Graham picked for Glasgow office revamp

Graham picked for Glasgow office revamp

The contract with management consultant Solutino involves revamping 6 Atlantic Quay (6AQ), a multi-storey property built in 2003. The project will deliver more than 69,300 sq ft of premium office space spanning over seven floors. Real estate investment management consultant Solutino advised and managed the acquisition of the building in 2018. The development is designed…

Scottish plant firm takes on easyHire franchise

Scottish plant firm takes on easyHire franchise

The independent plant and tool hire business, which has more than 47 years’ experience, has signed a franchising and licensing agreement with easyHire, which specialises in digital systems for the rental sector. Martin Plant Hire, which has seven depots across Scotland, has purchased the exclusive brand rights to EasyToolhire Scotland ​to achieve greater local expansion….

More losses for Higgins

More losses for Higgins

For the year to 31st July 2020, Higgins Group made a pre-tax loss of £3.1m on turnover down 22% at £186m. “A combination of exceptional circumstances and one-off events including Covid-19 during the year contributed to the loss,” said chairman Richard Higgins. The pre-tax loss was slightly better than the previous year’s £4.0m pre-tax loss….

Keepmoat cleared for £24m Burton development

Keepmoat cleared for £24m Burton development

Malthouse Place Keepmoat Homes intends to build an estate of 125 detached and semi-detached houses on the former Imex Business Centre site off Shobnall Road in the town. Keepmoat said that it was targeting first-time buyers and planned to use ‘modern construction methods’, which suggests some form of prefabrication, but did not give details. The…

Cumbrian road job claims carbon neutral first

Cumbrian road job claims carbon neutral first

The site compound near the M6 and Brettargh Holt roundabout Amey Consulting designed and provided carbon consultancy services on the A590 dual carriageway resurfacing and reconstruction between M6 junction 36 and Brettargh Holt roundabout in Cumbria. Amey’s carbon modelling experts worked with Highways England and contractors – Aggregate Industries, AE Yates and HW Martin –…

BBA consults on tighter, costlier certification for high-rise buildings

BBA consults on tighter, costlier certification for high-rise buildings

BBA chief executive Hardy Giesler In an exclusive interview with The Construction Index’s Re:Construction podcast this week, BBA chief executive Hardy Giesler revealed his plans for an Agrément Plus system for high-rise buildings. He said that the inquiry into the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire had exposed weaknesses in the buildings products certification system. “For that…

Brickwork contractor taps up rival crew

Brickwork contractor taps up rival crew

Phoenix owner-director Christian Watson (left) with one of his new recruits, Pav Bains Derbyshire-based Phoenix Brickwork is gunning for nationwide growth. Having acquired Northampton’s BMH Scaffolding in October 2020 it is looking hit £15m turnover this year. Joining Phoenix Brickwork from Irvine-Whitlock are Pav Bains, Raj Bains, Jim Chandler, Wayne Addison, Neil Weston, and Steve…

Aldermarston electricians go it alone with Covid insurance fund

Aldermarston electricians go it alone with Covid insurance fund

The workers are employed by electrical subcontractor NG Bailey on the new MENSA Trident warhead factory at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in Aldermarston, Berkshire. If the workers are required to self-isolate due to coming into contact with someone with Covid-19, they are only entitled to  £95 a week statutory sick pay. The workers are also…

Hanson demonstrates hydrogen-powered cement production

Hanson demonstrates hydrogen-powered cement production

The hydrogen demonstration unit is showing that cement production can be less carbon intensive A new hydrogen demonstration unit, which generates green hydrogen through renewable energy, has been developed and installed at the company’s Regen ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) plant in Port Talbot, south Wales. This is part of a £9.2m project called…

Study finds rampant confusion over Covid liabilities

Study finds rampant confusion over Covid liabilities

The inadequacy of contract conditions is leaving clients bearing responsibility for additional costs and time delays, according to research from quantity surveying firm Turner & Townsend. The study found that the majority of liability arising from Covid -19 events was believed to be held by the contractual ‘employer’ – the party that engages the contractor,…