Contract Journal articles from February 2005

Contract Journal archives from February 2005

60-second interview.(Brief Article)(Interview)
February 2, 2005... Janette Green, corporate HR manager, Gleeds What is your greatest work achievement? Juggling my studies for, and subsequently passing, three degrees, while working at Gleeds and looking after a growing family. How would you suggest...

CBH appeals for [pounds sterling]450,000.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Constructing Better Health (CBH), the industry's occupational health pilot scheme, needs [pounds sterling]450,000 to get off the ground. Construction Confederation past chairman Trevor Walker, who sits on the CBH board, said: "The CBH board of...

JCB helps out after tsunami.(construction equipment)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Nineteen JCB machines have been donated to aid the massive clear up operation following the Asian tsunami. Five backhoe loaders are working on reconstruction projects in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, while a further five have been sent to...

Children encouraged to attend construction show.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... In a move aimed at helping the construction industry cope with its skills shortage, children between the ages of 12 and 16 are to be admitted to SED 2005 provided they are accompanied by an adult. According to CITB-ConstructionSkills, the...

Money saving deals offered on Citro'n vans.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Citron has introduced a range of cashback deals offering savings of up to [pounds sterling]4,000 on vehicles registered before the end of March. Citron's CV operations manager Robert Handyside said the vans offer an unrivalled combination of...

Lombard opens one-stop shop.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Finance company Lombard has launched a one-stop shop for van sourcing, financing and customisation. The company said the unit offers customers access to immediate pricing on over 2,000 make, model and build packages, along with significant...

Terex-Atlas' largest loader reaches UK.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The first 58t Terex-Atlas 5205 loader in the UK has been purchased by Cronimet, part of a German-owned steel processing group, to work at its Hull docks facility. The machine is the largest in the Terex-Atlas range, and is being used to sort...

Good turnout for Exac-1's kerb-laying demonstration.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... More than 100 contractors and council officials attended a kerb-laying demonstration hosted by Exac-1. Visitors were able to see three systems in operation: the Kerb Grip Super KGS400; the standard Kerb Grip; and the lightweight version. At the...

CC3300 cutter makes debut in Wolverhampton.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The world's first Atlas Copco CC3300 demolition cutter is being used on a demolition contract in Wolverhampton. The unit features two moving jaws, each powered by its own hydraulic cylinder, which the manufacturer said ensures a high breaking...

Hamm increases share to 11% of global compaction market.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... n The outlook is positive for roller manufacturer Hamm, as contractor demand for its innovative designs increases. Since joining the Wirtgen Group in 1999, Hamm said it is no longer a niche player, but a major force within the compaction...

Certification for offsite products on the cards.(building materials)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... n Scheme will promote a level playing field for traditional and offsite manufacturers. The offsite construction industry has now moved closer towards obtaining its own certification scheme. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) this...

Competition Commision rules Emap must sell ABI.(Emap Communications)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Glenigan's owner Emap must re-sell ABI Building Data, after the Competition Commission (CC) ruled that its [pounds sterling]14m acquisition of the business in May 2004 was anti-competitive. Emap also owns Construction News. CC inquiry chairman...

Griffiths misses out as Nuttall wins A465.(Alun Griffiths road contract)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Abergavenny firm Alun Griffiths has missed out on a [pounds sterling]16m road deal on its doorstep. Sources say that Nuttall and its consultant Gifford are in the driving seat for the first section of the A465 Heads of the Valley dualling...

Shepherd wins Castle Hill PFI hospital scheme.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Healthcare Solutions, the Shepherd/ABN AMRO consortium, was this week officially confirmed as preferred bidder for the [pounds sterling]65m Castle Hill PFI hospital project at Cottingham in Hull, East Yorkshire, as tipped in CJ last year....

Four dig deep to fight for JCB factory.(JCB Materials Handling Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Four contractors are vying to dig out an [pounds sterling]18m-plus deal for JCB in Staffordshire. The deal is to build a new out-of-town factory in Uttoxeter for the heavy machinery manufacturer. The line-up is Eric Wright, Pochin and Bowmer &...

O'Rourke one-man show plays Leeds.(Laing O'Rourke contract )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Awarding theatre scheme to sole bidder may contravene EU rules. A real-life drama is being played out on a [pounds sterling]30m-plus theatre revamp deal in West Yorkshire. It is understood that only one player from an original cast of seven...

Balfour/Skanska win [pounds sterling]270m ECI as McAlpine bags [pounds sterling]43m M4 deal.(highway construction)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Balfour Beatty and Alfred McAlpine are set to win one and lose one of a brace of early contractor involvement road deals in England and Wales totalling more than [pounds sterling]270m. Industry insiders are putting their money on a Balfour...

Trio makes shortlist for Plymouth PFI.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Three groups have made the cut for a [pounds sterling]300m-plus PFI hospital deal in Plymouth. As tipped in CJ last year, Multiplex is on the bid list, along with Medico Vanguard (featuring Amey and its Spanish owner Ferrovial). The third...

Council workers to ballot on changes to pension scheme.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Approximately 40,000 local authority construction workers are threatening a ballot on industrial action over changes to their pension entitlement. Changes to the scheme are due to be implemented from 1 April. Key proposals involve: Raising the...

EC urges service provider changes.(European Commission )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The construction industry is at the centre of formal proposals from the European Commission (EC) that its World Trade Organisation partner governments remove restrictions on European service providers working in their countries. Construction...

Editor's comment.(Jarvis PLC)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Alive and kicking So Jarvis is safe after selling its stake in TubeLines for [pounds sterling]147m and refinancing its 14 PFI deals for [pounds sterling]110m. And thanks to the patience and generosity of its banks. But it's a different company...

Full speed ahead.(Steve Corcoran takes over as Speedy Hire chief executive)
February 2, 2005... Steve Corcoran takes over as Speedy Hire chief executive in April - and he has big plans for further growth, as Martin Cooper reports. Speedy wants to be the hire industry's leading player. And not just by stocking tools, but as a...

How to.(fast career development methods)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... ... fast-track your career Not everyone is fortunate enough to be marked out as a potential high-performer. You may need to take measures to get yourself noticed. Firstly, ensure you perform consistently well in your current role and aim to...

Joined-up thinking will provide efficient buildings.(Letter to the Editor)
February 2, 2005... Sir, I am delighted the construction industry in the commercial sector is enjoying a five-year high, as was recently reported. I am also particularly pleased builders are benefiting from restored confidence within manufacturing companies. I...

Jarvis works with Laboursite.(Letter to the Editor)
February 2, 2005... Sir, Your article "Jarvis 'days away from rescue'" (CJ 26 January) said: "CJ understands that the pay dispute between Jarvis and Laboursite stems from quality-of-work concerns." This is incorrect. We have worked with Laboursite for 20 years....

Why doesn't red diesel rule apply to farmers as well?(Letter to the Editor)
February 2, 2005... Sir, I would like to express my opinions about the red diesel ban consultation. My husband owns a JCB 3CX, which is taxed and insured. We live in a rural area where we are competing with farmers who run on red diesel. It appears they do not...

Low-cost imports threaten future of UK manufacturing.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Builders' merchants importing from low-cost economies are stifling the production of bespoke products, according to iron foundry Fowler and Holden (F&H) director Glen Gaiger. He said overseas imports are putting many UK manufacturers out of...

Make sure the white finger isn't pointing at you.
February 2, 2005... The European Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive comes into effect in July this year. Its aim is to reduce employees' exposure to injury from hand-held plant, but as Derek Vaughan explains, there will be implications for employers. ...

Mind the Gap.
February 2, 2005... With the recent opening of its 50th branch, small plant and tool hire specialist Gap Group is on course to hit its target of a 70-depot national network in the not-too-distant future. Martin Cooper reports. From humble beginnings as a...

Former Irish minister jailed for corruption.(Ray Burke)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... A former senior minister in the Republic of Ireland government who built a secret fortune in bribes from builders and developers during his political career, was jailed for six months last week by a Dublin court. Ray Burke, aged 61, had been a...

Peterborough Council rues [pounds sterling]25m oversight.
February 2, 2005... n Report blames inexperience of council officials for 'gaping financial hole' in [pounds sterling]100m education programme. Peterborough City Council's PFI schools programme is facing serious cutbacks and delays after a [pounds sterling]25m...

DEFRA unveils trio of waste management PFI schemes.(Department of Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs)(Private Finance Initiative )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The government is hoping to draw new competition into the waste management sector with the launch of three major PFI waste management initiatives in Southwark, Manchester and Cambridgeshire. The Department of Environmental, Food & Rural Affairs...

Offenders can fill skills gap.(young offender training)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The government is drawing up plans to encourage young offenders to take up training in construction in a move to help fill the industry's major skills gap. The initiative was announced in the House of Lords by Lord Triesman, the government...

Oil reprocessing industry could collapse under DEFRA proposals.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Restrictions on waste oils will seriously affect the asphalt industry and could put the oil reprocessing industry at risk, said Quarry Products Association director of economics and business affairs Jerry McLaughlin. The Department for...

Open roads in the Emerald Isle.(Ireland)
February 2, 2005... Design and build case study: M7 Monasterevin bypass Adoption of the Design & Build form of contract in Ireland appears to be paying off in terms of bringing an early finish to road projects. The M7 Monasterevin bypass between Heath and...

Woodkirk Stone in administration.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The supply of Woodkirk Stone is under threat after administrators took over its parent company. The company produces carboniferous sandstone from its quarry in Yorkshire. It has been used in projects at: Buckingham Palace; Queens University,...

CNH restructures with New Holland.(Case New Holland)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... n Nine UK dealers remain as new brand competes alongside Case. CNH (Case New Holland) has rationalised its equipment branding with four of its five marques combining under a new re-branded New Holland banner. To compete alongside the...

Ringway scores a first by doubling CAT rating.(Capability Assessment Toolkit)
February 2, 2005... n Disappointed with its bottom of the league position, the company's 'radical change' marks a dramatic rebound. Ringway has become the first contractor to double its Capability Assessment Toolkit (CAT) score following an assessment by the...

Councils steer clear of Scots roads deal.(Scottish Executive road contracts)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... n Four years on, councils admit they cannot do better on [pounds sterling]350m maintenance contracts. None of the councils that opposed the award of the Scottish Executive's [pounds sterling]350m trunk road maintenance contracts four years...

Severfield-Rowen lines up [pounds sterling]1.2m Atlas Ward purchase.(Atlas Ward Holdings)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Severfield-Rowen, the structural steel group, is set to pay [pounds sterling]1.2m for Atlas Ward Holdings. Atlas, based in Sherburn, North Yorkshire, designs, fabricates and erects structural steelwork. It had a turnover last year of [pounds...

Stirred, but not shaken.
February 2, 2005... With new vibration legislation due soon, the growth in popularity of micro-excavators offers the tool hire industry an alternative to hand-held tools. Paul Howard investigates. The construction industry in general, and users of hand-held...

Taking tools ; to the City.
February 2, 2005... The support services sector hasn't been awash with success stories recently, but tool hire outfit Brandon Hire has bucked the trend startlingly. And as chief executive Charles Skinner tells Will Mann, the recipe for success is a surprisingly...

Subcontractors' duty ; of care to employers.
February 2, 2005... In 1982, the House of Lords handed down a rather surprising judgment in the case of Junior Books -v- Veitchi. Veitchi was a specialist flooring contractor, which had been engaged as a nominated subcontractor to lay a floor at Junior Books'...

Three Peaks Challenge.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Construction Industry Solutions (COINS) and humanitarian organisation CARE International are launching the third COINS Three Peaks Challenge, which takes place on 7-8 May 2005. Firms in the construction industry are invited to enter teams to...

Wates first to make the [pounds sterling]60,000 house a reality.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... n Firm says it is building 250 such houses at Hillside Meadway regen scheme in Coventry. While much of the housebuilding industry has dismissed John Prescott's plans for the [pounds sterling]60,000 house, Wates claims to already be...

ISG profit boosted by 1-in-2 win rate.(ISG InteriorExterior)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... ISG InteriorExterior, part of the ISG Group, has published its own financial results. The pre-tax profit of [pounds sterling]5.8m on a turnover of [pounds sterling]310m represents a margin of 1.9%. In the same period (12 months to 30 June 2004)...

Rok adds 7% to workers' pensions.
February 2, 2005... n Push to attract top construction workforce leads to total contributions of up to [pounds sterling]4.5m a year into employees' pension schemes. Rok is contributing up to 7% of its employees' salaries into the group's new defined...

Crest Nicholson breaks pre-tax record.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Crest Nicholson has unveiled a record pre-tax profit of [pounds sterling]82m ([pounds sterling]75m) in the 12 months to 31 October 2004. The residential and mixed-use development group pushed turnover up to [pounds sterling]640m ([pounds...

Site attack director may face prison.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... A company director faces jail after he was found guilty of repeatedly punching a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspector. Self-employed Eric Dawson, 59, became angry when Martin Smith visited his site in Russell Walk, Hartlepool, in 2003 to...

Lafarge/RMC cement deal.(Lafarge Cement UK)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... Lafarge UK has reached an agreement with RMC over high alkali levels in cement made at its Westbury works. RMC will handle queries from customers, but will forward cases that require further investigation to Lafarge. The move comes after last...

HA approves concrete barrier use.(Highways Agency )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2005... The Highways Agency (HA) has given the concrete industry a [pounds sterling]25m-a-year boost with the approval of concrete step barriers. The HA made the barriers its preferred option for future motorway and trunk road barrier installation and...

Jarvis secures future.
February 2, 2005... n Amey guarantees Jarvis's survival after buying TubeLines stake for [pounds sterling]146.8m. Financing safe until March 2006. As predicted by CJ last week, Jarvis has been saved. On Monday morning it announced that the [pounds...

Administrators in at SFS after payment row.(Steel Frame Services)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Administrators moved into Steel Frame Services (SFS) last week after the company got involved in disputes over payment for work at the Coventry Arena. CJ reported in November that the company stopped work on Laing O'Rourke's [pounds...

Amicus calls for T5 strike.(due to cancellation of travelling time payment demands meeting)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Amicus is balloting its 500-plus members for a strike at Heathrow T5 after contractor representatives cancelled a meeting to discuss travelling time payment demands. Amicus and the contractors were due to meet to discuss union members' demands...

Balfour kicked off Merseytram.(Balfour Beatty dropped from railroad construction contract)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Balfour Beatty has taken a [pounds sterling]2m hit after being dropped as the preferred bidder for the first phase of the [pounds sterling]250m Merseytram light rail scheme following problems with its bid submission. The decision was made last...

Butterley owner under fire as creditor debts escalate.(Martin Meade)(Butterley Construction )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Butterley Construction's unsecured trade creditors are owed between [pounds sterling]2.5m and [pounds sterling]3m, with the likelihood that the final tally could rise by a further 10%. A creditors meeting was held last week in Bromsgrove,...

CCS targets small contractors.(Considerate Constructors Scheme )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) wants to get more small contractors to sign up to its code of practice. CCS chairman David Hardy told CJ: "We need to attract the smaller contractor and site to truly be able to improve the image of...

CJ launches best employer award.
February 9, 2005... Contract Journal today launches a prestigious new award scheme for the construction industry. The Best Places to Work in Construction Awards, in association with Hays Construction and CITB-ConstructionSkills, will set out to find the best...

CJ gains CPD certification.(Contract Journal)(continuous professional development)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Attending conferences and reading selected articles from Contract Journal will in future count towards continuous professional development (CPD). CJ has become a member of the Construction CPD Certification Service. Whenever you see the logo,...

Cement fuels guide boost.(new rules for alternative fuels)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... The cement industry reached a "significant milestone" last week with the publication of revised guides for alternative fuels. A British Cement Association spokesman said new rules will cut the time between trials of alternative fuels and their...

City wrath takes its toll as Mowlem FD is sacked.(finance director)(Gerry Brown)
February 9, 2005... n Three profit warnings lead analysts to assume more bad news is on the way, following a [pounds sterling]7.5m loss last year. Mowlem finance director Gerry Brown is thought to have been sacked as the group issued its third profit warning...

Civils firms back CJ's bid for access to CAT scores.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Contractors have given their support to attempts by CJ to obtain Capability Assessment Toolkit (CAT) scores under the Freedom of Information Act. CJ contacted the Highways Agency (HA) in writing at the start of the year to obtain the scores...

Mowlem in pole position for Cornwall roads deal.(roads construction)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Mowlem has emerged as favourite to land a massively delayed roads deal for Cornwall County Council, worth up to [pounds sterling]28.5m. Sources say the firm has held off five rivals for the A391 St Austell to A30 link road, which is going...

Brum court PFI given suspended sentence.(Private Finance Initiative)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Birmingham City Council has finally pulled the plug on a troubled PFI magistrates' courts scheme after keeping contractors waiting for well over three years. The original [pounds sterling]110m project, advertised back in 2001, involved the...

Fife Council seeks new partner for schools deal.(school construction)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... The fate of Fife Council's flagship PPP schools deal still hangs in the balance six months after the client ditched its original preferred bidder, debt-ridden contractor Jarvis. It is understood that Fife has now reopened talks with Balfour...

Six eye tunnel and M25 deal.(tunnel construction)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Six firms are revving up for a [pounds sterling]56m-plus deal to refurbish the Holmesdale Tunnel and carry out improvements to the M25 at junction 25. The line-up for the early contractor involvement scheme is: Balfour Beatty; Costain; Laing...

Prospect Group gets the all-clear for Ipswich PFI.(Private Finance Initiative)(health facilities construction)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... n Kier-led consortium secures [pounds sterling]26m deal to build treatment centre at Ipswich Hospital. The Prospect Group has made the final cut for a [pounds sterling]26m PFI hospital deal in Suffolk. The consortium, headed up by Kier,...

Amec jv lands Scots schools PFI.(Private Finance Initiative )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... An Amec-led joint venture has moved to the top of the class for a [pounds sterling]190m PFI schools deal in Scotland. South Lanarkshire Council has appointed Amec's jv with Innisfree and Equion as its preferred bidder for a scheme involving the...

Cox Plant Hire enters administration.(appoints Simon Allport and Ian Best )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Cox Plant Hire, one of the oldest names in the UK rental sector, has gone into administration. Simon Allport and Ian Best from Ernst & Young have been appointed joint administrators. They will continue to trade the business and said they are...

Crane Fruehauf ceases production.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Trailer manufacturer Crane Fruehauf has ceased production at its Norfolk facility and gone into administration. More than 300 jobs have been lost and only a skeleton staff of 25 is to be retained while administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers looks...

Editor's comment.
February 9, 2005... Verbal spa-rring It is unusual for diligent journalists to want to publish press releases verbatim. Too often the issuing party has something to sell, or overstates its position with a string of emotive adjectives. Good reporters tend to want...

HSS begins three-year fleet replacement.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... HSS has started taking delivery of more than 600 new Ford commercial vehicles as part of a three-year multi-million pound lease deal. HSS consulted its drivers and transport managers regarding vehicle design. The result is a Transit-based...

Hamm gets on a roller.(working on new range of machinery)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Hamm is working on a new range of small, articulated tandem rollers to boost its market share in the 1.5t to 5t class. Phil Higginson, Wirtgen UK's sales director, said the company plans to go head-to-head with the competition at the small end...

Hanson offers staff bonus and cuts volume business.(new bonus scheme)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Hanson has introduced a bonus scheme for its sales staff and is cutting some of its volume business to recover high materials costs. A company spokesman told CJ: "It happens every year that the industry imposes a price rise and then struggles...

Health and safety targets will not be met by 2010, says HSE.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... The industry's headline targets set at the Construction Health and Safety Summit four years ago are unlikely to be met by 2010, according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). These targets included achieving a 66% reduction in the rate of...

How to.(develop your social skills)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... ... develop your social skills Good social skills are essential for a fulfilling personal life and professional development. They are employed on a day-to-day basis in situations ranging from team building to taking part in a video...

Jarvis slams Norfolk after losing schools.(discontinued from the school construction deal)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... n Council's decision to deselect Jarvis on [pounds sterling]92m schools PFI deal slated as 'unjustified'. Jarvis chief executive Alan Lovell has lashed out at Norfolk County Council for kicking the company off the [pounds sterling]92m...

Highways contracts extended.(road construction)
February 9, 2005... n All highways maintenance areas bar 1 and 10 to be granted extensions, after which they are expected to become MAC contracts. All highways maintenance contracts apart from Areas 1 and 10 will be extended for at least another year,...

Staff academy launched at Midas Group.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Midas Group has launched its own academy to improve and streamline training for its 400-strong workforce. It will provide a fast-track career development programme to bring talent up through the company. The Midas Academy consists of three...

Griffiths labels BANES a 'very incompetent client'.(Bath and North-East Somerset (United Kingdom county))(Nigel Griffiths )(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Construction minister Nigel Griffiths has demanded that BANES accepts Mowlem's offer after a visit to the site on Monday. Placing the blame firmly at BANES's doorstep, the minister said both Mowlem and Grimshaw had been "victims of a very...

Morrison delays school work.(construction company dealys work due to land acquisition problems)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Work on Morrison's [pounds sterling]100m, 30-year schools PPP contract for Highland Council has been postponed by six months because of land acquisition problems. Morrison, which is part of the Alpha Schools consortium, was due to start work...

Grimshaw says workmanship ; is to blame.
February 9, 2005... This is a copy of the letter sent by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw to Don Foster MP. I must state that as architects our sole purpose is to get the job finished. My team has worked tirelessly day and night to achieve this. Liability is certainly not...

Industry votes for annuity.(Brief Article)
February 9, 2005... Proposals to create a more level playing field between PFI and conventional procurement have been given the thumbs up by an overwhelming majority of respondents to a recent government consultation. The response to the consultation, carried out...

Mowlem breaks its silence.
February 9, 2005... On 4 February, Mowlem's war against Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) over the delayed Bath Spa project escalated to a new level: the contractor ignored the council's gag order and went public. Here CJ prints statements from Mowlem's...