Researchers have developed flexible terahertz imagers based on chemically ‘tunable’ carbon nanotube materials. The findings expand the scope of terahertz applications to include wrap-around, wearable technologies as well as large-area photonic devices.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628105041.htm
Dramatic improvements have been made to the process of converting carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to methanol, a fuel and building block for a wide range of everyday materials, according to researchers.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628171435.htm
For the first time, researchers have created a nanocomposite of ceramics and a two-dimensional material, opening the door for new designs of nanocomposites with such applications as solid-state batteries, thermoelectrics, varistors, catalysts, chemical sensors and much more.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180629114654.htm
As silicon-based semiconductors reach performance limits, gallium nitride is becoming the next go-to material for several technologies. Holding GaN back, however, is its high numbers of defects. Better understanding how GaN defects form at the atomic level could improve the performance of the devices made using this material. Researchers have taken a significant step by examining and determining six core configurations of the GaN lattice.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180629114705.htm
A new process could provide a nontoxic alternative to conventional waterproof coatings for fabrics.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180629102614.htm
Researchers have observed the formation of holes that move by themselves in droplets of ionic liquids (IL) sitting inside water-ethanol mixtures. This curious, complex phenomenon is driven by an interplay between how ionic liquids dissolve, and how the boundary around the droplet fluctuates. Self-driven motion is a key feature of active matter, materials that use ambient energy to self-propel, with potential applications to drug delivery and nano-machine propulsion.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180630153738.htm
Californians do not purchase electric vehicles because they are cool, they buy EVs because they live in a warm climate. Conventional lithium-ion batteries cannot be rapidly charged at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but now a team of engineers has created a battery that can self-heat, allowing rapid charging regardless of the outside chill.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628171445.htm
Using graphene, one of science’s most versatile materials, engineers have invented a new type of photodetector that can work with more types of light than its current state-of-the-art counterparts. The device also has superior sensing and imaging capabilities.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628105105.htm
A collaboration has optimized the balance between the catalytic activity in hydrogen generation and stability of metal nanoparticles coated with different numbers of graphene layers. The team found that coating the catalyst nanoparticles with three to five graphene layers provided samples that displayed high catalytic activity in hydrogen evolution as well as high stability in acidic solution. These findings should aid the development of economical processes for large-scale hydrogen production.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160408.htm
Recent research has investigated the effect of hierarchical Bi2MoO6 nanosheet arrays on the performance of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and found that it improves the cycle stability and capacity and is expected to be used in portable electronic devices in the future.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160400.htm
Researchers have just solved the first atomic structure of a brain receptor bound to a drug used to reverse anesthesia and to treat sedative overdoses.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160222.htm
A new family of enzymes has been discovered which paves the way to convert plant waste into sustainable and high-value products such as nylon, plastics, chemicals, and fuels.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627075615.htm
Investigators have demonstrated the feasibility of implanting a micropacemaker system in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart – a breakthrough that may open up new cardiac pacing options for children and adults.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180626113259.htm
To improve water treatment, researchers use modeling to understand how chemical byproducts form during the advanced oxidation process.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160505.htm
Researchers have reported an inexpensive hybrid catalyst capable of splitting water to produce hydrogen, suitable for large-scale commercialization.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180629102602.htm
Kier and the Glasgow School of Art have both mutually agreed to terminate the Mackintosh building contract following the devastating fire.
A joint statement both parties said they had agreed that the current £25m contract could no longer be fulfilled.
Much of the standing facade structure is due to be dismantled shortly after a survey found they were now at risk of imminent collapse.
Specialist Burnside Demolition is now drawing up a partial demolition plan. Because of the dangerous nature of the site it will take around two days to devise a methodology for taking down the south façade, which is the most seriously affected part of the building.
The statement from Kier and The Glasgow School of Art said: “Following the fire on 15 June, The Glasgow School of Art and Kier Construction confirm they have jointly concluded that the current contract for the Mackintosh Building restoration will end with immediate effect.
“Both parties agreed that the current contract could no longer be fulfilled or completed.
“The Glasgow School of Art acknowledges the work Kier Construction Limited and its appointed sub-contractors had undertaken to date.”
Kier Construction was scheduled to handover the building for completion in January 2019.
Prosperity Capital Partners have successfully secured planning for a £175m landmark build-to-rent scheme right in the heart of Manchester.
The 556-home mixed-use development, named Old Brewery Gardens, is part of a residential-led regeneration on the site of the famous Boddingtons Brewery, a regional landmark opposite the Manchester Arena.
Out of the 556 homes, 375 will be built specifically for rent and the remaining 181 for sale.
The development will also include 40,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space.
Prosperity Capital Partners, a leading investor and developer, has 1,700 student accommodation and BTR units either completed or in the pipeline.
Old Brewery Gardens, the company’s first BTR scheme in the regions, has been designed by London-based Assael Architecture, with a red brick envelope.
The buildings will be clustered around a communal garden at the heart of the scheme, which will be used intermittently as an open-air cinema and brings vital green space to Manchester’s centre. Other amenities will include a gym, residents’ lounges and rooftop terraces that will be used for outdoor yoga.
Old Brewery Gardens is to start on site in Q2 2019 with doors opening in 2021.
Prosperity Capital Partners is an integrated investment and development business with plans to deliver more than 10,000 new homes over the next decade across the UK and Ireland, with a specific focus on the regions and Dublin.
Ed Fowkes, development director at Prosperity Capital Partners, said: “Securing planning for Old Brewery Gardens is a momentous occasion for us as a business.
“Such a large project, with a diverse and exciting offering for both residents and the local community, will make a significant contribution to a Manchester that continues to thrive culturally and economically.”
The number of high-rise blocks believed to be fitted with Grenfell-style cladding has soared following studies of over 6,000 buildings.
Latest estimates from the Government reveal there are now more private tower blocks of 18 or above in need of remediation than social housing blocks.
The figure is more than double that believed at risk in May. Of the 297 high-rises expected to fail tests private owners of three quarters have failed to notify Government of plans to remediate despite warnings.
It also admitted this figure could rise further because the cladding status of another 170 private sector residential buildings is still to be confirmed.
Housing secretary James Brokenshire has unveiled fresh measures including a new expert taskforce to drive forward swifter action by building owners to remove potentially unsafe cladding on private sector high-rise residential buildings.
For the majority of these remaining buildings, enforcement notices have now been issued to get information on building construction from owners.
Based on current evidence and the identification rate to date, The Government expects 3-5% of the remaining buildings to have similar ACM cladding systems to those which have failed large-scale system tests.
It said that only 19 of the total buildings have so far had their dangerous cladding replaced, leaving tens of thousands of people living in buildings at risk.
Brokenshire said: “I have been clear that leaseholders should be protected from unfair costs and we expect the industry to do the right thing. If they don’t, I will continue to explore other routes and I am not ruling anything out.”
He added that while remediation work has begun on 21 of these private buildings buildings, of which 4 have been completed, the government was determined to accelerate the pace of this work.
Contractor Graham Group has continued its expansion with strong growth in turnover and a record order book for the year ahead.
The privately-owned group’s revenues jumped 36% to £768m in the year ending 31 March 2018 with growth across all divisions.
Pre-tax profit slipped from £16m last time to £13m, due in part to increased investment in the business and the collapse of a joint venture partner and administration of a couple of supply chain partners in the wake of Carillion.
Michael Graham, Executive Chairman at Graham, said: “Fundamentally, Graham is in an excellent position.
“Each of our divisions has a record order book and a pipeline of opportunity that is strong in both volume and quality.
“Cash at bank and in hand has passed the £70m mark with good operating cash flows which means that, among other things, we can ensure prompt supplier payment that will stand us in good stead for more sustainable growth.”
He added: “Margins have unquestionably been hit by a joint venture partner going into administration and knock on effects of a major contractor collapse, but we have ensured that every division has remained in profit and are happy with the end of year outcome given the challenging circumstances.”
Graham increased investment in the business during 2017/18 culminating in a strategic rebrand – the first in over 25 years.
“We have also enhanced our digital capabilities through the investment in the digital construction team and digital FM offering,” added Graham.
The group’s facilities management team has recently been appointed by Scape Group and the interior fit-out division continues to work with Primark as well as recently being appointed to a Department for Work & Pensions framework.
Graham’s civil engineering team has been working on bridges on the A47 in Norfolk, one of 68 schemes being delivered as part of Highways England’s, OD East Package 2 (North), £21m package of works in total.
The group now employs more than 2,200 people across 17 regional offices in the UK and Ireland, working on more than 100 live projects at present.
A Manchester-based roofer has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do community service ignoring prohibition notices.
Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 7 November 2017, Michael Anthony Roden (who also trades as M&R Roofing and Onyx Roofing) and his employee were contracted to carry out roof replacement work at Wheildons Butchers, Manchester.
Roden failed to implement any form of edge protection or scaffolding whilst the roofing work was carried out and did not have employers’ liability compulsory insurance.
An HSE investigation found that Roden had previously been served with two prohibition notices on two separate occasions with regards to working from a height with no suitable edge protection.
Despite this he continued to work without appropriate scaffolding and, in doing so, put himself and his employee at risk of a fall from height, as well as members of the public who were at risk from any falling materials.
Roden of Droylsden, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations and was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years, 240 hours community service and ordered to pay costs of £4,600.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Matt Greenly said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply having the correct control measures and safe working practices in place.
“Mr Roden chose to save money by not having scaffolding and in doing so put his life at risk as well as the lives of his employee and visitors to the butcher’s shop.
“Companies and individuals should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
A multicolor laser pointer you can use to change the color of the laser with a button click – similar to a multicolor ballpoint pen – is one step closer to reality thanks to a new tiny synthetic material.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628131101.htm
Scientists have achieved a new level of precision working with single molecules. They succeeded in placing an ultrathin molecule in an upright position on a flat layer of silver atoms – and the molecule remained standing instead of reverting to its naturally favored position. The artificial structure illustrates the potential of novel molecular fabrication methods.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160432.htm
Burnfield Demolition will start to partially dismantle sections of the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh in the next few days amid fears of a building collapse.
Recent remote surveys and close-in surveys from baskets suspended from cranes have revealed more substantial movement in the walls of the building than previously thought.
Surveyors have warned that a sudden collapse of parts of the building is now likely, rather than possible.
But because of the dangerous nature of the site it will take around two days to devise a methodology for taking down the south façade, which is the most seriously affected part of the building.
The West gable of the Mackintosh building has continued to deteriorate and the East gable has continued to move outwards.
In a statement Glasgow Counicl said: “While it is not possible to say for certain what the methodology will be, the demolition contractor has been asked to consider beginning at the Eastern side of the site.
“If this is possible it could make it more likely that we will be able to make the East wall safe and allow access to residents in Dalhousie Street.
“However Glasgow City Council, GSoA and the contractors wish to be clear that people should still not believe that this will be a quick process and that it is still impossible to say how long the cordon will remain in place.
While any part of the building remains unstable there is still a risk of falling bricks or stone moving quickly downhill and into the buildings on Sauchiehall Street.
Glasgow City Council’s Head of Building Control Raymond Barlow said: “This building has undergone substantial stress in recent days.
“With each passing day a sudden collapse becomes more likely. It has become urgent that we take down the south façade. As the process begins it will be likely that the other walls will also need to be reduced.
“We do not know what effect this will have on the rest of the building so I have to be clear this site remains dangerous and is becoming more dangerous. It is particularly important that people observe the cordon which remains in place.”
Developer Fruition Properties has got the green light for a 20-storey residential tower at London’s Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration site.
The 2 Scrubs Lane development has been part funded by Propio, the innovative crowdfunding investment platform, and will also include a new church, nursery and community facilities.
Design and build contractor A29, which partners Fruition on its scheme will start work in early 2019, with completion estimated for 2021.
Designed by Stiff + Trevillion architects, the approved development is situated on the north-eastern entrance to the 650 hectare regeneration zone and will provide a total of 85 new homes comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments.
Around 35% will be for London Living Rent and 16 for Shared Ownership.
The result marks a significant success for both Fruition Properties and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, in line with the vision for the area which will deliver more than 25,500 new homes, with vastly increased connectivity thanks to Elizabeth Line and HS2.
It is the only area in London where the two transport lines will meet, providing the required infrastructure for this exciting new neighbourhood.
Mani Khiroya, managing director of Fruition Properties, said: “When complete, not only will 2 Scrubs Lane provide much needed new private and affordable homes but also improved fit-for-purpose community facilities that will allow the local area to flourish.”
The director of a Glasgow contractor has been disqualified for failing to keep proper company records after his firm went down owing nearly £1m to suppliers.
David Simpson Duffy was the sole director of Annick Structures Ltd (ASL), which traded as a construction and civil engineering company.
ASL was incorporated in 2012 and was ordered into compulsory liquidation in February 2016, following a petition by HMRC owing creditors over £900,000.
A subsequent Insolvency Service investigation found that from March 2014 to February 2016 Duffy failed in his duty as a director to keep adequate accounting records for ASL.
The result was that it was not possible to verify the true level of income and expenditure to and from the company bank account and specifically:
This was aggravated further by Duffy’s failure to ensure that ASL prepared and filed annual accounts with Companies House, for the period to 28 February 2015.
Following the Insolvency Service investigation Duffy signed a six year undertaking banning him from running a company.
Robert Clarke, Head of Company Investigation at the Insolvency Service said: “Directors have a duty to ensure that their companies maintain proper accounting records, and, following insolvency, deliver them to the office-holder in the interests of fairness and transparency.
“Without a full account of transactions it is impossible to determine whether a director has discharged his duties properly, or is using a lack of documentation as a cloak for impropriety.”
JCB is investing more than £50min a new British plant to double production of cabs used on its machines.
Groundwork have just started on the 350,000 sq ft factory for JCB Cab Systems adjacent to the A50 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, next to two existing JCB plants.
The hi-tech factory will have the capacity to produce around 100,000 cabs a year when it opens next year.
JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said: “This new factory will be the most advanced and productive cab facility in the world and will bring even greater levels of efficiency to the business.
“The investment is one of the biggest in the company’s history and underlines our commitment to manufacturing in Britain and in our home county of Staffordshire.”
JCB Cab Systems currently employs more than 400 people at its existing site in Rugeley, Staffs.
Wates Construction has strengthened its leadership team in the Southern Home Counties with a trio of appointments
Jason Wooldridge has been promoted to operations director with Kevin Scott also assuming this role, having formerly held the same position for Wates Construction London.
In addition, Sarah Beard joins the company as business development manager from Newbury based Francis Construction.
Before that she worked at Balfour Beatty and Brymor Construction.
Wooldridge has worked his way through the ranks since joining the firm 22 years ago as a trainee site manager.
Previously, he worked on projects including the University of Southampton’s Marine and Maritime Institute.
Woodridge’s new role will involve overseeing all activity on the South Coast as well as the build programme of luxury care homes at Signature Wandsworth.
Scott will cover the northern half of the region. He was part of the London team that oversaw projects including the redevelopment of the Royal College of Surgeons’ historic building in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
In his new role, Scott will be responsible for schemes including the £32m Braywick Leisure Centre in Maidenhead.
The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating allegations of insider share deals in the run up to Carillion’s collapse.
The probe was confirmed in letter to MP Frank Field who is chairing an investigation into Carillion’s collapse.
It states: “Our Investigation is into the timeliness and content of the firm’s announcements.
“Our primary focus is to determine whether the matters announced in Carillon’s trading update on 10 July 2017 were identified and announced at the appropriate time.
“We are also considering whether earlier announcements made by Carillon were false or misleading as a result.
“This Includes Carillon’s £845 million contract provision as well as Carillion’s revised expectations as to revenue, profit and debt levels that were also announced on 10 July.
“Our investigation currently covers potential breaches of the Market Abuse Regulation, Listing Rules and Listing Principles.
“We are aware of allegations or insider trading in Carillion’s. shares prior to its trading update on 10 July 2017 and are looking into them.”
Privately-owned civils and process engineering contractor Murphy is on the hunt for further acquisitions as its seeks to grow into a £2bn turnover business by 2027.
The firm has been steadily growing its capability and last year bought AECOM’s Irish water business, now operating as Murphy Process Engineering, as well as snapping up Carillion’s UK Power business.
John Murphy, who became chief executive last year, said the firm was on track to deliver its 10-year plan.
“We continue to make significant investments in strengthening our broad functional and operating capability.”
The acquisition of the Irish Water business and increased activity in its Canadian pipeline business helped to lift revenue by 16% to £712m last year.
But losses on power projects in the north of England and Canadian jobs hit pre-tax profits for the year, which fell by nearly half to £12.3m.
The group ended the year with a cash balance of £62m and an order book of £1bn.
David Burke, chief financial officer, said: “We are committed to building our engineering technical and specialist capabilities to allow us to help our clients find innovative and efficient solutions.
Murphy Process Engineering represents a further step up out applied engineering expertise.
“We will be working through 2018 to identify opportunities to leverage this capability in Ireland and in our core geographies.
“We will also through 2018 continue to explore targeted acquisitions which will build our specialist capabilities.”
Ambitious plans for the £300m regeneration of the Royal Docks in east London over the next five years have been given the green light.
The Royal Docks has the potential to generate 35,000 jobs, 4,000 new homes and attract more than £5bn in inward investment by 2037/38.
Today, the detailed delivery plan for the 112-hectare Royal Docks Enterprise Zone was signed off by the board of the London Economic Action Partnership, responsible for allocating funding.
The planned investment, to be carried out over five years from 2018/19, will support the comprehensive regeneration of the Royal Docks over the next five years.
This will involve an integrated package of investment in transport infrastructure, connectivity, economic development, placemaking, and promotion and estate management.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Today marks a major step forward in the development of this site, which has the potential to become not only an important new business destination but also a key part of the capital’s cultural life.”
Researchers created a material containing photochromic dyes, crystals providing structural coloration, and a colored background that mimics the color changes that animals such as frogs, chameleons, and octopuses can display. This material could display different patterns and images depending on whether it was exposed to visible or ultraviolet light, or had a white or black background, which suggests its potential application in a range of next-generation display technologies.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627075611.htm
Gently compressed stacks of graphene form sharp crinkles that carry an electric charge, which could be useful in nanoscale self-assembly and other applications.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627003058.htm
Waste management firm Encore Environment has launched a web-based application that allows contractors to donate recycled materials to local social enterprises and schools at the touch of a button with complete traceability.
The service reduces the cost of disposal for contractors and generates carbon savings from diverting from landfill and captures easily lost BREEAM points.
Encore managing director Rachel Rowley said the service maximises value and re-use opportunities on items such as plasterboard, glass and metal at every opportunity, always ensuring re-use or clean disposal by diverting from Material Recycling Facilities direct to end destination.
Fit-out contractors Overbury and Paragon, as well as Surrey-based General Demolition, have worked with Encore to improve their waste management credentials.
Having identified a gap in the market for a company which is not a broker or recycling facility, but which instead provides total waste management and strategic support, Encore set up a unique process and computer systems to simplify the process.
With qualified BREEAM assessors working in-house, the company’s innovative approach enables contractors to reduce cost, by an average of 30% against traditional routes of disposal.
Under the new Project Divert service Encore can also provide advice and support from the early design stage of a project through to completion and beyond.
Rowley said that carrying out detailed pre-refurbishment, environmental and waste audits for each construction client meant it could provide accurate forecasts and establish where equipment and materials could be redirected.
“Early intervention ensures that Encore can re-use and relocate items without delaying any project timescales and thorough BREEAM pre-assessments enable us to identify diversion and re-use opportunities during the design phase to minimise the use of non-recyclable products.”
She said that Encore was even working with some larger clients at the tender stage of a project to give them a competitive difference.
“Waste disposal services across all streams are managed and coordinated by Encore, while advising companies on ‘as built’ BREAAM performance, segregation of waste to reduce weights and costs, and to provide end destination transparency. ”
The firm provides clients with a full suite of reports including Site Waste Management Plans, audits to BREEAM and SKA standard, monthly consolidated waste site reports and all necessary data to support sustainability targets.
The clear and precise reporting provides total clarity and transparency, enabling clients to easily showcase their corporate social responsibility credentials.
Private contractor Mace has called the top of the UK property cycle and sees future profit growth from overseas work and ramping up its development business.
The firm said it would not be tempted to bid major projects if client’s return to single-stage, fixed-price tenders as is being expected.
Announcing results for 2017, Mace said it had put its problems of 2016 behind it when construction in the UK fell into loss and had delivered a year of rebuilding.
Revenue for the year remained constant at £1.97bn with profits before tax more than doubling to £23m from a focus on margin and risk management.
“Although our profits are not yet back at pre-2016 levels, we are back on the right track and have worked hard to contain issues which caused problems previously, said chief executive Mark Reynolds.
“Our plans to increase the amount of work we do overseas and become a global exporter of construction services continued to go well with the amount of international work increasing by 29% to £665m.
“Some are suggesting that we are starting to come to the end of the current property cycle in the UK, that is why it is so important that Mace continues to diversify across a variety of sectors and on long-term projects and programmes both in the UK and internationally.”
Until recently, Mace was free of any corporate debt, but based on the success of earlier development projects, it issued a 5-year bond for £160m in March to provide finance for its growing development business, now involved with schemes valued at over £1.8bn.
These bonds are due for repayment by 23 March 2022.
Construction contributed £1.63bn (83%) of group turnover in 2017.
Financed director Dennis Hone added: “The project losses that impacted on our results in 2016 continued to adversely impact our financial results in 2017, as our challenging projects achieved practical completion and commercial negotiations continued during the year.
Looking forward Hone said: “Many commentators are speculating that we are nearing the end of the current property cycle and that this could lead to cheaper prices and more competition in the sector.
“This in turn could lead to more single-stage fixed-price tenders once again being issued by clients.
“We strongly believe this form of procurement and contractual arrangement introduces disproportionate risk for the tier one contractor and their supply chain.
“Our response is to be more selective regarding the schemes we will bid for, ensuring that margin suitably
reflects the risks involved.
“With uncertainty in the economy we believe that no contractor should buy work just to keep the workforce engaged and to supplement short term cash flow nor should there be an acceptance of potentially undeliverable programmes at cheapest cost.”
The Construction business achieved a number of significant construction management appointments over the year and these contributed to an increase in construction employees rising from 1,402 to 1,842.
Consultancy business grew turnover by 17% to £267m in 2017 and increased headcount from 1,987 to 2,511.
Hone said “The conclusion of challenging projects together with an almost full order book for 2018, gives us confidence that we will see a further increase in Mace’s profit before tax in 2018.”
The total number of people Mace employed, including consultants and temporary employees, rose by 13% to 5,726 at year end, with a third of employees now women.
The boss of a Derbyshire contractor has been banned after failing to pay fines following multiple health and safety breaches
Michael Allen, 64 of Ashbourne was a director of Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Limited – a specialist company in manufacturing and erecting steel-framed agricultural and industrial buildings.
In July 2014, a worker was carrying out repairs on a farm building in Buxton, when they fell through the roof and suffered life-changing injuries.
An HSE investigation led to Allen pleading guilty to breaching three counts of the working at height regulations and a fine of £274,671 in November 2016.
But Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Limited went into liquidation in December 2016 and Allen told investigators that the business closed down because it could not afford to pay the fine.
Further investigations by the Insolvency Service found that after the accident and to allow for a clear division between fabrication and installation activities, a new company was incorporated in October 2014.
The new company carried out fabrication services, while the installation side of the business was wound down.
If the fabrication contracts had remained within Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Limited, the original company, there would have been sufficient funds to pay the fine.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has since accepted a disqualification undertaking from Allen who is now banned from running a company for six years.
Dave Elliott, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “Michael Allen had a lack of regard for the workers, which unfortunately resulted in a horrific injury for one person.
“Directors who fail to adhere to health and safety regulations to protect their employees and then fail to pay the fine can expect to face the consequences of a period of disqualification.”
House builder Bellway has gained planning to build 518-homes in Bexleyheath town centre in Kent on the former civic office site.
Bellway aims to create a new eastern quarter for the town centre, with new homes, retail and public realm.
The site has been abandoned since 2014 when the council moved down the road into the old Woolwich building.
Proposals include significant Public Realm improvements to form new links, and create new routes and spaces to serve the whole town.
Once completed, the development will be the tallest building in Bexleyheath with one of the blocks rising to 13 storeys.
Enabling work on the scheme is due to start next month.
The client teams includes architect RMA and M&E consultant Powell Tolner & Associates.
A spokeswoman from Bexley Council said: “There is a need for local housing in the borough with many Bexley residents and their families struggling to find good quality, affordable accommodation, which is why the council is committed to providing more affordable homes, and has approved the 518 homes on the former Civic Offices site in Bexleyheath town centre.
“The scheme includes 110 affordable homes and new commercial floorspace. The application will now be the subject of a review by the Mayor of London, as is normal with a scheme of this size.”
The hunt for a main contractor is now in full swing after developer GS8 secured planning consent to deliver a 146 unit, mixed-use development in Watford, Hertfordshire.
The scheme is the first phase to be awarded planning in Watford Borough Council’s Watford Junction regeneration masterplan.
Construction is scheduled to start by the end of this year on the 4,338 sq m site.
Work will involve construction of four buildings ranging from three to 11 storeys containing 146 apartments and 330 sq m of commercial space.
In addition, the Grade-II listed Old Station House, formerly the royal waiting room for rail travel for Queen Adelaide, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, will be converted into an artisan tap room bringing the last remaining brewery, Pope’s Yard, back to Watford.
Ben Spencer, Director at GS8, said: “We are delighted to be delivering the first phase of the much-anticipated Watford Junction Masterplan – and our first of two major regeneration schemes in the town.
“Over the past two years we have acquired a number of sites to enable this scheme to come forward, undergoing a significant design process with the council and residents to ensure that we deliver a scheme in line with the aspirations and hopes of the local community.
“The supply and demand fundamentals which persist in Watford clearly demonstrate the need for new affordable housing, which is why 25% of our development will be available for affordable and social rent with a small element of shared ownership.
“Alongside our diversified residential offer, we are looking forward to regenerating this currently underutilised site by supporting the local community and providing a range of new facilities.”
GS8 intends to start on site by the end of 2018, with phase one expected to complete towards the end of 2020.
A push into the private rented sector is expected to boost turnover at United Living to £275m next year as the contractor posted record results.
Turnover for 2017-18 rose 33% to £240m from £181m while profits increased 13% to £10.7m from £9.5m.
United Living has a secured forward order book exceeding £800m with a further £175m in negotiation and is aiming for 5% margins.
Ian Burnett, chief executive said: “United Living has developed a solid reputation for providing an excellent service in both new build and refurbishment contracts.
“This is reflected in our growing number of clients; their repeat business; and our financial performance which is strengthening year-on-year.
“We’re forecasting growth to £275m for 2018-19 and have already secured more than £260m of these contracts.
“We expect this will be bolstered further by our move into the UK’s PRS market, which has been driven by the success we’ve seen working on a small number of private sector projects to date.
“The key however is to only work with customers who share similar values to ourselves. Our financial success comes from a stringent review of risk taking on projects and walking away from schemes when the balance is not acceptable.
“As the business continues to grow and diversify, I’m particularly proud that social value remains at its very heart, with our values and the wider benefits of training, local employment and community initiatives, remaining the driving force behind all of United Living’s projects.”
United Living works with registered housing providers, local authorities and private developers to source land and deliver high quality homes and refurbishment programmes.
In 2017-18 United Living built approximately 1000 new homes and refurbished more than 7,500 properties across the country.
The Government today paved the way for the next generation of council housing by inviting local authorities to bid for a share of £1bn extra borrowing headroom.
This £1bn borrowing cap raise will be split equally between London and the rest of England. It will be granted to areas with the highest affordability pressures to ensure homes are built where they are needed most.
These new measures are part of the government’s ambitious plans to build 1.5m new homes by 2022 through planning reform and targeted investment.
The government also revealed that £1.67bn of previously announced housing funding would be used to build 23,000 affordable homes, including 12,500 for social rent.
James Brokenshire, secretary of state for housing, said: “Today’s announcement is a further milestone. It will secure the delivery of an additional 23,000 much-needed affordable homes as well as paving the way for a new generation of council houses.
The majority of these new homes will be in high cost areas helping to ease the burden of rent on hard working families and delivering stronger communities.
A list of successful councils who have had their borrowing caps increased will be announced in the autumn. Succesfull local authorities with will be able to draw down additional borrowing from April 2019 onwards
At the high point, councils were building more than 120,000 homes per year. But in the 1970s and 1980s this fell to an average of about 60,000 completions each year and to an all time low of just 50 dwellings in 2000.
Delivery has since increased and local authorities are now building around 3,000 homes per year.
Developer LabTech has appointed Ardmore as main contractor for its 101 Camley Street project in London’s Kings Cross.
The mixed-use scheme will provide 30,000 sq ft of new purpose built co-working office space alongside 121 new homes.
The project is understood to be worth around £50m according to former bidders.
Designed by Hutchinson & Partners, the scheme will provide 91 private apartments and 30 affordable and shared ownership apartments within two blocks rising to 11-storeys.
The residential element will sit over the new commercial space and parking provision on the lower ground floors.
Ardmore will oversee the completion of the current substructure contract, before starting the structural frame in Q4 2018. The project is expected to complete in Q4 2019.
Chen Moravsky, Labtech Group CEO, said: “We’re pleased to have appointed Ardmore for this development. They have a proven track record and we are confident that they will meet LabTech’s high standards.
“This is another project for LabTech that combines technology led co-working and serviced apartments within one urban community”.
Cormac Byrne, Ardmore’s managing director said: “It’s an honour to be chosen to deliver such an important project for LabTech – especially on a scheme that combines our extensive track record as one of London’s premiere residential contractor whilst building on our recent success in the commercial and office sectors.”
The Pensions Regulator is looking at making Carillion bosses stump up cash to help tackle the firms huge pension deficit.
TPR today confirmed it is considering issuing a contribution notice – a legally enforceable demand for a financial contribution to the pension deficit – against former Carillion directors.
Currently, the Pension Protection Fund will be forced to pick up the £800m bill left in the wake of Carillon’s collapse.
But the TPR is investigating whether the company or its directors attempted to avoid their obligations to Carillion’s pension schemes.
Frank Field MP, chair of the joint work and pensions committee investigation Carillion’s collapse, said: “The Carillion directors continued to line their pockets as the pension entitlements of their workforce evaporated, with the PPF due to shoulder the staggering pension deficit they left behind.
“It appears though that TPR could set its sights on more than those ill-gotten gains, and go after the directors it finds responsible for everything they’ve got.
“We urge TPR to take this opportunity to demonstrate the new direction and vigour it keeps professing. Clear, exemplary action, not words, is necessary now to restore any confidence in its ability do its job and protect the pensions of ordinary people.”
The Committee has formally written to TPR welcoming the news. The letter states: “Ernst & Young, commissioned by Carillion to model recoveries in the eventuality of a liquidation back in December 2017, suggested the PPF could get as little as £12.6m.
“By contrast, our analysis of Carillion’s annual accounts suggests that over the past decade, Carillion’s six main directors pocketed nearly £17m in total remuneration.
“Whilst such amounts will not go far in offsetting the largest bill the PPF have ever picked up, estimated at £800m, it is surely the case that these directors have benefitted disproportionately at the expense of the pension schemes they should have been funding”
Liverpool City Council’s new housing company Foundations has appointed Lovell to build the first homes for its ambitious £500m new-build programme.
Birkenhead-based partnership homes specialist Lovell is to deliver more than a 100 homes, in a decade long initiative to create 10,000 homes.
Subject to planning consent, Foundations and Lovell will deliver a mixed development scheme, costing around £14m, on land off Ackers Hall Avenue in Yew Tree, north Liverpool.
Foundations is the flagship housing policy for the Mayor of Liverpool who wants to use the company to rebalance the city’s social housing stock, revolutionise the rent-to-buy sector and drive up council tax receipts.
Formally established in January, the housing company aims to build bespoke properties for the homeless, foster carers, large families, the elderly and people with a disability.
Other schemes are currently being devised which will involve other contractors and developers with the ambition that Foundations will sustain 2,000 jobs in the city’s construction sector.
Frank Hont, chair of Foundations, said: “I’m delighted we have appointed Lovell to deliver our very first Foundations scheme – this is a symbolic moment for what will become a landmark programme.”
A planning application is set to be submitted in August with the Lovell construction team aiming to start work on the proposed development by the end of this year.
A mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes will be built on empty land previously occupied by a city council housing estate.
Lovell regional managing director Nigel Yates said that the new homes would incorporate many Lifetime Home Standard features – such as extra hallway space and room for a chairlift – allowing them to be easily adapted to suit residents’ changing needs.
Homes will also benefit from high standards of insulation as well as energy-efficient boilers and modern kitchen appliances. Each home will have its own front and back gardens as well as off-street parking.
London and Home Counties housing association L&Q has named its four partner groundwork contractors.
The new line-up of contractors for the Counties Groundworks Framework is Hennigan Building and Civil Engineering, P J Carey (Contractors), Smith Construction Group and West Point Construction.
Quadrant’s in-house construction arm awarded the four-year deal.
Bids are also due to be invited shortly for a reinforced concrete framework covering works in the London area.
Construction work on London’s £1.4bn Brent Cross shopping centre redevelopment has been delayed by six months.
Work on the scheme will now start in January 2019, pushing the completion date back from September 2022 to March 2023.
Laing O’Rourke, which will deliver the £700m construction package for joint owners Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, was due to get enabling works underway next month.
But delays associated with compulsory purchase orders for land at the site have been blamed for knocking back the project start, according to a Barnet Council committee report.
J Murphy is now believed to have secured a £15m utility diversion and early works contract for the project, which is expected to last 18 months.
The regeneration of Brent Cross London will double the size of the existing centre to 2m sq ft of retail and leisure space.
This will include up to 150 new retail stores and 50 new restaurants, as well as an extra leisure and cinema offer, hotel accommodation and improved public spaces including a new town square.
The plans also include a relocated and enlarged bus station as well as improved transport and highways infrastructure.
The scheme is designed by award-winning architects, Callison RTKL and Chapman Taylor.
The Federation of Small Businesses is calling on the Government to accept a raft of public procurement reforms in the wake of Carillion’s collapse.
Latest research by the federation reveals that 25% of businesses who are in the supply chains for public infrastructure projects experience late payment more than half the time.
The FSB is calling for Government to identify opportunities to split up big public procurement contracts, make better use of Dynamic Purchasing Systems and to make sure large government suppliers pay on time.
Chairman Mike Cherry said: “Healthy supply chains are a win-win for businesses and tax payers as they create genuine competition, drive productivity, help close skills gaps and fuel economic growth.
“Carillion’s collapse demonstrated the urgent need for Government embark on a positive reform agenda to increase value for money for tax payers and to minimise the risk of putting too much power in the hands of a few big firms.
“By setting a good example, Government will set down a marker for Chairs and CEOs of the UK’s largest companies so that they take accountability for embracing good supply chain practice.”
