May Newsletter 2019
May 2019 Newsletter
‘The cables you need, where and when you need them, Plans unveiled for major revamp of The Belfry, Legal & General launches £500m build-to-rent scheme, Upskill heating supply chain now or we won’t hit net zero target.’
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The cables you need, where and when you need them
CTI showcases environmental technology solutions
MK Electric highlights benefits of apprentices
Xylem warns of hidden costs around sewer adoption
Plans unveiled for major revamp of The Belfry
Plan for 1,300-home led scheme near Harrow
Legal & General launches £500m build-to-rent scheme
CEF LAUNCHES PRICED TRADE CATALOGUE AND WEBSITE
Upskill heating supply chain now or we won’t hit net zero target
Putting the fuse to spark referrals and reviews
GET WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS QUICKER WITH NEW APPGET WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS QUICKER WITH NEW APP
Green light for thousands of homes on former barracks
Japan’s biggest house builder moves into UK market
Downing starts £250m London student tower
The cables you need, where and when you need them
With a 67,000 square foot warehouse facility housing over 3,500 product lines on the shelf, and another 6,000 on short lead times, FS Cables is sure to have the cable you need. It also offers over 800 CPR-compliant cables, including Alternative to Belden, structured wiring, fibre, coax, signal and control, and power cables.
FS Cables has no cut-off time for orders. You can call until 6pm, and if it can, the company will cut and pack your order and dispatch right up until the courier leaves. Next working-day delivery is standard to UK mainland, and is free on orders over £100. For urgent shipments, a range of express delivery options are available, including pre-9am, pre-10.30am and pre-12pm. A same-day courier is also possible, time and distance permitting. FS Cables cuts to length on many product lines, meaning you only buy what you need – reducing wastage and saving you money.
If you need cables delivered outside the UK, FS Cables’ dedicated export team is on hand. The team offers a fast and comprehensive service, supplying you with export packaging, cables cut to length, essential paperwork and certificates. Dispatch is by courier, air, sea and road so that orders are with you where and when you need them. FS Cables is authorised by the Chamber of Commerce to produce all the export documentation in-house, such as certificates of origin and EUR1’s, providing you with a fast and efficient service. Unlike other suppliers, FS Cables provides export packaging as standard – it’s all part of the service. FS Cables will select the most appropriate option to ensure that your goods arrive in perfect condition, regardless of how far they have travelled.
If you need a cable manufactured to your own specification or standard, talk to FS Cables. This can range from a printed or coloured jacket, right through to composite cables containing multiple elements of your choice. FS Cables is also able to help you with over-sheathing or steel wire armouring (SWA) to an existing cable, with short lead times and quantities as low as 100m.
If you have a regular requirement for a particular cable, you may benefit from using FS Cable’s call-off order service. Contracts can be up to 12 months in length, and enable you to fix your cost. Cable called off will normally be invoiced when it has been delivered, spreading the cost over the length of the agreement. In most cases, the entire order will be manufactured in one go and held in stock for next working day delivery.
Whether it is a contractor who has limited storage on site, and wants the cable delivered as and when required, or an OEM customer who may require a regular amount of cable for a particular application, call-off orders are proving to be extremely popular.
Call-off agreements have many benefits:
– Prices are fixed for 12 months, or the duration of the agreement.
– Volume discounts, even if the cable is called-off in relatively small amounts.
– Cables can be made to your exact design or with a special print, without costly storage or financial penalties.
– Peace of mind. Your cable is allocated and stored in FS Cable’s warehouse, and delivered next working day to mainland UK.
– Having a particular cable available at the right place and at the right time is a must for many of FS Cable’s customers. Talk to its sales team for more details about how the benefits of improved flexibility and cost savings by calling-off your orders could work for you.
FS Cables adapts to work your way and embraces your projects as its own, however varied they may be. The company prides itself on keeping it promises; understanding that its customer’s deadlines are important; and will deliver when it says it will deliver.
FS Cables has also been awarded the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award for the second year running. It is also putting the finishing touches to its ever-popular cabling guide, known as ‘the little red book’, which is back with issue 12. The handy A5 size contains technical information, application data and images for over 8,000 products, and is a must-have resource for those involved in buying or specifying electric cables.
Many with CPR compliant options, sections include AV, data, bus, coaxial, signal and control, power, fire and security, telephone, rubber and crane, marine, fibre, and high temperature, as well as a guide to custom-manufactured cables. There’s also a handy look-up table to find alternative to Belden cables from one of the largest ranges in the UK.
Visit www.fscables.com/lrb to register for your free copy. They will be sent out as soon as they are off the press.
The cables you need, where and when you need them
Source: Electrical Contracting News
CTI showcases environmental technology solutions
Carter Thermal Industries (CTI), one of the most substantial privately owned engineering groups in the UK, is to make its debut at the Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution Show this June.
The company will be showcasing the expertise of its divisional companies with its main focus being on the part it plays in environmental technology and solutions, particularly with regard to natural refrigerant solutions with low global warming potential such as hydrocarbon and Co2 based systems.
In this respect, CTI are proud to be a sponsor of the inaugural World Refrigeration Day (WRD) on the second day of the show, 26 June. As a future annual global event, the WRD is to raise awareness of the importance of refrigeration and air conditioning to the food supply chain, the health sector and general human comfort.
At the show, CTI will be revealing various exciting new technologies being developed for their refrigerated cabinets. These include new shelf edge technology developed for optimum cold airflow into cabinets, and also integrated LED systems providing low energy illumination.
CTI group companies coming together on the CTI stand are Carter Retail Equipment and Carter Synergy. Carter Retail Equipment specialises in refrigerated retail display cabinets and cold stores, from their design and specification to manufacturing and installation. Here the division gets involved in retail environment and back storage areas; fruit and veg bulk wholesalers’ storage; ripening rooms; and pharmaceuticals.
The Carter Synergy with KB Refrigeration divisions together cover design, consultancy, installation, service and maintenance for refrigeration, heating, ventilation, mechanical and electrical disciplines across England and Scotland.
CTI showcases environmental technology solutions
Source: HPM Magazine
MK Electric highlights benefits of apprentices
In support of Learning at Work Week (13 – 19 May), Emma Segelov, EMEA marketing operations manager for MK Electric, highlights the benefits having an apprentice can bring to a business
As a highly skilled industry, we are reliant on a constant stream of new talent. Apprentices are key to ensuring we have the skills required to drive the industry forward and can help a business to grow.
All of our apprentices bring something new and valuable into the business, such as a fresh perspective on an existing process, as well as safeguarding the continuity of essential skill sets, now and in the future. One example is Thomas Hunt, a former apprentice who was crowned BEAMA’S Young Manufacturer of the Year in 2018.
During his time as an apprentice, Thomas quickly became the ‘go-to guy’ for technical support within the mouldshop team at our Southend-on-Sea manufacturing site, showing a particular aptitude for math-based queries. Thomas filled a moulding skills gap and provided crucial assistance in training current staff on new machines and basic moulding skills, overcoming any difficulties which occur with the moulding machines. In fact, as part of his time working in compression moulding, Thomas independently developed a detailed compression moulding manual covering the control of the presses and fault finding, which is now used to assist in the training of others – a major benefit to new staff members.
For MK Electric, employing the best talent has helped us to reach a centenary. It also puts the brand in a strong position to evolve to meet the needs of customers and building users for a smart and sustainable future.
Naturally, we understand that the process of hiring an apprentice is going to be different for each business, depending on its size, infrastructure and the amount of resource available, but the rewards are great. The Education and Skills Funding Agency has information available for potential employers, including guidance on funding and how smaller businesses can apply for support.
We would encourage anyone with the means to hire an apprentice to do so, as it will not only change a young person’s life, but also benefit your business and the wider industry by helping to close the skills gap. It’s crucial that the industry works together to preserve its workforce by ensuring knowledge is passed down to the next generation via apprenticeships.
MK Electric highlights benefits of apprentices
Source: Electrical Review
Xylem warns of hidden costs around sewer adoption
Xylem is urging housebuilders and developers to further analyse the Sewers for Adoption process, which may be unnecessarily costing them thousands.
With the introduction of Sewers for Adoption 8 later this year, Xylem is urging housebuilders and developers to further analyse the Sewers for Adoption process, which may be unnecessarily costing them thousands of pounds in outstanding bonds.
The new Sewers for Adoption 8 will, for the first time, provide guidance on most types of sustainable drainage system (SuDS) components that can be adopted by water and sewerage companies, and may also include flood risk performance standards. However, a part of the existing legislation pertaining to pump station design may continue to cost developers and housebuilders thousands of pounds, due to a knowledge gap.
This knowledge gap concerns Section 104 of the Water Industry Act (1991), or S104, and its use in conjunction with the seventh edition of Sewers for Adoption (SFA7). Specifically, it can be found within the legal agreement between the developer and water company, stating that sewers will be built to an agreed standard before adoption by the water company. The legal agreement includes strict requirements around pumping station design, which, if misunderstood, can lead to extensive, unseen costs.
To explain, the water company receives a S104 design submission from the developer containing pumping station designs and calculations drawn up by a specialist contractor, such as Xylem. This must be approved by the water company before building commences, who then test the finished pumping station during a maintenance and monitoring period of around three months.
If the station performs to a satisfactory level during this time, the water company then adopts the sewer from the developer. To ensure the work is completed to a good standard, the developer typically supplies a bond of significant value at the beginning of this process that is only released following adoption.
Issues arise when the developer is unaware of this process and begins building work without official approval from the water company. This approval is important as anything installed without it can potentially be refused by the water company, leaving the developers with the costs of rectifying any refused work. Furthermore, this refusal can result in extended monitoring periods, leaving the developer unable to recover their bond while remaining liable for servicing and maintenance costs during this time.
With these increasing costs in mind, Xylem recommends that developers not rush ahead to installation as soon as the specialist contractor has submitted their proposed pumping system design. Instead, they should stay in close contact with the water company and designer to work through any concerns quickly and receive a full S104 agreement.
Crucially, this installation should also include the implementing specialised control system and monitoring out-station, as specified with SFA7. Bearing in mind that the entire sewer adoption process can take between six months to two years, monitoring performance and remedying any issues in this time is crucial. Installing this telemetry equipment will also limit the potential for faults during the monitoring period, allowing for a quicker return of the developer’s bond and lower maintenance costs.
Xylem warns of hidden costs around sewer adoption
Source: HPM Magazine
Plans unveiled for major revamp of The Belfry
New plans have been unveiled to revamp the Belfry Hotel and Resort.
Building work at the famous golf centre could start early next year creating 160 construction jobs.
Plans include an extra 144 guest-rooms in a new building on the site overlooking the world-famous Brabazon Course alongside a 600-seat ballroom and banqueting facility.
A leisure club, next to the 18th hole of the PGA National Course, is also in the plans.
This will feature a family-orientated leisure pool as well as a gym and studio rooms, café and changing facilities.
Relocation of the existing leisure facilities will allow space within the existing resort buildings for a new spa.
The Belfry has appointed national planning and development consultancy Lichfields to take forward the proposals.
In 2017 Lichfields secured planning permission for a similar scheme and say the new, amended proposals, place greater emphasis on the resort’s golfing tradition.
The venue near Sutton Coldfield has hosted four Ryder Cups on its Brabazon course.
Ian Kettlewell, Planning Director at Lichfields said: “The Belfry want to build upon the resort’s golfing tradition and success so that it continues to operate as a world class golf and leisure destination into the future.
“The new guest rooms will face onto the 10th hole of the world-famous Brabazon Course and feature private balconies giving open views across the golf course and resort.
“The ballroom will be connected to the new guest rooms by a two storey arrival space and will also face onto the Brabazon course.”
A planning application is due to be submitted to North Warwickshire Borough Council in the summer and construction could start early next year.
Plans unveiled for major revamp of The Belfry
Source: Construction Enquirer
Plan for 1,300-home led scheme near Harrow
Housing association Network Homes has bought land next to Northwick Park Hospital in Brent to kick-start a major regeneration project, bringing new homes and commercial space to the area.
Network Homes is working in partnership with London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and the local council to make Northwick Park a landmark destination, delivering new homes, a modernised university hospital, improved infrastructure and transport connections.
Outline proposals for the site masterplan will include the delivery of around 1,300 new homes on land owned by Network Homes.
A detailed planning application for phase one of the development will be submitted at the end of the year and work is expected to start on site in early 2021.
Upfront infrastructure works for the site have been estated at around £18m.
David Gooch, Executive Director of Development at Network Homes, said: “This is a really exciting milestone for the future transformation of Northwick Park.
“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at Brent Council, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and the University of Westminster to deliver improved transport links, more good quality affordable homes, and jobs for local people.”
Plan for 1,300-home led scheme near Harrow
Source: Construction Enquirer
Legal & General launches £500m build-to-rent scheme
Legal & General has exchanged contracts on two adjacent sites in Wandsworth which will combine to deliver its largest Build To Rent (BTR) scheme to date.
The £500m development has full planning consent and will provide around 1,000 homes and 85,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Legal & General said construction work will start by the end of this year on the six acre site near Wandsworth Town train station.
Dan Batterton, Head of Build To Rent at LGIM Real Assets said: “This latest acquisition is another great example of Legal & General investing in a location with significant urban regeneration potential and providing large scale sustainable rental schemes which will have a positive socioeconomic impact.
“The location is highly desirable for renters and, with 1,000 units planned for the site, demonstrates Legal & General’s ambition to make a real impact on the delivery of new homes within the UK.
“Representing our largest scheme to date, this flagship BTR development is another step forward towards tackling the severe housing crisis facing both London and the UK, offering homes for all ages and social groups, as well as reduced living costs thanks to economies of scale.”
Legal & General launches £500m build-to-rent scheme
Source: Construction Enquirer
CEF launches priced trade catalogue and website
CEF, the UK’s leading electrical wholesaler, has launched a new, priced trade catalogue and improved website to provide customers with a more transparent, consistent and convenient shopping experience.
The new trade catalogue, which features everyday value prices is a first for the industry and brings much needed pricing consistency and transparency to the electrical wholesale market.
Featuring more than 26,000 electrical products including cable and cable management, heating and ventilation plus lighting, lamps, wiring accessories, switchgear, industrial controls, and not forgetting hand tools, site equipment and test instruments, the CEF catalogue is certain to become an essential part of the electrician’s toolkit.
All products are available for click and collect or next day delivery wherever customers need them, and with thousands more available at cef.co.uk, installers are sure to be able to find what they need, when they need it.
“Traditionally, pricing in the electrical wholesale industry is complicated, time consuming and inconsistent” stated Andrew Moseley, CEF’s Commercial Director. “Our new priced trade catalogue is a direct response to customer feedback and part of a wider commitment from CEF to bring pricing transparency and consistency and improve the level of service we offer to our customers.”
The catalogue also highlights CEF’s new lowest priced everyday Trade Essentials range and features Connected Living products from the company’s recently launched Get Smart, Get Connected campaign.
To support the launch of the new catalogue, and create a multi-channel customer experience, CEF have also enhanced their website to include the same transparent catalogue pricing and improved the search functionality and guest checkout, allowing customers to select and purchase the products they need quickly and easily. Customers can browse more than 32,000 products online and can check stock availability at their nearest store before they ‘click and collect’ or order for next day delivery at a location convenient to them.
“Our customers want to buy the products they need as conveniently and easily as possible,” added Moseley. “With the new priced catalogue and website, CEF customers not only benefit from knowing exactly what the price is when they shop with CEF, they also have more choice over how and where they shop – be it online, in store, by phone or through our new catalogue. Anybody looking to buy electrical products can get them at their convenience and will have the same consistent experience wherever and whenever they shop at CEF.”
The new CEF catalogue is available to pick up from any of CEF’s 391 stores nationwide, or you can request a copy at www.cef.co.uk/request
CEF launches priced trade catalogue and website
Source: Electrical Times
Upskill heating supply chain now or we won’t hit net zero target
Vaillant urges government to pay attention to the call for national training programme on low-carbon skills
Vaillant has added its voice to the chorus of industry reaction over the Committee on Climate Change’s Net Zero report, with the manufacturer calling for the introduction of a low-carbon training programme.
Chris Wilkins, external affairs and training manager said: “Whether or not you agree with the finer points of the report, one thing is certain: it is essential that we upskill the workforce now, across the supply chain, if we are to have any chance of hitting the net zero target. At present, we have an immensely skilled workforce providing fossil fuel solutions. In order to deliver the solutions necessary to achieve the CCC’s 2050 goal, there is an urgent need for a framework, roadmap and dedicated funding to support the transition to low carbon solutions.”
He added: ”The CCC’s report focuses on using a mix of available technologies, rather than backing just one horse – a stance which we at Vaillant have also advocated in recent weeks. It also recognises that green gas and hydrogen boilers have a part to play, especially when linked with heat pumps in hybrid systems. But, whatever this mix of technologies will eventually be, there will need to be skilled individuals to design and implement the necessary infrastructure, and installers qualified to bring these solutions into UK homes…We support the CCC’s call for clear, stable and well-designed policies to support carbon reduction, and agree with the recommendations related to the decarbonisation of heating and the home environment. The emphasis on upskilling is of particular note, as this is an element which can often be missed during such discussions, but which will play a pivotal role in carbon reduction. We look forward to the government’s response.”
Upskill heating supply chain now or we won’t hit net zero target
Source: HVN Plus
Putting the fuse to spark referrals and reviews
Property Heads have opened it’s doors on there property search engine platform to introduce professional trades to home buyers and renters across the UK.
With over 7,000 trades already signed up at NO cost to join or any fees or subscriptions unlike other trades platforms. Property Heads have developed a platform to enable a link between estate agents, landlords as well as home owners and renters to source local trades, share with friends and introduce recommended trades they have utilised in their local area.
The Property Heads network is a positive platform to help trades such as electricians to links with other businesses such as estate agent who are often looking for local electricians. The agents can refer the trades to clients, and then those customers can add referrals within their network.
The opportunities for electricians to promote there company within a profile along with contact details and website to showcase their services is simple. Just visit www.propertyheads.com and click on the JOIN button.
Property Heads is the first property search engine that works also as a way to keep people connected like LinkedIn.
We look forward to seeing having your readers join our trades section at Property Heads, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you need any further details or information.
Putting the fuse to spark referrals and reviews
Source: Electrical Times
Get water quality test results quicker with new app
To make it easier to submit test samples and access results quickly via a mobile, Fernox has developed the Water Quality Test app. Launching this month, installers will be able to register on Android and iOS platforms to download the app and start enjoying the time-saving benefits of this paperless service.
Once Fernox has received the sample, which can be sent using the prepaid envelope included in the Water Quality Test kit, the test results will be available to view via the app within 48 hours – with a full diagnostic report being sent via email or viewable via the Fernox web portal. This allows installers to take speedy and targeted action to resolve and restore system efficiency where central heating problems are caused by dirty and untreated system water.
As part of the service, Fernox will carry out an analysis of five key criteria system water parameters and will advise on the appropriate treatment, if necessary, or confirm that the system has been correctly treated and fully protected.
The new app will provide installers with a short online form to complete, and a location finder, with the option to scan in a boiler’s serial number, its brand name and age. Installers need only register their details once. Test samples can be tracked through the testing process via the app, and a status of ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ is available at the touch of the screen.
The app can also be used to register a Fernox TF1 Filter product warranty.
Anna Tarbuck, Global Product Management Director at Fernox, says: “We are very excited about the launch of our new Water Quality Test app. We wanted to offer installers the ability to keep track of every testing kit logged and review all the results in one, easy to access place. Testing the system water is a key part of the process to ensure boiler efficiency and we hope that this more technology led approach will aid installers in saving valuable time.”
The Fernox Water Quality Test app is free to download and compatible with all devices. Fernox Water Quality Test Kits are available for purchase through major and independent merchant branches and reputable stockists.
Get water quality test results quicker with new app
Source: Pham News
Green light for thousands of homes on former barracks
Planning permission has been granted for the development of thousands of homes on a former RAF airfield and barracks on the outskirts of Cambridge.
The Waterbeach proposal covers the construction 6,500 new homes and associated employment, transport, educational, health and community uses over the former Waterbeach Barracks site on the outskirts of Cambridge.
An application was submitted jointly by Urban&Civic and the then secretary of state for defence Michael Fallon and in February 2017.
South Cambridgeshire District Council resolved last night (13 May 2019) to grant permission for the scheme at a specially constituted meeting of its Planning Committee.
The 716-acre application site is entirely brownfield and is located three miles from the Cambridge Science and Business Park.
The land will remain in majority ownership of the Ministry of Defence, administered by Defence Infrastructure Organisation but subject to a participation in favour of Urban&Civic.
Further preparatory works will begin immediately with initial major infrastructure scheduled to complete by the end of 2019.
Formal planning consent remains subject to completing the associated Section 106 agreement.
Green light for thousands of homes on former barracks
Source: Insider Media
Japan’s biggest house builder moves into UK market
Japan’s biggest house builder has struck a £90m deal with Homes England and Urban Splash to deliver thousands of new properties across England.
Sekisui House are pioneers of modern methods of construction and will bring their techniques to the UK.
The deal includes new investment of £55m into regeneration company Urban Splash’s modular ‘House’ development business.
Sekisui House has invested £22m of new equity, with £30m of equity and debt funding coming from the Government’s Home Building Fund, administered through Homes England.
Entrepreneur Noel McKee, founder of We Buy Any Car, has also made a sizeable investment in the new partnership and will take an incremental 5% stake.
Yoshihiro Nakai, President and Representative Director of Sekisui House Ltd said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to work together with Homes England and Urban Splash to establish our operations and help to create outstanding communities in the UK.
“Using modern methods of construction to build high quality homes with short build times is one of our company’s great strengths.
“Our technology and know-how can help resolve pressing social issues in the UK, and I want to see us play our part effective immediately.
“These operations can also help bring vitality to UK regions, and we will work to make the strongest connections with the local communities.”
‘House’ is expected to deliver thousands of homes across England using modern methods of construction.
Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP, said: “Sekisui House bring with them a proven track record in harnessing the modern methods of construction that are transforming home building.
“Backed by Government investment, today’s announcement will support our urgent mission to deliver more, better and faster home construction to ensure a new generation can realise the dream of home ownership.”
Sir Edward Lister, Chair of Homes England, said: “When Homes England launched last year we said we’d disrupt the housing market to increase the pace of construction.
“By helping bring one of the world’s largest and most innovative housebuilders to UK shores, we’re putting our money where our mouth is.
“By creating a more diverse landscape – where smaller builders such as Urban Splash get a stronger foothold – we’re rebuilding the building industry; driving up quality and improving consumer choice.”
Tom Bloxham, Chairman of Urban Splash, said: “We believe that there is a real opportunity in the UK housebuilding industry.
“We hope to leverage our 25 years of place-making experience and our recent investments into modular housing by bringing in new partners; having looked far and wide we chose Sekisui House from Japan because of the company’s unrivalled global experience in modular construction and shared values and philosophy that we are making homes not units, and a joint belief in the need for a green future.
“We are incredibly excited about the accelerated production of much-needed homes and evolving traditional practices as we embrace the benefits of innovative offsite construction.
“I hope it will establish us as the housing partner of choice for landowners – both public and private.”
Japan’s biggest house builder moves into UK market
Source: Construction Enquirer
Downing starts £250m London student tower
Liverpool-based developer Downing has started work on its largest London project to date.
The £250m student tower development at Miles Street in Lambeth also includes an adjacent 6 storey office block.
Rising to 37 storeys, the TP Bennet designed project will provide 841 student beds in a range of studios and en-suite rooms.
A second office building will provide nearly 40,000sq ft of space with a multi-use games area on the roof.
Also in Lambeth, Downing is delivering a £35m student accommodation scheme in the heart of the historic Lambeth Palace Conservation Area.
The 133-student project will back onto Archbishop’s Park, overlooks the Houses of Parliament and is located close to London’s leading higher education institutions.
The scheme features accessible rooms and students will also have the benefit of an outdoor terrace.
Ian Harrison, Downing’s development project director, said: “Both projects will create stunning buildings that sit harmoniously within Lambeth Council’s wider vision to reinvigorate the local area and its student community.
Downing starts £250m London student tower
Source: Construction Enquirer
