Category Archives: Construction News

Construction, Construction News, Midlands News, News

Construction boom leads to £120,000 investment in Bruderer high-speed press line

Taking advantage of new reshoring opportunities has seen a Warwick-based manufacturer invest more than £120,000 in its first high-speed press line with Bruderer UK.

JBS Products Ltd, known worldwide for its patented hook-on plaster bead, has installed a precision BSTA 25H press line at its Park Farm factory.

The machine is set to deliver greater accuracy and increased capacity, meaning the family-run business can guarantee process stability and part quality for its innovative building products that are bought direct or stocked in the likes of Selco, Travis Perkins and RJ Builders Hardware.

This new addition, which features advanced tooling automation, is set to be utilised on several new projects that are meeting the increasing demand for UK-manufactured products and will help deliver greater security of supply following significant global disruption.

“Having worked with Bruderer technology before, there was only one machine I wanted to have in our press shop when the opportunity came to expand,” explained Bud Dhinjan, Founder and CEO of JBS Products.

“We had enjoyed a number of reshoring successes and, in order to keep up with demand, we had to increase our press capability and that is why we decided to purchase a new BSTA 25H press line to give us that tremendous reliability and the famous Bruderer service.”

He continued: “Our reputation has been built on providing quality, innovative products that are cost effective and make the end-users life as simple and easy as possible, offering our wholesale customers a one-stop shop for design, product development and volume production.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we have seen demand rocket, driving the employment of an additional five people and prompting investment in a further £250,000 onsite toolroom at our Warwick works to maintain a double shift pattern.”

Bruderer UK’s technical team worked with JBS to spec out the BSTA 25H, which consists of a precision feeder BBV 202/120, dual stock decoiler, cut-to-length system and full press line control.

Scott Baker, Technical Sales Manager at Bruderer UK, commented: “This machine will future-proof JBS’ production and delivers unrivalled speed, precision and reliability for the firm’s growing customer base. Bud and his team will also benefit from our full technical support and back-up for decades to come.”

Manny Dhinjan, Sales Director at JBS Products, concluded: “The installation process is going to be fully project-managed by Bruderer, meaning we can concentrate on meeting production increases and putting in place the platform we need to maximise several reshoring opportunities we are currently working on.”

Awards, Construction, Construction News, London News, News, Property

Project manager wins prestigious award for housing project in Greenwich

A project manager from Bellway London has won a national award for overseeing the construction of high-quality new homes in Greenwich.

Jason Spink has been named as a recipient of this year’s Pride in the Job Quality Award in recognition of his work at The River Gardens development off Banning Street.

Construction work is nearing completion at the site, where all 264 homes for private sale have now been sold.

He is among the 443 winners who have been selected to receive the accolade by the National House Building Council (NHBC) from a pool of more than 8,000 site managers from across the country. These recipients will now be considered for the Seal of Excellence later this year.

Pride in the Job celebrates site managers who achieve the highest standards in construction and has become one of the most prestigious competitions in the housebuilding industry since it was first held more than 40 years ago.

This is the second time that Jason has won a Quality Award, having previously picked up the prize in 2014.

Jason, 52, who lives in Basildon, Essex, said: “This award is a very satisfying achievement for our whole team because it acknowledges the effort and care that we put into each home that we build.

“We have gone above and beyond to please our customers throughout our time at The River Gardens. That is why I believe that our team fully deserved to win the Quality Award.”

After starting out in the construction industry as a carpenter at the age of 17, Jason joined Bellway as a site manager in 2009.

He continued: “I first went into carpentry because my father and my elder brother were both working for a local developer as carpenters, and I have been employed in the construction sector ever since.

“The best thing about working for Bellway is that I have been able to build strong working relationships with those on my team because we all take pride in the homes we hand over to our buyers.

“My plan for the coming years is to keep performing to the high standards we have managed to achieve at Bellway so that our customers can continue to expect the best from us.”

John Haggerstone, Construction Director for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “For our site managers, winning an NHBC award in any year is rewarding, but this year has been a special achievement in such challenging circumstances, ensuring our building sites are kept to the highest standards we set ourselves at Bellway, and keeping our customers and local residents happy with the work we are doing across those sites.

“Jason and his team have consistently demonstrated their excellence in delivering new homes to our customers over the past 12 months and Bellway is extremely proud of and grateful for their efforts, resulting in the Quality Award they have been deservingly given by NHBC. We would wish Jason all the very best for the next stage of the NHBC awards this year, as he progresses to the Seal of Excellence phase of judging.”

To find out more about the new homes being built by Bellway London, visit https://www.bellwaylondon.co.uk.

 

CAPTION:

  • (Left to Right) Site Manager Nicolae Marius Cocos with Project Manager Jason Spink at Bellway’s River Gardens development

 

About Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes is a FTSE 250 Index listed residential housebuilder based in Newcastle upon Tyne, employing almost 3,000 staff across 22 Divisions across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bellway began as a small family business in the North East in 1946 – with a passion for building exceptional quality homes in carefully selected locations, inspired by the needs of real families. We are proud of our heritage in the North East, and remain one of the region’s largest employers, with our Head Office still being located in Newcastle upon Tyne.

To this day, we maintain these same core values, combining our decades of expertise with the level of personalised care that Bellway is known for.

We are delighted to have been awarded 5 star builder status by the Home Builders Federation for the sixth year running, with 9 out of 10 customers saying they would recommend us to a friend.

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

Salford’s First Install acquired by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery with plans for growth

Salford-based furniture installation and interior fit out specialist First Install has been purchased by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition strengthens both businesses creating a new multi-million pound partnership with operating bases in both the north and south of the country with the ability to deliver a wide range of bespoke joinery, manufacturing, installations, and interior fit out solutions to clients nationwide.

With two offices and a combined team of more than 50 personnel, both First Install and Apex Joinery can expect to double turnover in the coming 12 months to more than £5million, with plans to recruit across all areas of the business and embark on a period of concerted growth by securing new clients right across the country.

Both businesses bring a strong reputation for quality, expertise and operational excellence to the new venture which will seamlessly provide clients in the retail, leisure, hospitality, office, commercial and industrial sectors with a turnkey solution to installations and bespoke interior fit outs.

The service will take ideas from vision to reality, covering the complete process from initial concept and design development through prototypes, production and manufacture, furniture and retail display selection and interior layout advice complete with comprehensive 3D visuals and flythrough animation to final installation and handover with warehousing, storage and refurbishment-related construction undertaken as necessary.

Head of sales and operations at First Install, Mike McVey, commented: “By joining forces, we have extended our geographical capabilities and established a new multi million pound nationwide operator with the shared aim of becoming the first choice for the design, manufacture and installation of beautiful interior fit outs along with furniture and retail display installation, across a range of different industry sectors.

“In addition to being a mutually beneficial partnership, both combined businesses are committed to further growth and job creation and plan to bring additional complementary businesses on board forming an all-encompassing and experienced group that offers added value and choice for clients and give the client a compelling reason to choose us when selecting an installation, manufacturing and fit out partner.”

Despite initially doubling in size, turnover and service capabilities, customer satisfaction, attention to detail and a personal approach remain at the heart of every project for the newly merged team.

Mike McVey will head up sales and operations for the new venture, drawing on his vast experience which includes Makro, Halfords and Manchester City Football Club (Kitbag) to name just a few past clients.

With both companies established for more than two decades, First Install and Apex Joinery are renowned for excellence in their operating sectors; First Install delivering professional furniture installation and specialist fit out and Apex Joinery delivering high quality purpose-made joinery. For further information on either business, please visit www.firstinstall.co.uk or www.apexjoinery.co.uk.

 

 

Construction, Construction News, Health, Healthcare, Healthcare News, News, South East

Morgan Sindall Construction completes hat-trick of hospital refurbishment in Norfolk

Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new refurbishment scheme at the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following the successful delivery of two previous upgrade projects, signalling its total commitment to working with them long term.  

The Great Yarmouth-based hospital now benefits from refurbishment work to Ophthalmic Theatre 8, the latest in a series of three upgrades at the site totalling £3.8m.  

The Morgan Sindall Construction Eastern Counties business had previously formed a strong partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust throughout two previous projects during the pandemic. The 872 sq. ft. refurbished operating theatre includes a separate prep and scrub room. 

Relying on its strong partnership with the hospital, Morgan Sindall Construction have ensured that the construction activity has not impacted the vital work of the live hospital site.   

Taking into account key considerations, such as the worksite being located in the middle of an active hospital where there are no out-of-office hours and that intricate surgery can take place just metres away, has been an important aspect of the project’s design and build.  

As part of the refurbishment, the pre-existing theatre was demolished, converted and refitted. In order to not disrupt the flow of the hospital, Morgan Sindall Construction built and utilised an external entry point. 

Alister Broadberry, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Eastern Counties, said: “This is now the third project we have completed on behalf of James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and it has been a privilege to build upon our previous partnership formed with the hospital.  

“Through this long-standing project we have formed a close relationship with the team and key stakeholders at the hospital. This, in addition to our experience constructing in delicate surroundings, has been beneficial for the whole project team when delivering the intricate refitting work required for the project. 

“It is not only the refurbished hospital theatre that the community will now benefit from, as Morgan Sindall Construction’s commitment to using local contractors and employing local people has generated additional value for the Great Yarmouth area.” 

Richard Varvel, Estates Capital Programme Manager at the James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Located above and adjacent to the ‘live’ clinical areas, refurbishment work to create a new Ophthalmic Theatre has been particularly challenging.  

“Working closely with hospital staff, Morgan Sindall Construction managed the work with minimal disruption to patients, keeping to a tight project programme and within budget. Feedback from staff using the new Theatre has been great, allowing the hospital to increase surgical capacity for cataract operations and other eye surgery going forward.” 

Charity & CSR, Construction, Construction News, News, South East

Chichester builders merchant supports homeless charity with funding

The Chichester depot of Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has donated £4,500 to Stonepillow, helping the local charity replace flooring in its Chichester hostel.

Formed in 1989, the charity supports and empowers homeless people across West Sussex by offering a complete recovery journey that focuses on improving health and wellbeing. It provides community outreach services to support rough sleepers, residential services to help people gain stability within the community, supported accommodation for those recovering from homelessness, and a residential community-based abstinence service for people recovering from substance misuse.

Stonepillow’s Chichester hostel has 11 individual bedrooms, bathrooms and a communal area. The charity relies on donations and funding, and received a grant to help with renovations, but needed further funds to enable the flooring in all bedrooms and the communal lounge to be replaced.

Hilary Bartle, CEO of Stonepillow, commented:

“We want to recognise the support that Covers has provided not only to Stonepillow, but also the wider community, over many years. We are deeply grateful to all that Covers and the Green family do to support Stonepillow and our community and for helping so rapidly on this occasion.”

Rupert Green, Chairman of Covers, added:

“We have helped Stonepillow support some of the most vulnerable in our community for many years by providing materials along with large cash donations. We were delighted to step in again to help replace flooring in the hostel, it looks great.”

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, Construction, Construction News, News, South West, Sport

Earthstone Construction takes on parent group Stonewood on football pitch to aid cancer charity

WORKERS from Wiltshire construction company Stonewood Group swapped bricks for kicks in aid of a cancer charity when they took to the football pitch for a fundraising match.

A team from groundworking division Earthstone Construction took on a combined team made up of workers from Stonewood Builders, Stonewood Partnerships and Stonewood Homes to raise £1,200 for the Ben Saunders Foundation, a charity that runs holiday homes for young people with cancer

It was set up by 18-year-old Bath City academy footballer Ben Saunders, the son of former Chippenham Town and Calne Town manager Tommy Saunders, just before he died from cancer in August 2020.

Earthstone Construction Director Shane Andrews, who played for Mr Saunders at Chippenham Town, said: “We wanted to do something for the charity and had played a game before lockdown so it seemed the right time to do it again. It’s a brilliant cause and Tommy has done a fantastic job with it.”

The charity, which has so far raised more than £375,000, owns and operates two holiday lodges near Cirencester to give young people undergoing treatment some respite. It has hosted 115 families in two years and will open a third lodge in September.

Mr Andrews added: “We had great support from Stonewood Group as well from Marshfield FC, who gave us use of their ground for free, Melksham Town, who supplied the footballs, Hayden Hubbard who refereed the game and clients Alide Hire, Kellaway Building Supplies, CLB Hire, Marches Precast and Keyline (Bristol and Swindon) who donated.”

The game ended in a 6-1 victory for Stonewood Builders. “They were a bit younger and fitter than us but it was a good game,” said Mr Andrews, who managed the Earthstone team but was unable to play after injuring his calf while playing for Yate Town against a Manchester United legends team recently.

The Stonewood team, led by Stonewood Homes Managing Director Joe Bergson, had to thank man of the match goalkeeper Mark Maidment for keeping them in the game at times. The teams played for the Tom Andrews Trophy, named after Mr Andrews’ grandfather who was a former chairman of the club. “It was really good of the club to let us play for the trophy,” he said.

Stonewood Group Chief Executive Officer Matt Aitkenhead, whose father Neill founded the firm 50 years ago this year, was among the 70 spectators made up of family and friends. He said: “Sport is a common theme that runs through the group because a many of us met through it and the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork are important to us.

“It’s great that sport on this occasion was a chance to bring staff and families together and raise money for a wonderful cause that makes a real difference to young people.”

The company provided a barbecue for players and spectators after the game. “It was a great evening,” said Mr Andrews. “Everyone enjoyed the game and the food and drinks after. It was a really good chance to continue building our teamwork and raise money at the same time.

“It was really encouraging that we had 35 players taking part and it meant we could have rolling substitutes. We would love to make this an annual event with more teams from the group so that we can raise even more money.”

Mr Saunders said: “Huge thanks to Shane Andrews and everyone connected to Stonewood and Earthstone, every penny raised goes to support young people with cancer and bereaved parents. Stonewood’s Matt Aitkenhead and [Chief Operating Officer] Ben Lang have been friends of mine for 30 years and it is lovely they have been able to support us.”

Find out more about the Ben Saunders Foundation at bensaundersfoundation.org.

Pictured: The Earthstone Construction team who took part in the Stonewood Group fundraising match at Marshfield FC

Construction, Construction News, News

Roann Limited secures exclusive worktop supply rights for £157 million Sackville Road project

Premium quartz and granite worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has secured the £200,000 contract to provide work surfaces to the Brighton-based Sackville Road project by contractor, Moda Living. 

The Wakefield-based business was appointed by Deanestor, the furniture manufacturer, to supply 600 state-of-the art apartments with 20mm Cosentino Silestone Lagoon quartz, made up of premium natural minerals and recycled materials. 

The new urban village development will be located in the centre of Brighton, near to Hove train station – and just a short walk away from the sea-front. The scheme will range from studio, one, two and three-bedroom properties to a penthouse apartment. The development will be transformed into an intergenerational neighbourhood, suitable for families and individuals – the site will also include 260 care community homes. 

Residents will be able to benefit from a number of onsite amenities such as a 24-hour gym, flexible co-working spaces, a roof terrace, BBQ area and so much more. Construction is well underway and the Sackville Road site is set for completion in early 2024. 

Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited, says: “The Sackville Road project is a fantastic opportunity for us to further broaden our portfolio. The Silestone quartz worktops and splashbacks will be sleek, contemporary and designed to last. With a strong focus on community, this inner-city regeneration scheme is a fantastic addition to the already vibrant city. We look forward to seeing the completed project!”

Construction, Construction News, News

Leeds College of Building Among Top UK Apprenticeship Training Providers 

Leeds College of Building is celebrating after being named in the RateMyApprenticeship Best 50 Training Providers 2022-2023.

Announced at a RateMyApprenticeship Best Employers and Training Providers Virtual Event, the awards celebrate organisations leading the way in offering world-class apprenticeships to school and college leavers in the UK.

Rankings are based on thousands of honest and authentic student apprenticeship reviews on the national website RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk. The RateMyApprenticeship Awards champion apprentices, schools, employers, and training providers for their efforts in the apprenticeship market.

Leeds College of Building was named the top-ranking Further Education college in the north of England and the only college in West Yorkshire to make the top 50 training providers (17th place).

College partners BAM, Mott MacDonald, ARUP, EQUANS, and Balfour Beatty were all named in the 100 Top Employers.

Rob Smith, Apprenticeship Contracts Manager at Leeds College of Building, said:

“We’re thrilled to be recognised as the top Further Education College nationally for delivering exceptional Apprenticeship training. It is even more significant as it is voted for by students. Well done to all our staff and assessors for their dedication to the experience of our students and for working so diligently with employers, especially after the challenges faced since the pandemic.”

Appointments, Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

Changing of the guard at Downing Construction

Andy Thomas has been promoted from Technical Director to Operations Director at Downing Construction, following the retirement of Director and Head of Construction Ian Orton, as the developer continues to progress at pace with its £1bn pipeline.
After 24 years with the company, Ian has decided to take a step back, however he will continue to work with Downing as a Non-Executive Director.
Sally O’Brien, Joint Chief Executive at Downing, said: “We are really pleased that Ian will still be involved with Downing. He is responsible for the great team we have established at Downing; each member being guided through his experience. The whole team are immensely grateful for his loyalty and dedication, that has led to the delivery of many high-profile projects for us.
“Andy has been a rising star since joining us and is someone who was earmarked very early on as a future leader. It’s very fitting that having been mentored by Ian from the start of his career, he is now taking over the helm. He has a wealth of experience and has played a pivotal role in some of our largest regeneration projects and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
Over the years, Ian and Andy have worked together on some of Downing’s landmark schemes including Broadcasting Place in Leeds [Best Tall Building in the World 2010 from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)], Downing Plaza – Newcastle, and £80m School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University.
Andy said: “It is no secret that the construction industry has had some challenging times the last few years with changes in legislation, insurance market challenges, supply chain issues, energy costs, Brexit, Net Zero to name a few. Downing has met every one of these challenges with motivation and enthusiasm and this is something we will continue to carry into this next chapter.
“I am extremely honoured to take on this role within Downing and proud to follow in Ian’s footsteps. We are lucky to have a great team which has been built and guided by Ian since it was first founded.”
Downing is currently on site at one of its biggest developments to date, First Street, a £400m mixed-use co-living scheme in Manchester city centre.
Last year, Downing took over the former Children’s Hospital site in Edinburgh as part of its £150m mixed-use scheme to deliver a five-storey 323 student accommodation building, 95 private residential properties, as well as affordable housing.
Construction, Construction News, News, South West

Stonewood Group founder tells of his pride as staff and families enjoy 50th anniversary celebration

MORE than 400 members of  Wiltshire construction firm Stonewood Group’s staff and their families enjoyed games, music and food at an evening to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The family company, founded by Neill Aitkenhead and partner Tim Saunders in 1972, began, as he told the crowd during an emotional speech at Biddestone Cricket Club, as “a couple of likely lads, an old truck and two rusty acrows”.

His son Matt and his friend Ben Lang – now Chief Executive and Chief Operating officers – joined the firm and eventually took it on in 2009. They built on its reputation for quality and expertise in refurbishing historic buildings and grew the company to its present size of 350 employees across five divisions with offices in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, Tormarton in Gloucestershire, Kidlington in Oxfordshire, Castle Carey in Somerset and Exeter in Devon.

When they took on the company it was turning over around £2 million – last September it posted a year end turnover of £60 million.

Mr Aitkenhead senior told staff and their families: “I have an almost overwhelming sense of pleasure in seeing a gathering of this kind here tonight. Fifty years is a long spell, you don’t think of it as fifty years as you go along but if you doubt the journey Stonewood has made, I look around here tonight and realise the journey has been a remarkable one.”

He said evening should be about looking forward, not backward. “So it is an obvious moment for me to pay tribute to Matt and to Ben, their generation, and the innumerable good people both on site and off who have made it all happen over time,” he added.

Staff from all of the group’s division soaked up the sunshine with their families and enjoyed free food and drinks from a cocktail bar, gin bar and beer and cider tent. Before that they worked up an appetite with an inter-company tug-of-war contest that, unsurprisingly ended in victory for Stonewood Builders’ muscular site team.

Youngsters were entertained with inflatables, gladiator and football games, mini-golf and a candy floss stall, while adults enjoyed a bucking bronco and live music from Corsham band Funk City. There was also a raffle with prizes donated by clients and suppliers.

It was the second year running the group has help a summer event for staff and families but Mr Lang said this year’s was taken to another level because of the anniversary. He said the evening was an idea opportunity to bring people together. “It was a very special evening and a chance to see people’s families and spend time with them in a social setting,” he said.

“We wanted to really reinforce the fact that we are one team, one big family, and celebrate the fact that we have been doing that for 50 years. Finding ways to do that when you are such a big team scattered so wide is harder to do now so it was really lovely to see everyone, as well as some old friends.”

He said the group’s growth is a testament to the way it has stayed true to its ethos. “We’ve always tried to make everyone feel they are important, no matter what division they are in and we are successful because of that collective effort and the energy, drive, innovation and creativity within the group.”

Pictured: Staff enjoying Stonewood Group’s 50th anniversary celebration at Biddestone Cricket Club