Category Archives: Construction

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Construction, Construction News, News

New acquisition for Premier Forest Products as it continues its expansion

Leading UK timber importer Premier Forest Products has announced its latest acquisition with the purchase of Decorpanel, a highly successful, specialised panel processing business.

Based in Tyne and Wear, Decorpanel was established in 1998 by owners Ian Ling and Anthony Hopps. The business operates on a four-acre site comprising 76,000ft² of warehouse and factory space, and employing 63 staff.

Premier plans to invest in new machinery at the site to further improve productivity and capacity.  This will meet growing demand and service customers quickly and efficiently, enabling a fast turnaround of orders.

 

Terry Edgell, Co-founder and CEO of Premier Forest Products, said: “Decorpanel constitutes an excellent fit for Premier. It signifies further geographic expansion for us into the north of England, while simultaneously enhancing our processing and machining capability and capacity to meet growing customer demand.

“This acquisition is great news for our customers who will benefit from our shared expertise, and greater product range.

“We start 2023 full of ambitious growth plans and the purchase of Decorpanel stands us in good stead to reach our targets for the year.”

 

Ian Ling said: “This is great news for Decorpanel customers who will be able to access Premier’s broad portfolio of timber products. Their well-established infrastructure and network will also give us access to nationwide delivery services.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the team from Premier and are excited to see what the future holds for the business.”

 

Acuity Law provided legal counsel, Gambit Corporate Finance supported the Premier team with the deal process and structure, while Kilsby Williams accountants provided financial due diligence.

Premier Forest Group is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its 13 sites in the UK.

 

Construction, Construction News, News, North of England

Turf cutting marks start on site for new eco Tri Station in Tyne and Wear

Work has commenced on a sustainable tri-service station which will become home to officers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service.

The new station, which will be built by North of England contractor Esh Construction, is set to be the first of its kind in the country to be carbon neutral.

A breaking ground ceremony officially marked the start on site for the emergency services hub which is set to drive forward blue light services’ commitments to minimise carbon footprint.

The hub is located on a vacant site between Marine Drive and Campbell Park Road in Hebburn and is expected to be operational by Spring 2024. It will include staff accommodation and appliance bays for emergency vehicles, as well as a free-standing training building. Externally, the site will feature charging ports, with a view to all three services having a fleet of electric vehicles.

Modern sustainable technologies will be utilised throughout the hub, including solar photo voltaic roof panels, ground source heat pumps and a rainwater harvesting and re-use system. A wildflower meadow will feature among the landscaping of the grounds to help promote local biodiversity.

Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Esh Group, said: “It was a pleasure to be part of the breaking ground ceremony and to experience how significant this development is for the local area. As we all work towards a carbon neutral future, this is a pioneering scheme which can lead the way for sustainable blue light buildings.

“At Esh we pride ourselves on creating a legacy in the communities surrounding our construction sites. As such, we will harness the benefits of our strong regional presence to deliver a wealth of social value initiatives which includes re-investing more than 65% of the project spend within Tyne and Wear by procuring local labour and supply.”

Esh Construction will engage with local schools to deliver employability workshops, arrange presentations to promote safety around a live construction site, and provide volunteers and donations to support worthy causes throughout the project

Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It was a proud moment to play my part in the beginning stages of Hebburn Tri Station’s community journey. This is an important building for not only the residents of Hebburn and Jarrow but also the wider regions of Tyne and Wear.

“The building represents the unification of blue light colleagues being based under the one roof, and it also shows our commitment towards promoting the values of carbon neutral facilities.

“This is a very significant project for the Fire Authority as the new Tri Station is being funded as part of its Capital Programme scheme showing crucial investment for emergency service provisions that will be beneficial for generations to come.”

Procured via the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), Esh will work in partnership with TWFRS, Sunderland City Council’s Capital Projects Team, Desco and Todd Milburn to deliver the scheme.

Appointments, Construction, Construction News

Timber group continues to grow team

Premier Forest Products, one of the UK’s leading timber groups has made a key new appointment in Wales as it continues to expand its product range.

Shaun Griffiths has been appointed as Premier Forest’s newest business development manager to support the expanding business and ensure that customer service remains at the core of its ongoing strategy.

Shaun’s wealth of experience will help the business continue to grow and develop its bespoke product offering as well as supporting new business opportunities.

Shaun has worked in the timber industry for 35 years, previously working for James Latham and Timbmet, specialising in manufacturing, cladding, decking and fire treatment and coatings.

In his new role, Shaun will be the first point of contact for customers seeking hardwoods, manufactured goods and cladding in particular, helping to develop new products and consolidate relationships with new suppliers.

 

On his appointment, Shaun said: “I was planning to relocate to West Wales with my family and when I spoke to the team at Premier, I knew that was where I wanted to be as they were so enthusiastic and the role sounded perfect for me.

“They have a clear strategy and being part of their next stage of development into hardwood and cladding offerings is very exciting. I love working in the timber trade, having started work in a joinery shop when I was 15 it’s all I know, and I’m looking forward to this new venture.”

 

Joe Walker, Managing Director at Premier Forest Products, said: “I am delighted to welcome Shaun to Premier. He brings with him a wealth of experience and will be a great addition to our ever-growing team and aid the development of our new product offering.

“At Premier it is of paramount importance that we employ people with not just expertise but enthusiasm in the sector, so that we can continually improve on the service we provide to our customers.”

 

Premier Forest Products is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its twelve sites in the UK.

 

Caerphilly, Construction, News

Celtic Offsite teams up with Premier Forest Group as it targets exclusively Welsh supply chain

Caerphilly-based social enterprise, Celtic Offsite, has teamed up with one of the UK’s leading timber suppliers, Premier Forest Products, as part of their ambitious plan to develop a Welsh supply chain to reduce its carbon footprint and support the local economy.

Celtic Offsite, part of the United Welsh Group, manufactures low carbon homes by producing high quality, sustainable timber frame structures, complete with factory fitted insulation and windows, to build up to 250 low carbon homes a year.

Premier Forest Products was initially approached by Celtic Offsite to supply Oriented Strand Board (OSB) for sheathing for timber frame panels, plywood and chipboard. However, thanks to Premier’s growing product offering, they have recently started supplying roof trusses, engineered floor joists and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for structural beams, taking Celtic Offsite ever closer to their goal of using Welsh suppliers for more of their manufacturing work.

 

Neil Robins, Managing Director of Celtic Offsite said: “We are actively committed to making the areas in which we work better and more environmentally sound. We have been certified as a Climate Positive Business by Earthly, meaning we will remove more greenhouse emissions than we produce. One of the ways that we will do this is by working with local suppliers who have a similar mindset to our own.

“We have been so impressed by the service and quality of the products supplied by Premier Forest that we have consistently increased the range of items that we order from them.”

 

Co-founder and CEO of Premier Forest Products Terry Edgell said: “As an organisation, we firmly believe that the use of timber should be at the forefront of sustainable housing development. At the moment, wood in construction is the only commercially viable carbon capture and storage system so, simply by using more wood in construction, we can turn our built environment into a weapon against climate change.

“It is so inspiring to be working with an organisation in Wales that not only recognises the benefits of using timber but is actively working to build a sustainable supply chain, hopefully changing the way that homes are built.”

 

Premier Forest Products is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, sawmilling, processing, merchanting, and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its 12 sites in the UK.

As part of its commitment to the local community, Celtic Offsite offers an on-site training suite to provide skills development and apprenticeships for green construction jobs.

The factory has been awarded two prestigious International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications; ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management. Celtic Offsite has also achieved PEFC certification for the chain of custody of forest-based products and were awarded Gold by the Structural Timber Association in their latest audit.

Commercial Property, Construction, News

Winvic and Edmond de Rothschild Celebrate Eighteenth Storey Topping Out on Birmingham City Centre BTR Scheme

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, along with its client Edmond de Rothschild has celebrated the topping out of a 406-apartment build-to-rent project on Kent Street in the centre of Birmingham. To mark the occasion, one of the final sections of concrete was poured – an upstand to an automatic opening vent on the seventeenth-storey roof of Block A – and finished by the investment house’s leadership team and Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, Mark Jones.

The project, which comprises 154 one-bedroom, 228 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom apartments is on the former site of the Kent Street Swimming Baths. Winvic began the enabling works in April 2021 and construction works commenced in August 2021. Contained by roads on all sides, the compact site has seen the reinforced concrete slip formed cores and frames rise to seven, eight, 10 and 18 storeys since then. The 10-storey tower is on the corner of Gooch Street and Kent Street and the tallest block – which also has a basement car park for 95 vehicles – is on the corner Bromsgrove Street and Henstead Street.

Works to the roofs as well as the Steel Frame System and window installations are over halfway through their programmes across the whole project. The Winvic team is also focusing on the façade to Block D – where brick slip panels are being installed – and internal fit out to Blocks D, A and C including partitions, first fix mechanical and electrical works and the plant room.

To watch the continued progress via an on-site camera, visit Winvic Live.

The scheme will also feature green roofs, a ground floor commercial space, shared resident amenity areas and a landscaped central courtyard with community hub. Winvic is scheduled to hand over the scheme in 2024.

 

Mark Jones, Winvic’s Director of Multi-room, said: “It’s particularly rewarding to reach the topping out stage of a RC Framed building and we were delighted to be able to celebrate this important milestone with our client and the funders. We’ve been working as one team with Edmond de Rothschild to ensure progress is on track and the people of Birmingham will now start to see the brick slip façade envelop the buildings. I’d like to thank our team for their hard work to get to this stage. Everyone is looking forward to a productive year and final push to completion in 2024.”

 

Tim Holden, Edmond de Rothschild – REIM Head of Residential UK – added: “We are delighted to be developing 400 apartments for Build-to-rent in Birmingham in partnership with Winvic. This scheme is an important project in our 2,600-unit portfolio. Working with Winvic is always a good experience and the topping out is an important milestone. We look forward to reaching practical completion so that our in-house lettings and property management service can begin to let and manage this exciting place-making scheme in the centre of Birmingham. I would like to thank our investors for participating in this project and the project team that’s bringing this landmark project to fruition.”

 

For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.

 

Construction, Construction News, News, Property

Homes by Esh seeks to grow supply chain with Meet the Developer event

Subcontractors are invited to meet the Homes by Esh team and learn about future work opportunities.

North of England housebuilder, Homes by Esh, is hosting a Meet the Developer event in Darlington to give local subcontractors the opportunity to join its supply chain.

The event will be held at Blackwell Grange Hotel on 31 January and subcontractors can attend any time from 15:30 until final registrations at 18:00.

Homes by Esh’s commercial, construction, customer care, design and technical teams will be on hand to ‘meet and greet’ attendees and discuss future work opportunities linked with upcoming developments.

Malcolm Stewart, construction director at Homes by Esh said: “We are passionate about investing in a local supply chain and are keen to build long-term relationships that all parties can rely on to ensure mutual success. We have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline and local subcontractors are a vital part of ensuring we can deliver for our customers.”

Subcontractors from the following traders are encouraged to attend; roads and sewers, groundworks, bricklaying, roofing, window and door installation, scaffolding, joinery, decorating, plumbing, ceramic tiling, drylining, electrical, appliance suppliers, garage door installation, mastic, cleaning, landscaping, fencing and kitchen and wardrobe installation.

Homes by Esh is a private housebuilder and part of Esh Group, a privately-owned construction, development and property services group. The firm prides itself on customer service and its range of quality homes that incorporate modern innovations in housing technology and design.

It is free to attend, but spaces are limited so a reservation should be made through the Eventbrite booking system. Book your place now: https://lnkd.in/eMq4QrSX

Construction, Software, Technology

How to Choose Contractor Management Software

Contractor management software is a powerful tool that can help organizations effectively manage and track the work of contractors, engineers, subcontractors and vendors. With the right software, organizations can streamline their contractor management process, improve communication and collaboration, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. But with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the right contractor management software for your organization.  Einpix Contractor Management software believe keeping the following key considerations in mind will help you choose the best contractor management software for your business:

  1. Functionality: The first thing to consider when choosing contractor management software is the functionality it offers. Some software solutions are designed for specific industries, such as construction or healthcare, while others are more general-purpose. Make sure to choose software that offers the specific features and capabilities you need to effectively manage your contractors.
  2. User-friendliness: Another important factor to consider is the software’s user-friendliness. Construction and property workers are not often tech experts, so ease of use is critical to successful adoption.  The best contractor management software is easy to navigate and understand, with a simple, intuitive interface. This will help ensure that your team members can quickly and easily use the software to manage contractors and vendors, without needing extensive training or support.
  3. Scalability: As your organization grows, so too will the number of organisations, contractors and vendors you work with. It’s important to choose software that can scale with your organization, to ensure that it can handle the increased workload. This will help ensure that your contractor management process remains efficient and effective, even as your organization expands.
  4. Integration: Another important consideration is how the software integrates with other systems you use. Make sure that the software you choose can integrate with any existing systems and tools you use within the business, such as your project management software, CRM, or accounting software. This will help ensure that your contractor management process is integrated seamlessly with your other business processes, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of errors.
  5. Security: Security is a critical consideration when choosing contractor management software. Make sure that the software you choose is built on a secure platform, and that it includes robust security features such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates. This will help protect your organization’s data and ensure that your contractor management process is compliant with industry regulations.
  6. Cost: Finally, consider the cost of the software. While it’s important to choose software that offers the features and capabilities you need, it’s also important to choose software that fits within your budget. Be sure to consider the total cost of ownership, including any recurring costs such as subscription fees or support and maintenance costs.

In conclusion, contractor management software is a powerful tool that can help organizations effectively manage, collaborate and track the work of contractors and vendors. When choosing contractor management software, it’s important to consider the functionality, user-friendliness, scalability, integration, security, and cost of the software. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can choose software that will help streamline your contractor management process, improve communication and collaboration, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. It’s also important to check the reviews of the software, ask for a demo, and check the customer support service before making any decision.

 

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

Leeds College of Building Appoints New Assistant Principal

Chris Tunningley has been appointed as Leeds College of Building Assistant Principal for Adult Learning and Higher Education.

Chris, formerly the Head of University Centre for Architecture, Engineering & Construction at Leeds College of Building, succeeds retiring Assistant Principal Brian Duffy.

Speaking of his appointment, Chris said:

“I am thrilled to start in this post at Leeds College of Building. I’m passionate about how education can raise prospects and know that gaining a sought-after trade or profession while attaining maths, English, and digital skills can be life changing. Studying part-time or following a vocational higher-education pathway like a degree apprenticeship is a hands-on and economical route that ultimately leads to the same successful career destination as traditional academic routes.”

Leeds College of Building Principal & CEO Nikki Davis, said:

“Huge congratulations to Chris after a competitive selection process against a high calibre of candidate. Chris succeeds outgoing Assistant Principal Brian Duffy, who worked at the College for many years before retiring in December. Brian was critical in the growth of our higher education provision, and I know that Chris will be instrumental in building on this success. May I join others in wishing Chris well as he moves into this role.”

Chris has over 33 years of experience in the Building Services Engineering industry and Further and Higher Education sectors, initially qualifying as a gas engineer. After 19 years in engineering, Chris transitioned to teaching in 2008 when he became a lecturer in Building Services Engineering & Construction at Leeds College of Building.

Following this, Chris was appointed Curriculum Manager for Building Services & Civil Engineering and then Assistant Faculty Director for HE, Construction Design & Management at the College.

Chris will oversee adult learning and funding to combat regional skills shortages, plan for future skills needs (such as sustainable construction), and widening participation in education. Chris will also lead on higher education strategy, which incorporates the new Leeds College of Building University Centre, and work closely with employer partners and other professional bodies.

Chris continued:

“I came from a working-class background when university wasn’t an option, so I started my career as an Apprentice with British Gas. I progressed to a qualified gas engineer, technical engineer, quality assurance engineer, and then technical support manager. I am also a professionally registered Incorporated Engineer (IEng) with the Engineering Council through membership of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). I always took any opportunity to better myself and gain extra qualifications through work.

“I have first-hand experience of learning on the job as an adult and understand the challenges of studying part-time while balancing life and family commitments. Through the Open University, I progressed to a BSc in Engineering, Science & Design before gaining a master’s degree in Building Services Engineering – all while working. I hope these experiences will help me in my new role, having walked in our students’ shoes and lived it myself.”

Apprenticeships, Construction, Construction News, News

Conservatory Outlet marks training milestone with £130,000 investment in apprentices

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of home improvement products has celebrated more than 15 years of backing apprenticeships by offering employment to six young people.

Conservatory Outlet, which employs more than 120 staff at its Thomas Wharf Lane factory, invested more than £130,000 into nurturing future talent over the last twelve months by continuing to offer access to vocational learning opportunities and ongoing professional development.

This has resulted in Kyle Green being offered a full-time role in IT Support and Natalie Bossons, who joined in 2019, now working as an Order Processor and developing her knowledge further by undertaking her Team Leader Level 3 qualification.

Eliza Auty, Kennedy Goodwin, and Georgie Tolley have all taken Order Processing positions, whilst Missy Mortimer has just completed her apprenticeship in December and will continue to help drive the firm’s strategic marketing strategy in 2023.

Karen Starkey, Head of HR at Conservatory Outlet, commented: “We are one of Wakefield’s largest employers and believe it is critical to continue to offer new opportunities to local people.

“As we continue to grow, we have to look at ways of developing our staff and we have found apprenticeships are the best way of doing this, with the latest tranche of young people qualifying and taking on full-time roles.”

She continued: “The sizeable investment allows us to develop the individual in the ‘CO’ culture and we have a long and proven track record of offering progression routes that lead into senior positions.

“Our approach will continue in 2023. Two new apprentices have just started with us, with Ben Bradbury and Sam Allan studying towards their Business Admin Level 3 and AAT course respectively.”

Apprenticeships are one element of a strategic training programme operated by Conservatory Outlet.

In addition to vocational learning, the Wakefield-based firm also offers ongoing pathways for staff keen to progress and develop new skills.

This ranges from putting Joshua Child through his AAT and Karla Watson working towards her CIPD Level 3 (both at Wakefield College) to Ben Strutt (Business and Professional Administration Level 4), Jo Davies (Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technical Level 3) and Nikki Lewis undertaking her Marketing Manager Level 6 Apprenticeship.

Karen went on to add: “As a business, we are always trying to push the boundaries of what we can achieve, and we can only manage this by investing in our people and futureproofing their skills.

“This was reflected in 2022 when we invested a further £100,000 into creating a new sales training academy, a move that was in response to a shortage of new talent coming into the industry.”

She concluded: “We have extended this offer to all our retailers, and this is steadily developing new individuals that will hit the ground running when they join our sector.”

Conservatory Outlet is one of Yorkshire’s fastest growing manufacturers, supplying a range of conservatories, doors, extensions, orangeries and windows, with the latest advancements in UPVC, composite and aluminium technology regularly added to its ranges.

The firm continues to support the Conservatory Outlet Network, which comprises 29 leading regional retailers, and this has helped increase turnover by 20% since 2020.

Charity & CSR, Construction, Construction News, News

Covers’ Help for Hospices campaign raises more than £32,000

Eleven hospices in the south are to benefit from more than £32,000 thanks to a special fundraising campaign by Covers Timber & Builders Merchants.

The company, which has 14 depots across Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, gave £5 for every purchase during its annual Help for Hospices charity week, which took place from 12th to 16th September, and donated a total of £32,155.

Covers’ chairman Rupert Green said:

“Thank you to everyone who supported our Help for Hospices week this year and helped us to provide an incredible amount of money. It means that since we launched the initiative in 2015, our customers have helped us to raise more than £217,000 for hospices across the south east.”

“Charities rely on donations and the money raised will help hospices continue to provide vital services to the communities they serve.”

Hospices being supported by Covers are:

• St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing, West Sussex
• St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley, West Sussex
• St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Bosham, West Sussex
• Mountbatten Hospice in Southampton, Hampshire
• Naomi House & Jacksplace in Winchester, Hampshire
• Rowans Hospice in Waterlooville, Hampshire
• Martlets Hospice in Brighton, East Sussex
• St Peter & St James Hospice in Lewes, East Sussex
• Hospice in the Weald in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham, Surrey
• Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Eltham, London

The family-run company, which opened its first depot in Chichester, West Sussex, is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. It supplies specialist timber services and products to the building trade and for home DIY. Mr Green said Covers is proud of its heritage and its close connection with the communities it serves.