June 2017 | Broadsword Group

2017 UK Construction Week is launched

June 27, 2017/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickers

Billed as the largest gathering of the UK’s built environment community, UK Construction Week will make its return to Birmingham NEC from the 10th – 12th October 2017. It is free to attend for trade visitors and consists of 9 shows: Build Show, Timber Expo, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens & Bathrooms Live), HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live.

The main stage speakers and seminars include welcomes and introductions from George Clark (Restoration Man), Steph McGovern (BBC Breakfast Business Presenter) and Tom Dyckhoff (broadcaster and historian on architecture, design and cities)

Offsite Construction will be a major theme this year. The industry has embraced the latest technologies that have enabled us to build quicker, more efficiently and at a quality not achievable before. One of the main aims of the event is to showcase innovation in the industry, and to that end the Innovation Trail will show visitors the latest products which are paving a new way of building that hasn’t been seen before.

There will also be some new, specialist awards granted which include Low Carbon Vehicles Awards, BIM Awards, Offsite Awards and the WAN Transport, Concrete in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Awards. The UK’s best companies in the industry will also be recognised at the Construction Enquirer Awards on the opening night of the show.

Evening entertainment will include a casino night, dodgeball tournament and the popular Beer and Ale festival. The Beer Festival was a big hit with exhibitors and clients in 2016. With over 30 beers on offer and a selection of hot food available, live music and entertainment this area will be the perfect way to unwind after a busy day and a chance to network with clients and colleagues. The Beer festival will be at full capacity both nights and open all day and promises to be the centre of festivities at UK Construction Week.

Nathan Garnett, event director at Media 10, which runs the show, said: “The UK’s construction industry is more topical than ever. Not only is it at the forefront of political debate and public opinion, it’s also clear that we’re moving towards a new age of innovation and change with topics such as off-site construction, modular and BIM driving so many conversations. This will be our biggest event to date, and we’re looking forward to bringing the industry together to debate, learn and do business, as well as showcase a diverse range of products and services.” UK Construction Week 2017 says it will deliver its ‘most comprehensive and diverse’ show to date with support from associations including The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Construction Products Association (CPA) and Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).

For more information please visit the UK construction week website here.

Broadsword and the local community – Solent Barbarians

June 21, 2017/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickers

We are pleased to be the main, front of shirt sponsors for the Solent Barbarians this year and we are loving their new kit!

The Solent Barbarians offers players from local clubs the opportunity to unite and demonstrate the ethos of Rugby Union.

We continue to be committed to the development of local sporting teams from grass roots to a semi professional level. We have in the past sponsored Southampton cricket club, Women’s waterside hockey team, Fawley Falcons, Hythe & Dibden FC and Brockenhurst FC.

If you would like to follow the Solent Barbarians this season please go to their twitter page at https://twitter.com/Solent_Babas

We hope you have a great season!

How can the construction industry reduce its carbon footprint?

June 14, 2017/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News /by joannevickers

With the threat of global warming constantly looming, reducing the carbon footprint within the construction industry has become a point of upmost importance.

Eco friendly buildings are on the rise in the UK, and pressure is mounting to build in a more environmentally friendly way – so are we reaching our goal? The number of eco friendly construction companies is growing, and those who haven’t started using these methods may fall behind the times.

One of the main ways to become more environmentally friends is by using better insulation. The best ones, made from recycled material, reduce energy waste and have a low environmental impact. Buildings need to ensure that their hot water, heating, lighting and cooling systems all meet energy efficient measures. Windows, doors, vents and roof lights also need to be draught proofed.

Sustainable materials are also crucial. Cement production is responsible for around half of the industry’s CO2 output because of the energy required to make it, and the chemical reactions that are involved. Choosing an alternative cement that has different chemicals or use different methods such as wood, straw bales and compressed soil, have a much lower carbon footprint than cement.

The old adage of reduce, reuse, recycle is an important message with regards to reducing waste. Making sure that materials are not over ordered and recycling where ever possible is key. Sourcing materials locally is also a plus, because it means that there is less need for transporting them, and using materials that can be packed more efficiently and weigh less mean that energy is saved.

Optimising natural light and using solar power can be a great energy saver. Lighting can account for up to 40% of the energy used in a typical commercial building so making savings here seems obvious.

Water usage can also make savings. Efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce water usage. Reduced flush toilets and rain water harvesting are becoming more popular as people seek to reduce their costs as much as possible.

Passive houses are also becoming more prominent. Passive house is a rigorous, voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. Passive House is not a brand name, but a construction concept that can be applied by anyone and that has stood the test of practice.

Carbon reduction is a complex challenge, and companies that can demonstrate green credentials are at the top of the construction sector in the UK. Managing and reducing the carbon footprint is becoming increasingly important in such a fast paced industry as ours.

VACANCY: Graduate Construction Estimator

June 7, 2017/0 Comments/in Home Page news feed, News, Vacancies /by joannevickers

We are looking for a diligent Graduate Construction Estimator to prepare accurate estimates for projects by gathering information and analysing important metrics.

Responsibilities and duties include but not limited to:

Maintaining estimating database
Maintaining terms comparison database
Producing drawing quantity take offs, compiling and completing BoQ’s
Compiling tender information for client submission
Liaising with clients and negotiating tender settlements
Attending pre let/tender review/handover meetings

About You:

The ideal candidate will have excellent numerical skills and an analytical mindset. You must also be thorough and apt in managing relationships with key persons.

For further information and to apply for this role, please go to https://graduatejobs.solent.ac.uk/job/42244/construction-estimator/

Please note the closing date is July 26th.