Contract Journal articles from September 2007

Contract Journal archives from September 2007

A-Plant to open new facility on Newark site.(06 Plant)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... A-Plant is building a new facility for its accommodation hire business at Brunel Park in Newark. The new depot will be located adjacent to the A1 and its junction with the A46 and A17 and will be completed by the end of 2007. Work has...

TfL to discount congestion charge on all Euro 5 trucks.(06 Plant)
September 5, 2007... As part of its move to base congestion charging fees on emissions, Transport for London (TfL) is planning to give a discount on the charge for trucks that meet the Euro 5 standards. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed TfL's...

Operated plant hire is the way forward for Hewden.(06 Plant)(colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Firm plans to take on another 50 to 60 plant operators this year to meet demand. colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk Hewden is set to boost its operated plant hire offering and is recruiting a manager to head up its operated plant business....

London Tower Service buys access platforms.(06 Plant)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The UK's first JLG 1230ES vertical mast access platforms are being delivered to London Tower Service of Beckton (London), taking its JLG fleet over the 100-unit mark. The 1230ES is said to be user-friendly and provide platform heights up...

McArdle widens fleet.(06 Plant)(J McArdle)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Earthworks contractor J McArdle is investing [pounds sterling]1.75m in new plant to fulfil a range of contracts, including the widening of the M1 between J6A and 10. Six new TA30 ADTs from Terex are helping remove 1.9 million cubic metres...

Metro filters will control indoor diesel smoke.(06 Plant)(Metro Equipment)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... A new range of Ex-Klean diesel particulate filters from Metro Equipment is claimed to provide a simple, effective and affordable solution for the control of diesel smoke when plant and machinery is operated indoors. The filters come in...

Integrated fm keeps track of hired plant.(06 Plant)(Plant Manager)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Plant Manager from software specialist Integrated fm can help contractors keep track of the hired plant on their sites. The system tracks each item of plant from raising an order, through delivery and management on site to off hiring, and...

Vanson offers smallest luffing jib tower crane.(06 Plant)
September 5, 2007... Italian-built LCL20.1 has 20m jib length and can be specified on towers as small as 1m2. colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk With a 1t lift capacity at its maximum 20m jib length, Vanson Cranes' new LCL 20.1 is said to be the smallest luffing jib...

Volvos add muscle to Cheetham Hill's fleet.(06 Plant)(Cheetham Hill Construction's contract with Volvo Motor Graders Champion Road Machinery Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Cheetham Hill Construction of Bury, Lancashire, has started adding Volvo excavators to its fleet, which already contains Swedish-built ADTs. The company has taken delivery of five 21t EC210Cs, plus 36t and 46t B-series machines, Volvo's...

Respecting your people leads to better business performance.(07 Insight)
September 5, 2007... Constructing Excellence's new report surveying organisations that have implemented the Respect for People agenda shows that they have all reaped real business benefits. James Atkinson reports. It is surprising that the Respect for People...

Manchester Metrolink work up for grabs.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... Contractors are being invited by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTE) to bid for the [pounds sterling]520m Manchester Metrolink Phase 3a extension project. Work involves constructing a 22.5km link from Victoria...

Union rep claims he was abused at Coinford site.(01 News)(Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians's Mick Dooley )
September 5, 2007... UCATT officer says he was set upon by staff and security during healthy and safety visit. neil.gerrard@rbi.co.uk A trade union official is considering legal action against Surrey-based contractor Coinford, following claims he was...

Construction death and injury toll mounts.(01 News)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... The fatalITY and serious injury toll in construction showed no sign of slowing last week, with one death and one serious accident. The toll continued to rise as a crane installer was killed after he was hit on the head by a 2.5t steel beam on a...

01 News.
September 5, 2007... ROUND AND ROUND Geotechnical specialist Bachy Soletanche (BSL) has completed work on a circular secant shaft near Ammanford, South Wales, to assist in the construction of the Felindre to Tirley natural gas pipeline. BSL was subcontracted to...

News round-upa[euro]*a[euro]*.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... The Sunday Telegraph reported rail industry experts' predictions that a Network Rail report on February's Cumbrian rail crash, written by its own senior employees, will be damning. The report could prompt action from the Office of Rail...

08 CJ2.(Network Housing Group's housing)
September 5, 2007... Saint Quintin View is disturbingly ordinary. By the side of the North Pole Road in Hammersmith and Fulham, overlooking the stretch of scrub that gives Wormwood Scrubs its name, builders are putting the finishing touches to the development in...

HBG tipped to win [pounds sterling]130m King's Cross regen work.(04 Contracts)(brian.warner@rbi.co.uk)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Contractor set to pip Carillion to Eastern Goods Yard redevelopment scheme. brian.warner@rbi.co.uk Industry insiders say that HBG looks set to pounce on a high-profile package of work in north London in the aftermath of a mini-tender...

Defence Estates picks firms to bid for RAF work.(04 Contracts)
September 5, 2007... Defence Estates, a division of the Ministry of Defence, has recruited six contractors to pitch for up to [pounds sterling]40m-worth of construction work at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire and RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. On parade for the...

Kier bags UCL museum deal.(04 Contracts)
September 5, 2007... Kier's price of [pounds sterling]17.68m has won the contractor a deal for University College London (UCL) in Bloomsbury, trumping rivals Norwest Holst and Walter Lilly. The prize is to build the Institute of Cultural Heritage - a new...

Allenbuild favourite for Leeds job.(04 Contracts)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Sources say that local firm Allenbuild is moving to the front of the queue in the four-way contest for a [pounds sterling]20m retail-sector job in Leeds. The word is that the firm is well-placed to win the revamp of the Headrow Centre for...

ISG's London and Leeds brace is worth [pounds sterling]40m.(04 Contracts)
September 5, 2007... ISG has won two contracts worth a total of [pounds sterling]40m in London and Leeds. The larger contract involves giving a total makeover to an eight-storey listed building in London's West End under a [pounds sterling]25m deal. The...

[pounds sterling]70m grant lined up for Leicester hospitals.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... A [pounds sterling]70m grant to patch and mend Leicester's three hospitals is in the pipeline just weeks after the local NHS trust was forced to scrap plans for a [pounds sterling]711m privately financed hospital redevelopment project. The deal...

Unions increase action as Metronet talks break down.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... Union leaders stepped up their opposition to the London Under-ground Public Private Partnership (PPP) this week, threatening to call out workers at Tube Lines as well as Metronet. As CJ went to press more than 2,000 Metronet maintenance...

01 News.
September 5, 2007... What do you value most? A willingness to work or the skills to do the job properly? For anyone running a contracting business or managing a site, the answer would be both - in spades. But it is a reflection of the times we live in that a...

Low carbon: it's not all hot air.(09 Focus)(100 percent detail show)
September 5, 2007... 100% Detail takes place later this month. James Stagg looks at the key issues that will be debated at the show. BOG STANDARD Visitors to Geberit's stand will be among the first to see the Balena 8000, a wall-hung shower toilet designed for...

09 Focus.(constuction industry awards)(recruitment management)
September 5, 2007... Being a finalist at the Contract Journal Best Places to Work in Construction Awards takes some doing - after all, the judges aren't external experts, they're your own staff, and impressing employees on a day-to-day basis is certainly not easy....

14 Back Page.(Editorial)
September 5, 2007... It shouldn't happen to a roofer Contractors working for Berkeley Homes recently got more than they bargained for while working on its St George Wharf development in London. The shiny green block of flats and offices (pictured), which...

Multiplex to return to UK contracting sector.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... New owner will pursue tower projects and Olympic Village, but not stadium work. By Grant Prior PRESSURE from new owner Brook-field is believed to be behind Multiplex's decision to re-enter the UK contracting market. The U-turn...

Hatfield council workers to hold second strike.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... Construction workers at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in Hertfordshire have called a second one-day strike for tomorrow (6 September). They are protesting against the outsourcing of the council's housing maintenance and refurbishment...

Immigrant workers lack experience in building.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... Finding that most migrant workers hold CSCS cards raises question over cards' validity. john.darcy@rbi.co.uk Seven out of 10 immigrant workers in the construction industry have no previous site experience, a new survey is expected to...

Pay strike action may spread to prison builders.(01 News)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Industrial action by prison officers may spread to building workers in the Prison Service. While prison officers took strike action last week over their pay award for this year, building workers have not yet received an offer. A UCATT...

02 Business.(Balfour Beatty Ltd. acquired Cowlin Construction)
September 5, 2007... john.leitch@rbi.co.uk Balfour Beatty's drive to strengthen its presence in the UK regional building and civil engineering sector is behind its [pounds sterling]52m acquisition of Cowlin Group. Cowlin comes with a [pounds sterling]20m...

02 Business.(Henry Boot and Sons PLC)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Henry Boot has enjoyed a vibrant [pounds sterling]22m interim pre-tax profit and the news is that things are likely to get better still - chairman John Reis commented that profitability for the full year is expected to be biased towards the...

Rok purchases Harrison Constructionfor [pounds sterling]3.2m.(01 News)(APAC Inc. Harrison Construction Div.)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... Rok has paid [pounds sterling]3.2m for Harrison Construction, a North Yorkshire-based construction group with a [pounds sterling]30m turnover. Rok could add a further [pounds sterling]1.6m to the price once all the sums have been done. The...

Job seeking gets easier.(09 Focus)
September 5, 2007... Want to find new employees? Or find a job yourself? Then visit our relaunched jobs site www.ConstructionJobsUK.com. If you are looking for a new recruit - or you're a job seeker yourself, then you need to visit Contract Journal's newly...

Cemex plays down owner-driver strike threat.(01 News)
September 5, 2007... Cemex has played down the threat of strike action by concrete mixer owner drivers unhappy at pay rates and poor service levels. Mike Ogden, vice president of materials at Cemex, claimed there was "no appetite for industrial action" despite...

08 CJ2.(Survey)
September 5, 2007... We all work hard. Some of us work harder than others - and get recognised for it. Some of us work hard, but aren't in a position to be appropriately recognised and rewarded - and it's this latter category CJ wants to highlight. We asked a...

Slag wins change of status to a by-product.(05 Products and Materials)
September 5, 2007... Reclassification of blast furnace slag means it will not need a waste certificate. james.stagg@rbi.co.uk After seven years of industry lobbying, blast furnace slag (BFS) has been reclassified by the Environment Agency (EA) as a...

Interest rate hike may drive building materials price rise.(05 Products and Materials)
September 5, 2007... The rise in interest rates may further drive up the cost of building materials, according to the CBI's August Industrial Trends Survey. After a strong first half of the year, manufacturers forecasting growth dipped to 10% in July and only...

CRH may make offer for Tarmac.(05 Products and Materials)
September 5, 2007... CRH has indicated that it would consider bidding for Tarmac after posting strong interim results. The Ireland-based building materials supplier spent [pounds sterling]1.4bn on acquisitions in 2006 and has spent a further [pounds...

ATES system to heat UK housing.(05 Products and Materials)(Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... A social housing project located at Westway Beacons, west London, features the first UK application of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) for space heating and comfort cooling. The system was designed by Fulcrum Consulting, which has...

05 Products and Materials.(prison construction)(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... SECURE BARRIER Built on the site of an old paraffin works, the new [pounds sterling]65m high security prison at Addiewell in West Lothian is being constructed using Ventform panels to provide a passive venting solution for the high levels of...

11 Letters.(Letter to the editor)
September 5, 2007... Materials and waste have big part to play in a green future We are delighted that the construction industry believes that 'green' building is the future (CIOB Survey, CJ 15 August). The challenge now is to translate this awareness into...

13 People.(Morrison Construction Group Ltd. appointed Paul Greig)(Strategic Team Group appointed Martin Davidson)(Buro Happold Consulting Engineers appointed Christopher Perry )(Brief article)
September 5, 2007... What's the best thing about working as an environmental manager? Environmental management is a wide field, so the job is very interesting and varied as I have to deal with many different issues. It's also very rewarding. I am working...

The importance of proper programming.(10 Legal)
September 5, 2007... With litigation doubling by the decade, effective programming is the key to staying out of court. L itigation in the construction industry is doubling by the decade. With the appointment of a second construction litigation judge in the...

Is it legal? Search me?(10 Legal)
September 5, 2007... Can you search staff if you suspect them of stealing stock or selling drugs? On 31 May 2007, the government announced a new legal power for teachers to search their pupils for knives and other offensive weapons without consent. So do...

01 News.
September 5, 2007... LIFT OFF Kier Southern is approaching the end of structural completion on the third of a trio of offices at Uxbridge Business Park in London. The [pounds sterling]13m deal for the 8,400m2 site is due to complete in October. The total cost of...

13 People.(dialogue)(Interview)(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... How long have you been involved with the health and safety side of the business? Since the start of my career - a total of 21 years - the last five of those with Bardon Contracting. Health and safety is key to our ongoing business...

Strike action by Cemex drivers is 'unavoidable'.(01 News)
September 12, 2007... Drivers' rep says firm has failed to make requested improvements to pay procedure. neil.gerrard@rbi.co.uk Strike action by 700 Cemex hauliers is now "unavoidable" and could see a series of one-day stoppages later this month, according...

Housing Corporation unveils criteria for winning funds.(01 News)
September 12, 2007... The Housing Corporation has launched the criteria through which affordable housebuilders can access [pounds sterling]8bn of government funds. The details are contained in the Housing Corporation's Prospectus for its 2008-11 National...

A-Plant fleet utilisation hits all-time high at 72%.(06 Plant)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... Internal changes in depot structure largely to thank for upturn in productivity. colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk A-Plant has recorded its highest utilisation ever - 72% - in the three months to the end of July. According to A-Plant...

01 News.(North Lincolnshire Council's contract to build schools)(University of Warwick's construction contract)(Stockton Riverside College's construction contract)
September 12, 2007... Architectural steelwork subbie Kimber Engineering has gone into administration. The company, based in South Ockendon, Essex, worked with a variety of major contractors and housebuilders before it called time on the business earlier this month....

Norwest Holst on course for Barnet school.(04 Contracts)
September 12, 2007... Industry insiders say Norwest Holst has made the grade for an education-sector deal in north London. Weighing in at up to [pounds sterling]33m, it is one of the biggest schemes of its type to come up for grabs for some time. Sources say...

Six share E Yorkshire civils work.(04 Contracts)(East Riding of Yorkshire Council)(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... Six contractors out of an original field of 10 hopefuls will share in [pounds sterling]52m-worth of civil engineering work for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. In the frame are Morrison, Wright Civil Engineering, Wold Construction,...

Osborne bags [pounds sterling]40m office scheme in East London.(04 Contracts)(Geoffrey Osborne Ltd.)(London Borough of Hackney Council )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... Geoffrey Osborne has scooped a [pounds sterling]40m public-sector deal in London's East End. The Hackney Council scheme, at Hillman Street, goes under the banner of the Service First Centre. The centrepiece of the design and construct...

Five in hunt for Southampton college scheme.(04 Contracts)
September 12, 2007... Five candidates are vying to make the grade on a [pounds sterling]25m to [pounds sterling]31m college project in Southampton. Wates, Carillion, Leadbitter, Norwest Holst and local firm Trant Construction are on the register for the City...

Skanska closes in on [pounds sterling]50m Scots hospital.(04 Contracts)(State Hospitals Board of Scotland)(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... Contractor now in final talks for new-build secure mental hospital in Carstairs. brian.warner@rbi.co.uk Skanska looks to have made the cut for a [pounds sterling]50m hospital deal in Scotland - one of the few north of the Border not to...

BSF review will focus on costs and delivery speed.(01 News)(Building Schools for the Future)(Interview)
September 12, 2007... Partnerships for Schools chief says review will also tackle streamlining and regeneration. carol.millett@rbi.co.uk A fundamental review of the government's [pounds sterling]45bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme is to be...

75% of PFI schemes see cost of services rise.(01 News)(privately financed schemes)(Partnerships UK )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... Three-quarters of operational privately financed schemes (PFI) have seen the cost of their services rise in the first five years, CJ can reveal. The data is based on the first 49 operational PFI schemes to have value tested their services...

FTA explains driver CPCs.(06 Plant)(Freight Transport Association (United Kingdom))(Certificate of Professional Competence )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... The need for truck drivers to have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) will be the main topic in this year's Transport Manager Seminars run by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The CPC requirement is being introduced in...

More than a supporting role.(16 Profile)(dialogue with Emma Penny of Kier Support Services )(Interview)
September 12, 2007... Kier Support Services is a rapidly-growing business - and one which is set for even greater growth. Emma Penny talks to its managing director, Ian Lawson. How does Kier Support Services (KSS) fit with the rest of the Kier Group? It is...

Contractors face fines for lack of CIS compliance.(01 News)(Construction Industry Scheme )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... CONTRACTORS could be hit with thousands of unwarranted tax fines when a six-month CIS amnesty comes to an end next month. HMRC will penalise companies for failing to comply with new CIS legislation after 19 October, but industry experts are...

Mandatory code rating for new homes.(10 Legal)
September 12, 2007... What will the impact be of the government's proposal to introduce a Code for Sustainable Homes? The government is consulting on a proposal to require all new homes to have a rating under the Code for Sustainable Homes from April 2008. ...

13 People.(career development)
September 12, 2007... The dos and don'ts of one of the key aspects of personal development. The ability to set and achieve goals is one of the most invaluable personal development tools you can have. Goals give your life purpose and define the difference...

06 Plant.(rapid impact compaction )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... What is rapid impact compaction (RIC)? RIC is commonly used in areas of granular soils such as the Middle East and involves rapidly and repeatedly hitting the ground to compact the soil. This creates imprints that are backfilled with...

ECA tops the rich-list for construction.(01 News)
September 12, 2007... Latest figures confirm the Electrical Contractors Association's (ECA) status as the richest employer body in the construction industry. At the end of last year, the ECA had total assets of more than [pounds sterling]85m. The figure for assets...

Electricians split on strike decision.(01 News)
September 12, 2007... A national selective strike by site electricians hangs in the balance after members of the Amicus section of Unite have reportedly failed to back the move. The union carried out a consultation of its members after a breakdown in talks on...

Specialists back move to end cash retentions.(05 Products and Materials)
September 12, 2007... Thumbs-up for move to introduce retention bonds and ensure payment within 30 days. james.stagg@rbi.co.uk Specialist contractors have welcomed an initiative to strike out cash retention clauses from contracts and instead agree a...

BAR forced to pull ads following breach.(05 Products and Materials)
September 12, 2007... The British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) has been forced to withdraw adverts for the third time following complaints that its claims are misleading. Earlier this year, the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) found that some BAR...

Crack-down on pollution crimes.(05 Products and Materials)(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... The construction and demolition sector caused 23 serious pollution incidents in 2006, while fines handed out to businesses in the sector totalled [pounds sterling]242,000, according to the Environment Agency (EA). In its annual report on...

Advanced claims roof recycling first.(05 Products and Materials)
September 12, 2007... Derbyshire-based roofing company Advanced Roofing is to launch what it believes is the first recycling scheme for plastic sheet roofing. The company has been working on a project to turn waste PVC single-ply roofing membranes into products...

13 People.(briefs)(M Halliday and Sons Ltd. )(Brief article)
September 12, 2007... United House Tom Whatling has been appointed to the new post of environment manager at United House. He previously worked at Gleeson Homes. M Halliday & Sons Julie Ellis has become sales and marketing director of the West...

Recoverability of settlements.(10 Legal)
September 12, 2007... Are sums paid out as settlements recoverable as damages? It is not uncommon on construction contracts for one party to be facing a claim for damages when, at the same time, it is making a similar claim arising out of the same incident...

01 News.
September 12, 2007... In this world of political correctness, the headline of this week's comment might attract a double-take or two. But it's not some sort of neanderthal approach to winning contracts, or some euphemism for a successful date. Ask anyone under the...

The dos and don'ts of advertising.(10 Legal)
September 12, 2007... How to avoid charges of discrimination when advertising job vacancies. In an increasingly litigious age, it is important to take care when publishing job adverts. It's all too easy to inadvertently discriminate against applicants, which...

13 People.(dialogue with employee of CJ Haughey Construction Ltd )(Interview)
September 19, 2007... How long have you been involved with the health and safety side of the business? Although I only joined CJ Haughey this year, I have filled the role of director responsible for health and safety in other companies for many, many years. ...

A-Plant applies 'traffic light' system to all kit.(06 Plant)(Brief article)
September 19, 2007... Hirer rolls out scheme on vibrating machines across network and improves Site Safety Pack. colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk A-Plant has adopted the new 'traffic light' labelling system for hand-arm vibration (HAV) levels on all its...

Diesel filters are the future.(09 Focus)
September 19, 2007... Diesel particulate filters will be necessary throughout the country within a few years. Colin Sowman reviews the developments so far. Like it or not, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are becoming a reality some four years ahead of the...

Achilles finds no heel at Hewden.(06 Plant)(Brief article)
September 19, 2007... Hewden says new research shows it is performing well ahead of the industry in terms of safety, health, environment and quality. Evaluations conducted by information provider Achilles marked the hirer on various categories in both its management...

Rental firms in danger.(06 Plant)
September 19, 2007... Pierrick Lourdain, group sales manager of the Haulotte Group, has predicted bankruptcies among several European rental companies in the coming months. Speaking at IPAF's first Europlatform conference, he said this could force manufacturers...

Manitou aims to double output.(06 Plant)
September 19, 2007... Evolution 14m and 18m models are redesigned with a sturdier chassis and bevel drive incorporated into gearbox. colin.sowman@rbi.co.uk French manufacturer Manitou aims to double output by 2014 and has started to renew its medium and...

In brief.(06 Plant)
September 19, 2007... Docklands-based London Tower Services has added a pair of Niftylift Height Rider 21 Bi-Energy (HR21BE) access platforms to its fleet. The 21m working height self-propelled units combine battery and diesel power, have a 13m outreach and are...

Griffith A'I Gwmni Cyf becomes Volvo dealer.(06 Plant)
September 19, 2007... Volvo Construction Equipment has appointed Griffith A'I Gwmni Cyf, of Rhosfawr, near Pwllheli, as a compact equipment dealer for north Wales. Having evaluated the top players in the country, husband and wife team Arwel and Elaine Griffith,...

01 News.(Building Regulations)(Brief article)
September 19, 2007... The president of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA) has urged the government to enforce vital changes in Part L of the Building Regulations. Speaking at the HVCA President's Lunch last week, John Miller warned that...