NEWS HIGHLIGHTS: Fit out specialist fails and Balfour Beatty posts stron result

Fit-out specialist failure contributes to rising insolvencies in construction

Worksmart, the Scotland-based fit-out specialist, is the latest contractor to fail as insolvencies in construction continue to grow. The award-winning firm is being wound up with the loss of all 24 jobs in the face of insurmountable commercial pressure.

Worksmart operated in the commercial interior fit-out and refurbishment sector, a wide range of industrial sectors, and handled contracts for the Scottish government.

Worksmart’s turnover collapsed from around £9m to below £6m during the pandemic.

In the face of fierce competition, rampant inflation and squeezed profit margins the business has continued to suffer. As a result the directors said it was no longer financially sustainable.

Earlier this month The Sunday Times highlighted that firms that cannot wriggle out of contracts where unrecoverable costs were escalating they are finding themselves caught in a cash crunch. Insolvencies in construction in England and Wales are running at 350 a month, compared to about 269 a month in 2019, according to the Insolvency Service.

Balfour Beatty boost half year profits and homes in on more infrastructure work

Profit at construction giant Balfour Beatty more than doubled in the first half  to £18 million for the first half of 2022.

Last year the business face costs of more than £20 million from three fixed proce residential contracts in London.

The firm reported a strong financial performance featuring a 42% increase in underlying profit from operations (PFO) at £85 million (2021: £60 million)

There was a 10% increase in order book at £17.7 billion (FY 2021: £16.1 billion); provides clear short- and medium-term visibility. And an increase in average net cash at £811 million for the half year (FY 2021: £671 million)

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “With the Group well-positioned to capitalise on the growing infrastructure market, underpinned by its unique capability and balance sheet strength, the upgrade to the full year performance gives the Board further confidence in future capital returns.”

Improving infrastructure gives Manchester platform for growth

New green spaces, improved transport infrastructure and a focus on net zero are at the heart of ambitious plans for Manchester.

The city’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, has outlined his vision for Manchester as an integral part of the Northern economy to Building magazine.  Just look at the skyline to see the dramatic change that has taken place this century.

Now ranked alongside Amsterdam and San Francisco as the world’s top-three best cities to live in, there is also a growing list of development opportunities maintaining momentum.

 

WORTH A LISTEN

Veteran construction commentators Phil Bishop and David Taylor at The Construction Index chew over news from the last couple of weeks.

https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/podcast

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Supply chain cybersecurity at risk without specialist input 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS: Social housing boost in Manchester and construction pay rises above UK average

Manchester social landlords increase new home delivery by 55%

The latest figures show that Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP), which currently has 24 members, delivered 2,362 new build homes during the financial year to March 2022 – up from 1,522 the year before.

The report from Inside Housing also found that a further 1,947 new homes were started on site in 2021-22, representing an investment of more than £330m in new housing in the area.

Members also secured planning consent for 1,177 new properties during the same period.

Almost 60% of the new homes completed in 2021-22 were for social and affordable rent, with investment also being made in developing new homes for people with support needs and homes for low-cost homeownership, such as shared ownership.

READ MORE: 

Construction pay rises above average

The Office of National Statistics has revealed that from April to June (Q2 2022) growth in average total pay (including bonuses) was 5.1%, and growth in regular pay (excluding bonuses) was 4.7% among employees in April to June 2022.

Construction pay growth was 6.3%, helped by strong bonus payments. Logistics, retail and hospitality sectors saw the largest growth rate at 7.7%.

However, in real terms (adjusted for inflation), growth in total and regular pay fell on the year in April to June 2022 at 2.5% for total pay and 3.0% for regular pay; this was a record fall for regular pay.

Average total pay growth for the private sector was 5.9% in April to June 2022, and 1.8% for the public sector. The TCI shares index, compiled for us exclusively by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), hit a four-year high in February 2020 but crashed by 40% a month later as the first of a wave of lockdowns was introduced.

Bonus payments are continuing at the high levels seen over the last six months, after a slightly lower level in May 2022.

READ MORE

Construction shares rally during summer trading

Research for The Construction Index (TCI) has shown the value of shares in contractors quoted on the UK stock markets recovering but still below pre-pandemic levels.

The TCI Share Index has gradually recovered and between February 2021 and January 2022 it never dipped below the 100-point marker.

However the post Brexit and pandemic recovery has seen materials prices rise, shortages cause supply delays and more recently surging energy costs. All these factors have weighed heavily on construction industry share prices.

Many larger contractors have defied analyst predictions and picked up work across a range of sectors but the failure of one of the few remaining smaller listed contractors, NMCN, did little for the City’s appetite in low profit-margin contracting.

READ MORE

 

WORTH A LOOK

Another incredible engineering feat achieved while building a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

 

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS: Fears about hospital roofs and reusability of MMC materials questions

Ministers admit 34 hospital buildings in England have roofs that could collapse

There are fears ceilings at 34 hospitals could suddenly collapse, injuring staff and patients according to reports in the Guardian.

A response to parliamentary question from Liberal Democrats’ health spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP, revealed that 34 hospital buildings in England have roofs made of concrete that is so unstable they could fall down at any time.

Maria Caulfield, a health minister, said surveys carried out by the NHS found that 34 buildings at 16 different health trusts contained reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). RAAC was widely used in building hospitals and schools in the 1960s, 70s and 80s but has a 30-year lifespan and is now causing serious problems.

Caulfield’s admission means more NHS facilities are at risk from RAAC than previously thought. Until now it was believed 13 trusts were affected, but the minister put that figure at 16. Her answer did not identify the 16 trusts concerned or indicate how many of the “34 buildings containing RAAC planks” were hospitals in which patients are treated.

MMC materials are less reusable as those used in traditional construction

The use of modern methods of construction (MMC) is making it much harder to reuse materials when a building is demolished, built environment experts have warned.

Building magazine revealed that Howard Button, chief executive of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), said composite materials used in MMC projects are “nowhere near as recoverable” as traditional materials found in older buildings s

Several industry groups have campaigned for more widespread reuse of materials such as steel and timber, a practice which is increasingly seen as an important way to reduce embodied carbon during the construction of demolish-and-rebuild projects.

Government considers extra help for cement, glass and steel manufacturers

A consultation has been launched by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on further support for energy-intensive industries, including cement, steel and glass manufacturers.

Construction News highlighted that BEIS has started the consultation on targeted proposals which would see these industries receive more relief on their electricity and gas bills.

Among the options outlined in the consultation is the move by the government to allow businesses to be exempt from environmental and policy costs. The current exemption has cut those costs by 85 per cent, but the new consultation would raise this to 100 per cent.

“This reflects higher UK industrial electricity prices than those of other countries including in Europe, which could hamper investment, competition and commercial viability for hundreds of businesses,” according to BEIS,

Sectors identified as particularly at risk include steel, paper, glass, ceramics, and cement. The proposals are expected to help around 300 businesses and support 60,000 jobs.

The BEIS consultation comes as Sir Keir Starmer unveiled Labour proposals to halt rising energy bills. Average household energy bills are expected to rise by a further £1,800 per year from October as higher wholesale energy costs feed into domestic energy bills.

 

WORTH A LISTEN

Check out the Health & Safety Matters Podcast that features British Safety Council chair Peter McGettrick.

https://hsmpodcast.podbean.com/e/health-and-safety-matters-podcast-episode-26/

 

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Supply chain cybersecurity at risk without specialist input 

Whether it’s a business plan, PQQ, tender or a post-tender submission, it’s probably one of the most important documents that you will write. Adrian JG Marsh offers a few tips to those facing a deadline and wondering where to start.

Large corporates have the resources to set up teams specifically to produce a wide range of proposals. In my time at Crown House, Tarmac and BAM I provided a dedicated proposal writing and design service that helped to make them read well and look smart.

For organisations that cannot afford to carry the costs of an in-house team, they face a twin challenge. Trying to squeeze in the day job, and at the same time, meet a deadline that is not going to change.

Here are a few tips.

Most firms will struggle if they don’t have a plan and process in place. Leave a PQQ to the last minute and there is every chance that it will go uncompleted because there will be questions that ask for information that is not readily available; such as insurance policy numbers or recent client testimonials.

Regularly review the requirements and if vital company information is missing, keep asking for it until it arrives. And if you’re designing and writing your own proposal, make sure that there is a backup copy kept at all times. A computer glitch can see all your hard work lost in a blink of an eye.

If you don’t feel confident in writing clear and concise content get some support.

If you know the work that you would like to win, take steps to understand the criteria that your potential client will assess you. Also, read the questions and requirements in an invitation to submit a proposal carefully. Then you make sure that you answer the questions and include evidence that you meet the required criteria.

There are many problems that can materialise but a pre-planning will go a long way to making the production of bids and proposals more efficient, and so give you a greater chance of success. The process needs to be well structured from start to finish.

Get someone else to read it through and confirm that it makes sense. Proofreading might seem expensive and take time but it can avoid costly mistakes and also give you an edge.

And it is not just traditional bids and proposals that need careful production. During the pandemic, many firms applied for grants and support. Supplying a business plan was often necessary to include with applications. Our experience has shown that a well-articulated and clear presentation of business plans meant firms were more likely of securing grants and funding.

Keep an eye firmly on the deadline.

In days gone by, everything was submitted as a hard copy and was either hand delivered or couriered. I can recall the nightmare of a multi-million-pound bid waiting for a courier to collect it on a Friday evening. I turned and stopped at the reception to find out where the courier was. No courier had been ordered…! Got it ordered and picked up for it to be delivered on the following Monday…phew.

These days digital documents are so much easier to handle but make sure that they are saved at a size that portals or email can handle. Resizing documents at the last minute can make your heart rate begin to climb.

My advice is to prepare, prepare and keep preparing. This will give you a chance to reduce the pain, stress and frustration as a deadline looms.

Adrian JG Marsh
Founder and Director at construction marketing and communications specialist Campbell Marsh Communications

LEADING national framework provider Pagabo has today, 08 June, issued a prior information notice (PIN) for the second generation of its popular Medium Works framework, which will be valued at £1 billion.

The current Medium Works framework is one of Pagabo’s most popular and active construction offerings for clients, with 148 projects having been procured through it to date. The issuing of a prior information notice sets the wheels in motion to the creation and launch of its successor, with prospective suppliers able to bid following the release of tender documentation later this year.

The new generation of the framework will run for four years from January 2023, taking over from the current iteration, which expires in December. It provides a compliant and collaborative framework that can deliver medium-sized construction projects with a minimum value of £250,000, giving clients access to suppliers across three value bands.

Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “This PIN marks the first steps towards making this second generation framework a reality – and the best it can be based on market input. This approach to engagement with those who will apply to be on or will use the framework is an important part of our process, ensuring that every framework we launch is absolutely fit-for-purpose – solving procurement problems rather than creating them.

“It’s really important that clients have access to the best providers on the market – not just the big businesses. That’s why we reserve a number of appointments specifically for SMEs. We know how important having that choice is to clients, as well as the increased levels of social value and positive impact benefit that comes from working with SMEs particularly on a local level.

“Our Medium Works framework is a really popular one with our clients, providing them with the services they need to compliantly deliver mid-sized projects. Some incredible work has been delivered through the framework, such as £1.4m National Centre for Craft and Design for North Kesteven District Council and the £10m Swallowtail Place for Saffron Housing Trust, and we look forward to seeing standout built environment schemes come through the new generation from next year.”

The framework will be split into three lots, with up to nine contractors allocated to each region under each lot across core and reserve supplier appointments. There are a number of these places reserved for SMEs to ensure fair access for suppliers of all sizes and to provide ample choice for clients.

  • Lot 1 – £250k to £1m
  • Lot 2 – £1m to £5m
  • Lot 3 – £5m to £10m

The contracting authority for the framework will be the Education Alliance, which will continue that role from the current, live offer.

For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/

May PMI data has signalled a slowdown in the construction growth amid a considerable loss of momentum for the residential category. The latest rise in housing activity was the weakest since the recovery began two years ago. Survey respondents suggested the subdued consumer confidence and worries about the economic outlook had constrained demand.

The headline S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – registered 56.4 in May, down from 58.2 in April and the lowest reading for four months.

Rapid cost inflation persisted in May, with the vast majority of survey respondents (73%) reporting a rise in purchasing prices. This was linked to rising fuel, energy and raw material costs. That said, the overall rate of inflation eased to a three- month low.

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “May data signalled a solid overall rise in UK construction output as resilience across the commercial and civil engineering segments helped to offset weakness in house building. Residential construction activity was close to stagnation in May, which represented its worst performance for two years amid signs of softer demand and a headwind from low consumer confidence.

“New order volumes expanded at the slowest pace since the end of 2021, which added to signs that heightened economic uncertainty has started to impact client spending. Concerns about the business outlook were signalled by a fall in construction sector growth projections to the lowest for more than one-and-a-half years in May. Around 19% of construction firms predict an outright decline in business activity during the year ahead, up from just 5% at the start of 2022.

“On a more positive note, supplier delays subsided in May, with the latest downturn in performance the least marked since February 2020. Meanwhile, rapid price pressures persisted due to rising energy, fuel and staff costs, but the overall rate of inflation eased to a three- month low in May.”

Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “Though still offering a comfortable margin above the no change mark, the construction sector saw growth ease to a four-month low with the usual suspects taking the heat out of the recovery – elevated inflation, future uncertainty and supply-chain disruption.

“Supply chain managers scaled up purchasing levels to beat expected price increases in the months ahead as inflation rates remained powerfully strong even with the slight easing in prices. There was also robust job hiring in May so businesses could secure the best talent from a dwindling pool of skilled candidates to build capacity for the remainder of the year.

Job creation accelerated slightly in May and was the strongest for four months, although there were widespread reports citing recruitment difficulties due to shortages of suitably skilled candidates.

There were positive signals for supplier performance in May, as delays were the least widespread since February 2020. Some firms noted an improvement in the availability of construction items, despite ongoing challenges including logistics bottlenecks, Brexit trade frictions and supplier staff shortages.

The number of construction firms predicting an increase in business activity during the year ahead (46%) continued to exceed those expecting a decline (19%) by some margin. However, the resulting index measuring overall growth expectations across the construction sector signalled the weakest degree of optimism since August 2020.

MK Electric is expanding its selection of USB Type-C charging solutions to include six ranges of decorative sockets: Edge, Aspect, MK Dimensions, Elements, Albany Plus and Metalclad Plus. The new USB charging products are available in numerous finishes including synthetic, metallic and glass effect to meet a greater variety of project specifications, all while maintaining the dynamic device recognition (DDR) and safety features for which the MK brand is known.

Support for USB-C charging fits complements efforts to reduce consumer e-waste. In 2021, the European Commission proposed legislation to make USB-C the standard charging port for portable electronics. This move would unbundle the sales of chargers from the sales of electronic devices to reduce e-waste. Specifiers, architects and interior designers can help support e-waste reduction by planning these charging points into projects, with the flexibility of MK’s decorative range sockets fitting with a variety of décor styles.
MK’s USB offerings include both Type-A and Type-C charging ports to help ease the transition to USB-C. The USB-A and USB-C ports can output up to 2A and 3A of power, respectively, with a maximum capacity of 3A at any one time to support user safety and prevent socket damage in the event of an overload or short circuit.
To further enhance safety, MK USB sockets include protective features such as double pole switching, dual earth and a three-pin child-resistant shutter system. Each device is compliant with eco-design directive requirementsand conforms to the safety certification and approvals applicable for a 13A socket, including IEC 61000-6-1 and IEC 61000-6-3 for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Simon Pinkney, Offering Management Director for MK Electric, comments: “In recent years, there has been an increased interest from the market for integrated sockets that support USB Type-C charging. The greater data transfer speeds and power output capacity of USB-C technology has increased adoption by leading smartphone, tablet and laptop manufacturers. By extending our offering with decorative ranges, we can help meet every project need — from functional safety to aesthetic finish — for most building types.”
MK Electric is the UK’s leading electrical accessories manufacturer and part of the Honeywell family.
For further information on the MK USB-C portfolio, please visit: https://hwll.co/mkusbsockets

In an ever-increasingly digital world, how a business manages and protects its networks and data is a business-critical function. Supply chain partners with direct access to your networks are potentially the highest area of risk. Martin Smith MBE, the founder and chairman of the influential cybersecurity forum SASIG, the Security Awareness Special Interest Group, advocates that cybersecurity should become an integral part of the procurement process.

 The pandemic has led to a boom in remote working and growing concern that cyber criminals have been capitalising on the increased use of emails and internet devices. However, the majority of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human mistakes, where unsuspecting users are lured into letting a potential attacker have access to a network. 

 As digitisation in business relationships becomes common and supply chains extend, we see cyber criminals targeting organisations up and down the supply chain. Cyber resilience generally varies by organisation size and we have seen the gap between small and large firms widen. In the UK, large companies are responding by investing in knowledge and, according to insurers Hiscox, almost all (98%) firms with more than 1,000 people now have a role specifically for cybersecurity. 

 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and their cybersecurity colleagues can provide specialist cybersecurity knowledge to reduce risks of cyberattacks in the supply chain by becoming more involved in the procurement of vendors. 

 Cyberattacks cost the UK economy around £30 billion per annum. This is an astonishing sum, so it was no surprise that the new National Cyber Strategy (December 2021) is aimed at beefing up resilience in the fast-moving digital world. It stressed that we need to continue to adapt, innovate and invest in order to protect and promote our nation’s interests in cyberspace. 

 SASIG’s own research has found that commerce, industry and public services have operated a fragmented approach to cybersecurity in the supply chain and that risks are ever-present and need to be constantly monitored and reviewed. 

 CISOs tell us that businesses should take stronger steps to establish robust procedures that minimise cybersecurity risks within the supply chain. We found that 97% of CISOs see the supply chain as a source of risk, and more robust procedures are necessary in order to mitigate risk exposure. 

 We’re at a stage where procurement teams expect vendors to adopt policies and procedures that provide more robust security controls. While system and network administrators can be guilty of system misconfigurations, poor patch management practices and the use of weak passwords, ongoing auditing and due diligence can guard against these types of threats. 

 Organisations would be wise to adopt regular cyber audits during the course of any commercial arrangement that exchanges data and gives a third party access to proprietary networks.  

 Looking for third-party assessments can be fraught with difficulty because fragmented standards and cross-border working can expose some sectors to greater risk. More substantial international agreements will be necessary to tighten up on protecting against cyberattacks, and the theft of data assets and intellectual property. 

 The government has recently embarked on further consultation with business to drive up security standards in outsourced IT services used by almost all UK businesses and is planning the introduction of new laws. 

 Other proposals being considered include making improvements in the way organisations report cybersecurity incidents and reforming legislation so that it is more flexible and can react to the speed of technological change. 

 Last year, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport found that only 12% of businesses regularly reviewed cyber risks, and only 5% of companies were looking at cyber risks in their supply chain. Worryingly, this had fallen from 9% in 2020. 

 The latest round of consultation is also aimed at raising the bar and creating a set of agreed qualifications and certifications for those working in cybersecurity, so that they can demonstrate they are properly equipped to protect businesses online. 

Recently, high-profile cyber incidents, such as the cyberattacks on SolarWinds and Kaseya, have exposed the vulnerabilities in the third-party products and services used by businesses. Cyber criminals and hostile state actors can exploit weaknesses affecting hundreds of thousands of organisations at the same time. 

Ransomware became the most significant cyber threat facing the UK in 2021 – a real threat that can cause disruption to the delivery of essential services or critical national infrastructure. 

A ransomware cyberattack on Hackney Council last year caused many months of disruption and cost millions of pounds to rectify. At a critical time when it was dealing with the impact of the pandemic, the council was locked out of important data and many services were disrupted, including council tax and benefit payments. Other organisations have suffered similar attacks, causing disruption to services and damaging corporate reputations. 

Exposure to risk within the supply chain often depends on what access a vendor has to a client network and what digital storage capability the vendor uses. Human factors, by design or accident, also expose organisations to security breaches. Educating staff (permanent and contract) and members of the supply chain is therefore essential to make people aware and accept responsibility for their own actions.  

CISOs and HR teams who establish training programmes to ensure that staff understand what risk they are exposed to, and the implications of a breach, are better placed to mitigate threats. Effective training will provide the necessary skills for workers to identify a threat and react in an appropriate manner. 

Employee training should also be tracked and, should maturity decline, further training then be made available to keep on top of new threats. 

It is not unusual for a business manager who procures products and services, and works with the supply chain, to be unaware that a cybersecurity threat exists. Therefore, CISOs have to work hard to get closer to procurement teams and employees so that they can advise on cybersecurity issues. 

Prequalification procedures can catch vendors who appear weak. When they are identified, effective due diligence is necessary prior to any appointment. Regular audits and spot inspections should monitor adherence to cybersecurity procedures by vendors and labour-only contractors. 

Where there is limited strength, collaboration between partners within the supply chain will help to tighten up policies and procedures so that risk is reduced. 

The lead tier in the supply chain will inevitably determine the way risk is assessed and how firmly cybersecurity is managed. Some procedures can be rigid and longwinded but may be necessary where safety and commercial/financial data are business-critical components.  

The supply chain has evolved into a complex web of organisations that can deliver products and services from almost any location to customers across the globe. All sectors operate in different ways and will deliver customer services in different territories that have to respect either national or international regulations. 

As international threats grow, global agreements need to be strengthened to protect commercial and personal data storage. Where data is held and who has access to this information is at the crux of ensuring that the supply chain is secure. 

International threats are not a single issue. Intellectual theft and lack of enforcement are a major concern, especially where incidents go unchallenged. Geopolitical issues also put pressure on businesses operating across different territories. 

At a local level, the Internet of Things has built increased connectivity, heightening concerns about exposure to more potential risk. Greater due diligence, set within robust procedures, will be necessary to minimise cybersecurity risks throughout the procurement process, from prequalification right the way through to ongoing operations. 

Bad behaviour needs to be driven out by organisations that are taking the threats and risks seriously. Supply chain relationships are often built around trust, and adhering to agreed standards will improve this trust. Therefore, incorporating cybersecurity firmly within the supply chain life cycle can, and will, make the difference. 

Martin Smith MBE
Chairman & Founder
SASIG – the Security Awareness Special Interest Group 

www.thesasig.com 

FUTURE Designs has created three bespoke lighting solutions: the IKON uplighter, IKON EMERGENCY luminaire and the PLINTH luminaire for Europe’s largest infrastructure project, the new Elizabeth Line.

The £14.8 billion Crossrail venture, officially known as the Elizabeth Line, is a new railway for London and the South East with 42km of new tunnels, connecting the East of the city to the West. The new service will speed up journey times, increase central London’s capacity by 10% and bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London.

David Clements, Chief Executive of FUTURE Designs said: “It has been an absolute honour for FUTURE Designs to be involved in illuminating areas of this outstanding and complex project, which is an undeniable feat of modern engineering. Such a multifaceted project comes with inevitable challenges to overcome, but there is no doubt that the exceptional result is worth the wait.”

FUTURE Designs has designed and manufactured these key elements harnessing the power of LED technology to deliver quality light within this subterranean infrastructure. The decision to use LEDs exclusively will reduce energy consumption and maintenance requirements, that will ultimately lead to a reduction in whole-life cost for the project.

That said, the choice of LEDs wasn’t without its challenges as very few existing suitable LED fittings met Crossrail’s specific requirements. FUTURE Designs came up with a ground-breaking solution, in keeping with Crossrail’s design brief, creating IKON, IKON EMERGENCY and PLINTH specifically for this project.

The lighting concepts from FUTURE Designs can be found in the station concourse areas, escalator tunnels and platforms and emphasise the spatial envelope rather than draw attention to the luminaires themselves.

As a result, the concept works in complete harmony with the interior, using the light-grey, matt-textured, glass-reinforced concrete lining of the station and escalator tunnels to reflect light onto the passenger areas creating a sense of spaciousness within the underground environment. The lighting also cleverly suppresses other more functional elements like cameras and speakers.

The lighting significantly contributes to the Elizabeth Line design concept of fast spaces and slow spaces. On the escalator the idea is to get people moving as quickly as possible whereas in the ticket halls and on the platforms lighting is warmer and more indirect to encourage passengers to make more considered wayfinding decisions.

The IKON uplighter luminaire has been created to sit on top of wayfinding totems. This phenomenally powerful luminaire is designed to shine light to the ceiling, which then reflects to the floor. The space between each uplighter is between 7-11 metres It was also critical that the design of IKON allowed it to act as a reliable and effective heatsink, drawing heat away from the mechanics and regulating the device’s temperature. IKON is installed in Elizabeth Line stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

IKON EMERGENCY luminaires are designed to automatically illuminate in the event of a power failure, helping to guide passengers to safety. The design features high and low-level lights mounted on the sides of wayfinding totems and vertical luminaires mounted on the front faces of the totems to spread light in all directions and throw the light across a large distance on the floors. IKON EMERGENCY is located in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

 

The PLINTH luminaire is a recessed escalator light fitting, located within the deck area between individual escalators. The uplighters are specially designed to diminish visual glare to passengers travelling on the escalators, preventing direct view of the LED source and providing well balanced lighting. PLINTH is installed in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

 

Leading interior building products distributor, CCF has moved its Edinburgh branch to a new location to satisfy construction demand.

Opening on Monday 23rd May 2022, the CCF Edinburgh branch has relocated to a new site just over the road – twice the size of its previous location. The warehouse will house a comprehensive range of insulation, fire protection, ceilings & dry lining solutions.

Marie Burke, Branch Manager at CCF Edinburgh, said: “Storage capacity is increasingly important given the pressures associated with supply. Ultimately, we want our customers to be able to find exactly what they need when visiting the branch so, following a period of sustained demand, we’ve relocated and expanded. We see this as a necessary and natural progression.”

This timely development comes after monthly outputs for UK construction reached the highest level (volume) since September 2019, according to 2022 figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The branch refurbishment sees a rise in staff numbers, with branch employees available to provide expertise on different materials, alongside a breadth of products available to choose from. CCF’s technical team will also be available to provide additional support and expertise.

Marie added: “Our colleagues are on hand to provide support and in-depth knowledge to ensure customers make informed choices for their project. Additionally, the relocation won’t cause disruption as we’re only moving over the road. This means we’ll still be able to welcome in all our regular customers and continue to offer our market leading services throughout the region.”

Trade professionals can find the CCF Edinburgh branch at Unit 5A, Pentland Industrial Estate, Loanhead, Midlothian, EH20 9QH.

For further information on CCF, and our partner suppliers (British Gypsum, Ecophon, Kingspan, Knauf, Knauf Insulation, Rockwool and Zentia), please visit www.ccfltd.co.uk.