Contract Journal articles from October 2003

Contract Journal archives from October 2003

Unfair Contract Terms Act.
October 1, 2003... The Unfair Contract Terms Act of 1977 applies to contracting parties where one of them is either dealing with a consumer or is dealing on its own written standard terms of business. The Act provides that where that party is in breach of...

Foiled again.
October 1, 2003... The development of air-filled transparent foil in the UK has been the inspiration and brainchild of Ben Morris. David Bennett talks to the designer about living-wall technology that can change with the climate, increase or decrease thermal...

Airtek hires 50th Arcomet to UK.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Within a year of becoming the distributor for Arcomet, Belgium-based self-erecting tower crane manufacturer Airtek has hired its 50th unit into the UK construction industry. Airtek has focused its efforts on the UK housebuilding sector and...

Network Rail faces competition probe.(investigation of breaching competition)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Welding contractor calls for Office of the Rail Regulator to carry out investigation. Network Rail's attempt to streamline its number of labour suppliers has hit the buffers after one welding contractor reported the operator to the Office...

Higher prices 'the only answer'.(insurance premiums)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... There are some signs that the worst of the increases in public liability insurance premiums may be over, according to National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) president Dan Doyle. But he said there is little hope of premium...

Midas hits 3% margin and aims for [pounds sterling]160m turnover.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Midas has achieved its goal of a 3% margin. Since Steve Hindley took over as chief executive of the Bristol-based construction group five years ago, he has been pushing for a profitability level that matches other top-performing players....

Research raises health concerns.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Environmental health problems caused by building materials are increasing, according to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). New data has revealed "insights into potential causes of acute indoor symptoms such as allergies,...

BNP hits back at union 'slur'.(British National Party )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The British National Party (BNP) has hit back at accusations by the TGWU that an influx of its members joining unions will see construction sites becoming hotbeds of racist abuse and violence. TGWU national secretary Bob Blackman claimed that...

Medicinq predicts [pounds sterling]100m boost to annual turnover.(hospital building programme)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Regional contractors' consortium gears up for ProCure 21 building programme. The four regional contractors that formed Medicinq, the consortium shortlisted by NHS Estates to work on its ProCure 21 hospital building programme, anticipate an...

Deals done.(briefs)
October 1, 2003... Buckhurst and Takeuchi As part of a [pounds sterling]1m expansion programme, Lancashire-based Buckhurst Plant Hire has taken delivery of 20 Takeuchi mini excavators. The units, 10 TB125s and 10 TB016s, were supplied by Takeuchi UK's northern...

In brief.
October 1, 2003... [pounds sterling]67.5m commercial deal for Skanska Skanska has secured the [pounds sterling]67.5m contract in Southwark, south London, to design and construct a 12-storey commercial development, known as Palestra, for Southpoint General...

In brief.
October 1, 2003... Raivan MR123 in action A Raivan MR123 tower crane from Vanson Cranes is being used by Ground Construction, based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, on a residential development of three six-storey blocks of flats in Reading. The crane has a new rounded...

Ausa offers versatility in new multi-service vehicle range.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Load capacities of 500kg, 1.5t and 2.5t. Ausa is launching a new range of multi-service vehicles claimed to be specifically designed for a wide range of municipal applications. There are three models with load capacities of 500kg, 1.5t and...

Vertical lift boom gives Bobcat A300 extra height and reach.(multi-steer loaders)
October 1, 2003... Bobcat has introduced the A300, the latest in its range of multi-steer loaders, to the UK. Equipped with a vertical lift boom arm, the unit has a rated operating capacity of 1,400kg and a tipping load of 2,800kg. The company claims the vertical...

Wolseley buoyed by UK market.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Wolseley, the builders' and plumbers' merchant, has reported that the UK is the most buoyant market in Europe. The driver is the strength of the domestic repair, maintenance and improvement sector. Latest results (12 months to 31 July) show...

Most prices lower for new Transporter.(Volkswagen's new Transporter)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Volkswagen has announced prices for the new Transporter (T5) that goes on sale on Friday and most are below those for the equivalent outgoing T4 model. Two wheelbases will be offered with two roof heights (three on the LWB) and a choice of...

NFB calls for half measures to cut onsite waste of bricks and blocks.(National Federation of Builders)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Builders' federation appeals to manufacturers to increase availability of half-sized 'off-the-shelf' materials. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) is calling for the Brick Development Association (BDA) and the Concrete Block...

Safety improved for working at height.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Sir, Tim Wood is right that warnings on improving work at height were being heeded by the sites we visited during the blitz (CJ 17 September). This was on the whole also the case at the Sir Robert McAlpine site in Cardinal Place. Here, the...

Praise for women in building initiative.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Sir, The Women Building London initiative makes for welcome and heartening news (CJ 24 September). Amid the serious skills shortage facing the industry there are many advantages to actively encouraging women into construction. Modern...

The holiday pay debacle.(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... Sir, Here we go again. In the 13 August issue of Contract Journal, you reported that Barratt Homes and Redrow Homes both appealed to the employment tribunal on the subject of having to pay holiday pay to CIS4 cardholders. In the 28 August issue...

Changes will be made to CSCS test.(Construction Skills Certification Scheme)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is planning to change the way training and testing are carried out in an attempt to tackle criticism of its health and safety tests for plant operators. All construction plant operators will...

Henry Boot sales help raise profit to [pounds sterling]26m.(Henry Boot and Sons PLC)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Henry Boot, the property and construction group, has announced a fourfold boost in interim pre-tax profit to [pounds sterling]26m thanks largely to the one-off proceeds from two sales - the housing division and the Scottish construction...

Costain attracts youngsters.(Costain Group PLC launches a program to bring together schools and is providing financial aid to students)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Costain's Building Awareness initiative to get more young people into the industry is proving successful. Launched last year, the three-year initiative brings together schools, institutions, training boards and business supply chains to raise...

back bites.
October 1, 2003... Beaver watch Motorists who regularly use the A27 near Chichester are no strangers to the imaginative stunts arranged by Beaver Tool Hire. The latest item is a cherry picker with a large transparent box containing a dummy bearing a startling...

Balfour Beatty's quality bid secures [pounds sterling]34m A1 upgrade.
October 1, 2003... Skanska, Trafalgar House, Nuttall and May Gurney lose out on A1 upgrading deal. Balfour Beatty has hit the road for a [pounds sterling]34m upgrading deal in West Yorkshire. On the day the tender validity deadline was set to expire, the...

Three in a row for Interserve.(early contractor involvement scheme)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Interseve has picked up its third early contractor involvement (ECI) scheme in a row. The latest is on a [pounds sterling]30m-plus deal for the Highways Agency, straddling Cornwall and Devon. The project consists of two schemes, combined to...

Amec takes Gleeson's place in Scots PFI bid.(privately financed education deal)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A local authority in Scotland is preparing to go ahead with a mould-breaking [pounds sterling]95m privately financed education deal, although it has only one bidder on board. Three of the four original shortlisted groups pulled out of the...

CITB targets major contractors.(Construction Industry Training Board)
October 1, 2003... New sector skills council directs government cash towards encouraging large firms to train up apprentices. Subcontractors should not be relied upon to train apprentices. That was the message delivered to major contractors at the launch of...

Clarke slams industry's illiteracy 'scandal'.(Education secretary Charles Clarke)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Education secretary Charles Clarke told CJ it is "scandalous" that illiteracy and innumeracy are costing the industry [pounds sterling]1bn a year. Last month, Lancaster University's Workplace Basic Skills Network revealed in a study that as...

Fourth NHS LIFT win worth [pounds sterling]60m goes to ExcellCare.(ExcellCare group)(contractors bid )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The ExcellCare group has clocked up its fourth NHS LIFT win. The group, a jv between Laing subsidiary Equion and Halifax Bank of Scotland, has emerged as preferred bidder for the [pounds sterling]60m Greater Nottingham scheme after a tight...

Mowlem defiant over Bath Spa legal battle.
October 1, 2003... Council begins proceedings after Warings staff are denied access to delayed Bath Spa to do 'remedial' work. Bath & North East Somerset council has started legal proceedings against Mowlem on its [pounds sterling]22m Bath Spa project after...

Kajima set to win Brighton PFI hospital.(contractors bid on private finance initiative )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Kajima is looking odds-on to gain admission to a [pounds sterling]30m private finance hospital deal on the south coast. Sources say the contractor has stolen a march on Costain/Noble, its only remaining rival for the scheme to relocate...

Trio fined over fall protection failure.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A construction client in Kent has been fined a total of [pounds sterling]5,000 after an inspection of a construction site found that risk of injury from falls from height was not properly controlled. Michael Bushell, Hugh Ellison and Hugh...

HSE issues new guidance in bid to prevent falls from cherry pickers.(Health & Safety Executive-control of serious injuries at work)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is offering advice on how to prevent falls from cherry pickers. New guidance, Preventing falls from boom-type mobile elevating work platforms, is aimed at those who use or control the operations of cherry...

Restructure costs hit Severfield.(Rowen Structures-restructure hit Severfield-Rowen's profit)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Difficult trading conditions and the [pounds sterling]640,000 restructure of Rowen Structures hit Severfield-Rowen's profit in the first half of this year. The group's pre-tax profit was down from just over [pounds sterling]5m in the first half...

In brief.(Skanska has been awarded two further contracts under its framework deal with the Scottish Prison Service)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Skanska locks up pair of Scottish prisons Skanska has been awarded two further contracts under its framework deal with the Scottish Prison Service. The [pounds sterling]50m scheme involves new blocks at Edinburgh and Glenochil prisons.

ICE backs claim of fall in funding.(Institution of Civil Engineers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is backing the Building Research Establishment's claim that funding for construction research is falling away (CJ 24 September). The ICE has issued a report that states construction research spending has...

Government will miss more targets.(Construction Products Association)
October 1, 2003... CPA report points to failure to improve condition of built environment and infrastructure. Key government targets for improving the quality of social housing, school buildings, health facilities, and the road and railways networks are...

In-house maintenance move sparks anger.(railroads-maintenance )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Rail contractors have used the current consultation document on the rail regulator's spending review to voice their anger at Network Rail's decision to bring maintenance work in-house. Speaking publicly for the first time, both Carillion and...

Pochin back in the black.(Pochin's PLC-engaged in building and civil engineering contracting)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Pochin's ambition to grow its construction activities looks to be paying off after its contracting division doubled its turnover and returned to the black following a management restructure. The Cheshire-based contractor/ developer reported...

Redrow and Bovis play down talks of a [pounds sterling]1bn merger.(Bovis Homes)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Bovis Homes and Redrow have refused to comment on speculation that the two housebuilders are about to open talks over a [pounds sterling]1bn merger. It is thought that the proposal will be discussed at one of the companies' board meetings this...

Switch focus from best practice to wealth says CE chief.(Constructing Excellence)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The industry must switch its focus from best practice to increasing wealth, the new chief executive of Constructing Excellence (CE), Dennis Lenard, has warned. Lenard said that CE, the merger between Construction Best Practice (CBP) and...

Pommies get lesson in moolah.(Constructing Excellence)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Dennis Lenard is as cunning as a dunny rat! The new chief executive of Constructing Excellence - and a straight-talking, fair-dinkum Australian - has quickly realised how to grab the attention of the construction industry. Not with more theory;...

Preferred bid stage 'not at risk'.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Fears that the EU is about to outlaw the preferred bidder stage are unfounded, according to the Construction Confederation (CC). The CC has moved to re-assure its members that exclusive dialogue is not about to be thrown out under new EU...

NHS Trusts want ProCure 21 to build PFI hospital projects.(united kingdom. national health service)(private finance initiative)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... A number of NHS Trusts want to transfer their PFI hospital projects to the national ProCure 21 programme, CJ learnt this week. So great is the interest that NHS Estates is asking to meet with the Department of Health's Private Finance Unit...

MBO leaves High-Point 'stronger'.(management buy-out-High-Point Rendel PLC)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... International consultant High-Point Rendel claims it will be "stronger and better equipped" in the future following a management buy-out (MBO). The company employs more than 350 staff throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia,. The...

Vote against strike action, Interserve warns staff.(Interserve International (Freight) PLC)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Interserve staff have been warned that they risk losing their jobs if they vote for strike action in the wake of Liverpool City Council's decision to slash the budget for the contractor's contract to maintain 20,000 houses in the city from...

Regenerating the city.(Artisan-real estate developer)
October 1, 2003... Manchester's property developer Artisan specialises in transforming derelict buildings into smart urban dwellings and is expected to achieve a turnover of [pounds sterling]20m in 2003. Geraldine Faulkner talks to managing director Carol...

Set-off in adjudication.
October 8, 2003... In September 2002, I reported the case of The Construction Centre Group -v- The Highland Council. That case dealt with, among other matters, whether an employer was able to raise a withholding notice after the publication of an adjudicator's...

In the dock.
October 8, 2003... As a contract manager, agent or team leader, what is your worst nightmare? How about an accident on site resulting in one of your operatives sustaining a serious injury. You are called to court to be cross-examined by a barrister. How would you...

Wates waiting for social work.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Wates is preparing its housing division for a surge in social housing work, chief executive Struan Robertson told CJ. "We are assessing resources in our housing division and will be looking to make it a far greater contributor to the group," he...

Five Terex for Lafarge.(Lafarge Aggregates purchases new trucks)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Lafarge Aggregates has taken delivery of five new Terex trucks for haulage applications at four of its UK quarries. The deal includes two Generation 7 TA30 articulated dump trucks and one unit each of the TR40, TR45 and TR60 rigid dump trucks....

Deals done.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... BCL and Komatsu Rail plant hirer BCL has ordered a further 15 Komatsu PC128US roadrailed tracked excavators from Rexquote, the specialist manufacturer of roadrail machinery. This follows an initial order for 10 units in August. A-Plant and...

In brief.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Bobcat goes wider Bobcat has launched a wider version of its Brushcat Rotary Cutter attachment. The unit measures 2.3m and according to the company is ideal for handling tough brush and undergrowth clearing applications. PSE gets Ausa deal...

Macquarie seeks new PFI equity.(Macquarie Bank)(Private Finance Initiative )(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Macquarie Bank is looking to expand its PFI equity portfolio - both by taking over existing portfolios from contractors wanting to recycle their capital into new schemes, and by providing equity funding to consortia bidding for future PFI...

Terex production back up to pre-move levels.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Backhoe production at Terex's assembly plant in Coventry has equalled the output of the old Manchester factory, Tony Gardner newly-promoted vice president of Terex Compact Equipment revealed. It is matching Manchester's 14.5 units a day and...

Immobiliser for JCB Contractor.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Standard specification on JCB's 3CX Contractor now includes a Home Office-approved electronic immobiliser. In addition, JCB Insurance Services is offering a 30% discount on premiums for the model. The Plantguard immobiliser overcomes the...

Nissan backs Merlo Roto's 'unmatched' innovation.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... When Nissan Europe's intellectual property manager Matt Holmes needed examples of outstanding innovation, he visited SED to see how other designers thought outside the box. Once at Fen Farm, Holmes selected Merlo's Roto as an example of...

Automatic option for Unimogs.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Mercedes-Benz has added an electronic AutomaticShift transmission option on Unimog U400 and U500 all-terrain implement carriers and U3000 to U5000 high-mobility chassis. The system is similar to that in the Actros road-going trucks,...

McAlpine Asset debut.(McAlpine Asset Management)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... As part of the restructuring and new corporate identity adopted by Alfred McAlpine (see News), its plant arm formerly known as AMPL has become McAlpine Asset Management. George Crompton, managing director of the plant division, said there will...

Calling all swingers, hackers and bandits.
October 8, 2003... A round of golf in France, lunch at the clubhouse, two nights' accommodation on a Brittany cruiser, including a presentation dinner on the return journey and, of course, time for a visit to the hypermarket - all for [pounds sterling]99....

Rok puts Galliford bid on backburner.(Rok announces its bid for Galliford Try was over)
October 8, 2003... Galliford remains unmoved by [pounds sterling]110m offer but a management buy-out may follow. Rok effectively signalled that its [pounds sterling]110m bid for Galliford Try was over late on Friday last week when director Mark Kay told the...

Laing O'Rourke leads way in IT savings.(Laing O'Rourke focues on electronic technology to cut costs)
October 8, 2003... Construction software group Asite hails contractor's commitment to electronic technology as share purchase plan is announced. Laing O'Rourke should be seen as a role model for the way it is taking advantage of electronic technology to save...

Dieci updates range.(Dieci will announce several modifications to its telehandler range)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Telehandler updates, new models and attachments make debut. Dieci will announce a number of modifications to its telehandler range as well as launching three new models and a boom attachment at this month's SAIE exhibition in Bologna,...

Mixed reaction to CliK scheme.(Constructionline's plan to create a register of firms' technical competencies receives a mixed response)
October 8, 2003... Industry associations divided over Constructionline plan to create register of firms' technical competencies. Constructionline's plans for a library of registered firms' technical competencies are receiving mixed responses from industry...

HBG at Lincoln University.(HBG and Allenbuild are contending for a contract at Lincoln University)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... HBG is looking to notch up its second contract at Lincoln University inside 12 months. HBG and Allenbuild are the only two contenders left in the chase for the latest deal at the university - the [pounds sterling]5m Great Central Warehouse...

TradePro to help with builders' payments.(the TradePro businesss account is launched to help contractors better manage their finances)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Contractors and merchants to benefit from business account. A new type of business account has been launched to enable contractors to manage their finances better. Endorsed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Builders'...

Interserve strike action vote results imminent.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Results of a ballot on strike action by Interserve employees maintaining Liverpool City Council's housing stock are expected today (Wednesday 8 October). TGWU national secretary Bob Blackman said that action taken by the company in a bid to...

AWG wins bridge deal.(AWG a 15.4 million pound contract for work on the Shetland Islands)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... AWG has seen off four rivals to clinch a [pounds sterling]15.4m deal on the Shetland Islands. The work involves constructing a 700m bridge over the Bressay Sound, including approach roads. Under a version of the early contractor involvement...

Roving safety reps get [pounds sterling]3m.(Andrew Smith announces a backing for worker safety advisers at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Secretary of state for work and pensions Andrew Smith announced [pounds sterling]3m backing for worker safety advisers (WSAs) at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth last week. The government will back the WSA Challenge Fund to the tune...

Simons in B&Q link.(Simons Construction forms a partnership with B&Q)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Partnering deal could be worth [pounds sterling]600m. Simons Construction has scooped a high-profile partnering deal that could add [pounds sterling]600m to its coffers. The sole partnering agreement, with B&Q, will see Simons deliver...

Industry only 'paying lip service to safety'.(construction industry)
October 8, 2003... HSE blitz: 332 prohibitions, 82 improvement notices and 13 possible prosecutions. The Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) chief inspector for construction Kevin Myers has condemned the industry after nearly a quarter of all sites visited in...

Alfred dropped as McAlpine rebrands as one.(construction)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Alfred McAlpine has dropped Alfred from its name as part of a rebranding exercise. The new corporate identity, complete with purple logo, followed feedback from 30 key clients who said McAlpine's capabilities would be easier to understand if...

Miller Homes plan in a flap over bats.(development threatened)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Miller Homes' plan to redevelop a former landfill site in Port Sunlight, Wirral, into a nursing home, 16 townhouses and 42 apartments has been threatened by a colony of bats. Wirral Council has ordered an investigation following a number of...

Insurance costs hit Waterman's profit but acquisition pays off.(consultancy services)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... A 70% upsurge in insurance costs has hit Waterman's latest pre-tax profit - down to [pounds sterling]1.9m ([pounds sterling]3.8m) in the 12 months to 30 June. The multidisciplinary consultancy's "work done" tally climbed to [pounds sterling]61m...

Warings to 'repair' Bath Spa paint job.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Council wins ruling to allow second contractor to remove faulty paint lining in spa. Warings staff are now on site at Mowlem's Bath Spa project after a High Court judge ruled that the latter must permit them access to the site. Bath &...

Two vie for school project.(Northampton Review Schools Reorganisation)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Jarvis and a Babcock & Brown and Ballast jv are the only two groups in the running for Northamptonshire County Council's [pounds sterling]100m PFI schools scheme. The third bidder, a joint venture between Gleeson and PFI provider Canmore, has...

HSE: compulsory training.(Health and Safety Executive proposes transport equipment training)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is to put forward proposals for compulsory training on all "workplace transport equipment" and will consult over a three- or five-year retesting regime. The proposals are being drafted following analysis of...

Earls Court and rigging firm fined.(Unusual Rigging)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... A rigging firm was fined [pounds sterling]20,000 at the Old Bailey last Friday following a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution into the death of a 26-year-old man at Earls Court in London three years ago. Self-employed David Mott, who...

In brief.(construction news)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Crane kills man on Deco Marble site A man has died after a crane hit him while working at a Deco Marble and Granite site in Park Royal, west London. He was taken to Hampstead Hospital on 26 September, but died four days later from serious head...

Orderbook fills up for renamed Kier Eastern.(Kier Anglia changes name)(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... French Kier Anglia has changed its name to Kier Eastern. Kier Eastern chairman Ian Lawson said the new title more accurately reflects the size and scope of the business, which covers work from the Wash down to the Thames Estuary. The business...

In brief.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Totty wins [pounds sterling]13m Manchester flats work Totty has won a [pounds sterling]13m deal to build 138 apartments in City Road East, Manchester, for local developer Mayfair. Work on the seven-storey project is scheduled for completion in...

Wilson Bowden outlines plan for UK housing.(Brief Article)
October 8, 2003... Wilson Bowden believes that housebuilders can deliver the homes that Britain needs, including affordable housing, without recourse to the public purse. In its Partnership for Progress submission to the Barker Review of Housing Supply, the...

The height of ignorance.
October 8, 2003... What is it going to take for some contractors and their clients to realise that working at height is the most dangerous construction activity, and that it requires rigorous risk assessment and effective safety measures? Prohibition notices...