Phase one of major student accommodation completes at the University of Warwick in Coventry.
Known as Oaks 1, is located less than a kilometre from the University of Warwick to the south west of Coventry city centre, and was developed by McLaren Property. The project was forward funded by Student Roost who now operate the Accommodation.
Formerly the site of an office building, Oaks 1 brings 378 new student rooms to the area in a mixture of 288 cluster bedrooms and 90 studios, which are within convenient walking distance of the university’s main campus.
The scheme also benefits from over 6,800 sq. ft. of amenity space; comprising an open plan common room and games room, gym and virtual training areas, study areas and social spaces, and has provided significant contributions towards the sustainable transport infrastructure in the area.
The consulting engineer was Howard Ward Associates (HWA) together with project managers Stace and Corstorphine + Wright Architects
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has this morning reported that the UK economy grew by 15.5% in the third quarter of the year, which is the largest quarterly growth ever recorded. This growth comes as a small but welcome recovery from the record-breaking 19.8% decline seen in June, especially as this improvement was seen in all sectors of the economy, including services, manufacturing and construction.
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by a record 15.5% in Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2020, as lockdown measures were eased. Though this reflects some recovery of activity following the record contraction in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2020, the level of GDP in the UK is still 9.7% below where it was at the end of 2019.
When compared with the same quarter a year ago, the UK economy fell by 9.6%.
While output in the services, production and construction sectors increased by record amounts in Quarter 3 2020, the level of output remains below Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec 2019) levels, before the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was seen. However, with a second lockdown in place, it is important to note that this growth may once again see the economy suffer from the closure of non-essential businesses.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Government needs to seize the opportunity to set out a new strategy to upgrade our existing homes to make them greener and more energy efficient. Short-term schemes only help in part. What is needed is a long-term strategy. The Chancellor should use the Spending Review to announce an extension to the Green Homes Grant scheme, to give businesses confidence to take part, and accelerate growth in the construction sector. That means bringing forward the full £9.2 billion pledged in the manifesto, so that the industry has a clear pipeline of work.”
Powered Now, a mobile-based billing, invoicing and quotation application which specialises in trades, has a client base of over 1500 SMEs, and has seen first hand the impact COVID-19 has had on businesses within trade sectors.
Ben Dyer, CEO of Powered Now, said: “The economic recovery we have seen in this morning’s announcement is indeed welcome, but of course with much of Britain in a state of national lockdown over the month of November, this month and the subsequent winter season are of course going to present yet more challenges.
“It is disappointing that the supply of building materials remains a constraint and it could be argued that suppliers over-reacted to the first lockdown, creating this situation. The reduction in the rate of PMI growth seen last week could be the first signs of a drop in demand from lockdown related macroeconomic damage. Let’s hope that isn’t the case.”
This year has challenged the supply chain to respond to a global pandemic, maintaining safety and supporting customers. Peter Johnson, chairman of cladding supplier Vivalda Group, reflects on a challenging year for the facades market and looks forward.
Having grappled with the three biggest strategic challenges we’d ever faced in one go – the construction recession, Brexit and the post-Grenfell period – we thought things could only get better in 2020. Alas it was not to be. If we thought these choppy waters were bad enough, cue the arrival of Covid-19 and the impact it’s had on the global economy.
However, while no one could ever say it’s been easy, the challenges posed by the virus have brought out the best in people with our nine UK branches using new technology (such as Zoom and Teams) to stay in touch with contractors to maintain the flow of cladding to site.
Thankfully, our sector has not been as badly affected by lockdown measures as others within UK plc. Certainly, the government’s remediation fund of £1.6bn has helped maintain activity in the cladding sector, while ongoing public finance initiatives have helped us to not just to keep the tills ringing, but also put us in with a fighting chance of achieving a new record in sales for the full year. We also salute construction industry leaders such as main contractors and the merchant sector for maintaining prompt payment terms, enabling liquidity to flow through to sub-contractors. In each of the previous three recessions I’ve experienced, the industry’s first reaction has been to put the cheque book in the safe and throw away the key. Not this time though.
Looking towards 2021, we are upbeat about the future. It’s likely that the government’s post-Covid economic strategy will involve significant infrastructure investment, including schools, hospitals and housing. Meanwhile we continue to invest in the growing off-site fabrication market, with new CNC routers, saws and turret punches, as well as new premises in the UK and Ireland.
Life is still tough in the medium-term – and we don’t need another lockdown – but with a healthy net cash pile providing insulation from the cold economic winds, we remain positive and ready for the upturn.
Façade render and external wall insulation (EWI) specialists, Baumit has donated its render products to the support the construction of the new Birk Crag Training, Activity and Residential Centre in Harrogate for Girlguiding. Baumit’s UniRend machine render system was applied to the centre’s exterior walls by Baumit client, RamEco.
For interior walls, Baumit SX Airless spray plaster will be applied. The Baumit UniRend system, comprising lightweight lime-cement render base coat (Baumit KZP 65), was installed to a 10mm thickness to the external walls of the centre. Ideal for new and old buildings alike, the solution’s high lime content allows it to facilitate building movement without causing cracks.
Additionally, Baumit StarTex fine reinforcing mesh was installed in 300mm strips to board edges around windows. Baumit’s SilikonTop provided the wall’s smooth 1.5mm grain finish. The ready-to-use wet topcoat render is highly water repellent and permeable, making it the ideal protective surface for exposed or high traffic areas susceptible to weather or harsh conditions.
Baumits SilikonTop also provided the weather-resilient topcoat render for a ‘feature wall’ within the centre. It was followed by an application of Baumit StarContact White, a mineral-based, dry adhesive, thin-coat render, which is also suitable as a bonding mortar onto concrete. Baumit gold-coloured, metallic-finish façade paint provided the wall’s innovative, standout final layer.
Rob Ramella, Director at RamEco, said: “Baumit’s UniRend system was absolutely ideal for this project. It’s pliable, applicator-friendly and has a higher lime content than other similar solutions. This leads to a better long-term performance, as it is less prone to cracking.”
The new centre replaces a previous Girlguiding facility, which was built in the 1950s before its recent demolition due to it being deemed no longer fit for purpose.
Neil Ash had a vision to turn UK construction sites purple and create a fully tested through the wall system. As the head of Etex Group’s Building Performance division, which is home to the Promat and Siniat brands, he intends to continue innovating and devise products and systems that help their customers to succeed. Adrian JG Marsh reports.
“No one knows what the future of construction will look like and the only way to get there is to play a part in it.” said Neil Ash.
“We look to innovate for specific markets. So, for example, if we see hotels as a growth segment then the hotel provider in the UK could be the same hotel provider in the Netherlands, or Spain, or in Latin America, and their needs and requirements are sometimes quite similar.
“Local regulation can be different, for example acoustic performance or fire protection, but the underlying requirements are often the same.”
So does this point to a local and global approach from Etex? “Local where it makes sense, absolutely, but it also brings in the global side of things for the knowledge and power of the business,” Mr Ash added.
The Etex Group has made a huge commitment to the UK by planning to invest £140 million in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bristol. At the time of the announcement Etex said it saw a growing plasterboard market as clients recognise the productivity benefits that lightweight construction offers.
According to Mr Ash looking at the future of growth it is very difficult and the best way to look forward is to look back at how markets have performed in the past. The investment decision was based on the UK growing over the next 10 years at the same level it has enjoyed during the last 10 years, reflecting strong fundamentals including ongoing population growth and demand for housing. So the recent coronavirus crisis won’t affect the long-term vision of Etex.
Off-site construction features heavily in Etex’s plans for the future. It recently launched New Ways to focus on Modern Methods of Construction and lightweight construction.
“What the New Ways division will do is decide which technologies we will develop and invest in, in different countries. We are not limiting ourselves to say, only frames or volumetric modules, but we will look at the solution that we need to have, to meet the needs of the customers in the market and adapt and innovate around that.
“The New Ways business is about assembling components that we already manufacture within the Group. It’s very much a project led business and the concept lends itself to where there is a lot of repetition, such as residential and student accommodation. Everything will be made to order.
So does this move mean Etex is going to be a turnkey provider? “Maybe one day, but we’re not ready to answer that question yet. The only way to establish the true potential of New Ways is to be a pioneer and pioneering is about trying new things. Not all will be successful and if you fail, then fail quickly and move on and learn from that experience.”
The key focus for delivering change andproviding help and support for Etex’s clients and partners is its specification team. “They work with design and construction teams to establish the right solutions for a project.
“The industry has had a tendency to try and arrive at the lowest cost solution. That’s been driven by the nature of construction and the way buildings have been built. But our approach has always been about tested solutions, where we give guidance, support and training to ensure that our products and solutions are installed in the right way, making sure that they are tested to the right requirements and standards, so they can do the job they’re supposed to do.”
The specialist exterior and interiors sector has seen a lot of changes because of Grenfell and Mr Ash says that they are seeing less specification breaking going on. “People are much more reluctant to change a specification once it has been written and installation contractors have become very aware of the risks involved in changing solutions to a cheaper alternative.”
Skills and resources are also a challenge for the industry. Mr Ash said: “Everyone has to play their part in developing skills and resources. We get asked by our partners to help deliver skills training and support. For main contractors and installation contractors there is often a requirement to recruit locally and when contracts are let, they have to turn to local colleges and training providers for help and support to attract new blood into the industry. We help where we can.”
As Mr Ash moves to his next assignment in the Etex Group, he said he was incredibly proud of the way his UK team has performed. “It’s a business that has given new opportunities to people, so they don’t have to look elsewhere. The testament to our growth is the £140 million investment in a new facility. This shows the belief that Etex has in the team we have here, and in UK construction and the great customers we have.
“With our innovations and a compelling value proposition we’ve been able to expand in new areas. We’re very proud of the innovation of Weather Defence. We had this ambition to turn the UK purple and we’ve done a fantastic job of it.
“Weather Defence was the catalyst to develop into SFS, and come up with a through the wall tested solution. I’m most proud of the creation of Thruwall. It’s a fully tested and warranted system and is the right way for our customers.”
Innovation and listening to customers has proved a huge success for Mr Ash and his team at Etex Building Performance in the UK. He’s now looking to make the same impact worldwide.
See also:
Etex claims plasterboard recycling record
Etex expands UK footprint with acquisition of fire-stopping business
The first phase of construction work for the £46.5m School of Engineering development at the University of Birmingham has been completed this month by contractor Willmott Dixon.
The state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for Digital Systems showcases successful collaboration between academia and industry, as the university has partnered with the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) to commission the facility, with £16.4m in funding from Research England.
The Centre sits within the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) and is set to unite existing academic and industry capabilities to innovate and support transformational change within the rail technology sector, globally.
Procured through the Constructing West Midlands framework, the 3,000m2 facility offers a variety of contemporary and flexible design and research spaces that act as an incubator for innovation, strengthening teaching and building research partnerships. Open offices, meeting rooms, seminar rooms and event spaces will enable industry partners to come and work directly with University experts and researchers.
The facility also has project labs, light labs and state-of-the-art equipment including cab simulators, signalling control centre, cybersecurity test lab along with electronic fabrication and technology assets to enable high quality, fast-paced research, through to proof-of-concept and testing.
The centre will house specialist research in digital railway engineering, focusing on railway control and simulation, data integration, cybersecurity, condition monitoring and sensing, and improved methods for technology introduction.
Nick Gibb, deputy managing director for the Midlands at Willmott Dixon, said: “Despite completing the final stages of the project during the Covid-19 pandemic, our teams optimised industry-leading safety and social distancing measures, which meant we were able to remain on-site during the pandemic and ultimately deliver this phase of the project on time.
Designed by Associated Architects, the striking building has been created to align with the rail industry, featuring Corten cladding to give the same visual impact as railway lines and track signalling.
Suitable for dry and wet cutting, the Twin 18V DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter is Makita’s latest addition to its LXT range. Powerful, compact and packed with safety features, this new construction tool is ideal for heavy-duty applications.
The new cordless DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter features a powerful 36V brushless motor with a no-load speed of 6,600rpm and maximum cutting capacity of 88mm, and is powered by two 18V LXT Lithium-ion batteries.
The tool has been designed with safety in mind and includes Makita’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) which shuts down the current to the motor if the rotation speed suddenly slows down, as well as an electric brake, a soft start feature that gradually increases speed to eliminate start-up shock, and a lock-off button to prevent accidental start-up.
In addition, the tool will alert the user to any risk of motor burnout caused by overloading, with its in-built overload indicator lamp. If the user continues, the electronic current limiter will cut off the power to protect both the batteries and the tool from damage.
With a fully loaded weight of just 6.3kg, the disc cutter is easy to manoeuvre and includes a rubberised ergonomic, soft grip for further user comfort. For wet cutting applications, the tool can be connected to a water supply kit for effective dust suppression, whilst the plastic battery cover (included) protects the batteries from water contact.
Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK says, “The Twin 18V DCE090 joins the line-up of over 250 cordless products within our LXT range, offering users wider flexibility on site and the ability to switch between jobs easily. The tool has been engineered with user safety and productivity in mind as well as incorporating features that optimise battery and tool performance, so that users benefit from an extended life cycle.”
For more information on Makita’s range of power tools, please visit www.makitauk.com.
Galliford Try Construction took the top spot in the October contractor league table after being appointed the contractor for eight major projects totalling just under £343 million. Projects include the Perceval House redevelopment in London and a replacement railway station for Perry Barr.
New entrant, Bouygues Group occupy second position this month with two awards totalling £230 million. In third place is another new entrant, CA Blackwell Contracts with a £175 million new coal mine project in Whitehaven.
The latest edition of the Top 50 League Tables published by industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights the number and value of construction contracts awarded during October. This month shows that the combined value of contracts awarded to the Top 50 was just over £2.9 billion with a total of 144 projects.
For October, Morgan Sindall were the busiest contractor with a total of 17 contract awards at a combined value of £128 million. Bowmer & Kirkland sit at the top of the rolling 12-month league table with 42 projects at a total value of £804 million.
Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI & AMA Research said, “As we are entering into a second lockdown, construction has been highlighted as an industry that will continue to remain open along with manufacturing and essential services. This will hopefully result in activity levels continuing to recover from the first lockdown.”
Download the full report here: https://ubm.io/2WBolhM
Peri, the formwork and scaffolding supplier, has started its transition to an all-electric fleet to make its day-to-day operations more sustainable and safer.
After reviewing the output of its forklift trucks, PERI said that the new electric vehicles were more energy-efficient than diesel, and will enable safer manoeuvring and material handling in its three depots.
The electric forklifts are fitted with the latest camera technology, enabling greater visibility for the driver. The trucks are also GSM enabled – a feature that PERI says it is keen to use to monitor the vehicles for efficiency in a bid to provide an even better service to its customers.
The company’s gradual transition to electric has seen a reduction in the number of its diesel forklift trucks by over half at its Brentwood depot, and this will continue to decrease across the rest of its fleet in the near future.
Mike Oakes, Operations Manager for PERI’s Brentwood depot said: “At PERI, we are constantly looking to innovate and use new and emerging technologies so that we can provide our customers with the best possible service. As a family-owned company, we believe in acting in a socially responsible way. These new forklift trucks help us to improve delivery of our market-leading formwork, scaffolding, and plywood solutions to the construction industry, whilst also reducing our impact on the environment.”
The transition to electric is only part of PERI’s investment into a more sustainable way of working, with changes already being made to speed up its cleaning and repair services and improve the working environment for its employees.
Research by the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group Scotland has found that the withholding of retentions has a significant impact on the way businesses operate and that more than two thirds of businesses support the introduction of a deposit scheme.
The analysis of the results – now with the Scottish Government for consideration established that 77% of the respondents stated that that late release of retentions was a very significant/fairly significant issue;
The research established that 82% of respondents stated non-payment of retentions (often due to upstream insolvencies) was a very/fairly significant issue. The total median estimated cost of pursuing late release of (and unpaid) retentions was £2,500 per respondent – which is a burden for small firms;
From the survey 66% of respondents were in favour of a retentions deposit scheme or trust fund to protect the monies.
The overwhelming majority of respondents agreed that the practice of retentions has been associated with considerable abuse to the detriment of SMEs.
The Scottish Government is setting up a working group to progress matters but Alan Wilson, SEC Group Scotland’s National Executive Officer, said “For the last the years we have been working on a solution to help inform a statutory retentions deposit scheme. This work has been carried out in conjunction with insurers, banking experts, software developers and academia. Over the fullness of time we expect that putting retentions out of reach of the abusers will help end the practice and, in the meantime, we can develop an insurance solution for clients.”
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