Category Archives: Construction

Business & Property News, Charity & CSR, Construction, Construction News, Midlands, Midlands News, Property & Construction

Miss Macaroon urges construction leaders to create social value in the West Midlands

A leading social entrepreneur has called on construction leaders to engage more with young people and communities to ensure they deliver greater social value in the West Midlands.

Rosie Ginday MBE, founder of Miss Macaroon, made the rallying call at the ‘Building a Brighter Future’ luncheon held earlier this week in Birmingham, which involved more than 40 experts from the field and representatives from key funders and national agencies like Homes England.

It was a clear message to a sector that generates billions for the regional economy and was reinforced by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker via a video address and keynote speakers including Gemma Bourne (Better Society Capital) and Simon Chisholm (Resonance).

The event provided a review of the current landscape and how more businesses and local authorities are prioritising social value, giving it the same importance as environmental performance. Leo Pollak, Head of Housing Policy at the West Midlands Combined Authority, also shared ‘the great opportunity for the 12,000 construction businesses in the region to create social value’.

Delegates heard how firms can address skills shortages through social impact programmes, such as Miss Macaroon’s All Rise Partnerships – an opportunity to create a bespoke course based on the proven ‘Macaroons that Make a Difference’ concept that has helped hundreds of young people overcome barriers to employment.

 

“It was a really positive event with a real commitment from all attendees to create more social value in the West Midlands,” explained Rosie.

“There was some fantastic best practice being shared, with some construction companies already linking the delivery of their social value with their personal KPIs and bonuses, which drives real innovation and engagement.”

 

She went on to add: “We want to get the message out there that being ‘social’ is an opportunity and not a cost to the business and one of the ways we can directly assist is by crafting programmes that will give people – who traditionally have faced barriers to work – the confidence and softer skills needed to consider a career in construction.

“We’ve done it for catering, we’ve done it for hotels, and we’re doing it for retail…construction is ready to be the next big adopter.”

 

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, added his support: “This event is crucial for discussing the importance of young people and the difference investing in young people can make to their lives.

“It is a big priority of mine to help them access the skills and the training opportunities they need to get better jobs and build successful careers here in the West Midlands.”

 

Hayley Millar, Social Value Manager at Wates Construction, concluded: “Social value sits in the heart of Wates Construction and all our projects aim to have a positive impact on the communities we work in.

“It was lovely to see current social value programmes delivered in the West Midlands, whilst also exploring new ways to reach communities, which is always a good thing.”

 

For further information, please visit https://missmacaroon.co.uk/pages/all-rise-Partnerships

 

Image Caption: (L-R) Grace England (Resonance), Gemma Bourne (Better Society Capital), Simon Chisholm (Resonance), Rosie Ginday MBE (Miss Macaroon), Abigaile Bromfield (Homes England), Avril Grant (AVision), Chris Sood-Nicholls (Lloyds Banking Group), Nicola Turner MBE (United By 2022), Jean Templeton (St Basils), Hayley Millar (Wates Construction).

 

 

 

Construction, Construction News, Contract Wins, Education

Fabricator goes west to support next school project

CARDIFF-based fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium is supporting the redevelopment of Portfield School in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Portfield School is a special educational needs school for students aged between three and nineteen in the county with a diverse range of complex and profound learning needs.

Funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its ‘Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme’, the redevelopment of the school includes replacing the current lower school building, refurbishing the sixth form centre and the creation of a new children’s residential centre.

The new and updated facilities will feature specialist therapy rooms, breakout and sensory spaces and dedicated outdoor areas to meet the needs of the school’s students.

Dudley’s Aluminium has teamed up with Morgan Sindall Construction on this project and will install Kawneer doors, windows and capped curtain walling on the build.

The fabricator has previously worked with Morgan Sindall Construction on another school in the town, Haverfordwest High VC School, which has won a number of awards including prestigious Constructing Excellence in Wales awards.

Colin Shorney, Managing Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “We are excited to be back in Haverfordwest to work with Morgan Sindall Construction on another school project to benefit learners in Pembrokeshire. This ambitious project will deliver a modern campus and improved learning environment for students with additional needs.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

Commercial Property, Commercial Property News, Construction, North of England, North-West England

Inco Contracts on course to complete £2.85m St Helens refurb

One of Inco Contracts’ largest projects in the North West is just six weeks away from completion.

The principal contractor is in the process of completing the full refurbishment of the £2.85m, 102,694 sq ft ‘Eurolinks’ warehouse and office block in St Helens for Black Cat Building Consultancy and landlord EQT Exeter.

 

Phase 1 strip out and demolition of the previous tenant installed 2-story office started in March, with up to 50 people at any one time working to ensure the company meets the nine-month schedule.

Roof works have included the removal of redundant flues, vents and penetrations, whilst specialists have replaced top skin skylights, installed a secondary siphonic system and applied cutting-edge corrosion treatment and gutter coatings.

 

One of the most complex aspects of the work to date has been the installation of new dock leveller ramps and external dock housings and shelters.

“This sizeable refurbishment project shows how far we have come in the North West and how our reputation for speed, quality and trust is winning work ahead of our rivals,” explained Matthew Penswick, Regional Director in the North West.

“Eurolinks will be a real statement strip-out and refit, providing a gleaming warehouse and office block that the client will be able to rent-out straight away. By the time we complete in December, the warehouse and office will have received a complete makeover and will even feature six electric vehicle chargers.”

He continued: “Our supply chain management has been key to getting the contract on track and within the timeframe specified, giving the client the best possible chance of finding new tenants before the end of the year.”

Eurolinks Site Managers

Inco Contracts, which recently won a Company of the Year award, is currently working on decoration of the warehouse steels and walls and the installation of a polished concrete floor, new electrical mains panels and new LED lighting.

At the same time, specialists are removing an old lift and replacing it with a more modern alternative in the offices and a dedicated team are overseeing full M&E work including HVAC, small power and fire alarm.

Finally, there will be a full toilet refurbishment with new IPS and cubicles, new sanitaryware and furniture, fixings and equipment.

 

Matthew went on to add: “We’re on course for £14m revenue in the North West alone by the end of the year and this has been generated from new wins in commercial, industrial and now education.

“There’s a real momentum behind us in this region and, with the appointment of specialists Mike Puttick and Billy Sneddon, more and more building consultancies and local authorities are beginning to look our way.”

 

From its Warrington office, Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial, commercial and education refurbishment schemes across the North West and the North of England.

These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards.

Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes, building services, M&E installations, and soft strip-outs, not to mention heritage and conservation work.

 

For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company on its social media channels.

Construction, Construction News, Contract Wins

Secondary school project secured by Welsh fabricator

CARDIFF-based fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium has secured another project in the education sector, supporting the construction of a new secondary school in Oxfordshire.

Dudley’s Aluminium will be working with Bouygues UK on St John’s Academy in Wantage. The school is part of the Vale Academy Trust and will be built alongside the already completed primary school, creating the first ‘all through’ school for students from nursery age to year 11 in the local area.

Sustainability will be a key feature of the new school, with the construction including low carbon materials, a green roof with photovoltaic panels and playing fields which use sustainable draining systems.

Dudley’s will be installing Metal Technology System doors, windows and capped curtain walling on the build.

Steve Muir, Commercial Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “Education is one of the key sectors we work in and it’s a joy to be able to work with the team at Bouygues UK on this particular project. The development of this school not only showcases sustainability in construction, but will provide an uninterrupted school journey for its students from nursery to key stage four.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

Charity & CSR, Construction, Hospice News, News, Property News

Bellway Makes £500 Donation to Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Housebuilder Bellway has made a £500 donation to Wigan & Leigh Hospice.

With two new residential developments, Trilogy in Mosley Common and Moss Bank Gardens in Leigh, located close to the hospice, the housebuilder is aware of the vital role that the hospice plays for those living in Wigan Borough and wanted to help.

Providing palliative and end-of-life care to more than 1200 people with life-limiting illnesses in Wigan every year, Wigan & Leigh Hospice relies on the support and generosity of local businesses and the local community to deliver its services free of charge.

 

Bellway’s donation will go towards the ongoing daily running costs of the hospice that delivers exceptional round-the-clock care addressing the physical, emotional, social, practical and spiritual needs of its patients and their families and friends.

 

Corporate and major donor fundraiser, Amy Jones, welcomed Bellway’s sales director, Grace Yarlett, to the hospice to learn more about its vital work and mark the start of a partnership that will last for the duration of the development builds which is approximately two to three years.

Amy said: “We are so grateful to Bellway for this generous donation and will ensure that it is put to good use continuing the essential daily work of the hospice locally in Wigan. We really do rely on these types of contributions from individuals and businesses, and one hundred percent of every single penny goes towards helping our patients.

“It’s great to know that this is just the start of our partnership with Bellway and that the team is keen to support our different fundraisers. I’m delighted to add that they’ve also sponsored one of our Christmas trees that will be unveiled in due course in the run-up to the festive season.”

 

Grace added: “Wigan & Leigh Hospice is an amazing organisation on the doorstep of our two new developments and one that we are proud to support. The team works tirelessly delivering its invaluable service across Wigan and we will do all that we can over the next few years to support them.”

 

Bellway is soon to launch two beautiful new developments in the area; Moss Bank Gardens on Hooten Lane in Leigh and Trilogy on Mosley Common Road in Mosley Common. Both developments will offer a range of two, three and four bedroom homes. For more information, please contact Bellway on 01925 846700 or visit www.bellway.co.uk.

 

About Bellway Homes

Bellway Homes is a FTSE 250 Index listed residential housebuilder based in Newcastle upon Tyne, employing almost 3,000 staff across 21 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 eighth year running, with 9 out of 10 customers saying they would recommend us to a friend. Bellway has also been awarded ‘Large Housebuilder of the Year for 2023’ at the Housebuilder Awards and it received several awards for its ‘Better with Bellway’ sustainability strategy as it looks to deliver industry leading carbon reductions targets.

You can find out more about Bellway here and its ‘Better with Bellway’ sustainability strategy here.

Construction

Innovative Soil Stabilisation for Road Maintenance: GEOSEC®’s Eco-Friendly Solution at Highways UK 2024

The Highways UK event brings together the people responsible for planning, developing, managing, maintaining, and future-proofing the nation’s roads networks.  

Highways UK 2024 16 – 17 October Hall 5, The NEC, Birmingham STAND 358B   

SOIL STABILISATION is the GEOSEC® method for consolidating flexible or semi-rigid road surfaces. Wearing course cracks and depressions are only the last sign of load-bearing capacity issues affecting the road base and subgrade which no longer guarantee an adequate level of safety and economic feasibility of the infrastructure. The SOIL STABILISATION method is the modern solution for fast, minimally invasive maintenance to improve compaction of the subgrade below a subsided road surface, reducing voids and ensuring a better binding action of the materials.   

Operating procedures for consolidating road surfaces 

This method allows immediate reuse of the infrastructure as soon as the treatment has been completed and without the need for complementary support works, except for normal maintenance of the already cracked bituminous wearing course. The procedure involves injecting GEOSEC® eco-friendly expanding resin into both the soil-subgrade interface and the subgrade-base interface.
A special, eco-friendly, closed cell expanding resin of suitable density and elastic modulus is gently injected through small bores (diameter between 6 and 25 mm) into which small metal tubes are inserted to facilitate the injection of the resin. The drilling layout is generally 1.00 x 1.00 m. Each operation is planned by GEOSEC® expert personnel qualified to operate on road construction sites, taking into account site conditions and possible operating scenarios (obstacles, presence of underground and/or hidden utilities, thickness of road surface, vehicular traffic, etc.).
During the ground stabilisation work, constant monitoring as the road surface begins to lift is guaranteed using millimetre-accurate receivers and laser levels. The depth of injection beyond the subgrade, especially in the presence of very high operating loads, can be implemented using the SEE&SHOOT® method as described in the section dedicated to expanding resin injections. 

In accordance with the most rigorous method of application of this solution, further instrumental investigations can be carried out on site using: 

  • Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for analysing the stratigraphy; 
  • Coring for analysing the stratigraphy and materials; 
  • Deflectometric tests using a Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) for precise analysis of load-bearing capacities; 
  • Electrical resistivity tomography investigations to search for voids and fluid infiltrations under the road surface. 

 

 

Business, Business Expansion, Business News, Construction, Energy

Consumer Energy Solutions invests £500k in Treorchy training centre

A LEADING consumer energy efficiency company has opened a brand new state-of-the-art, immersive training facility in Treorchy at a cost of £0.5 million, paving the way for thousands of recruits to learn the skills needed to enter, and progress within, the energy trade.

Swansea-based Consumer Energy Solutions (CES) supports customers in reducing their carbon footprint and reducing their energy bills and has already successfully improved the energy efficiency of over 8,000 homes across the UK.

The new insulation department training facility in the heart of the Welsh Valleys has been purpose-built to allow for comprehensive training in various insulation techniques and complements CES’s heating systems training facility in Cardiff which it acquired last year.

The Treorchy training facility, on the Abergorki Industrial Estate, encompasses a 5,000 ft2 main area, 7,500 ft2 first floor storage plus three classrooms. The facility is also used to train CES installers on the rules, regulations, and techniques involved in installing ventilation equipment, which is necessary before any insulation work begins.

Ben Strinati, Insulation Director at Consumer Energy Solutions, said: “The way the business was growing, and the need to recruit more and more insulation teams, combined with a lack of suitable training infrastructure present in the industry, we took the initiative to construct our own custom-built facility and invested £500,000 in the Treorchy site. We take great pride in our advanced training facilities which have been purposefully designed to educate both new recruits and experienced team members in the CES way. Being able to train individuals in all the necessary trades, means we can execute an installation from start to finish, making it a quick and smooth experience for our customers.”

CES has its headquarters in Swansea with permanent bases in south Wales, north Wales, west Wales and Exeter. It currently operates 42 teams of insulation installers, each of which includes carpenters, dry-liners, plasterers and multi-skilled installers, alongside eight dedicated loft insulation teams. The company is committed to providing comprehensive training for all staff and arranges regular manufacturer training programmes and seminars to ensure installers are up to date with frequent regulation reviews and advancement in technology. Basic training starts with an NVQ qualification in construction and building treatments with further learning based on the energy efficiency measure and the method of installation. Additionally, all operatives receive annual training in the latest health and safety regulation, promoting a safe installation for themselves and customers.

The Treorchy facility is part of CES’s ambitious expansion plans which include recruiting 15 insulation teams every month. Finished to such a high standard, the unit has attracted interest from external companies looking to utilise the centre for in-house development purposes.

Ben continued: “We have a highly experienced recruitment team which is supporting our growth vision by finding the right professionals for the roles available, whether in-house or in the field. Our training facilities then come into play, providing crucial training and coaching opportunities for employees.

“At a time when fuel poverty and the climate crisis is such a high priority, we are determined to do all we can to help people reduce their energy usage and save money on their bills and the best way we can do this is by building and training the next generation of energy efficiency professionals to reach more people.”

For further information, visit www.consumerenergysolutions.co.uk.

Appointments, Business, Construction, Construction News

Fabricator welcomes next generation with new appointments

FABRICATOR Dudley’s Aluminium has made three new appointments to its team in Cardiff.

Taran Bhullar, an experienced Estimator, has joined Dudley’s from aluminium product manufacturer Smart Systems. Using his expertise, Taran will assist with cost estimation for new projects and will take an active, leading role within the department.

Joining Taran in the estimating team will be Estimator Apprentice Miles Neizer. Miles has an NVQ Level 3 in Construction in the Built Environment from Cardiff and Vale College and through his apprenticeship, he will learn to review detailed drawings, elevations, floor plans and specifications to assist the team and calculate the required costs for construction projects.

Project Design Apprentice Evan Robertson completes the trio of appointments. Evan joins the team fresh from completing his A-Levels at Newport High School and, in his apprenticeship, will be undertaking CAD training to develop his skills in project design to create detailed drawings and designs across a range of projects.

Pablo Shorney, Finance Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “We are delighted to welcome Taran, Evan and Miles to our team and look forward to seeing them progress in their roles with our support.

“It’s exciting to see our team grow as our company has enjoyed a successful year with an increasing number of projects live and in the pipeline. We’re also continuing to expand with more apprentices set to join us in the coming months.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

Construction, Construction News, HR, HR News

Construction Software Platform and Ethical Consultancy firm partner to deliver onsite ‘Lived Experience’ Modern Slavery Assessments

Construction software platform Compliance Chain and ethical consultancy firm Align Ltd, have partnered to improve ethical labour practices by offering onsite ‘Lived Experience’ Modern Slavery assessments.

Align Ltd specialises in ensuring ethical practices and a transparent supply chain for social impact-driven businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and public entities; whilst Compliance Chain supports public and private sector clients to track, monitor and deliver effective social value plans.

 

‘Lived Experience’ assessments, provided by Align, are conducted by lived experience consultants who have been exploited previously. Lived experience consultants are vital to the assessments, providing an important perspective and experience in what could be a challenging and delicate situation for workers.

The partnership offers a unique take on Modern Slavery assessments, by harnessing digital tools that enhance transparency and active prevention within construction projects. Clients who use this service through the Compliance Chain platform will also gain access to the Just Good Work app, ensuring organisations have an ongoing picture of what is happening onsite.

 

Just Good Work is an interactive mobile platform ​- powered by FiftyEight, a certified B-Corp that helps individuals make ​good choices for better work abroad.

The platform is free for workers and enables them to understand their rights and responsibilities throughout the process alongside good advice on safe recruitment, migration, and employment in their new workplace.

 

As modern slavery remains a serious global issue infiltrating the construction industry, Compliance Chain, Align and FiftyEight offer a unique partnership in combating unethical practices and exploitation.

Whilst Align conducts Lived Experience, honest assessments of the activities on site, Compliance Chain can provide practical advice to companies on the steps they should take to protect workers, and a digital tool that allows them to track their social value delivery.

Before, during and after the assessment has concluded, companies can access the Just Good Work app, which offers workers protection and advice whilst providing companies with live worker feedback, giving real-time insights across their supply chains that fill in the gaps between audits.

 

This offering is exclusive to clients who use Compliance Chain to track their social value delivery and can be requested through the platform.

 

Adam Cochrane, Head of Operations at Compliance Chain commented:

“We are honoured to be working in partnership with Align and FiftyEight to deliver practical and meaningful modern slavery assessments to our clients.

“Our Modern Slavery assessments protect workers at its core. Through lived experience assessors and ongoing monitoring through digital solutions, ensures that companies can access practical advice and detailed steps they should implement to protect workers.”

“Companies that currently track and measure their social value using Compliance Chain can easily request a modern slavery assessment through the platform, with the added reassurance that they will be able to access real-time insights between audits.”

 

Phillip Clayton, Chief Executive Officer at Align Ltd added:

“We are proud to partner with Compliance Chain and FiftyEight to offer this innovative approach to the construction sector.

“We believe that any approach that does not include those with lived experience will lack robust outcomes. The most effective prevention methods come from the meaningful inclusion of those with lived experience. They are uniquely placed to assess risks on site; having experienced exploitation, they know what the signs and symptoms are and can bring unique insight to prevention and risk mitigation.

“With companies looking to go ‘beyond audit’ this method alloys prevention technology and lived experience insight in an end-to-end site risk management process delivering tangible results and evaluation side by side.

We hope this will set a new standard in the construction space.”

 

Quintin Lake, Executive Director at FiftyEight added:

“Our aim with Just Good Work is to get it into the hands of as many workers who can benefit from it as possible and this partnership helps accelerate that for the construction sector. As workers better understand what is okay and what isn’t through information in their own language, real-time insights about their experience can help shine a light on both good practices and where improvements are needed to proactively prevent modern slavery for workers and companies alike.”

 

Agriculture, Construction, Manufacturing, News

Ferobide – Reducing operating costs in Agriculture, Construction and Mining

Tenmat, a leading manufacturer of advanced materials and components, has a range of world-renowned composite and polymer materials, including Ferobide, Feroform, Feroglide, Ferosafe and Railko. 

Ferobide is a highly effective solution for reducing operating costs in the agricultural, mining and construction sectors.

This tungsten carbide composite is one of the most wear-resistant materials in the world, it is already trusted globally as a reliable solution for minimising equipment downtime. By preventing wear part damage, Ferobide is able to deliver lasting results which minimise equipment downtime and therefore aid in decreasing operating costs. 

 

Ferobide in Farming

Farmers who utilise Ferobide can experience dramatic savings by extending the life of their equipment, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs. 

For instance, implementing Ferobide has allowed some farms to extend the service life of cultivator wings and legs by several seasons, cutting down metal wear expenses by up to two-thirds. This not only minimises downtime but also boosts overall operational efficiency and profitability.

When used on soil-engaging equipment parts, Ferobide enhances durability against abrasive soil conditions, which can significantly decrease the frequency of part replacements. 

A case study involving sugar cane mills showed that equipment outfitted with Ferobide experienced less wear compared to traditional hard-facing materials, leading to longer operational periods between maintenance shutdowns.

 

Ferobide in Construction and Mining

In the mining and construction industries, Ferobide has proven effective in increasing the lifespan of equipment parts exposed to extreme wear and tear.

In mining operations, Ferobide is used on drilling equipment to enhance durability against the harsh, abrasive conditions found underground. This results in fewer drill bit replacements and reduced downtime.

In construction, Ferobide can be applied to loader buckets and other machinery that frequently contacts abrasive materials like gravel and crushed rock. This application significantly extends the service life of these high-wear parts, leading to lower maintenance costs and less frequent equipment replacements.

 

The Benefits of Ferobide 

When used correctly and welded onto suitable surfaces, Ferobide has numerous benefits, which include: 

  • Significant savings on wearing metal costs
  • Increased wear part lifetime
  • Reduction in machinery downtime for maintenance
  • Increased operational efficiency due to a reduction in downtime
  • Quick and easy to weld

For additional information, please contact Tenmat directly: https://tenmatwear.com/contact-tenmat