Contract Journal articles from February 2002

Contract Journal archives from February 2002

Geoff Brewer of Brewer Consulting reviews a number of key cases decided in 2001.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Last year saw a number of interesting cases pass through the courts. The following is a selection of particular interest to those managing commercial and contractual issues arising from building and engineering projects. Client's duty of...

Work winners this week.(Brief Article)(Directory)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Who's winning the work?Contracts Hotline is your at-a-glance digest of the latest contract awards around the UK. Data supplied by ABI Building Data. Lo LOndon & South East New Cross housing Work: Housing Location:...

The underground movement.(basements making comeback)
February 6, 2002... With land in short supply and the government pressing for increased housing density, housebuilders are being forced to re-examine house designs. Utilising the loft space is one option, but others are following the example of North America and...

Modus operandi.(emergency preparedness)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Few businesses have contingency plans in place to cope with disasters such as fire, flood, power failure or terrorist activity. But there are solutions available. Geraldine Faulkner talks to the Modus Group, which offers a range of back up...

Angry attack on Bickerton following its financial revelations.
February 6, 2002... Sir, I heard various rumours before Christmas of the pending demise of Bickerton Construction (CJ 23 January) and needed just a few seconds to reflect on what it had done over the years. When a company such as Bickerton goes down it...

Marshalls: product KPIs need updating.(construction products Key Performance Indicators)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Product manufacturer Marshalls has warned that the environmental section of the first construction products Key Performance Indicators (CPKPIs) needs to be urgently redeveloped. As a Construction Products Association (CPA) project partner,...

Adonis changes gear.(Adonis Construction)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Black Country-based Adonis Construction has built its reputation in the motor sector, but now the firm is broadening its horizons. Will Mann talks to managing director Neville Clements about the road ahead. Neville Clements surveys the...

Record pass rate for PAL card holders.(International Powered Access Federation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has reported that a record number of operatives passed through its training centres last year and qualified for a PAL card for operatives of powered access platforms. Last year saw a 26.3%...

Asahi Diamond to launch new saws at Hirex.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
February 6, 2002... Asahi Diamond will launch a number of products at Hirex (26-28 February) including the BWS12-ED three-phase electric wall saw, which can cut to a 530mm depth using a 1.2m diameter blade. There are also three new models of wire saw that can...

HSS TradeCard saves 10%.(HSS Hire Shops)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... HSS Hire Shops has launched a TradeCard aimed at regular trade customers who do not need a monthly credit account. The card offers a 10% discount on cash and credit card hires and removes the need for a deposit when hiring. It can be used...

JCB to launch micro and mini excavator doubles at Conexpo.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... JCB will launch two micro excavators and two zero-tailswing mini excavators at Conexpo. The micro machines, which have operating weights of 800kg and 1.2t, are the smallest ever manufactured by JCB and can pass through a 762mm (2'6")...

Replace CIS scheme.
February 6, 2002... Employer attacks IR's 'hopeless scheme that can't work and doesn't work' Sir, I agree with the sentiments expressed in the put-upon employer's letter in the 23 January issue of CJ. The comments expressed are quite justified when you...

Mystery man is revealed.
February 6, 2002... Sir, In answer to the question on the back page of last week's CJ 'Who is this man?', I am writing to tell you and your readers that the man at the controls of the JCB is Iain Duncan Smith, who is now at the controls of the Conservative...

The law: 'inconsistent and unjust'.(establishing liability for construction accidents)
February 6, 2002... A mobile phone mugger receives a four-year prison sentence, but no construction boss has yet been convicted for the death of a site worker. Tim Wood asks: 'Is this justice?' Two-and-a half years ago, a gantry collapsed on the Avonmouth...

Too soon to scrap retentions.(public sector construction contracts)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Specialist lobby pushes government for a timetable for the abolition of retentions by John d'Arcy Government minister Andrew Smith has said that it is too soon to scrap the retentions system altogether as far as public sector contracts...

Back bites.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Bus-t up CJ has been stirring up controversy once again - this time in the unlikely surroundings of Terry Wogan's programme on Radio 2. One of his listeners, a commuter who faced the daily rigours of M4 traffic, had sent in a copy of...

Site transfers to aid skills shortage.(Building London: Creating Futures construction industry programme)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Big name contractors are joining forces with local authorities to tackle skills shortages in construction in central London. The employment scheme, called Building London: Creating Futures (BLCF), aims to create a cross-London network...

Unions now face 'hypocrisy' slur.(UCATT, Construction Industry Training Board)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... UCATT cracks down on bogus self-employment and aims to enlist CITB by John d'Arcy The political battle over bogus self-employment hotted up this week as unions extended their campaign for a crackdown only to face a charge of hypocrisy....

Crest Nicholson lifts profits.(Crest Nicholson PLC)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has opened the results season by unveiling a 10% lift in pre-tax profit to [pound]53m ([pound]48m). After recovering from a downturn in purchaser interest immediately after 11 September, reservations are now running...

QPA slams government's aggregates tax guidance.(Quarry Products Association)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... The government's latest guidance on the implementation of the Aggregates Tax has confused the issue even further, according to the Quarry products Association (QPA). The controversial tax of a flat rate of [pound]1.60/t plus VAT will be levied...

Mansell's [pounds sterling]15m school deal.(R. Mansell Ltd.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Mansell is preferred bidder for a [pound]15m deal to rebuild a fire-ravaged school in Dundee. The contractor, which held off challenges from a heavyweight field of challengers including Amec and Mowlem, will be working in partnership with...

Working hours rise by 15%.(construction workers on site)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Average hours worked by agency site labour during the winter months have increased by nearly 15% over the past five years, according to an internal survey by the northern specialist jobs agency Contract Construction Services. The survey...

Insurance premiums rocket.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... With several providers of professional indemnity insurance walking away from the construction sector, annual premiums are said to have soared. Peter Grimmett, managing QS with Crittall, the window specialists, said this week: "We have an...

Miller branches into FM.(Axiis facilites management created by Miller Construction and Forth Electrical Services)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
February 6, 2002... Axiis alliance is a result of clients calling for an on-going after-build service by John Leitch Miller Construction is about to announce the formation of Axiis, an alliance with Forth Electrical Services, to give Miller a hard...

Forum chairman could be insider.(Strategic Forum)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Exclusive by Tim Wood Movement for Innovation (M4I) chairman Alan Crane has hinted that the new head of the Strategic Forum could be one of its current board members. Sir John Egan is due to step down as Forum chairman in June to...

Industry still a late payer.(Experian surveys construction-supplier pay performance)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Survey reveals construction is one of the worst performing sectors for paying by Laura Hailstone Construction is one of the poorest performing sectors when it comes to payment and is getting worse, according to the latest survey from...

Road finance will not help rail.(Highways Agency )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... The government has put its neck on the block after "guaranteeing" that investment for roads will not be siphoned off into rail. Speaking to CJ after the launch of the Highways Agency's (HA) [pound]1.6bn business plan for 2002/03, transport...

[pounds sterling]22m London children's hospital compiles shortlist.(Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is compiling a shortlist of firms to pitch for a [pound]22m design and construct deal at its London base. Laing, Carillion, HBG and Kier are expected to be high on the hospital's priority list. ...

Two Prowting directors quit on profit warning.(Prowting PLC)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Chief executive Steve Rosier and finance director Bob Templeman have both stepped down from housebuilder Prowting after the company announced that over-optimistic forecasts and cost over-runs will mean this year's profits will fall short of...

Consortium drops M77 PFI road bid.(John Mowlem and Company PLC, Jarvis PLC Ferrovial Agroman and Cintra consortium)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Jarvis and Mowlem group withdraws from delayed [pound]130m Scottish road job by Brian Warner A consortium including Jarvis and Mowlem has pulled out of bidding for one of Scotland's biggest road deals - the [pound]130m privately...

Finning financial boost.(fourth quarter results, Finning Holdings Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Finning has released fourth quarter results showing growth in its UK customer support services operation, mainly due to additional revenue through its Finnpave and MaK (industrial/ marine engines) operations. Revenue climbed to [pound]84m...

Birse denies rumours of bids from O'Rourke.(Birse Group PLC, O'Rourke Group PLC)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... by John Leitch Speculation is mounting that O'Rourke is preparing a bid for Birse, a move that would solve O'Rourke's growing need for skilled civil engineering staff. A source said: "Birse has had financial specialists in for the...

Five in battle for Eden's next phase.(building construction for Eden Project, Cornwall, England)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Five firms are fighting it out for the right to project manage the [pound]100m third phase of the Eden Project in Cornwall. The lineup is Schal/Northcroft, King Sturge, Symonds, Faithful & Gould and Davis Langdon Everest (DLE). The...

NEWSBRIEF.(contracts awarded)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
February 6, 2002... Green light for [pound]85m redevelopment Joint development partners for the [pound]85m redevelopment of Grande Arcade, Wigan, Wilson Bowden and Modus Properties, have moved a step closer to implementing their proposals after Wigan Council...

New chief for Partnerships for Health.(Brian Johns )(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... by Carol Millett Brian Johns is to be the new chief executive for Partnerships for Health, the joint venture between Partnerships UK and the Department of Health. Johns, formerly the chief executive of Croydon Tramlink, will replace...

Overseas answer for PFI hospital building.(privately financed)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Government looks abroad for help to manage hospital building programme by Carol Millett The government is looking to overseas consortia to help build privately financed NHS hospitals in a bid to speed up the delivery of its massive...

St Bart's PFI set to go.(funding for construction work on hospitals, London, England)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Exclusive by Carol Millett The massive [pound]500m privately financed scheme to refurbish and rebuild St Bart's and the Royal London Hospital at Whitechapel will get the green light next week. The project, which is the UK's biggest ever...

Amey keeps quiet on redundancies.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Consultation underway as staff face move to new services centre base in Portsmouth by John Leitch Amey was this week tight-lipped about the prospect of redundancies as a result of its plan to move hundreds of staff to a new Shared...

[0] NEWSBRIEF.(industry news)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Balfour bags [pound]200m thameslink work Balfour Beatty has been appointed preferred bidder for the permanent way and electrification infrastructure package for Thameslink 2000, likely to be worth [pound]200m-plus. Thameslink 2000 will...

Railtrack takes back maintenance control.(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Railtrack and contractors to swap staff in revolutionary form of partnering Exclusive by Carol Millett Railtrack is to wrestle the control of rail maintenance work from its contractors in a revolutionary new form of partnering in which...

Industry fears loss of Hobson.(John Hobson)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Exclusive by Laura Hailstone Fears are rising in the industry over the retirement of John Hobson later this month as director of the construction directorate, and the future of the directorate itself. The Department of Trade & Industry...

Team talk to get back on track.(Railtrack partnership with contractors)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
February 6, 2002... Railtrack is talking the talk. It might be in administration - the business equivalent of intensive care - but it is saying all the right things. "Railtrack and its contractors will be working as a team, co-locating in a new form of partnering....

LUL splits civils from extension deal.(London Underground)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Exclusive by Will Mann London Underground (LUL) has scrapped plans to let the civils work for the East London Line extension (ELLEX) as part of a 20-year concession, it emerged this week. The civils work will now be let as two packages...

MGH's crushing innovation.(MGH Recycling rotary jaw crusher)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... Partners sought to widen the appeal of MGH's tried and tested rotary crusher by Paul Howard An innovative rotary jaw crusher for concrete recycling has been developed by MGH Recycling of Yorkshire. The company is now seeking a...

EH1700 dump truck trialled.(Euclid-Hitachi)(Brief Article)
February 6, 2002... The 20-week evaluation trial is part of Euclid-Hitachi's European market push byColin Sowman Euclid-Hitachi has put Europe's first EH1700 rigid dump truck into Celtic Energy's Selar open cast mine in the Neath Valley on a 20-week...

Four groups make final list of [pounds sterling]170m PFI hospital contract.(St James University Hospital, Leeds, England)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 6, 2002... Four groups have moved on to the priority list for one of the biggest deals in the third wave of privately financed hospital projects. The shortlisted firms for the [pound]170m deal at the St James University Hospital in Leeds are:...

BundieBowser resists fire test.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... A 5,000 litre bunded fuel bowser full of diesel survived an arson attack and saved serious environmental damage at a landfill site near Ipswich. The BundieBowser, manufactured by ACE Plant, was torched using wood and tyres piled...

Geoff Brewer of Brewer Consulting considers the authority of adjudicators' decisions.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... On 31 January the Court of Appeal decided its second case concerning adjudication, in the case of C&B Scene Design Ltd -v- Isobars Ltd. The judgment considerably reinforces the authority of adjudicators' decisions. The general trend of...

Work winners this week.(contracts awarded in brief)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Who's winning the work?Contracts Hotline is your at-a-glance digest of the latest contract awards around the UK. Data supplied by ABI Building Data. London and South East North Kensington mixed-use Work: Offices/housing ...

Global positioning strategy.(Interview)
February 13, 2002... When Sir Peter Mason took over the reins, Amec was a UK construction group with little to distinguish it from its leading domestic rivals. His vision has totally transformed the company into a global player with a strong design capability. John...

Cambrian Plant Hire gets first D series Bell.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Cambrian Plant Hire has purchased the first D series Bell ADT in the UK. The machine is the 23.2t payload B25D powered by a 198kW straight-six stage II Mercedes Benz engine. Proprietor Andy Riseborough ordered the machine without even...

O'Rourke to replace lost staff.(O'Rourke Construction Co.)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... O'Rourke's recruitment drive in the Far East is thought to be centred on the search for project managers and site managers to replace those who jumped ship during O'Rourke's prolonged takeover of Laing Construction. It is estimated that...

Marketing: 'you can't afford not to'.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Is construction's perceived poor opinion of marketing due to its own arrogance? Sir, Having worked in marketing within the construction industry for a number of years I am interested in the opinions expressed in your journal over...

Clarifying the 10-year plan.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Sir, I am grateful to Steve Rowsell for his comments (CJ 30 January), and I can assure him the Civil Engineering Contractors Association appreciates the efforts of the Highways Agency in bringing work on stream in the short-term. ...

Newer is not always better.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Sir, I feel it is worth re-iterating the opening remark of the Humber Bridge feature (CJ 30 January). The original mastic asphalt surfacing remained on the Humber Bridge for more than 20 years with a minimal maintenance requirement....

Ammann sales up.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Sales grow 51% after firm takes control of its UK sales operation by Paul Howard A year after Ammann Equipment UK took direct control of importing and distributing its Ammann Yanmar mini-excavators, the company has seen the number of...

Bobcat to launch mini excavator.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Bobcat is to launch a 7t mini excavator, a new multi steer loader and display its telehandler range at Conexpo. The 442 mini excavator is powered by a 53kW Deutz engine, has a digging depth of 4.25m and a maximum breakout force of 49.16kN....

HAE against levy.(Hire Association Europe)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... The HAE continues to lobby against the imposition of the CITB's training levy by Paul Howard The Hire Association Europe (HAE) is continuing its campaign against the imposition of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)...

Report reveals 25% of tools unsafe.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... by Paul Howard The Consumer Association's report into the tool hire industry, published in Which? magazine last week, has found that one quarter of tools hired as part of its undercover survey were unsafe. However, only three items out of...

Website to help locate equipment.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Road2Roads.com is a new website designed to put customers in contact with hire companies able to provide the required equipment. The website divides the UK into 70 areas and has 20 categories of plant to help users quickly locate both the...

Compressors from IR get security tag.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Ingersoll Rand (IR) branded portable compressors have become the first kit granted permission to carry an official Plant Security sticker showing they meet new guidelines issued by the Home Office. The guidelines, designed to reduce theft...

Causeway to deal Morooka.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Causeway Tractors is to become the UK dealer for the Morooka range of tracked dumpers, taking over from Yuasa Warwick Machinery. John Hillman, managing director of Colchester-based Causeway, said the deal is nearly done. Hillman said...

Management buy-out at EPL.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... EPL Access Limited is a new company created by a management buy-out of EPL Access, the powered access hire division of John Laing. Based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, the company has eight depots from Scotland to the south coast offering a...

Case trencher essential for SJS Irrigation.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... A Case 660 Trencher with a chain trencher, mole plough and front-mounted backhoe loader with a Trench Wand (which allows trenches to be dug over boundary walls and hedges) has proved essential to Milton Keynes-based irrigation contractor SJS...

NEWSBRIEF.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... quieter loadalls meet new regs JCB has redesigned its Loadalls to comply with new legislation governing noise emissions which came into force on 3 January. Internal noise levels have dropped between 3dB(A) and 10dB(A) to around 76dB(A),...

Franklin goes Spanish.(Adrian Franklin, head of HBG)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Dragados' takeover of HBG creates European group with [pound]7bn turnover by John Leitch Adrian Franklin will head up the civil engineering division of Europe's third largest construction business after the dust has settled on...

DfES aims to revamp procurement process.(Department for Education and Skills)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... LEAs and the private sector team up to cut time and costs on PFI schools work Exclusive by Ross Pearman The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is considering revamping its procurement process on all PFI schools after trialling...

JCT form offers payment cheer for specialist firms.
February 13, 2002... The first JCT standard subcontract form will replace the old Dom 1 form by John d'Arcy Publication of the long-awaited JCT standard form of building subcontract heralds a new era for specialist firms. It promises to provide a...

Jarvis wins [pounds sterling]15m PFI Richmond school job.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... by Glenda Thisdell Jarvis is believed to have out-shone the Mill Group (the property management arm of Norwich Union) and taken a [pound]15m privately financed schools job in Richmond. A source at the Mill Group, which includes Kier...

Trio get water work.(Kier/Murphy/Interserve; Morgan Est/Harbour and General/Barhale; and Costain/Galliford/Degremont win United Utilities PLC contracts)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Controversial water sector work for United Utilities worth [pound]730m goes to three teams by Brian Warner Three teams have tapped into [pound]730m-worth of controversial water sector work for United Utilities. The preferred...

Irish link for skill cards.(Construction Skills Certification Scheme's Tony Merricks re-elected)(Bob Blackman elected chair of Transport and General Workers' Union)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Tony Merricks has been re-elected as chairman of the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). He will hold the post for a further 12-month period. Bob Blackman, national secretary of the TGWU, has also been voted in as vice...

Leeds road job delayed.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... The start date of a [pound]15m Leeds City Council road scheme has been put back by six months because of problems with utility services, it is claimed. The project, for a 3.9km stretch of dual carriageway between the inner ring road and...

Essex council wants bidders for PFI school.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Essex County Council has advertised a privately financed school project worth up to [pound]50m. The deal includes the refurbishment and upgrade of two large secondary schools and new build of a third secondary school in the Clacton area of...

Back bites.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Latham strikes again Well-placed training sources have told Backbites that the Construction Confederation strongly supported a particular candidate for the post of deputy chairman of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). He...

Inquest set for Hull deaths.(Murli Thadani of Marketing Exchange for Africa)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Families hope new evidence will come to light to convict warehouse owner by Tim Wood Relatives of the three men killed in a Hull building collapse hope an unlawful killing verdict may be delivered after a coroner's inquest was set for...

Partnering: radical or robbery?(Railtrack Group PLC's maintenance contractors plans)
February 13, 2002... Railtrack thinks its new form of partnering is revolutionary. Some of its maintenance contractors think otherwise. Carol Millett spans the divide. Railtrack's new maintenance strategy has been hailed by the company as revolutionary (CJ 6...

Wilson gives vague answers to CJ query.(Brian Wilson responds to Contract Journal on self-regulation laws)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... by Paul Howard Construction minister Brian Wilson has given CJ an excellent example of the politician's art of dodging questions. In a statement in his name, issued by his office, Wilson managed to avoid answering a series of questions...

Bovis sets suppliers high welfare targets.(Bovis Lend Lease protects employees)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Introduction of strict contract terms to supply chain to protect workers' rights Exclusive by Laura Hailstone Bovis Lend Lease is introducing strict new contract terms to its supply chain in order to improve working conditions on its...

Five in bypass bidding.(Alvaston bypass, Derby)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Five firms have hit the road for the [pound]11m Alvaston bypass deal on the A6 near Derby. The line-up for the Highways Agency design and construct scheme is Alfred McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Birse, Jackson and Fitzpatrick. Bids are due...

CECA still concerned at HA's plan.(Civil Engineering Contractors Association criticises Highways Agency's Business Plan)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... by Ross Pearman The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has labelled the Highways Agency's (HA) Business Plan as "vague at best" in answering its concerns over a lack of work for contractors. During the next two years of...

Expressions of interest invited for [pounds sterling]3.8bn Dublin Metro PPP.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... The special-purpose Railway Procurement Agency is gearing up to invite consortia to prequalify for the privately financed [pound]3.8bn Dublin Metro. It is understood that expressions of interest will be invited in the OJEC within the next...

Aggregates Tax four times European equivalent.(United Kingdom)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Treasury minister Paul Boateng has been forced to admit that the level of Aggregates Tax in the UK is at least four times higher than any other comparable tax in Europe. The admission follows figures obtained by Michael Weir MP, which show...

Misadventure verdict for McAlpine site.(Vincent Dooley killed at Sir Robert McAlpine site)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... An inquest into the death of Vincent Dooley, who was killed on a Sir Robert McAlpine site in London 15 months ago, has recorded a verdict of misadventure. A jury at City of London Coroner's Court took three attempts to return the verdict...

RM: new initiative and new buzzword.(requirements management for construction and aerospace)(Brief Article)
February 13, 2002... Aerospace client processes could benefit PFI and prime contracting by Laura Hailstone Phase two of the two-year research project comparing and contrasting processes in the construction and aerospace industries, part-funded by Mowlem,...