uk construction

UK construction hits 5 month high

/in ,

The construction sector activity in the UK economy rebounded sharply in November and came in at the highest levels in five months, according to a new report from Markit Economics.

The latest monthly survey of construction purchasing managers indicates that new orders and employment numbers also increased more than they had done in recent five months. However, the improvement in construction growth was largely confined to residential work. Commercial and civil engineering activity continue to decline. Business optimism has picked up from October’s near five-year low to its strongest rate since June.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI®, noted: “UK construction companies experienced a solid yet uneven improvement in business conditions during November. Once again, resilient house building growth helped to offset lower volumes of commercial work and civil engineering activity. “Survey respondents noted that residential projects underpinned the rebound in total new order growth to its strongest since June, helped by strong demand fundamentals and a supportive policy backdrop.”

Construction companies indicated a moderate rebound in new orders in November, with the rate of expansion the fastest for five months. Anecdotal evidence cited a general improvement in client demand after the soft patch this summer. Higher levels of new work helped to support a moderate rise in staff numbers and input buying in November.

Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “At last the construction sector, has picked its feet up with the biggest overall improvement in five months, underpinned by a moderate rise in new orders, but the strongest since June. It appears that policy support and a small recovery in the UK economy has boosted sentiment and encouraged clients to come out of their shells and start building again. The housing sector was the primary driver of growth increasing at the fastest rate for almost half a year. However it is private sector companies that need to commit to big ticket spending, with commercial development still underperforming as persistent Brexit uncertainty continues to bite. Concerns over civil engineering in particular are also prevalent with its downward course the longest since 2013 and linked to a shortfall of new tender opportunities. Across construction supply chains, delivery times have been under pressure, as materials were in higher demand, while stocks remained in short supply. Lead-times from vendors have now deteriorated in every month for over seven years. Overall, the sector showed an incremental improvement, but business optimism was on the rise and up from last month’s five-year low. Perhaps the darkest days are behind the sector with fresh impetus on the horizon for the New Year.”

For the full report please go here

digital construction

Global Construction Survey 2017

/in ,

How can the engineering and construction industry overcome fragmentation, external competition and inconsistent performance by reimagining its approach to governance, people and technology? 

That is the question posed by KPMG in their Make it or Break it global construction survey.

Over the past decades, owners and contractors have made considerable strides in improving the delivery of capital projects. We’ve seen a host of advances in the form of new construction techniques, project delivery strategies, and enhanced processes and controls for safety, risk management, budget, scope and schedule.

70% track project performance based on original approved baseline project schedule and budget.

60% hold routine project review meetings with management, which trigger additional reviews — and if necessary, intervention — for any issues that could impair project performance.

47% say their organisations have separate systems for project reporting, yet a mere 8 percent have what they call “push one button, real-time, full project management information system (PMIS), capable of project and portfolio dashboard reporting.

31% report that their companies do have integrated systems for project reporting, which means that most project managers lack the capability to control all elements of the work.

30% claim to incorporate performance targets into all of their contracts, with a further 52% including targets on “some” of their contracts.

Schedule is ranked as the number one performance measure, followed by cost/cost sharing. Contract performance measures for output/ production, safety, subcontracting and schedule ranked considerably lower

40% of employees are Gen X and 37% are Millennials.

86% say that the “human element” significantly influences project delivery.

What are engineering and construction firms and project owners actually doing to optimise the human element?

As Baby Boomers approach retirement, new generations of workers are taking their place. According to the professionals participating in the global survey:

23% of their workforces are comprised of Baby Boomers (born 1945–1964)

40% of Generation X (born 1965–1979)

37% of Millennials (born 1980–1994).

What are the implications of this generational shift — especially for Millennials who’ve grown up in the digital age and, additionally, don’t always have the nurturing hand of Baby Boomers around their shoulders to help them learn the tricks of the trade?

Giving younger employees the skills, experience and confidence to manage major projects — and managing and motivating them in an appropriate manner is one of the most important tasks facing the sector. It’s also broadly the case that the younger the worker, the greater their digital skills and confidence. Millennials are attracted

by technology, and engineering and construction companies should recognise that investing in a digital workplace could increase their ability to attract and enthuse this demographic.

With exciting innovations like robotics, automation and drones, and powerful data analytics to improve design and project management, engineering and construction would seem to be a perfect stage for showcasing the technological revolution.

55% feel the industry is ripe for disruption

95% think technology/innovation will significantly change their business

74% believe such a change will happen in less than 5 years.

72% say that technology innovation or use of data plays a prominent role in their strategic plan or vision.

Which regions and industries are pioneering the adoption of technology? Our survey responses reveal some fascinating findings. For example, China appears to be leading the pack when it comes to advanced data and analytics and building information modeling, and shares top place with the UK for use of mobile platforms. Owners and contractors from the UK, meanwhile, are the most likely to be employing drones and virtual reality.

Despite a small improvement over the past 12 months, 57% of respondents to this year’s survey still consider themselves to be “followers” or “behind the curve”, and the proportion that view their organisations as “cutting edge” remains at 5%.

Robotic process automation and/or digital labor have a particularly exciting potential and are taking off in many other industries, with machines and computers replacing humans. Once again, engineering and construction lags behind.

83% say their organisation has not yet implemented such technologies, with most expecting a wait of 5 years or more before they become more common

John Herzog – Managing Director, Major Projects Advisory KPMG in the US says: The engineering and construction industry is no stranger to disruption. Over the last few decades we’ve seen the introduction of numerous new technologies, from fax machines to PCs, cell phones to email, and of course, internet to 3-D computer-aided design. Everyone in the industry should be making better use of the vast amounts of data collectedon construction sites. The respondents to this survey appear to have digital strategies, but it seems that many still need to further advance their digital/data road maps. I’m highly optimistic that, by following some or all of these recommendations, the industry can finally start to reap the huge benefits of the digital revolution.

Please go here to download the full report.

drones in construction

Drones could pave the way for big change in the construction industry

/in

That is according to a survey named Drone Technology within the construction industry conducted by ProDroneWorx, one of the leading UK companies for ariel mapping, inspection and surveying.  

They believe that drones are going to be a major disruptor in the construction industry in the coming years – and effective implementation of the technology will give companies a significant edge in a very competitive market.

They asked senior figures within the construction industry, including surveyors, architects, engineers and construction firms, about their perception, usage and understanding of drone technology.  160 companies responded.

The survey highlighted the following key points:

A third of respondents (33%) are currently using drone technology in their operations. These early adopters understand the benefits it brings to their organisations.

The majority of respondents (67%) are currently not using drone technology. However, most plan to do so in the future.

Of the 33% that are currently using drone technology:

The majority (60%) have been using it for less than a year

11% of this sub-group have been using the technology for the last three to five years making them very early adopters.

The three main reasons firms are using the technology are:

  1. Time savings (49%)
  2. Increased operational efficiency (49%)
  3. Cost savings (47%)

Even though a large percentage (67%) of firms are not currently using drone technology, there’s huge pent-up demand as 77% of this group plan on using the technology in future.

Only a small proportion of firms have no plans to use the technology in the future.

Construction firms have two options when it comes to deciding how to incorporate drone technology into their business models and workflow: creating an internal drone unit/function; or using a 3rd party specialist.

Overall, the vast majority of firms (67%) plan to or currently use 3rd party specialist companies on their projects rather than having an internal drone function within their company.

Issues such as regulation, licensing, insurance, hardware, software and data processing are factors putting firms off an internal function.

Many find it easier, cheaper and less risky to use a professional drone solutions company on projects.

Awareness of drone technology and the various benefits it brings is high within the industry; 75% of respondents understand how the technology can be used within their business.

Although drone technology has many applications within the construction industry, currently its primary use is in photography & video, surveying, asset inspection and progress monitoring.

27% of respondents were from the construction sector, 19% architecture, 18% surveying, 12% other (ecology, agriculture, consultancy etc) and 7% engineering.

Source: ProDroneWorx / UK Construction Media

orbis tech

Broadsword and ORBiS Tech

/in , ,

Works are progressing well on our full office fit out for ORBiS Tech, who develop uniquely scalable software solutions for the hospitality, fuel and retail markets.

Broadsword Projects LTD are undertaking the full scope of works from design to completion.

Works undertaken will be:

Full design and specification

Artwork manifestation and graphics

Glazed & solid demountable partitions

Joinery including tea point/full height doors/breakfast bars
Artwork manifestation and graphics
Flooring including carpet & vinyl
Suspended ceilings
Fire alarm relocations
Furniture
Data & AV
Decorations

We look forward to bringing you more pictures as the project moves towards completion.

orbis tech

 

green gas

15 million homes could be powered by green gas by 2050

/in ,

Biogas produce from domestic waste could generate enough power to fuel 15mn homes by 2050, according to a new report by UK gas distribution firm Cadent.

This would be enough energy to cover households across the south east of England, London, and East Anglia, and the most effective way of managing the large amounts of waste produced in the UK.

Biogas could grow significantly in the next 30 years, allowing black domestic bag rubbish, agricultural waste, energy crops, food waste, and sewage to generate 183TWh of biomethane.

Two-thirds of renewable gas could be sourced from energy crops and agricultural residues, with the remaining third coming from waste. Of that third, 83% would be produced by Bio-Substitute Natural Gas (BioSNG) and 17% would derive from biomethane, generated by anaerobic digestion.

BioSNG production is a thermochemical process that utilises gasification and the methanation of the produced “syngas”. It can be transported through existing natural gas networks to be used in domestic, commercial and industrial heating and CHP applications.

“The findings of this report show that with the right policies in place renewable gas could play a significant role in helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets, particularly in heat and transport, which are lagging behind electricity,” commented Cadent Director of Network Strategy, David Parkin.

“Alongside other green energy solutions, renewable gas offers us an affordable, sustainable route to heat our homes and fuel transport, while tackling climate change, and contributing towards more sustainable waste management and cleaner air.”

In November of last year Ecotricity – the UKs greenest energy company claimed that by 2035, almost all homes in Britain could be heated by the green gas from grass – creating an industry worth £7.5 billion annually for the economy.

They received planning permission to build a prototype of the first-of-a-kind green gas mill at Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Their report also stated that the green gas production will be “virtually carbon neutral” and could play a significant role in Britain meeting its climate targets.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “As North Sea reserves run out, the big question is where we’re going to get our gas from next. The government thinks fracking is the answer, but this new report shows there is a better option.

“Recently, it’s become possible to make green gas and put it into the grid, in the same way we’ve been doing with green electricity for the last two decades. The current way of doing that is through energy crops and food waste – but both have their drawbacks.

“Our first green gas mill has just been given the go-ahead, and we hope to build it soon – though that does depend on whether government energy policy will support this simple, benign and abundant energy source. I call on Theresa May to review the government’s plan for where Britain gets its gas – post-North Sea.”

Green energy is electricity and gas made from renewable sources, green electricity from the wind, sun and sea, and green gas made from organic materials and is completely carbon neutral. In 2013 there was just one green gas plant in the UK. Now there are over 60 projects using anaerobic digestion to make biomethane useful to us.

Green gas is incredibly versatile, used as a source of electricity, a replacement to petrol, and a new way to heat homes. Using greener gas means “It’s not disruptive in terms of the roads and our urban environments,” says Chris Train OBE, chief executive of National Grid Gas Distribution Limited. “It’s also not disruptive in the home, for customers. It allows us to use existing appliances. That’s a great advantage.”

Sources – Energy digital / Utility Week / Ecotricity

armstrong ceiling tiles

Armstong Ceiling Tiles

/in ,

Following on from our recent social media post about using the above tiles, we are going to provide more information on the materials that we used.

The tile used on this particular office refit job for Hackwood homes were Armstrong Puretone Regular ceiling tiles in a 24mm grid system.

Armstrong provide ceilings for commercial spaces and the home and are a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions.

Their ceilings have acoustical properties and that means they can help control sound and noise within a room and room to room. They have ceilings that also address fire and seismic concerns too.

They offer 25 mineral ceiling solutions in grid sizes 15mm 24mm and 24/35mm with varying levels of acoustics. There are ceiling panels, canopies, vertical baffles and open cell & mesh.

They offer the broadest range of textures, sizes and shapes, with key performance features to enhance the design of any space. Mineral ceilings provide solutions for every acoustical need from high sound absorption to high sound attenuation or a balance of both.

Have a browse of their website here:

https://www.armstrongceilings.com

armstrong ceiling tiles

 

 

new homes

New home permissions hit the highest on record

/in ,

According to the latest Housing Pipeline report from the Home Builders Federation, the number of  planning permissions granted in the year to June 2017 is the highest seen since 2006. 

Permission for  321,982 new homes was granted during the 12 month period, up form 278,652 the previous year. However, the data also indicated that there has been a “slight cooling” in residential development in the second quarter of the year, with the number homes approved falling 14% from the first quarter yet the figure is still up 13% on the year before.

Demand for the help to buy scheme is continuing to boost numbers. More than 200,000 people live in new build homes thanks to  help to buy.  However, with the scheme supposedly coming to an end in 2021, house builders are seeking assurances as to if it will continue past this date to determine investment decisions.

Stewart Baseley, HBF’s executive chairman, was positive about the impact of the help to buy scheme. He said that ‘the help to buy scheme hasn’t just helped 200,000 people buy a home, it has helped them to build a new home which is, in turn, boosting supply and generating huge benefits for communities, councils and the Exchequer.

‘Ultimately if people can buy, builders can build and confidence in demand is crucial to future build rates.  The figures show that if demand for new homes remains strong and the planning system processes applications efficiently, further increased in build rates can be delivered in the coming years.’

However, the planning system itself is still laborious, meaning that it could take 3-4 years for most of these to reach completion. Whilst housing supply is up 52% in the past three years there are still not enough homes to adequately cater for our population and the planning system remains one of the major constraints on supply. Speeding up the rate at which builders get onto sites, and ensuring Local Authorities abide by their responsibilities and allocate sites that meet their local housing needs are key requirements if the house building industry is to deliver much needed housing.

Baseley also stated that ‘These record planning permission figures are a clear indication that house builders are committed to increasing housing output. We’ve seen 50% growth in output over the last three years and these figures indicate that progress can continue. We need to see confirmation from government as to the future of the very successful Help to Buy scheme post 2021. We also need to see the proposals to improve the planning system outlined in the White Paper moved forward and implemented.’

solecco solar

New Solar roof tiles to be launched

/in ,

Solecco Solar are getting ready to launch their new solar roof tile solution at UK Construction Week this month, as well as their new website www.soleccosolar.com

The new, innovative technology company supplies and installs unique, sustainable solar roof tiles for developers and homeowners with aesthetics and renewable energy at the top of their design agenda.

The roofing tiles attract energy even when its cloudy, reducing annual operational bills significantly. They are also an excellent architectural consideration. The tiles combine minimalistic, sleek aesthetics with outstanding performance.

The solution is integrated into roofing via a unique interlocking method, with tiles fitting seamlessly on up to 98% of roof surface area. The zero-glass system has a low carbon footprint and is an eco-asset which drives energy efficiency and protects against rising electricity costs.

As well as exhibiting and launching the brand at Construction Week UK’s Energy 2017, Solecco Solar is showcasing at London Build 2017 on 25 – 26 October. Solecco is also shortlisted for Product of the Year Award at both the London Construction Awards and National Energy Efficiency Awards 2017.

James Birch, Development Director said: “The exhibition is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase Solecco Solar Tiles to a diverse audience of industry professionals. The event connects us to potential customers who are, in the current construction climate, actively seeking an aesthetic and renewable energy solution to enhance their sustainable approach to development.”

Uk Construction week coming next month

/in ,

Back in June we wrote a news article about this years UK Construction week, held in Birmingham from 10-12th October.

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.

Since our last update, more information about the exhibitors have been announced:

Construction week will be the first public showing of Tufeco Modular Home.UK A perfect blend of companies have brought together a step change in large scale production eco development builds. Recycled glass composite build experts Tufeco have joined renowned Architects Grimshaw, SAM Architects and the Carbon Free Group to provide a truly unique solution. Set in beautiful man made woodland clusters and using all of the shared knowledge base and technology, the partnership delivers and builds digitally printed, flat-pack passive / power plus homes at a price point that competes head to head with the mainstream developers.

TRADA’s latest book, Cross-laminated timber: Design and performance, will be available on Stand 250 at Timber Expo from 10th to 12th October.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction is increasingly being used for residential, commercial and public sector buildings. Offering a significant strength to weight ratio, improved installation speeds, reduced on-site waste and a high standard of airtightness, CLT also has the advantage of being a renewable resource.

The Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) will be hosting the Offsite Area at this year’s Build Show (part of the wider Construction Week).

New for this year, The Offsite Area will be the key hub for all things Offsite & Modular. Central to the Offsite Area will be the Offsite Theatre, which will feature an array of fantastic and influential speakers discussing everything Offsite, Modular and Volumetric.

The conference programme will run for the full 3 days with a number of different topics being discussed throughout. The content will be geared around the impact of Volumetric in Education, Residential and Healthcare. High quality educational presentations will be delivered on subjects such as Offsite Specification and training and skills shortages within the industry, many of the presentations will be CPD accredited to help you collect the hours!

In a unique communications partnership, the Chartered Institute of Building and ITN Productions are producing a news and current affairs-style programme which explores the opportunities, challenges and future of the UK construction industry.

‘Remastering the Future’ will bring to life the UK’s construction industry by looking at the knowledge, technology and skills driving the sector forward. The programme will explore the innovations that are taking the sector to a new level as well as the training and apprenticeships that are bringing new recruits to the construction landscapes. ‘Remastering the Future’ will also look at preserving old buildings and adapting them for future use, at a time when land is scarce and there are demands for building stock to be retained, we will look at how the construction industry has to respond with quality and ethical standards.

Tickets are still available! Go here to get yours

glass blocks

Glass blocks could soon see buildings generating their own power

/in ,

According to the energy harvesting journal, renewable energy experts from the University of Exeter are developing a pioneering new technique using glass blocks that could accelerate the widespread introduction of net-zero energy buildings through the latest Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).

Simply put, they have created an innovative glass block that can be incorporated into a building and by turning the suns energy into electricity without the use of solar panels, can generate electricity.

It is thought that buildings consume more than forty percent of the electricity produced across the globe. This new technology would allow electricity to be produced at the site of use, whilst being seamlessly integrated into the building.

The blocks, called Solar Squared, are designed to fit seamlessly into either new buildings, or as part of renovations in existing properties. They are similar to existing glass blocks by allowing daylight to resonate around a property by replacing traditional bricks and mortar with transparent glass bricks. Crucially, however, the Solar Squared blocks have intelligent optics that focus the incoming solar radiation onto small solar cells, enhancing the overall energy generated by each solar cell. The electricity generated will then be available to power the building, be stored or used to charge electric vehicles.

Dr Hasan Baig, founder of Build Solar and Research Fellow from the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute said: “BIPV is a growing industry with a 16% annual growth rate. Setting up a company, which can cater to this growing market shall prove beneficial for the UK economy in the long term.We are aiming to build integrated, affordable, efficient and attractive solar technologies, which have the smallest impact on the local landscape. It’s an exciting venture and one that should capture the imagination of the construction industry, when looking to develop new office blocks and public buildings or infrastructure projects such as train stations and carparks,” said Professor Tapas Mallick, chief scientific advisor for Build Solar.

They hope that the blocks will be cheaper than conventional glass blocks, and can be easily used in conjunction with traditional building materials.

According to Solar Squared, they aim to build integrated, affordable, efficient, and attractive solar technologies as part of the building’s architecture, in places where energy demand is highest, whilst having minimal impact on the landscape and on quality of life. They are at present actively seeking sites to demonstrate their technology.

To read more about solar squared please go here

Source: Energy Harvesting Journal