Contract Journal articles from June 2005

Contract Journal archives from June 2005

Hilux pickups prepare for UK.(Toyota Hilux 4x4 and 4x2)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Revamped Toyota Hilux 4x4 and 4x2 pickups will hit the UK in October. The all-new pickup, which is longer and wider than its predecessor, gives more room for passengers and load. It will be available in single-cab and double-cab versions. Both...

Offsite goes from strength to strength.(Offsite2005)
June 2, 2005... Two years after the inaugural event, Offsite2005 promises to be twice the size, reflecting the rapid growth in the offsite construction market. Richard Stirling looks at what will be on show, and asks exhibitors their views on offsite's...

Rising star.(Steve Griffiths on hot seat)(Brief Article)(Interview)
June 2, 2005... Steve Griffiths, site manager, Latimer Contracting What are your current day-to-day responsibilities? Leading by example, managing whatever the site requires to achieve safety at all times, and ensuring the contract is brought in on time,...

How to give and receive feedback.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... ... give and receive feedback By Scott Beagrie Giving and receiving feedback can be fraught with problems, and managers often struggle to do either effectively. But the two-way process serves many valuable functions, and is one of the...

Fast-food construction.(McDonald's Corp.)
June 2, 2005... The burgeoning offsite sector has at last formed a trade body to fight its cause, Buildoffsite. On the eve of Offsite2005, Richard Stirling speaks to the organisation's chairman, Richard Ogden, who should be a good ambassador for the industry -...

Amco in Severn heaven.(Amco Donelon)
June 2, 2005... The Severn-Wye Cable Tunnel carries one of the major electricity connections into south Wales, so maintaining supply during a [pounds sterling]6.5m upgrade was vital. Paul Wheeler explains how contractor Amco Donelon tackled this complex...

Increasing the flow.
June 2, 2005... The road and rail markets may be depressed, but civils contractors are finding some solace in the buoyant utilities sector. And prospects could get even better once the government decides how to tackle Britain's looming electricity shortfall....

Imitating nature.
June 2, 2005... Mobile phone masts are unpopular with the public as they are perceived as a possisible health risk and they blight the landscape. As a result, 'stealth' designs have become increasingly common. Helen McCormick takes a closer look. The...

Turn of the tide.
June 2, 2005... With mounting opposition to windfarms on land, the mini construction boom in this sector is threatening to blow itself out. Which is why some firms are exploring other options. Will Mann meets the Cornish contractor taking turbine technology...

A watery grave for the Thames Gateway?
June 2, 2005... The massive development proposed for the Thames Gateway may be ignoring one crucial point - there's hardly any water there. Paul Wheeler reports on a problem that could scupper John Prescott's grand plan for the region, and the possible...

The main attraction.(The Concrete Show)
June 2, 2005... This year's SED saw the crowds flocking to Fen Farm, Milton Keynes yet again. Martin Cooper, Paul Howard and Colin Sowman went to see what was attracting visitors' attention in the Site Equipment Zone. SED's Site Equipment Zone was once...

back bites.
June 2, 2005... Who'd be an adjudicator? In the case of Carillion -v- Devonport Royal Dockyard, Gwyn Owen was presented with the contractor's notice of referral - all 67 pages of it. Devonport's response was 75 pages. Carillion's reply to this ran to a mere...

Clearing ; the decks.(The Concrete Show)
June 2, 2005... An impressive array of machines, large and small, dazzled visitors at SED's Site Clearance Zone. Paul Howard reviews the highlights of this year's show. Demonstrating its enduring popularity, the Site-Clearance Zone was one of the busiest...

A bumper crop.
June 2, 2005... Like the Eurovision Song Contest, the Pavilion boasted its own share of European visitors, glitz and glamour. Gerry Fawkes reports on how no one came away from the show with 'nul points'. The Pavilion at SED always offers a rich pot-pourri...

IPAF members granted business resource use.(International Powered Access Federation)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) has struck a ground-breaking deal that will enable its members to use the Institute of Directors' (IOD) renowned Business Information Service (BIS). The service is used by businesses to...

A strong showing.(Concrete Show)(Site Equipment Demonstration)
June 2, 2005... The Concrete Show at SED 2005 hosted some of the most innovative companies in the concrete sector. Some are developing new products while others hope to convert the UK market with overseas successes. Richard Stirling reports. The Concrete...

On the road.
June 2, 2005... Trucks, trailers, 4x4s and light commercials - there was plenty for prospective buyers to see at the Truck Zone at this year's SED. Geoff Ashcroft reports. Simple ideas are often the best, and Renault UK's Double-Deck dropside body...

Regulations ; rule the roost.(Work at Height Regulations)
June 2, 2005... The recently-introduced Work at Height Regulations clearly had an impact on the Cranes & Access Village at SED 2005. Many exhibitors reported a surge of interest in smaller kit that can offer an alternative to ladders. Will Mann reports. ...

Leach and Sandhurst deal for Terex.(Leach Lewis)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Terex Compact used SED to show some of its worldwide dealers its equipment's capabilities and to announce the appointment of Leach Lewis and Sandhurst Plant to cover the south of England. The manufacturer entertained dealers from 20 countries,...

Hyundai ups UK presence.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Hyundai is looking to recruit dealers, with the aim of offering UK-wide coverage by the middle of next year, and signalled its dedication to the UK market by its first appearance at SED in five years, said European marketing manager Michel de...

New Holland rebranding accepted by customers.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Sales of equipment rise in first quarter and Kobelco name remains on excavator range. New Holland's rebranding programme has been a resounding success, according to Paul Hoptroff, senior business director of construction equipment for the...

Access users to get safety code.(Powered Access Interest Group)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Human failure is major cause of accidents from access equipment. The Powered Access Interest Group (PAIG) has called for better safety awareness and guidance for users of access equipment and is in the process of producing a new code of...

OGC watches for materials shortages in public sector.(Office of Government Commerce)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The government has set up a database on large projects to avoid materials shortages on public sector schemes. The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is gauging the sector's needs with a database on projects of more than [pounds sterling]5m....

Ringway posts [pounds sterling]350m turnover.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Road construction and maintenance group's margin back to a more normal 2.3%, while integration of Beech has 'gone well'. Ringway, the construction group specialising in the construction and maintenance of roads, has seen turnover jump...

Telford turnover leaps up 50%.(Telford Homes)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Telford Homes, the London-based housebuilder, has bumped its annual turnover ahead to [pounds sterling]60m ([pounds sterling]40m) and sees further growth in the future. Pre-tax profit (12 months to 31 March 2005) was [pounds sterling]7.8m...

Price of bricks set to increase.
June 2, 2005... Soaring costs of energy and hydrocarbons force manufacturers to pass price rises on to their customers. Materials prices are set to increase significantly as manufacturers face the prospect of soaring energy and hydrocarbon prices. Energy...

Uplift invests in new depot.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Powered access hire company Uplift has made a multi-million pound investment in new machines and a new depot in Haydock. Situated between Manchester and Liverpool, the company said the new branch will service the needs of a rapidly expanding...

Bullock bosses put in mbo bid.(Bullock Construction Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Race hots up for Montpellier's social housing refurb business. The management team at Bullock Construction, the social housing refurbishment business within the Montpellier group, wants to stage a management buy-out (mbo). The news has...

EC moves towards ban on illegal timber imports.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Illegal timber was a step closer to being outlawed last week when the European Community (EC) consulted industry on proposals for an international standard. The EC is inviting comments on the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action...

UK says rolled up holiday pay is allowed under WTD.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... European Court of Justice to have final say after English and Scottish High Courts disagree over directive. Faced with conflicting rulings by the High Courts in England and Scotland, the UK government has admitted that rolled up holiday...

Jewson fined for dumping.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Magistrates last month fined Jew-son nearly [pounds sterling]50,000 for illegally dumping waste, including asbestos. Environment Agency (EA) officers found that the company was stockpiling waste including asbestos cement, concrete, metal and...

Network Rail working to plug skills gaps.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Rail operator Network Rail (NR) is having to re-skill the 15,000 employees it took in-house from maintenance contractors last year after finding that they had a "varying level of competency". NR chief executive John Armitt told CJ that after...

Inspace float prompts 10% share price climb.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Support services firm Inspace's share price climbed by 10% to a value of 118p within hours of the construction business's float on the Stock Exchange last week. The move raised [pounds sterling]11m of new funding to boost Inspace's future...

Contractors await rail renewals fate.(Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.)
June 2, 2005... Network Rail may bring [pounds sterling]500m-a-year contracts in-house to improve cost reductions. Rail renewals contractors could know by the end of March 2006 whether or not their multi-million pound renewals contracts will be brought...

Babcock gets back to profit.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... First Engineering, the rail business now owned by Babcock, achieved an operating margin of 5% last year. Babcock bought the Peter-house Group in June 2004 and as a result, its figures show up for a period of nine months in Babcock's latest...

Elliott Group undertakes [pounds sterling]166m mbo.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Modular buildings maker Elliott Group has been acquired by its management from parent Davis Service Group (DSG) in a deal worth [pounds sterling]166m. A team backed by managing director Paul Smeeth is buying the division after parent DSG...

Green task force targets procurement shake-up.
June 2, 2005... Ex-Carillion chief warns contractors they must deliver sustainable projects or lose out on public contracts. Major changes to the way the public sector procures its services are on the cards following the formation of a sustainable...

Byrne staff return to Drake Circus scheme.
June 2, 2005... Bovis reinstates subcontractor's workers suspended for health and safety breach on [pounds sterling]200m Plymouth project. Bovis Lend Lease has avoided further delays on its [pounds sterling]200m Drake Circus development contract for P&O...

Studio sues builder over high dust levels.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The owners of a London recording studio have launched a legal battle for compensation after complaining building contractors made too much dust. Workmen for Granville Steel Contracting made so much dust that Respect's staff thought there was a...

More delays for Cumbria bypass.(Carlisle Northern Development Route )
June 2, 2005... Further setback for [pounds sterling]100m PFI following archaeological discovery. The [pounds sterling]100m privately financed Carlisle Northern Development Route (CNDR) is facing yet more delays after part of Hadrian's Wall was unearthed...

[pounds sterling]21m boost for Britannia.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Montpellier Group subsidiary Britannia Construction has secured new contracts worth [pounds sterling]21m. Tesco has awarded four contracts, valued in excess of [pounds sterling]15.5m, for the extension and refurbishment of stores in Swindon,...

PfS welcomes LIFT report.(Partnerships for Schools)(Local Improvement Finance Trust)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has welcomed the National Audit Office's (NAO) report on NHS LIFT and believes it is good news for the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The report, Innovation in the NHS: The Local...

WPH defends charging [pounds sterling]660 for CSCS card fee.(Woodlands Plant Hire)(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Basildon-based Woodlands Plant Hire (WPH) has defended its corner after learning that CITB-Constructionskills is to investigate claims that the company was charging its workers [pounds sterling]660 to obtain a Construction Skills Certification...

PJ Carey fined [pounds sterling]28,000 after reversing lorry killed four-year-old on Dublin site.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... A Wembley-based construction firm has been fined [pounds sterling]28,000 following the death of a four-year-old child on a Dublin building site four years ago PJ Carey Contractors, one of the main firms involved in a [pounds sterling]1.7bn...

Registrations for PAL cards highest ever.(Powered Access Licence)(Work at Height Regulations)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) said that it processed 5,170 registrations for its Powered Access Licence (PAL) cards in April, a record number for any month since its inception in 1994. IPAF managing director Tim Whiteman...

Jarvis thrown a lifeline by Deutsche Bank swap.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Jarvis had built a staggering [pounds sterling]305m debt mountain before winning a lifeline as CJ went to press when Deutsche Bank agreed to a debt-for-equity swap. Existing shareholders will find themselves totally swamped by developments,...

Wembley bill soars due to steel delays.
June 2, 2005... Multiplex could claim back millions of pounds from steel firm Hollandia after it fails to meet delivery target. Multiplex could claw back millions of pounds from Dutch steel contractor Hollandia after the Australian firm blamed cost...

HA unveils options for A14.(Highways Agency)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The Highways Agency (HA) has unveiled its plans for the [pounds sterling]450m to [pounds sterling]484m A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton scheme in Bedfordshire. The Agency, which will use the early contractor involvement approach, is looking at two...

Editor's comment.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 2, 2005... How to build a major project Has the curse of the national project struck again? First the Cardiff Millennium Stadium, then the Scottish parliament and now the new Wembley stadium seems to be heading firmly into the red. No doubt we will, at...

Falls from height claim two lives.(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The construction industry has suffered two more fatalities. Last Friday, a 48-year-old man died in hospital after falling approximately 10m while working on the roof of a DIY warehouse in Wigan owned by CDS Superstores (International). The...

Griffiths in hot water after Bath Spa 'no briefing' accusation.(investigations of Nigel Griffiths)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Former construction minister Nigel Griffiths stands accused of misleading the House of Commons and fellow ministers over his role in the [pounds sterling]35m Bath Spa project and could now face a parliamentary investigation. The news comes...

[pounds sterling]2.3bn N Staffs housing tender.(housing regeneration work in North Staffordshire)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Housebuilders and developers are being asked to bid for [pounds sterling]2.3bn worth of housing regeneration work in North Staffordshire. RENEW North Staffordshire, one of the government's housing market renewal pathfinders, is advertising the...

Late adjudicator decisions.
June 2, 2005... There has been a long-standing debate about whether an adjudicator's decision reached after the expiry of the relevant time period will remain a valid decision capable of enforcement. This uncertainty is compounded as it is often unclear when...

Worcester adds sauce to roads menu.(road construction contracts)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Seven of the English county term maintenance contracts are up for re-let during 2005. Of the three results so far, Ringway has secured one - Worcestershire. "In political terms, Worcestershire is a gain," Lee said. "As we are the current...

Dudley's more.
June 22, 2005... Most businesses would be wary of putting all their eggs in one basket; but not Dudley's. Most of its eggs are in an enormous Tesco shopping basket, and it couldn't be happier. Rob Willock reports from Wales. Common sense suggests that if...

60-second interview.(Charlie Scherer, area director, Rok Bristol)(Brief Article)(Interview)
June 22, 2005... Charlie Scherer, area director, Rok Bristol What are your current day-to-day responsibilities? My role is leading an 80-strong team, providing building and premium maintenance services to our local community. Where did you work before?...

How to.(developing self-awareness)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... ... develop your self-awareness By Scott Beagrie Self-awareness is at the core of professional development. Knowing who you are and what you enjoy doing, and being able to recognise your skills, strengths and weaknesses, as well as your...

Nationwide switches to biodegradable oil.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Nationwide Plant Hire has switched its entire fleet of excavators, backhoe loaders and dumpers to running on biodegradable hydraulic oils. In the company's 90-strong excavator fleet are 10 long-reach units (7t to 30t), which undertake work for...

Distracted drivers face fines of up to [pounds sterling]500.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Police forces in the UK are taking a tougher line with motorists who eat, drink, read maps or undertake similar activities while driving. This is the conclusion of research by the insurance specialist A&A Group, which acts as a non-standard...

Yorkon offers PFI alternative.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The healthcare sector can now take advantage of Yorkon's so-called "faster and simpler alternative to PFI". The design, build and finance package allows local health authorities to fund the acquisition of new buildings, built off site by...

Clark ready for squad rotation of subbies.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Scottish contractor Clark Contracts has completed an 18-month process to whittle down its subcontractors from 2,200 to 400. The [pounds sterling]31m turnover company is now intent on operating a 'squad rotation system' for its stable of key...

back bites.
June 22, 2005... Spanish bull? There's a lot of puzzling and head-scratching going on among economists in Spain... and it's all over the country's 'gravity-defying' construction sector. It's absolutely booming, for no explicable reason, prompting the economy...

Editor's comment.(private finance initiative for housing)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 22, 2005... An empty future for housing PFIs? The private finance initiative is a permanent fixture in the UK procurement landscape, but there is one sector where it really has not been a success and that's housing. The industry was always dubious...

Rival groups slam PEFC endorsement.(Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)
June 22, 2005... Arguments among timber groups are benefiting steel industry. A showdown next month between environmentalists and the timber industry will clear confusion among contractors and suppliers on government projects, claims Len Yull, chairman of...

A voice for clients.(Panel Discussion)
June 22, 2005... The Construction Clients Group was formed a year ago to act as a trade association and industry improvement body. It represents clients on the Strategic Forum for Construction and provides the collective client voice to government. James...

Morgan Sindall gets switched on.(construction)
June 22, 2005... More than [pounds sterling]3bn-worth of new work was reported in May by Britain's top 50 contractors, with infrastructure the highest performing sector for the fourth month running. This was largely down to United Utilities announcing huge...

Johnston brand will continue.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... New owner the Bucher Group says it will market its products separately to those of Johnston Sweepers. Johnston Sweepers' new owner the Bucher Group has reassured the company and customers that Johnston's brand and products have a secure...

Amex Lex wins MoD deal.( Ministry of Defence)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Ministry of Defence's [pounds sterling]600m contract for the C Vehicle PFI has been awarded to the Amex Lex Consortium. Included in the 15-year contract is the supply of construction and mechanical handling equipment, along with spare part...

TCP cuts production and jobs.(Teesside Cast Products)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Corus this week said it will chop 75 staff from its workforce of 1,700 at Teesside Cast Products (TCP). The cuts come as confirmation that the firm is reducing capacity of bloom products, which are used to make rail and construction materials....

Modular firms using outdated techniques.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Modular building makers are using outdated assembly techniques, and are in danger of losing work to low-cost labour economies, claimed buildings maker Vanguard. The company is planning a factory in Cambridgeshire that will dispense with...

Balfour boosts social and safety performance.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Balfour Beatty reduced its accident frequency rate (AFR), improved its environmental performance and the diversity of its workforce last year. Balfour's Safety, Environmental and Social Report showed a 20% improvement in the group's AFR...

Latchways cashes in on Working at Height regs.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Fall arrest system manufacturer Latchways benefited from the increased emphasis on health and safety in the UK as its pre-tax profit jumped 30% to [pounds sterling]4.3m in the year to 31 March. The group's turnover increased 15% to [pounds...

Capita Group gets three-year extension for Constructionline.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given the Capita Group a three-year extension to its contract to administer the Constructionline register of pre-qualified contractors and suppliers. The contract will run until 1 September 2008....

Amey and Mouchel to split roads partnership.(road construction)
June 22, 2005... Partners in UK's most successful road contracts pairing will bid against each other for future MAC contracts. Amey/Mouchel, the most successful pairing on the strategic road network with nearly a billion pounds-worth of work on its books,...

EA gets tough on waste.(Environment Agency )(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Demolition contractors are being warned that the Environment Agency (EA) is taking a very tough line on the strict enforcement of the Hazardous Waste Regulations, with swingeing fines being imposed for failure to comply. Howard Button, national...

Speculation over cement takeovers.(cement industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... There was further speculation about consolidation in the materials industry last week when it emerged that Castle Cement could have a new owner. A bid has been made for Castle Cement's parent, Heidelberg Cement, by finance firm Spohn Cement....

Future Inns gets the Midas touch.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Midas has checked in with a second deal for Canadian hotel group Future Inns. The latest scheme, worth [pounds sterling]10m, is for a five-floor 143-bed hotel and conference centre at Plymouth. The hotel, designed by Bristol-based architect...

Graidage takes the reins at Mowlem Rail.(Mowlem Railways appointed Colin Graidage )(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Colin Graidage has been appointed managing director of Mowlem Railways. He succeeds Mike Austin who has decided to stand down, but is pursuing an alternative opportunity in the Mowlem Group. From 1993 to 2003, Graidage ran Charter Builders,...

Contractors face fines for poor Olympic work.
June 22, 2005... Bid team considers fines for slack workmanship or late delivery to avoid a repeat of situation at Athens games. Contractors could face hefty penalities for late delivery or poor workmanship on projects for the 2012 Olympic Games if London...

Amicus to appoint secretary despite union rules change.(Amicus appoints Tom Hardacre)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Amicus has said it intends to appoint a successor to Paul Corby as national secretary for construction, despite a recent change to the union rules, which reintroduces the election of officials. Derek Simpson, Amicus general secretary,...

Wakefield stalls on [pounds sterling]17.5m Yorks deal.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Wakefield Council is facing further delays before it can get a [pounds sterling]17.5m highways deal on the road. The West Yorkshire local authority's Hemsworth-A1 link road originally surfaced more than a year ago but was subsequently hit by...

Midas chairman warns on integrated working.(Midas chairman Steve Hindley, speaks on integrated working)
June 22, 2005... Lack of guidance on integrated working prompts clients to resort to awarding contracts on lowest-price-wins basis. The construction industry has been warned that it must make more of an effort to educate clients over the benefits of...

Nuttall confident as profit rises to [pounds sterling]20m.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... Closer links with sister company HBG will enhance business opportunities, says chief. Edmund Nuttall made a pre-tax profit margin of 4.1% last year, marking a small decline from the 4.3% figure achieved in 2003. Nevertheless, the 2004...

Edge protectors form federation.(Edge Protection Federation)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2005... A new trade body, the Edge Protection Federation, has been established to represent the views of manufacturers and users of edge protection systems. "With the increasing emphasis on working at height and the advent of a new standard (BS EN...