ELECOFLOOR’S SPEEDY INSTALLATION WINS £12M RESIDENTIAL CONTRACT

The speed of installation and acoustic properties of Stramit’s ElecoFloor has recently been utilised in the construction of the West Park Development, Manchester. Renaker Build, with expertise in construction projects of varying complexity and value, specified and installed ElecoFloor at the £12M residential project. The West Park development consists of the build of two apartment blocks each containing 85 individual units.

Appointed as the main flooring product throughout the development, ElecoFloor panels provide the necessary sound insulation for separating floors, without the need to source all the required layers for a built up system. This results in a reduction in thickness above the joist being of 50% or more. The medium weight overlay board, designed for concrete and timber floors, is an acoustic flooring system comprising of moisture resistant chipboard and MDF composite bonded boards, with a resilient central layer and a durable polyester felt backing. This construction helps improve impact and airborne noise.

Stramit Panel Products, a trusted partner in leading partition systems in the United Kingdom for over 50 years, understands the importance of a quick installation process and has utilised its expertise in manufacturing laminated and pre-decorated partitioning panels to develop the ElecoFloor system. With its fast installation time, Elecofloor can be fitted up to half the time it takes to install a batten system. Once in place, the panels take up a third of the overall thickness, delivering material savings on brick courses, whilst additionally significantly reducing the overall height of the building.

Renaker, which awarded ElecoFloor the contract, provided a clear schedule for the quick turnaround required. Phased over a 24-month period to meet the client’s sales requirements, Stramit guaranteed the delivery of the ElecoFloor system could meet the flexible schedule Renaker needed to work within.


A spokesperson from Renaker Build commented, “Due to a positive working relationship with Stramit, we have successfully installed ElecoFloor on several projects over the past few years, including West Park and Delta Point in Manchester. We continue to experience a first class service and I feel extremely confident in the knowledge that ElecoFloor will always arrive onsite on time and of the highest quality.

“With valuable acoustic properties and simplicity of installation, ElecoFloor provides competitive pricing which makes a cost effective and time saving product to install.”

Whilst Robust Details, the Certification Scheme for separating walls and floors in new build joined homes in England and Wales is a popular choice for many, Renaker has chosen the Stramit ElecoFloor system which provides important data in order to help demonstrate what acoustic performance is being achieved.

Furthermore, the composite floor system, which successfully meets Part E of Building Regulations, protects residential properties from the noise of activities in other rooms or adjoining properties. ElecoFloor, designed for use in both new build and conversions, is suitable for use throughout a building, including bathrooms and kitchens. Additionally, ElecoFloor is also widely used in the conversion and refurbishment sector, where pre-determined ceiling and door heights can be restrictive.

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140-STRONG ORDER CONFIRMS KUBOTA COMMITMENT TO MINDING THE GAP GROUP

Kubota Construction has announced an order for 140 mini-excavators by GAP Group, the UK’s largest independent plant and tool hire company. The deal marks the first major win since the appointment of Kubota Construction’s first dedicated Key Account Manager.

GAP has been a regular user of Kubota Construction for many years, and today estimates that Kubota accounts for around 95% of its fleet of mini-excavators, situated at 59 depots across the UK.

The 2012 batch demonstrates the breadth of Kubota Construction’s range, as its composition shows a marked shift from previous orders by GAP. Of the 140 machines being delivered, 30 are 6-tonne models and 60 are 8-tonne models.

"The mini-excavator market is skewing towards larger sizes as customers need to handle bigger projects, and we’ve had to take on increased numbers to meet growing demand," explains Ken Stewart, Procurement Manager for GAP. "We’re more than confident, based on past experience, that the Kubota equipment will be up to the task."

Ken Stewart says that GAP sees the Kubota name as a badge of quality. "In addition to their mini-excavators, we use other items that run on Kubota engines. Whatever the application, we’ve always found Kubota products to be well-engineered, reliable and hard-wearing – ideal for customers who require construction equipment that can stand up to the rigors of demanding working environments."

In addition, GAP cites the fact that Kubota Construction fits anti-theft technology to its mini-excavators as standard, as being instrumental in bringing peace of mind to its customers. "Good security is a must, and we use Kubota’s anti-theft technology alongside other systems as part of a robust protocol to protect our investment."

With so many Kubota models in the fleet, GAP’s workshop personnel and foremen have developed an exceptional working knowledge of the brand. "I’ve been told many times by colleagues within GAP that the Kubota products don’t suffer many servicing issues, which is a huge testament to their quality."

He adds that the excellent long-term cost of ownership of Kubota models extends as far as selling them on. "Kubota mini-excavators tend to retain their value, giving us good residual income to put back into the business when we need to upgrade our fleet."

The 2012 GAP order is the first major deal brokered by Rebecca Bryson, Kubota Construction’s new Key Account Manager. Bryson was appointed to this role – a first for Kubota in the UK – in order to bring added value to the company’s nationwide customers such as GAP.

As part of the order, Kubota Construction will be taking a greater role in supporting GAP to get the best of its fleet. "We’ll be helping out on Open Days and liaising with depots on training and sales requirements, in order to help GAP get the best out of their Kubota fleet," explains Rebecca Bryson.

"We’re delighted with Rebecca’s appointment and see this as the start of a new era in our relationship with Kubota," confirms Ken Stewart. "With a Key Account Manager in place, we’re confident that Rebecca will fly the flag for the Kubota range to help increase awareness and highlight the strength of our fleet, both externally to customers and internally to GAP’s own staff."

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AUL14 from Armacell UK Ltd - Successful Launch by Armacell for Fire Class Insulation Materials

Armacell celebrated a successful premiere of their latest Armaflex Ultima insulation material at the ISO’12 European trade fair for insulation technology which was held recently in Cologne. With this blue elastomeric foam, Armacell is believed to be the first manufacturer to offer a flexible insulation material which achieves European fire class B-s1, d0. The insulation material has an extremely low smoke density, making it an important contribution to the overall level of fire safety in buildings. In order to be able to install the new material reliably, Armacell has developed a range of purpose designed adhesives specifically for use with Armaflex Ultima. The product is also patent pending and will be launched on several European markets later in the year. Furthermore, Armaflex Ultima meets the requirements for sustainable construction and green building, such as the criteria for the LEED (US), BREEAM (UK) and GREEN STAR systems. All three are third-party certification programs for measuring the environmental sustainability of new and existing homes and buildings, with BREEAM being mandatory for new housing projects in the UK.

Statistics indicate that fires kill between 6,000 and 10,000 people annually in Europe alone. But only a few of these are killed by the flames, the majority die as a consequence of smoke inhalation. In the event of a fire it is vital that escape routes can be found quickly – which is only possible with minimal smoke development. The new European fire classification takes this fact into account, and when assessing the fire behaviour of building products not only tests the flammability, but also the smoke density and the production of burning droplets. The new Armaflex Ultima is the first flexible insulation material to achieve fire class B-s1, d0 in the European fire test. The insulation material releases only a minimal amount of smoke in a fire and thus makes an important contribution to the safety of people in buildings.

For maximum safety and sustainability, all public, commercial and residential new-builds should be planned and built incorporating the principles of sustainability, with the renovation of existing buildings also being given the same consideration. A Green Building certification is now important, and buildings certified under LEED, BREEAM or a comparable national scheme, such as the German DGNB, are characterised by high resource efficiency in the areas of energy, water and materials to have as little negative impact on health and the environment as possible. A range of tubes and sheets, in various sizes and thickness combinations is available in the Armaflex Ultima range, which in combination with the solvent-free Armaflex Ultima SF990 adhesive, can contribute to fulfilling the criteria for LEED certification. As with all Armaflex insulation materials, Armaflex Ultima conserves natural resources and reduces the emission of climate-damaging CO2. The range of purpose designed adhesives developed for the Ultima insulation systems include:

- Armaflex Ultima SF990 Adhesive: the first solvent and VOC-free adhesive for installing elastomeric insulation materials
- Armaflex Ultima RS850 Adhesive: High-performance adhesive with reduced solvent content for clean, non-drip installation
- Armaflex Ultima 700 Adhesive: reliable special adhesive for a wide temperature range

The choice of adhesive depends on the requirements of the project in question, and Armaflex Ultima is available in both standard and self-adhesive versions. In order to provide a reliable insulation system for the sensitive area around the pipe bracket, the Armafix pipe support is also offered in the new Armaflex Ultima quality.

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Repairs app rolled out to Sheffield and Gosport

Following the successful launch of its smartphone application earlier in the year in Harlow, Kier, a leading construction, services and property group, has rolled out the Kier Repairs app to tenants and leaseholders in Sheffield and Gosport. The free to download app enables tenants and leaseholders, eligible for Kier’s repairs and maintenance services on their home, to report repairs directly using their smartphone. Kier is still the first, and currently only, contractor to have launched a repairs app for its customers.

In Gosport, the app will enable the 3,186 Gosport tenants eligible for Kier’s repairs and maintenance services to report repairs directly using their smartphone. With nearly half of all adults in the UK now estimated to use a smartphone (around 40 million people), the free Kier Repairs app provides eligible Kier customers with even more choice in how and when they can report responsive repairs.

The launch of the app for Sheffield City Council tenants and leaseholders coincided with the opening of its dedicated Tenants Resource Centre. The new Kier Tenant Resource Centre has been opened to provide residents with a dedicated hub where they can use space for community group meetings, training events and to meet other tenants. Kier is also hoping to offer the use of its resource centre to local charities.

The app has been designed to further simplify the repair reporting process and includes a camera function allowing customers to take a picture of the issue they are reporting. This not only helps the customer in accurately describing the issue, but also saves the call centre time in diagnosing the repair and, on some occasions, means that solutions can be offered over the phone. This process also helps break down some language barriers for tenants who may find it difficult to communicate via the telephone.

Furthermore, the app allows customers to report repairs at a time convenient to them rather than being restricted to call centre opening times. Repairs can also be reported on behalf of customers who do not own a smartphone themselves – for example, by the relatives of elderly residents.

Kier Managing Director, Peter Brynes, said: “We developed the app through close consultation with tenants of council properties in order to guarantee customers and clients a new, convenient way of reporting repairs, in addition to existing methods such as telephone, email or in person at Kier’s local call centres. Sheffield and Gosport tenants are the latest tenants to have access to the app and we are liaising with all our clients on looking at rolling the app out to their tenants and leaseholders.”

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ISG Checks In With Luxury Evesham Hotel Scheme

ISG has secured a £2 million fast-track project to redevelop Wood Norton Hall in Evesham, Worcestershire into a luxury hotel, conference and wedding venue. The grade II listed Victorian property will undergo a comprehensive programme of sensitive refurbishment and modernisation, with ISG creating additional guest accommodation and upgrading communal facilities.

Wood Norton Hall was once the family home of the Duc d'Aumale, the fourth son of the king of France, and in 1939 was acquired by the BBC as a war time broadcasting base and in use by the corporation as a training facility up until 2001. The renaissance of this historical property will see ISG create an additional five luxury guest bedrooms in the main hall, whilst restoring and upgrading accommodation in the existing 15 rooms.

Blending contemporary style with historical architectural elements, a number of the guest rooms will feature glazed central bathroom pod structures. Extensive areas of oak panelling will be sensitively restored and all rooms redecorated and furnished to a high standard. Structural alterations will be carried out at ground floor level to enable ISG to create a new bar and wedding reception area.

In the adjacent Pear Tree Stable Block, work will commence on the modernisation of 30 existing guest rooms, with upgraded en-suite bathroom facilities. Rooms will be redecorated, as will lobby, bar and ancillary areas. A new highly efficient boiler will also be installed as part of the project to provide heating for the entire hotel complex. Externally, ISG will carry out minor repair works to the building’s façade and supervise the landscaping of the extensive grounds, with the hotel set to open for guests in September.

ISG’s Jonathan Kell, managing director - Midlands, commented: "The new owners have ambitious plans for the redevelopment of Wood Norton Hall under its new name of The Wood Norton and this initial phase sees the property open to discerning guests as an idyllic retreat and imposing wedding venue. A collaborative approach has been of critical importance in developing a workable programme capable of delivering a scheme combining complex structural alterations to a historically protected building within an accelerated timeframe. This close working relationship is synonymous with ISG’s contracting approach and we are confident that The Wood Norton will prove to be an outstanding success.”

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Benchmark Building Supplies becomes latest NIA Affiliate Member

Benchmark Building Supplies, based in Greater Manchester, has become the latest company to take up Affiliate Membership of the National Insulation Association (NIA).

Bev Coombe, Membership and Communications Manager commented: “we introduced the new Affiliate Membership category last October in order to accommodate the growing number of applications from organisations who were not directly involved in the installation or manufacture of insulation products. With the introduction of Green Deal/Energy Company Obligation next year Affiliate Membership is proving extremely popular and costs only 70p per day!”

The benefits of becoming an Affiliate Member include the following:

-Company details listed on the NIA public website
-Access to the members only area of the website
-Regular e-briefs on policy, industry news and events
-Monthly E-News
-Use of Affiliate logo

Affiliate Membership is open to organisations such as:

-Charities
-Trade Associations
-Component Suppliers
-Membership Service Providers
-Suppliers to the Industry
-Companies involved in the construction industry but are not installers or manufactures of insulation products
-Companies involved in Environment Services

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The sky’s the limit with the help of Barbour ABI leads!

Finding new business opportunities poses a challenge for most, but since Limitless signed up for contact data updates on projects from Barbour ABI, they have not looked back.

Limitless Limited design, supply and install bespoke daylight and sunlight solutions to a growing marketplace. It’s a vibrant company, with a wealth of knowledge about bringing natural light into basements and other areas of darkness in buildings, both commercial and residential. Established five years ago, Limitless aim to use innovative low energy products to bring natural light into homes and workplaces.

Their environmentally friendly systems can make a huge difference from a spatial awareness perspective – and their fully tailorable products are quality assured. Although Limitless’ relationship with Barbour ABI is in its infant stages, they are already more than satisfied with the service so far.

Pandora Jacobs, Director at Limitless says: “Having the ability to define and customise prospects is perfect for our needs; this is definitely the main reason why we turned to Barbour ABI in the first place. By manipulating ABI’s lead management system, we are able to reach and specify our target market at the click of a few buttons!”

“The quality of the data we’ve been looking closely at is excellent and we are aiming to gain even better results as we become more familiar with Evolution’s capabilities. Our database mining efforts are proving very beneficial, we will be trying other Barbour ABI products as our relationship evolves.”

Barbour ABI prides itself on treating every customer on an individual basis and we work hard to focus on helping everyone get the best out of their subscription. Pandora goes on to say: “Your training package was brilliant, it was easy to understand, well presented and simple to implement. In addition to training, support from my Account Manager has further enhanced this vital business service. We have already recommended you to many of our contacts!”

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Cardiff firm announce global plans for new energy saving technology that is set to transform work environment

SolaVeil®– an advanced energy saving technology for both retro-fit and new build windows that optimises natural light, reduces glare and deflects solar heat, has had the seal of approval from the Technology Strategy Board.

TSB described SolaVeil® as one of their Energy Efficiency Whitehall* successes after it was trialled on a Government building in London resulting in significant energy savings.

Daylight Business Solutions - the Cardiff based company behind SolaVeil® - is now expanding rapidly to commercialise SolaVeil globally. Technical Director Brian Hughes said the endorsement by TSB was excellent news.

Developed over the past five years with help from Cardiff University, SolaVeil® is a fine polyester material with digitally applied three dimensional surface micro-arrays. It is engineered to deflect solar glare, heat and harmful rays, while diffusing natural daylight into buildings reducing the need for blinds and artificial light.

Retrofitted to windows and credited with transforming the working environment in offices, schools, hospitals and supermarkets, SolaVeil® also reduces air conditioning requirements, significantly cutting energy costs and carbon emissions.

The company has received ongoing advice and support in a number of areas from Welsh Government innovation specialists, who also helped with regard to intellectual property and funding towards patenting of the SolaVeil technology.

Business Minister Edwina Hart said SolaVeil® is an example of highly innovative research being undertaken in Wales by small but very smart companies.

She said: “It also illustrates the importance of industry collaborating with universities on research and development to bring new and novel products to market, helping to create jobs, growth and wealth. In this instance the product also has the potential to support government targets to cut energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.”

The technology carries a ten year warranty, with trials showing a 30% reduction in cooling energy costs and a 20% reduction in artificial lighting costs. It typically provides a return on investment in the UK of under four years.

It is now being targeted at a number of sectors, including the heath sector as new tests reveal SolaVeil has significant antimicrobial properties, capable of killing bacteria such as e.coli and MRSA.

Warwick NHS Hospital is currently undergoing a second phase of trials which are testing the antimicrobial properties and its impact on health care, energy costs and cleaning costs.

Brian Hughes said the energy efficiency of the technology is proven and the latest tests show it also has great potential for use in healthcare facilities.

“Not only can it improve the environment for patients and staff but could play a key role in the overall cleaning regime of hospitals, helping eliminate extremely dangerous bacteria.”

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Griptop proves its 'staying power' with real road testing

Iron technology market leader Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of leading international materials company Saint-Gobain, has returned to its original pilot project to undertake independent testing of its GripTop® high friction anti-skid access cover range. The results further highlight the product’s superior road safety performance and durability credentials, particularly when compared with those using other, non-ductile iron materials.

When the GripTop® ductile iron access cover was first launched, a comprehensive field trial was organised in conjunction with Bristol City Council as part of its initiative to provide safer roads for users. Positioned at various points around the road system of Bristol city centre, the access covers have now been in situ for approximately five years and the testing was undertaken to determine how the slip resistant characteristics of the surface had changed, if at all, as a result of exposure to weather and wear and tear from traffic.

Four locations were selected as they offered worst case scenarios for testing due to their high volume of traffic and because the covers were positioned in the wheel track of the roads. Each cover was tested in an ‘as found’ condition and the results produced an average pendulum test value (PRAV) of 80, giving an overall slip potential rating of ‘low’ for all four sites.

Mike Brewer of Bristol City Council said: “The GripTop® covers have performed in an exemplary manner and we’re delighted to learn that they’ve maintained such good skid resistance. The new covers continue to provide a safer environment for road users in Bristol and we are pleased to have been able to support this highly successful trial.”

Paul Thompson of Saint-Gobain PAM UK said: “GripTop® was originally developed and launched to improve safety for road users and at the time we ran our pilot project in conjunction with Bristol City Council, so we were keen to return to these original test sites to see how it had stood up to real road use over the years. We’re delighted with the results that show how the covers have stood the test of time and are providing virtually the same level of skid resistance they gave on the day they were installed.

“What is particularly exciting for us is that the weather was extremely wet on the test day and we were unable to undertake dry testing. However, it is widely acknowledged that wet and contaminated surfaces offer the worst case scenario and those that give good readings in the wet will at least perform as well and usually better when the conditions are dry.”

Carried out by independent NAMAS accredited provider Ceram of Stoke-on-Trent, the tests involved the use of specialised pendulum apparatus and the method was based on that outlined in BS 7976:2002 and BS EN 13036-4:2011, which is recommended by the Health & Safety Executive.

The GripTop® range has been designed and engineered to bring together the benefits of ductile iron, high performance bonding agents and resins and bauxite aggregate. The result being a durable, high friction, anti-skid surface which, as the testing has shown, maintains a high PSRV and ultimately prolonged grip over time. Ductile iron has a proven track record as the material of choice for carriageway access cover applications giving many years of service. In areas of high traffic volume, it is not uncommon for standard access covers of whatever material to become polished over time through the abrasive action of vehicle tyres, potentially resulting in poor skid resistance for road users.

Paul Thompson continued: “Since we launched this product, it has been specified and installed by a number of the UK’s largest local authorities and utilities as well as making its mark in the private sector. This recent round of testing undoubtedly further highlights the level of its performance and suitability for making our roads safer for all types of users.

“These real life results support those gained from of our other recent testing project, where polished access covers were compared to other materials, and further demonstrates how GripTop® significantly outperforms even the best non-ductile iron products by more than 20 per cent. Those specifying our aggregate-coated cover can be reassured and confident in the quality and performance when selecting GripTop®.”

Method of Measurement
The test results are obtained from averaging five values at a given point. Three points on the surface are measured (horizontally, vertically and diagonally) this is to ensure that the slip values are not influenced by the effects of any directional surface characteristics. The measurements are normally conducted in both the wet and dry conditions but due to inclement weather it was impossible to obtain a true dry reading. It is widely acknowledged that wet and contaminated surfaces give the worst case scenario and surfaces that give good values in the wet will at least perform as well and usually better in the dry conditions. The measurements were undertaken used Ceram pendulum number 669 Calibration Certificate CN16 and Rubber Sliders number 121, 122 and 21.

The four locations tested were as follows:

-Area 1 – Eastbound Carriage Way Junction with Bond Street and York Street
-Area 2 – Eastbound Carriage Way Bond Street (Bupa Building)
-Area 3 – Eastbound Carriage Way Junction with Bond Street and Pritchard Street
-Area 4 – Eastbound Carriage Way Bond Street South (Phoenix House)

The areas were tested using two rubber sliders, test slider 55 which is a softer rubber and a slightly harder rubber slider 96. The rubber sliders were pre-condition as described in BS 7976-2:2002 Section 5.2.2.2. The covers were measured in the ‘as found condition’ with no pre-preparation prior to rest.

It is normal during testing to take surface roughness measurements using a surtronic duo roughness meter, however on this occasion, the surface roughness was found to be very high and outside the measuring parameters of the machine.

A Skid Resistance Value of 55 is recommended by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) as a minimum for high risk situations.

The minimum level of slip resistance value, measured on the pendulum that is deemed to be safe for pedestrians as set by the HAS, is 36 in the worst foreseeably contaminated condition.

Furthermore, the UK Slip Resistance Group, a body set up in 1986 and made up of flooring manufacturers, representatives of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), test houses, forensic engineers who all have long experience of slip resistance testing, identifying the following categories of slip.

Slipping Potential SRV
High 0 - 24
Moderate 25 - 355
Low 36+

Reference: Modified from UKSRG Guidelines Issue 3 2005, page 20, Table 5.


About HA104/09
Document HA 104/09, entitled ‘Chamber tops and gully tops for road drainage and services: installation and maintenance’ is the latest Advice Note from the Highways Agency and forms part of the ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges’ which is the accepted industry ‘bible’ for highways specifiers.

The document states that ‘where chamber tops are likely to be subject to trafficking, including vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or equestrians, covers proven to provide an adequate level of skid resistance shall be selected.’

It also recommends that products to be used at potentially high risk* sites on trunk roads and motorways should offer a minimum PSRV (Polished Skid Resistance Value) of 60.

* Potentially high risk sites include those containing traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, railway level crossings, roundabouts, bends, and gradients.

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ISG Adds Link To Growing Portfolio Of Client Framework

ISG continues to highlight its credentials within the social housing sector, following confirmation of its inclusion in the Link Group Main Contractor Framework.

Over the next four years, Link will unveil a series of affordable housing developments, encompassing an estimated 600 new build or refurbished homes, ranging in size, type and tenure incorporating mainstream and amenity housing in locations across Scotland.

The framework procurement route was preferred for the delivery of these important developments as this methodology promotes collaborative working, drives efficiencies across the supply chain and encourages sustainable construction solutions. Best practice will be shared amongst framework partners and there is a key drive towards creating employment and training opportunities within local communities.

ISG’s Andy Mallice, managing director – Scotland, commented: “ISG’s inclusion in this influential framework further enhances our growing reputation within this burgeoning sector and provides the business with forward visibility in our order book over the next four years.”

In Scotland, ISG is involved in a number of key social housing projects, including the major £45 million regeneration scheme at Mill O’Mains in Dundee for Home Scotland, and the refurbishment of 13 multi-storey blocks located throughout Glasgow, on behalf of GHA. In addition, ISG is also part of the Home Scotland Framework agreement, which represents a £40 million investment over four years.

Across the UK, the strength and depth of ISG’s experience within the social housing sector is illustrated by the contractor’s involvement in numerous partnering frameworks with leading providers including Genesis Housing Group, Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association, Network Housing Group, Sanctuary Hereward, Swan Housing Association and Flagship Housing Group.

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Four more dates for Kubota Live in September 2010

Kubota Live! is the only event where customers get to put the complete Kubota line-up of mini excavators, tractors and groundcare equipment through its paces.

Following the success of this year’s Kubota Live! at Rockingham, the company has announced four more dates for September 2010:
14 September Wetherby Racecourse (LS22 5EJ)
16 September Writtle College, Essex (CM1 3RR)
21 September Bath Racecourse (BA1 8BU)
23 September Western Park, Shropshire (TF11 8LE)

The event at Rockingham attracted a wealth of quality customers, many of whom had travelled especially to the event in order to help them decide which machine was right for them before they placed an order. One such customer was John Carhart, owner of Phoenix Park in Trematon Saltash, Cornwall, who drove more than 300 miles to attend the Rockingham Kubota Live!

He said: "I've always used Kubotas because of their build quality, reliability and dealer back-up. Because I've recently bought some more land, I needed a bigger tractor and knew I wanted another Kubota. The B2530 compact tractor was perfect for my needs, but I couldn’t decide between manual or HST options, so I decided to go to Kubota Live! so I could try the two different options back to back. After putting them to the test, I decided that manual was the right option for me.

"Kubota Live! is a fantastic event – it’s the only place where you can try out all the equipment on display and get expert advice from both the manufacturer and the dealers. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to buy Kubota equipment – it was certainly worth the trip."

Visitors to the free events in September will be amongst the first to try their hand at new machines from Kubota Tractor and Groundcare division, including the M130X Kubota’s biggest tractor to date, the B2420 compact tractor, the new HST version of the L4100 and the T1880 petrol ride-on mower.

And of course, the company will be exhibiting all the 'old favourites' too, from the GR1600 ride-on mower through to the M Series tractors and not forgetting the RTV 900 all-terrain utility vehicle.

This will be complemented by the comprehensive range of mini excavators from Kubota Construction, which range in size from 980 kg to 8 tonnes. Three new machines will be introduced at the show, including the much-anticipated 5 tonne models.

"Kubota Live! is a fantastic event that gives visitors the chance to ride, drive and dig using all the machines, providing them with an unparalleled insight into each model’s suitability for their individual needs," commented Dave Roberts, Kubota Tractor and Groundcare Sales and Marketing Manager.

"For the September events, we have worked hard to choose venues that not only offer great testing facilities but will also attract maximum visitor numbers thanks to their strategic locations across the UK. There will be plenty of free parking and refreshments available – wherever you are Kubota Live! is certainly an event not to be missed."

Kubota's experienced and qualified staff will also be on-hand throughout the event to advise people about the best model for their needs. Representatives from all the local Kubota Dealerships will also be attending each event.

To put these and other machines through their paces, all people need to do is register on-line by visiting the Kubota website and clicking on the Kubota Live! link. Entry is free and refreshments are available.

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Barbour ABI’s Q2 Construction Analysis Report Is Out Now!

Barbour ABI has just published Construction Review – it’s our quarterly industry analysis, which highlights key building projects, the best performing industry sectors (based on contract awarded) and everything you need to know about construction activity between April to June 2012.

Construction Review is a must read for key construction industry professionals. Quarter 4 begins with leading stories from two key figures within the construction community; Dr Noble Francis, Economics Director of the Construction Products Association and Brian Green who blogs for Building magazine.

The review provides a detailed analysis of all sectors within the construction industry. Here’s an extract from the Industrial sector summary (April to June 2012):

Slight growth in the industrial sector saw the levels of contracts awarded up 4% on the previous quarter, although disappointingly 16% down on the corresponding quarter of 2011. The building of a new Jaguar plant at Wolverhampton contributed a massive £335 million towards the level.

The latest issue of Landscape is also now available – it’s our rapid review tool to help industry professionals such as yourselves to spot changes in key market sectors.

Launched at Ecobuild 2012 to high acclaim, Landscape can be used to track changes in future workloads in key sectors, or to spot opportunities elsewhere and works by looking at the current value of contract awards in a sector and comparing this against the average seen over the past four years. Then, taking into account the volatility of the sector, Landscape provides a simple score that indicates how much greater the orders have been over the past year compared with the recent past. The higher the number, the greater the value of orders in the sector compared with the past and the greater the likelihood of growth in work in the pipeline.

Landscape also looks at whether the sector has become hotter, colder or remained more or less the same over the past three months, which gives a rough indication of whether the sector may have been coming off the boil or getting hotter. Armed with the Landscape numbers it’s a quick step to check the hottest sectors and look for the contracts that are driving growth.

Barbour ABI reports on every project in the UK by enhancing planning application and public tender information at each stage of the construction lifecycle. For over 70 years, Barbour ABI has provided industry leading services to the construction community.

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ISG Secures £16 Million City Tower Scheme

ISG has secured the £16 million project to refurbish and upgrade City Tower in Basinghall Street, London for owners Great Portland Estates and investment firm Starwood Capital. The contract sees ISG working across 10 floors of the 21-storey office building – approximately 80,000 sq ft of accommodation, which will remain partially occupied throughout the duration of the fast-track project.

The scheme, a continuation of ISG’s existing relationship with Great Portland Estates, encompasses major refurbishment and remodelling works both internally and externally at City Tower, to deliver BREEAM very good office accommodation and improved public realm space. A key element of the project focuses on the enhancement of the two-storey podium deck at the base of the structure, occupying a much larger footprint than the tower and including a public high walkway area.

At podium level, ISG will build a new glazed entrance portico, create a contemporary reception area and form a secondary entrance. Major structural alterations will see the introduction of new roof lights on the podium deck and performance glazing to the southern elevation to maximise the volume of natural light entering the building’s lower levels. The existing restaurant and hard landscaping elements on the high walkway area will be carefully removed and a new attractive landscaping scheme introduced to enhance the public area surrounding City Tower.

The tower’s façade will also be upgraded as part of the programme, with ISG installing replacement aluminium cladding panels to enhance the visual impact of the building. Significant structural work will also be carried out across the tower’s roof with the introduction of enlarged plant openings and removal and replacement of existing water tanks.

ISG will fit out the open plan office accommodation to Cat A standard and undertake a major programme of mechanical and electrical works to improve the efficiency of building services. This work will be carried out on a seasonal basis to minimise disruption to tenants in occupation across the remaining floors within the building. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2013.

ISG’s Stuart Deverill, managing director - London, commented: “Securing this high profile project was a hard fought process and our appointment undoubtedly recognises ISG’s capabilities delivering complex, logistically challenging schemes. As clients look to enhance the value and performance of their property portfolios, asset optimisation schemes represent an important source of opportunities for ISG, particularly with our requisite experience and delivery track record.”

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Autopa faces no barriers reaching customers within the construction industry

Autopa explains how a Premier Profile on Barbour Product Search ensures their company and products are promoted to potential customers within the construction industry. After having entries in the printed Barbour Compendium, the Barbour Product Search digital marketing opportunity was a natural progression for Autopa.

Autopa manufactures, supplies and installs a wide range of street furniture, including bollards, barriers and shelters, and vehicle access control products, across the UK.

Autopa has been marketing their products online with a Premier Profile since Barbour Product Search launched in 2008. The Premier Profile allows manufacturers to promote a variety of content including product entries, brochures, technical data and case studies.

Vicky Tayler, Marketing Executive at Autopa says: “We were very happy with how the Barbour Compendium had performed and so it was a natural progression to move on to Barbour Product Search.”

“Barbour Product Search is an excellent vehicle for reaching potential clients within the construction industry and driving traffic to our website. We have definitely benefited from the Premier Profile.”

Autopa has also benefited from the newsletter opportunities Barbour Product Search offers. They recently featured in the Education themed newsletter to promote their canopies and shelters.

Vicky continues: “We used the newsletter service to increase our coverage amongst specifiers. Featuring in the newsletter has helped to push traffic towards our Premier Profile pages and our own website.”

Barbour Product Search is continually developing; for example the recent collaboration with Bimstore.co.uk to help manufacturers in the creation, hosting and promotion of BIM content.

Vicky continues: “Barbour Product Search is always proactive in their approach, offering excellent opportunities to promote manufacturers and suppliers to the whole specification chain.”

“I would definitely recommend Barbour Product Search and the other services provided by Barbour.”

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Osborne appointed to carry out redevelopment of largest dry dock in Southampton

Osborne has been appointed by Associated British Ports to carry out the redevelopment of an area of land near the 1930s, Dry Dock No. 7 (formerly known as the King George 5th Dry Dock) on West Bay Road in Southampton. The £1.4 million project will convert the area into a cargo handling berth with access to an adjacent berth that is also undergoing redevelopment. Completion is expected by the end of 2008.

Following listed planning consent, the contract comprises demolitions, new roads, fencing, lighting and dock up-grades as well as non-tidal works to the quayside including heavy duty chamber covers and new anchor bollards, plus tidal works to the now flooded Dry Dock 7 consisting of new safety chains, access ladders and infilling of old stairways.

Associated drainage, ducting, high mast lights, weighbridge and office foundation works will also be undertaken. Throughout the project, existing access will be maintained for quay operating leaseholders and future access to the quayside and dock will be improved with a new circulatory access road and link road to an adjacent berth.

There are a number of challenges, not least of which is breaking out existing concrete slabs for new roads and drainage. This is being carried out using a tracked Rocksaw to cut along the sides of the routes, enabling more accurate and simplified breaking out.

As part of the project, as many existing materials as possible are being reused to minimise waste and materials movement. This includes the use of the broken concrete, which will be crushed and reused as a capping material on this development.

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Basildon-based asbestos experts celebrate third year of success in top business awards

Nationwide asbestos surveyors Cube Environmental Ltd have scooped two further prestigious business awards in recognition of their rapid success.

The Basildon-based business, which specialises in the field of asbestos surveying, asbestos consultancy and fire risk assessments in the construction industry, was awarded the coveted Environmental Awareness award in this year’s Basildon and District Business Awards, hosted by Newsquest on July 13 at the town’s Towngate Theatre.

Its founder Sheree Cook, who launched the UKAS-accredited company less than four years ago, was also announced Business Woman of the Year at the glittering awards ceremony, bringing to four the number of business accolades won by the firm during the past three years. Previously, in 2010, Sheree Cook won Entrepreneur 2010 of the Year and the company again was presented with the Environmental Awareness title in 2010 & 2011.

“I am absolutely stunned to receive such a prestigious honour, and feel a great deal of pride that Cube Environmental has once again been recognised for its environmental responsibilities and awareness - for the second year running,” said Ms Cook, who started her business from home and now employs 17 full-time staff.

“While it’s fantastic to be personally recognised alongside so many outstanding business people, this award is also an acknowledgement of the dedication and hard work of my employees who are key to this company’s success. We work in what is an extremely demanding industry at times but they remain passionate about their work at all times and take a great deal of personal pride in the performance of the business. It may be a cliché but we really have become a little family.

“This award is testament to how far the company has come in just three years and I hope we continue to grow and offer even more employment opportunities to those living in Basildon and beyond in years to come.”

Operating from premises in Miles Gray Road, Basildon, Cube Environmental provides specialist advice and consultancy services which deal with the health risks posed by asbestos. The company’s eight asbestos surveyors cover a wide range of projects from small flats and local authority premises to large airport buildings and assist both domestic and commercial clients to comply with national regulations regarding the disposal of asbestos.

The Evening Echo Basildon and District Business Awards are held annually and recognise outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and innovation in the world of business. This year’s judges were particularly impressed by Sheree’s determination to succeed no matter what challenges she faced and her passion for getting things right.

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China Infrastructure Construction Corporation expands throughout northwest China

CHNC was founded in 2002 in Beijing, China. Since then it has developed into one of the top ready mix concrete producers in Beijing. Its products are environment-friendly and among the few providers in China of "green" concrete.

China Infrastructure Construction Corporation has announced that Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Research has called the site of the Company's most recent expansion, Xi'an, "one of the most important cities in Western China." Under an agreement with CHNC and China Railway Construction Group Co., Ltd, the two parties will join to produce and sell concrete in north central China's Xi'an region, and CHNC has already built a new manufacturing facility there.

"Investment projects in Xi'an and its vicinity include a new airport terminal, a new railway station, widening of existing highways, a network of high-speed railways and subways," said the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch "China Economics" report.

CHNC recently announced that a branch mixing station with an annual production capacity of 3,600,000 m3 has been set up in the city of Xi'an, in part to serve the requirements of the infrastructure build out that the China Economics report describes.

Mr. Yang Rong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CHNC said, "We and leading investors have identified some very favourable trends in Xi'an that will accelerate the expansion of the CHNC business throughout northwest China."

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ZERO-C concrete repair material formulated to eliminate material cracking

The problem of cracking in concrete repair does not have a simple solution; cracking in concrete is influenced by many factors. Scientists at BASF have unlocked the solution, addressing four critical material properties by utilizing state-of-the-art chemistry to create a new level of performance and the next generation of concrete repair.

The Building Systems business of BASF's Construction Chemicals division has announced the launch of ZERO-C Concrete Repair Technology, a line of cementitious repair mortars that exhibit no cracking when tested in accordance with ASTM C1581. ZERO-C is the first concrete repair material formulated and proven to eliminate material cracking.

Evaluating crack performance requires consideration of all forces that influence cracking. The newest and most reliable scientific test for measuring crack resistance in concrete repair materials is ASTM C1581, commonly known as the "Ring Test." ZERO-C is the industry's first product to exceed both ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute) requirements for "low cracking potential products" showing no cracking at 60 days when tested according to The Ring Test.

In addition to crack resistance, ZERO-C's patent pending mix-and-match material design brings simplicity to the job site. A single base mortar can be modified by using different liquids to change the material consistency as project demands change, reducing the number of materials that have to be stored on the job site. Additionally, the weatherproof, recyclable mortar bags with handles eliminate solid waste and make bags easier to carry. The durable liquid pouches are tough enough to prevent damage, yet they are made with 50% less plastic than jugs. The pouches fold flat when empty to create less waste and lower disposal costs on site.

"I am very proud of the scientists and construction professionals at BASF who have dedicated their professional energy to creating a scientific breakthrough to not only meet, but exceed the demands of the industry," stated Doug MacRae, Vice President & Business Director for Building Systems. "The people of BASF have dedicated years to engineering a product that will improve our built world and forever change the face of concrete repair."

The Building Systems business of BASF manufactures products under nine brands: Sonneborn®, Thoro®, MBT Protection and Repair®, Hydrozo®, Selby®, UCRETE®, SRS Flooring, Conica and CHEMREX®. These products provide joint sealant, waterproofing, grout, concrete repair, water repellent, performance flooring, surface adhesives and wall coating solutions for construction and renovation projects around the globe.

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Chelsom launches new website

Closely following the launch of the Edition 23 catalogue, the brand new Chelsom website is now up and running.

Edition 23 is the first Chelsom catalogue to be fully available on-line. Specifiers can now view the full collection via the website and easily download high resolution images and technical data for presentation use. All the products are fully searchable by product type, product code or range name.

The launch of the catalogue and website is the culmination of two years of in-house design.

With 40% of the collection being new, designers, specifiers and hoteliers will find a range of lighting that covers the hotel and leisure sectors from two star to six star levels. Based on Chelsom's hard-earned reputation for design, quality and value, guestrooms, bathrooms, bars and public spaces are all catered for with an eclectic mix of product covering contemporary and traditional styles.

Managing Director Robert Chelsom who, with son Will, has designed most of the collection, says: "I believe many of our worldwide clients will appreciate the moves we have made into even sharper designs, higher quality levels and larger proportions for top end hotel suites and public spaces. In creating some of these more iconic products, we wanted to bring a sense of realism and value to the pricing. Designs whose prices have in the past restricted their use to public areas, will now fit perfectly into guestroom budgets."

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Karkamış Dam and HEPP

The Karkamış Dam and HEPP is located on the Euphrates River 4,5 km from the Syrian border. Constructed as a clay-core earthfill dam, the Karkamış Dam and HEPP is a very important project being the first application of run of river type HEPP in Turkey. The Karkamış Dam and HEPP is the second unit in the Border Euphrates Project, which constitutes one part of the Southeast Anatolian Project. The power plant has installed capacity of 189 MW with an electricity production target of 652,5 GWh. When the protective embankments on the right and left shore of the reservoir for this electrical power generating dam were built, the 336-meter level of the lake was raised to an operational level of 340 meters. The purpose was to protect the residential area and 433 hectares of farmland below the lake. The project was completed by a consortium including Yüksel İnşaat A.Ş.

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