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DATA CENTRES
How does precast fit into the world of AI and machine learning?
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Welcome to our special magazine section spotlighting some recent news, projects and issues within the precast concrete sector. Two key pieces inside highlight the strengths that precast concrete – allied to offsite delivery – can offer the healthcare sector and the burgeoning world of data centres. Firstly, Mark Shepherd, Director at MPA Precast and MPA Masonry, offers some ways that ‘repeatable construction’ is central to derisking healthcare projects within the remodelled New Hospitals Programme (NHP). The adoption of more offsite construction and component-led design is also the only way that the NHS can deliver the facilities the UK desperately needs quickly.
Secondly, precast concrete specialists FP McCann outline why the material is so appropriate for the data centre sector. Central to all our lives – without us really knowing it – new technologies driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning are booming. Because of these new demands a significant increase in capacity and construction of safe and secure facilities is required – precast concrete and thermal mass may have the answer.
Precast concrete is well understood for its structural strengths, solid reliable mass and its ability to suit a variety of applications and sectors and because of this is specified to provide stable solutions in all sorts of ways. Some examples of this you will find over the next few pages, including a comprehensive precast foundation package solution from Roger Bullivant and a new piece of kit from Combilift that is ideal for moving precast panels.
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A restructured New Hospitals Programme is focused on a changing NHS estate and a deliverable programme over the next decade. Mark Shepherd, Director at MPA Precast and MPA Masonry explains where offsite manufacture, precast concrete and repeatable construction fits in.
CARBON RATINGS AND CALCULATORS
The Global Cement and Concrete Association announces the launch of Low Carbon Ratings for Cement and Concrete – a first-of-its-kind transparent global rating system and Milbank Concrete Products unveils its own Carbon Reduction Calculator for precast and prestressed concrete products.
AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES REBRANDS
Building solutions specialist Aggregate Industries has now fully rebranded to Holcim UK as part of a strategic shift to drive innovation and growth as a sustainable construction leader in the UK, with particular focus on decarbonisation and circularity.
BENEFITS OF PRECAST CONCRETE FOR DATA CENTRES
Data centres are critical to modern life and has FP McCann point out, offsite manufactured precast concrete plays a major role in overcoming the construction challenges facing this sector and ensuring that the UK does not fall behind in the technology race.
ROGER BULLIVANT PARTNERS WITH C3 CONSTRUCTION
Carried out in collaboration with C3 Construction, Roger Bullivant successfully installed a comprehensive precast foundation package solution for a residential development in Kettering, and used low-carbon concrete across all its precast products.
Combilift unveiled its pioneering SelfPropelled Inloader COMBi-SPI at Bauma 2025. The highly anticipated launch marked a significant milestone in the transport of high loads including precast concrete panels.
HMP MILLSIKE OFFICIALLY OPENS
The award-winning HMP Millsike has officially opened. The UK’s first all-electric prison is the first prison in the UK to be delivered as part of the Alliance 4 New Prisons programme and showcases precast concrete at its best.
Repeatable construction using homegrown materials and offsite construction techniques are going to be key to derisking healthcare projects and delivery, says Mark Shepherd, Director at MPA Precast and MPA Masonry.
A restructured New Hospitals Programme is focused on a changing NHS estate and a deliverable programme over the next decade and when Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care unveiled Labour’s revised New Hospitals Programme (NHP) earlier this year, he was quick to brand the previous administration’s programme target of 40 new hospital projects by 2030 as undeliverable.
Realistic delivery in a challenging fiscal environment means that the new programme is based on a new staged delivery timetable. Wave zero will see the delivery of projects which are already in the advanced stages of development completed within the next three years. Wave one will then follow with projects in construction
between 2025 and 2030 and waves two and three will be completed right up to 2039.
Prior to the NHP, each new hospital building would have been designed, developed and built as a standalone bespoke project for an NHS Trust. The programme is focused on standardisation, using the repeatability of designs to build better and faster as part of a co-ordinated national plan overseen by the Department of Health & Social Care and NHS England.
While the NHS programme is clearly not as ambitious on timescales as it once was, it is still competing for resources – people, materials and plant – at a time when infrastructure and housing pipelines are set to be significant over the next decade. Like
other sectors, it is also attempting to deliver a complex programme when global materials supply chains, particularly for imported steel, are unpredictable due to the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on the global economy.
Against this backdrop it’s important that the Government and NHS estate maximise the speed and repeatability of offsite construction and use component-led construction to reduce on-site labour and de-risk the delivery of the NHP programme. The revised programme also provides a major opportunity to retain as much economic value in the UK as possible.
Precast concrete is an established modern method of construction (MMC) offsite solution and is
increasingly playing a vital role in delivering high-quality, efficient healthcare buildings. Part of an essential UK concrete manufacturing sector, precast uses homegrown materials to reduce the demand for imports, ensure security of supply, while cutting carbon and protecting high skilled jobs.
Importantly, precast concrete components enable faster construction with minimal disruption which is crucial for live hospital environments but also repeatable hospital designs.
With consistent factory-controlled quality, precast elements provide excellent fire resistance, acoustic separation, and thermal performance, all of which are essential for patient safety, comfort, and operational efficiency.
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Although MMC is often associated with lightweight materials, precast concrete has long been established as a reliable MMC solution. The use of precast concrete panels for both floor and wall units has been proven over many years, offering significant benefits such as structural integrity, durability, fire resistance, and acoustic performance - often surpassing those of lightweight alternatives. Concrete is an inherently non-combustible material with the highest fire safety rating of class A1, reducing risk in a hospital environment.
From a health and safety perspective, construction workers can be better protected on MMC projects as its techniques reduce both the amount and scope of traditional on-site construction activities. The installation
of precast concrete has recently seen new innovations, including the use of air-inflated crash bags and nets to ensure that workers operate in the safest environment when fitting the precast elements.
The delivery of the newly revised NHP programme remains an ambitious plan but with new pragmatic timeframes. With standardised, high-quality designs it can be a blueprint for offsite delivery and an economic catalyst for the sector. Precast concrete has an important role in de-risking projects and delivering a new, modern NHS estate that’s fit for the future.
Images: 01-04. Precast concrete is a key MMC material to transform healthcare facilities.
Courtesy Techrete Ltd
During the COVID-19 pandemic, John Sisk & Son engaged Techrete to provide 348 precast concrete panels for the Rock Wing at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin. Designed by Scott Tallon Walker Architects, the brief was to create a modern wing which would provide the hospital with occupancy for an additional 5,000 patients annually.
Techrete’s punch window panels incorporate a terracotta veneer, with an acid etched finish to the concrete elements and glazing which was installed at their facility in Dublin. The flat wall panels to the stair core feature concrete fins, echoing the solar shading provided by the window fins on the main elevations. Dummy joints to the top of the stair core provide an additional design feature. The hospital emblem was cast into the large wall panel to the main building entrance using a bespoke rubber mould.
The Rock Wing won both ‘Building of the Year (Medical and Health)’ at the Building and Architect Awards 2024 and the ‘Public Buildings and Infrastructure’ award at the RIAI Awards the same year, as well as ‘Healthcare Project of the Year’ at the 2025 Irish Building and Design Awards this spring in Dublin. Steven McGee, Chief Operating Officer, Sisk Ireland & UK said: “This is an amazing example of a value for money approach to speedily developing a healthcare asset in super quick time during the pandemic.”
For more information visit: www.mpaprecast.org
Milbank Concrete Products have launched a Carbon Reduction Calculator, a pioneering tool designed to provide accurate carbon savings data for precast and prestressed concrete products.
This innovative tool, developed in-house and in-line with Milbank’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, will be included as standard in all quotations from 2025, enabling architects, developers, and contractors to make informed, eco-conscious decisions from the outset of their projects.
Lee Cowen, Managing Director of Milbank Concrete Products, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Milbank. The launch of our Carbon Reduction Calculator places us at the forefront of the industry, offering customers the transparency they need to make informed, responsible decisions. As the demand for low-carbon construction solutions grows, we are proud to be leading the way with this innovative tool, helping our customers to actively reduce their environmental impact while maintaining the high quality and performance they expect from Milbank.”
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) for Cement and Concrete – a first-of-its-kind transparent global rating system that will enable cement and concrete to be identified based on their carbon footprints. The ratings system is designed to help customers prioritise sustainability when selecting construction materials by using a clear and intuitive AA to G scale.
Inspired by well-known appraising schemes such as the EU’s Energy Performance Certificates and the US Home Energy Rating System, the LCR offers a simple, transparent, and adaptable tool that helps builders, architects, governments, planners, and consumers everywhere in the world to make more informed and sustainable choices.
Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said: “Cement and concrete are the foundations of modern life – from the buildings we live and work in, to the roads we travel, and the infrastructure that supports clean water and green energy. As global demand for sustainable construction grows, the need for greater transparency around the carbon footprint of construction materials is more critical than ever.
The Milbank Carbon Reduction Calculator is a direct result of years of investment in sustainability. Using data calculated against our 2018 baseline, the tool reflects a range of significant improvements made across Milbank’s manufacturing processes.
Writing in a web blog David Costin, Innovation and Strategy Director said: “For the first time, our customers will receive data about how much CO2 they have saved by using Milbank products, alongside every quote, allowing them to evaluate the environmental impact of their chosen precast concrete solutions. This will help businesses and individuals meet sustainability goals, support environmental certifications, and comply with new carbon reporting requirements being introduced across the construction sector.
“By integrating carbon reduction calculations into the early planning and procurement stages, we are empowering decision-makers to prioritise sustainability without the need for additional research or calculations. This seamless approach ensures that low-carbon alternatives are not only available but are actively encouraged as part of the quoting process.
“We are actively exploring new materials, innovative low-carbon concrete, and further enhancements to production efficiency to drive down emissions even further. With the construction industry evolving rapidly, we are continuing to take a proactive role in reducing environmental impact while delivering the high-quality precast concrete solutions we are known for.”
Source: www.milbank.co.uk
“Our Low Carbon Ratings system supports more sustainable procurement practices and will empower the entire value chain to accelerate decarbonisation. With this rating system in place, governments, policymakers and the private sector can now prioritise lower carbon cement and concrete in the procurement process which will in turn further stimulate the industry’s focus on decarbonising these essential building materials.”
The ratings system is designed to be easily recognisable – with a simple visual graphic that clearly indicates a product’s rating. The carbon rating system for cement and concrete provides consistency and comparability. Countries can adopt the global ratings as they are or adapt them if local carbon accounting differs from global norms. With notable construction projects already demonstrating the use of lower carbon cement and concrete, the industry is making important progress. The launch of this global rating system marks another milestone on the road to greater sustainability.
Marlène Dance, Decarbonisation & Sustainable Design Expert, at Bouygues Bâtiment International said: “We believe a globally consistent carbon rating system—adopted by all countries and used by all concrete suppliers—would be a game changer. We see great value in a simple, user-friendly tool, tailored for construction teams. It will help empower our site crews to better understand and manage the carbon footprint of the concrete they use.”
The GCCA worked with the Clean Energy Ministerial Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI) and stakeholders to create a set of globally applicable definitions for concrete. These are ready to use in most countries. If a country has a different practice for product carbon accounting, then adaptation of the ratings can be done. This has already been completed in the UK. The GCCA cement and concrete ratings can be used with national and local baselines and targets to support low carbon procurement.
Source: www.gccassociation.org
Building solutions specialist Aggregate Industries has rebranded to Holcim UK as part of a strategic shift to drive innovation and growth as a sustainable construction leader in the UK. Holcim UK’s strategy will see the organisation target significant growth in sales and sustainability – with particular focus on decarbonisation, circularity and nature – aiming to facilitate continued investment in its people, products and solutions.
Alongside a target to accelerate green growth, Holcim UK is committed to expanding the uptake of sustainable building materials in the UK. Currently a third of its turnover comes from sustainable products and it is aiming to continue to increase this in the next five years. With over 200 sites and 4,000 employees across the UK, the organisation’s 25 brands are uniting under Holcim UK to drive this growth. Building on trusted partnerships, the move is also set to provide customers with access to more seamless, enhanced services and sustainable solutions.
The consolidation comes as the UK construction industry faces increasing pressure to deliver more homes and buildings in line with emissions reduction
and environmental policy, amid predicted growth of up to 10% by 2026. To support customers with delivering projects quickly and sustainably, the newly unified Holcim UK is focused on developing strategic partnerships that provide customers with access to all product ranges for their projects across the UK.
Following 20 years as a UK-based subsidiary of Holcim Group, the new direction sees the business align more closely with its Swiss-based parent company, which operates across 70 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide. Holcim UK will leverage global insights, innovation and expertise in sustainable solutions from Holcim Group to enhance the business’s existing rich UK heritage and its understanding of the local market.
This presence in the UK market has already seen the launch of product ranges such as ECOPact low carbon readymix concrete, ECOPlanet range of low carbon cement, and its ECOCycle range of products, which are made from at least 10% recycled materials
This focus on circularity is underpinned by continued investment, including recent acquisitions of CDM specialist companies Land Recovery and Sivyer, in addition to innovations such as neustark – the technology which permanently locks carbon removed from the atmosphere into processed demolished concrete for new products.
Holcim UK’s strategy centres around its mission to make sustainable construction a reality, focusing on decarbonisation, nature, circularity and innovation. Its
aim is to achieve this through both its commitment to reducing its own impact on communities and the planet.
Lee Sleight, CEO of Holcim UK, said: “Our evolution from Aggregate Industries to Holcim UK is much more than a rebrand. It represents a commitment to leading the construction sector towards a more sustainable future through a commitment to innovation and collaboration.
“We are the same people with the same products and solutions that our customers have trusted over the years. But by uniting under one coherent brand, we have a renewed opportunity to drive more sustainable growth for our business and the many customers and suppliers we have formed strong partnerships with over the years.
"With such growth, we can continue to invest in the people and solutions capable of making a positive difference to customers and communities. Key to this will be our ongoing prioritisation of people, purpose and performance to achieve our ambitious revenue and sustainability growth targets. Through taking on the global brand, we can leverage Holcim Group’s global presence and the innovative solutions it has brought to a variety of different markets. With our renewed strategic direction, we will not only be able to reduce our environmental impact and make positive change as a business but be a trusted partner to our customers as they aim to do the same.”
Source: www.holcim.co.uk
Contractors building HS2 have completed work on a pair of innovative extensions to the southern portal of its longest tunnel to eliminate the possibility of ‘sonic boom’ being created by high-speed trains entering at 200mph. The structures, built at the southern end of the railway's 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel to the north-west of London, are near identical to those now under construction at its northern portal in Buckinghamshire.
All trains entering tunnels anywhere in the world force air forward, creating pulses of energy that roll along the tunnel causing a small release of air pressure into the outside world at the far end. Known scientifically as ‘micro pressure waves’, they are inaudible on conventional railways. But in high-speed rail tunnels, air shoved forward without escape routes can create powerful pressure waves that emerge as an audible ‘thud’ or ‘sonic boom’.
In a first for the UK rail network, HS2’s design includes extensions on all eight tunnels where trains enter at speeds above 140mph. However, the length, physical setting and aesthetic of those at each end of the line’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills mark them out as unique even to HS2.
HS2 Ltd chief engineer, Mark Howard explains: “The maximum speed of HS2 varies along the route. But where the train is entering a tunnel travelling above 140mph we are building portal extensions to prevent
‘sonic boom’ occurring. Although there are several tunnels on the line where train speed will be higher than in the Chiltern Tunnel, no other combines speeds of 200mph with length of 10 miles. Its these unique physical characteristics that demand unique structures at each end.”
First identified in 1974 during train testing on Japan’s then new 187mph ‘Sanyo’ shinkansen line, when people nearby noticed ‘booms’ near tunnel exits, the problem was solved by the invention of perforated portals extending from the tunnel entrance. Building on over 40 years of research by the international rail community, the engineering team from HS2 Ltd, engineering consultancy Arup together with the University of Birmingham and Dundee Tunnel Research, developed and laboratory-tested HS2’s tunnel portal design.
To mitigate against ‘sonic boom’ HS2’s tunnel beneath the Chiltern Hills requires bespoke portal extensions. Protruding up to 220 metres – around the length of two full-size football pitches – from a chalky cutting near the M25 motorway, they are each punctuated along one side with ventilation portholes. These enable some air pushed forward by the train to escape, making the pressure increase more gradual so that the micro-pressure wave emitted from the other end of the tunnel is undetectable.
In order to decide how long each extension needed to be for every HS2 tunnel, the team used micropressure wave measurements from Britain’s first high speed line between London and the Channel Tunnel, HS1 as the benchmark. The line’s tunnels do not experience sonic boom because the micro pressure waves are too weak. Therefore HS2’s research team used it as the basis to develop anti-sonic boom porous tunnel extensions for the new London-West Midlands high speed line.
Arup Fellow Richard Sturt said: “Arup is proud to have helped create a new international benchmark for the suppression of sonic booms with the HS2 tunnel portals. They are longer than any existing portals anywhere else in the world as we have prioritized seating capacity on the train, avoiding the need for a long nose section on the train like the Japanese shinkansen. The portals’ unique tapered design combined with the precision-sized holes provide an incredibly smooth build-up of pressure as the train enters the tunnel. As a result, there won’t be any audible noises from micro pressure waves, despite the extremely high train speeds.”
Source: www.hs2.org.uk
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The data centre sector is experiencing exponential growth globally as new technologies, increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, demand a significant increase in capacity. How does precast concrete fit into this shift?
The pace of development for these technologies is so rapid that time is of the essence. A failure to meet the urgent demand for data centres could hold back businesses and stifle the UK’s economic growth. This underscores the crucial role of data centre developers, engineers, architects, and industry stakeholders in ensuring the timely construction of these facilities. Offsite manufactured precast concrete is playing a major role in helping to overcome the construction challenges facing this sector, ensuring that the UK does not fall behind in this technology race.
Thermal mass to regulate internal temperatures
Data centres are critical to modern life. They are buildings containing banks of computers that power everything from
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the internet, AI, cryptocurrency, and streaming to our data storage cloud services. Concrete, being a dense material, possesses a property known as 'thermal mass’. This means it can absorb and store a significant amount of heat, which helps maintain a stable temperature inside the building. This not only reduces the need for artificial cooling systems but also saves energy and improves comfort.
Precast concrete was one of the original modern methods of construction (MMC), long before the term was coined. Hence, FP McCann undertakes numerous Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) projects across the UK and Ireland, including data centre construction.
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Products are manufactured in a factory environment, where quality consistency can be carefully maintained, and then delivered to the site for installation. This process can complete projects 25% to 50% quicker than traditional building methods. The speed of construction can be maximised by choosing precast concrete solutions for key building elements, such as lift shafts and walling, as well as for the primary structural framing.
Standardised and customisable precast components also enhance the efficiency and scalability of data centres, and modular precast designs are beneficial in enabling the future expansion of data centres. Additionally, choosing precast can also mean reduced disruption to the
RBL's precast ground beam system, RBeam, is developed in-house and manufactured to factory standards, offering a superior alternative to traditional in-situ ground beams.
RBL’s precast system saves between 2 and 5 tonnes of CO e per plot in comparison to insitu foundations.
This ensures a precise, consistent precast system, supported by readily available stock beams.
The system includes design, manufacture, setting out, and installation, ensuring a fast and efficient construction process.
site and surrounding areas, as fewer delivery vehicles may be needed to transport construction products to the site. This is also a sustainability benefit.
Easing the skills shortage
Another significant benefit of precast products being made offsite is that they can be assembled with relative ease on-site. Using precast concrete instead of other approaches, such as brick and block or metal cladding and roofing, reduces the number of trades needed on-site. This is a significant advantage given the national skills shortage affecting the construction industry.
Given the critically important, high profile role data centres play in our national infrastructure, they are a target for terrorism – hence their design requires sandwich cladding from the ground to a height of 3.5m. Precast
walling can be used here to provide a high-strength solution that is robust enough to resist the impact of such attacks.
Precast concrete also offers a high level of resistance to fire compared to other materials. This is a critical consideration for data centres, given the presence of extensive electrical equipment and networked systems. FP McCann can even cast conduits into the precast concrete floor and roof products to reduce reliance on plastic conduits, which are more vulnerable to fire.
loads
The strength of precast concrete is also more suitable for accommodating the weight of the technology packed into data centres. Choosing precast concrete flooring, such as beam and block or hollowcore planks, is very
effective at accommodating heavy equipment loads, raised access floors, and cooling systems, among other structural objectives. Precast flooring panels can also span significantly further than many other materials, which can result in fewer structural columns being needed. This increases the versatility of internal spaces, allowing them to be reconfigured more efficiently throughout the data centre's operational life.
The sustainability credentials of precast concrete also enable developers to meet stringent targets related to embodied carbon and whole-life carbon emissions, aligning with globally recognised sustainable building standards such as BREEAM and LEED. The processes used by FP McCann for manufacturing, for example, are designed to optimise resource and energy efficiency, including through recovery and recycling initiatives. The result is a product with an exceptionally long lifespan, manufactured most efficiently. In addition, FP McCann’s design team is accredited to BIM Level 2. By integrating BIM throughout the design and construction process, they can support carbon footprint analysis and material optimisation.
How FP McCann supports data centre developers, engineers and architects
FP McCann’s in-house designers are highly experienced, skilled and resourced to add significant value throughout the design and construction of data centres. The broader FP McCann team is structured to deliver comprehensive end-to-end design and engineering support, providing assistance from early concept design to installation, to ensure seamless project execution. For example, custom detailing can be developed for complex layouts and equipment-heavy zones, and realtime updates to models can be done to accommodate late-stage design changes. It all adds up to a more efficient construction process, enabling the rapid delivery of data centres.
For more information visit: www.fpmccann.co.uk
Images: 01-04. Precast concrete is an ideal offsite approach to providing secure surroundings for critical infrastructure such as data centres
Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL), a leading specialist in foundation solutions, has successfully installed a comprehensive precast foundation package solution for a residential development in Kettering. The project was carried out in collaboration with ground works specialist, C3 Construction, showcasing the benefits of a streamlined partnership to deliver quality and cost-effective results for the client.
The development consists of 72 residential plots and 21 garages, all completed within a single construction phase. RBL installed Driven Precast Concrete Piles capable of accommodating the required compressive, horizontal, and heave forces on the scheme. The piles were driven to an average length of 10m, penetrating through made ground and into the underlying clay. This approach was selected to meet the specific ground conditions of the site, ensuring a stable and durable foundation solution.
RBL delivered a complex and efficient foundation solution for this project, utilising both precast RBeam and bespoke cast-on-site ground beams for
different site conditions. Completing the entire the full foundation package in 20 weeks.
Sustainability was also a key consideration during the project. RBL utilised low-carbon concrete across all precast products. This specialist concrete mix reduces the carbon footprint without compromising on durability or strength and is designed and specified to ensure enhanced performance that is suitable under different conditions, making it robust and durable enough for a variety of soil types allowing the beams to perform in challenging environments. This solution also significantly reduces waste on site – its ‘kit of parts’ approach means fewer materials are needed and less gets wasted during construction.
All RBeam designs are optimised though selection of fit for purpose solutions from our range of standardised manufactured foundation beams and components that form part of the RBeam system. This ensures efficient cost-effective use materials specified without compromising on project specific requirements.
Collaboration with C3 Construction played a key role in the success of this project. By working closely from the outset, both parties agreed on working platform levels early in the process, allowing time for the recovery of the stone piling platform. This seamless coordination not only reduced costs for the end client but also ensured the project remained on schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Commenting on the project, Luke Taylor, RBL's Regional Operations Manager, said: “The success of this project highlights the value of a strong partnership with C3 Construction. Their proactive approach and expertise in groundworking enabled us to coordinate seamlessly, reducing delays and ensuring the foundations were completed to the highest standards.”
Source: www.roger-bullivant.co.uk
Combilift recently unveiled its pioneering SelfPropelled Inloader COMBi-SPI at Bauma 2025. This highly anticipated launch marked a significant milestone in the transport of high loads, such as precast concrete, wall panels or glass A-frames, within production facilities and yard environments.
Development of the COMBi-SPI began in April 2022, driven by the need for an efficient, manoeuvrable, and cost-effective alternative to expensive trailers and trucks. The objective was clear: to create a versatile solution capable of handling 30-tonne loads on industry standard Inloader Pallets with superior visibility, agility, and ease of operation.
The collaboration with Spaansen, a specialist in precast concrete, influenced the design through to the final stages. Early prototypes focused on reducing overall length and width and enhancing manoeuvrability for working in busy production facilities. However, the project took a significant turn when Spaansen opted for a fully electric model middevelopment. This shift required a complete redesign to integrate the electric wheel motors as well as fit the
interchangeable batteries into the legs of the machine. Advanced features include:
• Side-Facing Cab: Provides operators with a clear view of both the load and direction of travel, ensuring enhanced safety and precision
• Sliding Load Supports: Adjustable supports along the chassis to accommodate various load lengths and heights during travel
• Pivoting Front Dual-Wheel Configuration: Eliminates the need for suspension, optimises stability and gives a tighter turning circle
• 300mm Ground Clearance: Designed for both concrete and gravel yards, offering reliability across diverse work environments
• Power Options: Available in Electric (with interchangeable battery system), Diesel, and LPG, catering to different operational needs
• Large Solid Tires for durability and yard maintenance
• Compact Yet Powerful: The short chassis enhances load support, maintains a low centre of gravity and offers more manoeuvrability, especially while operating within production facilities.
With unmatched manoeuvrability and faster operational speed, the Self-Propelled Inloader transforms yard-based logistics by eliminating the reliance on multiple trailers and shunters, significantly enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs for businesses handling oversized, high loads.
“This project showcases Combilift’s commitment to innovation and customer-driven design,” said Josh Moffett - Heavy Equipment Manager at Combilift.
“We’ve leveraged decades of expertise in specialised transport machinery to develop a state-of-theart solution that meets the evolving needs of the concrete and glass industries.”
Source: www.combilift.com/spi
The award-winning HMP Millsike was officially opened on 28 March by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt. Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, and Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson OBE.
Showcasing precast concrete technology, HMP Millsike is a Category C prison and has a capacity of around 1500. It is the UK’s first all-electric prison and is the first prison in the UK that has been delivered as part of an alliance, the Alliance 4 New Prisons (A4NP). The Ministry of Justice will deliver 20,000 new prison places overall, with the A4NP delivering 6000 of those. Building on the work Kier did at HMP Five Wells, this model allows the members of the alliance to focus on repeatability and continuous improvement to drive better performance in capital delivery and lifecycle costs.
The project used 14,550 precast concrete components and circa 90,000 subcomponents manufactured across nine factories. DfMA played a huge role in the construction of HMP Millsike with PCE Ltd’s award winning HybriDfMA Secure Prison System being used following the successful completion of HMP Five Wells, at Wellingborough and HMP Fosse Way, Glen Parva. HMP Millsike runs solely on electricity, making it the first of its kind in the UK, with more than 8,500kwh of renewable energy
being generated to power it. Solar panels, heat pump technology and more efficient lighting systems mean that it will use approximately a quarter of the energy used to heat traditional Victorian prisons.
Kier’s Strategic Projects team worked collaboratively with in-house mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) experts to manage the vast and complex MEP installations. Innovative digital processes and programmes were used to deliver HMP Millsike, including OpenBIM and digital standardisation. Led by Kier, the digital construction process provided a trackable and accurate build process throughout delivery – from design and manufacture through to installation. Digital platform, Ynomia, was used to generate a 3D digital twin to visualise every component, ensuring the use and performance of each one was monitored in real time during the build, saving considerable time and money.
Stuart Togwell, Group Managing Director at Kier Construction, said: "Using our significant experience in the justice sector, Kier has delivered a state-ofthe-art, carbon-efficient facility designed to support
rehabilitation, which has also provided new jobs, economic investment and skills development for the surrounding communities.”
Rt. Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, added: HMP Millsike sets the standard for the jails of the future, with cutting crime built into its very fabric. It is a huge step in our plan to add 14,000 extra prison places by 2031. But building jails only takes us so far in ending this crisis, which is why we’re also reviewing sentencing so we can always lock up dangerous offenders and make our streets safer."
Kier has extensive experience delivering justice projects, including the multi award-winning HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, utilising an innovative houseblock design that was manufactured offsite, which was also replicated at HMP Millsike. HMP Millsike was procured via the Crown Commercial Services - Construction Works and Associated Services framework.
Source: www.kier.co.uk
OFFSITE EXPO brings together those who are driving change in the construction sector – the event will play host to the leading UK and international offsite manufacturers and component suppliers showcasing a broad spectrum of panelised and volumetric modular systems, plus pod and prefabricated MEP solutions.
>4000 VISITORS targeted
>150 EXHIBITORS
1 OFFSITE BUYERS FORUM
