Specify Magazine March / April 2018 by Greer publications

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O’HARE MCGOVERN SCORE TWICE! Skills&Shortages pushing PATBURNS BURNS PAT Editor Editor

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18 October 2018

Gala Evening – Announcement of Winners

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OHMG designed curved steel

Housebuilding remained a key source of workload growth, with private housebuilding activity rising particularly strongly (a

net balance of +48). Private Commercial activity was also rising relatively robustly (+23), according to the survey. In contrast however, infrastructure workload growth remained weak (+5), and significantly below the UK average (+17). Looking ahead, Northern Ireland surveyors are upbeat about the prospects for growth, with a net balance of +50% expecting workloads to be higher in a 12-month horizon. Infrastructure spending is still relatively low in Northern Ireland and the latest developments in the ongoing York Road Interchange does not inspire confidence for the big government spending projects. Economist John Simpson looks at the Programme for Government Strategic Investment Boards aspirations for next year and beyond… see pages 36 and 37. Pat Burns Editor

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August 2018

Showcase of Finalists

The Awards Gala Evening saw the firm win the award for its work on the IFA National Football Stadium at Windsor Park. The superb new 18,000 seater stadium received its official opening the day after the awards took place at the Culloden Hotel. It was built within the confines of the existing Windsor Park which remained fully operational throughout the 98 week construction phase, facilitating over 200,000 spectators at 63 international and domestic fixtures. The work involved the demolition of the south and east stands, refurbishment and extension of the north and west stands.

work at the interface of the North East and North West stands to form a Quadrant. This curved design helped to create a stadium to enhance the viewing experience of the speactators while at the same time mitigating the impact of noise on neighbouring houses outside the stadium. Our congratulations go to the team at OHMG on their success. There was also some cheer from the latest RICS report. Building activity is still rising despite uncertainty in the economy, according to the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and Tughans Northern Ireland Construction Market Survey. Workloads were still rising in the third quarter of the year, according to Northern Ireland surveyors, with only a very modest slowdown in activity relative to Q2.

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tender prices up

For the second year in a row, Newry-based construction company O’Hare & McGovern have taken the ‘Overall Award’ at the Specify CEF Construction Excellence Awards.

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The lack of skilled construction workers in Northern Ireland and the desire for work in the UK and Republic of Ireland is pushing tender prices up, according to a new report. Contractors in Northern Ireland are forecasting that tender prices will increase in 2018 as competition for skilled labour increases cost pressures. According to the Northern Ireland market intelligence survey from leading professional services company, Turner & Townsend, surveyed contractors believe that tender prices are set to increase from 1.6 percent last year to 2.3 percent in 2018. Tender price inflation is being driven by a deepening construction skills crisis which is

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being exacerbated by Northern Ireland-based contractors searching for more profitable work in the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. The research reveals that on average 61 percent of surveyed main contractor workloads are based on work outside of Northern Ireland. Order books for contractors in Northern Ireland have improved in the first quarter of 2018 when compared to previous quarters. Contractors report strong order books which are on average 65.8 percent full for 2018/19. In contrast, fit-out contractors are reporting a lacklustre market with order books on average only 17.8 percent full for 2018/19. Colm Lavery, Director, Real Estate and Strategic Lead commented: “While the UK Government has tabled

a budget for Northern Ireland amid the current powersharing impasse, funding is not confirmed and there remains a lack of clarity for the construction industry. Some contractors are very bullish about tender price growth and it remains to be seen whether the market will keep pace with these forecasts. “There remains a reluctance from some contractors and their supply chains to tender for work in Northern Ireland, which is draining the labour pool and increasing competition for resources. “Against this backdrop, it is vitally important that clients carefully consider their contract and procurement strategies to attract contractors to their projects and also play their part in addressing the industry-wide skills deficit.”

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April 2018

Contents |05

contents... 6

DIGEST

Major plans for a £75m redevelopment of the Belfast Telegraph building in Belfast city centre have been unveiled and will include commercial office space and ground floor retail outlets.

07 DIGEST

Kevin Lagan has confirmed that he has entered into an agreement with Breedon Group plc to sell his materials business, Lagan Group, for £455 million on a cash and debt free basis. The deal sees Breedon, the UK’s largest independent construction materials group, acquiring Whitemountain, Lagan Cement, Lagan Brick, Lagan Asphalt and Welsh Slate.

Breedon buys Lagan Group in £455 Million Deal

DIGEST

Work on the new NI Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development Centre at Desertcreat outside Cookstown has just been started by Henry Brothers who have been awarded Phase 1 of the project.

Gilbert Ash AC Hotel

16 INTERVIEW: JOHN ARMSTRONG

We talk to John Armstrong, Managing Director of the CEF about the latest CEF/BDO Northern Ireland state of the trade survey which states that the lack of political authority in Northern Ireland is a daily concern for NI contractors.

18 ENVISION

In today’s ever changing and advanced world, security needs are developing rapidly and unfortunately there isn’t one simple solution that ‘fits all’. Envision have worked over the years to develop a fully managed service that encompasses all aspects of security, and is able to tailor to your specific needs. Envision combine invaluable experience, with fresh and innovative ideas to produce a bespoke security solution. Envision design, install, maintain and monitor- and all through one simple pricing system.

page 32

22 JOHN SIMPSON

18 JOHN SIMPSON

Housing and Roads: Should more responsibilities pass to local government asks our industry expert.The critical distinction, changing the balance of responsibility from central to local government, is the acceptance by the local authorities, singly or in partnerships, of a major role in securing the social, environmental and economic development of their areas.

Housing and roads: should more responsibilities pass to local Government?

32 AC HOTEL

Belfast’s newest hotel is the AC Hotel in Donegall Quay, Belfast BT1. With stunning views across the city and Belfast lough, this new hotel is set to become a top destination for the local and tourist market.

45 CIOB Annual Dinner

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership held its annual dinner recently. A number of awards were handed out on the night including awards to Nick Oldfield for being the overall winner of the CIOB in Ireland Construction Manager of the Year and Margaret Conway the overall CIOB UK Construction Manager of the Year 2017.

59 DIGEST

One of Northern Ireland’s longest established house builders, Fraser Homes Limited has entered into an agreement with Gardrum Holdings Ltd, part of the EuroAuctions group, to deliver 1000 homes over the next ten years.

62 Interview

62 INTERVIEW

Specify talks to… Jenny Williams, Chief Executive Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland

Specify talks to Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland whose career started off in retail and now includes digging septic tanks in Dehli…

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06 06|

Plans for £75m Belfast Harvey Group acquires Solmatix Telegraph as part of 5 year redevelopment unveiled growth plan in UK and Ireland.

Major plans for a £75m redevelopment of the NI M&E services former Belfast Telegraph Newtownabbey-based building in Belfast city centre been M&E serviceshave company, unveiled. The Harvey Group, hasscheme, acquired focused state-of-theNorthernon Ireland renewable art workspace is to be energy specialists, Solmatix known as ‘The Sixth’ and Renewables a move the will includein230,000 sq companies say will transform ft of commercial space the renewable energy sector and ‘active’ ground in Northern Ireland act floor uses such asand cafes, restaurants and as a springboard forretail. further expansion into the multiThe project’s nameUK is inspired by the million pound and Ireland newspaper’s original evening edition. renewable energy markets. The street vendors’ call of “Sixth The acquisition, for an Late Tele” wassum, familiar throughout undisclosed will bring to 110 Belfast for more than a century. the number of people employed directly by the Harvey Group in Designed Stirling Prize-winning Northern Ireland and GreatHall Britain. architectural practice Allford With aMorris turnover of £30 the million Monaghan (AHMM), and overwill 80 deliver staff, Harvey proposals 2,000Group high has jobs over as 30part years’ value ofexperience an emerging in the design, creative districtinstallation centred onand the maintenance of building services education, culture, media and within every conceivable kind of technology sectors. building type throughout The announcement comes NI, as aGB and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Education, Government and Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for the scheme was submitted by the Tel company grown to achieve a Bel LLP, thehas site owners. turnover of £6 million, with The LLP, which acquired 30 staff operating its Nutt’s Corner the site in from late 2016, is the premises. first joint venture by Belfast a resultwith of the deal, Solmatix CityAsCouncil a private will continue to operate developer, McAleer and as an autonomous and independent Rushe. company within Harvey Group The submission of the PAN Brian Harvey, managing director marks a significant step of Harvey Group, said there was forward for the project a perfect fit between the two that will see an investment organisations. of £75 million to bring one “We have been planning to of Belfast’s most famous grow our renewables involvement landmarks back into active for some time, either organically use. or through the acquisition of an Launching proposals establishedthe player. Having worked Stephen Surphlis, Propertyon Director with Solmatix Renewables of McAleer and Rushe, on behalf a number of contracts, we’d of Bel Tel LLPimpressed said: “These always been withare important proposals that will bring their engineering rigour and aprofessionalism. landmark building associated with In fact, there seemed the news industry back into use to be a natural synergy between for digital age. Adjacent to of both our atwo companies in terms the whatUlster we doUniversity and how Campus we do it. and I Central Library, The Bell Sixthabout will play approached Richard a an year ago to float the idea of our companies coming together, but only if there was a good fit. After careful consideration we both agreed that this would indeed be mutually

company acquires renewable energy specialists

Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).

beneficial. From my perspective, having Solmatix partregeneration of Harvey important role inasthe Group gives a level ofhigh expertise of Belfast by us delivering quality that would for haveglobal takenand us years workspace local to acquire otherwise. businesses, particularly those in the “Harvey Group andand Solmatix professional, creative technology share similar values, by which I mean sectors.” our commitment to professionalism, our desire to the deliver our Telegraph services to Built in 1886, Belfast the verywas highest standards, and the building home to the city’s importancefor wemore place than on treating our newspaper 100 years, customers, our suppliers and our staff with courtesy and consideration.” Richard Bell, the founder and managing director of Solmatix Renewables described the acquisition

as great news for Solmatix, its customers, suppliers and premises staff. before it moved to new “In many it’sB2 a case in June 2016.respects, The grade Listed of ‘business However, in Building will as beusual’. comprehensively real terms, being part refurbished as part of of thethis larger organisation will give us access to redevelopment of the wider oneenhanced technical skills, financial acre site. and that purchasing power. Itresources is expected The Sixth will Ultimately I believe this will lead create 650 jobs during construction, to greater growth andjobs investment and more than 2,000 when fully within our operations, as well as occupied. more jobs and job security. It’s a win-win relationship that’s good for our whole organisation, as well as the economy of Northern Ireland. “

GRAHAM BEGINS CONSTRUCTION ON £17 MILLION ERSKINE HOUSE DEVELOPMENT IN BELFAST Hillsborough, County Down. GRAHAM Construction is currently offices will accommodate around Co. Down based Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major The Graham Group, which deals in working on over 100 live sites (50 construction 1,600 employees. Graham Construction construction, asset management and building, 44 civils and 14 fit-out) has started work on project investment businesses, saw across the UK and Ireland. The Hillsborough-headquartered Graham Park the £17million Erskine contract at Randox Science group turnover for the year 2016 to company recently announced that it Construction, which was recently House development in Belfast city centre (2036 Chichester Street, BT1 3JF). The mixed purpose development is scheduled for handover in February 2019.

Orby Investment Ltd, the developers of the scheme, awarded Graham the contract to construct the eight storey which will WItHbuilding a reputation forcomprise ground floor in retail units and high excellence constructing approximately 100,000sq ft of high quality tAL Limited end officeprojects, accommodation. has been awarded a significant contract (£3.1m) by global Erskine House will become a hive of activity diagnostics from late 2019, with HM medical company Revenue Randox.& Customs set to occupy theThis seven floors of office initial contract is forspace the for a period of at least 25 years. The construction of a new facility for

named Major of the Year production of Contractor Randox’s pioneering at the annual UK Building Awards in medical diagnostic products and will London, is Northern Ireland’s largest also include associated construction company. administrative It delivers functions.civil Theengineering works are and the first building, fit out phase of for a major projects both capital public expenditure and private sector across UK and projectclients by Randox to the develop the Ireland. former Massereene Army Barracks Commenting on the Erskine into ‘Randox Science Park’ – aHouse contract, Jonathan Hall, Regional futuristic R&D and manufacturing Managing Director, Graham facility. The award-winning, Construction, says: international biotechnology firm, unveiled itsthis plans for an isinnovative “Winning contract a major endorsement Graham as onethis hub on the 43ofacre site earlier of the UK’s leading construction year. companies. Erskine House is an Welcoming the announcement, iconic Belfast project and we are Damien Hughes, Director of TAL delighted to be playing a part in Limited commented: “We are space.” reinvigorating this city centre delighted to have been awarded

isthis setcontract to hit awith record £400m Randox, oneworth of of live construction projects in Northern Ireland’s most dynamic Northern Ireland. and exciting With recordsbusinesses on a local and global dating backlevel. Through the quality of our work and the dedication and over 200 years, privately-owned professionalism of our team TAL has Graham employs steadily grown over the last 34 years approximately and this contract award reinforces 2,100 employees the strength of our expertise in the across its UK healthcare and Ireland sector.” The project will be delivered operations. Over to BIMoflevel 2 in partnership 1,100 these employees are team Ostick and with the design from Northern Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, Ireland, with Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller the company Consulting Engineers and Charles headquarters Hutchison Consulting. located in Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing

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digest digest

06|

digest digest

2017 rise at byRandox 11% to commented: £565m (£508m Director “The a year earlier), and profit sales of development of Randox Science £16 million. Park is core to our plans to create innovative diagnostics, to improve manufacturing efficiency to export high-value healthcare capabilities to world markets. This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of cutting-edge research, development and diagnostic manufacture, covering conditions such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. We will also provide a significant boost to the local economy through new job creation. We very much look forward to working with TAL on this initial contract to deliver the high quality infrastructure we require.”

The right job can transform a person’s life and the right person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at matching both in construction management. Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni

Check us out on social media 20/08/2014 16:45 www.specifymagazine.co.uk

|07

Harvey Group acquires as part of 5 year Breedon buysSolmatix Lagan Group growth plan Million in UK and Ireland. in £455 Deal Kevin Lagan has NI M&E confirmed thatservices he has entered into Newtownabbey-based an agreement M&E services company, with Breedon Harvey Group, has acquired Group plc to sell Northern Ireland renewable his materials energy specialists, business, LaganSolmatix Renewables in a move the Group, for £455 companies will transform million on say a cash and freeenergy sector the debt renewable basis. in Northern Ireland and act as a springboard for further The deal sees Breedon, expansion into the multithemillion UK’s largest pound UK and Ireland independent construction renewable energy markets. materials group, acquiring The acquisition, Whitemountain, Laganfor an undisclosed bring to 110 Cement, Lagansum, Brick,will Lagan the number of people Asphalt and Welsh Slate. employed directly by the Harvey Lagan Homes does not Group in form part of Ireland the sale.and Great Britain. Northern Breedon an established Withhas a turnover of £30 million relationship withstaff, Lagan and over 80 Harvey Group Group, having has over 30 operated years’ experience a successful joint venture in the design, installation and with its Whitemountain maintenance of building business in Scotland. The services within every combination of conceivable Breedon kind of throughout NI, GB andbuilding Lagan’stype materials interests willincluding create aPharmaceutical/ and RoI, workforce of circa 3,000 Cleanrooms, Laboratories, andEducation, turnover Government of more thanand £900m. Healthcare . Richard and NorahLagan Group was formed Anne Bell founded Solmatix in the 1960s on the Renewables in 2008, outskirts of Belfast by and since then Kevin’s father, Peter Lagan, when he opened his first quarry at Whitemountain. Chairman Kevin Lagan has undoubtedly been the driving force behind the business for over 40 years, growing its turnover to £272 million, with combined earnings (EBITDA) of approximately £55 million in 2017. Commenting on the announcement, Kevin Lagan said, “Our committed and passionate staff at Lagan Group have contributed significantly to the development and growth business, differentiating WItHofa the reputation for us from our competition in all ofhigh the excellence in constructing markets in which we operate. I’d like quality projects, tAL Limited to thank the staff for the role they has been a significant have playedawarded in the growth of Lagan contract (£3.1m) by globalsuccess Group, and I wish them every medical diagnostics as they enter an excitingcompany new chapter with Breedon, who I am confident will Randox. build that contract success, supporting Thisoninitial is for the the development of the business construction of a new facility in forthe years ahead”.

surfacing operations.

company acquires renewable energy specialists “Lagan is well-run,

well-invested, with an experienced management team and a strong track record. Its culture is complementary to our own, with a sharp focus on customer service, a first-class workforce and a commitment to safety, which is a key priority for us. “From a strategic perspective, it provides us with a stronger platform from which to pursue Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth further organic growth and Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). bolt-on acquisitions.” as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, Following the disposal of customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey the substantial materials “In manybusiness respects,toit’sBreedon, a case Kevin Group gives us a level of expertise his family intendinto of ‘business and as usual’. However, that would have taken us years to pursue a managed growth real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. the Lagan organisationstrategy will givewith us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix Homes and FastHouse enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean businesses, which are being resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, retained. Ultimately I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to Lagan Homes, one of the to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the largest housebuilders within our operations, as well as in importance we place on treating our Northern Ireland,It’swith more jobs and job security. a a customers, our suppliers and our staff longstanding reputation for win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” delivering quality homes, for our whole as its Richard Bell, the founder and hasorganisation, plans to develop well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix markets in Ireland and Ireland. “ in Great Britain, where it Renewables described the acquisition has established a strong regional presence. For the year ended 31 December 2017, the overall Lagan Homes business, a substantial element of which sits outside Lagan total “The this contract with Randox, one of Director at Group, Randoxposted commented: turnover of around £76 Northern Ireland’s most dynamic development of Randox Science million, with combined and exciting businesses on a local Park is coreprofit to ourbefore plans tax to create coming and global level. Through the quality innovative diagnostics, to improve in at approximately £10 of our work and the dedication and manufacturing efficiency to export million. Kevin Lagan is also the professionalism of our team TAL has high-value healthcare capabilities to to add significantly to the Group’s majority shareholder in LF FastHouse, steadily grown over the last 34 years world markets. This state-of-the-art performance and prospects and we an innovative manufacturer of of are looking forward to working with and this contract award reinforces premises will become a centre modular closed panel and timber our strength new colleagues to deliver infurther the of our expertise the cutting-edge research, frame systems for the development construction value for our investors. ” healthcare sector. ” and diagnostic manufacture, covering industry, which employs around 100 Pat Ward, Breedon’s Group Chief The project will be delivered conditions such as of cancer, stroke and people at its state the art factory. Executive, added: “Lagan represents FastHouse aims to deliver fast, efficient, to BIM level 2 in partnership heart disease. We will also provide a a unique opportunity to enter a cost-effective housing with the market design team Ostick and significant boost to thesolutions local economy growing with immediate manufactured off-site, supporting Williams Rainey & Best,for through new job creation. We very scale andArchitects, excellent opportunities demand in Ireland, the UK and expansion. It significantly strengthens Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller much look forward to working with internationally. It is currently supplying our cementEngineers offer, addsand to Charles our mineral Consulting TAL on 470 this initial deliver around luxurycontract holiday to lodges to and downstream resources, brings us Hutchison Consulting. the high quality infrastructure we Ireland’s first-ever CenterParcs resort a bitumen import/export business Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing require. ” Longford. in County and adds real weight to our contract

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction contract at Randox Science Park production of Randox’s pioneering medical diagnostic products and will also include associated administrative functions. The works are the first Kevin phaseLagan of a major capital expenditure project by CBE, Randox to develop the Peter Tom Breedon’s Executive former Massereene Army Barracks Chairman, commented: “We are delighted to have completed into ‘Randox Science Park’ – aour largest acquisition date and futuristic R&D andtomanufacturing particularly that it has facility. The pleased award-winning, been so strongly supported by our international biotechnology firm, shareholders. unveiledtheitslast plans foryears an innovative “Over eight we have hub on the 43 acre site earlier this pursued a successful buy-and-build year. strategy which has established Breedon as thethe largest independent Welcoming announcement, construction materials business Damien Hughes, Director of TAL in the UK and the acquisition Limited commented: “We are of Lagan is another strategic step for delighted to have been awarded us. We believe it has the potential

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The right job can transform a person’s life and the right person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at matching both in construction management. Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni

20/08/2014 16:45

06| 08

NEW GRADE Aacquires OFFICESolmatix SCHEME UNDERWAY AT Harvey Group as part of 5 year WEAVERS COURT growth plan in UK and Ireland.

A Belfast business park’s expansion could facilitate up to 480 new jobs as part of an £8m investment. Newtownabbey-based Weavers Court is set to M&E services company, complete work on three Harvey has acquired 5,000 sqGroup, ft redeveloped industrial Northern units Irelandshortly, renewable with building work also energy specialists, Solmatix now underway for anthe Renewables in a move additional sq ft companies 40,000 say will transform ofthe grade A office space, renewable energy sector launching in 2019.

NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists

in Northern Ireland and act as a springboard for at further Located on a 10 acre site into the multitheexpansion western gateway to the city, millionCourt pound UKaand Ireland Weavers offers range of office sizes withenergy flexible markets. leases and renewable has become known as city hub The acquisition, fora an forundisclosed IT companies. sum,The will business bring to 110 park has 40 tenants involved in the number of people employed high-tech markets, international directly by the Harvey computer services, cyber Group security,infilm Northern Ireland and Great Britain. and entrepreneurship development. WithWeavers a turnover of £30 million Uniquely, Court is home 80 staff, Harvey toand the over “Original Hairbus” (a Group mobile barber shop), gymnasiums has over 30 two years’ experienceand Belfast’s Hackerspace in the innovative design, installation and and coder dojoof(abuilding free computer maintenance services programming for youngkind people). within everyclub conceivable of Tom Ekin, Director of Weavers Court, building type throughout NI, GB said: “We have researched other and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Education, Government and Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

the company has grown to achieve a turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff operating from its Nutt’s Corner premises. As a result of the deal, Solmatix will continue to operate as an autonomous and independent company within Harvey Group Brian Harvey, managing director of Harvey Group, said there was a perfect fit between the two organisations. “We have been planning to Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth grow our renewables involvement Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). Photo 1: Pictured are Brian Shane, Corporate Banking Manager (right) and Geoff Sharpe, Head of Corporate at Danske Bank for(left) some time, either organically with (centre) Tom Ekin, Director of Weavers Court. as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, or through the acquisition of an customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey four storey building is being designed technology player. parks in Europe and USA high.” established Having worked by prizegives winning local architects and and found a recognition that Campus “Inadded: many “In respects, it’s a we’d case like to Group us a level of expertise He the future, with Solmatix Renewables on has unique features that create a style open green spaces outside of expand theaspark further. We expect of ‘business usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to awell-designed number of contracts, we’d practicalotherwise. work space. offices encourages there to bebeing a lotpart of interest in our real terms, of this larger acquire always beentoimpressed withand more “Many of our tenants expand and employees be healthier campus when the Weavers Cross organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and outgrow their unit and we make every transport hub opens at the end of productive. enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean professionalism. fact, thereunits seemed effort to help them remain inside “Our three newInindustrial 2020. This means that all trains and resources purchasing power. our professionalism, the commitment Park. That waytowe can support capitalise on thesynergy desire between for industrial to be a natural buses will and arrive at Belfast’s main Ultimately believe this walk will lead our deliver ambitions our services to our desire tenant’stogrowth whilst chic two design while being fully equipped terminus, aI five minute from our companies in terms of ensure occupancy rate and remains to grade The we 40,000 to greater Court. growth Weavers ” and investment the verythe highest standards, the what we A dospec. and how do it.sq Ift within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our approached Richard Bell about a more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff year ago to float the idea of our win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” companies coming together, but only for our whole organisation, as Richard Bell, the founder and if there was a good fit. After careful well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix consideration we both agreed Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition that this would indeed be mutually

BRAIDWATER RECEIVES FOLLOW ON INVESTMENT FROM BGF FOR EXPANSION PLANS business has undergone a Derry-based housebuilder Braidwater significant evolution offering an expanded service. This in turn has secured a has supported the creation multimillion pound of 40 new construction roles, follow on investment including a number of key from BGF, the UK’s most of Randox’sWe pioneering senior appointments. active provider of growth production identifieddiagnostic an opportunity to and will medical products capital to small and expand our associated service offering in mid-sized businesses. also include administrative

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction contract at Randox Science Park Profits for 2017 were also up significantly, rising to £4.9m from £2.9m a year earlier. Established in 2002, mac-group is a specialist contractor in the construction, refurbishment and fitWItH a reputation out of commercial officefor buildings. It excellence constructing high has offices inin Newry, Dublin, London and Birmingham and employs a direct quality projects, tAL Limited workforce of over 130a construction has been awarded significant professionals. contract (£3.1m) by global Its Northern Irish operation is set to medical diagnostics company complete a £11m refurbishment of Randox. River House in Belfast this May. This initial is for the Martin Daly, contract Group Finance Director, construction newpast facility commented: of “Inathe yearfor our

Ireland to The include newarebuild, functions. works the first general construction and phase of a major capital expenditure reconditioning of commercial project by Randox to develop the buildings. former Massereene Barracks “Our business ethosArmy continues to be based Science on a partnering into ‘Randox Park’ – a approach,R&D the success of futuristic and manufacturing which is seen by the fact facility. The award-winning,that approximately 90 per cent of international biotechnology firm, the contracts completed in the unveiled its plans were for anrepeat innovative past 12 months hub on the 43 acre site earlier this business. This is also testament year. to the quality of our delivery.” Welcoming the announcement, “The Group’s existing order Damien Hughes, Director of TAL book is extremely healthy Limited commented: “We are with a secured pipeline of work for delighted to have been awarded

this contract with Randox, one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic and exciting businesses on a local and global level. Through the quality of our work and the dedication and professionalism of our team TAL has steadily grown over the last 34 years and this contract award reinforces the strength of our expertise in the healthcare sector.” The project will be delivered to BIM level 2 in partnership with the design team Ostick and Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller Consulting Engineers and us Charles 2018/19 which will help to grow Hutchison all aspects Consulting. of the business, particularly Managing inDr thePeter UK fitFitzGerald, out and construction

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|09

Work Starts on new NIFRS Learning Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year & Development at Desertcreat growth plan in UK Centre and Ireland.

Work on the new NI M&E services Northern Ireland Fire &Newtownabbey-based Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning and M&E services company, Development Centre Group, has acquired atHarvey Desertcreat has Northern Ireland renewable started following the energy specialists, appointment of Solmatix Henry Renewables in awere move the Brothers who awarded construction companies the say will transform contract for Phase 1 of the renewable energy sector the project, valued in Northern Ireland andat act approximately £4m. as a springboard for further expansion into the multiThe first phase of the NIFRS Learning million pound Centre UK andis Ireland and Development for the renewable energy markets. critical training infrastructure and The aacquisition, for an firefighting includes 6-storey tactical undisclosed sum,with will welfare bring toand 110 facility, a building classroom facilities and aemployed new access the number of people directly by the Harvey Group in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. With a turnover of £30 million and over 80 staff, Harvey Group has over 30 years’ experience in the design, installation and maintenance of building services within every conceivable kind of building type throughout NI, GB and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Education, Government and Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

road to the site from the Dungannon

Health and Mid

Road. District company acquiresUlster renewable energy specialists

Ken Henning, MBE, Vice Chairperson the company has grown to achieve a of NIFRS Board and Programme turnover of £6 million, with Board member said – “We30 arestaff operating Nutt’s delightedfrom that its work has Corner started on premises. our new Learning & Development Centre at Desertcreat with work As a result of the deal,and Solmatix scheduled a year will continuetototake operate as to ancomplete we plan to have Firefighters using autonomous and independent the new facility in early 2019. The company within Harvey Group safety of our Firefighters and the BrianisHarvey, public our topmanaging priority director and this new oftraining Harveyfacility Group,will saidenable there awas range aofperfect fit between two from live burn training the scenarios organisations. high rise building fires to domestic and commercial “We have beenproperty planning fires. to We welcome the continued government grow our renewables involvement commitment this organically capital project for some time, to either we thank the Department orand through the acquisition of an of established player. Having worked

with Solmatix Renewables on Developer states desire a number of contracts, we’d always been impressed to with to restore Floral Hall their engineering rigour and former glory professionalism. In fact, there seemed to be a natural synergy between our two companies in terms of what we do and how we do it. I approached Richard Bell about a year ago to float the idea of our companies coming together, but only if there was a good fit. After careful consideration we both agreed that this would indeed be mutually

occupiers today at the MIPIM

Council for their continued support. “This is a milestone moment in this key Programme for Government priority. We have worked closely with the Department (L-R) David Moore, Director of Human Resources, NIFRS; Ken Henning of Health, the MBE,Vice Chairperson, NIFRS Board & Programme Board member; Gary design team, Thompson, Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, NIFRS; Harry Henry, Contracts Hamilton Director, Henry Brothers; Michael Graham, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, NIFRS; Alan Mitchell, Commercial Director, HenryGareth Brothers. Architects and Officer, Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). more recently following the appointment of a design as great news Solmatix, its beneficial. From with Henry Brosmy toperspective, ensure that we team and will for cover the remainder can deliver a facility suited to the customers, suppliers and staff. works. having Solmatix as part of Harvey of the training infrastructure traininggives needs Firefighters for Phase 2 hasrespects, a capital it’s value of circa “In many a case Group us of a level of expertise years to come.” £40m and following all necessary of ‘business as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to Design work for Phase 2 of the government andpart planning real terms, being of thisapprovals larger acquire otherwise. Learning and Development Centre it is anticipated that work could organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix will commence in due course commence in summer 2019. enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, Ultimately I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” square andorganisation, is ideal for as the CDE Group, for our feet whole Richard Bell, the founder and fabrication of complex equipment. the Cookstownwell as the economy Northern managing director of Solmatix Commenting on the of purchase CDE headquartered supplier Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition Director of Operations Stephen of equipment for the McCullough said: “Over the next 12 global mining and months the plant will be operational quarry industries, has announced the purchase and will result in reduced lead times for projects, which is a key driver for of the Caterpillar NI CDE sales.” manufacturing facility CDE Finance Director Colin Trainor located at Monkstown, added: “The efficiencies generated as Caterpillar NI will strengthen the CDE organisation this contract with Randox, one of Director at Randox commented: “The continues the relocation as well as underpin the prospect of operations from Northern Ireland’s most dynamic development of Randox Science for employment in the wider area. Monkstown to their and exciting businesses on a local Park is core to our plans to create With our new headquarters also Larne facility. and global level. Through the quality innovative completingdiagnostics, in Q4 thisto is improve going to be of our work and the dedication and manufacturing efficiency to export an exciting time for the company By the end of September this professionalism of our team TAL has high-value healthcare and will produce highcapabilities quality jobto year, CDE will take possession opportunities.” steadily grown over years world markets. This state-of-the-art of the building and the add last the 34 latest and this contract award reinforces premises will become a centre of fabrication and painting equipment Chairman Tony Convery and required to of build components the strength ourthe expertise in the cutting-edge research, development Managing Director Brendan necessary for their worldwide sales healthcare sector.” and diagnostic manufacture, covering McGurgan expressed their gratitude operations. The project will be delivered conditions such as Northern cancer, stroke and to the Caterpillar Ireland With demand anticipated to double to BIM level 2 in partnership heart disease. We will also provide a team for their professionalism by the end of 2020, this additional with thewill design team Ostick significant boost toduring the local and cooperation the economy sale facility complement the and existing process new and provided assurance Williams Architects, Raineybase & Best, through job creation. We very Northern Ireland supply that they continue the world and enhance employment the Doran Consulting, Delap & in Waller much lookwill forward to working with classon manufacturing excellence and MonkstownEngineers area, where tradition Consulting and aCharles TAL this initial contract to deliver attitude to Health and Safety they of engineering has existed for many Hutchison Consulting. the quality over infrastructure weyears had high developed their many years. Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing require. ” in Monkstown. The plant extends to over 300,000

CDE Group purchases Caterpillar NI site in Monkstown

Hotel and property international property investmentthe first major construction Lisburn firm TAL awarded developer Signature conference in Cannes, Signature Living has stated Living’s founder and chairman its desire to acquire contract at Randox Science Lawrence Kenwright spoke of his Park Belfast’s Floral Hall and restore it for use as “a leading entertainment, conference and wedding venue” in the city.

Sited within the grounds of Belfast Zoo, the Floral Hall was built in the mid-1930s and was one of Belfast’s foremost entertainment venues for over 35 years – both WItH a reputation for as a as a dance hall, and later excellence in constructing venue for bands such as Pinkhigh Floyd and roller discos.tAL NowLimited owned by quality projects, Belfast City Council,athe venue has has been awarded significant been closed to thebypublic since contract (£3.1m) global the 1970s. It is estimated that an medical diagnostics investment of aroundcompany £5million Randox. would be required to restore it to initialstate. contract is for the a This useable Speaking toofana audience construction new facilityoffor investors, developers and

ambitions to restore the “gem in

production of Randox’s pioneering Belfast’s social and cultural history medical diagnostic products and will to its former glory.” also include associated “I immediately fell in administrative love with the FloralThe Hallworks and are its rich history functions. the first as ‘The of Romance’ in phase of Ballroom a major capital expenditure Belfast when I first saw it several project by Randox to develop the months ago,” he said. “That so former Massereene Army Barracks many love stories originate there into ‘Randox Science –a is very special and, Park’ understandably, futuristic R&D and manufacturing there is clearly a huge amount of facility. Thefor award-winning, affection the building within the Belfast and wider Northern international biotechnology firm, Ireland community. unveiled its plans for an innovative “This Signature Living hub on isthewhat 43 acre site earlier this does best – sympathetically year. restoring precious, heritage Welcoming announcement, buildings andthe simply acting as their Damien Hughes, Director of TALthem custodian, once again giving a placecommented: in culture and for Limited “Wetourism are the enjoyment local people and delighted to have of been awarded

tourists.”

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Western Building Systems to aofflying Harvey Group acquires Solmatixoff as part 5 year start Wales growthin plan in UK and Ireland. Specialist NI M&E services construction company, Newtownabbey-based Western Building M&E services company, Systems has Harvey Group, has acquired clinched their first Northern Ireland renewable contract award energy the specialists, under WelshSolmatix Renewables in a move the Procurement companies say will transform Alliance’s (WPA) the renewable energy sector £1bn modular buildings in Northern Ireland and act framework. as a springboard for further expansion into the multiThe procurement million pound framework UK and Ireland is available to public sector renewable energy markets. organisations in Wales and for an formsThe oneacquisition, of the WPA undisclosed sum, will Construction, Extensionbring and to 110 the number ofportfolios. people employed Refurbishment Western be Harvey responsible directly will by the Group in forNorthern the off-site manufacture Ireland and Great Britain. and on-site of a million With a construction turnover of £30 brand, new,80 state-of-the-art and over staff, Harvey Group modular building that will has over 30 years’ experience become the new hub for the in theStart design, installationinand ‘Flying programme’ maintenance of building services Penyrheol, Caerphilly. within every of The Flying startconceivable programmekind forms building type throughout NI, GB and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Education, Government and Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

Construction of additional parking areas to provide company acquires renewable spaces specialists support toenergy the company has grown to achieve a turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff operating from its Nutt’s Corner premises. As a result of the deal, Solmatix will continue to operate as an autonomous and independent company within Harvey Group Brian Harvey, managing director of Harvey Group, said there was a perfect fit between the two organisations. “We have been planning to grow our renewables involvement for some time, either organically or through the acquisition of an established player. Having worked with Solmatix Renewables on a number of contracts, we’d always been impressed with their engineering rigour and professionalism. In fact, there seemed to be a natural synergy between part of a wider Welsh Government our twoinitiative companies in terms of funded available in targeted what we do and how we do it. I approached Richard Bell about a year ago to float the idea of our companies coming together, but only if there was a good fit. After careful consideration we both agreed that this would indeed be mutually

Commenting on the project, Rory families with McGuigan, of Western Building a child under Systems said, “We are thrilled to four years old. have been awarded this particular The programme project in Caerphilly. The centre will promotes provide some crucial services to the language, surrounding community and hopefully cognitive, social help give young children in the area and emotional the best possible start to life. skills, physical “Our modular building option is development especially useful in projects such as and early this where there is an expectation identification of that the site will remain operational high needs in for as long as possible – this particular families. site will remain open to visitors Western Building Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 right up until Systems will be Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). the new centre opens. responsible for: as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, “Western’s unique Single Source Demolishing customers, suppliers staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey approach means we and manufacture structures “Inthe many respects, it’s a caseoffGroup gives us a levelcurrently of expertise all of building components on site site‘business in a strictly controlled factory of as usual’. However, in that would have takenDesigning us years and to environment before real terms, being partconstructing of this largeron acquire otherwise. constructing site in a muchwillshorter frame new foundation’s organisation give ustime access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix compared to traditional building drainage enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean methods. This, in turn, leads to External works resources purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, enhanced and on site health and safety and fencing Ultimately believe this will leadto our desire to deliver our services and greatlyI reduced disruption Design, manufacture, delivery and to to greater the very highest andcentre the services. ” growth and investment installation of thestandards, brand new within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” for our whole organisation, as Richard Bell, the founder and well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition

McAVOY ANNOUNCES RECORD YEAR AND SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT’S CALL FOR GREATER USE OF OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION Group said, “We have further The McAvoy Group strengthened the business in a Lisburn TAL awarded the first major construction has announcedfirm a number of areas – from new board record financial year, appointments to our skills growth achieving a 10 per contract atcentRandox Science Park training programme. growth in turnover to £60m. The business is on track to achieve its target of £100m turnover by 2020 and its £10m investment programme is now well underway.

The McAvoy Group, which has its head office in Dungannon, has also announced it is working on over £20m of new projects WItH a reputation for which includes officeinschemes for the high excellence constructing Homes and Communities Agency in quality projects, Limited Cambridgeshire andtAL projects for two has been awarded a significant pharmaceutical companies. The Group contract (£3.1m)new by building global is also progressing contracts at Eden Girls School in medical diagnostics company Essex and King Alfred’s Academy in Randox. Oxfordshire. This initial contract is for the Commenting on the record financial construction of a new facility for performance this year, Eugene Lynch, Managing Director of The McAvoy

“We have continued to increase production of Randox’s pioneering staffing levels to support our medical diagnostic and will expansion and are products building on also market-leading include associated administrative our success in the functions. buildings The works are the education sector withfirst diversification intocapital offsite expenditure solutions phase of a major for transport and infrastructure, project by Randox to develop the student accommodation, and former Massereene Armyhousing Barracks healthcare projects. These factors into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a have all contributed to a record year futuristic R&D andand manufacturing in both revenues profit and are facility. Thetoaward-winning, testament the hard work of our international teams across biotechnology the business.” firm, “We wholeheartedly support unveiled its plans for an innovative the hubGovernment’s on the 43 acrecommitment site earlier this to prioritising the use of offsite year. manufacturing and modern methods of Welcoming constructionthe to announcement, improve the cost Damien Hughes, Director and of TAL effectiveness, productivity speed Limited commented: “We are is still of construction delivery. There adelighted clear need for transformation to have been awardedin the construction sector to make it more

this contract with Randox, one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic and exciting businesses on a local and global level. Through the quality of our work and the dedication and professionalism of our team TAL has steadily grown over the last 34 years and this contract award reinforces efficient, faster,ofmore sustainablein and the strength our expertise the to apply better use healthcare sector. ” of technological advancements as delivered digital The project such will be construction. Despite numerous to BIM level 2 in partnership calls for change, the construction with theisdesign team Ostick and industry still fraught with financial Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, instabilities, delays, budget overruns Doran Consulting, Delap and substandard quality. ” & Waller Consulting Engineers and Charles “What is very reassuring for our Hutchison Consulting. business, our customers, and Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing construction partners, is just how far

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Director at Randox commented: “The development of Randox Science Park is core to our plans to create innovative diagnostics, to improve manufacturing efficiency to export high-value healthcare capabilities to world markets. This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of offsite has come – an example being cutting-edge research, development the £20m Lynch Hill andaward-winning diagnostic manufacture, covering Enterprise Academy, one of the UK’s conditions such as cancer, stroke and largest secondary schools to be built heart disease. We will also provide a offsite. The early delivery and build significant boost to thedemonstrates local economy quality of this scheme through new job creation. how we are already well onWe the very way much look the forward to workingtargets with to meeting Government’s for industrytoand we TALtheonconstruction this initial contract deliver look forward to playing our part the high quality infrastructure wein helping require.the ” building industry maximise the opportunities for change.”

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Retaining and developing top talent – the Farrans way By Mark Wade, Director at Hays Northern Ireland taking a strategic approach to training and development two years ago. One of the company’s strategic objectives is ‘Empowering. People’ To support this objective Farrans developed a new Training and Development Framework, providing a development structure which enables employees to reach their full potential.

Much has been written in the past few years about the skills shortages in the construction industry, but less has been said about how some of our leading companies have addressed that challenge by putting in place programmes to develop their own talent. In a competitive market, retaining the good people you have is almost as big a challenge as finding them in the first place, so it makes sense that some in the industry have realised that providing clear career development pathways is crucial to retention. Hays’ annual What Workers Want survey showed that career progression opportunities is one of the four key factors determining whether people stay in their jobs, alongside pay, culture and benefits. Some 78% of the workforce consider themselves ambitious and 38% aspire to senior management. When promoted 40% of professionals say they want recognition and respect, followed by training and development (28%). However, while 74% of employers say they offer training, less than 40% of people say they actually receive training. Farrans has long invested in its people, but, acknowledging the need for fresh thinking, the company began

To achieve its aims the company brought in expertise from sectors such as manufacturing and financial services, including Head of People and Engagement, Joanne Lennox. “Over the years, Farrans has established an excellent reputation for having people whose technical capabilities within the industry are first-rate and the company has always actively encouraged employees to pursue chartership in order to consolidate those capabilities,” Joanne says. “However, the shift in our organisation over the past two years is about taking this a step further. We set out to develop our employees through a personalised, all-encompassing approach and to ultimately set Farrans apart from the competition. “We are committed to achieving long term business success, so attracting, retaining and investing in the development of top talent is essential if we are to succeed.” Rather than introducing an offthe–shelf development programme, Farrans engaged with its team, spending time on site with employees across different disciplines to arrive at a tailored solution. The first outcome of that was a new approach to induction, extending the previous half day session to five days – three days of technical training

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and two days spent getting to know the essential people, processes and culture at Farrans, so they already feel part of the family when they start. The next major shift was an in-depth review of the existing performance review process. Like many organisations of a large scale, this review had previously been more employer-focused – an assessment of how an individual was carrying out their job, in the interest of the business. The new Focus Review process upturned this approach, placing the core focus on the career development of the individual employees, including a range of core competencies and SMART objectives to propel their own development, ultimately benefitting the business. With the current focus on the role of women in construction, Farrans has also recently set up a working group of females in technical roles to explore what fairness, inclusion and respect means to them as women in construction. They will be tasked with providing discussion papers on best practices and learning new skills to boost their careers. But perhaps its biggest investment has been in establishing the Farrans Foundation – a 21 month programme for new graduates or employees two years into their apprenticeship. The aim is that after 21 months, these new starts are fully qualified and competent within their disciplines. The programme develops both technical skills and skills needed to manage people, with personal development

plans, one-to-one coaching, team projects involving CSR activities and technical development centres. At present the company has 41 going through the programme in three groups and 18 will start it in 2018. These employees are from a range of disciplines, including civil engineering, construction management, M&E, commercial, environmental, design management and procurement. At a cost of around £2,500 per employee, it demonstrates the organisation is fully committed to investment in nurturing a pool of top talent. “At the heart of our comprehensive approach to investing in our people is a long-standing appreciation of what our people do,” says Farrans Managing Director, John Wilson. “It is the strength and capability of our workforce which has ensured our success for the last 76 years. “At the same time, we are a dynamic organisation with a growth mindset and we believe in continually improving ourselves in order to attract, and retain, the best talent. It is a challenge which we are undertaking together, as an organisation, so that we can empower the Farrans people and realise our ambitious goals for shaping our own future.” Employers seeking further insight into what is driving career decisions can download the Hays ‘What Workers Want’ survey by logging on to https://www.hays.co.uk/blog/whatworkers-want/index.htm or calling 028 9044 6900.

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It is important for all organisations to prepare for the introduction of GDPR and review their responsibilities to ensure the protection of personal data. Consultants, designers and specifiers will need to ensure security systems meet the new standards required by GDPR. Under the new GDPR requirements all personal data must be protected – so if your organisation collects, stores or uses personal data in any form, then GDPR applies to you. The penalties for non-compliance are tough with fines of up to 4% of annual global revenue or €20 million, whichever is greater. A key component of GDPR is data protection and privacy by design, which means that data protection and privacy should be at the forefront of solutions and technologies. Designers, architects

and specifiers should assess data protection at the point of design rather than after completion as under GDPR rules companies will need to justify why a privacy impact assessment was or was not carried out. So what can you do to ensure compliance? 1. Security shouldn’t be an afterthought. Adopt “Security by Design” processes to design GDPR compliant solutions that integrate data protection and encryption into the design of new security systems from the outset. 2. Review data protection policies and processes. Ensure that clear

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policies are in place to meet the new GDPR requirements. 3. Review CCTV data storage. Justify storage of footage and set compliant storage limits. 4. Get ready to respond to data requests. Individuals have the right to request copies of data held, including images captured on CCTV. Companies must comply with data requests and be able to provide redacted images that blur out any other personal data captured. 5. Consider the cloud. Mitigate your storage risks by using an

approved cloud storage provider. When designing or specifying security systems, make sure that you choose to work with a supplier that can help deliver against your GDPR requirements. If you are responsible for your organisation’s security systems or are specifying a system on behalf of a client and would like further information on how to meet your GDPR obligations, get in touch with STANLEY Security today. Contact our Belfast office on 02890 799988, Dublin office on 00353 1 456 4544 or email nisales@sbdinc.com

John Armstrong |17

16| John Armstrong

“Lack of Political Authority a daily concern for NI Contractors” Specify talks to John Armstrong, Managing Director of the CEF about the latest CEF/BDO Northern Ireland Half-Year State of Trade survey… The second Construction Employers Federation (CEF)/BDO Northern Ireland Half-Year State of Trade Survey paints a mixed picture as far as the Northern Ireland construction industry is concerned. The survey has revealed the books were full or nearly full for almost half of local construction companies during the second six months of 2017, albeit that this was down on the first six months of the year. The report surveyed CEF members who reported back on work volumes and predictions for the year ahead.

(Pictured l-r): John Armstrong (Managing Director, Construction Employers Federation), John Young (Director, BDO Northern Ireland), Sean Lavery (Partner, BDO Northern Ireland), Brian Murphy (Managing Partner, BDO Northern Ireland)

Commenting on the survey, CEF Managing Director John Armstrong told Specify: “The survey results reflect the anecdotal feedback we have been hearing from the industry for months. While workloads have remained, broadly, positive and the vast majority of the industry is beyond purely focusing on its own survival, the year-long political deadlock at Stormont has clearly begun to feed through. With less than 50 public sector construction projects currently out to tender, less than half the amount in October, the industry is fast approaching a dead end in terms of its public sector workload.” The survey results are based on a sample of 70 CEF members that represent 50% of Northern Ireland’s construction output, weighted across its constituent parts – general contracting, civil engineering and housebuilding – and company turnover. The survey reports that: During the second half of 2017, just under half of firms worked at full or almost full capacity. This was however down on the first six months of 2017 when twothirds of companies worked at full or almost full capacity. As anticipated in the previous survey results in August 2017, costs were up across the board for firms

in an intolerable position,” says John. “When we consider infrastructure, schemes require, in many cases, years of preparatory work and approvals. With little political direction beyond the Executive’s Flagship schemes, it is therefore impossible for future infrastructure planning across government clients to, properly, take place. When you consider industry’s concerns as to the Northern Irish market over the coming year, you can clearly see how this lack of political authority is now becoming a daily concern for local contractors. John Armstrong

– from labour costs to material costs to plant costs Looking at work expectations in the Northern Irish market over the next 12 months, around two-thirds of firms expect it to level out or, indeed, decline. That being said, only a small number of firms see the next 12 months as being about survival – a third are focused on stability, a quarter on growth and a third on increasing profitability Firms are though much more positive about the next 12 months outside of Northern Ireland in

terms of work expectations. Taking these factors into account, the sector’s outlook is pretty flat in terms of employment growth over the next 12 months – albeit that shortages in trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and joiners are reported across the board “The industry is clear that the failure to restore the Northern Ireland Executive is a clear impediment to its sustainability and growth,” according to John. “This has had, and will continue to have, a major impact on tenders coming to market as well as,

given the planned expenditure on Flagship projects, the volume of capital available for other estate maintenance works “Additionally, while industry has welcomed the extra clarity on Brexit provided by December’s UK-EU deal, there is significant uncertainty as to what companies should be preparing for in terms of the final outcome.” Mr Armstrong also paid tribute to the civil servants currently running Northern Ireland and the problems they face. “Civil servants have been placed

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“The survey results are critical in light of the Budget Outlook document prepared by the Department of Finance before Christmas. It very clearly details the challenges presented because of the huge investment going into the Northern Ireland Executive’s flagship projects over the next three years even though the overall capital budget is going up. “Unquestionably, the Executive’s flagship schemes stand on their very clear economic merits. However a balance must be struck in budgetary planning between how much resource is spent on these and other areas so to avoid a massive cliff edge

for the vast majority of firms not engaged on the Flagship projects. “With a 2018/19 Northern Ireland Budget now progressing through Westminster, we now need urgent clarity on how the funds allocated by the Secretary of State are to be spent by the various government departments. In this context it is therefore very welcome to see the Department for Infrastructure announce its highest start of year funding for roads maintenance - £75m – since 2011. This will come as a massive boost for those contractors, their employees and supply chains, to which road maintenance is a significant part of their workload. “The industry has faced a challenging period in respect of its sustainability. From issues related to low margins on works, to insufficient pipelines of activity, to the current political and budgetary challenges within Northern Ireland, there are significant tests to be dealt with. These must be matters of concern to anyone who wishes to see a healthy and vibrant Northern Irish construction industry given its critical role in delivering jobs, economic development and growth.”

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The View from the accountants… Brian Murphy, Managing Partner – Northern Ireland, for BDO emphasised the importance of the construction sector to the local economy and noted that it was disappointing to see so many top construction companies from here having to focus on work outside of Northern Ireland… “The construction sector continues to be a key employer and contributor to the Northern Ireland economy. The strength and innovation of the sector is reflected in the level of activity that it has engaged in over the survey period. However, it is disappointing yet again that the positivity within the sector seems to be more focussed on work outside of Northern Ireland. This disappointment is compounded by the fact that Northern Ireland is in great need of significant infrastructural investment. It is welcomed that the recent budget has included £410m for various infrastructure projects,

but there is much more to be done. Continued investment in Northern Ireland’s infrastructure will elevate our commercial offering and create the opportunities that are critical for the success of Northern Ireland in the global marketplace. “Northern Ireland has a great deal to offer and we have seen it time and time again where investors that come to Northern Ireland are impressed by the level of skills available and the economic fundamentals that are conducive to growth and profitability. “Whilst it is disappointing that we do not have a functioning local government, it is encouraging to see the Secretary of State taking the initiative and implementing a budget that does have an initial focus on the infrastructural requirements in Northern Ireland. It is hoped that this focus will continue going forward and that the projects that are essential to the economic recovery in Northern Ireland are progressed and implemented. These projects will go on to fuel the success of Northern Ireland plc.”

18| Envision

ENVISION | 19

Innovative Security

In today’s ever changing and advanced world, security needs are developing rapidly and unfortunately there isn’t one simple solution that ‘fits all’. At Envision, we have worked over the years to develop a fully managed service that encompasses all aspects of security, and is able to tailor to your specific needs. We combine invaluable experience, with fresh and innovative ideas to produce a bespoke security solution. Envision design, install, maintain and monitorand all through one simple pricing system. Our team is made up of enthusiastic members from different backgrounds, and with varying skillsets. From our highly qualified engineers, to our dedicated accounts team; we have specialists in all areas. We want to ensure every aspect of each security solution is taken care of at the highest possible level of service. We are delighted to have recently been awarded “Best Security System Design & Installation Contractor” in the SME NI Business Awards, bearing

testimony to the quality of service delivered by our team. Envision provide the full security package from installation of CCTV to the production and management of drone (RPAS Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems), this provides customers with full services, cost efficiencies and unrivalled protection. Envision remain one step ahead in the security sector. Our aim is to offer a service to accommodate our customer needs with our combined services package and we are renowned for our innovation in technology sourced from around the globe.

ReconEyez We understand it can hard to find a security solution that doesn’t add to the chaos on site. Therefore, we offer an alternativeReconEyez. Our ReconEyez system is wireless, demands no

existing infrastructure and can be installed in a matter of minutes. Because of its versatility, it can be relocated around the site as you need it. The unit employs its own independent power sources (with optional solar panels) and creates its own mesh network and communicates wirelessly via mobile networks to the cloud for real time alarm monitoring. Each camera detector houses HD day and night cameras, covert IR flash and wide angle, long range advanced PIR with additional video analytics. The battery lasts over a year and each device is constructed to IP67 rated and utilises secure encryption for all transmissions. . Once installed, ReconEyez camera devices detect intrusion, only when the threat is real, and information is relayed instantly to the Envision control centre. This visual alarm can then be forwarded to security personnel or police. ReconEyez doesn’t miss an event. Instant reaction enables prevention of crime; and your assets and premises remain safe and protected. With full client access to all captured footage and time lapse capabilities ReconEyez is unrivalled, with the additional

benefit of 12 months storage of all captured images. With a unique fully managed service covering supply, installation, multi network unlimited data sim, cloud software, 12mths storage, remote monitoring and de-installation, Envision provides your security coverage in one simple weekly cost with no upfront fees and no fixed term contracts.

Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) All security systems are monitored

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from our CATII ARC, based in Craigavon, where we provide a 24/7 helpdesk service. The ARC is built to latest European BS EN 50518 standards, meaning the highest quality technical equipment is combined with an excellent team of controllers, delivering first class customer service. With all core systems duplicated fully paperless systems and class leading monitoring software for both CCTV and Intruder, the Envision CATII ARC is top of class for ARC’s. The team has extensive experience and knowledge in designing, constructing and operating ARC’s and this is borne out in the design and execution of the Envision CAT II ARC. Envision utilising IMMEX software can monitor the majority of CCTV manufacturers and the Patriot Intruder Alarm monitoring platform can handle any communicator based Intruder system

We also offer ANPR cameras to monitor vehicle registration, and can control which vehicles are allowed access to your property.

Systems We Offer

Envision are responsible for controlling access to various construction sites, business parks, and cash and transit centres. From the ARC, we monitor doors and barriers, ensuring secure access only when permitted. Envision can provide remote managed access control for your property whether by door, gate, or barrier, negating the need for any member of your staff to be responsible for holding keys or cards. We also issue, manage and control cards for your access control card system. We also provide biometric access systems and turnstiles for management employees, contractors and visitors to construction sites to ensure safe operations

Envision provide the full array of electronic security systems from CCTV, Intruder, Access Control, Fire and emergency lighting. From full design, through installation and ongoing PPM (pre-planned maintenance) to full service, Envision are the one stop shop for effective, well engineered and 24/7 supported systems. 360o Coverage Cameras

We offer 360o cameras, which means the recorded image can be split into 4 static cameras and review recorded footage as if it is live. This system is excellent for enclosed areas and internal applications. ANPR Cameras

PA Systems

Our controllers can verbally alert intruders on site. The advanced video analytics are used for alarm generation to the Envision ARC, from which our SIA trained and licenced Controllers can issue verbal warnings through IP AXIS PA Loud Speakers if required.

Access Control

Vacant Property When a property becomes vacant, it is at a greater risk of attempted break-ins. Envision offer a range of solutions to prevent such incidents taking place. Steel Doors & Screens

A standard door, even with multiple locks fitted, is no match for a determined intruder or group of squatters hell-bent on taking possession of the property. Envision offer temporary steel doors that can be installed quickly, causing no damage to the existing frame, and designed specifically to provide permanent resistance to high-impact assault and/or Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

repeated attempts at intrusion. Key-operated steel door:

Manufactured from heavy-duty plate steel to our exacting design and specification, these doors are designed to be securely installed in door-openings of any size. Features include: • Highly visible deterrent • Effective physical barrier • Heavy duty, folded & webbed steel construction • Purpose design & built • Secured from the inside in order to cause little or no damage to existing door frame These steel doors provide a cost-effective and secure solution and are ideal where authorised personnel have easy access to keys. Keyless steel door:

Designed, manufactured and tested to the rigorous LPS1175 with Police & Insurance approval, the keyless steel door remains unique in its class. Features include: • Keyless access via unique 5-digit code • Unique independent locking mechanism • Cannot be removed by cuttingoff the hinges • Easy/rapid exit – you can never be locked-in Fencing

Envision can surround your property with secure fencing, fitted with cameras and monitors where necessary, to prevent intrusion on your site. Whatever your needs, whether heras fencing, or concrete road blocks; temporary or permanent, we

will provide the most effective solution. Once your equipment is set up, you’ll not be on your own. You will receive ongoing support and maintenance from Envision management, engineers, controllers and response team. Envision services also include pre-planned and reactive CCTV, Intruder and Fire maintenance, ensuring that each system has at least two visits per year. All maintenance is performed by certified Envision engineers, including 24 hour emergency maintenance call out. Prioritising Protection As we aim to protect your sites and assets, the safety of our employees is also of utmost importance. We use StaySafe - an innovative and award winning smartphone app and cloudbased monitoring solution which provides personal protection for lone workers anywhere in the world. The app tracks location in real-time enabling employees to check-in safely via smartphone or tablet, and request immediate assistance in an emergency. Envision USA

Envision are proud to have launched Envision USA after recently investing in operations in Boston. The team are working on major construction projects and car dealerships in the USA, and are offering a solution that until this point has not existed in that market place. All equipment and remote monitoring for the USA is provided from our Head office here in Craigavon, providing fantastic opportunities for international networking.

RICS AWARDS | 21

20| RICS AWARDS

Northern Ireland’s top property schemes compete in prestigious RICS awards studio in a rural setting, Foyle College, Ebrington Primary School and Nursery, and Deerpark Cottage in Bellaghy, a listed building which dates back to 1830, have also been shortlisted in two categories.

Titanic Hotel Belfast

Thirty-five of Northern Ireland’s most innovative property projects have been shortlisted for prestigious industry accolades – including the overall Project of the Year title – in the RICS Awards 2018, Northern Ireland. The annual awards recognise exemplary built projects that contribute positively to Northern Ireland and this year has seen the highest number of entries in their

28 year history. Schemes of all sizes and budgets from all over Northern Ireland are now in with a chance of gaining acclaimed industry recognition along with the teams behind them. A wide variety of projects have been shortlisted across the eight categories of the awards scheme – Building Conservation, Commercial sponsored by Sika, Community Benefit, Design through Innovation sponsored by Forbo, Infrastructure, Regeneration, Residential and

Tourism and Leisure. Twelve projects from across Northern Ireland have achieved the honour of being shortlisted in two categories including the new Titanic Hotel Belfast which is in the running for both Building Conservation and Tourism and Leisure awards. Other Belfast projects which have been shortlisted for two awards include housing development One Sussex Place in Belfast and The Weaving Works, which has seen the redevelopment and regeneration of Armagh House, Ballycopeland Windmill a neglected 19th century former linen warehouse on Ormeau Avenue. Connwsater Community Greenway in east Belfast is shortlisted in Community Benefit and Infrastructure categories. County Londonderry projects including Fallahogey Studio in Kilrea, which has provided a new architectural

In Country Tyrone, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, a new model of healthcare provision, unique to the UK in how services are delivered on one site, has been shortlisted in Design Through Innovation and Infrastructure categories. The Pump House in Portadown is in running for awards in the Regeneration and Building Conservation categories. And in County Down, Rosemount Mews in Greyabbey, St Bronagh’s Primary School in Rostrevor and Newry Leisure Centre are also both in the running for two awards. The RICS Awards 2018, Northern Ireland, will be presented at The La Mon Hotel & Spa, Belfast on 24 May. All category winners will go on to compete against other regional winners at the national RICS Awards Grand Final in November 2018. The winners of each category will also be in with a chance of winning the top prize, the highly esteemed Project of the Year title, presented to the scheme which demonstrates overall outstanding best practice and an exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area. Michael Hannaway, Chair of the RICS Awards Northern Ireland judging panel, said: “Despite the uncertainty in the current climate, Northern Ireland’s property professionals continue to deliver exemplary, and in many cases, world-class built projects that are having a profoundly positive

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impact on our cities and towns. Deerpark Cottage

“I am delighted to see so many of these remarkable built initiatives on this year’s shortlist for the 2018 RICS Awards, Northern Ireland. The exceptional talent and skills of the teams and surveyors behind these schemes is nothing short of remarkable, and I wish them all the best of luck in gaining the recognition they deserve for ensuring their local communities remain fantastic places to live, work, and visit.” Full list of shortlisted projects for 2018 RICS Awards, Northern Ireland Building Conservation Ballycopeland Windmill Deerpark Cottage, Bellaghy One Sussex Place, Belfast The Pump House, Portadown The Tropical Ravine Titanic Hotel Belfast Union Theological College Commercial Bunzl Ireland City Quays 2 Colby House, Belfast Fallahogey Studio, Kilrea LacPatrick Dairy Technology Centre, Artigarvan New Laser Testing Facility The Weaving Works Ulster Carpets Dye House

Killean Primary School, Newry Portaferry Market House St Mary’s Primary School, Banbridge St. Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor Tannaghmore Primary School, Lurgan

Community Benefit Connswater Community Greenway Foyle College, Ebrington Primary School & Nursery John Paul II Primary School, Belfast

Design through Innovation Better Gym, Belfast Fallahogey Studio, Kilrea Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex

Infrastructure Connswater Community Greenway Enniskillen Ambulance Station Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex Regeneration Foyle College, Ebrington Primary School & Nursery Newry Leisure Centre One Sussex Place, Belfast Rosemount Mews, Greyabbey St. Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor The Pump House, Portadown

The Weaving Works Residential Beltoy House, Carrickfergus Catherine Place, Bangor Deerpark Cottage, Bellaghy Rathgill, Bangor Rosemount Mews, Greyabbey Sloan Street, Lisburn Tourism & Leisure Belfast City Hall Exhibition Newry Leisure Centre Rainey Endowed Sports Complex Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh Titanic Hotel Belfast

Gerflor are again Premium Sponsor of RIAI Awards 2018 International flooring specialists Gerflor are proud once again to be the headline premium sponsor supporting the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s (RIAI) Irish Architecture Awards 2018, the premier architectural awards in Ireland. The RIAI is the professional Institute for Architects in Ireland and its purpose is to drive excellence in the built environment. The RIAI Irish

Architecture Awards play a central role in this objective. Now in their 29th year, the purpose of the Awards is to promote and celebrate the quality of current work by RIAI Members at home and abroad and to create awareness of the contribution that architects make to society for everyone’s benefit. The RIAI Awards promote the best of the best and the 14 categories include: Commercial/ Retail projects through to Education, Health, Housing, Public Buildings and Sustainability. The

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annual awards are therefore very prestigious and the competition for shortlisting is extremely fierce. Sponsoring these awards again, is for Gerflor, synonymous with their commitment to quality, innovation and engagement with the architectural community. Malcolm McClure, Irish National Sales Manager, alludes to this relationship when commenting: “Gerflor is so very pleased that the 2018 awards will continue our close and mutually rewarding connection with the RIAI. We are excited to be involved and

look forward enormously to the culmination of the Awards process when we join with the profession to celebrate creativity together.” The Winners will be announced at a gala event on 8 June in the Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin. Learn more about Gerflor solutions, ask for a free sample or contact us to speak to a specialist today by calling 01926 622 600, emailing contractuk@gerflor.com, or visiting gerflor.co.uk for the latest innovations.

22| JOHN SIMPSON

JOHN SIMPSON | 23

Housing and roads: should more responsibilities pass to local Government? by John Simpson

and efficiently be reserved to central government (meaning Stormont) and those issues that lend themselves to local setting of priorities and decision making. In the reform of local government the decisions on which policy Giant’s Park is the largest regeneration site in Belfast and offers huge potential to deliver economic, areas should social and physical benefits. Linked to all major roads, motorways, ports and airports, the Belfast City be delegated Council-owned site has received a £9.5m infrastructure upgrade to include over 1,700 of new roads, to local the installation of key services, landscaping and planting. government are unread by this writer, presumably far from perfect. The eleven local there are nine other series of government Since the better functioning administrative units in documents. local authorities should have a Northern Ireland are concern for a coherent series of now maturing in the The critical distinction, changing public services and investments delivery of services and the balance of responsibility from to benefit that local government seem to have dealt central to local government, is the area, identifiable ‘local’ services with the initial teething acceptance by the local authorities, should preferably be delegated. problems of the new boundaries and new singly or in partnerships, of a Taking this general principle into responsibilities in a (dare major role in securing the social, a policy framework means that it be said) progressive environmental and economic the decision makers at Stormont manner. Council development of their areas. should reconsider the possible chambers have not There is an important dividing responsibility of local government been without traditional line between those development in the provision of housing and political tensions but, issues that can most appropriately nevertheless, business

housing services along with the provision of efficient urban space management of roads and parking. The possible benefits of the delegation to local government of parts of the roads service and of parts of the initiatives for housing, including social housing, should help to encourage a comprehensive community development agenda. Putting these arguments the other way round, there seems to be a trend for local authorities to focus more strongly on the evolution of development proposals that are aimed at improving the economy, promoting jobs and serving business needs. Not that these objectives are secondary; simply that for completeness, issues such as housing and transport mobility should form part of the planning. Housing Northern Ireland is not building sufficient new housing units. The official estimates of realistic housing needs confirm that the number of housing units being built each year is well below the expected demand. In particular, the housing market in Belfast is constrained by potential under-

is being done, forms of power sharing are usual and even nominations for the holding of senior ‘offices’ reflect accepted rotation agreements.

The reshaping of local government was the outcome of a long debate, a slow process of implementation and finally a settled decision making framework. Perhaps the most critical part of the reshaping is only now reaching fruition. The eleven Councils are in the early stages of formulating the local development plans for their areas. Belfast and Londonderry-Derry Strabane have made significant progress, first, in publishing a wideranging, but non-specific, overview of their development ambitions and then, secondly, turning to documents that are closer to area and site specific ‘Local Development Options’. So far, Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

supply. The Belfast Agenda and the related policy options paper under-states the implications of emerging imbalances. The Belfast Agenda and its policy derivatives illustrate that serious planning for homes and housing does not have the priority that it deserves. The city council as the planning authority should be estimating the number of housing units likely to be needed in the next 10-20 years and then adding this estimate into the spatial dimensions of the city plan also taking account of avoiding excessive commuting.

than perfect. A scheme to devolve key aspects of town centre transport management would test the skills and efforts in ways in which local accountability could be enhanced. The suggestion that housing and personal mobility (through improved road services) should be delegated to local authorities

Contractor appointed for £10m housing scheme in West Belfast

Adding housing as a major feature of local development plans will not be a simple task. It is, initially, difficult because to-day’s local authorities do not have direct responsibility for housing developments. This becomes more complicated when account is taken of the very diverse range of institutions and market forces affecting new housing. Private sector developments, often for the owner-occupier market, need to be accommodated through the planning process. The risk is that the planning constraints will negatively frustrate private sector developers. That risk needs to be minimised by realistic spatial planning for this type of expansion. Alongside a growing private sector housing market, there is a parallel need for clarity in the planning provision for affordable and social housing. The Housing Executive has an ill-defined role in facilitating new social housing schemes. Much of the local effort (as this writer is aware) lies with the 20+ housing associations. The housing associations might now be expected to increase the scale of their activities. However, local authority community planning takes little responsibility for the spatial aspects of a larger social housing provision. Logically, the Department for the Communities should pass the planning responsibilities to the local authorities whilst retaining the discretionary decisions needed on capital funding. Giving local authorities’ responsibility for traffic management and vehicle parking may be a more controversial suggestion. The current arrangements to facilitate the operation and convenience of traffic in town centres are less

Michael McDonnell (Group Chief Executive Choice Housing Ireland), Danny Bonner (EHA Group) and Charlie Lavery (JNP Architects).

becomes stronger in the context of the emerging emphasis in the larger areas on the attraction and implementation of ‘city deals’. Belfast is a long way down the road to launch a multimillion pound city deal. The Belfast city deal is being designed as a shared vision with five other Councils and may be stronger and more effective as a result. However, the publicity associated with the city deal, to this reader, lacks an adequate appreciation of the large and growing housing supply deficit. If city deals can be approved for the urban ‘city areas’ this could further enhance the improved urban infrastructure across Northern Ireland. The framework for imaginative development plans is taking shape. It needs to search for an ambitious agenda.

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Choice Housing has appointed UK contractor EH Allingham Construction Ltd to complete a major housing project in West Belfast. Family owned business, EHA Group, who have projects across the UK and Ireland will begin work onsite immediately with a scheduled completion date of early 2020. The Glen Road Heights development, in Hannahstown West Belfast will provide 92 much needed new homes that will accommodate more than 350 people and incorporate the very latest in energy saving, design and security features. The scheme, designed by JNP Architects includes six apartments, eighty-three houses and three wheelchair accessible bungalows

and is another clear commitment from Choice Housing to providing high quality social housing in areas of need. Michael McDonnell, Group Chief Executive of Choice said: “Glen Road Heights has been in the system for quite some time and we are pleased to be in a position to finally start construction onsite. This scheme will play a major role in meeting the growing demands for local housing in the West Belfast area. “We engaged in a rigorous search to find the best contractors and it is pleasing to appoint an organisation that has the skills, experience and resources for a job of this size. EHA Group have extensive experience in delivering top quality housing projects across the region and we look forward to working together in delivering this development for the local people of West Belfast”.

Diamond Systems | 25

Redefining security at Belfast’s premier entertainment venue, The Odyssey Complex

The Odyssey Complex, Northern Ireland’s leading entertainment venue, had been operating a legacy CCTV system installed at the venue’s inception in 2000. In line with The Odyssey Complex’s commitment to providing leading entertainment within a safe and secure environment, its management team decided that a futureproof security solution would be pivotal to the venue’s ongoing success.

extreme light sensitivity to give more life-like colours in low-light conditions, vital within the arena and during evening events. Axis’ Zipstream technology also helped reduce the complex’s total cost of ownership by decreasing storage and bandwidth requirements. In addition, The Axis Network Door Controller and Network Video Door Station have been installed to restrict public access to certain areas of the complex.

Moving with the times – new technology for a connected world

The Odyssey team has been extremely impressed with the quality and robustness of the solution. The cameras’ superior image quality means the complex can now rapidly investigate suspicious activity. Since the system went live, it has already assisted with the prosecution of those committing offences. The installation met all of The Odyssey Complex’s operational requirements, with significant cost savings achieved through Zipstream and Lightfinder technology, optimising storage capacity and improving low-light scenario image capture.

Diamond Systems, a leading NSI Gold specialist in electronic fire and security solutions, and a Gold Axis Communications Partner, closely reviewed the challenging requirements of the extensive multi-use complex. The proposed solution incorporated 140 new Axis IP cameras, including day and night fixed dome cameras with 5 megapixels for improved image quality. This allowed the Complex to identify incidents in real-time. All cameras utilised innovative Axis Lightfinder technology with Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

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Steve Snoddon, Managing Director at Diamond Systems, states, “We installed the original CCTV system 18 years ago when the complex was first developed. While providing value at the time, technology has progressed at such a rapid pace since that it was time for us to revaluate the technology available to support its requirements.” The Odyssey Complex’s new system is now one of the most modern within Northern Ireland. Brian Hughes, Group Head of Facilities at The Odyssey Complex, explains, “Through the use of

intelligent applications such as Lightfinder and Zipstream, we can be confident we have the technology to support our unique security needs. Working closely with Diamond Systems and Axis, we were also keen to ensure the system has capacity to include analytics in the future. This could include customer footfall and queue management, bringing benefits in terms of operational effectiveness, guest satisfaction and of course, visitor safety.” To discuss your electronic security requirements, contact the team at Diamond Systems, www. diamondsystems.co.uk.

ESF| 27

Championing Innovation in Street Furniture Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) is known for their comprehensive range of street furniture and site furnishing products, many of which are located throughout Northern Ireland and beyond. The Newtownabbey based company has achieved recognition for their success in exporting at many local industry awards and as their award cabinet continues to grow, so does their portfolio of work, especially in the Northern Ireland health and education sectors. ESF supplied bike and smoking shelters and steel cycle stands to Antrim Area Hospital following the installation of bus shelters at Craigavon Area Hospital. Site furnishings were also supplied to Altnagelvin, Forster Green, Belfast City and the Royal Victoria Hospitals, as well as to Ballymena Health Centre. A significant contract for ESF was at the Ulster University in Coleraine. The company was selected to supply

a range of bicycle shelters as part of a recent regeneration scheme within the university. ESF has also supplied shelters to the Southern Education Regional College (SERC) Space Campus in Belfast, the SERC campus in Bangor and to various Southern Eastern Library Board schools.

been working tirelessly to develop and promote street furniture utilising sustainable solar energy and as a result, their bespoke products allow users to recharge their smartphones and tablets whilst enjoying the outdoor landscape. The products can also track air quality and noise levels

through environmental sensors and encourage smarter, greener living adding to the new era of innovation in street furniture. For further information on ESF’s product range, visit www.worldofesf.com.

What sets ESF apart is their ability to fully customise and incorporate solar technology into their street furniture products. The company, advocating sustainable energy, has

AG’s Head of Specification on a mission Tyrone-based specialist building products and structural precast manufacturer AG (Acheson + Glover) is to increase its focus on the professional market with the appointment of a new Head of Specification Sales. For Cookstown man Rodney Davidson it is a return to the company after a seven year stint working in Kenya as a missionary charity worker. Rodney, who worked for the company for 18 years returns to Northern Ireland after spending 7 years living in Kenya with his family, where they devoted their time to charity work. Alongside his wife Alma and their four children, Jordan, Amy, Calvin and Grace, the family lived on an 18 acre orphanage among the Wakamba tribe with FAME Mission. The former Sunday School teacher at Cookstown Free Presbyterian Church, began his career as a dispatch clerk before rising up the ranks to become Group Specification Manager prior to moving to Kenya. Stephen Acheson, the company’s Commercial Director said that he is delighted to see Rodney return to Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

AG. He said: “For many years Rodney was a great asset to AG, and he’s one of the key people who have helped build the

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company to the point where it’s at today. “We are very proud to have Rodney back on board after his time in Africa - he brings with him a wealth

of experience and knowledge and is a fantastic example of career progression through hard work and determination coupled with enthusiasm and loyalty.”

28| FCS

FCS – leaders in electrical installation and compliance

We are FCS Services Limited (Facilities Compliance Services) We specialize in electrical testing, compliance, maintenance and installation – thus offering the complete range of services to handle your facilities management needs. Our aim is to keep your business compliant and safe when it comes to electrical facilities management.

42 Craignageeragh Rd, Ahoghill, Ballymena BT42 1EL hello@fcsservices.co.uk

T: 028 25 871287

www.fcsservices.co.uk

FCS specializes in electrical testing, compliance, maintenance and installation – thus offering the complete range of services to handle all facilities management needs. The aim of FCS is to keep your business compliant and safe when it comes to electrical facilities management. John Lorimer is the man behind FCS and he brings over 20 years of experience within the electrical industry to the company and is at the forefront of all that they do. He spent 14 years with JBE in Ballymena, a successful mechanical and electrical engineering company, where John helped them maintain their high quality of work. Over the last 6 years John has been in management roles within the electrical industry helping him to develop, learn and grow his experience. The mission of FCS is: “To offer the highest standard of work to meet your electrical facilities

management requirements. To offer the best customer experience in the industry, including an excellent aftercare service to support you with any queries you may have. “To offer honesty and transparency when it comes to your facilities management and industry regulations. We will clearly explain these regulations and ensure that you are aware of your obligations as a duty-holder. If you don’t need it – we won’t do it.” “We are committed to learning and growing to ensure that our team has the latest skills and knowledge available which is vital in electrical testing and compliance,” says John. “Our equipment includes the latest and most reliable in the industry to ensure our work is done to the highest standard. “While our skills and technology may evolve, the strong relationships we build with our customers will remain strong – allowing you to deal with our friendly, reliable team whenever you need us.” FCS are currently on it site at the Grand Central Hotel, on behalf of Michael Nugent Ltd.

Building the future together As a first choice supplier for leading architects, construction companies, builders and the self-build sector, RTU is helping shape the architectural landscape of Northern Ireland.

Core M&E, a young company with ambition…

Core M&E Services Limited was founded in November 2013. The company’s principle activities include Mechanical and Electrical contracting, design, installation, maintenance and technical services for both public and private sector in commercial and industrial markets.

Core M&E may be a young company, but it is comprised of individuals who all have a wealth of experience in the industry constituting a combined knowledge base of over 100 years in Mechanical and Electrical services. What makes Core unique is the level and scope of experience they can bring to any job. Core M&E has the practical skills, industry knowledge and professionalism to deliver the highest quality end product. Many of their team developed their skills as trade persons and as such they can offer an unparalleled understanding of clients’ aim and objectives.

Core’s experienced team deliver through a co-ordinated pricing and design process developing through to an efficient site management programme, resulting in completing contracts on time and budget. Core prides itself in working with prestigious clients across multiple sectors within the building services industry and Core has been awarded a number of significant contracts in Northern Ireland, UK and Asia. Core M&E undertake new builds, refurbishments, remodelling and fitouts for several bluechip companies across the UK and Ireland. Core have been awarded a number of Government Contracts for the fit out and refurbishment of social housing and residential schemes and provide multi-disciplinary mechanical and electrical systems such as HVAC, lighting systems and disabled access. Managing Director John Funston comments, “Although we are a relatively new business, our success in contracts including those with high calibre customers has been attributed to the quality of our experience, the relationships with our customers and the diversity and flexibility of services

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that Core provides. “The key to our success is our complete lifecycle approach to contracts offering our client everything from initial consultation, to full design to the final outstanding mechanical and electrical installation services. “Core has built an enviable reputation for high-quality delivery and engineering excellence, and we put the experience we’ve

gained over many years in the industry to work for our clients.”

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Brett Martin |31

PLUMBING & DRAINAGE PRESENTS

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Gilbert Ash, AC Hotel by Marriott Ireland schools were invited by Gilbert-Ash to recreate the hotel as part of an immersive Minecraft initiative. The initiative demonstrated the role of technology in the design and construction of buildings. Throughout the course of the project, the pupils who were aged between 12 and 18 visited the construction site and developed environmentally sustainable ideas. This unique community programme scored full marks for innovation within the Considerate Constructors Scheme, with a case study now featuring in its best practice hub. In addition, local Primary 4 pupils were invited to a tour of the hotel during construction following Gilbert-Ash’s involvement in a design competition at their school.

Gilbert-Ash lights up the Belfast skyline with AC Hotel by Marriott Award-winning UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, GilbertAsh, recently completed the £21.5 million build of the AC Hotel in Belfast, with the doors officially opening at the beginning of April. The new City Quays hotel, situated on the docks at Belfast Harbour, it is Marriott International’s first development in Northern Ireland. With 188 bedrooms across eight floors, it is now one of the city’s largest hotels. While Gilbert-Ash works across the globe in over 43 countries, this project has been particularly rewarding for the team as they have been able to apply their skills on home territory. With headquarters in Belfast, the company’s work in delivering the AC Hotel has been hands-on and carefully considered at every point. A strong key account management strategy has enabled the team to build strong relationships with partners on-site but also importantly in the wider community. During construction, over 1,000 people were inducted onto the site as 50 individual subcontractors were

involved in large-scale hospitality project. At peak times, up to 160 people worked on the hotel construction. Advanced Construction Process Situated along the water’s edge, the new hotel delivers real standout at the harbour with a modern, progressive exterior. Carea rainscreen cladding on the outside of the building in Iceberg and Basalt colours create a striking contrast emerging from the docks onto the Belfast skyline. During the construction, the north, east and west elevations of the building used nine mast climbers in total, each secured to the concrete frame of the building. In contrast to MEWPS machinery, the mast climbers better facilitated the installation of the rainscreen cladding, with curtain walling and floor-to-ceiling windows. The south elevation of the building was used as a purpose-built platform for every level, including access points, loading bays and refuse chutes. As the site was adjacent the River Lagan, the project presented additional challenges for the Gilbert-

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Ash team. It was imperative to minimise emissions and eliminate any pollution of the water. The hotel was therefore deliberately constructed in a way that any run-off would go to the road side, rather than towards the river, with grey water used to clean the roads in the surrounding area. Wet cutting was also incorporated for all brick, concrete and breaking of piling to reduce emissions and dust in the area.

prevented from blowing onto the walkways during construction.

Due to the conditions of the harbour site, the piling also needed to be carried out in a considered three-step process including pre-bore drilling to five metres, casing down to 12 metres and CFA piling in the final step to 30 metres.

In terms of final design and construction, the exterior highquality finish of the project continues inside, with the style in keeping with the classic AC Hotel signature branding, creating an elegance throughout the hotel and giving guests a contemporary experience. The dark polished wood detailing of the construction is complemented with the light of double height glazed curtain walling, maximising the views from the rooms. The floor-to-ceiling windows also bookend the long corridors of the floors, creating a dramatic strip of light from the AC Hotel across Belfast at night.

The team were particularly aware that access routes for walking and cycling along the waterfront needed to be publicly accessible throughout the construction process. Consequently, the building was also wrapped during the construction process to keep noise and emissions within the building. It was also sealed with fire-rated polythene to ensure it was water-tight until the glazing was installed, ensuring fragments, materials or dust blowing was contained and

The hospitality development also incorporates a spacious reception area, bar and lounge, fitness facilities, alongside two meeting rooms that provide 84sqm of meeting space. The hotel hosts a spacious 112seat bar and restaurant, headed by multi-Michelin-starred award-winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, with bifold doors opening out onto a raised terrace overlooking the newly landscaped jetties at the water’s edge. The outdoor space is completed

with hard landscaping, encompassing a mixture of Portuguese granite and Irish limestone paving with fossiling, creating a space where the hotel guests can immerse themselves in Belfast’s vibrant dockside, in the heart of the city. Gilbert-Ash Project Manager, Warren Copeland, commented, “This was a really interesting and enjoyable hospitality project for myself and the team, and even more so because it was on home ground. With in-depth experience in this sector, we incorporated a range of high-quality materials from all over the world – it really is a must-see hotel, boasting views of the surrounding landscape including Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic and the Cavehill County Park overlooking the city. We are really proud to have played our part in Belfast Harbour’s City Quays project.” Responsible Building Works As Gilbert-Ash’s Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, takes up the seat as President of the Construction Employers Federation, attracting young people into the industry is a key focus for the company. The AC Hotel project presented the opportunity for Gilbert-Ash to educate school pupils and students from across Northern Ireland, on the wide variety of roles and opportunities in the construction sector. In partnerships with Belfast Harbour and STEM Aware, a total of Northern

As part of Gilbert-Ash’s commitment to promoting diversity, the project also provided a number of opportunities for education in this area. As a key sponsor of Womenstec, which provides training for women in non-traditional skills, Gilbert-Ash coordinated a site tour for the organisation as well as for CITB’s Women in Construction Network. An immersive tour of the site on International Women’s Day also highlighted the variety of roles fulfilled by women within Gilbert-Ash and open to those throughout the construction industry. With sustainability and responsible building also key to Gilbert-Ash, a partnership with Re:Store by Habitat for Humanity helped reduce wastage from the site. Surplus building products were collected and sold by Re:Store, with all proceeds going to the charity. Several fundraising initiatives were also undertaken by the team for The Simon Community, as well donations to a local food bank. The health and well-being of GilbertAsh employees was also prioritised during the construction process, with healthy meals provided and employees exercising at lunchtime and participating in 5k and 10k races. The site was registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and scored highly throughout the process. Experience Gilbert-Ash possesses a wealth of experience within the hospitality sector across the UK. The team work continually as the preferred contractor for Whitbread and Premier Inn throughout the UK, working on newbuild, extension and refurbishment projects. Gilbert-Ash deliver the Premier Inn branded hotels both directly for Whitbread and on developer-led schemes. The company won the Whitbread for Construction Supplier of the Year in 2017 for their extensive work. Gilbert-Ash has also been shortlisted as a Construction News Contractor of the Year finalist in 2018. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson said, “We are delighted with the completion of the AC Hotel Belfast and proud of our work with partners Belfast Harbour and Marriott International, creating a stunning new addition to Northern Ireland’s burgeoning hotel sector. We believe the local community, businesses and

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tourists alike will enjoy the stunning view over the impressive City Quays area and Belfast’s vibrant and increasingly dynamic waterfront.”

goes into every Gilbert-Ash project, with the team skilled in delivering the finest quality projects in the UK and globally.

Highly detailed design, advanced logistical planning and development

For more information on GilbertAsh visit www.gilbert-ash.com

Specify/ Project Profile/ The Deluxe Group/ AC Hotel

Proud to have manufactured and installed the Bespoke Joinery package for Gilbert Ash on the prestigious AC Hotel, Belfast

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The Deluxe Group was awarded the Bespoke Joinery package for all public areas and bedrooms for the AC Hotel, Belfast, by GilbertAsh after a competitive tender process.

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Colm Connolly of The Deluxe Group commented “The company was delighted to deliver this substantial contract. The interior design throughout the hotel is exceptional, and the hotel will be a huge success. This project was ideal for us as the majority of our projects are in London, so this time, having our factory only forty minutes away, was a luxury that our manufacturing and install teams don’t usually have. Thankfully all aspects of project went well, with no major issues. This was down to how well-organised the site was, and to the excellent coordination between the team and Gilbert-Ash. The two companies have delivered many complex interiors together in Britain”.

Deluxe Group has also increased the workforce in its Portadown HQ. With the company having outgrown its existing facilities, a major investment has been made in a large new purpose-built facility and offices featuring leading

Other numerous prestigious projects with Gilbert-Ash include the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, Cadogan Estate Offices, IET Savoy Place, London, and the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre. Great demand for The Deluxe Group services has seen the overall workforce increase to some 100 people over the last three years. In anticipation of this planned increase in activity, additional management and professional resources, new technology and a state of the art bespoke joinery manufacturing facility have all been put in place. New international projects and opportunities have meant that The

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edge equipment. The Deluxe Group are currently negotiating further significant bespoke joinery and visitor attraction projects within the UK, ROI, Middle East and China. These will require further investment

in staff, and will bring greater funds into the Northern Ireland economy. Colm Connolly commented “Our order book has already reached close to its target for 2018. The team have done extremely well, especially in London where we have gained an enviable reputation for delivering luxury hospitality, residential and workplace bespoke joinery contracts for wellestablished main contractors and developers. Currently the company is engaged in providing high end bespoke joinery for three boutique hotels in the UK along with several other projects for blue chip clients. I am also delighted to say the company is negotiating a substantial new contract in one of London’s landmark buildings. We expect to make a formal announcement on this very soon”.

Specify/ Project Profile/ Fireglass Direct/ AC Hotel

Glass

122 Hillhead Rd, Castledawson, Magherafelt BT45 8ET 028 7946 9133

Fireglass Direct Fireglass Direct have been in a working relationship with the award-winning UK contractor Gilbert Ash for over 10 years and in this time, have worked alongside the company on various projects, some of which include The SSE Arena Belfast, Apartments at 16 Barnsbury Square, Kingspan Stadium Raven Hill, The University of Surrey, The Giants Causeway. Throughout the course of these projects Fireglass Direct have supplied and fitted many bespoke glass solutions such as balustrading, hospitality boxes, back painted glass, sliding door systems, security screens, glazed partitions and unique glass louvre systems. Specify caught up with Managing Director Thomas Farrell who said “Our company is a one stop shop with two dimensions. We supply a wide range of glass products directly to the

info@fireglassdirect.co.uk www.fireglassdirect.co.uk

construction industry. We also get involved in various projects working alongside design teams and contractors to ultimately meet the expectations of our clients. Our team at Fireglass ensure that we are fully able to get involved in both dimensions from design conception right through to the completion of the job. We pride ourselves in that we bring both

our expertise and experience to site.” When asked if there is anything unique about the services Fireglass Direct provide on Gilbert Ash projects, Thomas replied “With our in-house design team and extensive knowledge of architectural glass, we have helped Gilbert Ash on these various jobs by guiding them through the specification process and design stages. Regarding the project for Marriott Hotel in Belfast, Fireglass were tasked with the job of providing opaque en suite doors to each room. This involved keeping within the budget yet still producing the aesthetically pleasing finish the client required. We achieved this by working closely with the design team at Gilbert Ash. In addition to the door systems, we also installed mirrors to the bedrooms and back painted glass to the Hotel’s reception area.

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Specify/ Project Profile/ Taranto/ AC Hotel

Concrete Taranto Taranto was appointed as the specialist sub contractor to manufacture and install in excess of one hundred precast concrete staircases in the new nine-storey Marriott Hotel, Belfast. Taranto specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of precast concrete flooring, stairs, structural walling, terracing and is the only precast foundation engineering company in Ireland and GB to design, manufacture

in-house and install complete foundation systems, including; piling, ground beams, flooring & precast products. The company offers an extensive range of engineered foundation systems including: piling, ground improvements, foundation packages, mini piling and underpinning “Our wide range of precast production capabilities allows us to offer valued engineered solutions to our clients, our engineering and technical team look at jobs differently with the

aim of eliminating over design to simplify solutions and generate cost and time savings for clients, whether it be for a multi-million pound scheme or small residential development wherever possible”, says Sales Director, David McCartney. He continues, “Thankfully we’ve built longstanding working relationships with many leading contractors throughout Ireland and GB who now involve us at an early stage and use our specialist experience to help differentiate their bid to gain competitive advantage. That’s what Taranto is about…value engineering and working closely with clients to provide the highest level of technical support and on-site service”. Innovating Foundations… SureFound is the latest innovation launched by Taranto and is the only precast piled solution with BBA accreditation in the GB market. “We developed SureFound in response to changes to Building Regulations Part “L” 2010 which requires a fundamentally different approach for modular foundation packages,” says David McCartney. “The unique construction profile of SureFound allows three key Part L requirements to be satisfied, without the need for additional site excavation and the costly removal of additional spoil from site.

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2 Old Scarva Rd, Craigavon BT62 2ED T: 028 3884 1765 info@taranto.co.uk www.taranto.co.uk With increasing on-site labour shortages SureFound has been quickly adapted by many leading housebuilders due to the speed and ease on-site of the complete package – piles, beams and floors being installed by one supplier. Taranto has extensive experience and is today recognised as one of the most innovative precast and piling specialists throughout Ireland and GB. The company has completed a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial projects nationwide working with leading companies such as Gilbert Ash. We are very proud of our continued working relationship with Gilbert Ash and are delighted to be involved in a number of ongoing projects with the contractor. Learn more about what we do: www.taranto.co.uk email: info@taranto.co.uk

Specify/ Project Profile/ Braham Electrical/ AC Hotel

Specify/ Project Profile/ JH Painting/ AC Hotel

Electrical

PAINTING

Braham Electrical

JH Painting

Braham Electrical lighting the way for new Marriott Hotel Braham Electrical was appointed the electrical contractor for the new AC Marriott 4 star 188 room £22million hotel in Belfast, incorporating Jean Christophe Novelli’s first Irish restaurant. Award winning electrical contractor Braham Electrical was voted Electrical Contractor of the year 2017.

“Incorporated in 1977, we will have traded for 40 years this October. Based in Warrenpoint, Braham Electrical and sister company Braham Electrical Ireland are perfectly positioned for projects across the island of Ireland, and also carry out work throughout Scotland and England. While having a wide spectrum of works our core projects are in the educational, hospitality, healthcare, commercial and industrial sectors while also specialising in public realm, road and sports lighting. Our planned

and response maintenance division covers the whole of Northern Ireland, with over 30 operatives and vehicles servicing the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, along with several of the provinces leading housing associations”

7A Charlotte St, Warrenpoint, Newry BT34 3LF, +44 (0) 28 4177 2989 info@brahamelectrical.com www.brahamelectrical.com

AC Hotel – JH Painting and Cleaning Contractors Ltd. When Gilbert-Ash need the very best finish for their latest contract, they turn to JH Painting and Cleaning Contractors – specialists in painting and decorating and handover cleaning.

For the past five years, the team at JH has been putting the finishing touches to Gilbert-Ash’s latest projects throughout Ireland and the UK. JH Painting and Contract Cleaning

164A Tullaghans Rd, Dunloy, Ballymena BT44 9AF Tel: 028 2765 7471

painted the new AC Marriott Hotel as well as the handover clean, once the work had been completed. They specialise in high end finishes having worked widely throughout the retail, industrial, health, education, ecclesiastical and hospitality sectors and know that Gilbert Ash expect the very best service for their clients. JH Painting and Cleaning Contractors offer a complete top quality service to the construction trade including decorative painting, wallpaper hanging, multi colour applications and also fine artistic touches.

Einfo@brahamelectrical.com

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7a Charlotte Street, Warrenpoint, BT34 3LF Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

“We are delighted to have worked with Gilbert Ash on another very successful project,” said Randal McDonnell of JH Painting and Cleaning Contractors, “and look forward to continuing this association in the future.”

JHPCC are pleased to have delivered a perfect finish for the AC Hotel by Marriott For Gilbert Ash

Braham Electrical cover all aspects of electrical work including general contracting, response maintenance service, street & floodlighting services & inspection & testing service.

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164A Tullaghans Rd, Dunloy, Ballymena BT44 9AF Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

PRICE |43

Specify/ Project Profile/ CB Contracts/ AC Hotel

Flooring CB Contracts CB Contracts (NI) Ltd are very proud to have been part of the Gilbert-Ash team that have successfully delivered the first Marriot Hotel in Belfast. We completed all the soft flooring finishes throughout the hotel including a Moduleo Click Vinyl plank to the guest bedrooms and Interface carpet to the communal areas. C.B. Contracts (NI) began back in 1984 as a small painting and decorating company which gradually moved into the vast world of commercial projects in the early 1990’s. The company’s development from a small painting and decorating company into a super-efficient painting, hygienic finishes and flooring contractor with an enviable presence in the commercial sector, is exemplary. The company’s evolution is the direct result of intelligent observation of working practices, adherence to strict quality control, and commitment to getting it ‘right first time, every time.’ A commitment to understanding

customer needs is at the core of the company’s ethos. With extensive experience on a variety of construction projects over a number of years, we observed that often the finishing trades worked against one another – particularly if tight deadlines had to be met. To ameliorate that problem, we took the innovative step of combining the services of painting, hygienic finishes and flooring, with the intention that they should work together to reduce waste and unproductive overlap. This decision also gave the company an edge in efficiency and in pricing. As a painting, hygienic finishes and flooring contractor C.B. Contracts can tender for all 3 finishes separately or as a combined package. Over the past 5 years, CB Contracts (NI) Ltd

Unit B1, 52 Sydenham Business Park,19 Heron Road, Belfast, BT3 9LE. +44 (0) 2890 732926 info@cbcontracts.com www.cbcontacts.com

has completed over 30 hotels across the UK with Gilbert-Ash and are looking forward to a

Viewing by appointment only Please contact the selling agent or developer to arrange a viewing outside working hours

For more information on this development, visit - www.jhpriceandsons.co.uk bright future in this very successful partnership. The Marriot is adding to the already growing stock of accommodation within Belfast city and will play its part in the promotion and growth of our city as one of THE cities to visit. Congratulations to all at Gilbert-Ash on another successful project.

JH Price & Sons Achieve Classic Showcase with Tobermore Paving & Walling Laurel Bank is a charming development of distinguished homes nestled in the peace and tranquillity of Moneyreagh village in County Down. Longstanding Northern Ireland housebuilder, JH Price & Sons, designed the 71 homes to the highest specification and having worked with Tobermore on a regular basis over the last two decades, the developer found that Tobermore had the ideal paving and walling products that would create the warm, elegant style desired at Laurel Bank. Henry Price, Owner at JH Price & Sons, explained more about the project: “Laurel Bank was developed to serve the need for housing in the

Moneyreagh area. The location offers the richness of countryside living and the convenience of being just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Belfast. “When it came to sourcing external building products, we wanted to use a combination finish of bricks and blocks to create a unique finish.” JH Price & Sons had traditionally been an advocate of clay bricks but when Henry saw Tobermore’s concrete alternatives, this was a game changer as he explained: “I was really impressed with the aesthetics and performance capability of Tobermore’s Lansdowne facing brick and Country Stone Walling and I could see how they would work well together.” Tobermore’s Lansdowne facing brick is manufactured with an aged, antique appearance that creates a rich, charming feel. The best iron oxide colour pigments are used

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Phase 2 Now on Release

to ensure the product colours are strong and rich, and most importantly, that this vibrancy is retained over the years. JH Price & Sons combined Lansdowne with the natural, rustic style of Tobermore’s Country Stone Walling – a larger wall block that emulates the look and feel of natural stone – as the main housebuilding materials. JH Price & Sons specified Lansdowne in the warm golden tones of Heather and Country Stone Walling in the subtle natural/grey shades of Slate, creating a beautiful contrast that fused together to achieve the classic finish required. Henry commented: “The facing brick and block finish was stunning and undoubtedly added value to the development. They look like products that would typically cost £800 per thousand. I would advise other housebuilders that are looking for an attractive, competitively priced facing brick to

visit the site to see how well this worked for us.” Next on the agenda for the external finishes at Laurel Bank was the landscape design, an essential element in creating homes with kerb appeal. Paving was the obvious hard landscaping material for the developer: “I’ve worked with Tobermore on a number of successful projects over the last 20 years and there have never been any issues. The paving products produced are the best quality in the marketplace. I simply wouldn’t go anywhere else for paving. “Penny Murphy, a landscape designer at Tobermore, provided a paving design service to assist in selecting the best suited materials for Laurel Bank. This was a great help.” Penny explained the design concept: “With Laurel Bank there was much more freedom and creativity than normally granted with a commercial

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development due to the trust Henry Price placed in Tobermore. “There was a focus on curvature rather than straight lines as the plots on site were not built in straight lines - the use of curved lawns and paving designs helped tie this together.” Tobermore’s smooth, hard-wearing Shannon block paving was selected for the pathways and ramps around the homes and the vintage-themed appearance of Historic Flags was perfect for creating stylish patios areas. Sienna Setts were used as a bordering product throughout, as well as being used as infill for steps which were treaded with the tumbled finish of Tobermore’s Kerbstone. Penny explained: “I chose Historic Flags as a complementary choice for the traditional homes. The larger flag size and random laying pattern was ideal in changing the scale against the small facing brick used on the homes – scaling enables a much more interesting design.” The paving colours were carefully chosen as the vibrant homes needed to remain dominant over the landscaping as Penny notes: “Using vibrant paving colours would have been overkill – the subtle grey blends of Slate in both the Shannon and Historic Flag ranges were ideal and using the same colour in each

range provided continuity around the front and back of the homes. A touch of Silver in the Sienna Setts range was then used to complete the look with some classic bordering details.” Henry commented on the hard landscaping result: “The paving design was in fitting with the clean, pristine finish we wanted to achieve. The use of a few different products distinguished the different areas whilst keeping a consistent muted colour scheme throughout.” Henry continued: “In addition to the high quality of the products supplied across the building and hard landscaping elements, Tobermore provided an incredibly efficient service. The products were delivered on the date agreed, as always. Things like this mean a lot.” The four

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028 9261 3100

bedroom detached and three bedroom semi-detached homes at Laurel Bank were constructed in a variety of styles. The site is a testament to JH Price & Sons’ reputation for attention to detail and superb internal and external finishes and is fantastic showcase for Tobermore paving and walling products. Henry concluded: “I’m absolutely delighted with the

project. We’ve received really good feedback and there has been great interest from homebuyers – many of which have even enquired where the building materials were sourced from. I couldn’t have wished for a better result.” Keep up to date with Tobermore’s latest projects on the new company website: www.tobermore.co.uk/ professional/projects

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CIOB Annual Dinner | 45

Successful CIOB Annual Dinner in Belfast Top table guests: Front row left to right: Philip Brown, Andrew Tough, Adrian Logan, Stephen Martin, Gerard Graham, Terry Watts, Eddie Weir and David Henry. Back row left to right: Des Armstrong, Maurice Johnston, Prof. Philip Griffiths, Rhona Quinn OBE, Margaret Conway, Damien Toner, Martin Hare and Ivan McCarthy.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, held its regional annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. Over 200 construction professionals from throughout the public and private sectors attended the popular event.

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Master of Ceremonies was TV personality Adrian Logan, who conducted proceedings. Speakers were Gerard Graham, Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub, who gave an update on the CIOB locally, and Terry Watts, Managing Director of the CIOB, who gave an update on the

development plans for the Institute. The after-dinner address was delivered by Belfast-born Stephen Martin, the Director-General of the Institute of Directors, who currently holds one of the most influential positions in UK business. Those who received recognition at the event were: Craig Glasgow, for being awarded the title of CIOB Part-Time Student of the Year at Ulster University. • Chris Da Mata, Philip Beattie, Neil Recana and Mark Kitson from Ulster University, for winning the CIOB in Ireland Student Challenge. • Michael Cosgrave, for winning the Joe White Cup, as overall best student among the further education colleges in the North West. • Joel Trimby, for being awarded the title of overall winner at the Building on Quality Awards event in London in May 2017, which was hosted by The Institute of

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•

Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate of GB. Sharon Dempster for being the world-wide top student in the CIOB Chartered Management Programme. Rhona Quinn OBE, for receiving a recent UK Honour for services to the Construction Industry and the community. Felim Blaney, Michael Yohannis and Paddy Connolly for being finalists at the CIOB UK Construction Manager of the Year Awards 2017. Nick Oldfield for being the overall winner of the CIOB in Ireland Construction Manager of the Year Award 2017. Margaret Conway for being the overall winner of the CIOB UK Construction Manager of the Year Award 2017.

Gerard Graham, Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub, commented, “Local CIOB members did very well this year, best typified by Margaret

Conway from McAleer & Rushe, who won the coveted CIOB UK Construction Manager of the Year title. This is effectively the Ballon d’Or of the Construction in Industry, so Margaret deserves tremendous praise for her achievement. Overall it was great to see so many local members getting recognition for their success throughout the year”. The event concluded with a presentation to Ulster University for its contribution to the construction Industry over the last 50 years. Professor Philip Griffiths, Head of School of Architecture and the Built Environment, accepted the award on behalf of the university and commended the success of graduates, and thanked those staff members who served the university over the years. Sponsors of the event were Ridgeway, Hays Recruitment, Tughans Solicitors, JP Corry, Creagh Concrete, Training LMS, Titan Air-Conditioning, Farrans Construction, and Keystone Group. For further information on the CIOB, visit www.ciob.org.

46| CIOB Annual Dinner

After-dinner speaker Stephen Martin with his wife Lisa.

Adrian Logan, Master of Ceremonies

After-dinner speaker Stephen Martin.

Sharon Dempster being recognised as worldwide top student in the CIOB Chartered Management Programme.

Rhona Quinn OBE, being recognised for receiving a recent UK Honour for services to the Construction Industry and the community.

CMY

Gerard Graham - Chair of the CIOB Belfast Hub, Margaret Conway - CIOB UK Construction Manager of the Year and Terry Watts - Managing Director of the CIOB.

Margaret Conway, CIOB UK Construction Manager, and Rhona Quinn OBE.

Professor Philip Griffiths, Head of School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University, along with University representatives.

• Renders • Clay, Stone, Brick • Metal • Greenwall • Timber • Polycarbonate • Glass

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Flogas goe managing a cylinder LP Choosing opens the efficient en installation create and solutions s Our exper comprehe including d dwelling an catering, c agricultura

K Contracts are a specialist contractorare servicing the construction an CPD Lea K Contracts a specialist in the design, supply and installationCPD of safet sessi contractor servicing the Flogas to a • SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALLS equipment.

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consultant Calor a leading supplier Calor gas Northern •construction ACOUSTIC BLOCKSand related Calorisgas Northern • THERMAL BLOCKS , INSTALL AND updating th DESIGN, SUPPLY of cleaner, efficient LPG sectors whoPAVING specialise in the Ireland Limited • PERMEABLE Ireland Limited knowledge MAINTENANCE OF • PRESTRESSED FLOORING www.floga energy solutions in design, supply and toinstallation • BESPOKE (contact usLIFELINES discuss - HORIZONTAL yourof needs) Flogas -safety ACCESS & LADDERS Northern Ireland with height RTU LTd - DAVIT ARMS Airport Ro Airport Road West, Acheson & glover Ltd. Cloughfern Avenue, Airport Road West, • Fire Detection & Alarm FABRICATED / FALLGUARD LADDERS specialist knowledge equipment. Belfast Ha 64 Old Moy Road GUARDRAILS Newtownabbey, BT37 0UZ • Fire Suppression Systems Sydenham, BELFAST B Sydenham, - ABSEIL POINTS / RAILS/ DAVIT Dungannon covering all sectors • Integration ARMS/ SAFETY EYE BOLTS Tel: 028 9 Co. Tyrone T: Industrial, +44 (0)28 Belfast, BT3 9EE. • IntruderBT3 Detection &9085 Alarm1441 DESIGN, SUPPLY , INSTALL Belfast, 9EE. Including Email: inf BT71 6PU E: info@rtu.co.uk • CCTV KHospitality, Contracts LtdTel: Web: ww 8778 AND 4208 Tel: 0280289045 5588 Commercial, Tel: 028 9045 5588 • Access Control Fax: 028 8778 4805 www.rtu.co.uk Belfast: 028 9064 306 • Remote Monitoring MAINTENANCE OF Agriculture, and E-mail: info@calorgas.ie Email: solutions@acheson-glover.com E-mail: info@calorgas.ie • Emergency Communications Systems Web: www.acheson-glover.com Email: cathal@kcontacts.c London: 02037447359 Horizontal lifelines Domestic. Website: www.calorgas.ie Website: www.calorgas.ie - Fabricated & We offer our customers: DESIgN INSTALLATION fallguard ladders supplier Calor is a leading supplier Calor is a- leading Guardrails •of Tailored energy LPG of cleaner, efficient LPG - Abseil Systems cleaner, efficient solution energy solutions in - Safety Eyebolts energy solutions in •Northern Full design service Northern Ireland withand - Inspection Ireland with specialist knowledge Maintenance • Technical support and specialist knowledge MAINTENANCE COMMISSIONINg covering all sectors covering all sectors guidance Diamond Electronic Systems Ltd Unit 1a Harbour Court, Including Industrial, Including Industrial, • 24-hour 5 Heron Road, Belfastemergency BT3Commercial, 9HB Commercial, Hospitality, call out Hospitality, Tel: 028 9020 7207 Agriculture, and Agriculture, and Email: info@diamondsystems.co.uk www.diamondsystems.co.uk Domestic. Domestic. Calor Accredited CPD We offer our customers: We offer our customers: programme available. GAS Content includes LPg • Tailored energy • TailoredKnowledge, energy Belfast: 028 9064 3706 Product London: 02037447359 solution solution gas Regulations and • Full design service • Full designCourses service Standards. www.kcontracts.com • Technical support and • Technical and are FREE ofsupport charge and cathal@kcontacts.com guidance guidance Flogas goes far by beyond simply available arrangement managing and supplying bulk and • 24-hour emergency • 24-hour with ofemergency our Calor cylinder LPone Gas requirements. call out Choosing Gas from Flogas not only callLPout Business Development

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Celebrating 45 years since the first CIS Report was published in 1972 Construction Information Services (CIS) is the market leader in supplying All-Ireland construction opportunities to the industry. We provide fully researched real-time information on construction projects from pre-planning through to on-site stages. *This project listing was generated on 17th August 2017.

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CIVIL AND UTILITIES ProjectID Title

Stage

Category

Value

County

948649 £27m - Grounds Maintenance 934213 £22.5m - M and E Services First Response Managed Service Support Contract 850229 £18m - Multi Storey Car Park 917762 £160m - Dualling, Phase 1

Tender Tender

Civil and Utilities Civil and Utilities

£27,000,000 £22,500,000

Co. Antrim Co. Antrim

On Site Tender

Civil and Utilities Civil and Utilities

£18,000,000 £160,000,000

Co. Antrim Co. Londonderry

737500 £15m - Cruise Ship Berth 943874 £15m - Leakage Detection Services

Tender Tender

Civil and Utilities Civil and Utilities

£15,000,000 £15,000,000

Co. Antrim Co. Antrim

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site On Site

Commercial Commercial

€90,000,000 €20,000,000

Co. Cork Co. Dublin

Stage

Category

Value

County

740615 £30m - Church and Community Leisure Facilities, Phase 1 On Site

Community and Sport

£30,000,000

Co. Antrim

888651 £25m - Leisure Centre

Contract Awarded

Community and Sport

£25,000,000

Co. Antrim

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site On Site

Hospitality Hospitality

€29,800,000 £4,794,319

Co. Dublin Co. Tyrone

Tender

Hospitality

£15,000,000

Co. Londonderry

Stage

Category

Value

County

Tender

Industrial

€60,000,000

Co. Kildare

On Site Tender

Industrial Industrial

£20,000,000 £14,000,000

Co. Londonderry Co. Antrim

Stage

Category

Value

County

Tender

Medical

€19,000,000

Co. Waterford

On Site Tender

Medical Medical

€18,000,000 £13,356,000

Co. Dublin Co. Antrim

Stage

Category

Value

County

903867 €30m - Residential Development 848320 €19m - Mixed Use Development 948648 €125m - Residential Development 806862 £6.2m - Residential/Commercial Development

Contract Awarded Contract Awarded

Residential Residential

€30,431,560 €19,000,000

Co. Kildare Co. Dublin

Tender On Site

Residential Residential

€125,500,000 £6,289,881

Co. Dublin Co. Antrim

890116 £30m - Site, Design and Build, Social Housing Scheme 948144 £25m - Design and Build Contract 760719 £22.9m - Social Housing Development

Tender Tender

Residential Residential

£30,000,000 £25,000,000

Co. Antrim Co. Londonderry

Tender

Residential

£22,900,000

Co. Antrim

COMMERCIAL ProjectID Title 866698 €90m - Office Development 721993 €20m - Office Blocks

COMMUNITY AND SPORT ProjectID Title

HOSPITALITY ProjectID Title 903346 €29.8m - Student Accommodation Development 841045 £4.7m - Restaurant 876540 £15m - 4 Star Hotel & Spa Complex

OHMG| 53

OHMG INTERN SCHEME A MASSIVE HIT WITH STUDENTS A group of students from Hazelwood Integrated College in Belfast have completed a six month internship with O’Hare & McGovern, the first scheme of its kind in Northern Ireland. It signalled the start for many future careers in the construction industry, according to Eamon O’Hare, one of the company directors who paid a key role in establishing the programme. The 16 students were chosen after undergoing a selection process which involved the completion of an on-line application form and going before an interview panel. Mr O’Hare was one of the members. As part of the scheme the students had to follow a structured programme one day a week during which they were mentored by OHMG’s Environmental Manager Geraldine McParland. They worked closely with industry staff, gaining a broad view of the business. At one stage they were

hosted my OHMG Project Manager Mark Brady on a fascinating tour of the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University in Belfast, one of the many showpiece buildings constructed on the vast campus by the Newrybased company.

They also engaged in a set of core transferable skills by taking part in employer led workshops, one of which involved a problem solving session. The students were Mr Eamon O’Hare and Miss Geraldine McParland of O’Hare & also able to assess how McGovern with Hazelwood students who successfully completed the OHMG delivered on course. From left to right they are: Reece Yorke, Al-noor Tuansi and its hugely important Sasha Hornby recruitment and marketing strategy in a bid to encourage young Mr O’Hare added: “The programme analysing survey findings which were people to take up jobs within the provides the students with a real presented to Mr O’Hare. industry. experience of interviewing for a job, completing a project, receiving Sasha Hornby, one of the students, They carried out secondary research, feedback and presenting solutions. said: “The programme was very took part in focus groups, interviewed educational, but it was also about “It helps enormously to develop professionals, attended seminars confidence in their ability as well as building confidence, having fun and with an independent sales marking raising aspirations for their future looking on it as the start of my career consultant as well as creating and careers.” after leaving school.”

INDUSTRIAL ProjectID Title 927804 €60m - Forensic Science Laboratory - Main Works 745517 £20m - Data Centre 948196 £14m - Tree Planting Services

MEDICAL ProjectID Title 862825 €19m - Residential Care Centre 819489 €18m - Community Nursing Unit 924244 £13.3m - Maintenance of Powered Doors

RESIDENTIAL ProjectID Title

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CEF/SpecifyCEF awards |29

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

News in Brief...

Federation urges immediate focus on critical new housing supply data

GDPR in construction: are you prepared? As the Federation’s Legal Patron, A&L Goodbody are offering CEF members a 20% discount on their standard rates for providing audit and advisory services on compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation. For further information and key contacts please visit: http://www. cefni.co.uk/downloads/CEF_ GDPR_Flyer_-_Jan_2018_v4.pdf

Federation comments on Lagan Construction Group statement Commenting after the statement by Lagan Construction Group in mid-February, Federation Managing Director John Armstrong said: “Given the huge contribution that Lagan Construction Group have made to Northern Ireland’s economy and society since their establishment, today’s announcement is extremely regrettable. They have been a pillar of our construction industry for decades and it is our express hope that a solution can be found. “As the Federation has long said, the industry has faced a challenging period in respect of its sustainability. From issues related to low margins on works, to insufficient pipelines of activity, to the current political and budgetary challenges within Northern Ireland, there are significant tests which go much beyond today’s news. These must be matters of concern to anyone who wishes to see a healthy and vibrant Northern Irish construction industry given its critical role in delivering jobs, economic development and growth.”

Construction Skills Register – Removal of Manager Assessments – April 2018 rom April 2018 the Construction Skills Register (CSR) will remove occupational assessments as a route to new manager F and senior manager cards. This is part of the CSR 3-year plan designed to further raise standards and improve health and safety across the construction industry in NI. The CSR 3-year plan has been developed to reflect the industry’s commitment to qualifying the workforce, coupled with the need to ensure continued mobility and acceptance of CSR cards across the UK. What happens next? Members are reminded that from 1 April 2018 CSR will stop accepting all manager and senior manager card applications based on occupational assessment. From this date, new manager and senior manager card requirements will be based on achievement of an NVQ at the appropriate level.

ommenting after the publication by the Department for Communities of the 2017 Housing Market Symposium Report at the end of January, Construction Employers Federation Managing Director John Armstrong said:

“Since the revision of the Housing Growth Indicators (HGI) in 2016 to a requirement of 7,200 new builds in Northern Ireland each year to 2025, industry has consistently expressed its concerns as to the method of calculation that were employed in moving from the previous target of 11,000 new homes per annum. “This report now very clearly details that the 7,200 figure is no longer relevant. Indeed, the actual HGI now stands at 9,200 new build homes in Northern Ireland each year to 2025. “As each of the 11 local councils are currently drafting their Local Development Plans for, at least, the next 10 years, it is absolutely critical that councils are made aware of and act on this significant development. Each council area must take immediate cognisance of this change and how it affects their community. “Recently, we have said that the progression of important new housing developments has been a key and welcome theme within the industry in recent months. However, we must see that grow further so to meet our clear, new housing needs. To achieve this, we must continue to see improvements in planning decision times, the addressing of critical industry challenges such as bond availability and adoption and, as councils develop their own area plans, the zoning of appropriate amounts of land to meet our community’s needs. “This report means that zoning of appropriate amounts of land to meet new housing need must be urgently revisited by all 11 local councils.”

Opinion piece on Northern Ireland’s political impasse ederation Managing Director John Armstrong wrote the F following opinion piece after the Federation gave oral evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at the

NB: EXISTING CARDS WILL REMAIN VALID AND CAN BE RENEWED AS NORMAL What to do next: The CSR card options available to construction managers from April 2018 are as outlined below: Black Card - Senior Manager All applicants complete Essential Health and Safety for Senior Executives or IOSH’s Safety for Senior Executives & Directors. Applicants are also required to hold a Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management. Platinum Card - Manager All applicants complete Essential Health and Safety for Managers or IOSH’s Managing Safely in Construction. Applicants are required to hold a Level 6 NVQ in Construction Site Management or Construction Contracting Operations Management. Applicants may also wish to consider the following cards: Platinum Card - Academically Qualified Person Completion of a recognised third level construction related degree and successful completion of one of the specified manager or senior manager health and safety training courses applicable to the level at which the applicant operates within their organisation. Platinum Card - Professionally Qualified Person Hold one of the professional qualifications as listed in the CSR section of the website and also successfully complete one of the specified manager or senior manager health and safety training courses, applicable to the level of which the applicant operates within their organisation. To assist in the transition, CSR will be introducing a ‘NEW’ Experienced Manager card. This card will be available to managers with on the job experience who have registered to complete a construction related NVQ Level 6 or 7.

New CSR experienced manager card being introduced

30 March 2018 the Construction Skills Register (CSR) introduced a new Experienced Manager Card. The card is available to experienced managers From and senior managers who do not have a construction related degree, professional membership or relevant NVQ.

start of February:

As the Federation has already said on the public record, and as we again made clear to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, there is a significant and increasingly harmful lack of governance within Northern Ireland. The Department of Finance’s recent Budgetary Outlook very clearly details the challenges presented because of the huge investment going into the Northern Ireland Executive’s Flagship projects over the next three years even though the overall Capital budget is going up. Unquestionably, the Executive’s Flagship schemes stand on their very clear economic merits. However, and even allowing for the extra budgetary allocations made by the Chancellor in his recent Budget, a balance must be struck in budgetary planning between how much resource is spent on these and other areas, such as roads maintenance and our education estate, so to avoid a massive cliff edge for the vast majority of firms not engaged on the Flagship projects. With Brexit uncertainty affecting institutional investment in Britain, private sector investment in Northern Ireland struggling to maintain its 2015-2017 boost and local contractors beginning to question how easy it will be to access the Republic of Ireland market post-March 2019, it is almost certain that contractors will, over the coming period, become more dependent on the public purse again. The Outlook strongly suggests that, outside of minor and major strategic/Flagship projects, there will be little additional new Capital available over the coming three years. That is of huge concern to an industry that is still fighting with fundamental concerns as to its own sustainability. Civil servants have been placed in an intolerable position. When we consider infrastructure, schemes require in many cases years of preparatory work and approvals. With little political direction beyond the Executive’s Flagship schemes, it is therefore impossible for future infrastructure planning across Government Clients to properly take place. We have long said that the Secretary of State must now bring clarity. Decisions need to be prioritised and taken and a clear and accountable way of government taking these decisions needs to be established. Our preference is, of course, the establishment of a Northern Ireland Executive. However, failing that, we need to move to a position where the functions of government can be exercised in a way that any other part of these islands would expect as a matter of course. Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

The Experienced Manager card is one of a number of cards available following the removal of occupational assessments for managers and senior managers from 30 March 2018. Other options include the Academically Qualified Person card or the Professionally Qualified Person card. Applicants for an Experienced Manager card must provide: 1. An employer’s declaration confirming their experience, 2. Evidence that they have signed up to a relevant NVQ such as: Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management, and 3. Complete one of the following manager/ senior manager level health and safety courses appropriate to the level they operate within their organisation: Essential Health & Safety for Managers IOSH Managing Safely in Construction Essential Health & Safety for Senior Executives IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors The card will be valid for 4 years and cannot be renewed. Cardholders are expected to have achieved a relevant NVQ prior to the expiry of the card.

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News in Brief... Federation comments on Strule procurement suspension

In response to the Department of Education’s decision to suspend the procurement for the £140m Strule Shared Education Campus on 23 February, Construction Employers Federation Managing Director John Armstrong said: “We share the Department of Education’s disappointment at the decision to suspend the procurement process for the Strule Shared Education Campus. The construction industry has long supported the principle of the shared campus model both from the perspective of the positive benefits within our society of the greater integration of our young people as well as the obvious benefits for our industry and its employees in terms of a multi-year programme of sustainable work. It is vital, therefore, that Strule is delivered – of that there must be no doubt. “As we have said before, our industry is in the midst of a difficult and challenging time in respect of its own sustainability. It is therefore critical that we procure major capital projects such as Strule in a way which not only achieves best value for the public purse but which also takes into consideration the industry’s sustainability challenge. “However, with the procurement strategy that was advanced, we were concerned that there was the potential for too much transfer of risk which, in the current context of low margins on works, was always going to be difficult for any contractor or joint venture to price in line with public sector expectations. That being said, the contractors on the existing procurement will have expended significant time, effort and money on bidding for the scheme and this needs to be recognised. Separately, there has never been any question as to the ability of a number of main contractors and their respective supply chains working alongside each other on the site to deliver the scheme to the timescales within the build programme. “We therefore welcome the Department’s desire to consult further with the industry on how to advance the Strule scheme, looking at all options, in a way that causes as minimal hold up as possible to what is an already delayed scheme.”

Does every cloud have a silver lining? – Weather and construction contracts rticle by John Dugdale, A Associate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, at Federation Patron

A&L Goodbody: The Beast from the East meets Storm Emma. It might sound like the premise for a charming fairy tale but the extreme weather will undoubtedly have affected the progress of construction and engineering projects across the country—irrespective of their size and complexity. The obvious concern for many contractors and subcontractors will be what effect the bad weather will have in terms of completion dates and liquidated damages. Each contractor’s rights will depend on the terms of the contract under which it is employed, and the contract should therefore be the starting point in considering any potential claim. This article considers how the risk of adverse weather is treated in two of the contracts from the NEC4 suite—the Engineering and Construction Contract (EEC) and the Engineering and Construction Short Subcontract (ECSS). EEC In the EEC, a compensation event is an event that is at the risk of the Client and, if it occurs, entitles the Contractor to be compensated for the effect the event has on time or money. A compensation event for weather conditions only arises when the value of any weather measurement (e.g. cumulative rainfall or the number of days with snow lying) is shown to occur on average less frequently than once in every ten years, when compared to established weather data. This ought to be a more objective test than common arguments over whether weather conditions are “exceptionally adverse” or not. However, it does mean that when programming and pricing works contractors must take into account the risk of bad weather which may prevent or delay the works, but which is less severe than a once in tenyear event. It is only the difference between the actual weather and the weather that is assumed to have been allowed for that is taken into account in assessing the compensation event (i.e. in assessing the amount of time and money that a contractor will be entitled to). Whilst ‘Emmageddon’ might fall into the bracket of a once in ten-year event, going forward it’ll likely be an uphill struggle to show that any similar inclement weather falls into that category. ECSS The ECSS also includes weather as a compensation event. However it provides that the Subcontractor is to bear the risk of adverse weather delaying work on site unless, during the course of the contract, the Subcontractor is prevented from carrying out all work on site for periods of time of at least one full working day which total more than one seventh of the total number of days between commencement of the works and completion. Subcontractors will be expected to mitigate the effects of bad weather by, for example, re-sequencing work meaning that weather which prevents a contractor from carrying out all work on site is likely to be rare. Conclusion While you can’t control the weather, you generally can predict it. In the NEC4 suite and other standard forms, the thresholds before which contractors become entitled to either time or money as a result of bad weather are high. As a general rule, in programming and pricing work, contractors should take into account the risk of bad weather which may prevent or delay progress. In the NEC4 suite, if a compensation event is not notified in time the right to an extension of time and to additional payment will be lost. If any projects have been impacted by the weather, contractors and subcontractors should check their contracts and comply with any notification requirements. For further information please contact John Dugdale or a member of the A&L Goodbody construction team.

New CSR online card checker launched Construction Skills Register (CSR) has launched Twayhea tonew online card checker, a new quick and easy confirm the validity of CSR cards. Users can check details including the expiry date, card type and craft along with qualifications/training completed by the card holder. The cardholders photograph can also be viewed.

The end of the smash and grab adjudication?

rticle by John Dugdale, Associate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, at Federation Patron A&L Goodbody: A recent judgment may have signaled the beginning of the end for the so-called “smash & grab” adjudication. Commonly used within the construction industry in Northern Ireland and GB, a “smash & grab” adjudication enables a contractor to claim payment of the amount stated in an interim application (whether, or not, it represents the “true” valuation of the work) due to a failure by the paying party to serve either a payment notice or a pay less notice. Background The case arose out of the construction of a 613-bedroom hotel at Heathrow Airport, for which the contract sum was £26,393,730.04. The project proved to be contentious, with three adjudications between the parties after practical completion. In March 2017, the main contractor, S&T (UK) Limited, issued an interim application through which it claimed the sum of £14,009,906.58. The employer responded with its own detailed assessment, which concluded that the amount due to the main contractor was, in fact, only £1,407,748. A pay less notice was served by the employer, but it was held to be invalid by an adjudicator on the basis that it only referred to the employer’s calculation of the amount due – which was set out in the separate detailed assessment document. Validity of the Pay Less Notice One of the issues for the court to determine was whether the employer’s pay less notice was valid. The main contractor argued that it wasn’t – since it wasn’t issued together with a detailed assessment document. Although that argument had been accepted by an adjudicator, the court disagreed.

John Dugdale A&L Goodbody

Since the main contractor had received the employer’s detailed assessment document separately five days earlier, the court ruled that there was no doubt which document was being referred to, saying that it wasn’t “common sense or businesslike approach” to require the same document to be re-sent. The court held that the employer’s pay less notice was therefore valid and it was permissible to refer to a detailed calculation set out in another document. As the court said, “that is how things are commonly done”. The court’s decision therefore meant that the main contractor had no default right to payment. The Law The Construction Contracts (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (the 1997 Order) is the legislation that governs adjudication and payment in “construction contracts” in Northern Ireland. If a payer (in this case, Grove Developments Limited) does not serve a payment notice or pay less notice, the payee (in this case, S&T (UK) Limited) will be entitled to the amount claimed in an interim application for payment. There is no escaping the statutory rules on payment – if a construction contract does not comply with the rules, then the relevant provisions of the Scheme for Construction Contracts in Northern Ireland will take effect as an implied term. Under the 1997 Order, a party to a “construction contract” also has a statutory right to refer a dispute to adjudication at any time. An adjudicator’s decision is binding on an interim basis, that is, until the dispute is finally determined by arbitration, litigation or agreement. Decision Contrary to previous cases and taking into account “considerations of equality and fairness”, the court concluded that a paying party could start a second adjudication to seek a decision on the “true value” of an interim application. Commentary Although the judgment was given by an English court, it is likely to be persuasive to a court in Northern Ireland tasked with determining the same issue. If the judgment is followed, it is likely to significantly reduce the number of “smash & grab” adjudications.

A valid search requires a minimum of two pieces of information, one of which must be either the Registration Number or the National Insurance Number.

Whilst the courts in Northern Ireland take a robust approach to enforcement of adjudicator’s decisions, it should be possible for a paying party to obtain a decision on the “true value” of an interim payment before any “smash & grab” decision is enforced.

CSR staff will still be available on the phone to answer any queries but the card checker offers 24/7 access from anywhere with an internet connection. The online card checker can be accessed at the following link https://secure.cefni.co.uk/CSRCard/ OnlineCSRCardChecker.aspx Be sure to save it to your favourites for ease of access.

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Parties will therefore need to carefully consider the merits of any claim before incurring the time and costs of a “smash & grab” adjudication. To contact John Dugdale, phone 028 9031 4466 or email jdugdale@algoodbody.com. For more information about A&L Goodbody, visit www.algoodbody.com

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58| CARELLA

New website for Carella Already familiar to architects, contractors and specifiers for manufacture and installation of laminated joinery across the education, healthcare, hospitality, leisure, science and commercial sectors throughout UK and Ireland Carella Laminate Systems Ltd has launched a new website. The portal illustrates the wide range of products the company can offer,

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digest

1000 NEW HOMES AS AN AGREEMENT IS FORGED BETWEEN FRASER HOMES AND GARDRUM GROUP One of Northern Ireland’s longest established house builders, Fraser Homes Limited has entered into an agreement with Gardrum Holdings Ltd, part of the EuroAuctions group, to deliver 1000 homes over the next ten years. EuroAuctions, owned by the Keys family, is a highly successful global construction equipment auctioneering business and also has an extensive commercial and residential property portfolio.

all manufactured in their 110,000 sq ft plant at Eglinton. Produced by McCadden Design www.carella.com offers a pictorial overview of the companies work, products, facilities and downloadable literature. The website is part of the continuous development of the company, and the factory expansion represents a significant investment in new technology for Carella. In addition to new CNC Machining Centres, Beam Saws and a lacquer spraying and curing facility, the introduction of a new automatic

PUR bonding line greatly improves the speed and quality of bonded panels. In addition to offering ranges of worksurfaces for both domestic and for social housing groups Carella Worktops can cut, shape and edge curved and profiled worktops to order, with minimum lead times for the client.

Catalogues are available to view and download from the new website. Carella Laminate Systems has been awarded ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates, is FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) accredited and is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) regulated and is a proud member of Manufacturing NI.

Fraser Homes, one of Northern Ireland’s best known house builders, has an extensive portfolio of sites in Greater Belfast, Saintfield, Carryduff, Newtownards and Larne. This agreement will see the development of those residential development sites brought forward as the housing market continues to improve across Northern Ireland. Derek Keys of EuroAuctions said: “For a number of years now, there

We are also pleased to be joining another Northern Ireland family company with similar values and the same commitment to excellence as we have always had. This augurs well for the new generation of homes we will be building. Simon Brien, of Simon Brien Residential, who brokered the agreement on behalf of both parties, commented: “This new and very welcome agreement between Gardrum Group and Fraser Homes is very important in a rising marketplace because it will provide new, high quality homes in areas of high housing demand. Bringing Fraser Homes and Gardrum Group together in this way can only be good for the Northern Ireland housing market and we expect a steady supply of new homes to be coming to the market place almost immediately as a result of this agreement.”

Simon Brien, of Simon Brien Residential, who brokered the agreement on behalf of both parties.

SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER HELPS TO EASE DUBLIN’S STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SHORTAGE Webertherm XM, the lightweight External Wall Insulation (EWI) system by Saint-Gobain Weber, has been specified for a newbuild development in the heart of Dublin. Providing accommodation for 471 students, the Binary Hub, Dublin’s largest Purpose Built Student Accommodation, will ease pressure on the city’s student housing shortage. The accommodation is complete with all facilities including a gym, laundry, study rooms, bike store, landscaped gardens and 24-hour maintenance and security support. The Binary Hub is owned and managed by aparto student, a new student housing group launched in January 2017. Working within the requirements of current Irish construction regulations, Bennett Construction took the opportunity to work with a number of innovative materials and systems. This included using a Sandwich Panel System (SPS) for the main structure. SPS features two steel plates bonded

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has been an under-supply of new houses being built in the Northern Ireland marketplace alongside increasing demand for first time buyer and family homes” “We are currently active in the residential construction market in mid-Ulster and the west and we see this agreement with Fraser Homes as a perfect opportunity to give us an expanded presence across the whole of Northern Ireland given Fraser’s extensive land holdings in the greater Belfast area. “ “Fraser Homes have a long established reputation and experience in the residential construction market, following this agreement, we plan to complete at least 100 new builds per annum with the aim of building out around a 1,000 homes in the coming years.” David Fraser, son of the founder of Fraser Homes, Bill Fraser, who will remain at the helm of the company added: “For over fifty years we have built over 4,500 high quality homes across Northern Ireland and we are pleased and proud that our tradition and family heritage in house building will continue under this new agreement.

with a core of insulation. Fabricated off-site and cut and shaped to fine tolerances, the SPS panels are craned swiftly into place and bolted to the structural steelwork. SPS is approved by many regulatory authorities and used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial structures. The SPS system is much lighter and faster to erect than reinforced concrete; has a lower carbon footprint and offers enhanced insulation properties. SPS wall and flooring panels were used in the construction of the Binary Hub with webertherm XM external wall insulation system applied to the façade, achieving a high quality, cost efficient build, with improved speed of construction and high thermal performance. The application of webertherm XM has contributed to a striking, stylish and modern appearance to the Binary Hub and will make a significant contribution to the creation of a high performance and sustainable building. The application of BBA and NSAI Agrément accredited webertherm XM EWI system provides efficient thermal insulation. In this project Weber calculated a high energy efficient target U-Value of 0.16W/m²K, with the render coat and decorative finish offering a durable, water shedding capacity to protect the

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building fabric. The system specified 140mm mineral fibre insulation applied to the SPS system which has been covered with a 6mm meshcloth reinforced coat of weberend LAC, a polymermodified, cementbased mortar. This is applied in two passes before weber PR310 primer is applied, followed by webersil TF decorative finish to achieve a textured render finish in Chalk. For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact SaintGobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www. netweber.co.uk.

V B Evans & Company are pleased to have been chosen to undertake responsibility for the bi-monthly collation of this data and sponsor its publication. With over 70 years of experience in business the firm provides a wide range of quality assured professional quantity surveying and other consultancy services to Northern Ireland clients who seek value for money and appropriate contract advice for their building design or refurbishment proposals. The Specify Prices published here are representative of the market price of each building material, having been assessed from a variety of local sources which in the present competitive economic climate prefer not to be named. Readers are advised to verify individual prices with a local merchant for their particular needs since our prices are necessarily averaged for guidance purposes. We hope that these pages may be of assistance to readers but would welcome any constructive suggestions for amendment to include information which would be appropriate to your needs. Material prices at JAN- 2017 Prices are exclusive of VAT. Discounts will apply. This information is compiled specifically for Specify periodicals and is copyright.

Building Materials Prices

60| prices 80| VB Evans

Evans |81 of In theVB next issue AGGREGATES Full loads delivered Central Belfast 50mm Crusher run 100mm Crusher run Fine Blinding Coarse Blinding 6mm Stone 10mm Stone Building Sand Washed Sand

Web: www.vbevans.com

Quantity Surveying Building Surveying Project Management CDM Planning Supervision

Metric-sized concrete blocks, delivered to Belfast area, full loads, mechanically off-loaded per 1,000 £424.00 440x215x100 3.5N/mm2 £433.50 440x215x100 7Nmm2 £434.00 440x215x100 10Nmm2 £513.50 440x300x100 7Nmm2 £535.00 440x300x100 10Nmm2 £410.00 Concrete brick 15Nmm2 803.00 440x215x100 Tolite

Ordinary Portland Cement in full loads delivered to Central Belfast per cub. metre £68.00 1:10 by volume £83.00 1:2:4 by volume £74.00 1:3:6 by volume £69.00 20 N/mm2:20mm aggregate £73.00 25 N/mm2:20mm aggregate £77.00 30 N/mm2:20mm aggregate

FINISHED SOFTWOOD

ROOF SLATES AND TILES

Metric-sized concrete bricks delivered

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes. per 100m Parana Pine £63.00 20x8 £97.00 44x8 Whitewood £53.00 32x12 £84.50 69x12 £64.00 32x19 £75.00 44x19 £82.00 32x32 £142.50 69x32 £179.00 69x44 £230.00 94x44 £264.00 69x69

Fibre Cement Slates ex-yard

Facings Blanchardstown Antique Fergustie Country Mixture Richmond Mixture Irish Dacharne Devenish Ardagh Gold Textured Lismore Slate Textured

per 1,000 £380.00 £390.00 £345.00 £370.00 £370.00 £340.00 £335.00

NB Clay brick prices are not included because of the enormous variation in types, quality and prices from various sources.

CARCASSING TIMBER Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, not exceeding 5.7 metres. per 100m £46.50 50x19 £69.00 75x19 £112.00 125x19 £42.00 38x25 £51.00 75x25 £99.50 150x25 £78.00 50x38 £118.00 100x38 £93.50 150x38 £93.50 50x50 £148.00 100x50 £168.50 125x50 £205.00 100x75 £460.00 200x75 £380.00 150x100

2440x1220

Bulk Cement delivered in 15-tonne loads to Greater Belfast Area per tonne £153.00 Ordinary Portland Cement £181.00 Sulphate Resisting Cement

per tonne £372.00

CEMENT MORTARS In full loads delivered to Central Belfast per tonne £27.00 Standard 1 lime mortar Y4 £47.00 Tinted mortar ref. Y15 £54.00 Y135 £46.00 Y91 £52.00 Y10 £57.00

6mm sanded £54.00

9mm sanded £57.00

12mm sanded £74.00

MASTERBOARD Class O asbestos-free multi-purpose building board sanded finish. Price per sheet up to 149m2 6mm £68.00

9mm £82.00

per 1,000 £1540.00 £1650.00

Concrete tiles delivered Central Belfast Interlocking flat tile Double roll tile Single roll tile

£890.00 £890.00 £890.00 per tile £5.00 £5.80

Half round ridge tile - 457mm long Angular ridge tile - 457mm long

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths.

Prices are exclusive of delivery. Terms for SUPALUX non-combustible asbestos-free fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m2

Thrutone Thrutone Relief

12mm £105.50

PLASTERING MATERIALS

100x50 150x50 100x63 150x63 200x63 100x75 150x75 200x75

£224.00 £318.00 £243.00 £379.60 £519.00 £304.00 £457.00 £683.00

SAWN WHITEWOOD

£322.00 £379.00 £336.00 £11.00 £15.00 £17.00 £11.50 £11.00 £14.00 £28.00

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Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes. 114x19 89x12 114x12 89x12 94x12

£94.00 £69.00 £80.50 £98.50 £108.00

T + G Whitewood TG + V Whitewood TG + V Whitewood TG + V Redwood TG + Open V Redwood

Mild Steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449. High yield steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449/4461. One size, bent and labelled, per tonne, delivered to Central Belfast Diameter/mm Mild Steel High Yield 6 £770.00 £865.00 8 £770.00 £865.00 10 £770.00 £865.00 12 £770.00 £865.00 20 £770.00 £865.00 25 £770.00 £865.00 32 £770.00 £865.00 40 £770.00 £865.00 Mesh Fabric to BS 4483 ex-yard per sheet (one or mixed references) per sheet BS reference A 98 £38.50 A142 £38.50 A193 £42.50 A252 £47.00 A393 £80.00 B503 £80.00 B785 £88.00 Heavy section steel ex-yard in lots of over 5T per tonne UC 152x152x23 £1030.00 203x203x46 £1375.00 254x254x73 £1435.00 305x305x118 £1320.00 356x368x153 £1505.00 UB

305x165x40 356x127x37 406x140x39 457x152x52 533x210x82

£1320.00 £1320.00 £1320.00 £1320.00 £1320.00

May / June Timber

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths. 50x25 100x25 150x25 275x25 75x50 125x50 175x50 250x50 100x75 200x75 250x75

£40.00 £74.00 £102.50 £191.50 £120.00 £204.00 £260.00 £440.00 £227.50 £492.00 £753.90

TERMS FOR GLASSROCK Non-combustible asbestos-free fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m2. 6mm 10mm 12.5mm sanded sanded sanded 2400x1200 £54.00 £56.00 £75.00

UPVC DRAIN PIPES AND FITTINGS

Per tonne, ex-works (delivery by arrangement) Lightweight aggregate pre-mixed gypsum plaster to BS 1191, Part 2. Metal lathing undercoat Bonding Finish Gypsum plasterboard to BS 1230 per sheet (2400 mm x 1200 mm) 9.5mm thick plasterboard 9.5mm thick foil-backed plasterboard per bundle (6 Nr 1219mm x 406mm) 9.5mm thick plasterlath 9.5mm thick foil-back plasterboard per 100 lin. feet Galvanised standard angle bead Galvanised plasterstop (10mm) Galvanised external renderstop

SOFTWOOD FLOORING, SHEETING AND PANELING

STEEL REINFORCEMENT

SAWN REDWOOD

INDUSTRIAL AND FIRE-RESISTING BOARD

2440x1220

CEMENT

Ordinary Portland Cement

3 Pilot's View, Heron Road Belfast BT3 9LE Tel: 028 9045 7000 Fax: 028 9045 7040

READY MIXED CONCRETES

BRICKS

Bagged cement delivered in 15-tonne loads to Greater Belfast Area

Chartered Surveyors

per tonne £16.00 £16.50 £15.50 £15.50 £17.50 £20.50 £21.00 £18.50

CONCRETE BLOCKS

SOFTWOOD SHELVING Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes 119x12 144x12 169x12 219x12 119x19 144x19 194x19 244x19 269x19

£83.00 £98.00 £115.00 £171.00 £101.00 £135.00 £180.00 £245.00 £340.00

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Pipes and fittings to BS 4600. List price ex-yard. Large quantities will attract considerable discounts. Plain sewer, per 6m Pipe coupler, ea Single oblique branch, ea Single swept branch, ea 45˚ short radius, ea 87½˚ short radius bend, ea 45˚ long radius bend, ea 90˚ long radius bend, ea Straight channel 45˚ curved channel, ea

110mm 160mm £23.00 £10.50 £7.50 £3.50 £11.00 £25.00 £12.00 £25.00 £6.20 £17.00 £6.20 £15.50 £17.00 £32.00 £19.00 £32.00 £31.00 £18.50 £23.00 £58.00

Industry tech Vehicles in the Industry

62| INTERVIEW

Specify talks to… Jenny Williams, Chief Executive Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland Q: Did you plan to get involved in the Construction Industry? I don’t know that I am! Habitat for Humanity is one of the world’s leading shelter organisations but I wouldn’t normally say that I worked in the Construction industry. Habitat is working in 70 countries; finding innovative solutions to housing need because housing is critical in breaking the cycle of poverty. Our work, here and around the world, is about people; empowering people to build and refurbish the place they call home. Q: How did you start off? My career started in retail management, I was a trainee manager with Texas Homecare, and continued in marketing. I have spent almost 25 years in the voluntary sector and since the beginning I felt that using my skills and experience in a way which so directly impacted lives was what I wanted to do. Q: What have been the highlights of your career so far? I have always loved work and always loved people. I have had the privilege to lead Meningitis Research Foundation in Scotland and Concern Worldwide in Northern Ireland but Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live is the thing that makes my heart sing. One highlight of my years with Habitat was opening the first Habitat ReStore in Europe in Lisburn 6 years ago and the second in Ballymena about 18 months ago; seeing the impact for people and the community is definitely a highlight too! It’s a huge privilege to be part of a story which is transforming lives here at home and around the world every day. Q: What was the best piece of advice you’ve been given? ‘Focus on the possibilities and be as eager to learn from challenges as from success’ I should also share that my granny told me so often that ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’. I used to think that it was about reminding me to be kind but so, so often I have experienced the joy in having the privilege to serve. Q: What would you say to any students considering a career in

construction?

There are so many opportunities to suit different skills; practical, engineering, IT and yet it’s a place where teamwork is critical. You can have a part in building things people and communities depend on which brings real job satisfaction.

The View From The Top

Q: Do you think the Construction Sector could do more to help charities like Habitat?

Probably because of our connection with the sector we are thankful for strong support from donors of unwanted materials to Habitat ReStore or fundraising support from others. However it is also true that some companies don’t yet see the benefit of charity partnerships. We would love to hear from companies who would be interested to find out more!

ProNet Safety is the UK and Ireland’s only safety at height specialists offering safety netting, roof access, fall prevention and rope access solutions

Q: What needs to be done to help the Construction Sector? The current uncertainty and lack of investment is affecting everybody so I would urge politicians to focus on working together for the good of everybody in our community. From the wider sectoral perspective there is clear evidence that a strong construction sector is linked to a strong economy so further investment would provide jobs, adding money and new life into communities and it would deliver some of the critical infrastructure needed. From a Habitat perspective we believe that housing affordability, empty homes, social exclusion and the legacy of conflict are key issues facing deprived communities and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland and believe that funding should be targeted to those priorities. Q: Tell us something surprising about yourself… I am not a builder but as a volunteer on Habitat projects around the world I have helped tile a roof in Hungary, dug a septic tank in Delhi, framed walls in Romania and learned more from the all the families I have had the privilege to work beside than I could ever give them.

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