Construction National

£900k investment sees relocation of Mobile Mini Bridgend branch

Mobile Mini, a leading hirer of portable site accommodation and secure storage containers, with its global operations based in Arizona, USA and UK headquarters at Stockton-on-Tees, has relocated its Bridgend branch.

The move comes following close to a £900,000 investment, after a period of significant growth within the South Wales area for the Company, which has 16 branches nationwide, from Glasgow to Southampton.

Having outgrown its original site due to a significant surge in demand for its services over recent years, Mobile Mini's new Bridgend branch will offer many advantages to its customers, such as quicker turnaround times and great product availability, whilst also allowing the company to maintain its reputation for excellence in customer service.

Read more: £900k investment sees relocation of Mobile Mini Bridgend branch

Midlands Asset Finance appoint new relationship manager

Independent financial services broker Midlands Asset Finance (MAF) has underlined its commitment to providing a personal service to its customers by appointing a new Business Relationship Manager, increasing the team to 21. 

Stuart Buchan has joined the firm on the back of a long career in asset finance with Lombard Business Finance where he worked as a relationship manager with responsibility for business customers in the East Midlands. 

Read more: Midlands Asset Finance appoint new relationship manager

Modular building specialists Actavo announce expansion and jobs boost

Actavo, the UK’s fastest-growing modular building company for the past three years (source Plimsoll Analysis), has expanded its presence with the opening of a new 120,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Hull, initially creating 33 new jobs.

The new factory, located at 30 Freightliner Road in Hull, will produce bespoke, state-of-the-art modular accommodation for a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare, construction, commercial, rail and defence. 

Read more: Modular building specialists Actavo announce expansion and jobs boost

Launch of FIS Skills Partnership and Approved Training Provider Network

FIS Skills, the specialist skills delivery capability of Finishes and Interiors Sector Ltd (FIS) are pleased to announce the launch of our Partnership and Approved Training Provider Network Programme – Phase 2. This exciting new development builds on the current strong body of Approved Training Providers (ATP’s) that already work with us.   Our aim is to provide full nationwide coverage of FE colleges and ATP’s across England, Wales and Scotland.  Partnership status will also include multiple stakeholders such as schools and national career services.

The development of this network is an important part of FIS Skills’ strategic objectives of attracting 1500 new entrants into the sector per annum. Building this network enables us to provide guaranteed quality training provision that allows a consistent quality new entrant pathway across all interior systems trades ensuring a qualified workforce within the sector.  

Read more: Launch of FIS Skills Partnership and Approved Training Provider Network

NFRC launches Safe2Torch Guidance

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) have launched their Safe2Torch campaign. The focus of the campaign is new guidance, developed in partnership with stakeholders across the industry, which aims to reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches on roofs.

The Safe2Torch campaign will directly affect at least 50% of all the flat roofs installed in the UK.

Kevin Taylor, Head of Technical Services at NFRC says: “Roof fires caused by gas torches, no matter how minor, pose a serious threat to life, property, the image of the industry and possibly even the long-term future of torch-on as an accepted method of covering a roof. NFRC believe that by working together, fires of this nature can be prevented, which is why we have launched our Safe2Torch campaign.”

Read more: NFRC launches Safe2Torch Guidance

Asbestos doesn’t have to mean Check Mate

As if the outright purchase of a property isn’t costly enough, but then lenders insist that a number of additional homebuyer reports and related surveys are completed to safeguard any investment. The majority of which are for things that ‘general joe-blogs’ knows little, or nothing about, or would be deemed to have little relevance to the actual sale of a property.

Regardless of which camp you reside, the reality is that these assessments predominantly look at the physical performance of certain variables, and how they may positively or negatively impact on the property itself; architectural, structural, drainage, and energy, to name just a few. 

Read more: Asbestos doesn’t have to mean Check Mate

SnapIT - Aluminium guttering install made easy

The contemporary SnapIT extruded aluminium rainwater system from Rainclear Systems, the UK’s largest stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater systems, simply clicks together without the need for nuts, bolts or washers saving significant time and reducing any hassle at install.

So, whether you are a seasoned developer or are building or refurbishing your dream home, if you are looking for a long lasting, high quality aluminium guttering without any hassle when it comes to installation, look no further -  The SnapIT range of aluminium guttering fits the bill -  A quality aluminium gutter system, which simply clicks together.  

Read more: SnapIT - Aluminium guttering install made easy

Solent University builds relationship with BRE Academy

Southampton Solent University has announced a prestigious partnership with the world’s leading independent buildings regulation and research organisation. 

The BRE Group is renowned for its independent review, research and knowledge generation into building systems, products, safety standards and sustainability around the world and its education arm, BRE Academy, has chosen Solent to become one of its official partners. The collaboration means the University can offer the much sought after BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) training as part of its MSc built environment courses. 

Read more: Solent University builds relationship with BRE Academy

Colleges compete for Best in Kent title

North Kent College were proud to host The Best in Kent competition, attended by three other Kent colleges on Wednesday 21st June at their Gravesend Campus.

The competition that has been running between the colleges for over 10 years, involves different trade areas, giving students the experience to showcase what they’ve learnt over the time of their course. Tutors from North Kent, MidKent, West Kent and Canterbury College selected students from Carpentry & Joinery, Painting & Decoration and Bricklaying to take part.

Read more: Colleges compete for Best in Kent title

CISRS CPD courses go live

CISRS Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses are now live – making it a mandatory requirement to attend a two-day course at an approved training provider prior to scaffolder or advanced scaffolder card renewal.

The CPD course was formally announced in June 2016, giving the industry over 12 months notice prior to the commencement date. This was following lengthy discussions within the scaffolding sector and extensive correspondence with the HSE who pushed hard for what they felt was an omission to an otherwise very robust training scheme servicing a safety critical sector.

Read more: CISRS CPD courses go live