Kier preferred bidder to deliver £240m Watford Health Campus

Kier Property has been selected by the Health Campus Partnership (Watford Borough Council, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Watford Football Club) as the preferred bidder to deliver the £240m Watford Health Campus project.

The company beat rival bidder Laing to be awarded the contract to deliver the 375,000sq ft mixed-use development, which will include new hospital facilities for Watford and south-west Hertfordshire, up to 650 homes and a new multi-storey car park.

The Health Campus will regenerate derelict land in west Watford and deliver new employment space and 1,600 local jobs. It will also allow better access for all to improved open public space and reduce traffic congestion.

Kier Property scored highly across a range of areas that ultimately saw its bid come out on top. The Health Campus partnership was particularly impressed by Kier as:

-its masterplan fully meets the aims for the scheme in terms of creating an attractive and sustainable community in west Watford that incorporates health, employment, quality open space and new homes

-its proposal keeps the hospital’s vision for new health facilities at the heart of the scheme and offers the flexibility needed to ensure this can happen

-it offers excellent value for money with a 50:50 long-term joint venture for the public sector

-it has a good track record of delivery and will appoint an experienced and skilled team to take its proposals forward

Nigel Turner, Kier Property’s MD, added: “We are extremely pleased to be selected as the preferred partner to deliver the Watford Health Campus scheme. We have worked closely with the Health Campus partners to understand their vision and aspirations for the Health Campus and the area overall. We believe our proposal will deliver the transformation that the partnership is looking for and we are now very excited to get started.

“We are looking forward to getting out and about in Watford to share our proposals with the local community. Our joint objective is to deliver realistic and achievable regeneration within a clear timescale.”

Commenting, Dorothy Thornhill MBE, Elected Mayor of Watford, said: “This announcement marks a significant step forward for the Health Campus and brings us closer to seeing our aspirations for the area finally come to fruition. The Health Campus is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will deliver significant benefits to the town and gives a huge boost to our local economy at a time when other areas of the country are seeing reductions to public investment and services. There is still a lot to be done but I am delighted at the prospect of working with Kier on its exciting proposals and getting the best possible results for Watford and our residents.”

Jan Filochowski, chief executive of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We have been working hard to fulfil our vision for a modern general hospital for Watford and the whole of west Hertfordshire, so I am delighted that we have reached this important milestone in the Watford Health Campus project.

“The land around the hospital and the slope of the site has been challenging when trying to piece together the Health Campus ‘jigsaw’. The scheme allows parts of the hospital to ‘decant’, whilst other parts are built. It will transform the hospital facilities and site, creating green open spaces, tranquil water frontage and welcoming public spaces. Emergency and normal access to the site will be dramatically improved. At the end of the works our patients, staff and the local community are set to have fantastic new and improved facilities.”

Kier will also be working with the Health Campus partnership to complete the financial and legal aspects of their agreement by December.

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TWO AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE SELF-BUILD LAND SALES AT HAMPTON

Peterborough-based Metrix Marketing (www.metrixmarketing.co.uk) and t2 Studios (www.t2studios.net) are working together to promote the sale of self-build housing plots at Hampton.

Hampton, the 7,000 home township being built south of Peterborough, has been growing at the rate of nearly 500 houses per year with around 20 building companies active on the site.

However, O&H Hampton – the company which owns the land and is managing the development – also has a small number of plots available for sale to people who want to build their own homes.

Roger Tallowin, general manager at O&H Hampton, said: “We have a long-term vision of a thriving, sustainable community. We see self-build homes as an integral part of that community.”

The company recognised that selling individual plots to would-be self-builders was going to be very different to selling relatively large sites to house building companies. So it called in Metrix Marketing to advise on a marketing communications programme to attract new potential purchasers.

Metrix recommended an internet-based campaign because more than 100,000 people in the UK search online each year for available plots to self-build. Metrix introduced t2 Studios, an integrated design and media agency with which it has a close working relationship.


Between them, the two companies created a new website – www.ohland.co.uk – which provides details of the self-build plots on offer at Hampton as well as helpful facts, figures and advice on how to build your own dream home.

Metrix also assisted with media publicity, including a large feature in Self Build & Design magazine, and other promotional activity including advertising designed by t2 Studios.

Roger Tallowin said: “Metrix Marketing and t2 Studios have helped us to raise our profile in a very difficult and competitive market.”

The self-build plots on offer are in Winsor Crescent in Hampton Vale West. They overlook a nature reserve on the northern edge of the Hampton community and have impressive views of a peaceful countryside landscape from almost every angle.

The group of 13 plots all have key services – provided by O&H Hampton – including foul and service water drainage, and utility connections for drinking water, gas, electricity and telecommunications. Each plot has a gated private driveway and a waste bin and utilities store are also supplied.

Five of the 13 plots have now been sold.

For information about the availability of plots in Winsor Crescent, visit www.ohland.co.uk or call O&H Hampton on 01733 293220.

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CWISC Competent Persons Scheme Notifications Up A Third

In the first six months of 2012, just under a quarter of a million Cavity Wall Insulation installations were carried out under the Cavity Wall Insulation Self Certification scheme (CWISC) - a 36% increase in installations under the scheme compared to the first six months of 2011.

The CWISC scheme is operated and administered by the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) in association with the British Board of Agrément. The scheme provides homeowners with the comfort of knowing that work by registered contractors is not only covered by the CIGA Guarantee but complies with building regulations requirements.

Registered installers under the scheme must meet detailed technical requirements and are subject to regular independent inspections and surveillance of work. Under the Scheme a certificate of conformity is sent to the homeowner shortly after completion of the installation.

Gerry Miller, Chief Executive of CIGA, commented: “Qualifying installations also receive the CIGA independent 25 year Guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. To date, CIGA has issued nearly 5 million guarantees, which, in conjunction with the certificate of conformity with building regulations, provides householders with complete peace of mind.”

The CWISC scheme was officially launched 1st October 2010.

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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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ISG Takes £7.8 Million Contracts At West Suffolk College

ISG has been awarded two projects at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, with a combined value of £7.8 million. The most high profile of these awards is the brief to create a stunning new £7 million teaching block at the entrance to the main Out Risbygate campus site.

Both schemes form part of the college’s overall masterplan to further enhance teaching facilities across its two main sites in Bury St Edmunds. Creating a purpose-built hub for the college, the new three-storey concrete framed teaching block is set to provide 3,600 sq m of accommodation, with high specification classrooms, tutorial facilities, student support and recreational areas.

Designed to reflect the architectural style of surrounding buildings on the campus, the new Further Education block will showcase the college’s sustainable ambitions and incorporates high performance building materials and a biomass boiler. Featuring a large atrium to maximise the volume of natural light entering the building, the structure also makes extensive use of curtain walling to its façade to reduce the requirement for artificial lighting.

Externally, ISG will carry out extensive landscaping, creating a sustainable urban drainage system to regulate the volume of surface run off entering natural watercourses. The contractor is also tasked with remodelling the existing car parking provision as part of the project.

During the ten-month new build programme, ISG will additionally deliver a programme of general refurbishment works to the college’s Higher Education facilities during an £800,000 upgrade. Operating across a live campus environment, ISG has worked closely with staff to develop a workable programme that delivers to expectations whilst minimising the potential impact of these essential works on students.

ISG’s Phillip Allerton, managing director – East, commented: “What we are providing at West Suffolk College is a full turnkey delivery solution following an extensive value engineering exercise to help the scheme meet budgetary constraints. Colleges face the challenge of balancing reduced public funding with the need to invest to attract students, and this scenario is where the influence of contractors with sector-specific expertise is increasingly important. Our ability to offer both quality and value, while maintaining continuity of college operations, proved a critical element in ISG securing this high profile contract.”

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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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ISG Secures Sheffield Teaching Hospital Scheme

ISG has secured its latest project via the Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Contractors Framework, taking a £1.5 million scheme to deliver a new endoscopy decontamination unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The contractor framework encompasses refurbishment and new build projects across the Trust’s five teaching hospitals in Sheffield.

Occupying an underused area of the hospital previously used for storage, the new unit will enable the Trust to relocate endoscopy services to a purpose-built facility that incorporates an endoscopy suite, two operating theatres and associated preparation areas. The unit will be handed over to the hospital in two phases, with the operating theatres delivered in November and the endoscopy suite at the end of the year.

To form the new unit, ISG will carry out a comprehensive strip out of the existing accommodation and rationalise and reconfigure space within the hospital. The unit is being created adjacent to laboratories and busy out-patient areas within a live hospital environment and effectively segregating the works is an essential element of the project. The scheme includes a major mechanical and electrical package, with complex interfaces with the hospital’s existing infrastructure.

ISG’s John Gittins, managing director - North East, commented: “The framework procurement methodology is ideally suited to complex, phased live environment projects, where high quality contractors can engage with clients at an early stage to ensure a successful project outcome. The Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust framework has been instrumental in driving efficiencies throughout the supply chain and reducing the time taken to get schemes to site, as well as promoting shared knowledge and the delivery of best practice solutions.”

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ISG Delivers Luxury Hampstead Home

‘Mansfield House’ takes its name from the original residence, which was demolished a number of years ago. The base build for the new property was carried out by a different contractor, with ISG then brought in to make structural modifications to the internal layout and complete a wide-ranging fit out from shell. ISG worked closely with the Project Manager Jackson Rowe, Architect, Garnett & Partners and prominent Interior Designer, Tim Gosling, to realise the client’s vision, which was based on the grandeur of the SS Normandie, an art-deco classic.

The extensive fit out requirements included a complex control system with lighting, AV and radio systems in every room connected through a central building management system and controlled via a remote control touchscreen interface. ISG also installed a climate control system throughout the property as well as a passenger lift. In the basement, a large heated swimming pool was created, alongside a lounge area, high specification cinema, a games room and staff quarters.

The exceptionally high specification of the fit out included eglomise mirrored panels, gilded coffer ceilings and black and gold marble flooring, with the contractor also installing luxury fittings and joinery elements throughout the property, including a bespoke kitchen and a custom-made, unique chandelier designed by lighting specialist Sharon Marston. Externally, ISG was responsible for all hard and soft landscaping, including the installation of a feature copper water fountain in the garden area.

Grahame Roberts, divisional managing director of ISG Fit Out, commented: “Taking on a project from another contractor can be challenging, but our experience in the luxury homes sector meant that we were quickly able to take charge of the scheme and complete the remodelling and fit out works to the very highest standards. In a bespoke, £multi-million home, achieving an outstanding quality of fit and finish is our core priority and Mansfield House is an excellent example of our craftsmanship and rigorous attention to detail.”

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Victoria Park renovations completed

London’s historic Victoria Park has been restored to its former splendor following the completion of a £12 million, 16 month renovation project.

The project, funded by Tower Hamlets Council and The Heritage Lottery Fund was carried out by family-owned construction, civil engineering and property services firm Osborne, which involved full renovation of the park’s facilities and grounds.

Work on the park included the construction of two large play areas with play equipment, water play features, and a Wheels Park for skateboarding and bikes as well as restoration on the Old English Garden and other landscaping work.

Additional work included restoring the listed Burdett Coutts Fountain; the Rustic Shelter; the Bandstand; and all entrances and gates and Bonner Bridge. Many of the Bonner Bridge balustrades had to be replaced, and were cast from the original panels. More than one third of the materials and labour for this project came from within a 10 mile radius of the site.

The park remained open throughout the renovation work, so the site team worked around staff, residents and the local wildlife, scheduling work around nesting season for the birds and working with English Heritage to obtain approvals for refurbishing listed structures.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “The refurbishment was a once in a life-time opportunity to bring a much loved park up to date and the multi million pound transformation will ensure the park continues to provide excellent facilities for years to come.

I am proud of the investment which has been made as it really is the jewel in the crown for the borough.”

Tommy Chambers, Managing Director of Osborne’s Civil Engineering team, said: “The whole community have joined us in refurbishing this magnificent park, with residents getting involved in planting, and some local school children painting murals to go on our hoardings while the work was taking place. With the park remaining open throughout the renovation works, we made communication with residents and staff a key priority, so they knew what was going on and why. This park has been a key feature of the local landscape and in the lives of its residents since 1845, and these renovations have been designed to improve the experience for visitors while complimenting the park’s Victorian heritage.”

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New Allison Transmission V8 application

Visitors to Lastbil 2012 will be the first to see Allison Transmission’s latest application in a Scania mining truck. The powerful Scania R560 8x4, 50 tons gross vehicle weight, has been equipped with an Alllison 4000 Series fully automatic transmission to ensure unrivalled performance under the toughest operating conditions.

At the Allison stand, visitors will also examine 3000 and 4000 Series display units and learn from experts about how Allison products can help to improve vehicle productivity and performance. While there, guests may request a driving-ticket to test drive several Allison equipped medium and heavy vehicles located in the external area - Hall C and D.

Allison has a long tradition as the leading supplier of durable, innovative and efficient fully automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles. From the smallest 1000 Series up to the 4000 Series, Allison transmissions are suitable for a wide range of vehicles, from light multipurpose to heavy and specialty trucks with engines rated to 800 hp and 2644 Nm.

The 4000 Series is available in six and seven speed configurations, with close and wide gear ratios. This range of products is popular in rigid construction and articulated dump trucks, as well as in oilfield and crane applications.

The 5000, 8000 and 9000 Series are the largest transmissions offered by Allison. These are suitable for stationary and mobile off-highway applications with engines up to 2250HP and a torque of 8270 Nm.

Allison transmission’s torque converter and powershift design provide superior performance over difficult terrain, higher productivity and ease of operation. The torque converter is a highly advanced starting device which multiplies engines torque, while also helping to reduce maintence cost by eliminating costly clutch repairs common with manual and automated manual transmissions.

Advanced electronic controls feature the latest fuel saving technoligies such like Load Based Shift Scheduling and Vehicle Acceleration Control, to maximize fuel economy and efficiency automatically by adjusting shifts based on vehicle load, route topography and other parameters.

About Allison Transmission

Allison Transmission is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully-automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, medium- and heavy-tactical U.S. military vehicles and hybrid-propulsion systems for transit buses. Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including on-highway trucks (distribution, refuse, construction, fire and emergency), buses (primarily school and transit), motor homes, off-highway vehicles and equipment (primarily energy and mining) and military vehicles (wheeled and tracked). Founded in 1915, the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. and employs approximately 2,800 people. Allison has manufacturing facilities and customization centers located in China, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and Hungary. With a global presence, serving customers in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa, Allison also has over 1,500 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide.

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ONE NEW CHANGE HONOURED WITH 14TH MAJOR AWARD

Recently, the acclaimed Jean Nouvel/Sidell Gibson collaboration, One New Change, won the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects’ annual New City Architecture Award. This is the fourteenth major award claimed by the landmark building.

The Award is given to the the building which is judged by the Assessors to have made the most distinguished contribution to the streetscape of the City of London.

Ron Sidell from Sidell Gibson Architects, the delivery architects on One New Change, collected the award on behalf of Jean Nouvel.

“This is a fantastic and unexpected tribute to Jean Nouvel who can’t be with us tonight and is a major compliment to this collaboration and best practice model. We are especially pleased to win this award, as we see it as recognition for a magnificent building from our fellow architects – a hard crowd to please.”

Replacing the former 1960s Bank of England complex and facing St Paul’s Cathedral, One New Change provides 25,000m2 of retail space on three storeys, principally focussed on a vibrant and rich mix of fashion and food, with 35,000m2 of office space for 3,000 workers over four storeys. As a new landmark building, it represents one of the largest consolidated retail spaces across central London, embracing the commercial potential of the city and making a significant contribution to the public realm.

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TRACKER Plant takes the stress out of owning and using plant equipment

The launch of TRACKER Plant brings TRACKER’s fleet tracking capabilities together with its award winning stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) solutions, to meet the specific requirements of the Plant market. Now owners and hirers of plant machinery can monitor its actual usage on and off-site, helping to increase efficiency whilst benefiting from the ultimate security system in the event of theft.

The National Plant & Equipment Register (TER) reports that 95 per cent of plant equipment that is stolen every year is not recovered and says “Plant is seldom fitted with appropriate tracking devices – the right tracking device is an excellent way to make recoveries and generate actionable intelligence for the police.”
The combination of the latest technology from TRACKER offers plant owners a critical defence against plant theft, as well as a new level of control, inorder to get the best out of their plant fleet.

Stephen Doran, Managing Director, TRACKER, explains, “Speaking to our plant customers it became increasingly apparent their needs had changed. Whilst a stolen vehicle recovery system was essential, they also needed a solution to help them better manage their plant fleets. We have combined the power of TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery technology with our fleet tracking capabilities to deliver to the plant sector a comprehensive answer in one neat package.”

Fleet Tracking

TRACKER Plant is based on a combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM), but with the added benefit of TRACKER’s successful and proven Very High Frequency (VHF) radio technology. Fundamentally, this is brought together in a robust and waterproof unit, proven to withstand the harshest plant usage.

The system reports real time information about the usage of plant, such as engine running hours, and allows owners to set a location radius within which the plant can move freely, alerting them if it is moved outside of this location, known as Geofencing. The system will even inform owners when servicing of equipment is due. TRACKER Plant summary reports are emailed weekly containing clear and concise plant data, both on an individual item plant or as a group, for easy monitoring.

Vehicle Security

TRACKER Plant also includes TRACKER’s market leading stolen vehicle recovery system, offering an unrivalled level of protection against theft, as well as significantly increasing the chances of recovery. The system is Thatcham approved, offering added quality assurance and the possibility of an insurance discount.

Doran concludes, “The launch of TRACKER Plant encompasses the key issues surrounding the use of plant equipment and its security. We are bringing plant owners a powerful new way to monitor the status of a machine and its usage, bringing significant cost efficiencies, as well as giving peace of mind with our stolen vehicle recovery system. Designed specifically for the plant sector, this new product will help protect valuable assets, close the net on criminals and ensure businesses get the best out of their fleet.”

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Online registration now open for Interbuild Onsite

Interbuild Onsite will provide a clear focus for exhibitors and visitors this year, thanks to the creation of six specific new zones dedicated to important product and business areas for the building trades.

In addition to Commercial Vehicles and Tools, the principal featured zones at Interbuild Onsite now include Kitchens & Bathrooms, Painting, Decorating & Finishing, Installer (plumbing, heating and electrical), Flooring, an FMB Zone (Federation of Master Builders) and an Outdoor area for specialist construction site equipment, such as bulldozers, excavators, scaffolding, etc.

Each product area will be home to the latest vehicles, equipment and innovations from the major brands in these respective sectors. They will also provide focused opportunities for relevant workshops, tests and educations sessions. The FMB Zone meanwhile will occupy an area that will include exhibition space for FMB partners to offer free workshops, seminars and business critical advice. Visitors will be able to engage with insurance, accountancy, legal and other professionals who specialise in supporting small businesses.

Already, key exhibitors taking advantage of the range of value for money stand packages at the show include Ford and Renault in Commercial Vehicles and Irwin Industrial Tools in Tools.

“Interbuild Onsite is the number one national platform for the building trades, providing them with all they need so that they can get the job done well on-site” says Event Director, David Pierpoint. “Commercial Vehicles and Tools remain a stand-out attraction for the show, as they were in 2009. But our aim in 2010 is to make Interbuild Onsite an even better, more productive and complete experience for exhibitors and visitors alike. That’s why we’re re-defining the floor plan to create more clearly themed zones for new products, demonstrations, training, information and debates”.

“We are delighted that Interbuild Onsite is still attracting a great line up of commercial vehicle manufacturers and are looking forward to signing up other vehicle brands in the coming months” explains Event Director, David Pierpoint. “The show has always been an excellent platform on which to showcase new developments and innovations and this year will be no exception. With a strong line-up of commercial vehicle exhibitors to see this year, visitors are going to have a particularly rewarding time at the event in October”.

Charles Peugeot, Head of Citroën Commercial Vehicles comments: “As a major supplier of light commercial vehicles to the construction and building services industries, Citroën is once again pleased to exhibit at Interbuild Onsite to meet existing and new customers in these key industry sectors. Citroën LCVs appeal to operators in these sectors thanks to their optimum financial, operational and environmental performance, as well as the ability to offer bespoke products to suit all needs. Interbuild Onsite allows us to demonstrate our products directly to these operators.”

Mark Beal, Experiential Marketing Manager at Ford of Britain, says: "Interbuild Onsite is an important part of our overall van marketing strategy. Being able to reach businesses who operate one or a few vans means we can target a discrete audience and that's extremely valuable. We are very proud that the Ford stand at Interbuild Onsite is always staffed by our own employees and this means we can talk expert to artisan. We enjoy interacting with current and potential customers and they seem to enjoy talking about what is new in the world of Ford commercial vehicles. Job done!"

“Renault Business is delighted to be participating in this year’s Interbuild Onsite exhibition as it provides us with an ideal and timely opportunity to present our brand new commercial vehicles to the construction market” adds Darren Payne, Director, Fleet and Commercial Vehicle Operations at Renault. “Renault has been number one van selling manufacturer in Europe for 12 consecutive years and this year we are confident that we will consolidate this position with our enhanced product line-up. From the recently launched Kangoo Maxi Crew Van to the tough New Master and New Master converted vehicles out later this year, we have a comprehensive award-winning range of practical, reliable and ultra-efficient vans to suit the needs of the building trade.”

Once again, Interbuild Onsite will co-locate in Hall 4 with Glassex, the premier event for the windows, doors and glazing markets. Glassex traditionally attracts installers and fabricators who are also major purchasers of trucks, tools and other on-site equipment and services.

Alongside Interbuild Onsite in Hall 5 is BEST - Built Environment Solutions & Technologies - the new built environment exhibition where innovative products offer practical solutions to real challenges. BEST will span a wide range of market sectors including education, private housing, affordable housing, hotel & leisure, infrastructure, retail, community and amenity, health, industrial and offices showcasing construction excellence across the entire built environment.

Online registration has now opened for Interbuild Onsite. Visitors can now sign up to receive their free badge for the event by registering in advance using priority code EREG2 via Interbuild Onsite’s dedicated website, interbuildonsite.com, saving them the £20 entrance fee. Tickets will be issued prior to the event, allowing visitors to bypass the on-site registration procedures and avoid the inevitable queues on the day, guaranteeing fast-track entry.

Having registered, visitors can benefit from regular email updates which will automatically supply them with the very latest show news as well as a range of exclusive show offers and discounts. In addition, visitors can browse the show’s exhibitor list and check out testimonials from a collection of exhibitors who took part in the 2009 event.

They will be featuring new products and technologies for the industry alongside a raft of other exhibitors, such as Evolution Power Tools, Fluke UK, Irwin Industrial Tools, Sortimo International, UK Plumbing Supplies and X L Joinery, amongst others. A number of new interactive feature areas have been introduced for 2010, including a Retrofit Skills demonstration programme, a tool demonstration area and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Zone. A series of free flooring skills demonstrations from the Flooring Industry Trade Association (FITA) will also be making a return to this year’s event.

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Dickies & Jewson Minehead support next generation of trades people

Dickies – the internationally renowned workwear brand and Jewson Builders Merchants in Minehead joined forces to supply professional quality workwear to the Construction and Motor Vehicle departments at Somerset College.

Jewson has been working with the college for over a year, with the branch representative, Ross Baker visiting the college on a regular basis. They supply materials, product details and advice.

The latest support has come in the form of discounted uniform and safety equipment. The Motor vehicle students received overalls and black polo shirts, while students in construction have grey polo shirts and Dickies’ workwear trousers. The clothing has both Dickies and Jewson logos.

Both Maurice Morton, Sales & Marketing Director at Dickies and Jewson Minehead Branch Manager Richie Rich enthused: “Supporting the local college is something we take pride in as we are supporting the future generation of trades people.”

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Wellsville Foundry Establishes New Business Unit for Replacement Wear Parts

Wellsville Foundry, which specializes in high-performance castings for high-wear environments, has established a new business unit to supply a broad range of high-wear, and high-impact replacement parts for equipment used in construction, mining, manufacturing – virtually every sector that uses replacement components.

Wellsville supplies OEM and replacement castings weighing 35 grams to 1800 lbs. in short to medium runs. A recent facility expansion, which preceded the new business unit, includes a full melt lab and extensive metallographic capability. It allows the company to focus on prototyping, manufacturing and testing wear parts in a broad range of materials.

The foundry expansion also provides added capacity for casting two new proprietary Wellsville materials, WD3 and WD3+. Both are ductile iron-based alloys delivering 3-5X the service life of standard ductile or gray iron in sliding friction tests.

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Project for Proctor & Gamble completed by SDH Building Services Limited

Commercial building services company, SDH Building Services Limited, is pleased to have finished a project for international conglomerate Proctor & Gamble.

The company, based in Bolton, Lancashire, has spent eight weeks replacing a fire damper control system at Proctor & Gamble’s premises at Brooklands in Surrey.

Steve Hunt, Managing Director, said: “The work means that in the event of a fire, any smoke is stopped from passing through corridors and allows employees to leave the building more easily and safely.

“It was a very technically demanding project which involved lots of liaison with Proctor & Gamble’s other contractors and facilities management team.

“It was also a ‘live’ project, meaning that we have to work round employees in offices which tested our logistical and organisational skills too. Despite this challenge, there was not a single complaint from staff during the work.”

He added: “We are delighted to have been chosen to carry out this project by such a high profile company.”

SDH Building Services Limited provides a wide range of building services in commercial buildings such as supermarkets, offices, hotels, restaurants, factories, schools and care homes - nationwide.

Its services include commercial heating, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning both on a sub-contract or a direct-to-the-client basis.

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Custom Under Slab Insulation for Concrete Installers Launched by Insulation Stop

Insulation Stop has supplied radiant barrier and reflective foil insulation nationally for over ten years and the addition of new products to the concrete insulation sector is a natural progression. Now in addition to standard size four feet wide insulation rolls, Insulation Stop offers wider roll sizes up to ten feet allowing larger square footage projects to be completed much faster.

“The under slab insulation or concrete side of our business continues to grow,” stated Nick Semon, owner of Insulation Stop. “The product is popular because it combines several products into one. When used in under slab applications, our layered bubble foil insulation is a radon barrier. It also takes the place of a vapor barrier so you do not need to use the standard poly sheets. Although not a radiant barrier in concrete applications it does provide a thermal break and R-value. There is nothing available at its price point in the market today.”

“We are excited to be offering the new sizes. Take for instance a typical 20,000 ft² building. You use 15 rolls less using the new 10’ wide rolls versus the standard 4’ wide. The installation costs are cut down dramatically due to less labor in installing the material and taping the seams. Our larger project customers are pleased because they immediately see savings. These products have now been added to our online catalog and available for our national audience as well.”

Nick Semon is co-owner of Insulation Stop. They offer individual and bulk orders of U.S. made radiant barrier and reflective bubble foil insulation products for commercial and residential use. The company is committed to offering extensive knowledge on the use and application of its reflective insulation products.

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Engineers Provided with Construction Specs for Dashboards by Engineers with Construction Specs for Dashboards

Provider of the award-winning Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard®, QA Graphics, can now provide standard dashboard specification details and prepare custom bid specs for construction projects that require an interactive display to educate occupants about sustainable building features. This greatly simplifies the dashboard specification process.
The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard is an interactive application used to educate about sustainable building practices and create environmental awareness. The solution can include a variety of educational features like demonstrations of sustainable building systems, building performance feedback and comparisons of resources saved into everyday relatable values, interactive quizzes, environmental tips and more.

This product is commonly included under the HVAC category of construction bids when projects require a solution to educate occupants or the public about a building’s green features. The interactive application is customizable to meet all of a building’s display needs and can be deployed anywhere – via building touchscreens or kiosks, on the web and on mobile devices. In addition, there are no recurring fees or contracts for the building owner.
To help simplify the bid specification process, QA Graphics has prepared a standard set of dashboard specification details that may be modified. The standard specs include hardware (32” touchscreen unless specified), software and programming allowing the building owner to share education about their building’s sustainable features. QA Graphics can also prepare custom specifications that include software, programming, and a variety of integrated touchscreen and walk-up kiosk options. QA Graphics offers quick turnarounds when writing bid specifications, typically providing details within 24 hours.

In addition to providing the industry-leading Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard, QA Graphics provides comprehensive design services for the building automation industry including BAS graphics, HVAC 3D development, symbol library development and floor plan development services. The company also provides creative design services including interactive content, mobile application development, 3D design and animation and other multimedia solutions.

About QA Graphics:QA Graphics is an Iowa-based creative design company specializing in interactive applications, 3D design and animation, mobile app development and other multimedia. The company is also a leader in the building automation and green building industries, providing HVAC graphic development services and energy dashboards to help organizations educate occupants about sustainable buildings.

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