Contract Journal articles from October 2005

Contract Journal archives from October 2005

Covenant restriction.
October 5, 2005... Martin and Jocelyn Mortimer own and occupy a house in Northaller-ton in North Yorkshire. In August 1992, Colin and Anna Bailey bought the adjacent property. The Mortimers and Baileys became good neighbours and friends. However, in early 2000...

Persimmon looks to steel frames.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Persimmon Homes is considering using steel frames for bespoke apartment blocks. The company has traditionally used timber-frame for three- and four-storey buildings and masonry for lower structures, but South West technical director Simon...

New categories join CSCS card.
October 5, 2005... Two new categories for shotfiring and driller operation have been added to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Initially, individuals without an NVQ, but with the necessary verifiable experience, can apply directly for a gold...

Housebuilding needs 165,000 extra workers.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The housebuilding industry needs up to 165,000 extra workers if it is to achieve Barker Review-level output targets, according to new research. The Labour Needs Of Extra Housing Output: Can The Housebuilding Industry Cope?, written by Michael...

Crane hirers may; lose diesel rebate.
October 5, 2005... Rental firms are considering charging customers more if they lose right to use red diesel. Mobile crane rental firms may be forced to add a fuel surcharge if the government goes ahead with its proposal to outlaw their use of rebated red...

Exterior six months late on Edinburgh college.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Exterior is facing delays on its contract to build one of Scotland's largest colleges. The [pounds sterling]67m Telford College waterfront campus scheme in Granton, Edinburgh, was due to be completed by December this year. However, staff and...

Penny drops a new crane into action.
October 5, 2005... Penny Hydraulics' new Maxiloader 1500 vehicle-mounted crane can handle loads up to 1.5t at its full 2.3m reach. The unit is designed with a minimum footprint to minimise the loss of load space, and can be fitted to vans, flatbeds, tippers and...

100% attention to Detail.
October 5, 2005... This year's 100% Detail showcased the latest breakthrough technology in building products. Richard Stirling went along to investigate. This year's 100% Detail exhibition showcased innovation in building products, making it an unmissable...

Nozzle detectors will prevent fuel accidents.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Within two years, Ford will be fitting an intelligent refuelling system that prevents petrol being put into diesel-engined vehicles. More than 150,000 people a year use the wrong fuel. This can damage the engine and is not usually covered by...

Volvo introduces 13-litre and updates cabs.
October 5, 2005... Volvo Truck has introduced a 13-litre engine and an updated 9-litre unit, along with improved FH and FM truck cabs. The new 13-litre engine is lighter and more powerful than the 12-litre unit it replaces, with the extra capacity coming from a...

Remote Brokks take to the floor at Festival Hall.(Royal Festival Hall)(English Heritage)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Demolition specialist John F Hunt is using a pair of remote controlled machines to remove the concrete stage and auditorium floor inside the Royal Festival Hall. The electrically-powered Brokk 180 machines have the twin advantages of not...

Crane operators respond to WAHR.
October 5, 2005... This year's implementation of the Work at Height Regulations has led to a number of initiatives from the crane industry, according to industry consultant Tim Watson. He said nearly 50% of major construction-related injuries res-ulted from falls...

Metso extends warranties.(Metso Minerals)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Metso managing director Dave Moon feels added value for customers is paramount in the current market. Metso Minerals has launched a number of new customer care protection plans in an effort to improve and lengthen the lifetime of its...

Rising star.(Stuart Appelbe)(Q and A)(Brief Article)(Interview)
October 5, 2005... Stuart Appelbe, project manager, Taylor Woodrow What are your current day-to-day responsibilities? I'm responsible for a team of 30 staff managing the delivery of Wembley Park underground station. It's a very challenging programme to...

How to.(construction industry)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... ... deal with a bad boss Nearly one in four UK bosses are bad or dreadful, say employees, according to The Good Boss Report from The Good Boss Company, which campaigns for better bosses in the UK. A bad boss can have a dramatic effect on...

...housebuilders fail to encourage youngsters.(Letter to the Editor)
October 5, 2005... Sir, I write in connection with the "Training, not poaching..." letter (CJ 7 September). We operate an apprenticeship scheme for school leavers who start at the age of 16. This year two of my men who have gone to site inductions with two of...

More benefits of training...
October 5, 2005... Delta finds training its employees leads to continuity of site knowledge and quality of service to clients. Sir, After reading the letter "Training, not poaching, is the way to success", in the 7 September issue, I felt compelled to...

Network Rail ignores its own policy.
October 5, 2005... Sir, I feel I must comment on Network Rail (NR) director of maintenance Richard Fenny's letter (CJ 14 September), which included the statement: "NR contracts for rail plant will be awarded to contractors that can satisfy our requirements on...

Mowlem's poor margins set to continue in 2006.(John Mowlem and Company PLC)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Chief executive of Mowlem forecasts small but progressive improvement in wake of pitiful financial results. Mowlem's latest financial results are a woeful read as turnover of [pounds sterling]1.1bn generated little more than [pounds...

Barratt posts more growth.(Barratt Developments PLC)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Barratt, the housebuilder, has unveiled another record set of results. "Our 13th consecutive year of organic growth," said David Pretty, chief executive. During the latest financial period (12 months to 30 June 2005) Barratt's average selling...

Developers to think recycling.
October 5, 2005... Olympic developers will need recycled material to meet targets. Developers will have to change their attitudes to recycled materials if they are to meet targets for Olympic projects, the recycling industry said last week. Day Aggregates...

Scots look to late 2006 for LIFT take-off.(Local Improvement Finance Trust )(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Scotland aims to have its first NHS LIFT-style contracts out to market by autumn next year, Mike Baxter, head of private finance and capital unit in the Scottish Executive Health Department, told delegates. Baxter said there would probably be...

Profits double at Holloway White Allom.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Holloway White Allom generated [pounds sterling]9m of the group's latest [pounds sterling]45m annual turnover from its three "fledgling" divisions. "I'm happy with the way they've grown," said managing director Bob Cole. The overall figures...

back bites.(Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd., Mowlem PLC, contracts)
October 5, 2005... We can work it out The house where Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was born is to be taken down brick by brick and preserved. Local housing chiefs had wanted to demolish the house in the Toxteth area of Merseyside as part of a [pounds...

"We're ; a clean, risk-free business".(Gleeson Building)
October 5, 2005... Gleeson Building's MBO team hopes a sophisticated risk-management strategy will ensure the dark days of spiralling losses and inappropriate projects never happen again. Helen McCormick talks to chief executive Martin Smout about his plans for...

Gordon Morrison buys housing firm.
October 5, 2005... Morrison brother buys south-east based, [pounds sterling]21m turnover social housing firm, Richardson. Gordon Morrison, who along with his brother Sir Fraser sold Morrison Construction to AWG in 2000, has returned to the construction...

Adjudication costly but ok.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... There are "better rules and more natural justice in a pub brawl", according to a respondent to James R Knowles' survey on adjudication. Other respondents commented that adjudication is a "very expensive and unjust process which has no finality"...

Bouygues seals [pounds sterling]68m PFI school.
October 5, 2005... French firm is appointed preferred bidder for Peterborough. Bouygues has registered its second PFI schools triumph this year by graduating to preferred bidder status on Peterborough City Council's [pounds sterling]68m project. Pitching as...

Amey improves road rating.
October 5, 2005... Amey overtakes Bear for award of least number of default notices, as both battle to renew [pounds sterling]350m Scottish trunk roads contracts. Amey will be hoping that findings from the latest Performance Audit Group (PAG) report into...

United promises supply deals.(United Utilities PLC and Uponor)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... United Utilities (UU) told CJ it plans to hand out massive supply deals after it struck up a [pounds sterling]42.5m contract with pipes manufacturer Uponor last week. The company signed the first deal with the plastics extruder, in what it...

Interior Services buys Propencity for [pounds sterling]12.5m.
October 5, 2005... Acquisition of Totty, Jackson and Dean & Bowes will boost ISG's turnover to [pounds sterling]700m in a complete financial year. Interior Services Group (ISG) has bought Propencity for [pounds sterling]12.5m (including [pounds...

NI ponders LIFT-style contract.(Northern Ireland)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Northern Ireland has yet to decide if it will adopt a LIFT-style contract for the renewal of its primary health care facilities, according to Leo McKenna, strategic adviser with Northern Ireland's Strategic Investment Board. He said a decision...

Local companies to win [pounds sterling]40m Kent housing job.
October 5, 2005... Local firms have almost swept the board in the contest for [pounds sterling]40m-worth of housing upgrade work in Kent. The project, for registered social landlord West Kent Housing Association, will span 10 years and cover 5,500 homes. Most of...

Balfour Beatty scoops [pounds sterling]45.6m education deal.(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Balfour Beatty has held off challenges from two rivals to clinch a [pounds sterling]45.6m education scheme in North Yorkshire. The York College Higher and Further Education campus will be the biggest of its kind in the country. It involves a...

HSE plans 2006 falls from height campaign.(Health and Safety Executive)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is planning a major campaign in the new year aimed at targeting falls from height. Speaking exclusively to CJ, Dr Elizabeth Gibby, director of the HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme, said the campaign would...

Top four fight it out for [pounds sterling]17m Yorks academy.(West Yorkshire)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Four outfits are vying for a [pounds sterling]17m academy schools scheme in West Yorkshire. The line-up for the Bradford Academy is HBG, Miller, Balfour Beatty and Amec. The task is to construct a school specialising in citizenship and...

18-month bid time for next NHS LIFT.
October 5, 2005... Partnerships for Health extends LIFT bidding period to include clinical and FM services. The bidding period for fourth-wave NHS LIFT schemes will be extended to 18 months to allow for the inclusion of clinical and soft FM services,...

Contractors urged to cough up for health scheme.
October 5, 2005... Contractors will have to pay a levy in the future to help finance a national roll-out of the Constructing Better Health occupational health programme, according to Construction Skills Certification Scheme chairman George Brumwell. Brumwell,...

Four bid [pounds sterling]250m for Cambridge highway deal.
October 5, 2005... Contractors and their consultants will pick up the tender paperwork later this month for Cambridge-shire County Council's 10-year, [pounds sterling]250m highways maintenance deal, which comes up for renewal next September. The line up is:...

Jarvis's roads sale in doubt after deficit.(Accord Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Cracks seem to be appearing in the proposed acquisition of Jarvis's highways business by Accord. Reports suggest that Accord is getting cold feet over the purchase of the business, in particular Jarvis's [pounds sterling]270m, 20-year...

Training centre needs full industry support.(ACT-UK project)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The team behind a planned [pounds sterling]8m training centre in the West Midlands is calling for industry support. ACT-UK, as the project is known, will be based at two sites in Coventry. It will incorporate a virtual-reality simulation...

Galliford buys mobile phone surveying firm.
October 5, 2005... Galliford Try has paid [pounds sterling]1.1m for Pentland, a firm of chartered surveyors that provides both site acquisition and planning services to the mobile phone industry. The deal will cost Galliford an additional [pounds...

Laing sells its half of DMH.
October 5, 2005... John Laing has sold its 50% equity investment in Defence Management Holdings (DMH) for [pounds sterling]5.9m to Serco. DMH has a contract with the Ministry of Defence to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Joint Services Command &...

Overpricing verdict due next spring.(AWG Construction Services Inc.)(Fraser Morrison)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The verdict in the AWG v Morrison court case is not now expected until spring of 2006. The case will finally reach court in December, with witnesses being called back in late January. Reaching a verdict will take a further month of...

Skills cards planned for timber.
October 5, 2005... The offsite construction sector has taken inspiration from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), with plans for most timber erectors to carry cards by next summer. The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) expects up to 4,000...

Unions attack ECIA 'double standards'.
October 5, 2005... Unions claim ECIA members failed to report pending projects, thereby allowing major projects to escape NAECI. The Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA) stands accused of double standards and turning a blind eye to...

ConstructionSkills up for industry challenges.
October 5, 2005... ConstructionSkills events promoting National Construction Week (NCW), which starts tomorrow, have been structured around five core industry challenges: sustainability; specialists; diversity; skills; and enterprise. ConstructionSkills...

[pounds sterling]120m NHS LIFT deal out to tender in Kent.(Local Improvement Finance Trust)(primary care trusts)(national Health Service)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... The [pounds sterling]120m Sustainable Comm-unities in Kent NHS LIFT scheme was launched this week. This is the third of the fourth wave schemes to be let; the [pounds sterling]27m Bury, Thameside and Glossop NHS LIFT scheme is also understood...

Eight Welsh RSLs join to boost buying power.
October 5, 2005... Eight Welsh housing associations have joined forces in a bid to maximize their purchasing power and cut procurement costs. The new partnership, known as Integrate, has combined funding of [pounds sterling]24m for 2005/6, which will be matched...

Social housing set for LIFT-style deals.
October 5, 2005... Councils are ready to test pilot schemes by December if ODPM gives approval to local housing partnerships. A new way of delivering privately- financed social housing schemes, based on the NHS LIFT model, could be launched by the end of the...

CJ's CIS event will bring you up to speed.(information on new CIS rules)(Brief Article)
October 5, 2005... Are you ready for the new CIS rules? Want to swot up before you get caught out by HM Customs and Revenue (HMRC)? Then you'd better head to CJ's CIS conference on 1 November. The conference, run in conjunction with CJ's sister company, legal...

Editor's comment.(housing)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
October 5, 2005... LIFT-style schemes the way forward Social housing schemes could be about to receive a much-needed shot in the arm - as well as a much-needed boost from the private sector. It really is a mystery why anybody would currently wish to commit to a...

Estimators must get the message.
October 5, 2005... The jobs of Mowlem's estimators are at risk if they fail to step into line and comply with Vivian's new rules. "The new policy requires a culture change and we're not there yet," he said. "Estimators have to forward tenders, for example, as...

Nomination procedures.(Palmac Contracting v. Park Lane Estates' adjudicator nomination case)
October 12, 2005... A constant pre-occupation of philosophers throughout the ages has been which came first, the chicken or the egg? Thankfully, construction adjudicators have to grapple with slightly less taxing matters. For example, what must come first, the...

Raynesway ; grows up.(Raynesway Construction Southern)
October 12, 2005... Raynesway Construction Southern is nearly 10 years old, but has spent most of its existence keeping a pretty low profile inside the giant Balfour Beatty group. However, that may change with managing director John Jackson's growth ambitions, as...

Industry retentions 'scam' uncovered.(Specialist Engineering Contractors)
October 12, 2005... Main contractors are holding retentions, not requested by clients, as part of a money-making scheme. Around [pounds sterling]500m in retentions is being held unnecessarily as a "scam" by main contractors at any one time, even though...

Optima devises safety check.
October 12, 2005... Road maintenance consortium combats the rising number of road worker fatalities with new safety system that vets 100% of staff. The Optima highways maintenance consortium of Jarvis, Accord and Atkins is looking to improve worker health...

back bites.(construction industry news)
October 12, 2005... What's in a name? Back bites' attention was drawn to a list of contractors that had been served with winding up petitions. Among the names was Bob The Bodger (Design & Construction) of Haverfordwest. Hardly a name to instill much trust in...

Balfour's bid scuppered on [pounds sterling]2.2bn Birmingham roads PFI.(Balfour Beatty Construction Inc)(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Balfour Beatty has pulled out of the [pounds sterling]2.2bn Birmingham City Council (BCC) highways PFI contract half-way through the bidding process. Balfour was teamed up with Mouchel Parkman for the 25-year contract against the three...

CIS: coming soon to a site near you...
October 12, 2005... In the dark about CIS? Frances Strickley from the employment unit of solicitors firm Thomas Eggar explains everything you need to know about the changes to the scheme - and what you should be doing before the deadline next April. The...

Framework plea from City Academies firms.
October 12, 2005... Schools contractors fear [pounds sterling]5bn government scheme could fail without a ProCure 21-style framework in place. Leading schools contractors are calling for the government's [pounds sterling]5bn City Academies programme to set up...

Speedy buys out four Delyn Hire depots in Wales.(Speedy Hire PLC)(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Speedy Hire said it is approaching its 400-depot target after the purchase of Delyn Hire Centres in north Wales for a cash consideration of [pounds sterling]1.2m. Speedy Hire group finance director Neil O'Brien said the company now has 310...

Johnston purchase goes ahead.(Johnston Sweepers acquires Bucher Industries)(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... The UK Competition Commission has given final clearance for the acquisition of Johnston Sweepers by Bucher Industries, following the sale in March. The formal clearance means that the incorporation of the companies, which includes Johnston's...

Traditionalists slam timber frame claims.
October 12, 2005... The row continues to rage over whether changes to Part L of the government Building Regulations will satisfy brick and block methods of building. The Traditional Housing Bureau (THB) has slammed claims from timber frame producers that...

JCB scoops [pounds sterling]81m army backhoe deal.
October 12, 2005... JCB has been awarded its largest-ever order - expected to be worth up to [pounds sterling]81m - to build a high- speed backhoe loader for the US armed forces. The unit, known as the High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE), is the biggest,...

60-second interview.
October 12, 2005... Brian Griffiths, chief executive, B&CE - the largest supplier of financial services and employee benefits to the UK construction industry Where did you go to school and what qualifications did you come away with? I went to Collyers...

How to.(corporate social responsibility)(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... ... work a room Social events connected with business present a prime opportunity to network and build contacts, which in turn will help to advance your professional and personal aims. But it's easy to squander the opportunity. Occasions...

Takeover by Dickie forms largest fleet of crushers.
October 12, 2005... With the acquisition of Sheba Plant, Dickie's fleet includes more than 80 items of crushing and screening kit. Scottish contractor H&C Dickie has acquired Sheba Plant of Newark for an undisclosed sum to form what it claims is the UK's...

GE event generates client interest.
October 12, 2005... GE Equipment Services Plant Hire said it received a number of enquiries while participating in a company-wide GE day. The event was staged to show the wide range of companies within the conglomerate: it saw plant hire divisions line-up...

Lifting Equipment Engineers relocates HQ to Huntingdon.
October 12, 2005... The Lifting Equipment Engineers' Association (LEEA) has moved into a new head office in Huntingdon, which will also house its first training centre. While LEEA's correspondence courses were popular, its chief executive Darrick Bates said there...

MW Hire to sell Seddons range in Irish Republic.(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Kilkenny-based MW Hire Services has signed an agreement with Seddons to market and sell its range of equipment in the Republic of Ireland. The Seddons range includes poker drive units, brush cutters, pressure washers and floor scarifiers. As...

Carousel boost for precast cladding.
October 12, 2005... Techrete brings volume manufacturing to concrete cladding sector. Precast concrete cladding will be able to compete fiercely against other materials after Techrete introduced volume manufacturing techniques to the architectural market...

HSE warns of trapping danger.
October 12, 2005... Recent fatalities cause Health & Safety Executive to urge caution for mobile platform and telehandler operators. Following six deaths in the past three years, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning about possible dangers...

Aggregates sector needs more recycled materials.(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... The aggregates sector needs to process an extra 20 million tonnes of recycled and secondary aggregates (RSAs) by 2012 if it wants to remain competitive, claimed recycling body WRAP last week. The organisation claimed construction clients are...

The secrets of Bureau Veritas's success.
October 12, 2005... Consultancy group Bureau Veritas has launched a push to lift its profile in the UK. "Over the past five years, we've expanded into a wide range of services, sometimes where we've been the one with the smaller headcount," said Mick Jenkins,...

Building division pulls Gleeson to [pounds sterling]13m loss.(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Management buy-out of building division should reduce group's risk profile in the future. Gleeson, the housebuilding and construction group, plunged into the red last year. The high cost of jettisoning its troubled building division left...

Two share [pounds sterling]110m rail electrification.
October 12, 2005... Balfour Beatty Rail, in tandem with Carillion, has coupled up to a [pounds sterling]110m deal on the West Coast Main Line electrification upgrade project. The task is to deliver 13 feeder stations and 992km of high voltage feeder for Network...

Demolition NVQ backlog tackled.
October 12, 2005... Demolition firms are aiming to clear a backlog of more than 500 applications for the NVQ accreditation of existing operatives. Howard Button, national secretary of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), said: "The NFDC is to...

Balfour Beatty looks favourite to win [pounds sterling]175m A421 road job.(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Balfour reverses its recent losing streak on highways contracts to take A421/M1 junction 13 to Bedford deal. Industry insiders are putting their money on Balfour Beatty to scoop a Highways Agency (HA) deal in Bedfordshire, worth between...

Operators win bank holiday pay pledge.
October 12, 2005... Government to guarantee bank holiday pay is not incorporated into statutory allowance. Many employers are facing an increase of up to 40% in the cost of operatives' holiday pay. This follows a pledge from Alan Johnson, secretary of state...

Persimmon in contract row.
October 12, 2005... Persimmon Homes and its parent Persimmon plc are facing an [pounds sterling]8m court battle in a row over a development. London-based Chartbrook is claiming a total of [pounds sterling]8,327,840 from the two firms after accusing them of breach...

Four fight for Gloucestershire roads contract.
October 12, 2005... Four groups should know before the month is out which of them has won Gloucestershire County Council's highways maintenance deal, potentially worth [pounds sterling]300m. Biting their nails are Alun Griffiths/Owen Williams; Amscott (Alfred...

The zero tolerance hour.(safety and health concerns of construction workers)
October 12, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive's new chief inspector of construction wants an industry that gets health and safety right first time, right from the start and with the right people involved. Tim Wood finds out how Stephen Williams aims to achieve...

Five work up proposals to redevelop Devonport site.(Brief Article)
October 12, 2005... Five developers are vying for an [pounds sterling]80m-plus deal to redevelop a high-profile site at Devonport, Plymouth. Regeneration agency English Partnerships has chosen Bellway Homes, Crest Nicholson, Midas Homes, Redrow Homes and Urban...