Construction National

Last chance to book Alliance Demonstration Day

The Structural Concrete Alliance is urging delegates to book now to reserve the last available places for its Practical Demonstration Day on Wednesday 25 September at the Resapol Depot, Moss Industrial Estate, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 3PT.

The free event will offer delegates an opportunity to witness interactive demonstrations of key concrete repair, protection, strengthening and sprayed concrete techniques. Delegates will be able to closely examine these specialist products and see first-hand how they can be used in a variety of applications. 

Read more: Last chance to book Alliance Demonstration Day

Significant progress at Ashford International Truckstop development

Since the official ground-breaking in Q3 2018, the estimated £150m project at Ashford International Truckstop is making significant progress, with Mick George Ltd set to commence the first phase of Soil Stabilisation works imminently, on behalf of GSE Civil Engineering Ltd.

The Waterbrook development will see the 140-acre site, near junction 10 of the M20, double HGV parking capacity to 600, providing secure daytime and overnight parking that will overcome long-standing issues surrounding illegal parking in residential areas around the borough.

Read more: Significant progress at Ashford International Truckstop development

Teamwork award for Liverpool partnership

A successful partnership to transform a derelict Liverpool church into 16 affordable homes has been rewarded with a prestigious housing industry accolade.

Onward Homes and Housing People Building Communities (HPBC) have won the Best Partnership category in the National Housing Awards 2019.

Read more: Teamwork award for Liverpool partnership

Swap body containers – a streamlined solution for the logistics market

In today’s world, consumers require packages instantly – putting added pressure on distributors and logistics services, such as Amazon and DHL, to provide a seamless service and quick turnaround.

Thurston Group, a leading provider of high-quality modular and portable building solutions, believes that in order to meet market demand, the logistics and transportation market must invest in offsite construction solutions – including swap body containers. Managing director Matthew Goff shares the key benefits.

The primary use for swap body containers is to ship goods around the country. When transporting using these containers, goods can be loaded both from the side and the top, enabling drivers to load component parts from one unit to another with ease. This is extremely beneficial when a driver has been on the road for a long period of time and the next driver needs to load the unit onto another vehicle quickly.

One container can also carry multiple units, therefore minimising waiting times and streamlining productivity.

Economical Compared to standard shipping containers, swap body containers are lighter as they have been designed to minimise empty weight. In turn, this reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions, providing a cost-effective solution for businesses.

The containers also reduce life cycle costs as they are made from high-quality and durable materials that are built to last and can even withstand harsh weather conditions.

Time-saving Swap bodies can also be used as a mobile storage module. When the container is fully loaded, the vehicle can transport it straight away, reducing loading time. On average, it only takes five minutes to replace a swap body with another container, making it one of the most efficient ways to transport goods.

Versatile Whether it’s transporting by rail, road or sea, these containers provide a versatile solution regardless of the type of journey ahead. Most containers can be individually customised to suit the needs of the market – an ideal solution for shipping and logistics companies that require certain specifications and sizes.

• To find out more about Thurston Group and its products, including the SwapCon body container call 0333 577 0883 or visit the website at www.thurstongroup.co.uk

Flagship customers feel the benefit of renewable heating by Finn Geotherm

Residents of Quayside Court in Lakenheath, Suffolk, are enjoying warm homes with significantly lower heating bills, thanks to a new communal ground source heat pump. In partnership with East Anglia’s largest heating company, Gasway Services, part of Flagship Group, Norfolk-based renewable heating expert Finn Geotherm has completed yet another district heating system.

Owned and managed by housing association Flagship, the 21 bungalows in Quayside Court were built during 1970s. Heating was provided by individual electric storage heaters and a shared oil boiler, which were inefficient and expensive to run. Having completed an award-winning district heating scheme for Flagship in 2017 for 30 flats in Watton, Finn Geotherm were appointed to design and install a similar solution.

Read more: Flagship customers feel the benefit of renewable heating by Finn Geotherm

Unlock Rigid Planning System to spark MMC Housing Revolution

Key Reforms Needed

A new report by Arup outlines the key reforms needed to the UK's planning system to facilitate the widescale use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to help deliver the large number of new homes the country needs.

Read more: Unlock Rigid Planning System to spark MMC Housing Revolution

Casella showcases commitment to clean air at Contamination Expo Series

Casella, a leading UK manufacturer of environmental monitoring solutions, will be showcasing its commitment to comprehensive personal and environmental monitoring solutions at Contamination Expo Series, 11th – 12th September at the NEC, Birmingham on stand H67.

Contamination Expo Series’ ‘Clean Air Technology Expo’, which is supported by the Environment Agency, is one of seven specialist shows designed to showcase cutting edge technology to further the prevention, detection and management of airborne pollutants. Casella’s forward-thinking solutions are a natural fit for the exhibition.

Read more: Casella showcases commitment to clean air at Contamination Expo Series

York Handmade shortlisted for major award at brick Oscars

The York Handmade Brick Company has been shortlisted for a major award in the prestigious 2019 Brick Awards.

Leading independent brickmaker York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has been recognised for its work on the acclaimed new Loxley Stables self-build development near Tring in Hertfordshire.

Loxley Stables has been shortlisted in the Small Housing Development category.

Read more: York Handmade shortlisted for major award at brick Oscars

Mick George to kick start new charity facility

A project to create a large factory which will sort and distribute charity donations is underway at Kettering Business Park with local firm Mick George Ltd to begin Earthworks on behalf of Parkway Construction MK Ltd.

The facility will act as a depot for the Salvation Army, a charity tackling social inequality for more than 150 years.

Read more: Mick George to kick start new charity facility

University of Derby works with businesses to upskill workforce in BIM Principles

BIM is a key part of the Industrial Strategy: Construction 2025 with the aim being to increase productivity and collaboration through the use of digital technologies. It is a requirement of the common minimum standards for procurement that all public sector projects will meet Building Information Modelling Level 2. As a result, the University of Derby will be delivering an ESF part-funded two-day short course for local businesses on the 27th & 28th September - BIM Principles.

The two-day course will equip attendees with an overview of; BIM ISO standards, design management processes for compliance, BIM software, the application of software and processes to specific company roles and real-world examples of the use of BIM software and processes.

Read more: University of Derby works with businesses to upskill workforce in BIM Principles