer.

I’d just taken out a 400 foot chimney at a power station, south of Washington DC and was driving home the following morning when I got a call from a structural engineer in Miami. He said: “Are you watching the news? Are you aware that there’s been a collapse?”

“I am now,” I replied. “How bad is it?”

“Really, really bad,” he said.

I’ve talked with him and other others and industry journals many times about the condition and nature of concrete that was used in beach towns – whether Atlantic City, New Jersey, or Long Beach, California – considering local aggregate, the impact on reinforcing steel, corrosion related to salt in that environment, and the like.

There were structural plans of the building on the Surfside public information site and the original collapse had been captured on a security camera, so I took a look, but for the time being, that was that. We make a practice of not going to those projects. To me that is unseemly. If someone invites me, I’ll go. We are

aware, but we wait to see if we are called.

When there is an earthquake in Japan, Chile, or Guam, when there is a structural failure or fire in Saudi Arabia or wherever, it’s in the news.

So as soon as something like that happens, we start postulating, “What if we are called?” because we have a longstanding track record of bringing down not only pristine, but damaged structures. To some people, we are surprisingly prepared to respond.

That’s standard operating procedure for us. We know we have a unique perspective and resources; if we’re asked to step forward, we want to be ready to do so promptly and professionally.

Mobilisation The collapse happened at 1 am on the Thursday and the next week I received a call from a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation. They said, “Can you come down (from Baltimore)?” I was on site by 5pm that day.

We started looking at travel plans for our different expertise – drilling, DemolitionHUB Magazine | 11

case study

commercial driver licences, speciality explosives. All of that was happening while I was in the air.

That evening, I took a look at all sides of the standing portion of the building from outside the red zone and developed a visual opinion on its structural condition based on my knowledge of the plans and the next morning, I met with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM).

“What can you do?” they asked.

I said, “Let’s talk about your goals first.”

They said that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) engineers and USAR (Urban Search And Rescue) people could only get to about a third of the pile so their number one goal was to remove the risk to the workers so they could get to the entire pile for search and rescue operations.

I told them I could do it but until a decision was made, I could put things in position. I could bring drillers off a project in New Jersey, put drivers in an explosives truck and bring the necessary specialist explosives from our stock in Baltimore. They told me to mobilise.

I immediately called the office, put people on the road, then went back into the meeting.

I’d seen the cracking in the building, I’d seen the condition of the adjacent portion that they were most concerned about. I’d looked at the pile of debris and I said I needed to get into the building to survey it.

They said it wasn’t safe, so I said I’d sign a release if necessary, but I needed to see what condition the building was in. When they asked what I needed to see, based on what I already knew, I said: “Basement and first [ground] floor, that’s it.”

We did not go above the ground level. There was no reason to, given my experience with South Florida concrete and watching the security camera video of the original failure very obviously beginning to collapse at either the first floor or basement level.

They assembled a room full of FEMA engineers, representatives 12 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

from Miami Dade County and the ground safely in 48 hours’? How village of Surfside for a meeting. I is that possible? Everybody else is asked questions of them and then talking weeks.” they listened for a while and finally So I told them, “Well, I was asked: “Have you seen the building?” directed by the governor’s office to I said, “Yes,” and they asked what I mobilise. My people are on the road could do.

– a 23 hour drive “I think I can but they’ll be To some people, bring the building here soon. I’ve we are surprisingly down without already looked prepared to respond. putting any debris at the structure, on the original I’ve met with a That’s standard pile, and without local demolition operating procedure damaging critical contractor, for us utilities serving the brought to the area under Collins site yesterday Avenue,” I told them. by the State of Florida, who has “We know who you are,” they worked with me preparing structures replied, “you’ve done a lot of for implosion before. They have buildings here in Dade County. So the crew, the equipment, and the how long will it take?” locally available materials needed to “48 hours,” I said. support CDI on this project and they They just looked at me. know the drill.”

“You come in, look at it for a few We’ve been around for over 60 hours and say ‘I can have it on the years and work all over the world

“”

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case study

all the time, so we have an unparalleled database on the failure modes of pristine structures, dilapidated structures, and earthquake, fire and construction failure damaged structures. We don’t know everything, but we have a very wellinformed opinion about construction materials and methods about configurations used in different parts of the world.

We have computerised templates for every imaginable type of structure and demolition process. I had people come into the office on the Saturday morning so I could dictate how they would fill in those templates on this specific structure in this specific location and get them processed and delivered in an hour. We fulfilled all our regulatory submittal obligations, but did it very, very quickly.

Jumping the queue Aside from technical considerations, regulation and paperwork also constrain how fast a project can be programme and preparation plan up and running, but there are always in place before my people got there people who can cut red tape. That and we read them in on it upon was Governor DeSantos. Working their arrival. with Miami Dade County, they cut the I’ve worked on dozens of red tape that typically would have led structures in Florida. I know the to a very long, cautious, thoughtful building systems of this vintage, the process approaching the demolition building codes for different periods of that structure. of time, the likely lap splices in the A lot of the red tape is simply rebar, I know the local limestone getting in the queue. There might be aggregate and that the concrete is 100 projects in the line so it really typically fairly soft. helps when the Governor takes your So, when I was looking at the project and moves it to the top. It debris from the original collapse, the was concern for Tropical Storm Elsa standing portion of the structure that pushed DeSantos to make the and the original collapse on the decision he did, surveillance I think. Making a camera, I was You say call like that was looking through ‘I can have it on the a political risk those lenses, taken by him and based on my ground safely in 48 Mayor Cava, but experience in that hours.’ How is that it was what FEMA part of the world. possible? Everybody needed, it’s what I tempered that Urban Search and with my review else is talking weeks.”

Rescue needed of the structural to get to the rest plans. I tempered of the pile. I’m glad we were in a that with visuals of all sides of the position to help. structure and refined that further based on my in-person inspection Implementation of the ground floor and basement We had a project-specific safety inside the building.

“”

14 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

We already knew the natural failure mode of the structure from watching the surveillance camera footage. Few, irregularly spaced columns above the transfer beam system, which spanned the ground floor lobby and supported the second [first] floor and the remaining standing portion of the structure.

Given the damage I observed, I would call it a structurally failed yet standing structure.

You’ve got to have an exit plan when working in damaged structures and I felt that I could do what I needed to do working in the lobby and basement level. We knew what the structure above the second floor had going for and against it. Our fast-track implosion plan preyed upon its weaknesses and created the circumstances to attack those weaknesses successfully.

And we were able to do that simply by working on the ground and basement levels.

A lot of the streamlined operation had to do with the arrival of my drillers and drilling equipment from our project in New Jersey and the arrival of the speciality explosives. All of this was synced. The drillers were demolitionhub.com

case study drilling within 20 minutes of arriving on site. At-source protection to prevent fly of debris from explosives detonation went up as each column was drilled, and we loaded each column once cover was placed. It was just seamless.

We only drilled about 175 holes in shear walls and columns and we didn’t go above the lobby level at all.

I wouldn’t permit my people up there because there was no way to get out quickly if something started to move.

When it was time to load explosives, I loaded with my crew and made a few changes based on anomalies between their observations of actual concrete hardness and what was supposed to be there per the structural plans.

Once we’d gotten the go ahead to proceed with an implosion approach, we got everything ready, very, very quickly. As we’d done at the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City after that bombing, a geotextile fabric was draped over the original collapsed debris pile to visually and physically separate it from any new debris.

You keep reviewing your plan, changing your perspective, so to speak. I was still slightly adjusting demolitionhub.com

the implosion delay sequence that The FEMA engineers were on the moved the structure to roll it away debris pile within ten minutes after from the original debris up to within the implosion and I think the whole an hour of pushing the button. We crew mobilised within 25 minutes or were probably ready to go by 5 pm so and were back searching the pile on the Sunday within an hour. but had to wait By the end of the Credit must go to until 10:30 pm next day they had all the search and so regulatory 250 people on the agencies and the entire pile rather rescue people. They police could clear than 100 people don’t get nearly enough the area. working about a recognition for When we third of it. dropped the Finally, I what they do. building, it did would like to exactly what I acknowledge expected it to do. Using the load that it was a very difficult decision by transfer system, I was able to roll the Governor de Santos and Miami Dade structure to the west, away from the Mayor Cava to have CDI bring down debris then twist it to the south to the structure, and one that was not bring the north end parallel to Collins taken lightly. I am honoured that they Avenue. The implosion sequence trusted me and my crew to do what and timing we used worked well we said we would do. because the geotextile fabric over Credit must also go to all the the original collapse debris to the search and rescue people as well. east had nothing but dust on it after They don’t get nearly enough we dropped the remainder of the recognition for what they do. I was structure. Everyone was shocked only in there for a couple of days. how well it went.

They had already been there for a We removed the risk to search week and a half and were there for and rescue personnel; it worked out several weeks thereafter. Wonderful very, very well. people.

“”

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 15

interview

THE DEMOLITION DISCUSSION

David Darsey, Managing Director, Erith Demolition Division David Darsey has worked at family firm and now employee-owned trust, Erith, for more than 30 years. Now Managing Director of the demolition division, he has been instrumental in growing it into one of the world’s largest demolition contractors. David is an Honorary Life Vice President of the NFDC, has recently completed a two year term as President of the Institute of Demolition Engineers and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors

Q

Tell us about your career and the development of Erith during that time As a child I used to visit demolition sites with my dad – which, was at the time a very small part of the business.

After a short time visiting the sites, I was hooked and knew I was destined to be a part of the demolition industry.

Skipping forward to leaving school at 16, I started a two-year day release course in Quantity Surveying while earning my stripes as a Labourer to the age of 18 and then becoming a Site Manager.

After working up the ranks in many roles, I became Managing Director of the demolition division at the age of 22, with overall responsibility for a £2 million annual turnover.

16 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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interview

The company targeted mainly blue chip clients and our reputation with those clients and client satisfaction and repeat business was a major focus for me and the company.

I am pleased and proud to say, year-ending September 2020, our demolition turnover was reported in our annual accounts at £125 million – with a similar number to be reported for September 2021.

Q

Erith has grown very rapidly over the past 10 years. Are there plans to develop its range of services further?

Erith Group provides a wide range of services within the construction industry and within the demolition division there are three sub divisions. These are Erith London, Erith Regional and Erith Industrial, which all report their individual management accounts.

The company’s growth is purely down to hard work and entirely reliant upon the Erith team’s commitment and dedication.

With regard to growth in the demolition division, we have carried out several projects in the Republic of Ireland and this is an area where we see growth, but we don’t want to lose sight of our core business back here in Blighty.

project to make way for the new stadium and was then procured by the London Development Agency on the demolition, remediation and hard landscaping. From being the first contractor on site, we were the last contractor to leave, with an overall turnover for the group on North and South Park of £200 million over five years.

Q

What makes Erith different?

Erith prides itself on investing in its people, its Health and Safety record and its general philosophy.

Although we are now an Employee Owned Trust, the company still prides itself on its family ethos. In 55 years of business we have never had LADs brought upon us, or any other legal proceedings.

Erith recently completed a €30M project at a pharmaceutical plant in the Republic of Ireland

The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at Stratford in east London

Q

Tell us about the Erith employee-owned trust In November 2016 the Darsey family sold its shares to an Employee Owned Trust, which to all intents and purposes is based on a John Lewis Partnership model. Since we have done it, to my knowledge there are six other demolition companies that have embarked upon this. In those five years we have awarded every employee tax free bonuses, to an overall sum in excess of £3 million.

This has been well received by the staff and everybody is in effect a financially rewarded benefactor.

Q

Tell us about a standout project from Erith’s history It would have to be the Olympic Park.

Erith secured the first demolition

18 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

demolitionhub.com

interview The Erith Training Services centre at the Ebbsfleet Garden City development

Q

How do you gain business and spread the word about your services?

Client recommendation, repeat business and targeted marketing.

Q

Tell us about any apprenticeship and existing employee training schemes Erith has championed the Demolition Trailblazer Apprenticeship in partnership with London South East Colleges, the NFDC and NDTG. The scheme offers a “Demolition Operative Apprenticeship Standard” teaching the skills, training, knowledge and behaviours required while earning a full time wage. As well as providing an extensive introduction to the industry, it covers health and safety awareness, tools of the trade, cutting techniques, soft stripping, lifting operations, demolition strategies, remote controlled and tracked demolition machinery as well as competencies in maths, English, IT, employability and communication. Erith currently has nine apprentices, three of whom are part of the Trailblazer Scheme.

Addressing the industry skill shortage is a focal point for Erith.

As well as providing new apprentice opportunities, we provide our existing employees the opportunity to progress their careers, raising competence and professional

demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 19

interview Erith engages with local communities through school careers events, site tours and liaison meetings as well as charitable activities

standards across the business.

Bridging the gap is key to the successful future of the industry. We have recently provided progression for a number of our employees including degrees, HNCs and NVQs. Erith as a business is always looking to give back where possible and this has resulted in an extremely high retention rate of employees.

Q

How does Erith engage with the community?

Although restrictions and guidelines for COVID-19 have disrupted our usual schedule of school careers events, site tours and face to face liaison meetings, we have ensured that support and engagement has still been provided to the communities surrounding our projects. Liaison meetings moved online, training continued using new methods. We have ensured our apprentices have remained in their positions and continued their learning through the swift implementation of COVID-19 procedures across our sites.

Engagement has taken the form

20 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

of charitable donations to those in need such as project monthly foodbank collections and donations of warm homes packs to families struggling with their heating bills.

Educational resources, in the form of laptop computers have been donated to schools and local authorities as well as physical donations of PPE and equipment to frontline NHS and emergency response services local to our sites and offices.

Our approach to community engagement has been a major focus throughout 2020 and 2021.

We ensure stakeholders are not only informed and protected from potential disruption but that we are providing economic benefit by using local suppliers, local labour where possible and providing donations to support communities. We work collaboratively with our clients at the earliest opportunity to ensure communities around our projects remained informed and supported throughout out projects and aim to go beyond client and community expectation.

Q

How has COVID affected your mode of working?

Within Erith, I think working from home has suited certain individuals, and certain roles prove to predominantly work well and be beneficial to the business. However, all Erith employees are requested to attend the pre-COVID place of work at least once a week. We are continuing to use Zoom and Team calls and again, for certain meetings, this works very well.

Erith was very proactive in adapting not only the obvious changes, for example welfare facilities and staggering of breaks, but the biggest challenge we faced was getting operatives to site. We made an executive decision for operatives to use hired bicycles, with later site opening hours to avoid congestion on public transport. In cases where this couldn’t be achieved, we provided taxis to get to and from site.

Working with several blue chip companies within London, we are proud to say that none of our projects during any of the lockdowns ran over programme. demolitionhub.com

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interview

Q

What have been the biggest game changers for Erith?

I think the biggest game changer for Erith has been the formation of Swanton Consulting and having what that in-house capability brings to the table in regards to demolition and enabling projects.

Q

Do you have any notable projects in progress or in planning?

In a previous question I mentioned Ireland and I am delighted that nearing completion of a €30M project, while penning the answers to your questions, we have secured a further €80M project on the same site, which is a highly sensitive pharmaceutical plant.

Q

What does the future hold for Erith and for you?

The Employee Owned Trust was finalised in November 2016, with a planned exit strategy of seven years for me thereafter. As part of that exit strategy, I will be stepping down as Managing Director to make way for the planned Managing Director to commence his new role and this will be announced in more detail in November.

However, I will not be disappearing to warmer climates just yet.

Redevelopment of the Whiteley’s shopping centre in Bayswater with temporary works designed by Swanton Consulting.

And finally

Who is your favourite artist?

Paul Weller, who fortunately, I have been able to see at least a dozen times.

Who do you most admire?

Winston Churchill What’s your ideal weekend?

Either a dedicated golf weekend or a weekend with my wife, family and friends in Portugal.

What’s your favourite cuisine?

I like most food but I have recently discovered and really enjoy sushi and shellfish in general.

Left to right: Tony Darsey, Managing Director; Tom Darsey, founder of Erith; Steve Darsey, Chairman; and David Darsey

22 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

What’s your tipple of choice?

I like fine wine – a Montrachet from Burgundy or a Margaux or a St Julien from Bordeaux. I have been lucky enough to visit several chateaus in both those regions.

demolitionhub.com

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Demo Expo

Demo Expo 2021 Having worked in demolition media for some eight years now, for this to be my first Demo Expo is quite the statement, an embarrassment to be honest, especially as I do enjoy a good show, network and social.

But holidays, flu and production deadlines thwarted any previous plans to be sent (willingly) to Coventry.

This year was my and Demolition Hub’s debut.

Any demolition magazine or other medium worth its salt was present, so it was only right we joined the exhibitors and took a stand, mainly to give our readers a focal point to come and say hello – and didn’t they just. The number of business cards we picked up and the small quantity of magazines we had left at the end are testament to that.

The footfall was sound but at times it was like Piccadilly Circus demolitionhub.com

inside, with most stands having a crowd around them. That was just inside. The demonstration areas were at times two to three people thick, all watching over the protective barriers at, for example, a zero emissions JCB 30-19E electric Teletruk Forklift showing what it could do.

For me, who probably spent a grand total of 10 minutes over two days at our stand, this was a base to store and retrieve countless copies of Demolition Hub magazine from the pile that rapidly dwindled as I toured Stoneleigh Park and networked from stand to stand, meeting with existing and soon to be clients and content makers.

Networking was the biggest benefit of the two-day extravaganza for me, but almost on par was the speakers’ lounge prepared and organised by the NFDC. The choice DemolitionHUB Magazine | 25

Demo Expo

of speakers was bang on the money, providing some fantastic knowledge, case studies and experience for all metrics of demolition.

There was far too much quality to name them all and I did manage to sit in on many, but off the top of my head Richard Dolman, Chairman of the IDE and Managing Director of AR Demolition spoke about the University of Wolverhampton’s demolition degrees (Foundation and Master’s), recruitment and creating a culture of openness within the industry. See his opinion article on page 88.

Ben Griffiths and Jonathan Cox of Rye Demolition spoke about their company’s Sustainable Standard framework, its five pillars and how the industry can work together to improve perceptions of the demolition sector. See more on page 28.

Terry Lloyd, Head of Construction, SME Lending at Paragon Bank talked about how funders and the government had supported the industry through the COVID pandemic and about asset finance as we move beyond it. Read more from Terry on page 90.

This year Demo Expo was colocated with LetsRecycleLive and what a masterstroke it was to put the two closely related industries together, with equipment manufacturers able to showcase their wares to both industries.

We organised a drone to gather footage of the event’s outdoor activities and the exhibition areas. Please look up our YouTube channel, Demolition Hub TV, for the full footage and video.

It was a thoroughly beneficial and enjoyable day for us in the media, and based on the conversations we had, for exhibitors too. Assuming it goes ahead again in 2023, my name will be one of the first on the list.

26 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

demolitionhub.com

Demo Expo demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 27

Demo Expo

The Sustainable Standard: Competition?

What Competition?

By Jonathan Cox and Ben Griffiths

B

ill Gates is quoted as having said “I am not in competition with anyone but myself.

My goal is to improve myself continuously.”

It was with this mindset that we turned up to a vibrant Demolition Expo 2021 at Stoneleigh Park on Wednesday 15 September. Hosted for the first time with Let’s Recycle Live, the event was an awesome showcase of the whole industry from plant and machinery to IT and scrap metal processors as

28 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

well as hosting a range of excellent speakers covering many different topics.

As with any exhibition, competition was everywhere. Rival demolition contractors, numerous manufacturers of attachments and multiple waste management firms.

You could compete for prizes in draws or challenge for the best score on a simulator. Competition – everywhere.

Rye Group was invited to speak at the event and we took on the

demolitionhub.com

A call to arms Grounded in our Sustainable Standard philosophy, we wanted to raise the flag for collaboration across the demolition industry.

The philosophy that drives us as a business sits at the core of our operation and challenges us to be better in everything we do every day. As a private business, we are of course seeking to be profitable, but we want to do that in the right way, making a positive impact wherever we work. We also want to work with other companies in the industry because, again, we believe it’s the right thing to do and that, by working together, everyone benefits; us as a company, the industry, society at large, our clients, staff and so on.

Far from keeping The Sustainable Standard a secret and attempting to use it as a competitive advantage on our own, we want to discuss our progress with others, share better practice and learn from their experiences too.

Harrow. You can watch the film at ryegroup.co.uk/projects/kodak1.

While the pillars sit separately, there is great overlap in the initiatives we are pursuing across the framework.

Our pursuit of continual improvement is underpinned by our three ISO standards, for which we have just received recertification; Quality, Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental. If you haven’t been through the process before, then it is worth doing.

While it is challenging and, at times, laborious, the exercise really adds value to your operation. We learnt a huge amount about our operation and identified several opportunities for improvement. New practices were developed to improve safety, quality and environmental processes. We also refreshed

Demo Expo

first slot of the exhibition, with the topic: The Sustainable Standard in Demolition.

our approach to other parts of the business, taking out some inefficiencies and allowing us to deliver greater value to our clients.

Other initiatives we highlighted included our progressive recruitment strategies across exforces personnel, ex-offenders, local labour and apprentices, as we seek to draw upon skills held across society and ensure no potential is wasted. We discussed our focus on training our teams, highlighting the importance of career development plans in the motivation of staff and commitment to quality and safety. We also discussed community outreach initiatives, our commitment to optimising reuse and recycling rates and, hot off the press, our transition to HVO across

Is it real?

At Rye Group we have developed a framework around the Sustainable Standard, comprising five pillars.

During the seminar we took the audience through these pillars; Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality, People and Community.

We also unpicked some of the initiatives that sit under each pillar – our manifesto of commitments if you like.

“Aha,” I hear you cry, “This is all very easy to say and make yourselves look good at an exhibition, but do you actually follow through on anything you say?”

A fair and worthy challenge, to which the simple answer is yes.

Over the past 18 months we have greatly accelerated a number of initiatives that sit within the Sustainable Standard framework. Many of these were discussed in the seminar and could be seen in the short film we showed of our works at the Kodak factory in demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 29

Demo Expo

our fleet of plant and machinery. This in the pursuit of an extensive reduction in carbon emissions, something we have written about recently. Visit ryegroup.co.uk/blog/hvo-fuel-launch for a little more on that.

A drop in the ocean…or is it?

The challenge could be raised, as is often the case, about what difference this can truly make.

“What’s the point if only we do it? It won’t make any difference. It’s already too late…”

I could go on. And yes, we’ve discussed the difference we can make internally and we believe it’s significant.

If you’ve ever read the story of the boy on the beach and the starfish then you’ll know what I mean when I say, even if we can make the difference to just one person by doing things the right way, then it’s worth it. If you don’t know the story, Google it (other search engines are available).

However, let’s not be too fluffy about this, we can make a huge difference. Did you know that one litre of diesel emits 2.62kg of carbon when it burns? Did you also know that every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere melts 3m2 of arctic sea ice?

So, as a single organisation that uses about 10,000 litres of diesel per week, the switch to HVO, reducing carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent, is not a drop in the ocean – it’s more of an iceberg.

And that’s just one initiative, not to mention the human impact of providing welfare schemes and helping people back to work or engaging with school children to inspire them towards a career in demolition.

The small changes we make will have a significant impact.

Imagine the potential of pulling together as an industry, sharing ideas, learning from each other and growing together?

It’s fair to say that we don’t always enjoy the rosiest of reputations as an industry. We have 30 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

been accused of being noisy, smelly, dirty, polluting. Much of the time this is unfair, but not always.

By working to improve our practices and also communicating the excellent practices we already employ, we can tackle some of these unfair (and occasionally fair) accusations.

We can be a force for good, demonstrating the positive impact we make in communities, educating and inspiring young people, supporting colleagues experiencing challenges with their mental health, improving safety so that everyone goes home to their family after work each day and doing all we can to preserve the planet for future generations.

This is not small beer – this is life changing and saving work and so we repeat the call we made during the seminar in sunny Warwickshire. Let’s work together, through the NFDC, with each other directly by being open and transparent and learning from each other’s mistakes.

Going back to the sentiment of Bill Gates’ quote – we aren’t in competition with anyone else. Yes, we are competitive in a tender situation and we want to win every bid we make but, we are striving to be the best we can be every day.

If each of us improves, the industry improves, we generate more business, society thinks better of us and we all win.

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interview

SUPPLIER TALK Keith Lambourne, National Sales Manager, Epiroc

Q

How did you start out in the heavy plant industry and how has your career developed?

Initially I worked on the mines in South Africa before moving to Johannesburg, where I worked for the Montabert importer as a service engineer. When I returned to the UK I moved from the service side to sales. I joined Atlas Copco when they purchased Krupp (who developed the first hydraulic breaker) and moved over to Epiroc when it was formed as a company in its own right, focusing on its market leading range of Hydraulic Attachment Tools (HAT).

32 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

Q

As National Sales Manager, tell us about your relationships with clients and how you help meet their needs We sell Epiroc’s range of hydraulic attachments through a network of dealers across the UK and Ireland. These partners ensure that our customers get the best sales and support service local to them. As a manufacturer, having a local presence is invaluable to our end customers. Our dealer managers ensure they have the latest information and direct access to our factories. demolitionhub.com

interview

Q

Tell us about the origin and development of Epiroc Epiroc is a vital part of a sustainable society and a global productivity partner for mining and infrastructure customers.

With ground-breaking technology, Epiroc develops and provides innovative and safe equipment, such as drill rigs, rock excavation and construction equipment and tools for surface and underground applications.

The company also offers world class service and other aftermarket support as well as solutions for

demolitionhub.com

automation, digitalisation and electrification.

Epiroc is based in Stockholm, Sweden, had revenues of SEK 36 billion (£3 billion) in 2020, and has 14,000 passionate employees supporting and collaborating with customers in more than 150 countries.

Epiroc’s Hydraulic Attachment Tools division develops and manufactures hydraulic attachment tools for carriers, which are used in construction, demolition, recycling and mining and rock excavation, handling concrete, steel and other

materials. Hydraulic attachment tools are sold via a worldwide sales and service organisation that safeguards professional application support. The division is headquartered in Essen, Germany and has production facilities in Essen and Hämbach (Germany) and Kalmar (Sweden).

Q

Tell us about your team and working culture There is a team of four dealer managers who each support the geographical area they are responsible for. We work very closely DemolitionHUB Magazine | 33

interview

as a team – the company ethos is to employ good, competent people who can get on and do their job and don’t require micro managing. At Epiroc we believe collaboration is key, and this runs from our customers through to the senior management within our product companies.

Q

What makes Epiroc different?

A lot of our senior managers have worked their way up through the company, which means that they have personal experience of all aspects of the business including sales, service and production. Our local presence through our dealers has proven to be invaluable and is key to our success.

Q

What are the standout developments in Epiroc’s history?

Epiroc’s Hydraulic Attachment Tools (HAT) division has been a technology leader for more than 50 years. The hydraulic breaker was originally developed in 1963 by the German company Krupp Berco Bautechnik, which became part of Atlas Copco in 2002.

In 1993, we developed the groundbreaking SB or “solid body” concept for hydraulic breakers and today SB Hydraulic Breakers are a market leading range in Epiroc’s broad portfolio of hydraulic attachments. The slim, lightweight solid body design offers a number of advantages compared to conventional hydraulic breakers, including outstanding durability and reliability, easier handling, lower fuel consumption and other benefits that continue to make SB Hydraulic Breakers leaders in a competitive market.

The solid body concept utilises a patented internal component design that integrates the percussion mechanism and the guide system into a single piece. This eliminates the weakest components of conventional breakers and gives SB breakers their outstanding durability.

34 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

Q

How has the scope of Epiroc’s business developed over time and is Epiroc in the process of developing its range of products and services?

The product range today includes 100 different hydraulic attachment tools, such as hydraulic breakers,

cutters, pulverisers, bucket crushers, shears, grapples and magnets. Among other product lines, the division manufactures the HB 10000, the largest serial hydraulic breaker in the world – every punch equals the weight of 130 elephants. demolitionhub.com

interview

Having acquired Erkat, the German manufacturer of drum cutter attachments for excavators in 2018, Epiroc UK & Ireland is also selling and supporting the full range of the drum cutters under the Epiroc brand.

Q

What do you envisage will be the future game changers in the industry?

Developments in materials and technology will continue to improve the power to weight ratio of attachments so increasing productivity and reducing fuel consumption. Digitalisation will also increase, and we are already offering this with our HATCON remote monitoring device for breakers and drum cutters that keeps track of location and operating hours to improve efficiency and safety.

The cloud based platform My Epiroc gives customers notifications about service, creates task lists and provides a great overview of the entire fleet. All the data is presented in a straightforward way to simplify everyday duties and long-term decisions.

QUICKFIRE What would you be in an alternative life?

In a parallel universe I think I would have been involved in some sort of sporting profession – but not football.

Who is your favourite artist?

My favourite book is War Doctor by David Nott. When I first started reading it, I found it quite hard going, but it drew me in and the descriptions of war-torn Syria really brought home how fortunate we are in this country and how hard some people have to fight just to survive.

When and where were you happiest?

On the top of Scafell Pike, with my partner, taking in the views and peace and quiet.

What’s the most expensive non-essential you’ve ever bought?

Kawasaki ZX9 motor bike.

What’s your bucket list activity?

Visiting Japan to experience the culture.

What’s your ideal weekend?

Climbing mountains in the Lake District.

Q

And how about you in a few years?

In these uncertain times it is hard to predict the future, but I would like to think I will still be doing something similar with Epiroc in the foreseeable future.

36 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

demolitionhub.com

awards

by Ben Chambers “We did it,” my triumphant cry as the clock tipped past midnight on, by then, 4 September. I was tired, excited, a little emotional and quite frankly relieved that two and a half years after the second British Demolition Awards, we had successfully completed its third outing in our own south coast stomping ground of Brighton.

The buildup to September’s awards was as close to challenging of any event or brand I have ever worked on.

First, the COVID pandemic struck, immediately forcing us to put back the July 2020 awards by 12 months.

Then we had sponsors, tables and key guests cancel, understandably given the climate. And then July 2021 was uncertain if not unsafe, so had to be struck off.

We took the plunge and hammered a pin into 3 September and, by hook or crook, made it happen. It was a success and it marked a collective re-emergence of the demolition industry. I’d have accepted two out of three of those outcomes, but we hit the proverbial three cherries. What an event it was.

The awards, held at Brighton and Hove Albion’s imposing American Express Community Stadium, looked 38 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

British Demolition Awards 2021 the part and all we needed was the industry. And in they came… with representatives from contracting giants such as Keltbray, Erith, Cawarden and Tilley & Barrett attending, as well as monsters of the supplier side including Liugong, McCloskey and Coveya. With more than 300 guests safely arranged in tables of 10, the atmosphere was one of celebration.

With 10 awards up for grabs we had nominated three judges – demolition journalist and Hub contributor Paul Argent; Holly Price, Keltbray’s Director of Skills and Communities and former President of the NFDC; and Richard Vann, founder and Managing Director of project management and engineering consultancy RVA Group.

The panel judged nine of the awards, while the NFDC had its own special award, which went to Aaron Davies of Keltbray. Cawarden won the prestigious Contractor of the Year and excavator giant Liugong took the Supplier of the Year gong.

The full list of winners can be seen on page 40..

The event was a resounding success and is now a staple in the industry’s calendar, taking place again in September 2022, this time in The Midlands. I would love to see you there.

demolitionhub.com

awards demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 39

awards

Certificate of appreciation awarded to

British Demolition Awards for donating an incredible

£6,082.10 Your donation is helping us to continue our lifesaving work, raising awareness of mental ill health and promoting positive mental wellbeing in workplaces everywhere.

Together we can be the change needed to improve workplace mental health.

Steve Hails Chair of the Board of Trustees

Sarah Casemore Managing Director

Issue date 15/09/2021

Award Winners

Mates in Mind is a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1172460) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (No. 10338868).

Demolition Contractor of the Year sponsored by McCloskey Equipment WINNER: Cawarden Cawarden Contractors demonstrated not only its huge commitment to completing quality and safe work but also to robust forward business planning and sustainability.

Supplier of the Year sponsored by Demolition Hub WINNER: LiuGong LiuGong has continually demonstrated its commitment to supplying high quality, reliable equipment that is designed with the demolition sector in mind.

Health and Safety Award sponsored by Fireflux WINNER: Erith Erith has developed an innovative system for managing its people’s competence, leading to a significant reduction in risk across its UK projects.

Safety Innovation of the Year sponsored by Demolition Careers WINNER: FHOSS For the significant improvement in technology deployed for the safety of those our industry interfaces with, which aims to save lives and eliminate risk through illumination.

Asbestos Removal Contractor of the Year sponsored by Asbestos Hub WINNER: Erith Erith has demonstrated the highest standards of health, safety and project 40 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

demolitionhub.com

awards planning while carrying out works in complex and public facing environments.

Trainee/Apprentice of the Year sponsored by the National Demolition Training Group WINNER: Shirrin Travers from Tilley and Barrett Shirrin has shown commitment and passion for the demolition sector and having quickly risen through the ranks in operational delivery, is set for a bright demolition future.

Waste Provider of the Year sponsored by Coveya WINNER: O’Donovan Waste and Disposal O’Donovan Waste has not only demonstrated its commitment to offering a quality service but also to that of wider industry improvement and commitment to its people.

Environmental Innovation of the Year sponsored by Coyle Equipment Services WINNER: Dragon Equipment For state of the art machinery built here in the UK, helping its users to minimise the environmental impact of their works.

Demolition Project of the Year sponsored by Total Metal Recycling WINNER: Tilley and Barrett for The Old War Office This project was chosen by the judges for its impressive technical approach and competence, solving the client’s needs while ensuring the projects risk was reduced significantly through its approach to temporary works and interface with other trades.

National Federation of Demolition Contractors Award WINNER: Aaron Davis from Keltbray demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 41

innovation

The appeal of living hoardings Richard Sabin, Managing Director of Biotecture, discusses how a living hoarding system can help contractors get local residents and businesses onside from the start of a development The regeneration of our cities continues at pace as developers look to repurpose parts of our inner cities that have historically been used for industrial or manufacturing purposes. These are being transformed into smart, new residential, retail or office spaces and as developments surge ahead, responsibly minded demolition contractors are looking for ways to minimise the impact of their activity on nearby residents and businesses.

All demolition and construction work can create noise, dust and visually

42 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

impair an area, and because sites can be operational for several years there are justifiable concerns from those nearby. Traditionally, a variety of timber hoardings and advertising boards have been used around site perimeters, although these are only partially effective, often prove unpopular with residents and businesses and don’t tackle some of the larger issues associated with site work including air pollution, noise and graffiti.

At the same time, contractors are expected to demonstrate that they are responsible businesses that take into consideration all those affected by their activities. The process of community consultation was once seen as solely the responsibility of urban planners, however forward thinking construction professionals now consult with communities.

Addressing these concerns at planning stage, for example, with a

living hoarding system, can result in favourable outcomes for everyone.

Living hoarding systems can address these issues, helping to engender a good relationship with the local community right from the start and providing a quick win ‘greening’ solution. Alongside their aesthetic appeal, which greatly enhances the surroundings, living hoardings can help reduce air pollution through the selection of plants that maximise the capture of pollutants; targeted plants for targeted benefits.

Living hoarding systems, which are densely populated with plants, can also help muffle machinery and vehicle noise coming from the site, again helping contractors show consideration to local residents and businesses.

Biodiversity is something that many community groups, residents and local authorities are keen to promote and a living hoarding system encourages wildlife such as bees, insects and birds, becoming an attractive feature in their own right in an urban setting. demolitionhub.com

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LaBounty’s unrivalled and market leading MSD range of steel shears sits alongside BPH’s vast collection of attachments.

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innovation

Sustainability from the start

Site teams tend to like working alongside living hoardings because they create an instant relaxing, restorative green space, in contrast to the busy construction site beyond.

It is well known that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress and boost productivity; living walls

can also be fixed to temporary accommodation units and other structures within the site perimeter to boost wellbeing for personnel.

They can be reused at the end of the project or gifted to the client or local community, which provides real value and adds to the number of compelling reasons to choose them. Reconnecting with nature is something that more demolition and construction companies are doing

because it is good for business. As residents and businesses become more informed and empowered about the impact of activities on their daily lives, they are demanding better ways of doing things.

Mitigating the effects of site activities is therefore high on both communities and planners’ agendas and is one of the reasons why developers and their contractors are turning to living hoarding systems.

was looking for ways of using natural vegetation to mitigate these effects, specifically from construction activity on site.

The living hoarding system was deployed over two weekends when cycle traffic on CS6 was lighter. It was a significant benefit that weight loadings on the living hoardings are transferred to the ground, meaning they only required restraint fixings.

This allowed the living wall troughs to be easily attached to the existing hoardings without the need for secondary structures or lifting equipment that may have disrupted the Cycle Superhighway.

Plants were specifically chosen so as not to encroach on to the adjacent cycle path, which is in constant, daily use by thousands of cyclists. Rainwater collection was achieved by keeping the top troughs of the living hoarding unplanted, to act as a rain catcher and allowing the attachment of signage. It was calculated that this method of

irrigation saved a significant amount of mains water.

The signage displays key messaging including: “Greening up construction”, “Bringing nature to the heart of London” and “This living hoarding contains 2,926 plants.”

The living hoarding at Farringdon also improves air quality because the 15 different species of plants we recommended are better at removing dust, particulates and harmful pollutants from the air.

This is contributing to a healthier environment for those on site as well as those living and working in the surrounding area.

The plants were also chosen to offer a visually pleasing method of screening off the building work, maintaining privacy for the site and reducing site noise, while providing a greener frontage for those passing by. The foliage creates a threedimensional aesthetic and sense of natural movement as the leaves stir in the wind.

Farringdon Road case study Biotecture recently worked with Mace to create a living hoarding around a new 200,000 square foot office development in Farringdon that involved demolition of existing buildings. We installed 43 metres of our modular PlantBox living hoarding system along the Farringdon Cycle Superhighway, mitigating the effects of airborne pollutants from both the site and local traffic. The project has helped enhance the local area and communicated the green credentials of both Mace and joint developers Helical and Ashby Capital.

The site boundary runs along Cycle Superhighway 6 (CS6) which goes from Elephant & Castle to King’s Cross. At its busiest point (Blackfriars Bridge), more than 10,000 cyclists have used CS6 in one day. A key requirement was that Biotecture had to avoid disruption to cycle users during deployment of the living hoarding and that vegetation didn’t encroach into the cycle lane.

In a further nod to sustainability, the client was looking for ways of reducing mains water use for irrigation.

A third challenge at Farringdon was a requirement to integrate signage into the living hoarding.

This was important because it conveyed key messages about the sustainability of the living hoarding as well as information about project partners.

Air quality in central London is an ongoing challenge and the client 44 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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site visit

by Paul Argent

Based in Hungerford, Berkshire but operating nationwide, InMotionUK was founded from owner Nick Wright’s desire to take a step away from his life as a heavy equipment fitter.

Originally working in the transport sector, Nick moved into heavy plant before taking the step into operating the machines he was fixing. After a few successful years offering groundworks services, Nick was keen to look at offering more than just single packages to his growing list of clients.

A day out in Falmouth gave Nick the inspiration he was looking for when he sat watching a piling team at work on the harbour wall. On returning home and researching the ins and outs of the piling world, Nick was convinced that this was another service he could add to his company’s portfolio, enabling him to offer a full one-stop-shop option when it came to site development.

I met up with Nick and his team in Bristol city centre, where they were starting a six month contract for a local contractor developing the former office and warehousing on the site into new residential apartments.

Nick’s own team of 14 is bolstered by a team of regular subcontractors that go with him from job to job. “We keep a core of subbies working for us at all times and ensure they have a continuity of work ahead of them.”

Nick said. “We know they are reliable; we know their work is undertaken safely and to the highest standards at all times.”

The Bristol project involved the demolition of a three-storey property and adjoining warehouse and while Nick’s own fleet of Doosan DX140 and DX80 excavators could cope with the majority of the warehouse, the three-storey property required a little additional help to safely bring it down to the ground.

The additional resource came from Kings Langley-based BooBoo Plant Hire, who supplied a Caterpillar 320 high reach machine. Built on the base of a NextGen 320 excavator, the 46 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

Piling on the pressure

demolitionhub.com

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product.” Nick is also very pleased with his eight-tonne machine’s reliability, saying he will look at purchasing Doosan ahead of any other manufacturer when the time comes.

With the possibility of a piling rig coming to the fleet at some point in the near future, what other plans does Nick have for InMotionUK? “We’ve applied for our operator’s

site visit

three-piece high reach was designed and built by Kent-based demolition specialists Mutley Plant and can carry a two-tonne attachment to a height of almost 20 metres.

While the smaller Doosan excavators are all owned by the company, the likes of the Cat high reach and the GEAX CFA piling rigs that will be used later on in the project to install 180 piles are hired in as and when the company requires them.

Nick explained: “It would be nice to be able to have a high reach and piling rig on the fleet just for the times when we need them. But, in reality, we only use them for a few weeks at a time and to have such expensive kit standing doesn’t make any financial sense despite us having a full and growing order book. We could look at hiring them out to cover the potential £1 million plus investment, but you end up with damage to expensive kit and customers wanting the machines at the same time that you do. For the short term, we’ll stick with hiring the kit as and when we need it.”

The GEAX piling rigs are based on Hitachi excavators and are hired in through Warminster based Piling Equipment Ltd. Nick explains that a piling rig will be the next addition to his fleet but with every job being slightly different, he needs to specify a machine that can cope with a variety of piling situations whether that be CFA or hammer work. “It’s about having the flexibility to undertake a variety of work. We regularly undertake jobs from mini piles up to the largest GEAX EK110 CFA rig, which sits on a 21-tonne machine.”

Nick rates the in-house Doosan excavators for their versatility and reliability. “Much of our work is on congested, tight sites and the compact tail swing DX140 is ideal for these. The well-balanced machine is loved by its operator Chris, who has been with the company since we started. We, like many, have had a few issues with AdBlue, but coming from a fitter’s background, I personally think that the Doosan is a very well made and reliable

license, which will allow us to purchase our own rollon roll-off truck and bring some of our transport requirements in-house.

It’s annoying when you are paying someone else to do something we are capable of undertaking, but you have to do things gradually and not run before you can walk.”

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 47

training

by Sinead Robinson, Director of Platinum

Platinum Training: Back to life, Back to reality Platinum Training launched at the back end of 2019. We had the vision to create a Training Centre predominantly for the demolition industry in the North West of England, something that had not been available for a long time.

The first step was to fully refurbish our premises. We transformed the building into a modern, relaxing training centre.

Our aim is to welcome everybody equally into our centre, whether a new entrant CCDO labourer or a company director.

We then went onto tackle the 48 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

arduous task of becoming fully accredited within the construction and demolition industries including CITB SSP, NDTG, IPAF, PASMA etc, with more to come.

Collaboration is key for us to ensure that the demolition industry is provided with the best possible training throughout the country. We have formed a first class relationship with the NDTG to ensure we put the needs of the industry first, sharing information and recommending delegates between each other to make sure that everyone gets what they need.

After months of hard work, the final accreditation landed in early March 2020, although our excitement was short lived as within a week lockdown was upon us – not an ideal time to launch a new venture.

However, lockdown taught us a lot. Both Zoom and Microsoft Teams went crazy and remote learning became the norm. I have never held back in stating my lack of desire for remote training as I feel you lose part of the education that you gain from your peers in a classroom environment, but needs demolitionhub.com

for demolition, handling and recycling Call 01524 242414 or visit www.robustrack.co.uk

training

must, and remote training served us well.

So, is it now time to return to the classroom?

I guess time will tell but the general feeling among our clients is that most operatives in the demolition sector prefer the classroom, meeting similar people, sharing experiences, and subsequently gaining additional knowledge.

As for the managers, there is a split where some say they enjoy the fact that they don’t need to travel to undertake training, but the majority, again, prefer the classroom.

Our industry, unlike many others, is so diverse. You can have two supervisors on a CCDO course that work in totally different fields. One could predominantly carry out soft strip while the other could work in, for instance, a nuclear environment.

So, to share the different experiences is a lesson that you will never get remotely.

Being released from lockdown was a blessing to us all, but again it came with its own problems. Brexit had fallen into the distance because of the pandemic but its legacy was about to hit us hard.

As sites reopened, opportunities came in and the new norm was unveiled, the lack of labour really

50 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

began to hit home in all corners of the country – from labourers to TM, machine operators to wagon drivers.

Platinum Workforce, places fully trained demolition operatives into the demolition sector to bridge the labour shortfall. It continues to be inundated with enquiries but not enough bodies to fill all the roles.

Talking to clients this is the common theme up and down the country.

The shortage of labour, I believe, is going to have a commercial knock on as the demand increases. So, what can we do about it and how can we attract new entrants to the industry?

We constantly promote the demolition industry and last year introduced a funded Introduction to Demolition two-day course that gives new operatives the tools to get on site and learn a new trade. The course includes a CCDO Labourers card, Face Fit Test, UKATA Asbestos Awareness and Manual Handling Training. We ran this course in September after our last course proved successful with an impressive 87.5 per cent return to /start work success rate. Please get in touch with any entrants that may wish to join such courses.

The new Trailblazer Apprenticeship through the LSEC, although it only has a limited intake

this year, is much welcomed. The demolition industry is short of a voice that will attract the younger generation. With education extended to 18 years of age unless enrolled on a formal apprenticeship, this could result in young people potentially interested in demolition slipping through the net into the construction sector.

A respected north west demolition contractor who enquired to enrol a young prospect on the Trialblazer Course said that “the criteria for entry couldn’t be met by the delegate because of his learning disabilities”, and “all he wanted to do was work”.

In my opinion, this resembles how a great number of the existing workforce enjoying a career in demolition started out and we should be seeking a solution for these youngsters.

As I have written elsewhere, the industry has seen a lot of demolition operatives come in at labourer level and rise through the ranks, eventually making management and sometimes even director level. Let’s hope some of our delegates go on to bigger and better things.

What next for Platinum?

We have had initial conversations with the NDTG to bring the Plant Simulator up to the Training Centre and invite local colleges to the centre. We are planning this around careers week next year with a view to raising industry awareness.

We will continue to provide our clients with experienced and trained operatives and support this with excellent customer service.

With the support of the North West Region of the NFDC we will continue to invest and expand the Northwest Training Centre. We want to make the centre the home of northern demolition contractors and raise the quality and standards even higher, throughout the industry.

I would like to personally thank all the contractors and individuals that have supported us to date, and we look forward to meeting and working with new clients going forward. demolitionhub.com

07711 008315 | McCloskeyEquipment.co.uk Sales@McCloskeyEquipment.co.uk | #McCloskeyEquipment

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by Ben Chambers There isn’t much that can keep me from leaving my office and getting out on a site visit. I enjoy meeting old friends and making new, watching differing techniques and essentially learning about the contractors’, consultants’ and operators’ own history, as well as it simply being a good excuse for an industry catchup.

One of the few things that would normally keep me away would be the wrap week of this magazine. demolitionhub.com

site visit

Office space

That was until Hub friends, Derby-based Cawarden (recently crowned British Demolition Awards Contractor of the Year) asked me to join them. So with the print deadline bent and me writing this on-site, hot off the press, I bring you details of the mechanical demolition of a five storey office block in the centre of Leeds.

Principle contractor, Belfast’s Farrans Construction subcontracted the demolition to Cawarden due to its expertise in the area and I witnessed the operator of the DemolitionHUB Magazine | 53

site visit

Komatsu PC490LC-10 pull apart the higher tiered levels, before switching Steelwrist attachments, both supplied by Inmalo.

On my way to the site, I called upon demolition consultant Mike Kehoe, Managing Director of the hugely respected C&D Consultancy, to get his take on the job. After all, he was mentioned on the method statement and I knew he wouldn’t mind. He didn’t.

Mike explained that C&D was appointed by Cawarden to look at the framed brick-clad structure.

Working with Cawarden’s Demolition Engineer and highly experienced project team, Mike carried out a structural analysis and a review of the building. The analysis identified that the external brickwork was a facade and had a significant parapet wall at roof level.

This meant a CBR test or suitable hardcore matt would be required to test the ground conditions and ensure they were suitable for high reach siting. A structural strategy was advised with the machine driver for the safe demolition of the block.

As with all city centre demolitions, there is a need to be mindful of the public and a methodology of removing the parapets prior to demolition and scaffolding any gable walls was created.

The risks identified made Cawarden fully aware of the need for dust and vibration monitoring.

Cawarden decided on a water suppression strategy for dust, including the use of boom-mounted suppression to the high reach and ground-based Motofog unit, also supplied by Inmalo.

Through Mike’s careful diligence and advice, C&D has now been appointed to undertake a watching brief on all Cawarden projects. It will attend throughout every project to ensure Cawarden maintains the high standards it has long since set.

This project is set to last for 12 weeks. I was with them in week four, and our footage (find it on our YouTube channel, Demolition Hub TV) shows some real raw professional demolition, the pictures almost do it justice.

54 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

What surprised me the most was that it was just one building tightly flanked by two others, mere feet away from structures that must remain undamaged. Right from the beginning, Cawarden has liaised with all the surrounding stakeholders, in person and via a newsletter drop, keeping everyone updated regularly and fully aware of the project’s progress.

This tremendous demolition job to one side, I was able to meet properly with Oliver Crooks, Cawarden’s Commercial Director, and Demolition Director Malcolm Lowes, who with 17 years at Cawarden under his hard hat (and 35 in the demolition industry) is an Associate Member of the Institute of Demolition Engineers (IDE). I say properly because when I met them at the British Demolition Awards

four weeks previously, I barely knew whether I was coming or going.

Both were open, friendly, cooperative and engaging, happy for me to be there even with a mischievous camera and hardened pencil in hand.

Emma Atwood was also there, which was a nice surprise. I work well with Emma on the marketing side and we threw together a few new future promotional ideas and yet more site visits. That just leaves me to thank Senior Project Manager Mick Whitehead for his care and total site domination. It would be remiss for me not to wish him a happy birthday once again (sorry Mick).

A massive thank you to Cawarden for making it possible for me to be involved. Watch this space for more with Cawarden’s professional team.

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case study

Dust control inside and out: Demolition company solves emissions problem

by Mike Lewis, Vice President, BossTek Demolition experts know that every site has its unique challenges with dust. This is particularly true when stripping potentially hazardous materials from indoor projects and separating materials for recycling.

Both indoor and outdoor work can create vast amounts of dust that could violate emissions regulations.

With air quality standards getting tighter and more sites located adjacent to residential areas or active commercial zones, 56 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

general contractors are showing a preference for demolition companies that forgo the common handheld hose dust suppression method for more modern and effective measures. That’s the case for East Coast Demolition, a full-service hazardous material abatement and demolition contractor serving north eastern North Carolina and Virginia.

The firm was contracted to demolish, recycle, clear and prep the old site of The Village Shops at

Kingsmill in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Due to its proximity to residential communities and local businesses, the general contractor selected East Coast Demolition for its experience in the proper handling of hazardous materials and dust suppression methods.

Ricky Webb, COO of East Coast Demolition said: “Owners, general contractors and developers select East Coast because we offer worryfree, turnkey services. We initiate, demolitionhub.com

perform and execute projects of all sizes and complexities for the private, municipal, commercial and federal markets. We take environmental hazards very seriously because we want to be good stewards of the communities we serve. From a best practices standpoint, experience has taught us that atomised misting equipment for dust suppression is one of the best safety and compliance tools in our fleet.” demolitionhub.com

case study

Full site clearing Williamsburg, Virginia was a staging ground for the American Revolution and has the second oldest college in the US. The Village Shops at Kingsmill, located south east of the main town, was an outdoor mall with several small businesses, including the Greater Williamsburg Tourist Center, making it one of the hubs for that suburban community.

The project involves the demolition of seven structures with a total of approximately 7,500 square metres of building space and more than 16,000 square metres of asphalt flattop.

The estimated timeline was 10 to 12 weeks to take down structures made primarily of cinder block and brick on a cement foundation. Using a fleet of 12 dump trailers, the site prep involved a complete clearing of all debris with the exception of crushing stone material into aggregate for storage on site.

One of the significant challenges on this project is the removal of the roofing and floor tile, which both contain asbestos. The task of soft

stripping these elements is often done by hand to avoid producing excessive dust, but to mitigate potential worker exposure to asbestos fibres, East Coast Demolition is doing the job with heavy equipment and a specialised dust control machine called the DustBoss Atom. Using equipment instead of manpower for demolition and dust suppression improves safety and drastically reduces the time needed for internal stripping.

A priority for the general contractor is to separate the waste streams and use as much recyclable material as possible for future construction projects. “We’re able to separate and recycle more than 85 per cent of the material, including concrete structural constituents, piping, etc,” said Webb.

“This environmentally sustainable approach is a foundation of our business and also an element that sets us apart from other contractors in the region.”

A dusty business Dust and demolition are inseparable. Some pros can tell what kind of materials are being demolished merely by the smell of the dust. However, smelling the dust is precisely what demolition companies are trying to avoid.

The company’s objective is to control both visible and unseen particulates, says Webb. “When people see plumes of dust, they get concerned. We could have a worker with a hose spraying down the material but oftentimes this isn’t enough to cover a widespread area.

“Our greatest concern is always the protection of our employees and the communities that we serve. It’s the dust you can’t see that’s really harmful, so our goal is to control even the smallest dust particles.”

The (US) Environmental Protection Agency categorises dust by size as either inhalable or respirable. Inhalable dust measures about 10 microns in size. For comparison, a grain of

salt is about 500 microns and dust becomes invisible to the naked eye at approximately 100 microns.

Inhalable dust is typically large enough to be trapped in the nose, throat or upper respiratory tract.

In contrast, respirable dust is usually identified as particles smaller than 10 microns, which can penetrate deep into the lungs.

Asbestos, drywall, silica dust and other harmful materials typically shed dust at around 2.5 microns, allowing them to bypass the body’s natural cleaning mechanisms.

Atomised misting machines are more effective than hoses because the millions of tiny droplets they create capture particulates at the point of emission, pulling the dust to the ground before it can travel long distances. Hoses do not offer airborne dust control, only surface suppression, leaving airborne particulates of any size free to roam off the site.

The greatest drawback to basic DemolitionHUB Magazine | 57

case study control methods such as hoses and sprinklers is droplet size; water droplets produced from hoses and sprinklers are simply far too large to produce any meaningful benefit in controlling airborne dust particles.

Atomised mist is a much more effective option, as it relies on the principle of creating tiny droplets of a specific size range and delivering them over a wide coverage area, inducing collisions with dust particles so they quickly settle to the ground.

Webb said: “We set up dust monitors at either end of the site to ensure that even the smallest fugitive dust isn’t escaping the site line. The DustBoss units do a great job of pulling particles out of the air, so our monitors rarely register any change from normal atmospheric dust levels and show no toxic emissions.”

Indoor and outdoor suppression A few years ago, East Coast Demolition started using atomised dust suppression with two DustBoss DB-60 cannons, which are mid-sized fan driven designs. The DB-60 units have an adjustable throw angle from zero to 50-degree elevation, and 58 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

L/min of water. Instead of relying on water pressure, the Atom uses a one-inch hose attachment from a water source running to a pump powered by a 9.1 HP diesel engine.

The increase in pressure from the pump, rather than relying on pressure from the hydrant, means the design uses only approximately 26 L/min. This greatly reduces wastewater runoff and the amount of standing water in the area, allowing the machine to be distant from the water source and still deliver superior dust control.

With a throw of 30 metres, the unit’s 0 to 65-degree vertical adjustment and 100-degree maximum oscillation range increase the coverage area to 567 square metres. Using the unit’s handheld remote control, operators are able to set the oscillation range from the cab of their rig or at a safe distance from the demolition zone.

when they’re equipped with optional 359-degree oscillation, each one can cover more than 11,600 square metres.

Having successfully used them on large private and government contracts, site managers felt that the DB-60 units were too powerful for this project. Operators needed a small and manoeuvrable dust control solution with a selfcontained power source. Working with BossTek, the manufacturer of DustBoss products, managers decided to try two of the company’s innovative DustBoss Atom machines, which are powered by a diesel engine and easily moved by a single worker.

Since the Kingsmill project featured tight areas that required more precision, the DustBoss Atom addressed this by producing a highly pressurised water stream that fractures into mist. Using its oscillating head, the compact unit delivers both airborne and surface suppression at a fraction of the water volume of manual spraying, helping to minimise oversaturation and pooling.

A standard handheld threequarter-inch hose attached to a hydrant generally delivers up to 83

Safety, cost and time Webb said: “A single worker was able to wheel the Atom around by hand, place it, determine the optimum settings, and go do something else.

This is a lot safer and more costeffective than standing there with a hose in a puddle of water near large equipment and falling material.

“The versatility is great, because if we need dust control in another building or on the storage piles, we can get the unit there quickly, turn it on and walk away. The labour savings alone make it worth the money, but the safety and ease of use are huge benefits.”

There were some clear advantages to having precision dust control. One is that workers can stay protected in enclosed cabs and change the Atom’s settings with a remote control. Another is the dust’s effect on equipment. In the past, workers performing demolition inside structures had to clean the excessive buildup of dust out of equipment air intakes and radiators to prevent engine breakdowns.

Since dust is addressed at the point of emission, this activity is reduced considerably, saving maintenance time and protecting valuable equipment.

Webb said: “Having workers demolitionhub.com

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case study

protected in their equipment allowed the soft stripping process to go much faster, so we could complete the project days ahead of schedule.”

Industrial dust control generates business So far during the demolition process, there have been no dust-related complaints from neighbours and local businesses. This has had a positive impact on the general contractor’s impression – as well as the local environmental inspector’s assessment – of East Coast Demolition.

“From a perception standpoint, the public and the city see these DustBoss units in operation and they are immediately more at ease seeing that the dust is being properly contained,” Webb said.

“From a business perspective, general contractors see we have the equipment, safety and compliance measures in place to do the job properly, eliminating the need for intervention from inspectors, which ultimately can lead to costly work stoppages.”

By having a versatile hands-free dust control unit, sites are safer and more compliant, while reducing the cost of operation. The compact, diesel-powered DustBoss Atom takes up little room, is useful on any site and is easily manoeuvrable by a single worker on flat surfaces.

Webb said: “It was great working with the BossTek team to get us exactly the machine we needed to do the job right. This equipment has actually helped us capture new business. That’s how much value they bring to our company.”

60 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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interview

Safer through science Two businesses pair up to make Australasia a cleaner and safer place

When a common goal is shared, much can be accomplished.

When that goal is backed by industry experience, the latest in science and technology, and the conviction to make a difference, that partnership is powerful.

Environmental Products and Phoenix Brands announced their partnership in May of 2021, and together they are taking strides to make Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding areas a cleaner and safer place.

Demolition Hub talked with Philip Lancaster of Environmental Products and Lloyd Ludlow of Phoenix Brands to learn more about this joint effort.

Q

Tell us the origin of Phoenix Brands Lloyd Ludlow: Phoenix Brands is dedicated to the social and technical problems associated with the removal and disposal of hazardous materials. We seek to create solutions (and see them through development) to protect the health and lives of asbestos removal workers. We believe that vast remediation expenses will be saved by the introduction of new technology, thereby enabling a much wider and faster pace of asbestos

62 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

remediation. Our sincere interest for the entire chain, from building destruction to denaturation and eradication of asbestos, is to make improvements. The world has need of freethinkers with a sense of social responsibility; we’re up for that task.

We are also committed to making the environment a cleaner, safer place for present and future generations. Phoenix Brands is a company of action and innovation.

We create new technology to encapsulate asbestos particles, thereby safely, soundly and affordably removing asbestos containing materials through the application of a wide range of the latest scientific insights.

Q

Tell us about your products By analysing and assessing product advancement in the wider

engineering landscape, we can adapt manufacturing techniques and bring products to market that have the capability to drastically reduce the occupational and environmental health impacts associated with carcinogens and contaminants such as asbestos, mould, and other toxins.

CapSure™ is our line of products formulated to support the reduction in human and environmental impacts associated with the management of hazardous materials. There is a CapSure product for each step in the removal process, from preparation to removal to cleanup.

As we continue to learn and grow with the market, we’re using our expertise and experience to develop other products. For example, CapSure Alpha was created as a high-performance food safe sanitiser. Another product, TriMax™ demolitionhub.com

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interview

is a tough, unique product, formulated to support safe remediation of asbestos and Artex walls and ceilings. We’re excited to bring science to any site.

Q

How did the partnership with Environmental Products form?

I have known Philip Lancaster and Chris Roeves for many years and knew of their work within the remediation industry in Australia and New Zealand. We met when I was based in Christchurch, New Zealand for the disaster recovery work after the devastating earthquake there. We had a lot of demolition within Christchurch and that’s when I took CapSure in 2018 to help encapsulate stockpiles of debris contaminated with asbestos to encapsulate the dust left from emergency demolition in the aftermath of the natural disaster.

With their professional background in the asbestos industry, Chris and Phil helped me with testing and methodology, which led to me

64 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

choosing them to distribute CapSure and TriMax products in Australasia.

CapSure and TriMax were launched in the region this year, produced by our partner manufacturing company, Environex Queensland, and then distributed and sold by Environmental Products.

Our sales started in June of this year and Chris and Phil have created their company and structure to facilitate sale and client-training for the products and methodology Phoenix Brands has created for abatement.

We’re excited about trials of CapSure Mist and CapSure Prometheus, planned for late 2022 with Chris and Phil. These are dust encapsulation products for radioactive materials, as found in nuclear power plant demolitions or releases,

Q

Tell us about Environmental Products and its services Philip Lancaster: We formed Environmental Products to be a specialist distributor, led by industry professionals, with a wealth of

“

As a demolition and asbestos removal contractor, why wouldn’t you embrace products which offer these efficiencies?

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interview

practical knowledge in the hazardous, demolition and built environment.

Through our other extensive business interests, we are already very well established within the demolition industry.

My involvement stems from a previous colleague in the asbestos and demolition industry in the UK. We met in 2017 to assess the initial development and marketing, which demonstrated the potential game changing nature of the products.

As someone who’d been in the industry for more than 30 years, I could see that the products would lead to safer practices when removing asbestos, reduced risk to health through the processes involved, and significant reduction in site set up procedures.

team that’s invested and passionate about what we do.

Q

Q

What was your experience before getting into risk surveys?

We’ve worked in the occupational and environmental fields for over 30 years, in all facets, including asbestos removal and demolition.

This enables us to gain a unique insight into the issues surrounding this sometimes complex field and an understanding other distributors will not have.

Q

Tell us about your team and working culture The directors continue to work in the company and lead from both a business and technical perspective. Given their standing, we can retain industry professionals who complement our growing team. We have just taken on an Australia NZ Business Manager, who will oversee the operation from top to bottom. They come with a wealth of experience, gained from recently managing a large national distribution company. This will further enhance our reach and open new markets.

We believe our people are the difference; there isn’t an Environmental Products without them. We invest heavily in their training, development, and wellbeing. This translates into a 66 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

Q

How is the scope of Environmental Products’ services developing over time?

It’s still very early days, but we have invested in developing a comprehensive business and strategy plan, which encompasses all areas of the business, including marketing and distribution.

Product wise, we decided to run with three or four products that have been tested and trialled extensively, both in the UK and Australia. We have other products coming through, some of which we have applied for specific regulatory compliance for.

As we add products, they will at all times be complementary to the industries and clients we serve.

How do you gain business and spread the word about your services?

The company is part of a wider group of companies, which have well established client bases. Due to the other business being mostly of a technical nature, there are numerous opportunities for us to lever off. As a group, we have well established financial, business services, and marketing support.

Q

How do you see the outlook for your sector and the economy in the near future?

We see the outlook as positive; our products deliver significant advantages in terms of employee health and safety, cost and timeliness of project delivery.

As a demolition and asbestos removal contractor, why wouldn’t you embrace products which offer these efficiencies?

Q

How are your services critical for demolition contractors?

Use of our products will provide the potential for contractors to achieve significant time savings.

As one contractor said during a demonstration, an asbestos removal project that typically would require closure of an office for a week could now be delivered over a weekend.

We expect the demand for the product to be not only from contractors, but also their clients, to minimise impact on business continuity.

Q

How have you found takeup among demolition contractors?

We are at the start of the process of bringing the product to market in Australia; those who have attended our demonstrations are already calculating the time and cost savings, along with the reduced risk exposure of employees. As an example, one contractor stated on site that by using our products, the project could be completed even before they had the friable enclosure approved for use.

“

An asbestos removal project that typically would require closure of an office for a week could now be delivered over a weekend

”

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Steely resolve

by Paul Argent As part of the massive regeneration of the former steelworks at Teesworks, Thompsons of Prudhoe is in the process of demolishing several structures on the site. The Teesworks site stands on 1,820 hectares of former industrial land predominately occupied by household names in the iron and steel making industries dating from as far back as 1850s.

The turbulent history of British steelmaking has seen owners of the steelworks change repeatedly 68 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

over the decades, with almost all steelmaking in the area ceasing in 2019. The once buoyant sector was decimated with the steelworks’ closure leaving the hundreds of buildings to rot away. That was until Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen stepped in with his vision to transform the area into a world class industrial site heavily focused on delivering clean energy, advanced manufacturing and lifting the area back to its former glory.

Securing government funding and introducing experienced developers into the mix, Teesworks

has already announced several large investments for the land, including the development of a 420,000-square-metre manufacturing space for offshore wind turbine construction.

To allow for such radical, new developments to take place, Teesworks is in the process of demolishing almost every building left by the collapse of the steelworks. The site is possibly one of the largest demolition projects on the go in Europe at present and has required Teesworks to employ several of the UK’s leading demolition contractors working on separate parts of the site in a bid to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget.

Teesworks’ Demolition Project Manager Tony Mill-Irving said: “We have specifically chosen companies who have demonstrated their experience in the safe and timely delivery of large industrial demolition projects. We also wanted the local economy to benefit from the regeneration program and have therefore partnered with two of the largest demolition contractors in the region for early inclusion with the demolition phase.”

A large portion of the site was once owned by one of the oldest names in steel production, Dorman Long. Its reputation for delivering huge steel projects led it to build some of the most iconic structures around the globe, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Bridge and, a little closer to home, the Tyne Bridge.

This part of the former Redcar steelworks complex was shut in 2019. The majority of the buildings had been in place since before the launch of British Steel in 1967 and were constructed at a time where the phrase “the bigger, the better” was commonplace, resulting in some very substantial structures.

As one of a group of NFDC member companies undertaking work on the site, Thompsons has been leading the demolition works, firstly with the successful removal of the Torpedo Ladle Repair Shed, which was completed last year. The company has since been successful demolitionhub.com

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in winning further contracts on site including the huge Basic Oxygen Steel (BOS) plant. This is where I caught up with them.

The highly experienced team on site led by Dave Gauja, Stuart Campbell and Gary Herbert had been tasked with the demolition of several structures, the largest being the BOS Plant.

Stuart said: “We are currently underway with the mechanical demolition of the BOS. This particular building is over 70 metres in height and more than 250 metres long. Not one bit of the structure is lightweight either, the steel columns are huge, the crossmembers are over engineered, as are the supports for the massive 400-tonne overhead cranes. The only thing that is easy to handle is the cladding from the walls and roof.”

Thompsons has a large inhouse fleet of dedicated demolition machines capable of undertaking projects like this and it was all earmarked to be delivered to site to tackle the gargantuan project that lay ahead.

While a large amount of work was destined to be carried out mechanically, part of the structure was deemed too high for Thompson’s high reach machines.

Explosive demolition was therefore seen as the safest and quickest way to drop the buildings and allow mechanical demolition to take place.

Prior to the explosive work, the huge BOS plant needed clearing to provide room for the adjoining building to collapse into.

Using the height and reach of its 2017 Liebherr R 960 highreach, with its 33-metre working range, Michael Jupp, one of the very experienced operators working for Thompsons, was able to remove the external cladding and roofing sheets to several bays, before turning his attention to the huge steel frame below.

Michael said: “The sheets are the easy part. The steelwork framing is the hard part, as with a 2.5-tonne shear, we have to cut each piece in at least three places to get it to 70 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

demolitionhub.com

site visit demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 71

site visit

drop. I don’t think I’ve worked on steel sections so hard before.” Thankfully Michael has the patience to cut each section carefully before letting them drop to the ground.

While vibration and noise are not major issues for the team on site, dust still is. The coastal location means there is always a steady breeze blowing across the site whipping up dust particles.

The high reach machine has its own built-in dust suppression and while it is good at keeping the dust at bay immediately under the shear, any horizontal beam is covered in decades of dust from the manufacturing process, and it all wants to be swept up by the breeze.

To combat this, Thompsons has not only employed large dust cannons around the project, but has invested in its own fire engine as a mobile dust buster. The former airport fire tender is now liveried with the company’s name and regularly drenches the structure and surrounding ground with more than 15,000 litres of water.

Once the steel sections are on the floor, one of the latest arrivals on the fleet takes care of processing – a 70-tonne Hitachi Zaxis 670LCH complete with OilQuick hitch and Shearcore FS55 shear. The ever-growing fleet of large Hitachi excavators has seen the Zaxis 670 join just at the right time, with thousands of tonnes of material to process.

Stuart said: “We could do the job with a smaller excavator, but we have deadlines to meet such as boats taking scrap away for recycling. We have to ensure they are not delayed or sail with anything other than a full hold.”

While only a fraction of the way through their particular project, the Thompsons team are making massive inroads into the redevelopment of the site. With demolition of the various structures due to continue for the next couple of years, the Teesworks project will continue to hold the title of Europe’s largest demolition and regeneration site for the foreseeable future.

72 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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safety

Love your lungs: Getting dust control and RPE right

by Nathan Wilkinson-Jones Dip NEBOSH, Grad IOSH, Director 1974 Rapport

By its nature, demolition is an inherently dusty activity and although the sector is something of a trailblazer with regards to hazard identification, dust control, asbestos and general health and safety standards, Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is often the last line of defence against a lung full of something nasty and it must be done correctly in order to protect worker health.

HSE data suggests that there are 12,000 annual UK deaths form Work Related Respiratory Disease (WRRD) and at least the same again new diagnosis of WRRD. In short, a huge problem regarding inhaled hazards remains, so much so that the HSE is launching a construction dust initiative in October 2021. Assuming this will be targeted and driven by CDM notifications, it’s safe to assume that “deconstruction” will also be targeted.

Personally, I think the deconstruction sector is pretty good when it comes to asbestos; you’re trained, we have samples, surveys, removal contractors, people know and respect it. But this isn’t the only hazard out there. We have fume, wood dust, respirable crystalline Silica (RCS), combustion gasses, guano, man-made mineral fibre, glass fibre, lead based paints, the list goes on.

So when it comes to relying on RPE to protect against acute or chronic ill health, it is critical that that the RPE is both adequate and suitable.

74 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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Namely, does it have the potential to offer sufficient protection to the wearer, can it reduce exposure below the occupational limit.

So, considerations for selecting an adequate mask include: • What is the hazard?

• What form does the hazardous substance take – is it a solid, a liquid, a vapour or a gas?

• What is the concentration of the airborne hazard?

• What is the Occupation Exposure Limit for the substance (see EH40 for OELs)?

• Reference the material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), • Choose the correct filter type and classification (i.e. Particulate class 1, 2, or 3…*), • Do you need the additional protection factor of full face RPE, or does half face RPE suffice? *Gas and vapour filters are specific to the hazards in question; as gas / vapour filter would not necessarily protect against particles and vice versa.

Now it’s time to ensure that the selected RPE is suitable for the task, the environment, and probably most importantly, the individual.

• Is it comfortable?

• What is the work rate and expected continuous wear time? Where RPE is to be worn for over an hour at a time continuously, powered devices should be deployed, • Does the device hamper communications or cause additional issues?

• Physical fitness and health of the wearer, certain lung conditions or general fitness could prevent some individuals from wearing non powered RPE due to the increase in breathing resistance, especially when doing physical works, • Is it compatible with other PPE such as eye protection or prescription glasses, • Facial hair. Close fitting RPE simply doesn’t function when worn with facial hair, • Does it create an effective seal to the wearer’s face? This is where face fit testing comes into play and where we are able to assist.

76 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

The HSE dictates in INDG479 that the only recognised methods to prove that a mask creates an effective seal to the face are: • Qualitative – Suitable for only half face RPE, • Quantitative – Suitable for full or half face RPE, • Controlled Negative Pressure – Not suitable for Filtering Facepiece (i.e.

FFP3).

Speak to the workforce and suppliers; observe and trial a few types, involving the individual concerned; buy premium over cheap; and establish whether the product is right for the wearer. If it isn’t, it won’t get worn.

Face fit testing is a mandatory requirement for any individual wearing close fitting RPE. It is essential that your fit tester is competent. A list of competent face fit testers can be found by visiting www.fit2fit.org, where you’ll find 1974 Rapport Ltd listed for both the Qualitative and Quantitative methods, as well as being approved to deliver train the tester courses.

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safety Facial hair will significantly affect the performance of close fitting RPE. HSE report RR1052 states that as little as 24 hours’ growth can have this effect. With this in mind, it’s essential that you: • Educate your workforce and change attitudes, • Police and enforce if needed, • Consider looking at policies and procedures, or even contracts of employment.

Where employees are unwilling or unable to be clean shaven, you’ll need to consider controlling the hazard by other means, restricting activities or providing loose fitting RPE, known as Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR).

User training RPE simply cannot protect unless it’s worn correctly. Spend time with your employees to ensure they understand how the device functions, how to don it, doff it, perform a pre-use fit check, clean it, store it and understand the significance of wearing the device correctly and consistently.

We can train you.

Maintenance Any reusable RPE must have a pre-use inspection and a formal documented monthly inspection undertaken by a competent person. Inspection and maintenance is often overlooked but RPE that has fallen into disrepair will not protect. We’ve put a more detailed blog together on this subject at www.1974rapport.co.uk. We also look at when to change a filter and provide a downloadable RPE inspection record.

Disposable or reusable?

Another quandary, for half face RPE anyway; do you go for a disposable solution (i.e. filtering facepieces) or a reusable respirator?

There are pros and cons for both.

78 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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safety

For a disposable mask, there are ongoing inspection and maintenance requirements. If this is a burden you could do without, a disposable or 28 day mask may be your preference.

Although the initial outlay of a reusable respirator is greater, with regular use, this initial outlay will soon be recuperated. Also consider how good at looking after things your workforce are. We live in the real world, not some imaginary fairy tale. Things get lost, damaged and generally live a hard life.

Also consider contamination, especially for microbial hazards; it is often much safer to dispose of a contaminated device as opposed to cleaning and sanitising a reusable mask.

In summary, getting RPE right can be tricky but here are a few pieces of advice.

• Look at ways of reducing the reliance on RPE, • Consult with the workforce, • Invest time and money, it’s not always a quick fix, • Seek external advice, • Fit test, • Implement training and maintenance regimes, • Continually review.

1974 Rapport is happy to help, offer advice, guide, supply RPE or to fit test your team. For more information visit: www.1974rapport.co.uk.

Take care out there and keep up the great work.

80 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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82 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

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Tyne Tees Crushing has been serving the demolition and recycling industry in the North East and beyond for more than 15 years. The company is headquartered just off the A66 at Darlington, which gives it easy access to the local main road network and access to its clients.

The location is also ideal as it has a large yard where they are able to cost effectively crush smaller amounts of material with their own crushing and screening equipment.

The company has worked alongside a list of front line demolition companies across the country, but Managing Director Andrew Verity explained: “We have scaled back the country-wide coverage. We have a full order book to serve our longstanding clients in the North East but will venture elsewhere should our clients require.

“We offer our clients a full crushing and screening service based mainly on our kit going to site and producing a finished product with the material arising from the demolition of the building once on that land.

“Sometimes this can’t be a cost-effective solution should the site have limited space or access for our kit. If that’s the case, we can bring the material back to our site and process it here. This can be just a case of crushing and screening or even processing larger concrete sections, removing any rebar and then processing the material before it goes through the crusher.”

With a constant flow of material from demolition projects around the Darlington area coming into its processing yards, the company is continuously looking to add machinery to its fleet.

Andrew said: “We have a variety of manufacturers supplying our crushers. We won’t put all our eggs in one basket.”

One of the latest arrivals to the company’s fleet of excavators is a Chinese built SANY SY215C. Supplied by local dealer Banner Equipment, the SANY is Andrew’s demolitionhub.com

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first ‘toe in the water’ with a Chinese brand.

He said: “We usually run Korean made kit but decided to take a look at the SANY when Banner took over the dealership. I have known Mike and Jo for a number of years and have purchased crushing and screening equipment from them in the past.

“Taking on an excavator range to service both their own and outside customers’ requirements makes sense. Their service and back up is excellent and the deal they put together for us was very attractive. That made it an easier choice for us to take the SANY.” The main work for the excavator at the yard is to handle the large, 2.7-tonne VTN pulveriser supplied by Worsley Plant. “It’s probably a little big for the excavator,” Andrew said, “but as we only process on the floor, it’s a very capable combination for quickly processing the material as it comes into the yard.”

Operating eight crushers and four screeners allows Andrew and his team to serve a number of projects at any one time. The fleet is predominately made up of jaw crushers, which allow a variety of material to be processed effectively, although Andrew has also invested in an impact crusher for a specific project crushing oversized rock salt.

“We will look at clients’ specific requirements for their longterm projects and advise them accordingly,” Andrew said. “There’s always the comment ‘we’ve always done it this way’ but sometimes, there are more cost-effective ways of doing things.”

With the COVID pandemic still making waves within the industry, Andrew reports a very busy year for the company, with some of its best months of trading coming during the height of the lockdown. “We are still very cautious about the state of the industry long term, but hope that continued investment in infrastructure projects will benefit the whole sector.”

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 83

site visit

Kodak moment

by Paul Argent The advent of digital imaging technology has seen a massive reduction in the need for film.

One of the largest manufacturers was Eastman Kodak, based in Rochester, New Jersey, but the once market leader was reduced to filing for bankruptcy in 2012 and eventually sold off a large chunk of its technology to rival firms.

Selling off its film manufacturing plants saw the company realise much needed funds and this is where Hertfordshire-based RYE Group came in.

The Harrow, Middlesex site was home to the manufacturing giant’s plant for more than 125 years and was eventually purchased by one of the country’s leading developers, Barratt. As Barratt’s main contractor 84 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

for demolition and land remediation services, RYE was called upon to clear the seven-acre site and prepare the ground for construction works. As leading members of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, the company is at the forefront of providing a cutting edge, safe and reliable demolition service for its clients, and after almost four years of work, the project for RYE Group is now nearing completion.

The huge range of structures on the site varied in age, and while the plant had been shut for a number of years, the buildings were in very good order. The site was dominated by a large steel chimney, which the developer has been asked to incorporate into the completed design, and the main manufacturing building, which was more than 30 metres tall.

The site was bounded by two extremely busy main roads, housing and the West Coast Mainline, which meant the works undertaken by RYE were under scrutiny from day one.

One of the biggest issues facing the demolition team was that of asbestos. The asbestos removal project saw Rye’s subcontractor working in some very cramped and hard to reach areas to remove it.

Managing Director of Rye, Simon Barlow said: “They have worked hard to remove material from some very hard to reach areas. This has involved a lot of scaffold access solutions being implemented and a lot of working at height. They have performed very well to remove the material so quickly, enabling us to commence demolition operations at the earliest opportunity.”

While the asbestos removal was demolitionhub.com

site visit undertaken, the demolition team focused on many of the smaller structures on the perimeter of the site. With these modern storage facilities and offices removed, the excavation and remediation of large sections of the site could commence while preparation works to the larger structures was initiated.

While the footprint of the site was large, there was very little in the way of open space for the demolition teams to operate.

Careful phasing of the work to allow multiple structures to be worked on at once was crucial to the progress of the operation. With the smaller buildings to the perimeter of the site demolished, work to remediate the ground below could commence while demolition teams worked further into the large plant.

With the asbestos removal demolitionhub.com

DemolitionHUB Magazine | 85

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completed, various salvageable items were removed from the plant before a programme of strip-out works was undertaken. Using a number of smaller excavators from the RYE fleet, various internal substructures and internal plants were removed.

While much of the material remaining within the main structure was salvageable, the decision not to strip it out prior to demolition proved to be a good one. The amount of material inside the structure would have involved a number of men and machines for a considerable period of time.

Working in tight and confined spaces, the decision was made to remove the material as the fabric of the building was removed and exposed it all. Simon explained: “We decided to do it this way as it was far safer and ultimately a quicker

86 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

project.”

The first task on the largest structure was to remove the large pipe rack hanging from the side of the building. With this gone and the material salvaged, demolition could be commenced. Using its Liebherr R 956 32-metre high reach machine piloted by industry veteran John Murphy, the building was carefully and gradually downed. With a variety of materials dropping to the floor, it was down to a number of excavators equipped with selector grabs to sort the material out.

While the high value materials were sent straight from site, the masonry was carted and stockpiled in a processing area. With a large Powerscreen crusher undertaking the task, a number of crawler excavators were used to initially process the concrete and remove any remaining reinforcing bar before the material was reduced to a usable size. A Liebherr L 556 X

Power wheeled loader was used to ferry the material from the crusher to stockpiles, where it will be used to supply the groundworks teams in the build phase.

The project has seen the RYE team invest heavily in excavators, crushing and screening equipment and demolition attachments. The favoured excavator in the company is now Hitachi with several 13, 21, 30 and 50-tonne models entering service over the past three years, although these have recently been joined by several next generation Cat machines. Simon said: “They are probably the best excavator available at the moment. They are well built, reliable, good on fuel and are backed up by a very professional dealer.”

When it comes to attachments, there isn’t a preferred brand, with many of the UK’s premier dealers putting either crackers, munchers or shears to work at the site. Simon

demolitionhub.com

said: “It’s been a great site to try out a number of different makes of attachments.”

The huge project has kept a good deal of the RYE team extremely busy for the past three and a half years. With completion of the demolition works expected early in 2022, the team will have removed thousands of tonnes of steel and crushed similar quantities of masonry with much of it staying on site to provide piling mats for the construction phase of the works. They will have also remediated much of the land on site, reducing the amount of material leaving the project and reducing the development’s carbon impact significantly.

The hands-on management style from the RYE team along with the willing investment in the latest plant and machinery will soon see them clear another site for much needed housing within the M25.

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DemolitionHUB Magazine | 87

opinion

by Richard Dolman President of the IDE exclusively for Demolition Hub magazine

Constructing for deconstruction Following my involvement in a somewhat fractious debate concerning the environmental implications of demolition on national radio last month, (August) it was refreshing to have my position vindicated at Demo Expo just last week.

For me, the highlight of the expo was to listen to a young architect called Rachel Hoolahan, from a London architects called Orms, who spoke about how important the input of demolition experts is to the future of construction.

Her take, and one that I share, was that architect and their clients should engage with us early in the process, to have an eye on a structure’s end of life while it is being conceived.

To my mind that’s true 88 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

construction industry environmentalism – not just thinking about using sustainable materials, but considering how those materials can later be repurposed or reused in a carbon-friendly manner.

And to ratchet the inspiration one level higher, I even spoke to a leading member of the scrap metal industry about his vision to increase reuse of construction metals rather than seeing it smelted again.

After all, why should it not be possible to shotblast, debracket, stress test and reuse metal columns and beams? All without the energy wastage of reheating and reforming them. It’s entirely possible.

This is exactly the kind of thinking that I want to bring to my presidency of the Institute of Demolition Engineers. We must

modernise, both through our attitudes and our technological standards, in order to increase our relevance and to attract talent.

I therefore plan to use my position to continue to engage with the right people, to start these wheels turning and to begin conversations that can help effect change. I then look to my colleagues in the industry to consider how we can do things better, more effectively and with increased safety at the same time.

Credit must go to the NFDC for inviting speakers such as Rachel Hoolahan to come along to the expo and playing its part in creating an environment in which this thought leadership can happen.

The IDE will engage with this process too and we are also playing our part at the other end of the process, promoting our Master’s and Foundation level degrees in Demolition Management. Through these, we aim to professionalise and standardise the industry, as well as providing the next generation of demolition experts in what can be a competitive recruitment marketplace.

I know that these ideas may appear disruptive and I recognise the challenges all business owners face in the current economic environment. But deep down we all know that traditional methods and attitudes will only serve our industry for a limited amount of time. We have a contracting window of opportunity to modernise our industry – get things right, and I believe that we can all thrive in the future.

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by Terry Lloyd, Head of Construction, asset finance at Paragon bank 90 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

There is no doubt that the pandemic has had a profound impact on the construction sector and the financing landscape that services the industry.

In the midst of the crisis, businesses within construction used a wide range of resources to stay afloat. Government schemes such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the more recent Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) played a key part in this, with funders coming together to support the sector. However, construction businesses also relied on their wider support networks, encompassing trade bodies, funders and business groups, in order to support them through the pandemic.

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opinion

NFDC for a number of years and have also seen first-hand the role it has played in helping the industry throughout the pandemic, providing members with an invaluable platform to connect and collaborate.

As we emerge from COVID-19, the NFDC will continue to play a key role in supporting businesses as they deliver their recovery plans, by offering a space to share best practice, communicate learnings gained throughout the last 18 months and utilise each other’s expertise.

The early days of the crisis Coronavirus was mentioned for the very first time on the BBC on 12 January 2020, however none of us could have predicted the scale it would escalate to.

On 16 March, Matt Hancock made a statement advising against unnecessary social contact and travel – this was swiftly followed by Boris Johnson declaring the first national lockdown on 23 March. On the same date, both the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBL) were launched, providing a lifeline to UK businesses in the escalating crisis.

The first reaction we saw in the asset finance sector was an overwhelming increase in requests for payment holidays.

Many funders, including Paragon, reacted quickly, introducing forbearance processes that could be implemented immediately without going through the full underwriting process. We saw requests for forbearance peak into the thousands in the early days of the pandemic and our team jumped into overdrive to fulfil those, although 98 per cent of those customers have now resumed normal payments.

We also acted swiftly to become accredited lenders of both the CBILS and BBL schemes. The government went on to extend deadlines for both schemes on two occasions as the pandemic raged on and we 92 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

entered a subsequent two further national lockdowns.

In the March 2021 Budget, the Recovery Loan Scheme and Super deduction tax were announced and both came into force on 6 April, with Paragon one of the first lenders accredited to offer the former. We are expecting a mini-budget in November, where both of those are anticipated to be extended.

Heading towards recovery After a turbulent and unpredictable 18 months, there are finally promising signs of recovery within the industry. Recent data shows that the agricultural and equipment finance market is up by 24 per cent in July1 highlighting that people are once again applying for asset funding.

Recent research by Paragon Bank1 showed that 50 per cent of the construction sector has now reached or exceeded pre-COVID turnover. In the sector, delivering growth plans and managing cashflow were seen as the top two focuses, named as a priority by 60 per cent of those surveyed.

When asked about the main contributors to cashflow issues, restrictive funding ranked as one of the least significant factors, with loss of profit and late payments being the leading causes. More than two thirds (67 per cent) of industry professionals confirmed they were pleased with the amount of government support available to them during the pandemic.

More than four in ten construction SMEs saw their financial provider as their main source of support, closely followed by the government. However, industry bodies and trade associations, such as the NFDC, were a very close third. In total, nearly two thirds (64 per cent) had a positive post-COVID outlook, which is indicative of an overarching sense of optimism in the sector.

This is promising to see, especially in the context of the many challenges encountered by the industry over the course of the pandemic, including equipment and material shortages, machinery

manufacturing lead times, staffing challenges and increased health and safety requirements – to name a few.

Helping the sector power forward There are a number of opportunities for construction SMEs as they start to deliver their post-pandemic business plans. Based on the Treasury, Oxford Economics and Bank of England’s forecasts, business investment is expected to grow by more than 11 per cent in 2022.

Construction SMEs can maximise this by ensuring they stay ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging trends.

Last month (August), the NFDC announced that its members would be expected to phase out the use of red diesel on demolition sites and move to HVO fuel, or an alternative low-carbon solution.

Earlier this month, the government held a stakeholder engagement event for its red diesel replacement competition which is providing £40 million in grant funding for projects that develop and demonstrate lower carbon.

We are also seeing new, greener technology emerge intro the market, from electric excavators and machines to hydrogen and solar powered welfare cabins on HS2, and other green initiatives.

Although new technologies can be more challenging for funders due to a lack of data around second hand marketplaces, residual values etc, they are keen to lend. A recent FLA survey showed that 93 per cent of asset finance providers are expecting growth over the next 12 months and the governmentbacked guarantee offered through schemes such as RLS means that many funders are adjusting their risk appetite to consider less tried and tested green assets.

The scheme was launched to support access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the pandemic and will likely play a key role in powering construction SMEs forward post-pandemic.

FLA Q3 21 outlook survey

1

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opinion

Killing two birds

by Jacqueline O’Donovan The current crisis in Afghanistan has been a reminder of just how fragile peace and stability is. The shocking scenes broadcast round the world have highlighted the need for all countries to do their bit to step up to humanitarian emergencies as they occur, and the UK is no different. Having already been heavily involved in the evacuation and committing to resettling thousands of Afghan citizens, the stark reality of the hardship and trauma that people endure is still evident. Our televisions continue to display the unrest and persecution.

It brings clarity as to why refugees flee their own countries and seek asylum elsewhere.

For years now, public opinion towards refugees has been 94 | DemolitionHUB Magazine

generally very negative and immigration has become a key political issue. There have been tensions over the number of asylum seekers and their lack of integration into the community along with the assumption that they are a drain on the UK taxpayers’ pockets due to them not working while receiving accommodation and healthcare.

Maybe this is an opportunity to solve a number of issues and a time to radically change our approach to immigration. The general rule is that asylum applicants in the UK are not allowed to work until their claim is processed. They can apply for ‘permission to work’ should their asylum claim be outstanding for more than 12 months.

The people recently arriving from

Afghanistan have become victims of the political unrest through no fault of their own and until recently have lived relatively normal lives, having studied to get qualifications, had jobs and worked while raising their families, just like the rest of us. Permission to work only allows asylum applicants to take up jobs on the UK’s shortage occupation list. Those jobs are at graduate level or above. This government policy restricting asylum seekers’ rights to work in the UK has been under review since 2018.

Surely now is the time to fasttrack this review. For too long, people have been complaining about the impact on taxpayers, the National Health Service and the housing shortage. The restrictions placed on people arriving are unrealistic and impractical. We need to identify their skills and give them the opportunity to make a fresh start. Surely it would be beneficial to everyone if they were given the opportunity to start out and make a new life for themselves as soon as they arrive, allowing them to work and engage in the new society they find themselves in.

This would have huge benefits in terms of integration, diversity and general acceptance by the community and would enable asylum seekers to contribute to the already over-burdened welfare and NHS systems. It would also go some way to helping new settlers feel they are contributing and an integral part of society while helping reduce the huge labour shortage. It goes without saying that this would be a great benefit to the UK economy and reduce costs to the taxpayer.

I am not saying that this would be seamless and no doubt there would be many challenges in terms of communication and education, but it really is time that we adapted new and innovative ways of thinking to solve the problems we are facing. The UK is in a massive labour shortage crisis and with 1.7 million job vacancies currently, urgent action is needed on a more joined up, inclusive approach to recruitment, education and societal challenges as a whole. demolitionhub.com

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