Specify Magazine Vol 1 2020 by Greer publications

NORTHERN IRELAND’S No.1 CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE SPECIFY is the official publication for the Construction Employers Federation

VOL 1 2020

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O’HARE & MCGOVERN SCORE TWICE! CONSTRUCTION SKILLS PAT BURNS PAT BURNS Editor Editor PAUL BRADWELL SHAUN BYRNE Sales Manager Sales Manager SUBSCRIPTIONS: SUBSCRIPTIONS: (UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50) (UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50) PUBLISHERS: PUBLISHERS: James & Gladys Greer James & Gladys Greer

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SHORTAGES REMAIN ACUTE,

For the second year in a row, Newry-based construction company Casting doubt on sector’s O’Hare & McGovern have taken theworkloads ‘Overall Construction Award’ at the Ireland Specify CEF in Northern continued toExcellence fall Construction at the end of last Awards.

year, marking a fifth consecutive quarter of The Awards Galaaccording Evening saw contraction, the the award to firm the win latest RICS for and its work on the IFA National Tughans Construction and Infrastructure Football Stadium at Windsor Market Park. The Survey. superb new 18,000

seater stadium received its official Balances for all six monitored sectors opening the day after the awards were either flat or in negative territory, took place at the experiencing Culloden Hotel. with infrastructure the Itsharpest was built within the confines declines according to the Q4 of the existing Windsor Park report. which remained fully operational Respondentsthe cited98Brexit throughout weekuncertainty and the lack of a functioning Stormont construction phase, facilitating Executive as amongst the key over 200,000tospectators at at impediments growth in activity 63 international and domestic the end of 2019. fixtures. The work involved the With one ofof these demolition thechallenges south andnow resolved – i.e.refurbishment the absence of an east stands, and Executive –of and with the recent New extension the north and west Decade, New Approach deal in place, stands. the expectation is that the volume of publicly funded construction projects OHMG will now designed increase. curved steel

Indeed, the survey, which was carried out in mid-December as there was increasing anticipation that a political deal would be done, shows that local surveyors’ expectations for workloads looking 12-months ahead increased on the previous quarter. However, data from the survey also points to severe labour shortages in Northern Ireland, which casts some doubt on the industry’s ability to move forward quickly with a range of major projects if they should come on stream soon. 65 percent of Northern Ireland respondents to the latest survey report a shortage of quantity surveyors, more than any other UK region, and well above the UK average of 51 percent. Meanwhile, 63 percent of Northern Ireland respondents say that they are experiencing a shortage of other construction professionals, and 53 percent report shortages of bricklayers. Again, both of these figures are the highest in the UK and well above the UK average.

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net balance of +48). Private work at the interface of the Commercial activity was also North East and North West rising relatively robustly (+23), stands to form a Quadrant. This capacity to helped movetoquickly major new to theprojects. survey. curved design create a onaccording stadium to enhance the viewing In contrast however, experience of the speactators infrastructure workload while at the same time growth remained weak (+5), mitigating the impact of noise on and significantly below the UK neighbouring houses outside the average (+17). stadium. Looking ahead, Northern Ireland Our congratulations go to the team at OHMG on their success. surveyors are upbeat about the There was also some cheer from prospects for growth, with a net balance of +50% expecting the latest RICS report. workloads to be higher in a Building activity is still rising 12-month horizon. despite uncertainty in the economy, according to the Infrastructure spending is still latest RICS (Royal Institution relatively low in Northern of Chartered Surveyors) and Ireland and the latest Tughans Northern Ireland developments in the ongoing Construction Market Survey. York Road Interchange does not Workloads were still rising in inspire confidence for the big the third quarter of the year, Jim Sammon, RICS Northern Ireland This is nothing new as concerns government spending projects. according to Northern Ireland construction spokesman, said: “The have long been expressed about Economist John surveyors, with only a very New Decade New Approach deal the area known asSimpson Beaufort’slooks Dyke at the Programme fortrench Government modest slowdownexpectation in activitythat offers considerable - a deep submarine where it Strategic Investment Boards relative Q2. significanttoinvestment in infrastructure has been estimated more than one and capital projects will be million tonnes weapons aspirations forofnext yearhave andbeen forthcoming, which is to be awelcomed. jettisoned. see pages 36 and 37. beyond… Housebuilding remained key This is important for the industry source of workload growth, with but more importantly it is essential Between logistics and costs, some Pat private housebuilding activity for economic development and haveBurns dismissed the scheme as unlikely Editor rising particularly strongly (a Northern Ireland’s competitiveness,” to ever happen. he continues.

“A key concern however remains the shortage of skills in the sector and this is a challenge that needs to be addressed through a coordinated approach involving industry, government, the education sector and bodies like RICS. Higher level apprenticeships for instance can certainly contribute to finding a solution and it is important that employers play their part in enabling that to happen,” he adds. A bridge too far? While on the subject of infrastructure, reports have resurfaced that a bridge from Scotland to Northern Ireland is being considered by the UK government. The prime minister’s official spokesman said there was a “proper piece of work” being carried out by a range of government officials. According to a Channel 4 report last year, the prime minister wanted to know “the risks around the project” - including “WW2 munitions in the Irish Sea”.

One of the UK’s leading architects Prof Alan Dunlop told Channel 4 News that, “Such a project could be potentially tremendous for the country and show us as a forward looking and thinking country,” he said. “We do have incredibly talented architects and engineers so I am sure that as a technical challenge it wouldn’t be insurmountable.” It’s understood one of the options being considered is a bridge which turns into a tunnel, before reverting to a bridge. One estimate put the cost of the bridge as around £20billion. Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently signed off the £106billion needed for the HS2 railway line linking London to the north of England and previously stated that “borrowing to finance great infrastructure projects, and there’s the opportunity to borrow at low rates, to do things for the long-term benefit of the country, then we should do them.”

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VOL 1 2020 6 DIGEST

contents...

Amendments to the outline planning application for Tribeca Belfast have received planning approval from Belfast City Council. Tribeca Belfast is a £500m urban regeneration scheme on a 12-acre site located beside St Anne’s Cathedral.

7 DIGEST

8 DIGEST

CITB NI have launched a brand new, state of the art Mobile Training Unit to help facilitate construction training, education and careers promotion for the Northern Ireland construction industry. The unit will provide short duration training such as manual handling, working at heights and general health & safety on site to CITB NI registered employers, meaning minimum disruption to work whilst also helping employers train their staff.

10 DIGEST

More than 140 construction industry professionals gathered in Belfast recently for the launch of ‘Foundations of Future Growth.’ AECOM’s review surveyed 250 construction industry professionals and spoke to industry leading experts about the issues facing them today. It predicts a rise of 3.5% in price inflation for 2020, on top of the 5% price inflation the industry experienced in 2019

12 CPC CONFERENCE

The author of the Grenfell Tower Fire Report, Dame Judith Hackitt DBE, is to speak at a major construction industry conference in Belfast on 2 April. The event is being organised by the Construction Professionals’ Council of Northern Ireland (CIPCNI) in response to the issues raised in her report, commissioned following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire of 2017.

14 DIGEST

16 CIOB AWARDS

18 JOHN SIMPSON COLUMN

Since reaching the bottom of a recession in mid-2013, output from the construction sector has slowly increased writes John Simpson. The recent history is of a 44% increase over nearly 4 years from 2013 to 2017 and then a levelling off at about that level of output continuing until late 2019 with some appreciable ups and downs, quarter by quarter.

20 ADVANCES IN CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING PRODUCTS

Everyone knows the old adage that ‘time is money’ and with construction projects being priced ever more tightly, the latest advances in construction and building techniques and products can improve your company’s profitability. Specify takes a look at some of the latest and newest developments in the construction available now…

42 INTERVIEW – MARK SPENCE

Specify talks to the new Assistant Director at the Construction Employers Federation, Mark Spence, about the state of the nation, political stability and Brexit…

50 SPECIFY TALKS TO…

In this edition we talk to Alan Lowry, Managing Director of Environmental Street Furniture about setting up his own business.

• Tailored energy solution • Full design service • Technical support and guidance • 24-hour emergency call out We provide CPD courses. TO FIND OUT MORE Visit calorgas.ie • Email cpd@calorgas.ie • Contact: 028 9045 5588

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Contents |05

12 CPC CONFERENCE

DAME JUDITH HACKITT TO SPEAK AT NI CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS’ COUNCIL CONFERENCE

42 MARK SPENCE

“TIME TO OVERHAUL THE PUBLIC ESTATE,” SAYS NEW CEF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR…

SPECIALIST SERVICES AND ADVICE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

PAGE 20

50 INTERVIEW

SPECIFY TALKS TO… ALAN LOWRY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL STREET FURNITURE

calorgas.ie www.specifymagazine.co.uk

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PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year AMENDMENTS TOand £500M TRIBECA PROJECT growth plan in UK Ireland. NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists Newtownabbey-based M&E services company, Harvey Group, has acquired Northern Ireland renewable energy specialists, Solmatix Renewables in a move the companies say will transform the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland and act as a springboard for further expansion into the multimillion pound UK and Ireland renewable energy markets. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 the number of people employed 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 Amendments to the Healthcare . Richard and Norahoutline planning Anne Bell founded application forSolmatix Tribeca Renewables in 2008, and since then Belfast, which were

originally submitted by Castlebrooke Investments in October 2017 and subsequently significantly amended in August 2019, have received planning approval from Belfast City Council.

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 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 only launched atcoming the endtogether, of June, but invited iffeedback there was a good fit. After careful from city stakeholders, consideration both agreed residents and we members of the public that this would be mutually through face toindeed face meetings, a public exhibition and architect-led walking tours.

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

beneficial. From my perspective, having Solmatix as part of Harvey Group gives us a level of expertise that would have taken us years to acquire otherwise. “Harvey Group and Solmatix share similar values, by which I mean our commitment to professionalism, our desire to deliver our services to the very highest standards, and the importance we place on treating our 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 staff. “In many respects, it’s a case of ‘business as usual’. However, in real terms, being part of this larger organisation will give us access to enhanced technical skills, financial resources and purchasing power. Ultimately I believe this will lead to greater growth and investment within our operations, as well as 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. “

Lisburn firm TAL The newawarded plans incorporate a greater the first major construction degree of retention of non-listed building fabric which further retains contract at Randox Science Park the best elements of the historic The development is expected to yield substantial economic benefits including the estimated creation of 1,600 new jobs on completion. Tribeca Belfast is a £500m urban regeneration scheme on a 12-acre site located beside St Anne’s Cathedral boundeda by Royal Avenue, WItH reputation for Donegall Street, Lower Garfield Street and excellence in constructing high Rosemary Street. Planning permission quality projects, tAL Limited has already been granted for the first has been awarded significant phase, with the outlinea covering the contract (£3.1m) remaining two thirdsby of global the site. Castlebrooke Investments unveiled medical diagnostics company a series of positive changes to its Randox. original outline planning application This initial contract is for the in June 2019. A voluntary ten week construction of a new facility for public consultation process, which was

streetscape.of Randox’s pioneering production medical diagnostic products and will Castlebrooke Investments has also include to associated administrative committed bringing North Street functions. Theinto works Arcade back use are in a the newfirst format, phase of a major capital expenditure with space designed to accommodate local independent project by Randox retailers. to develop the Neil Young, chief executive of former Massereene Army Barracks Castlebrooke Investments, into ‘Randox Science Park’ –said: a “This is the start of a major regeneration for futuristic R&D and manufacturing a vital part of Belfast city centre and facility. The award-winning, we are delighted that approval has international firm, been granted.biotechnology It sends a clear message to other its investors that city is open unveiled plans for anthe innovative for business. hub on the 43 acre site earlier this year. “With these changes we have Welcoming the announcement, sought to listen to the feedback of Damien Hughes, Director TAL our stakeholders in Belfastofand we Limited commented: “We are believe that our architects, Squire & delighted to have been conservation awarded Partners, and specialist

this contract with Randox, one of architects, Consarc Design Group, Northern Ireland’s most dynamic have incorporated these changes into and exciting businesses on a local a scheme which will revitalise this and global area level.ofThrough important the city. the We quality would of work and theCity dedication likeour to thank Belfast Counciland for reaching this decision andhas we professionalism of ourtonight team TAL look forward beginning as steadily growntoover the laston34site years soonthis as possible. and contract”award reinforces the strength of our expertise in the Murray Levinson, partner at Squire & healthcare sector. ” phase of Tribeca Partners, said: “This The project willabe delivered part Belfast will create re-energised to BIMcity, leveland 2 in of the wepartnership are pleased that it has taken a stepteam forward today with the design Ostick andwith planning approval from the & Council. Williams Architects, Rainey Best, Our amendments the outline Doran Consulting, to Delap & Waller planning application will retain and Consulting Engineers andbuildings Charles repair significant historic Hutchison Consulting. and create new contemporary Dr Peter FitzGerald, developments, togetherManaging reinvigorating

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Director at Randox commented: “The the conservation area. This truly mixed development of Randox Science use scheme will allow people to live Park is core to our in plans create and work together this to part of the innovative to improve city centre.diagnostics, ” manufacturing efficiency to export Jonathan Mitchell, director of high-value healthcare capabilities to Castlebrooke said: world markets.Investments, This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of “We have been working on Tribeca cutting-edge research, development Belfast for many years and it is and diagnostic covering fantastic to seemanufacture, such a significant conditions such as cancer, strokeWe and step forward taking place today. heart disease. will also provide a listened to the We concerns of interested parties through voluntary public significant boost our to the local economy consultation and this effort through newprocess job creation. We very has been Belfast City much lookrecognised forward tobyworking with Council. Our attention now turns to TAL on this initial contract to deliver moving forwards with our detailed the infrastructure we as planshigh andquality beginning work on site require. soon as”possible.”

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 Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

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LAGAN TOacquires DEVELOP Harvey Group SolmatixBUSINESS as part of 5 year growth plan in UK and Ireland. £246m PARK IN UGANDA NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists Newtownabbey-based M&E services company, Harvey Group, has acquired Northern Ireland renewable energy specialists, Solmatix Renewables in a move the companies say will transform the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland and act as a springboard for further expansion into the multimillion pound UK and Ireland renewable energy markets. The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 the number of people employed 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

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 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

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

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction by the Government’s UK Export Ireland. our building materials business to Lagan is to develop a Finance (UKEF) department and Lagan has partnered with Ugandan Breedon plc in 2018, we have targeted contract at Randox Science Park $246million business spearheaded by Lagan – will create company DOTT Services for a range of exciting new projects park in Uganda in a boost to the Northern Irish company.

It was confirmed at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London recently that the Government of Uganda has secured a £185million loan from the UK Government to support the delivery of the project, which will be implemented by businessman Kevin Lagan’s group of companies. WItH a reputation for excellence in constructing high Ugandanprojects, PresidenttAL Museveni joined quality Limited African leaders and delegations from has been awarded a significant 20 other countries attending the contract (£3.1m) by global Summit, which was hosted by Prime medical diagnostics Minister Boris Johnson. company Randox. Further development thethe Kampala This initial contract isoffor Industrial Business Parkfacility – supported construction of a new for

employmentofopportunities for production Randox’s pioneering 200,000diagnostic people in products Uganda. and will medical also include associated administrative Support from UK Export Finance, the functions. The export works are theagency, first Government’s credit phase of avital major capital expenditure has been in helping UK exporters project by Randox to develop the gain a foothold in Africa. former Massereene Army Barracks UKEF has provided into ‘Randox Scienceclose Park’to– £2 a billion of government-backed export finance futuristic R&D and manufacturing support for UK exporters in Africa facility. The award-winning, since 2018, helping to secure UK international biotechnologyprojects firm, business for infrastructure unveiled its plans for an innovative across Africa. hub on the 43 acre site earlier this This announcement is a major project year. forWelcoming construction Kevin theentrepreneur announcement, Lagan’s group of Director companies Damien Hughes, of with TAL experienced staff, materials and Limited commented: “We are equipment to be sourced in Northern delighted to have been awarded

the contract upgrade, with whichRandox, will seeone of this the construction improved Northern Ireland’sofmost dynamic infrastructure including water, and exciting businesses roads, on a local electricity waste treatment facilities, and global and level.drainage Through the quality sewerage networks and of ourfibre worknetworks. and the dedication and optic professionalism of our team TAL has Estimates suggest that will steadily grown over thethe lastproject 34 years create 200,000 jobsreinforces in the long and thisover contract award term. the strength of our expertise in the healthcare sector.” Following the landmark sale of the The project willhisbebusiness delivered materials part of to to BIM level partnership Breedon plc 2forin£455m in April 2018, with design Osticktargeted and Kevinthe Lagan has team developed and sustainable growth of his Williams Architects, Rainey & retained Best, companies. Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller Consulting Engineers and Charles Lagan Chairman, Kevin Lagan said: Hutchison Consulting. “Following the successful sale of Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing

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which support economic growth “The and Director at Randox commented: infrastructuralofdevelopment nationally development Randox Science and internationally. Park is core to our plans to create innovative to record improve “We have diagnostics, a strong track manufacturing efficiency export working in Africa and thetoupgrade high-value capabilities to of Kampalahealthcare Industrial Business Park strengthens our This footprint in the region world markets. state-of-the-art and supports the regeneration premises will become a centre of of a very important area ofdevelopment Uganda. cutting-edge research, and diagnostic manufacture, covering “The UK-Africa Investment Summit conditions as cancer,by stroke reflects thesuch commitment the and heart disease.toWe will also economic provide a governments strengthen significant boost local economy ties between thetoUKthe and Africa and the Lagannew team delightedWe to play through jobiscreation. very its partlook in this process, which not much forward to working with only on supports our contract business,to butdeliver is a TAL this initial welcome boost to the economies of the high quality infrastructure we both Northern Ireland and Uganda.” 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

20/08/2014 16:45

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CITB NI LAUNCH BRAND NEW MOBILE TRAINING Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year UNIT FOR THE INDUSTRY growth plan inLOCAL UK andCONSTRUCTION Ireland. CITB NI have launched aNI brand new, services state of the M&E art Mobile Training Unit to help Newtownabbey-based facilitate construction M&E services company, training, education and Harvey Group, has acquired careers promotion for Northern Ireland renewable the Northern Ireland energy specialists, Solmatix construction industry. Renewables in a move the companies say will transform The unit will provide short duration the renewable energy sector training such as manual handling, working at heights and general health in Northern Ireland and act & as safety on site to CITB registered a springboard forNIfurther employers, meaning minimum expansion into the multidisruption to workUK whilst alsoIreland helping million pound and employers train their staff. renewable energy markets. Thetraining acquisition, an is not Whilst on theformove will bring to 110 a undisclosed new conceptsum, for CITB NI this the number peoplecompact employed upgraded unit of is more and directlymeaning by the more Harveylocations Group in flexible can beNorthern accessed Ireland for training regardless of and Great Britain. size. The space and Withexpanding a turnoverfloor of £30 million interactive system will and over multimedia 80 staff, Harvey Group help facilitate training in a traditional has over 30 years’ experience classroom environment whilst onsite. in the design, installation andalso be The Mobile Training Unit will maintenance of building services used to facilitate CITB NI’s careers within every kind of strategy which conceivable aims to promote building typeasthroughout NI, GB construction a career option toand young schools, colleges, RoI,people, including Pharmaceutical/ parents and teachers. Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Education, Government and Barry Neilson,. CITB NI and ChiefNorahHealthcare Richard Executive said, “Our brand-new Anne Bell founded Solmatix Mobile Training Unit will help Renewables in 2008, and to since then expand our training facility local

company acquires renewable energy specialists 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). for some time, either organically 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 established player. Having worked “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with Solmatix Renewables on of ‘business as usual’. that would have taken us years to Pictured is Sandra Overend Henry Brothers and Barry Neilson, Chief Executive CITB NI, launching the However, in a number of contracts, we’d real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. new CITB NI Mobile, Training Unit at Henry Brothers site in Magherafelt. always been impressed with organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and construction companies across We are also looking forward Training Unit. This facility will enable enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which to I mean professionalism. In fact, there seemed Northern Ireland. We fully appreciate using the unit to help encourage us to meet our core strategy of resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, to betime a natural between sites construction as a career choice and that away synergy from construction investing in people development. Ultimately I believe this will our desire to deliver our services to our two companies in terms for training is time away fromofthe job. are already utilising it at various events The training delivered by thelead CITB to growthonand investment the very highest standards, and the Bringing fully how functional throughout NI Apprenticeship Week NI greater professionals board the Mobile what we the do and we dotraining it. I within operations, as well as unit to the site helpsBell alleviate in February.”we place on treating our Trainingour Unit enables our employees importance approached Richard aboutthis, a as well ago as encouraging David Henry, to participate essential training more jobs andinjob security. It’s a on customers, ourManaging suppliersDirector and ourofstaff year to float thethe ideaindustry of our to train and becoming fully competent in allonly Henry Brothers added, site and is a fantastic that’s resource that we win-win relationship good with courtesy and consideration.” companies together, but aspects of health and safety. Henry “Given Henry Brothers’ commitment will continue to utilise into the for our whole organisation, as future.” Richard Bell, the founder and ifBrothers there was a good fit. After careful in Magherafelt are the first of to upskilling our workforce we are CITB NI Registered employers can well theMobile economy of Northern managing of Solmatix consideration both agreed our registeredwe employers to use the delighted director to host the very first session bookasthe Training Unit free of Ireland. Renewables the by acquisition that would indeed be mutually unit this on their premises. of training todescribed be delivered CITB charge. “Booking is easy, Tel 028 9082 NI’s new and enhanced Mobile 5466.

Lisburn firm TAL awarded firstHOMES major construction NEW FLAGSHIP OFFICESthe FOR ENGLAND contract at Randox Science Park MANUFACTURED BY McAVOY The new flagship regional office for Homes England in the South East, built offsite by the Dungannon-based McAvoy Group in the new town of Northstowe in Cambridgeshire, successfully demonstrates the WItH a reputation for potential of offsite excellence in constructing high construction and how the approach can quality projects, tAL Limited deliver an ambitious has been awarded a significant architectural design contract (£3.1m) by global and a high-quality office medical diagnostics company environment. Randox. Northstowe is a new town that contract is for the in is This set toinitial provide 10,000 homes Cambridgeshire. England construction of a Homes new facility for is leading the way for Northstowe, with

production of Randox’s pioneering medical diagnostic products and will also include associated administrative functions. The works are the first phase of a major capital expenditure project by Randox to develop the former Massereene Army Barracks into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a futuristic R&D and manufacturing facility. The award-winning, international biotechnology firm, unveiled its plans for an innovative hub on the 43 acre site earlier this year. Welcoming the announcement, Damien Hughes, 8,500 new homesDirector plannedofatTAL the heart ofcommented: the new town. Limited “We are The building was manufactured delighted to have been awardedoffsite by McAvoy at its Lisburn factory as

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 which Charleswere 14 steel-framed modules craned intoConsulting. position in just three Hutchison days and partial second fix Dr with Peterfirst FitzGerald, Managing plumbing, electrics and ventilation

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Director at Randox commented: “The systems pre-installed. According to of Raymond development RandoxMillar, Science Preconstruction Director at The Park is core to our plans to create McAvoy Group, “This fantastic innovative diagnostics, to improve workspace champions offsite manufacturing efficiency to export manufacturing, which will be a high-value healthcare defining feature of thecapabilities new town to world markets. This state-of-the-art of Northstowe. Its design explores premises become a centre of innovativewill ideas for both structured and informal research, working, with dedicated cutting-edge development workspaces formanufacture, permanent staff and diagnostic covering and areas for more temporary conditions such as cancer, strokeand and collaborative uses.” heart disease. We will also provide a significant boost the local economy McAvoy used 3Dtovisualisations and through new job creation. We very virtual reality in the early design much forward stageslook of the projecttotoworking facilitatewith client engagement. The Homes TAL on this initial contractEngland to deliver teamhigh alsoquality visitedinfrastructure the McAvoy factory the Susan Masonwe RICS to see the require. ” building at first hand in production.

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06|

digest digest

|09

£13 MILLION UPGRADE AT DRUMAROAD WATER TREATMENT Harvey acquires Solmatix part of 5 year PLANT TOGroup BENEFIT A QUARTER OF NI’Sas POPULATION.

growth plan in UK and Ireland.

A £13 million investment , to improve the security of the water supply atNI Drumaroad Water M&E services company acquires Treatment Works, the company has grown to achieve a Newtownabbey-based Castlewellan, is now turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff M&E services company, underway. This major operating from its Nutt’s Corner Harvey Group,of has acquired programme work will premises. Northern until IrelandSpring renewable continue 2021. As a result of the deal, Solmatix energy specialists, Solmatix Renewables in a move the The investment say at Drumaroad is an companies will transform example of what can be done with the renewable energy sector sufficient investment in the water and in Northern Ireland and act wastewater infrastructure elsewhere a springboard in as Northern Ireland. for further expansion into the multiand(2015 Ireland In million the PC15pound fundingUK period – 2021) total investment in Newry, renewable energy markets. Mourne Down District Theand acquisition, for an Council willundisclosed be around sum, £86.7m; thetoPC21 will for bring 110 funding period of (2021 to 2027), NI the number people employed Water is bidding for £183.4m. directly by the Harvey Group in Northern and Britain. This money isIreland needed forGreat two things; a turnover of £30 firstlyWith to maintain and keep themillion and over 80 and staff,wastewater Harvey Group existing water assets 30 area years’running, experience in has the over Council and secondly to address identified in the design, installation andcapacity and potential environmental issues. maintenance of building services Further investment is essential within every conceivable kindtoof improve future water and wastewater building type throughout NI, GB services for customers. and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Cleanrooms, Laboratories, Graham Construction is the main Education, and contractor forGovernment this major programme . Richard and project Norahof Healthcare work, with RPS providing management and technical support. Anne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

renewable energy specialists

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). for some time, either organically 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 established player. Having worked “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with Solmatix Renewables on of ‘business as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to a number of contracts, we’d real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. always been impressed with organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean professionalism. In fact, there seemed resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, to be a natural synergy between Ultimately I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to our two companies in terms of to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the what we do and how we do it. I within our operations, as well as Back Row: Ciaran Aidan (both GRAHAM) importance we place on treating our approached RichardMoohan, Bell about a McGinley Front Marcella ReillyofRPS, Maurice McEvoy, Chairman Newry, District Council moreand jobsDown and job security. It’s a our suppliers andofour staff Mourne year agoRow: to float the idea our NI Water customers, Councillor Charlie Casey, NI Water’s Mark Richardson, PJ Mc Caffery and NI Water’s Paul Davison. 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

PLANS SUBMITTED FOR £50M Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction REDEVELOPMENT OFPark QUEEN’S PARADE contract at Randox Science An application has been submitted to Ards and North Down Borough Council by Bangor Marine Ltd, the partnership behind a £50m regeneration project at Queen’s Parade, Bangor which is set to transform the historic seafront of WItH a reputation for Bangor.

excellence in constructing high The proposed redevelopment quality projects, tAL Limited supports regeneration of Bangor has beentheawarded a significant town centre(£3.1m) and includes a 67 contract by global bedroom hotel, 70,000 sq. ft. of office medical diagnostics company accommodation, 138 residential units, Randox. the creation of a new public realm This initial contract is for the area adjacent to the promenade, construction of by a new for complemented foodfacility and beverage

production of Randox’s pioneering medical diagnostic products and will also include associated administrative functions. The works are the first phase of a major capital expenditure project by Randox to develop the former Massereene Army Barracks into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a futuristic R&D and manufacturing facility. The award-winning, international biotechnology firm, unveiled its plans for an innovative hub on the 43 acre site earlier this year. and an undercroft car park. outlets Welcoming Bangor Marine the is a announcement, joint venture partnership between Karl Group Damien Hughes, Director of TAL and Farrans created specifically Limited commented: “We are to deliver thistoproject, whichawarded will provide delighted have been

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, Raineya & Best, the opportunity to create premier Doran Consulting, Delap Waller waterfront destination. The&scheme will regenerate a historic Consulting Engineers anddevelopment Charles opportunity site and in turn should Hutchison Consulting. encourage investment and Dr Peterfurther FitzGerald, Managing

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redevelopment within the town Director at Randox commented: “The centre. development of Director Randox Science Angela Wiggam, at planning consultants commented: Park is coreTurley to our plans to create “Queen’s has been designed innovativeParade diagnostics, to improve to reinvigorate Bangor town centre manufacturing efficiency to export through the delivery of a high quality high-value healthcare capabilities mixed use proposal and critical toto world markets. This state-of-the-art this vision is the creation of high premises becomespaces a centre quality andwill attractive andof places between the new and existing cutting-edge research, development buildings”. and diagnostic manufacture, covering conditions such as cancer, stroke and Nigel Murray, Todd Architects heart disease. We will also provide a commented: This is a once-in-a-lifetime significant boost to thethe local economy opportunity to define town for through newtojob creation. We very generations come. The design takes much look forward working with its direction from thetounique character of Bangor as initial a seaside town,tomarrying TAL on this contract deliver old responding to thewe needs the and highnew, quality infrastructure of residents require. ” and visitors alike.”

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| 10

digest digest

LACK OFGroup GOVERNMENT FUNDING’ SEEN MAIN Harvey acquires Solmatix as part ofAS 5 year CHALLENGE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY growth plan FOR in UKNI and Ireland. NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists the company has grown to achieve a Newtownabbey-based turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff M&E services company, operating from its Nutt’s Corner Harvey Group, has acquired premises. Northern Ireland renewable As a result of the deal, Solmatix energy specialists, Solmatix will continue to operate as an Renewables in a move the autonomous and independent companies say will transform company within Harvey Group the renewable energy sector Brian Harvey, managing director in Northern Ireland and act of Harvey Group, said there was as a springboard for further a perfect fit between the two expansion into the multiorganisations. million pound UK and Ireland “We have been planning to renewable energy markets. Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth grow our renewables involvement The acquisition, for an Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). for some time, either organically undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, or through the acquisition of an the number of people employed customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey established player. Having worked directly by the Harvey Group in “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with Solmatix Renewables on Northern Ireland and Great Britain. of ‘business as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to a number of contracts, we’d With a turnover of £30 million real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. always been impressed with and over 80 staff, Harvey Group organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and has over 30 years’ experience enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean professionalism. In fact, there seemed in the design, installation and resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, to be a natural synergy between maintenance of building services Ultimately I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to our two companies in terms of within every conceivable kind of to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the what we do and how we do it. I building type throughout NI, GB within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our approached Richard Bell about a and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff year ago to float the idea of our Cleanrooms, Laboratories, win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration. ” companies coming together, but only Education, Government and Trevor Leaker (AECOM), Trevor Anderson (Infrastructure and Business Transformation Director, Belfast for our whole organisation, as Richard Bell, the founder and if there was a good fit. After careful Healthcare . Richard and NorahHarbour), Chris Conway (Group Chief Executive, Translink), Sarahagreed Venning (Chief Executive, Northern Ireland well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix consideration we both Anne Bell founded Solmatix Water), Andrew Murray (Deputy Secretary, Department for Infrastructure),Tim Robinson (Regional Director, Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition that this would indeed be mutually Renewables in 2008, and since then AECOM) and Richard Kirk (Workplus) at launch of AECOM’s annual review ‘Foundations of Future Growth’. Lack of government funding (50%), the tradespeople for key projects. After construction changing climate. Lisburn firm TAL awarded first major planning (46%) and economic three years of public sector inactivity, On the importance of collaboration in uncertainty (34%) were cited by a huge need for infrastructure mitigating climate change, Sara Venning, contract at Randox Science Park industry professionals in Northern investment has built up and whether Chief Executive, Northern Ireland

More than 140 construction industry professionals gathered in Belfast recently for the launch of ‘Foundations of Future Growth’ – an annual construction industry review by leading construction consultancy firm AECOM. The event took place at the Ten Square Hotel, Belfast.

AECOM’s review surveyed 250 WItH a reputation for construction industry professionals excellence constructing high and spoke to in industry leading experts quality tALthem Limited about theprojects, issues facing today. It predicts a rise of 3.5% ainsignificant price inflation has been awarded for 2020, on(£3.1m) top of the price contract by5% global inflation the industry experienced medical diagnostics companyin 2019. This prediction raises uncertainty Randox. as to how the construction sector will This initial contract is for the perform in 2020 and beyond. construction of a new facility for

Ireland as the three main challenges production of Randox’s pioneering facing construction companies that are medical products and will trying todiagnostic deliver large scale projects. also include associated administrative However, functions. the Theconsensus works arebetween the first industry professionals attending the phase of a major capital expenditure event return the Stormont projectthat by the Randox toofdevelop the Assembly could mean a re-boot for former Massereene Army Barracks the construction sector in Northern into ‘Randox Science Park’ –a Ireland and a rise in construction futuristicover R&D manufacturing output theand next 12 months. facility. The award-winning, Trevor Leaker,biotechnology Director AECOM international firm, said, “A number of factors are contributing unveiled its plans for an innovative to increasing costs such as the talent hub on the 43 acre site earlier this shortage in NI, competition from a year. ROI market and the continued busy Welcoming the announcement, success of NI contractors pricing their Damien Hughes, Director of TAL work similar to that in Great Britain. Opportunities arising “We outside Limited commented: areof NI have madetoit have increasingly more difficult delighted been awarded to secure electrical and plumbing

industry can satisfy this demand this contract with Randox, oneskilled of depends on whether the right NorthernareIreland’s most workers available. ” dynamic and exciting businesses on a local The for the event included and line-up global level. Through the quality aofpanel of experts including Trevor our work and the dedication and Anderson (Infrastructure and professionalism of our team TAL has Business Transformation Director steadilyHarbour), grown over last 34 years Belfast Sarathe Venning and this contract award reinforces (CEO Northern Ireland Water), the strength our expertise Chris Conwayof(CEO Translink),in the Andrew Murray Secretary healthcare sector.(Deputy ” Department forwill Infrastructure) The project be deliveredand Tim Robinson Director to BIM level 2 (Regional in partnership AECOM). with the design team Ostick and Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, The discussion formed around Doran Consulting, Delap & Wallerand AECOM’s annual industry review Consulting Engineers and Charles how Northern Ireland’s construction industry canConsulting. tackle the challenges Hutchison presented a rapidly evolving Dr PeterbyFitzGerald, Managing economy, political situation and a

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Water said, Director at Randox commented: “The development Randoxtime Science “This is a reallyofexciting to be involved withto infrastructure. is clear Park is core our plans toItcreate to see that diagnostics, infrastructure moved innovative to has improve right up the agenda in Northern manufacturing efficiency to export Ireland. I want NI Water to be a leader high-value healthcare capabilities to in sustainability. world This state-of-the-art We aremarkets. well positioned to do a world premises will become a centrecrisis of of good in tackling the climate cutting-edge development and partneringresearch, with others is key to achieving this.” manufacture, covering and diagnostic conditions such as cancer, stroke and One the most prominent themes a heartofdisease. We will also provide to emerge from the event was the significant boost to the local economy role technology can play in tackling the throughemergency. new job creation. We very climate AECOM’s review much look forward to working with showed that almost 50% highlighted TAL on this initial contract to deliver more efficiency during the design and of projects as the most the build high quality infrastructure we immediate require.” benefit of smart technology within their work.

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12| CPC Conference

DAME JUDITH HACKITT TO SPEAK AT NI CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS’ COUNCIL CONFERENCE

Dame Judith Hackitt is a chemical engineer and is currently Chair of Make UK and Board member of HS2 Ltd. She was made a Dame in the 2015-16 New Year Honours for services to health and safety and engineering, for being a role model for young women. Following the tragic fire which occurred at Grenfell Tower in London, Dame Judith conducted an independent review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety related to high rise buildings for the UK Government. She now chairs the Transition Board which will create the new Building Safety Regulator as part of a major reform programme following her review.

Dame Judith Hackitt

The report exposed systemic failures in the construction industry and stated that the current building regulatory system is “not fit for purpose”. The conference will examine the areas it raises about competence and culture within the sector. Also speaking will be two leading and highly respected professionals within the industry - Graham Watts OBE, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Council and Chair of Competence Steering Group who published a response to the Hackett Report called ‘Raising the Bar’ and Professor John Cole CBE, Chair of the review panel of Building Standards Compliance and Enforcement in Scotland. Chair of CIPCNI, Denise McMahon said, ““This will be a very important

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Graham Watts OBE is Chief Executive of CIC and a member of the Industry Response Group, set up by the MHCLG in the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and Chaired the Competence Working Group set up to assist Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. Following the report publication, he is now Chair of the Steering Group charged with implementing the recommendations on improving competence for all those engaged in designing, construction, managing and maintaining higher-risk residential buildings. This includes oversight of the competence work being carried out in the Fire and Rescue Services

Graham Watts

event for all those involved in our industry. No one can deny the complexity or enormity of the challenge. It is not a building regulation issue to be treated in isolation. It requires systemic change and the findings of the Hackitt Report need to be addressed in a Northern Ireland context. We would invite all the major stakeholders from government through to developers, contractors, construction and legal professionals and industry representative bodies to show our collective responsibility for new thinking and responsible actions by attending this event. The conference will take place at the Hilton Hotel Belfast from 12.30

onwards. Booking is available via www. eventbrite.com The Construction Professionals Council for Northern Ireland is the umbrella organisation for most of professional bodies in the construction sector in Northern Ireland with a collective membership of over 9,000 professionals. It acts in the interests of its constituent members to promote best practise in the procurement of professional services; providing a strong voice to government on matters that impact the sector. It is committed to ensuring the importance of adhering to high standards of professionalism are understood by all stakeholders within the industry.

Professor John Cole CBE, an architect by profession, is currently an independent consultant, acting primarily as a strategic client adviser on a range of major international public-sector infrastructure projects. John is a member government’s the ‘Industry Safety Steering Group’ and a member of the RIBA ‘Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety’. In 2016 he chaired the Independent Inquiry and wrote the ‘Report into the Construction of Edinburgh Schools’, which has resulted in an ongoing major review of construction. Following the Edinburgh Schools Inquiry, he was asked by the Scottish Government to chair a Review of Compliance with and Enforcement of Building Standards in Scotland. He was also the founder and instigator of the Construction Professionals’ Council N.I

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digest

EUROPEAN INDUSTRY, BUSINESS AND POLITICS WELCOME BELFAST MET LED NEW QUALIFICATION

from left Paul Mc Cormack, Belfast Met Innovation Manager and BIMcert Programme Manager, Ms Maja-Marija Nahod, Assistant Minister for Construction and Energy Efficiency, Croatia, Martin Lennon, Managing Director, O Hare and Mc Govern, Marie Therese Mc Givern, Chief Executive, Belfast Metropolitan College, Gordon Sutherland, Head of Sector, EASME, European Commission and Dr James Harty, Copenhagen School of Design and Technology.

Both Northern Ireland business and European government have embraced a new digital construction training platform introduced by Belfast Metropolitan College in partnership with six other European partners. Speaking at the ‘BIMcert Digital Skills to Reduce the Energy Footprint in the Built Environment’ international conference at Titanic recently Ms Maja Marija Nahod, Assistant Minister for Construction in Croatia pointed out independent initiatives such as BIMcert are essential and that there is a need for common standards to raise awareness of the main terms. Martin Lennon, Managing Director of O’Hare and McGovern said that BIM was part of the DNA in OHMG, a collaborative tool and that everyone owns the data in the process. OHMG employees are receiving BIMcert training currently through Belfast Met.

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There are 7 European partners on the BIMcert project including Belfast Met, CITB, NI, Technological University, Dublin, and Future Analytics, Dublin , IST Portugal, IECE, Macedonia and EIHP, Croatia. BIMcert itself is a digital technology that can be used to provide information on every aspect of the construction project. Speaking at Titanic Belfast, Marie Therese McGivern, Chief Executive, Belfast Metropolitan College, said: “Belfast Metropolitan College is justifiably proud to be the first FE college in the UK to lead a H2020 project. We are here to celebrate with all the partners an amazing project delivering certification in Building Information Modelling and empowering companies in the construction sector to engage in the digital transformation journey. It requires innovative approaches to training and upskilling people for this new paradigm. “BIMcert has illustrated how we can achieve this for all, for the partners,

students, business and industry. “Construction sites across the globe are developing rapidly as firms seek to take advantage of the technologies of tomorrow. However the construction industry is the lowest ranked economic sector in terms of digital uptake in Europe and more needs to be done.

Decarbonisation

“The link between digital skills and the energy performance of buildings is important. On the one hand, the European building sector needs to complete the decarbonisation of building stock if the EU is to meet its climate targets. On the other hand, it needs to make the most of the new digital technologies that are rapidly changing the way buildings are designed and constructed. “Belfast Met and the BIMcert partners are leading the way in digital transformation, modules, learning, beyond blended delivery and digital accreditation-empowering industry and the workforce.”

Paul Mc Cormack, Belfast Met innovation Manager and BIMcert Programme Manager, said: “In order to reach the EU’s energy and climate targets, a qualified building workforce is needed. Improving the skills of middle and senior level professionals and blue collar workers in the area of sustainable energy efficient construction is therefore of key importance. This should be done throughout the entire value chain of the buildings sector. “Our BIMcert training platform is now ready for use. This is your chance to avail of free BIMcert training which can enhance your career. Just log onto our BIMcert training platform https:// platform.energybimcert.eu/ and start your BIMcert journey. The platform is on our https://energybimcert.eu/ website.” BIMcert allows for the creation and implementation of sustainable qualification and training schemes for building professionals, blue collar, white collar and management.

AN APPRECIATION| 15

AN APPRECIATION

TONY DORAN OBE We are sad to learn that former CEF Managing Director Tony Doran passed away on 2nd January after a short illness.

Tony Doran, in 2006

Specify, speaking to Tony on his retirement from his position as Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation back in 2006, Specify found a man in much admiration of a construction industry which had come through perhaps the hardest years ever for industry and commerce in Northern Ireland. He believed that the construction industry had gone through something that no other construction industry in Western Europe had endured and had come out the other side of ‘The Troubles’ as a confident, professional and vibrant sector of the economy. He was acutely aware that Northern Ireland was a completely different entity from the strife-torn political and economic climate that he had begun his career with, and was looking forward to a period of growth with the local construction industry able to take part in the new infrastructure investment strategy going forward. He was very proud of the industry’s commitment to health and safety over recent years, of the improvement in standards that have been achieved through schemes such as the Construction Skills Register and SafeT-Cert. He said the infrastructure to ensure health and safety is a top priority with these various certification schemes helping the industry in improving both it’s health and safety training and performance. He maintained that one of the most satisfying elements of his career within the CEF was the unity of the industry in the face of difficulties, challenges and opportunities. Many strands had come together to bring about positive change, from contractors, to civil servants, politicians and other industry bodies. He said that the past years had shown that when you work with others you can achieve a great deal more. A prime example of that, outside of the political lobbying arena, he said, was the CEF/SPECIFY Construction Excellence Awards. Again, these were established in partnership with Specify Magazine through teamwork, from the publishers, the organisers, the judges, the sponsors and the competitors. He said it was particularly gratifying for him that the awards allowed the industry to hold its chin up and say ‘we are excellent’ because we have

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achieved such a great deal. When we first introduced the awards he said he suspected there was a feeling in some quarters this was ‘not quite the thing to do in Northern Ireland,’ yet after twenty years the awards have become synonymous with excellence in construction and are both fiercely competed for and highly prized. Another example was that Specify would become the official publication for the Construction Employers Federation to help, through it’s wider circulation in the industry, publicise the various initiatives they were introducing. Barry Neilson of the CITB paid tribute to Tony: “When I joined CITB NI

Tony was my first Chairman. Not only was I new to the job but new to NI and he was mindful of that and very generous with his time and advice. I know my integration into the industry here would not have been so smooth if it were not for him. On a more personal note, there are a lot of lessons I learned from Tony that will be with me, not just in my working life but about life in general, for the rest of my days. He was a great support and friend to me and his loss is sincerely felt.” Looking back, Tony said one of his first jobs in 1973 was a review of apprenticeship structures to attract youth into construction and he commented that the same process was being carried out in 2006.

Unfortunately skills shortages continue to be debated to this day, but his view was that the standards on building sites were high, young people take pride in what they do and have a genuine appetite for their work. This was good to see, he said, because the loss of our young people throughout the years of the troubles had been a particular low and it was good to see that the new Northern Ireland was beginning to attract young people to embrace its opportunities. His hope was that one of the real benefits might be to attract those young people who have left, to return to the Province. The management of Greer Publications, publishers of Specify, extend their sincere sympathy to Tony’s wife and family on their loss.

16| CIOB AWARDS

CONSTRUCTION ACCOLADES AT ANNUAL BUILDING AWARDS

Pictured are Roger Gillespie, LMS Training, Andrew Hatton, Farrans, Gary Blair, Chair CIOB and Barry Neilson, CITB NI.

CITB NI hosted another successful Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Lecture and Awards evening at Nutts Corner Training Centre acknowledging local students in their professional exams in 2019. The lecture was presented by Graham Construction focused on the delivery and construction of The Grand Central Hotel. Success was the theme of the evening as certificates were awarded to 25 candidates who successfully passed their CIOB examinations last year through QTAS and Training LMS training organisations. Andrew Hatton who trained through LMS was presented with the Best Overall Performance Award for his results in the CMP programme in 2019. Barry Neilson, Chief Executive CITB NI presented the students with their certificates said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;CITB NI are proud to host these annual awards in partnership with CIOB. Congratulations to all who achieved recognition in their professional exams, not only have they have invested in themselves, they have also invested

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Barry Neilson (CITBNI) and Gary Blair with representatives from Nigerian company C-STEmp who were visiting Northern Ireland on a training programme. in their companies and the local construction industry. Investment As an Industrial Training Board CITB NI are focused on driving investment in skills and training, we work with contractors, professional and trade bodies to support training initiatives

and skills development for the overall benefit of the industry. The best full time final year Ulster University Student BSc (Hons) Construction Engineering & Management was also awarded which was presented to Scott Glenn and part time student was awarded to Ryan Shaw.

As part of the ceremony certificates were awarded to those who gained top grades in GCSE Construction and Built Environment in 2019. All students achieved awards from Ballymena Academy with Matthew Orr gaining 1st place, Tim Bailie, 2nd and Richard Carson, 3rd.

CIOB AWARDS |17 Barry Neilson continued, “We are delighted to also present awards to those young people who have excelled at GCSE in Construction and Built Environment. We congratulate them for undertaking the subject and acknowledge their success. “Construction is a rewarding industry with a variety of opportunities on offer from project management to onsite roles with prospects for career enhancement and good earning potential. The popularity of the subject is growing and over 7000 pupils have undertaken the exam over the past decade. We provide help and guidance on the GCSE Construction topic via our textbook and we support local schools by providing 25 complimentary books to each school annually. We hope that by studying and excelling at this level students may possibly consider a career in a dynamic industry with lots of opportunities to choose from.”

LMS Award winners with Roger Gillespie (LMS), Gary Blair (Chair of CIOB), Barry Neilson (CITB NI)

Martin Cushnahan (QTAS) with Gary Blair (CIOB), Barry (CITB NI) and recipients of NVQ Level 6 Diploma

Martin Cushnahan (QTAS) with Gary Blair (CIOB), Barry (CITB NI) and recipients of CMP

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18| John Simpson

BUILDERS PROFITS LOOK HEALTHIER by John Simpson

The Sixth McAleer & Rushe

The Sixth, McAleer & Rushe

Since reaching the bottom of a recession in mid-2013, output from the construction sector has slowly increased. The recent history is of a 44% increase over nearly 4 years from 2013 to 2017 and then a levelling off at about that level of output continuing until late 2019 with some appreciable ups and downs, quarter by quarter. The scale of the recovery from 2013 until 2019 is, at first sight, impressive.

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However, the recent recovery must be set against the serious output reduction from early 2007 until mid-2013. In that period, output of the construction industry fell by 49%. This was a near 7 year period when the workload was falling, profits were harder to earn and many construction firms looked outside Northern Ireland to try to win contracts. Hindsight, in early 2020, allows two contrasting comparisons. For construction firms in Northern Ireland recent experience can be summed up as (1) output is still 30% below the highest level recorded in 2007 and (2) in the last six years, output has recovered about half of the ‘ground lost’ in the earlier recession. Cold

comfort for many businesses! In an effort to put the recent experience in the context of individual firms, a look back at a special article in Specify, in early 2016, quotes the evidence then available on the Northern Ireland registered firms earning the higher levels of pre-tax profits. Information on the published profit figures for local businesses is inevitably some months in arrears. For example, the most recently registered results, in early 2020, are for trading years focusing mainly on 2018 and, for a few, into early 2019. Comparisons of changing profits, at these differing dates, means that a time lag of over a year is involved.

The changes following from that earlier Specify article are major and noteworthy. Overall results have improved and, unlike events a decade ago, fewer businesses have closed. In 2016, construction firms registering pre-tax profits of over £2.2m qualified for inclusion in the published list of the 100 most profitable firms in Northern Ireland. At that time 10 firms which were bidding for larger contracts were identified. In 2016, three large outfits had recently disappeared as stand-alone separate identities: Carvill Group, Pattons and (after a take-over by Lagan which now continues to operate a business in this name) H&J Martin. Other absentees from the list of higher profit earners in 2020 now

John Simpson| 19 Construction companies earning profits of over £4.5m £’000 F.P. McCann £17,899 MJM Marine £17,447 McAleer & Rushe £16,777 McLaughlin & Harvey £11,322 Portview Holdings £10,250 John Graham £ 8,188 Gilbert Ash £ 7,662 Northstone (NI) £ 7,511 GEDA £ 7,316 Lagan Const. Spec.[part] £ 6,673 P.J Conway £ 6,507 CB SME £ 6,392 BSG Civil Engineering £ 6,190 Premier Electric £ 5,738 Mac Interiors £ 5,624 Heron Brothers £ 5,433 Lagan Homes £ 4,566 include Carnbane House, Blackbourne and John McQuillan. Ranking businesses using pre-tax profits as an indicator of relative success is, of course, not a unique or singular method to make this choice. Alternatively, a rank order could be presented using either turnover, operating profit, GVA or any other preferred yardstick. The choice used here is made with apologies recognising that some businesses would rank differently had another variable been used. Another subjective choice has been made in not taking account of the trading results and profits of firms

Eoin McCann, FP McCann which are important parts of the supply chain for the construction industry or which may usually be major subcontractors. Firms such as Severfield (NI), BHC, and GE Grid Solutions are important to the sector. In 2020, construction firms which may qualify for the list of the more profitable local businesses are expected to need to earn over £4.5m pre-tax profits. This is a crude mathematical rule-ofthumb but it does offer what seems a sensible comparator when compared to four years ago. On the information currently available there may be 17 firms listed. These are, in descending order of pre-tax profits:

MJM Marine Group CEO Gary Annett LEFT

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In one respect the list of larger pretax profit makers is slightly misleading. The companies named are all registered and report

their activities as Northern Ireland companies. However, the link to Northern Ireland is, in some cases, a reflection of legal and accounting choices. Some of these businesses are known to successfully seek contracts for construction work located outside Northern Ireland or, in a few cases, in several markets on a world-wide basis. Also, some of these companies report only a part of their overall activities when, for example, the business is also managerial responsible for other subsidiaries whose results are not consolidated with the NI business. In a reassuring conclusion, the companies which feature in the lists both in 2016 and 2020, with only two exceptions, have recorded recent annual profits well in excess of those recorded in 2016. A statistical comparison shows that, comparing pre-tax profits in 2018-19 with those published 4 years ago, results were better for FP McCann by 45%, John Graham by 10%, Northstone by 80% and BSG by 42%. Those contractors which have stayed the pace are now doing better, significantly better, than just 4 years ago. Recovery has been in evidence, although the boom years of 2005-8, are a very distant memory.

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ROI OFFICE JFK House, Unit 3, John F Kennedy Indus. Estate, Bluebell, Dublin 12 Website: www.sdgconstructiontechnology.com Email:www.sdgconstructiontechnology.com hello@sdge.ie WEB: Tel: +44 (0) 028 3752 8999 Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Advice for the Construction| 21

PRINCIPLE SPONSOR

SPECIALIST SERVICES AND ADVICE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Everyone knows the old adage that ‘time is money’ and with construction projects being priced ever more competitively, the latest advances in building techniques and products can improve your company’s profitability and getting the project completed on time. Everyone knows the old adage that ‘time is money’ and with construction projects being priced ever more competitively, knowing about latest advances in building techniques and the correct use of specialist products can improve your company’s profitability and getting the project completed on time. Many Northern Ireland based construction companies lead the way in the UK and Ireland with their range of products and services Specify takes a look at some of the latest and newest developments in the construction available now and offers specialist advice on the latest new products in roofing, doors, mobile power supply and gas.

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Ireland’s Largest

Hard Metals

and ancillary supplier to the building industry

ALMHM/Met-Seam Ltd are the leading distributor of Hard Metal and ancillary to the building industry. We hold extensive stocks of various materials from all leading European manufacturers including VMZINC, Rheinzink Zinc, Zintek Zinc, KME Copper, ALM are the distributor of ALM HM HM/Met-Seam /Met-Seam areStainless the leading leading distributor of Hard Hard and Samsung Copper, Aperam Steel, Prefa Prefalz Aluminium, Metal and to building industry. Metal Painted and ancillary ancillary to the the building industry. Lindab GreenCoat PLX and FAP Steel. We stock a complete of Ancilllary ALM HM Ltd extensive stocks various ALMalso HM/Met-Seam /Met-Seam Ltd hold holdrange extensive stocks of ofProducts. various materials materials from all leading European manufacturers including from all leading European manufacturers including VMZINC, VMZINC, Rheinzink Zinc, Rheinzink Zinc, Zinc, Zintek ZintekWARMDEX®, Zinc, KME KME Copper, Copper, Samsung Samsung Copper, Copper, Aperam Aperam INTRODUCING Stainless Steel, Prefa pre-falz Aluminium, and Lindab Painted Stainless Steel, Prefa pre-falz Aluminium, and Lindab Painted OUR NEW WARM ROOF DECKING BOARDS PLX PLX and and FAP FAP Steel. Steel. We We also also stock stock matching matching rainwater rainwater systems. systems.

WARMDEX®FR andmetals, WARMDEX®OSB provide the definitive warm roof Further to hard ALM HM/Met-Seam /Met-Seam in in Craigavon Craigavon and and our our Furtherfor tolong hard metals, ALM HM solution, strip metal roofing.

WARMDEX®FR has a top layer of 18mm FSC Certified WBPand Fire Rated roofing products include Nvelope Kladfix roofing and and cladding cladding products include Nvelope and Kladfix rail rail and and exterior grade plywood. WARMDEX®OSB has a top layer of 22mm support systems, Warmfast fixing clips, Warmfast self adhesive support systems, Warmfast fixing clips, Warmfast self adhesive foil foil OSB 4, which is manufactured using waterunderlays resistant glue. faced vapour barriers, structured and breather membranes,

faced vapour barriers, structured underlays and breather membranes,

Linitherm PAL Linitherm PGV insulation Both products are OSB, bonded to various thicknesses Kingspanrigid Kooltherm Technology Insulation, Linitherm PAL OSB, Linitherm PGV FLEX FLEXof(unique (unique rigid insulation giving superior insulation values, and a BREEM A+ rating. for curved and barrell vault application), Kingspan TR26, Celotext for curved and barrell vault application), Kingspan TR26, Celotext

TA4000, Foamglas Xtratherm, WARMDEX® insulation boards can beReadyboard, used along withEcotherm, other products within the range including TA4000, Metdeck, Metdeck, Foamglas Readyboard, Ecotherm, Xtratherm, WARMFAST VB ( vapour barrier ), WARMFAST BM Puren M insulations, Freund tools, Jouanel and other machinery, Puren M insulations, Freund tools, Jouanel and other machinery, (breather ) and WARMFAST FIX ( specialist fixings ). Express membrane and Perkeo Soldering Equipment, solder sticks, ﬂux cleaning Express and Perkeo Soldering Equipment, solder sticks, ﬂux cleaning

chemicals and For further information please visit our new website, chemicals and more. more. or contact us via phone or e-mail. ALM ALM HM HM

www.almhm.ie. www.metseam.com www.specifymagazine.co.uk

+ 353 1 420 1700 0044 28 38 325757

ALMHM/Met-Seam | 23

ALMHM/MET-SEAM TO PROMOTE WARMDEX AT FUTUREBUILD Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest hard metals and ancillary supplier to the construction industry, ALMHM/Met-Seam will be promoting their new warm roof decking boards product WarmDex at FutureBuild London. FutureBuild is being held at ExCel London on 3rd-5th March 2020. WarmDex FR and WarmDex OSB provide the definitive warm roof solution for long strip metal roofing. WarmDex FR has a top layer of 18mm FSC Certified WBP Fire Rated Exterior Grade plywood while WarmDex OSB has a top layer of 22mm OSB 4, which is manufactured using water resistant glue. Both products are bonded to various thicknesses of Kingspan Kooltherm Technology Insulation, giving superior insulation values and a BREEM A+ rating. WarmDex insulation boards can be used along with other products

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within the range including WarmFast Vapour Barrier, WarmFast Breather Membrane and WarmFast specialist fixings. The new WarmDex product range has recently been added to the

companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive portfolio. ALMHM/Met-Seam hold extensive stocks in both their Craigavon and Dublin sites with a range of various materials from all leading European manufacturers including VMZinc, Rheinzinc Zinc, KME Copper, Samsung

Copper, Aperam Stainless Steel, Prefa Prefalz Aluminium and Lindab Painted GreenCoat PLX and FAP Steel. Full details are available on the company website, www.almhm.ie

Comerton + Hill

Solicitors

Comerton & Hill solicitors win the right to advance competition claims in the Northern Ireland High Court. against truck manufacturers for over charging. The manufacturers are as follows: 1. MAN; 2. Volvo; 3. Renault; 4. Iveco (which includes Fiat and Magirus); 5. Daimler (including Mercedes Benz, Fuso, Western Star and Freightliner); 6. DAF In December 2019 before the High Court in Belfast Volvoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to insist claimants bring their claims outside Northern Ireland was withdrawn. New clients are contacting us regularly to join in the litigation. If you want to make a claim please contact:

Daniel Fitzpatrick LLM | Comerton & Hill | Solicitors 32/36 May Street Belfast BT1 4NZ

T: 028 90234629

www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Tel: 028 9085 1441 www.rtu.co.uk 

AWARD WINNING DECORATIVE CONCRETE Galgorm Resort & Spa

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Tel: 028 9032 2802 Doorways.co.uk www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Doorways |27

CORRECT IRONMONGERY ESSENTIAL FOR FIREDOORS

Fitting the correct ironmongery to firedoors is essential according to Robert McNeill, Sales Manager at Doorways. Internal firedoors have specific closers, hinges and handles fitted to them when they are tested and certified and it is imperative that these are fitted to the firedoor when it is installed in a building or the firedoors integrity will be compromised. Fire doors have specific requirements when it comes to ironmongery. The fire certificate that comes with the door determines what tests and what ironmongery the doors have been tested with. Whilst the doors are certified to last either 30 or 60 minutes in the event of a fire the correct ironmongery must be fitted for the fire protection to be guaranteed. “We are supplying firedoors to an apartment block at the moment,” Robert told Specify. “Every individual fire door has its own fire certificate and we have the responsibility to match the ironmongery that the door was tested with to ensure compliance and we at Doorways are delighted

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to offer this service to building contractors, architects and surveyors.” “Doorways has over 50 years experience specifying and supplying doors and is the largest door distributor in Northern Ireland. We will not compromise on quality no matter what sector we supply and in an industry that is ever-changing after the Grenfell Tower tragedy we maintain a meticulous approach to traceability and compliance ensuring a safe choice for both trade and domestic customers. “It is important for us to be able to match in with the architect’s vision for a building while also considering the practical needs and the relevant regulations that need to be met. For the contractor, their needs are different from job to job and we work closely with them to find out how best to deliver the products to site. We back this up with regular site visits and where necessary, amend schedules to match their requirements. “It’s all part of the Doorways service,” said Robert. www.Doorways.co.uk

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MCB Power |29

MCB POWER – POWER SYSTEM PROFESSIONALS

backup generators from 6kva upwards, this includes services from a simple oil change to a full system load test.

MCB Power has over 25 years experience in the power industry and can offer complete installation commissioning and maintenance of all power distribution networks and standby or renewable power systems.

Commissioning

MCB Power can commission newly installed switchboards, LV or Mv, protection system, and standby or prime power regardless of manufacturer.

Tool Hire

MCB Power supply all types of power tools and plant either from stock via their extensive list of suppliers delivered anywhere in Ireland. They have a vast range of power generation equipment, cables and distribution ready to meet any requirements.

MCB Power can also provide temporary power for all site requirements including fuel management. They can also provide tailor made solution for all event lighting and power requirements.

Project Management

With MCB Power’s vast experience, they can look after any power projects from design, build, factory acceptance testing, and site installation and commissioning. One typical example would be wind or solar farms and another would be factory or data centre installs or upgrades.

Event Power

MCB Power supply all requirements from fencing to power generation and fuel management to ensure that their customer’s event power is without interruption and that their program runs smoothly. The team from MCB Power collaborate with the planners of events both small and large to ensure all electrical needs at the event are met.

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Maintenance

MCB Power can maintain a complete power system, from LV switch gear

to Mv switch gear and protection relays. Additionally, they completely maintain any of their customers

More details are available via the company website, www.MCBPower.com

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Sika |31

NEW SIKABIT PRO BITUMINOUS ROOFING SYSTEMS

Sika is well known for its development in engineering solutions for the construction industry and its latest SikaBit PRO Bituminous system complements the existing range of singleply and liquid applied membranes. The introduction of these systems offers the specifier greater options and flexibility when designing future works. This is coupled with the expert guidance of Sikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Technical Department in Ireland. Up until now, there were two types of bitumen membranes generally used in construction, SBS (styrene

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butadiene styrene) and APP (Atactic Polypropylene). SBS is a thermo plastic elastomer that has an excellent abrasion resistance and aging stability when blended with bitumen, making it the perfect bitumen modifier to achieve cold flexibility and elastic properties. APP is a high grade visco-elastic polymer and inert fillers, which give excellent properties of resistance to temperatures, UV, and very high resistance to impact and puncture. SikaBit PRO Bituminous membranes combine the qualities of both products in an APAO (Amorphous Poly Alpha Olefin) to offer a new bitumen solution for the construction industry and specifiers can be assured of the same high levels of service along with

the same technical, application and customer service support that they expect from Sika. SikaBit PRO Bituminous modified membranes have been developed to answer the requirements of NFRC Safe2Torch guidelines. The systems are either applied with torch-on or self-adhered methods and provide full system solutions for all roof types from Warm Roof, Cold Roof, Green Roof, and Podiums. Sika also provide accessories and specialist detailing solutions down to very complex

details. The very high flexibility of the membranes allow easy installation and completion of details that results in faster membrane installation even at low temperatures. Sikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term track record of experience and extensive test reports confirm high performance, security and reliability of Sika membrane waterproofing systems, which ensures a very long service life of the waterproofed basement or belowgrade structure.

At Moore Concrete we are committed to meeting the needs of our customers and aim t offer the highest quality precast concrete products, across Building, Civil Infrastructure AtArchitectural, Moore Concrete we are to meeting the needs of ourexperience, customer Agricultural andcommitted Recycling industries. Drawing on 40 years’ with quality an ethosprecast of constantly evolving our products to create a diverse offercombined the highest concrete products, across Building, Civil In At Moore Concrete we are committed to meeting the needs of our innovative range, we aim to provide solutions industries. that exceed Drawing customer expectations Architectural, Agricultural and Recycling on 40 years’ine customers and aim to offer the highest quality precast concrete At Moore Concrete committed to modern meeting the needs ofour our products customers and aim to a today’s world. combined with we anare ethos of constantly evolving to create

QUALITYPRECASTSOLUTIONS

Civil Infrastructure, Architectural, Agricultural offerproducts, the highestacross qualityBuilding, precast concrete products, across Building, Civil Infrastructure, innovative range, we aim to provide solutions that exceed customer and Recycling industries. 40 years’Drawing experience, with expe Architectural, Agricultural andDrawing Recyclingon industries. on 40 combined years’ experience, ancombined ethos of with constantly our products to create a diverse today’s modern world. an ethosevolving of constantly evolving our products to createinnovative a diverse innovative range, weprovide aim to provide solutions that exceed customer expectations range, we aim to solutions that exceed customer expectations in in today’smodern modern world. today’s world.

REDI-ROCK THE COMPLETE WALL SOLUTION FOR RETAINING, FREESTANDING AND LANDSCAPING. REDI-ROCK THE COMPLETE WALL SOLUTION REDI-ROCK THE COMPLETE WALL SOLUTION FOR RETAINING, FREESTANDING AND LANDSCAPING. PRECAST MODULAR BLOCKS CAN FOR RETAINING, FREESTANDING ANDBE REDI-ROCK THE COMPLETE WALL SOLUT PRECAST MODULAR BLOCKS CANEFFICIENT, BE LANDSCAPING. DRY LAID, IDEAL FOR QUICK, FOR RETAINING, FREESTANDING AND DRY LAID, IDEAL FOR QUICK, EFFICIENT, PRECAST MODULAR BLOCKS CAN BE INSTALLATION, UPLANDSCAPING. TO 10 TIMES FASTER THAN UP TO 10 TIMES FASTER THAN DRYINSTALLATION, LAID, IDEAL FOR QUICK, EFFICIENT, TRADITIONAL WALLS TRADITIONAL WALLS, REDUCING TIME AND COST ON SITE.

INSTALLATION, TO 10 TIMES FASTER THAN PRECAST UP MODULAR BLOCKS CAN BE TRADITIONAL WALLS DRY LAID, IDEAL FOR QUICK, EFFICIEN

INSTALLATION, UP TO 10 TIMES FASTER T TRADITIONAL WALLS For any enquiries please contact us

For any enquiries please Tel: 028 2565contact 2566 u For any enquiries please contact us www.moore-concrete.com sales@moore-concrete.com Tel: 028 2565 256 Tel: 028 2565 2566

Caherty House, 41 Woodside Road, BALLYMENA. BT42 4QH

Caherty House, 41 Woodside Road, BALLYMENA. BT42 4Q www.specifymagazine.co.uk

ycling industries. Drawing on 40 years’ experience, stantly evolving our products to create a diverse ide solutions that exceed customer expectations in Moore Concrete |33 day’s modern world.

to e, ,

MOORE CONCRETEPRESENTS REDI ROCK

Redi-Rock retaining and freestanding walls, can be rapidly constructed using the innovative 1 ton interlocking Redi-Rock blocks.

Housing and Commercial Developments versatility of the Redi-Rock range and ease of installation, ensures a flexible retaining wall solution to maximise usable land, and create a beautiful aesthetic affect for the overall development.

COMPLETE WALL SOLUTION NG, FREESTANDING AND ANDSCAPING. DULAR BLOCKS CAN BE AL FOR QUICK, EFFICIENT, P TO 10 TIMES FASTER THAN DITIONAL WALLS The precast Redi-Rock concrete blocks are created in moulds with a natural affect cobblestone finish. Redi-Rock an engineered, interlocking product, is capable of creating an instant retaining wall system, that is versatile enough to achieve high structures without compromising strength.

Redi-Rock Applications

The wall system is designed for use in a broad range of applications, with substantial environmental and commercial benefits compared to traditional methods.

Roads BBA Approved simple fast

construction, minimises disruption to keep the traffic flowing.

Landscaping retaining walls,

freestanding walls, and landscaping products can all be used inconjunction with one another to provide a consistent natural looking cobblestone finish. Freestanding blocks have the option of face texture on 2 or 3 sides, planter blocks & cap stones can be incorporated into walls or used to form columns, steps and flower beds.

Reasons To Choose Redi-Rock • •

Railways space saving engineered solution prefect for railways.

Water for Coastal and Flood Plain

Defence, Shoreline and Sea Defence,can be reinforced to withstand incredible storms.

•

Bridges you can design a solution

us 66 H

using Redi-Rock whether you need abutments, wing walls or retaining walls leading up to or supporting your bridge.

• • •

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Cost efficient complete project solution Fast & easy installation with reduced site cost and risk from lower number of people and time required on site. • modular blocks ideal for quick, efficient installation. • up to 60 blocks per 2 man team installation per day. Construction can take place in all weather conditions without the need for formwork, shuttering or mortar. Flexible if plans change can easily be picked up and built in another location. Engineered strength, achieving height without Geogrid. Very durable, 100 year design life.

• •

Very versatile with the ability to create curves and corners. Minimal maintenance.

Redi-Rock Design Services

Redi-Rock Installation is a fast and simple process.

NEW Redi-Rock XL Block

Moore Concrete are Redi-Rock International’s manufacturing and sales partner throughout the island of Ireland. Moore Concrete offers our customers advice and design services with the full support of the experience and expertise of RediRock International, including;

The XL Block has double the face height and half the installation time. The hollow core means lighter weight and lower shipping costs.

• • •

XL Blocks interlock with all existing blocks in the Redi-Rock system, providing more tools to build the most efficient retaining wall solution.

Preliminary Design Full design / TAS Approval Installation Guide & Manual

The XL Block allows you to build taller gravity walls without any geotextiles, up to 6 meters.

Calor BioLPG.

Renewable energy for homes and businesses. Made from sustainably sourced renewable vegetable oils, residues and wastes, BioLPG only from Calor, can cut carbon emissions by at least 50%, helping you to meet your sustainability targets. Identical in use and performance to regular LPG, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a small choice that changes everything, creating a cleaner environment for everyone. See more at calorgas.ie

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Calor Gas|35

CALOR – THE PERFECT PARTNER FOR YOUR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROJECT

realistic timelines for installation and help deliver on them. Our experienced team understand where the challenges lie and how to overcome them. In addition to supporting you throughout project delivery, Calor can also assist your team to improve their own knowledge and expertise, through our accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses. Calor CPD courses are accredited with CIBSE, RIAI and Engineers Ireland. The Calor course on offer covers Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Product Knowledge, Gas Regulations and Standards, Bulk Tank Installations, Cylinder Storage, Pipe Work Unit and Utilisation of LPG. We are always happy to make space available to professionals who want to learn more about how LPG and BioLPG can be incorporated into their projects. Calor are at the forefront of innovation within the energy industry, as the first supplier of BioLPG, a renewable form of LPG, which is now available across Ireland. Calor BioLPG is a 100% certified renewable energy which can be used in homes or businesses.

For over 80 years, Calor has been providing lower carbon energy solutions for homes and businesses across Ireland. As engineers, architects and developers come under more pressure to deliver sustainable building projects, Calor has developed a range of solutions, such as our renewable BioLPG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), to help you integrate lower carbon energy into project design. In addition to supplying innovative fuels, Calor also works directly with our partners before, during and project completion to ensure best in class project outcomes. Calor’s approach to construction is to work hand in hand from the outset with your team. Our Energy Consultants will work with you throughout the project, visiting the site, assisting with design of a tailored energy solution specifically for your project. We understand that deadlines are important and delivery is essential. Lost time means loss of reputation and often loss of margin. We will work with your team to map out

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It is made from fully traceable, renewable vegetable oils and wastes and residues. Calor BioLPG can be used in the same boilers and appliances as conventional LPG, meaning that customers can choose LPG now, safe in the knowledge that they can switch to a renewable option whenever they wish. Calor is also leading the way in delivering an off – grid lower carbon energy solution for larger energy users, with the introduction in the last year of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Calor LNG, which is aimed at both industrial and transport sectors, delivers a carbon emission saving of 25% when compared to heavy fuel oil. LNG also delivers significantly lower particulate emissions (-99%), NOx (-70%) and SOx (80%) – helping to improve air quality. Installation of LNG will open the door to future installation of BioLNG, a renewable form of LNG. Regardless of which option is right for your project, Calor’s Energy Consultants will support you with an understanding of your requirements and a focus on delivery at all times. For more information visit calorgas. ie, or for specific information on CPD courses, email cpd@calorgas.ie.

Defining spaces in architectural aluminium Windows Doors Curtain Walling Brise Soleil Louvres Support Technical design input Thermal modelling Free air calculations Security analysis Online BIM models Secured By Design

Environmental Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

Window Energy Rating software (WER) BREEAM guidance BRE Green Guide A+ rated products Life cycle analysis Sustainable products Responsible sourcing

metaltechnology.com www.specifymagazine.co.uk

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Clockwise from top left: Burlington House Luxury Apartments, Manchester || Ripple Retreat, Trossachs National Park, Scotland || DAERA HQ, Ballykelly || Bertha Park High School, Perth || Bailey Point Student Accommodation, Bournemouth

38| Metal Technology

METAL TECHNOLOGY - REDEFINING STUDENT LIVING AT 123 YORK STREET which is redefining the skyline. The 12 storey, 407 bed managed student accommodation scheme, on a site adjacent to the expanding campus, is welcoming many of the 11,000 students relocating to the city centre. 123 York Street was conceived to offer students an opportunity to define their experience by choosing their own path, from tenancy length and room option, to student-led events and career advice and the building’s sharp architectural form has clear design integrity in this maturing cityscape. All Metal Technology’s systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative expression with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance. For more information on Metal Technology’s range of architectural glazing systems or their bespoke student accommodation brochure, visit www.metaltechnology.com or contact sales@metaltechnology. com.

Many cities throughout the UK have seen a proliferation of high spec student accommodation and Metal Technology’s range has proved extremely popular for such applications. In Belfast, 123 York Street, with its varied and complex façade interfaces between cladding and glazing, showcases Metal Technology’s latest architectural glazing technology. The front entrance screen utilises a 230mm mullion construction which enabled the main entrance to be free of visual structural steel, a key element of the design as specified by project

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architect Gavin Sloan of RMI and the building has been awarded Belfast Telegraph’s “Commercial Development of the Year”. This commanding entrance was achieved using Metal Technology’s System 17 curtain walling and System 5-20DHi+ Heavy Duty Thermal Doors. The project also used the performance and operational benefits of System 5-35Hi+ Tilt & Turn Thermal Windows using perimeter locking combined with ventilation benefits, System 10 Automatic Sliding Doors and System 26Hi+ Bi-Fold Thermal Doors. The area around the new University of Ulster campus in York Street, in Belfast City centre, is being transformed with new campus buildings rising up to 16 storeys,

Image of Castle St Showroom

DOOR STUDIOS IN HALDANE FISHER BRANCHES: NEWRY, BANGOR, PORTADOWN (CASTLE STREET), LISBURN, BELFAST (LADAS DRIVE & BALMORAL), LARNE AND ENNISKILLEN

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Construction Information Services (CIS) is the market leader in supplying All-Ireland construction opportunities. We provide fully researched real-time information on construction projects from pre-planning to on-site stages. *This project listing was generated on 12th December 2019.

Phone:

Banbridge Office: 028 4064 8110 Dublin Office: 00353 (0)1 2999 200

Website:

www.cisireland.com

Email:

sales@cisireland.com

CIVIL AND UTILITIES ProjectID Title 863503 €20m - Ballyshannon Regional Water Supply Scheme Contract No.1 1028963 €135m - National Train Control Centre

Stage

Category

Value

County

Contract Awarded

Civil and Utilities

€20,000,000

Co. Donegal

Tender

Civil and Utilities

€135,000,000

Co. Dublin

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site

Commercial

€30,000,000

Co. Dublin

Stage

Category

Value

County

Contract Awarded

Community and Sport

£8,223,313

Co. Antrim

Tender

Community and Sport

£4,500,000

Co. Londonderry

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site

Education

£7,635,000

Co. Antrim

Tender Contract Awarded

Education Education

£27,500,000 £16,600,000

Co. Antrim Co. Down

Tender

Education

£12,516,936

Co. Antrim

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site

Hospitality

€75,000,000

Co. Dublin

Stage

Category

Value

County

On Site

Industrial

€100,890,773

Co. Kildare

Stage

Category

Value

County

Tender Tender

Medical Medical

€20,000,000 £42,000,000

Co. Limerick Co. Antrim

Tender

Medical

£37,000,000

Co. Antrim

COMMERCIAL ProjectID Title 882208 €30m - Apollo House Redevelopment

COMMUNITY AND SPORT ProjectID Title 1003099 £8.2m - Refurbishment of Auditorium and Bar Areas 1059488 £4.5m - Waterside Shared Village - Contractors

EDUCATION ProjectID Title 1059493 £7.6m - Building, Mechanical and Electrical and Maintenance Services 1016453 £27.5m - New Campus Building 902576 £16.6m - New 600-Pupil School 1056083 £12m - Teaching Facility

HOSPITALITY ProjectID Title 949497 €75m - Conversion to Restaurant/Bar/Hospitality Area

INDUSTRIAL ProjectID Title 908143 €101m - Research Manufacturing Building Extension

MEDICAL ProjectID Title 1021233 €20m - Elderly Care Accommodation 1079815 £42m - Electrical Maintenance Work and Minor Electrical Installation Work 1079814 £37m - Mechanical Plumbing Maintenance Work & Minor Mechanical Plumbing

RESIDENTIAL ProjectID Title

Stage

Category

Value

County

1025535 €28m - Housing Development 1054367 €24m - Housing Development 988034 €123m - Residential Development 994435 £8.5m - Apartment Development, Phase 4

On Site On Site

Residential Residential

€28,945,500 €24,000,000

Co. Dublin Co. Dublin

On Site Contract Awarded

Residential Residential

€123,502,738 £8,585,325

Co. Dublin Co. Antrim

915074 £6m - Housing Development 1078115 £6m - Design and Build Housing 1078116 £5.6m - Design and Build Housing

Contract Awarded Tender

Residential Residential

£6,089,825 £6,000,000

Co. Fermanagh Co. Antrim

Tender

Residential

£5,600,000

Co. Antrim

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Hays|41

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAN EVER BEFORE BY MARK WADE, HAYS

The use of technology has led to productivity gains in many sectors over the last number of decades, from manufacturing to utilities and agriculture. The construction sector, while a late starter, is now seeing the benefits, both in terms of the way buildings are designed and in the performance of built assets. One such profession to have felt this impact, and which is driving change within the sector, is Architectural Technology. Architectural Technology professionals, while still specialising in the technology of architecture, now undertake a broad range of positions which are essential to meet the needs of the changing built environment. David Comiskey, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Technology at Ulster University, explains that, while traditionally the natural progression for Architectural Technology graduates was to move into architectural practice and a specialist technical design position, graduates now possess a diverse skillset which allows them to move into any number of roles within the built environment sector. Recent graduates have secured positions with main contractors as part of their digital delivery teams and as design managers. Some have taken up digital consultant jobs with leading multidisciplinary organisations and many more are being employed in BIM related roles within both architectural and M&E firms. Of course, the more traditional specialist technical design roles still exist, but even these are feeling the effect of technological change. This could be using more advanced authoring and analysis software on projects, managing projects via the use of common data environments, the use of drones to capture aerial images or laser scanning for point cloud generation. “Technology is now edging into every aspect of the construction sector, with the new job roles emerging reflecting this, jobs which did not exist until relatively recently,” he says.

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“As we’ve seen increasing amounts of digitisation and innovation in the sector, we have also seen the opportunities and roles open to Architectural Technology graduates become much more diverse. There is recognition that these graduates are bringing something valuable. Their technical knowledge and awareness of construction detailing, combined with their understanding of digital construction, is making them highly sought after.” The diverse nature of the profession, coupled with an acknowledgement that the design of built assets has become more complex, has made the Architectural Technology education sector reinvent itself to produce well rounded individuals who have a skillset which allows them to flourish in whichever area they choose to specialise. “We’re not a training course. We are providing students with a skillset that will enable them to be adaptable to whatever roles they find themselves undertaking throughout their professional career. An ability to be flexible and to solve problems will serve them well as the technology continues to evolve,” says David. “As the industry has changed, we have adapted the course. We are proud of our strong industry links and view these as essential in best preparing students for professional practice.” The core competencies of the profession remain, that being proficiency in technical design and detailing, designing sustainably with inclusivity in mind and having an awareness of relevant building control and planning legislation. However, the digital strand is attracting a wider range of applicants. As digital disruption within the sector

continues, it is inevitable that we will see a closer link between computing, architectural and technical design. This will attract a new generation of individuals to enter the sector, those who previously would not have considered a career in a construction discipline. Hays has been working with Ulster University’s Architectural Technology & Management course for the best part of 20 years. We sponsor the placement year award, where the top students, based on module performance, are put through an interview process to demonstrate how they have applied the theory from their studies in practice. As well as judging the students’ interview capabilities Hays also offers one on one consultation sessions to help the students and make them aware of the current opportunities and trends in the market. Hays also takes part in the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) roadshow student talk every year, offering advice on things like how to present a CV, how to prep for interview and avoiding social media pitfalls. For Hays, our engagement with the University and the Institute is about showing students the range of career options available to them and building their confidence for interviews and new work environments. The Ulster University course has evolved over the years and played

a leading part in ensuring the Architectural Technology discipline is now widely recognised as being essential to the twenty-first century, built environment sector. Of course, the ever-changing nature of digital technology means that there is more for students to take into consideration, which combined with the stress of study and the everincreasing social pressures can make the transition to a work environment challenging. Architectural Technology academics challenge students to think holistically, to consider the health and wellbeing of the occupants of the spaces they design, so David Comiskey says the health and wellbeing of students and graduates themselves mustn’t be overlooked. He is leading a piece of research, to which Hays is contributing, as part of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) Special Issues Taskforce. This is focusing on mental wellbeing in young architectural technology professionals which will be published later this year. “Construction is not an industry that’s traditionally encouraged people to talk about mental health, but as requirements change and we have more people working, studying and adjusting to new work situations, it is essential they feel they can talk openly and begin to reduce the stigma around mental health,” he says.

42| Mark Spence

“TIME TO OVERHAUL THE PUBLIC ESTATE,” SAYS NEW CEF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR… Mark Spence’s appointment to the position of Assistant Director of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) was ideally timed, coinciding with the return of the MLAs to Stormont and the certainty, if not clarity, of Brexit. With a background in both construction and project governance, Mark is looking forward to seeing an improvement in the construction industry in 2020 and beyond.

In the immediate future, however, he is facing a protracted downturn in the construction industry and a relatively stagnant private sector. Add in the new panel of ministers to deal with and it might seem a daunting task, but Mark is relishing the opportunity. He admits to having a passion for current affairs, politics and generally advocating improvement in use of public spending and will be putting all of these to good use in his new position. “It’s early days, so it’s hard to know how the new Assembly ministers are going to impact on the construction industry, and whether, as they have promised, they will start to lead in a more collective manner than we have suffered in the past” Mark told Specify. “Brexit is also going to be an issue for all business in NI, for our members particularly so in terms of materials prices and labour movement, all of this at time when many construction companies are working on the slimmest margins.” “Whilst there has been a general air of disappointment that Northern Ireland only got an extra £2bn of Westminster money, I take the view that it is still £2bn more than we had a month ago. Whilst we have ground to make up for the last three years, it’s not simply a case of throwing billions at the NHS and at Education; that is akin to continuing to fill a leaky bucket. First, we must mend some of the holes. There needs to be closer integration of resources and better governance of our funds. Procurement in particular is a hot topic and there have been some high-profile failures on publicly funded projects which have until recently escaped the proper scrutiny due to the failure of the Assembly. The CEF would like to see consistent Procurement policies and procedures across the entire public sector in NI. We are a small population similar to Birmingham which is largely governed by 100 councillors, and yet currently our public services are procured slightly differently by each of the numerous government agencies and we would like to help working www.specifymagazine.co.uk

Mark Spence, CEF Assitant Director towards centralising it.” Mark has a strong background in communication, finance and the construction industry. He studied Geography and Social Anthropology at Queens University and after graduating he qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Accountancy then working at PwC during as he recalls,

‘heady days of the Blair government when the misguided PPI/PPP partnerships were in full swing…’ After 10 years with PwC he continued to advise public and private clients on landmark construction programmes for another international consultancy firm for 4 years before starting to work for local main contractor, Flynn

in 2012 as Development Director. “I arrived at Flynn at an exciting time in that business’s growth trajectory and my role had a wide remit extending to leading the business development function, strategic direction, re-branding, developing awareness of the company’s services and identifying new business partners

Mark Spence| 43 Mark Spence, with his classic Sabb

and customers. I also had responsibility for aspects of governance, contract management, client satisfaction, cost reduction projects and HR. I gained an invaluable insight into the highs, and lows, of family business in construction in NI and how critical it is to local business to have a stable social, economic and political environment. By selective award nominations, thought-piece placement and sponsorship, he raised the company to being recognised as a UK leader in its chosen marketplace, winning the 2017 UK Chambers of Commerce overall award for Wellbeing. Having worked in a family run construction company, Mark is well aware of the many problems that Northern Ireland builders can face. Apprenticeships are an essential lifeblood to an industry with an aging workforce, yet the industry has much to do to improve its image with students, teachers and maybe most importantly, parents. This is becoming an acute issue with an air of optimism arising from the return to Stormont meaning more certainty about pipeline, and the impact of Brexit on migrant labour yet to be clarified. “The CEF hopes to see an improvement in not only in the uptake of apprenticeships but the information made available around the wide range of career paths within the sector as we work with the Dept Education, Dept Economy, CITB and all other stakeholders to promote careers in the construction industry. The return of the Assembly has raised the

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prospect of a more secure pipeline for the construction industry and it would also be great to see some of our ‘talent’ coming back home from GB and Dublin to work here. There is a persistent sense that the economy in Dublin is peaking so we might see some people moving back up north and bringing their new skills and expertise with them. The timing could be beneficial, if we can reinvigorate the

Development plans optimistically being published by all councils across NI all face the same obstacle to implementation, namely the woefully underfunded water infrastructure will soon stop dead all forms of residential and commercial development until that matter is addressed northern sector at the same time.” The role of the CEF is to represent the interests of the construction industry and Mark is looking forward to meeting the new Stormont ministers and Chairs of Committees. “It is encouraging to see the long overdue return to normal government,” says Mark. “Hopefully now, with political stability we can advocate for multi-year budgets and more efficient use of taxpayers’ hard-earned revenues so that we might in the future be able to deliver renewed infrastructure in a strategic

longer term and ultimately more costeffective manner than recent years have witnessed. “In my opinion there needs to be a complete overhaul of the public estate, starting with the largest budget holders, Health and Education, with ministers making changes collectively without fear of constituency backlash and implement the rationalisation and specialisation of services that health and education need to deliver safe, effective services. Surely in 2020 we can agree that duplication of services serves no-one? We need to look at ways of getting the most for our money and look at the bigger picture, including being open to sharing our resources cross-border where lines on a map create artificial demand for duplicate built assets. “We need a more creative approach to use of public money which should be devoted to critical services and make use of private funding where it can be more efficiently leveraged for the greater good such as social and mixed tenure housing. “The private sector needs encouraged and enabled to grow to generate employment and wages from which tax revenues and demand for services grow. Confidence is key. Construction is a key barometer of the economy and one of the first to feel the cold draughts of downturn but hopefully will also benefit from an upturn that should now be in reach. Tourism has been very good for the local economy with many new hotels built, as has the investment in student accommodation

around Belfast, but we are reaching saturation point on both of these sectors and the crane count, so beloved of commentators, will soon start to decline once again with few immediate projects ready to take their place. “The Belfast City Deal is the first of these fantastic initiatives and is to be welcomed as a stimulant for the local economy. However, the local development plans optimistically being published by all councils across NI all face the same obstacle to implementation, namely the woefully underfunded water infrastructure which is at full capacity and will soon stop dead all forms of residential and commercial development until that matter is addressed either by massive capital injection (unlikely) or some reformed means of raising revenue (politically unpalatable). “Construction takes time and patience and the decisions made today will may be reflected in the skyline on under the ground for many years, but let’s get started. I’m looking forward to meeting the people who make these decisions and assisting our CEF members to deliver place-changing projects.” Away from work, Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and fills his spare time sitting on the boards of his local enterprise agency and a housing association, and is a scout leader, as well as enjoying polishing the rust on his 1973 Saab.

CEF/SpecifyCEF awards |29

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

News in Brief... NEW IOSH COURSE ACCEPTED FOR MANAGER AND PROFESSIONAL LEVEL CSR CARDS The Construction Skills Register will now accept IOSH’s Safety, Health and Environment for Construction Site Managers course for all management and professional level cards. This course has replaced the IOSH Managing Safely for Construction Managers course which has been discontinued by IOSH. Valid Managing Safely for Construction Managers certificates will continue to be accepted by CSR. Further information on the new IOSH course can be found at the following link https://www. iosh.com/media/4015/she-forconstruction-site-managersfact-sheet.pdf

TONY DORAN OBE

CEF APPOINTS NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

e are delighted to welcome Mark Spence to his new role as Assistant Director. Mark brings to CEF over 8 years’ of directorlevel experience within a main contractor, where he was responsible for securing and delivering significant public sector construction and maintenance contracts. Members may also be familiar with Mark as he liaised with members and stakeholders for CEF over the past year in a consultancy capacity. Having qualified as Chartered Accountant, Mark subsequently gained 20 years’ UK and Irish experience advising government and bidders on capital programme delivery, PFI/PPP deals, developing and implementing business cases for hospitals, schools & colleges, prisons and infrastructure and running procurement processes to appoint and monitor contractors and consultants. With his transition into a leading local construction business, he assumed responsibility for public and private sector tendering, developing markets, contract management and client satisfaction, internal reorganisation including rebranding, award winning people and H&S strategies and managing buysocial and social clauses. Having previously sat as a member on CEF committees, Mark has long been proactive in engaging public bodies on issues such as the apprenticeship levy, e-tendering processes and procurement practice. He will be responsible for the running of the CEF’s various member interest committees and leading our engagement with the NI Assembly, Executive and procuring authorities as well as partnering with other professional bodies in representing the views of our members.

NEW DECADE, NEW APPROACH

he Construction Employers Federation welcomes the publication of the #NewDealNewApproach draft agreement as a means of restoring devolved government and decision making.

The detail of the agreement will require detailed analysis, however key aspects to be welcomed include a return to multi-year budgeting, investment in hospital reconfiguration, addressing budgetary pressures in education, strategic investment in skills, training and apprenticeships, addressing wastewater capacity constraints, realising the potential of the City Deals and a specific priority on social housing. We hope to see the resumption of local decision making as soon as possible and once again working closely with the Assembly on the implementation of vital investment in this region.

It is with great sadness that we announce that former Managing Director Tony Doran passed away on 2 January 2020 after a short illness. Tony joined the organisation in 1973 and went on to serve as Managing Director of CEF and associated companies from 1995 to 2006. He was still actively involved at 143 Malone Road until his untimely death. Tony’s funeral took place on Monday 6 January 2020. He will be greatly missed by everyone at CEF and the wider construction industry.

CHANGE TO CSR RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

rom 31 December 2020 all Construction Skills Register (CSR) skilled cards or above that were originally issued on the basis of an occupational assessment and Industry Accreditation will expire on 31 December 2024. Candidates will then have to have registered on or achieved an NVQ Level 2 qualification or higher to continue to be issued a CSR card based on their occupation. This is the final change required to ensure CSR meets the Construction Leadership Council’s “One Industry Logo” requirements which will ensure CSR cards continue to be accepted in GB. CSR is required to have a transition plan in place to bring all existing cardholders up to the minimum standard (NVQ Level 2 for skilled workers). This plan gives the industry five years notice to prepare for the change. Skilled cards and above issued from 31 December 2020 will begin to be short dated, for example a blue joiner card initially issued on the basis of occupational assessment and Industry Accreditation renewed in February 2022 will expire on 31 December 2024. Please note the renewal of Labourer cards or cards previously issued on the basis of an NVQ qualification are not affected by this change. If you have any questions please contact the Scheme Manager, Jonathan Caughey jonathanc@cefni.co.uk or 028 9087 7143. Check us out on social media www.specifymagazine.co.uk

WATER DAMAGE IS THE NEW FIRE DAMAGE

or over a decade a soft insurance market within the Construction sector has meant Contractors and Developers have enjoyed low premiums and broad cover for both Annual and Project insurances. This began to change in the latter part of 2018 as the construction insurance market started to harden and this trend has continued through 2019. The catalyst has been the fact that a number of insurers have chosen to withdraw from or reduce the line size they are willing to write for Construction business as they have increasingly struggled to make a profit. While there are a number of factors impacting underwritersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; profitability this commentary focusses on water damage claims and their increasing impact on underwriters. Fire claims are high profile and have always grabbed the headlines. In 2018 there were several large fire claims most notably, the Glasgow School of Arts, Mandarin Oriental in London and Primark in Belfast. But look beneath the surface and it is clear that water damage claims are causing insurers sleepless nights as the frequency and cost have started to escalate out of control. A single incident of a burst pipe in a multi storey multi tenanted building has cost one insurer over ÂŁ30m this year and add to that the attritional effect of numerous lower value water damage events, that has eroded insurers bottom line results.

What Are Insurers Doing About It and How Can Clients Manage The Risks?

In the 1980s and 1990s there were several significant fires in buildings under construction.

The issue was seen as so significant that many parties came together and created the Joint Code of Practice for Fire Prevention on Construction Sites. As a result, the last 25 years has seen a dramatic reduction in the frequency and size of fires in buildings under construction. Fast forward to 2019, and whilst water damage has now taken over as insurers main concern for Building Projects, there has not been the same action taken to try and reduce water damage claims. The Construction Insurance Risk Engineers Group Best Practice Guidance for the Avoidance of Water Damage on Construction Sites prevention document (CIREG) is a great starting point and all employers should be considering this when appointing their contractors. But this has not yet been implemented into the construction working practice in the same way that the Joint Code of Practice has, nor has it been imposed by insurers. Instead we have seen insurers take control in their own way using the tried and trusted carrot and stick approach. Workshops and training sessions have been offered to clients to educate them on better risk management of water damage whilst the stick has been shown in the form of increased policy excesses. Contractors All Risk (CAR) and Third Party Liability (TPL) sections for one off projects are seeing more higher excess levels of GBP100k, GBP50k and GBP25k for water damage claims. It remains to be seen what effect this will have and until the CIREG or an alternative standard document becomes universally implemented across the construction market, water damage claims will continue to occur on construction projects. We expect to see further insurer action over the next 12 months with a greater emphasis

on how clients propose to manage water risks for their projects. Inevitably this will mean more information to be provided within the broking details and water management plans being provided. Insurers will decide on the adequacy of the measures in place to manage water damage risks with a reduction in applicable excesses being the likely prize for clients.

So What More Is In Store?

The construction insurance market continues to harden further with terms still on the increase particularly on project business. Premium rates have increased by as much as 50% in the past 6 months with further pain anticipated and higher excesses imposed for water damage under both CAR and TPL sections. In fact rates for multi tenanted buildings with significant water damage exposures have seen rises of more than the 50% suggestion. We expect to see water damage excesses increase and the cover provided become more restricted not only on project business but also Annual covers with insurers continuing to pull away from the sector by minimising their exposures For further information please contact Conrad Smyth Account Director Willis Towers Watson Floor 3 Centrepoint Building 24 Ormeau Avenue Belfast BT2 8HS Direct Dial: 028 9089 1810 Email: Conrad.smyth@willistowerswatson.com

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50| INTERVIEW

Specify talks to… Alan Lowry, Managing Director, Environmental Street Furniture

Q: Did you plan to get involved in the Construction Industry?

When I was at school, I aspired to become an accountant as I was good with figures although, I also liked the idea of becoming a travel agent due to my passion for travelling. However, my dad was working for Phillips Lighting and he encouraged me to get involved in the lighting industry straight from school and the rest as they say is history. As it happens, my current role allows me to use my accountancy aspirations, as well as my love for global travel. Q: How did you start off?

I left school at 17 and started working in the lighting industry straight away. I then undertook a range of training courses with local regional colleges, UK based universities and trade bodies to become an electrical and lighting engineer. Q: What have been the

highlights of your career so far?

Setting up my own business, Environmental Street Furniture (ESF), back in 2012 with my wife Caroline has undoubtedly been my career highlight to date. Despite the constant challenges that are involved with running a business, we now work with some of the best-known global brands such as Disney, Apple, McDonalds, Porsche etc. and we never would have had those opportunities if I hadn’t taken that first step as an entrepreneur. Q: What was the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Always keep the main thing the main thing. This is a simple and yet exceptionally hard thing to do. As many people know, running your own business has many challenges and sometimes, it’s easy to get distracted. Even then, it’s important to continually focus on the main thing. My other favourite piece of advice is, ‘Love many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe’.

Q: What would you say to any students considering a career in construction?

I would encourage anyone who is thinking about a career in the construction industry to do it. It is a vibrant, progressive and ever-changing career, which offers many global opportunities to travel and diversify your specialist fields. It also gives great satisfaction when you see the end result of a project that you have played a part in. Q: Do you think the Construction Sector needs more support from Stormont?

In the last few years, there has been a huge decline in the number of planned and actual projects and this has led to a lack of optimism in the construction industry. Many skilled workers and engineers have been forced to move to ROI, UK or further afield in order to seek a more secure environment. Our local government need to realise

this is an issue and become proactive to get some of the job security back into the Northern Ireland construction sector. Q: What needs to be done to help the Construction Sector?

I think we need more ‘Construction Sector Champions’. People need to be getting into schools and colleges, encouraging the younger generation to join the sector and highlighting how great a career it can be. I volunteer through Young Enterprise in my old school and I feel more of that will help to encourage the local talent to enter the sector. Q: Tell us something surprising about yourself…

I turned 50 at the end of January and at the last count, have managed to visit 40 of the 50 USA states! I hope to increase that number over the coming years as we continue to grow Environmental Street Furniture stateside.

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