Gordon Best, MPANI

FROM THE DESK OF: GORDON BEST, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MPANI

MORE POSITIVE Gordon Best, MPANI SIGNS ON NI PROTOCOL

By the time of publication of this edition of Plant & Civil Engineer we should know if we are heading to the Polls for another Assembly Election. This place never seems to get a break, does it? The signs are more positive though that negotiations between the EU and UK on the NI Protocol have started and the fact that a possible “landing zone” for agreement has been acknowledged by both sides.

The benefits for our construction materials sector in NI of an agreed solution cannot be overstated. The stability and frictionless logistics between GB and NI are essential so that our industry, particularly our important precast concrete sector can continue to avail of “backload” into the GB market. The continued prosperity of our agri-food sector, our second largest customer, is vitally important for us. However, we do need to see movement and agreement on the cross frontier (EU / RoW into UK) free movement of workers as labour shortages across many industry sectors is now critical with the UK announcing recently that unemployment is lowest in 50 years and labour shortages alarming.

From left Paul Brogan, MPANI Chairman, John O’Dowd, Infrastructure Minister, Gordon Best Regional Director MPANI.

Above from left: David Porter, DfI; Paul Brogan, MPANI Chair; Russell Drew, Breedon Ireland; Glenn Henry, Breedon Ireland; Minister John O’Dowd, DfI; Gordon Best, MPANI; Stephen Bradshaw, DfI; and Aidan Mullan, Breedon Ireland.

With the energy crisis being fuelled by Putins war in Ukraine material cost inflation continues to impact significantly. The recent announced “Northern Ireland Energy

Bill Relief Scheme for non-domestic

customers” looks to be very similar to the GB Scheme and uses the same cap price. The onus is on the supplier to provide the discount, so business customers don’t need to do much/anything. Discounts will be applied to energy usage initially between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The government will provide a discount on your gas and electricity unit prices. To calculate your discount, the estimated wholesale portion of the unit price you would be paying this winter will be compared to a baseline ‘government supported price’ which is lower than currently expected wholesale prices this winter. For all non-domestic energy users in Norther Ireland this government supported price has been set at: £211 per megawatt hour (MWh) for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas This level will ensure consistency with businesses and consumers in Great Britain. It will not be the same as the final per unit price paid by non-domestic customers, which will also reflect other costs such as network charges and operating costs, plus the impact of competition between suppliers. You can read the full EBRS NI scheme details using the following link: https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-bill-reliefscheme-help-for-businesses-and-other-nondomestic-customers-northern-ireland

VISITING MINISTER

The Energy crisis and material cost inflation was one of the issues MPANI raised with Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, when we met him on a visit hosted by Breedon Northern Region at their Temple Quarry just outside Lisburn. “We were delighted to host the Minister and his officials, particularly at this time given the unprecedented challenges facing both our Industry and his Department. We took the opportunity to highlight the current energy crisis and how that is impacting on costs of materials, our concerns over the lack of an Executive and future budgets, the challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled labour, our concerns about current resources within the Department for Infrastructure, and importantly statutory consultees to the planning process, to deliver road programmes and planning applications within satisfactory time scales. “We also gave the Minister a copper fastened assurance of our industry’s commitment to deliver on de-carbonisation and the journey to net-zero. The Minister was also shown the impressive work the industry does on nature conservation and protection of birds of prey, the use of recycled materials and other processes that contribute to the circular economy”.

PLANNING STATISTICS

The most recent Planning Statistics report showed that the average processing time for local applications brought to a decision or withdrawal during the first three months of 2022/23 was 16.6 weeks across all councils. This exceeds the 15 week target and represents an increase of 0.8 weeks from the same period a year earlier. Four of the 11 councils were within the 15 week target after the first three months of 2022/23. The average processing time for major applications brought to a decision or withdrawal during the first three months of 2022/23 was 51.3 weeks across all councils. This represents a decrease of 2.3 weeks compared with the same period a year earlier but is still considerably higher than the 30 week target. This is simply not good enough and much more effort must be made to improve timescales. One just has to look even at the “independent” planning appeals commission to see the serious state of decision making in this place we all call home and where we want prosperity, a healthy environment and stability to bring up our families and manage our businesses. Its simply unacceptable that the PAC are delaying decisions on major projects that will bring employment and economic prosperity to areas of Northern Ireland with historic underfunding and social need.

HSENI PRIORITIES

MPANI recently responded to the HSENI consultation on their 2023-2028 Priorities. We will be seeking to align the priorities of HSENI with that of the Industry as set out in our Vision Zero strategy and the “Fatal 6” objectives. HSENI are currently carrying out a workplace transport inspection campaign at quarries and will continue through the autumn of 2022. Inspectors from the Explosives, Extractive Industries and Waste Group (EEIWG) will be conducting focused inspections in order to assess the management of workplace transport risks. The inspection campaign will target three key areas required to manage workplace transport effectively: SAFE SITE; SAFE VEHICLE; SAFE DRIVER Practical guidance on how you may manage work related transport risks on site can be found in HSG136- ‘A guide to workplace transport safety’- this is available at: Workplace transport safety HSG136 (hse.gov.uk) The newly established MPANI/ NI Environment Agency liaison group met on Thursday 8 September. The purpose of the NIEA and MPANI Liaison Group is to facilitate discussion at industry and client/ regulator level to work collaboratively on shared interests and promote best practice. The benefits of this collaboration approach flows in both directions and generates improvement to the wider general public and NI environment. The Group will meet quarterly and will be reviewing a number of guidance documents such as the Wise use of Water and the MoU in relation to Archaeology. We will also be organising pollution prevention workshops and site visits for NIEA staff to improve understanding that will hopefully enable planning consultation decisions to made quicker.

MEMBERS FORUM

Looking ahead, our final Local Member Forum being held on Thursday 1 December, in the Elk Toomebridge, is being kindly sponsored by Creagh Concrete. We are delighted that Tom MacLynn of RHM will be giving an update on the 2023 business rates revaluation highlighting the winners and losers in this latest revaluation by the Land and Property Service and what MPANI members need to be informed about minimising their annual rates bill. We are also pleased that Gary Sims of Renewable Energy will be giving his annual energy market update. If you’re interested in becoming a full or affiliate member of MPANI and get access to up to date Industry news and guidance don’t hesitate to give me a call on 07876136929. It would be great to have you on board. Until next time please stay safe!

www.mpani.org

FP MCCANN ADDS ANOTHER ROKBAK TO ITS QUARRY FLEET

FP McCann, one of Northern Ireland’s largest quarry operators, added a second Rokbak RA30 articulated hauler to its fleet in March. The longstanding customer still operates 9 Terex Trucks models and the latest addition, supplied by dealers Sleator Plant, was championed across the board, with everyone from the site to the boardroom backing the decision.

“All our haulers work long hours but have proven their worth over the years as tough and dependable, so there was never any real incentive to change brands,” explains Chris McCloy, Quarry Manager at FP McCann’s Knockloughrim Quarry near Magherafelt, where the new Rokbak RA30 is currently working. “Our mechanics were already very familiar with the Terex Trucks machines, so routine servicing and maintenance has become second nature to them, which helps keep downtime to an absolute minimum.” As well as the new Rokbak colour and livery, for the European market, both the RA30 and RA40 feature the latest EU Stage V emissions-compliant engine, boasting up to a 7% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to older EU Stage IV engines. The 28-tonne capacity Rokbak RA30 carries over the series of huge improvements that were gradually made to its predecessors. The use of ZF’s EP320 fully automatic gearbox, for instance – the result of an extensive collaboration between OEM and supplier – now offers the opportunity to extend oil-maintenance intervals from 1,000 to 4,000 hours with the use of long-life transmission fluid. This transmission also enabled a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency. With its 8F/4R gears offering a higher overall gear ratio spread, equal ratio steps between gears and optimised, smoother gear shifting with partial load shifts, maximum speed has increased from 50 km/h (31 mph) to 55 km/h (34 mph), enabling faster cycle times and improving manoeuvrability around the quarry to deliver a lower cost per tonne. SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Other interval periods between services have also been extended to their optimum level, such as 4,000 hours for hydraulic fluid thanks to the adoption of magnetic suction filters. Threestage aspirated air filtration with a safety element, automatic dust ejector and restriction indicator provides optimised protection for the fuel-efficient 276kW (370hp) Scania DC9 five-cylinder engine. Rokbak factory-approved parts effectively provide fit-and-forget levels of reassurance with a 2-year/6,000-hour warranty. The need for interventions by the FP McCann technicians is further reduced by the RA30’s full suite of on-dash diagnostic and machine health check data. But when their expertise is required, they can carry out their task safely using ground-level test points. The hydraulic fully tilting cab and the electrically activated hood lift provide fast, easy access for servicing.

“Any issues are quickly sorted out by the team at Sleator Plant, with whom we’ve been dealing for 30 years or more, so we enjoy an excellent working relationship,” says Chris. “With so many haulers operating across a number of sites, good service and support from your dealer is essential, and we have always found them prompt and efficient in responding to our needs.” “We’ve enjoyed a longstanding relationship with FP McCann, stretching back for many years,” agrees Aaron McCaul, Sleator Plant’s General Manager. “We are delighted they remain confident in our ability to deliver a good product and a good service.” COMFORT STATION

But it wasn’t just the service personnel that were keen to stick with a tried and tested favourite –management and operators all had their own reasons to remain loyal, too. “Not only does this new Rokbak hauler represent excellent value for money, it is very operator friendly,” Chris continued. “It has a spacious, comfortable cab with good all-round visibility, which is essential when working in such a busy environment.” With acoustic insulation helping to slash internal noise levels to just 72.7dB(A), the RA30’s ergonomically designed ROPS/ FOPS certified cab is a pleasant place in which to work. A highperformance, easily adjustable HVAC system ensures a stable temperature, while vibrations have been curtailed via an adaptive air-suspension operator’s seat with adjustable armrests, anti-vibration mounts around the engine and cab, cushioned bump stops on the steering cylinders and the aforementioned smoother gear shifting. True independent front suspension as standard not only enhances comfort further but also delivers excellent traction control in the most challenging conditions. FP McCann’s other Rokbak and Terex Trucks haulers are working elsewhere in the county, at its Craigall Quarry at Garvagh and the Bradleys Quarry at Kilrea. As the UK’s largest manufacturer and supplier of precast concrete solutions, it also produces ready-mixed concrete, aggregates and asphalt from the Knockloughrim site.

TOPCON HELPS TO SAFELY RELOCATE OLD SALTS RFC

O’Brien Contractors Ltd has used its civil engineering and construction expertise, coupled with its extensive sports development experience, to deliver a complete relocation of the Old Saltleians Rugby Football Club

Commonly known as Old Salts, the club is relocating for the third time in its 84-year history. Plans for the HS2 development run across the existing Old Salts ground, meaning the club’s pitches and clubhouse have moved to a new site in Water Orton, Warwickshire. With the vast amount of surveying, earthworks and logistics needed on the project, O’Brien Contractors Ltd turned to technology from Topcon Positioning GB. The two companies have a long-standing relationship and, for the past five years, have worked together to integrate Topcon machine control technologies into O’Brien Contractors Ltd’s fleet of excavators and dozers. For this project in particular, O’Brien Contractors Ltd added the new MC-Max machine control solution. MC-MAX

MC-Max is Topcon’s newest automated machine control system. With increased processing power and reliability, MC-Max is a scalable and portable solution for mixed fleet heavy equipment that can be installed on a wide range of dozers and excavators. It offers flexible mounting solutions, and also features a full array of positioning technologies ranging from slope control to laser to multi-constellation GNSS to robotic total station and millimetre GPS systems. Tom O’Brien, Director at O’Brien Contractors Ltd, explained: “Health and safety is a major factor on any job we complete but with the scale of the works being carried out between the two sites for Old Salts, we wanted to create an environment with fewer risks for our operatives and engineers to work in. We opted for the Topcon MC-Max machine control technology as it is fitted without masts, has less cabling and there is no requirement for GNSS receivers or prisms to be installed or dismantled. Ultimately, there’s a reduced need for our team to interfere with the machines, meaning there’s much less risk of an accident occurring.” REMOTE SITE MANAGEMENT

The O’Brien Contractors Ltd team used Topcon’s Sitelink3D v2 software to effectively collaborate and manage the project. The company is the first in the UK to move to the innovative web-based platform, that provides remote access and support to every machine connected to the system – including file transfers, messaging, reporting and analytics. This means any potential machine downtime is dramatically reduced as issues can be resolved in real time without the need for on-site technical support. Instead, engineers can troubleshoot operator queries remotely and ensure work continues with minimal delay. O’Brien Contractors Ltd reaped the benefits of Sitelink3D v2, rendering a 3D model in the tendering stages of the project to help demonstrate the works that were to be carried out. The software’s data management ecosystem allowed teams to quickly make alterations to the model to coincide with real-time information throughout the application process, and ultimately gave the team an edge against competitors. Once works had started, an unexpected challenge arose when the team found a difference in ground material that was not detected in the early stages of development – the layer of topsoil at the new site was significantly deeper than it had appeared on initial site surveys. O’Brien Contractors Ltd was able to add the new data into Sitelink3D v2 and plan budgets, timings and resources, automatically synching the new data to the relevant machines working on site with no delay to the plant operations, avoiding an expensive break in the project. MINIMISING THE IMPACT

Fundamental to the success of the project was the ability for O’Brien Contractors Ltd to carry out the works with minimal disruption and impact to the local environment, given the site’s close proximity to a busy residential area. Using Topcon’s MC-Max and Sitelink3D v2 machine control workflow, the team has been able to synchronise data between the site and office without the need for engineers to travel between the two, with the reduced traffic to site meaning less disruption for local residents. With the reduced machine hours needed to complete the job when using Topcon machine control, fuel use is greatly reduced meaning lower costs and lower carbon footprint. Furthermore, the increased accuracy of the technologies reduces the risk of costly mistakes and the requirement for reworks. Tom continued: “This project was a huge undertaking, with the equivalent of 17.3 acres worth of land being relocated from one site to the other. We’ve worked with Topcon for some years now and we’ve always received expert support to maximise the potential of our equipment, and it was no different on this project. Topcon’s team worked closely with us to integrate MC-Max and Sitelink3D v2 – the transition was seamless and we’ve been able to deliver this project on time, on budget and with minimal disruption.” Andy Flood, Business Manager at Topcon Positioning GB, said: “It’s been brilliant to see the O’Brien Contractors Ltd team use our MC-Max machine control hardware and Sitelink3D v2 software to their full potential. We’ve been able to see firsthand how innovations within our sector are crucial in helping teams carry out challenging works, improving health and safety and, ultimately, allowing contractors to deliver work on time and on budget.” For more information about Topcon’s technologies, visit: www. topconpositioning.com/en-gb

NI COMPANIES CONTINUE TO INNOVATE DESPITE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

HMRC has published the R&D tax credit statistics for the first full tax year under pandemic conditions which provide interesting reading for Northern Ireland plc.

According to R&D tax credits specialist The Momentum Group, analysis of the latest HMRC figures shows Northern Ireland businesses accounted for £130 million of all R&D tax credits claimed across the UK for 20202021. However, this accounts for just 2.6% of the total number of claims on a national level and only 1.97% of the total monetary benefit claimed. On a percentage basis, this represents no change in comparison to last year. R&D tax credits support companies undertaking innovative activities and can be claimed by firms operating in any sector if they are seeking to overcome technological or scientific challenges. Potentially qualifying activities may include designing new or enhanced products or processes; or seeking to use existing processes or materials in an innovative way. The statistics come as the UK government continued recent efforts to counteract perceived abuse of the schemes in the2022 Spring Statement. The proposed new measures are being introduced to focus R&D tax credits to companies undertaking activities in UK and tighten administrative requirements. Of the 2,355 Northern Ireland claims, 2,025were claimed by SMEs with the remainder claimed under the scheme for large companies. Of those SME claims – an increase of 6.6% from the previous year – 1,795 were under the SME scheme whilst 230 were undertaken by SMEs under the large company scheme. The average amount claimed by companies in Northern Ireland was £55,202, with the average for SMEs being £41,975. For SMEs, this represents a significant change in the monetary value of claims from last year, where the average amount claimed was £47,368, a decrease of 11.4%. Additionally, there has been a serious shift in how Northern Ireland’s larger companies are benefitting from the scheme. Statistics illustrate a 4.7% decrease in the number of claims, yet the monetary value of these have significantly increased by 14.3%.

Tom Verner, Managing Director, The Momentum Group.

RESILIENT

Tom Verner, Managing Director of The Momentum Group, commented: “Despite the severe financial and operational challenges faced over the last few years with the pandemic and Brexit, UK businesses have displayed resilience together with innovative spirit. These properties will be tested again as we now face the global cost of living crisis. “In our experience, companies often take a medium to longerterm view on the economic cycle but even as budgets tighten, it is important to make use of the available tax incentives including R&D tax credits and plan appropriately. “As the statistics show however, many companies across Northern Ireland are not aware or fully optimising the financial benefits available from R&D tax credits. “The latest figures from HMRC show that, on a directly comparative level, Northern Ireland firms hold their own against the rest of the UK. With wider economic headwinds and uncertainty afoot, it is important that innovative firms do not pass this generous initiative by. Doing so is, effectively, leaving money on the table.” COVID-19 IMPACT

Andrew Cowan, Technical Director at Momentum, noted that this year’s stats are the first reporting period which would accurately reflect the impact of the pandemic. “Economic statistics from the pandemic period are met with a mixture of curious intrigue and intense difficulty for statisticians as we seek to interpret data into useful information. There was a 10% decrease in the average value of claims nationwide, therefore it is important to remember that whilst many businesses closed temporarily or permanently during the pandemic, many more continued with R&D programmes with reduced workforces that were often constrained with social distancing measures. “Factors such as these may have prevented some companies from carrying out their normal levels of R&D activity. Additionally, many of the support schemes that were available, such as furlough and CBILs, could have affected claim entitlements, meaning claim amounts could actually be reduced from what a normal year would entail.” He continued, highlighting the importance of businesses “pivoting” their operations. “There were considerable opportunities for companies across different industries and sectors to pivot their business models to assist with the production of medical devices, PPE and the development of vaccines. These companies may have increased their R&D claims compared to previous years, but they may have simply swapped existing R&D activities for the Covid-19R&D programmes.” Continuing recent trends, London and the South East of England made the highest number of claims over the course of the year, accounting for more than one-third (36%) of all claims and nearly half (49%) of the total monetary amount claimed. At a sectoral level on a UK-wide scale, the figures show a concentration of claims (62%) in the ‘Information & Communication’, ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Professional, Scientific & Technical’ and sectors, with this making up 70% of the total monetary amount claimed. Andrew Cowan added: “The pandemic affected different businesses in different ways. The ‘Professional, Scientific & Technical’ sector was largely unaffected, likely because of the increased requirement for pharmaceutical and life sciences services, whereas the benefit claimed within ‘Manufacturing’ was substantially reduced, clearly due of prolonged periods of closure and cessation of activity.”