Final specify june july 16

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

JUNE/JULY 2016

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Finalists announced in the 2016 Construction Excellence Awards This year’s Showcase will take place at the WellcomeWolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, the 2015 Overall Winner, on 7 September and will give finalists the opportunity to demonstrate the excellence of their project to customers, suppliers and industry professionals.

The winners will be announced at a Gala Evening on 6 October at the Culloden Hotel.

General Construction

Commercial Construction Award

Heron Brothers Forthriver Innovation Factory Martin & Hamilton Galgorm Resort & Spa O’Hare & McGovern IFA National Football Stadium P & K McKaigue Causeway Rural & Urban Network (CRUN) Building

Fit-Out Award

Dixons Contractors 16 College Street, Belfast Gilbert-Ash PwC / Google Innovation Lab Woodvale Construction Company Stranmillis Refectory

Restoration Award

Gilbert-Ash The Crown Bar and Dining Rooms Martin & Hamilton St. Bernadette’s Church, Belfast QMAC Construction St. Patrick’s Church, Donaghmore TAL Restoration of Portaferry Presbyterian Church

Social/Community Construction Award

Maurice Flynn & Sons Waterfront Hall Refurbishment QMAC Construction The Junction TAL Schomberg House Woodvale Construction Company Queens Boat Club

GB & Republic of Ireland Construction Award

Gilbert-Ash Institution of Engineering & Technology Tracey Brothers Eolas Building at NUI Maynooth Heron Brothers Stevenson Hive Project Farrans Construction Ellon Academy Community Campus

Housing

Private Housing Award

Carr Brothers Bannview Court Retirement Village Dixons Contractors Redbridge Development Donaghmore Construction Fairfields J W & J Porter & Company Saddlers Hall

Social Housing Award

Donaghmore Construction Ballymister Supported Housing Hagan Homes Fort Hall Lowry Construction Manse Court P & K McKaigue Holly Lane

Principal Sponsor:

Sponsors:

Infrastructure

Health Infrastructure Award

Felix O’Hare & Company Banbridge CTCC Glasgiven Contracts Ballymena Ambulance Station H & J Martin Northern Ireland Adult Hospice O’Hare & McGovern Ballymena Health & Care Centre

Education Infrastructure Award

Mascott Construction MENCAP Building Belfast Maurice Flynn & Sons St Joseph’s Carnacaville O’Hare & McGovern SERC Space Campus Tracey Brothers New Dromore Central Primary School

Transport Infrastructure Award

Fox Building & Engineering Valley Park Fox Building & Engineering Strabane Pedestrian Bridge John Graham Construction A2 Shore Road, Carrickfergus McLaughlin and Harvey Glynn River Bridge

Utilities Infrastructure Award

Adman Civil Projects Eglish Wind Farm DAWSON-WAM Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works Lagan Construction Group Castor Bay to Belfast Strategic Trunk Main Terra Solutions York Street Interchange Storm Chamber

Quality Performance Health & Safety Award

Farrans Construction Heron Brothers Maurice Flynn & Sons McAleer & Teague

Training Award

David Jameson Roofing Services Donaghmore Construction Farrans Construction Maurice Flynn & Sons

Environmental Sustainability Award

Adman Civil Projects David Jameson Roofing Services Tracey Brothers

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PAT BURNS Editor PAUL BRADWELL Sales Manager SUBSCRIPTIONS: (UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50)

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Construction sector still suffering – but things will get better!

The latest State of Trade survey from the Construction Employers Federation and PwC show that around a fifth of Northern Ireland’s construction companies are operating at less than half capacity, with demand in GB and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) also down.

The EU Referendum is thought to have created uncertainty in the economy but now that is out of the way, many construction companies expect business to improve later this year.

The latest CEF assessment for the first three months (Q1) of 2016 shows that close to a quarter (22%) of companies were operating in survival mode, while the percentage of companies confident of growth and profitability fell slightly from 50% in Q1 2015 to 48% in Q1 2016.

The proportion of firms reporting that their current workload had increased rose slightly to 33% in Q1 2016, from 27.5% in Q1 2015 but remained well below on the first three months of 2014 when half of companies surveyed reported increased demand and workload.

Two years ago, in Q1 2014, almost a quarter of CEF members’ work done was in construction activity outside

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Northern Ireland (almost entirely Great Britain and RoI).

That fell to 17% in Q1 2015 and then again in Q1 2016, when only 13% of work was in GB and/or RoI markets.

The decline was largely driven by a reduction in work in GB – down from 15% in Q1 2014 to about 10% throughout 2015 and falling to 6% in Q1 2016, the survey found.

Commenting on the survey results CEF Managing Director John Armstrong, said the industry was not showing any real signs of sustainable recovery:

“This is another survey which suggests that the construction sector is not sharing in Northern Ireland’s modest economic recovery, let alone the significant growth that is being exhibited elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.

“The proportion of companies in survival mode is up, those

anticipating growth and profitability are down and the percentage of work in Great Britain and Ireland has fallen.

We are operating in an environment where growth in housebuilding is broadly flat and where output in infrastructure and roads has actually declined.

“The one glimmer of light is that over a third of our members say they expect things to get better – I sincerely hope they are right.

“Construction and infrastructure accounts for around 6% of UK GDP. But it also delivers instant results – direct employment, high wages, indirect jobs, and greater community cohesion. The new Executive therefore needs to work with the industry to develop and deliver a significant pipeline of projects which will be crucial to the long term sustainability and success of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.”

Fold Housing announces a £40m investment in new homes in 2016

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JUNE/JULY 2016

contents...

6 DIGEST

Queen’s new £39M Biological Sciences build to support 550 construction jobs .

9 DIGEST

Gilbert-Ash lifts the award for Overall Excellence at the 2016 Aer Lingus Viscount Awards in London.

12 DIGEST

The top builders merchants in Northern Ireland are honoured at the Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards with Haldane Fisher, Coleraine taking the top spot.

16 RICS Opinion:

The industry can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to diversity, says Tracy Flannigan FRICS , RICS spokesperson in Northern Ireland

18 RSUA DESIGN AWARDS:

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to ‘House at Maghera’, in Castlewellan, County Down.

22 BELFAST TELEGRAPH TOP 100:

John Simpson analyses the top construction companies in the BT Top 100.

24 APPRENTICESHIPS:

Retaining apprentices will help the construction sector flourish again, according to Max Mackin of Reactive Recruitment

34 RICS AWARDS::

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine has been named Project of the Year at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2016

44 CALDWELL CONSULTING:

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Caldwell Consulting celebrate fifty years of creating spaces and environments that enhance the lives of those who use them.

INTERVIEW: Specify talks to Stuart Murphy, Partner and Head of Construction Law, Carson McDowell.

• 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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CALDWELL CONSULTING: Page 43-55

22 John Simpson Construction Company League

24 Max Mackin Apprenticeships from Reactive

66 Stuart Murphy Interview

• 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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Queen’s new £39M Biological Sciences Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year growth plan in UK and Ireland.

build to support 550 construction jobs NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists Newtownabbey-based Queen’s University M&E services company, Belfast has unveiled Harvey Group, has acquired the foundation stone Northern Ireland renewable for its new £39 million energy specialists, Solmatix School of Biological Renewables in a move the Sciences. companies say will transform

The new School will be a the renewable energy sector key driver for the development in Northern Ireland and act and growth for of further the life as afuture springboard sciences and agri-food sectors expansion into the multiinmillion Northern Ireland, which pound UK and Ireland currently employ some 80,000 renewable energy markets. people and generate more The acquisition, for an than £5.5 billion in bring salestoeach undisclosed sum, will 110 year. the number of people employed Building new School will directly by the the Harvey Group in also support 550and jobs in the Northern Ireland Great Britain. construction sector, With a turnover of including £30 million staff from the main contractor and over 80 staff, Harvey Group O’Hare McGovern, and a has overand 30 years’ experience range other firms. and in theof design, installation The new School, which is maintenance of building services being Chlorine kind Gardens withinbuilt everyatconceivable of NI, GB inbuilding Belfast,type willthroughout offer state-ofandart RoI,teaching including Pharmaceutical/ the and research Cleanrooms, Laboratories, facilities for its 750 students Education, Government and 170 staff, who willand tackle Healthcare Norahsome of the. Richard world’sand most Anne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

the company has grown to achieve a pressing issues. turnover of £6 million, with 30the staff Due to open in 2018, operating from its Nutt’s Corner building will provide the premises. facilities to help grow the life As a result of theespecially deal, Solmatix sciences sector, in will continue to operate as an areas such as agriculture/food autonomous andsafety, independent science, food disease/ company within Harvey Group infection biology, diagnostics, Brian Harvey, managing director waste management, ecosystems of Harvey Group, said there was and the environment. The Life a perfect fit between the two and Health Sciences and Agriorganisations.

Food sectors are key to driving “We have been planning to future economic prosperity grow our renewables involvement in Northern Ireland. The Life for some time, either organically Science whoof will or throughgraduates the acquisition an be trained within the new building established player. Having worked will underpin these areas with Solmatix Renewables on and help facilitate future growth.

a number of contracts, we’d The new 11,000m² School is always been impressed with the latest building Queen’s their engineering rigourinand £700M 20-year capital professionalism.

In fact, there seemed investment to to be a naturalprogramme synergy between support world-class research our two companies in terms of and education andwe provide what we do and how do it. I an exceptionalRichard experience fora its approached Bell about students. year ago to float the idea of our In keeping with the but only companies coming together, commitment ifUniversity’s there was a good fit. After careful consideration we both agreed that this would indeed be mutually

(L to R): Damien Toner, Queen’s Director of Estates, Eamon O’Hare,

Celebrating acquisition (from left) Richard Vice-Chancellor, Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth ManagingtheDirector, O’Hare & Norah-Anne McGovern;Bell, Queen’s Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).

Professor Patrick Johnston; Simon Hamilton, Minister for the Economy; St. great newsLennon, for Solmatix, its beneficial.

From my perspective, John Hadley, Architect, Scott Tallon Walkerasand Martin Managing customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey Director, O’Hare & McGovern.

“In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise technologies including a in to theusbuilding of ‘business as usual’.

However, thatsustainability, would have taken years to combined heatpart andof power has been designed to real terms, being this larger acquire otherwise. engine, ventilation minimize impact on the organisation will give usheat access to “Harvey its Group and Solmatix recovery units and Ground environment, and to achieve enhanced technical skills,a financial share similar values, by which I mean Pump system. the target of Building Research Source resourcesHeat and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, This willI believe be thethis14th project Establishment Environmental Ultimately will lead our desire to deliver our services to O’Hare McGovern, the Method (BREEAM) Excellent. to greater&growth and investment the very highest standards, and the Newry-based construction Set over five floors, within our operations, as well as importance we place onthe treating our company, hasjob delivered fora building designed a more jobs and security. It’s customers,isour suppliersaround and our staff Queen’s.

The firstthat’s scheme central glazed and will win-win relationship good was with courtesy andatrium consideration. ” completed August 1989. incorporate reduction for our wholeinorganisation, as Richard Bell,carbon the founder and well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition

£7m firm support for ADDITIONAL Lisburn TAL awarded the first major construction contract at Randox Science Park 300 new home programme Ulster Bank is providing £7million in support to a local housing association for a major programme that will deliver up to 300 new social homes across Northern Ireland over the next three years.

WItH reputation for 100 aunits will be provided in excellence in constructing high 2016/17 as part of the initiative quality projects, tAL Limited

by Ballymoney-headquartered has been Housing awardedAssociation, a significant Triangle and contract (£3.1m) by global the organisation’s finance director, medical diagnostics Alan Crilly, says that company Ulster Bank’s Randox. support is crucial to making this This initial happen. contract is for the construction of a new facility active for “Ulster Bank has been

production of Randox’s pioneering this contract with Randox, one of Director at Randox commented: “The medical diagnostic products and will Northern Ireland’s most dynamic development of Randox Science in the social housing also include associated administrative and exciting businesses on a local Park is core to our plans to create sector for many years functions.

The works and global level. Through the quality innovative diagnostics, to improve and we have been are the first phase a majortocapital of our work and the dedication and manufacturing efficiency to export very of pleased workexpenditure project

by Randox to develop the professionalism of our team TAL has high-value healthcare capabilities to with them on a funding former Massereene Army Barracks steadily grown over the last 34 years world markets. This state-of-the-art package to support into Science Park’ – a and this contract award reinforces premises will become a centre of our‘Randox development futuristic R&D and manufacturing the strength of our expertise in the cutting-edge research, development plans,” he continues. facility.

The award-winning, healthcare sector. ” and diagnostic manufacture, covering

international biotechnology firm, The project will be delivered conditions such as cancer, stroke and “This will enable us unveiled planstarget for anfor innovative to BIM level 2 in partnership heart disease. We will also provide a to meetitsour hub the 43 this acre year, site earlier this with the design team Ostick and significant boost to the local economy newonhomes year.

Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, through new job creation. We very which is a major part Pictured on site at a Triangle Housing Association development in thegrowth announcement, Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller much look forward to working with ofWelcoming our overall Belfast are Kenton Hilman, Ulster Bank, Paul Herbison, Ulster Bank, Damien Hughes, Director Consulting Engineers and Charles TAL on this initial contract to deliver and development plan of TAL Raymond Nicholl, Triangle Housing Association, and Alan Crilly, Triangle Limited Hutchison Consulting. the high quality infrastructure we for thecommented: next three“We are House Association. delighted to have been awarded Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing require.” years,” he adds.

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The right job can transform a person’s life and the right person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at matching both in construction management.

Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni

20/08/2014 16:45

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HAGAN HOMES TO BUILDas250 HOMES Harvey Group acquires Solmatix part of 5 year growth planDEVELOPMENT in UK and Ireland. IN ANTRIM IN £30M

NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists

Hagan Homes, one Newtownabbey-based ofM&E Northern services Ireland’s company, largest homebuilders, Harvey Group, has acquired isNorthern to buildIreland 250 new renewable energy specialists, homes at a site Solmatix in Renewables in a moveRoad, the Antrim (Ballygore companies will transform BT41) in a say £30million the renewable energy sector development. in Northern Ireland and act Construction has already as a springboard for further started at the 16.6-acre expansionsite intoand thethe multi‘Ballyveigh’ project million pound UK years and Ireland will take up to five to renewable energy markets. complete.

The first homes will The acquisition, for an be completed from September undisclosed sum, willstarting bring to from 110 2016, with prices the number of people employed approx. £79,950. directly the Harvey Group in JamesybyHagan, Managing Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Director, Hagan Homes, told With a turnover of £30 million Specify “We are delighted to and over 80 staff, Harvey Group announce our plans for the has over 30 years’ experience new Ballyveigh site in Antrim. in the design, installation and This will be the largest housing maintenance of building services development started in Antrim within every conceivable kind of inbuilding more type thanthroughout ten yearsNI,and GB is and a clear indication of Hagan RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ Homes’ confidence in the local Cleanrooms, Laboratories, market.

It also a further Education,isGovernment and sign of rejuvenation in the Healthcare . Richard and Norahconstruction sector. ” Anne Bell founded Solmatix “Demand infor2008, superior Renewables and since then homes offering value in Northern Ireland is high and

the Ballyveigh cater for changing needs as homebuilders. Having built the company has development grown to achieve a offers the 30 staff families grow.” almost 3300 homes across turnoverhomebuyers of £6 million, with opportunity live inCorner a mature Every new home in Northern Ireland since it was operating from to its Nutt’s residential area nestled off the Ballyveigh, Antrim will benefit established over 25 years ago premises.

Ballygore Road indeal, Antrim.

The from Hagan Homes’ high 1988.

As a result of the Solmatix homes are to designed toanappeal quality and stylish turnkey The family-run, awardwill continue operate as to all demographics, whether specification, which includes winning Hagan Homes autonomous and independent company within Harvey Groupyoung a chic fully fitted kitchen and first-time buyers, families, employs a highly experienced Brian Harvey,and managing director professionals downsizers, modern bathroom suite. team, many of whom have of Harvey Group, said there wasand and will include one, two The main contractor for the been with the company a perfect fit betweenapartments, the two three bedroom project is Claudy-based JCL since its inception. Company organisations. semi-detached townhouses, Contracts. headquarters are located on have beenhomes. planning and“We detached ” to Hagan Homes is one of Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare, Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth grow renewables involvement Mrour Hagan continues: “Hagan Northern largest Co. Antrim.

Booth (FinancialIreland’s Controller, Harvey Group). for some time, Homes’ aim either is to organically as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, or through the acquisition of anJim Burke, Director of Sales & Acquisitions along with Jamesy Hagan, Managing build affordable, having Solmatix as part of Harvey Director and James McLaughlin Main Contractor (JCL) customers, suppliers and staff. established player.homes Having worked quality, stylish “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with Solmatix and achieveRenewables this by on of ‘business as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to a number of contracts, appointing award- we’d real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. always been impressed with winning architects, organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and interior designers and enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean professionalism. In fact, there seemed craftspeople.

Our resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, to be a natural synergy between homes are built to Ultimately I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to our two companies in terms of be lived in, so the to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the what we do and how we do it. I usability of homes within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our approached Richard Bell about a has been a primary more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff year ago to float the idea of our consideration in the win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” companies coming together, but only design and build. for our whole organisation, as Richard Bell, the founder and if there was a good fit. After careful Hagan Homes reflect well as the economy of Northern managing director of Solmatix consideration we both agreed the needs of indeed the be mutually Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition that this would modern day family and are designed to

Local businesses are helping to develop the next generation of engineers by funding an Ulster University project designed to give first year students an insight into the world of engineering.

Ulster University engineering students their mechanical, WItH aused reputation for electronic, design and biomedical skills excellence in constructing high to develop components of a racing quality projects, tAL Limited car asbeen part awarded of the Formula Student has a significant initiative, Europe’s most contract (£3.1m) by established global educational motorsportcompany competition. medical diagnostics The project, which is sponsored by Randox.

McAuley Engineering, Elite Electronics, This initial contract is for the Fleming-Agri, of Advanced Sensors construction a new facility for Ltd, Yelo Ltd and JMG Systems, aims to

medical diagnostic products and will help students develop relevant also include associated administrative skills that will enhance employment functions. The works are the first prospects after graduation. In phase of a major capital expenditure addition to applying design and project by Randox to develop the engineering principles, participating former Massereene Army Barracks students also gained experience into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a of project management and team futuristic R&D and manufacturing working. facility. The award-winning, Pictured with one of the projects international biotechnology firm, based on the design of an engine unveiled its plans for an innovative frame is mechanical engineering hub on the 43 acre site earlier this student Aleena Selestine year. alongside one of the judges of the Welcoming the announcement, competition, Michael McLaughlin, Damien Hughes, Director of TAL Business Improvement Manager at Limited commented: “We are McAuley Engineering. delighted to have been awarded

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction Local industry supports the next contract at Randox Science Park generation of Ulster University engineers production of Randox’s pioneering this contract with Randox, one of Director at Randox commented: “The 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 Charles Hutchison Consulting.

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing

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development of Randox Science Park is core to our plans to create innovative diagnostics, to improve manufacturing efficiency to export high-value healthcare capabilities to world markets. This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of cutting-edge research, development and diagnostic manufacture, covering conditions such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. We will also provide a significant boost to the local economy through new job creation. We very much look forward to working with TAL on this initial contract to deliver the high quality infrastructure we require.”

The right job can transform a person’s life and the right person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at matching both in construction management.

Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni

20/08/2014 16:45

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Leader Construction CIOB Belfast HarveyVisit Group acquires Solmatix as in part of 5 year participants hear from Student growth Accommodation plan in UK and Ireland.

Project NI M&E services company acquiresindustry renewableexperts energy specialists Newtownabbey-based Recently Newry-based M&E services company, chartered building company Harvey Group, has acquired O’Hare & McGovern, facilitated a Northern Chartered Ireland Instituterenewable of Building energysite specialists, Solmatix (CIOB) visit to John Bell Renewables a moveatthe House, which isinlocated the companies willMet transform iconic former say Belfast college renewable sector atthe College Squareenergy East. The in Northern Ireland and act attendees were given a guided as a springboard for further tour of the building by Project expansion into the multiManager Edward O’Hare and million pound UK and Ireland Design Manager Eamon Laverty. renewable energy markets.

The walkthrough included an The acquisition, for an overview of how the listed undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 building is being converted to the number of people employed house over 400 bedrooms as directly by the Harvey Group in part of a £16m redevelopment Northern Ireland and Great Britain. project. includes the million full WithWork a turnover of £30 refurbishment of the existing five 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 to achieve floors withinhas thegrown building as wella turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff as the addition of three floors operating from its Nutt’s Corner at roof level. Commenting on premises. the event, Gerard Graham, Chair a result of the deal, Solmatix of As CIOB in Ireland’s Northern will continue Centre said,to operate as an autonomous independent “This wasand a great opportunity company within Harvey Group for the attendees, which Brian Harvey, managing director included students, lecturers and of Harvey Group, said there was construction professionals to see a perfect fit between the two how a city centre building is being organisations. transformed within a challenging “We have been planning to and restricted timeframe. We grow our renewables involvement would like to pass on our sincere for some time, either organically thanks to O’Hare & McGovern or through the acquisition of an for facilitating the event.” established player. Having worked with Solmatix Renewables on For further details we’d on the CIOB a number of contracts, visit www.ciob.org. 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

Participants from the CITB NI Leader in Construction programme were treated to a special guest speaker from Tughans, who are sponsoring two of the programme modules.

Ciara Lagan spoke during the module on Managing and Securing Financial Resources which took place at CITB NI’s premises in May 2016.

play an active role in delivering the course to the next generation of leaders’ in-order to build a strong indigenous sector.”

Local company achieves first Heritage endorsed Construction Skills Register Card

The Leader in Construction programme is fast approaching the mid-way point which will be marked by the study visit to The Leuven Institute just outside Brussels in June 2016 (more in the next issue). Three modules Patrick Brown, Managing Partner, have been to date Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell,completed Brian Harvey, Gareth Tughans commented: “WeGroup).

Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey and there are a further three to selected to get involved with the take place between now its and the as great news for Solmatix, beneficial. From my perspective, CITB NI Leader in Construction end of September.

In addition, customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey programme as it correlates participants are involved in an “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with one of our major practice on-going of coaching. of ‘businessprogramme as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to areas. Our construction team real terms, from being part of this larger Feedback participants to acquire otherwise. combines the expertise of organisation will‘I give us itaccess date includes found reallyto “Harvey Group and Solmatix dedicated construction solicitors enhanced technical skills,that financial share similar values, by which I mean useful to understand to be a in non-contentious matters and resources and purchasing our commitment to professionalism, leader I need to balancepower. providing dispute resolution experts for Ultimately with I believe this will lead our desire to deliver our services to direction developing contentious issues, offering our to greater growth and investment the very highest standards, and the people and achieving results’ and clients’ specialist support in the within our operations, well as importance we place on treating our ‘sometimes you needasto step development of procurement more and jobs look and job security.

It’s are a customers, our suppliers and our staff back at why things strategies and in the management win-windone relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” being the way they are’. of Richard risk andBell, dispute avoidance”. for our whole the founder and Others foundorganisation, having timeasaway managing director of Solmatix well asthe theoffice economy of Northern from to think was useful “We understand the importance Ireland. “ Renewables described the acquisition and many feel that the practical of the construction sector to element of the workshops is of the local economy, as well as our own firm, and therefore made the advantage in terms of applying the ideas. decision to not only sponsor, but

first company in NI to get Heritage Endorsed CSR cards.

Director, David McClimond and employee Jonathan Black have both successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 in Heritage Skills Construction Wood Occupations to enable them to achieve the endorsement.

Jonathan was a trainee on the first aever Heritage Specialist WItH reputation for Apprenticeship Programme in Wood excellence in constructing high Occupations in Northern Ireland quality projects, tAL Limited managed CITB NI aand funded has beenby awarded significant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This contract (£3.1m) by global programme resulted in company 11 trainees medical diagnostics receiving bespoke, structured training Randox. and assessment with experienced This initial contract is for the heritage contractors construction of a newleading facility to for the achievement of the Level 3

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 CSRstrength card which fullyexpertise validates inthat the of our theI have the skills and knowledge to use healthcare sector.” appropriate methods on pre 1919 The project will be delivered buildings. ” 2 in partnership to BIM level David, also stated, areand very with the design team“We Ostick proud to be the first company in Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, Northern Ireland to achieve this Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller Heritage CSR card endorsement.

Consulting Engineers and CharlesThis reinforces the work that Hutchison Consulting. we have been in relation to historic Dr doing Peter FitzGerald, Managing buildings in particular traditional

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction A Co Down based company, NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills contract atis theRandox The Glass Shutter Company, (Construction) –Science Wood Occupations. Park Johnathanofsaid, “I havepioneering always had production Randox’s a passiondiagnostic for carpentry and and joinery medical products will and began my career working in the also include associated administrative trade which had involved an element functions.

The works are the first of historic maintenance work.

I was phase of a major capital expenditure excited on hearing about the Heritage project by Randox to develop the Apprenticeship Programme as I knew former Massereene Army Barracks this would help develop my into ‘Randox Science Park’ – skills a in this area, gainand a qualification and futuristic R&D manufacturing hopefully up opportunities to facility.

Theopen award-winning, be able to focus my career firm, within international biotechnology the traditional building sector.

I was unveiled its plans for an innovative fortunate enough to be accepted hub on the 43 acre site earlier this onto the programme and worked on year. projects for the Trust to help Welcoming theNational announcement, put theory into practice.

I amTAL now Damien Hughes, Director of using mycommented: qualification,“We skillsare to work Limited on key projects. delighted to haveI am beendelighted awardedto be the first to gain my Heritage endorsed

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Director at Randox commented: “The development of Randox Science Park is core to our plans to create innovative diagnostics, to improve manufacturing efficiency to export high-value healthcare capabilities to world markets. This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of sash windows. We hope that this cutting-edge research, development endorsement allows us to develop and diagnostic manufacture, covering further work in this area.” conditions such as cancer, stroke and Jonathan was one of a number of heart disease. We will also provide a trainees that participated in Heritage significant boost to the local economy Lottery Funded built heritage through new job creation. We very upskilling programmes funded by the much look forward to working with Heritage Lottery Fund. To find out TAL on this initial contract to deliver more about Jonathan’s story read the high quality infrastructure we his blog on http://www.citbni.org.uk/ require.”

Heritage/Blogs.aspx

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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MD ATGroup CTS acquires PROJECTS CONQUERS Harvey Solmatix as part of 5 year growth plan in UK and Ireland.AWARDS PRESTIGIOUS BUSINESS

NI M&E services company renewable energy specialists Managing Director of leading accolade of the UK’sacquires Heating FedEx Year sponsored

by ALMAC

Newtownabbey-based heating and renewable energy M&E services company, installer CTS Projects, Connaire Harvey Group, has acquired McGreevy, has been named Northern Ireland renewable Young Business Person of the energy specialists, Solmatix Year, sponsored

by ALMAC in a move the atRenewables this year’s Belfast Telegraph companies say will transform Northern Ireland Business the renewable energywith sector Awards, in association in Northern Ireland and act British Airways. as a springboard for further expansion into the multiConnaire established his first million pound and Ireland business heatingUK specialists CTS renewable markets.

Projects backenergy in 2005 when he forConnaire’s an was The justacquisition, 23. Under undisclosed sum, will bring leadership, the business to has110 the number of people employed grown and he has invested directly by the Harvey Group in significantly in bespoke, Northern Ireland and Great Britain. innovative technologies to With a turnover of £30 million ensure the home-heating and over 80 staff, Harvey Group systems provided by CTS are has over 30 years’ experience second to none. in the design, installation and maintenance of building services CTS Projects was named within every conceivable kind of Northern Ireland’s Heating building type throughout NI, GB Installer the Year

by Installer and RoI,of including Pharmaceutical/ magazine in March 2016 and Cleanrooms, Laboratories, is Education, now in the running and for the Government Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

the company has grown Installer of the Year. to achieve a turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff

operating from Boilers its Nutt’sto Corner And from Beer -premises.

Connaire’s entrepreneurial As a result the deal, journey doesof not endSolmatix with will continue to beer operate as an CTS! A craft aficionado autonomous and independent with a passion for all things company within Group local, ConnaireHarvey launched Brian Harvey, managing director Mourne of Harvey Group, said there was Mountains a perfect fit between the two Brewery.

Winner – AJ Power Ltd

Best Use of Digital and/or Social Media sponsored by Saville Audio Visual Winner – CosyRoof Young Businessperson of the

Winner – Connaire McGreevy –CTS Projects and Mourne Mountains Brewery Businessperson of the Year sponsored by British Airways Winner – Brian McConville, MJM Group

organisations.

“We have been planning to Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth grow our renewables Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group).

Other winners involvement for some time, either organically on the evening as great news for Solmatix, its beneficial. From my perspective, or through the acquisition of an included: customers, suppliers and staff. having Solmatix as part of Harvey established player. Having worked Excellence “In many respects, it’s a case Group gives us a level of expertise with Solmatix Renewables on in Marketing of ‘business as usual’. However, in that would have taken us years to a number of contracts, we’d sponsored by real terms, being part of this larger acquire otherwise. always been impressed with RLA Ireland organisation will give us access to “Harvey Group and Solmatix their engineering rigour and Winner – enhanced technical skills, financial share similar values, by which I mean professionalism. In fact, there seemed Galgorm Resort resources and purchasing power. our commitment to professionalism, to be a natural synergy between and SPA 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 wePicture do it. Caption I - Connaire McGreevy is presented with his award from John McQuaid, Excellence within our operations, as well as importance we place on treating our approached Richard Bell VP about a Technical Operations of category sponsors ALMAC . Also pictured are British Airways in more jobs and job security. It’s a customers, our suppliers and our staff yearExporting ago to float the ideaAmbassadors of our Deasy and Christine Wright. sponsored by together, but only Jayne win-win relationship that’s good with courtesy and consideration.” companies coming 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

Gilbert-Ash lift “Overall Excellence” Award at Aer Lingus Viscount Awards Pall Mallawarded recently celebrates the the increased our turnover in 2015 construction magazine Gilbert-Ash has been nnovative construction Lisburn firm TAL first major best of indigenous businesses. to £115m and are on target to truly deserving of this award.

IGilbert-Ash, and fit-out contractor, Ray Hutchinson, managing achieve a turnover of £160m+ in “The Viscount Awards are a has lifted contract at Randox Science Park director of Gilbert Ash, who won 2016. celebration of business excellence the award for Overall the awardofforRandox’s Overallpioneering Excellence production said: “This year has been and verywill medical diagnostic products exciting forassociated the company and we also include administrative are proudThe that our are hard functions. works thework first has been of recognised with expenditure the news phase a major capital that webyhave won Overall project Randox to the develop the Excellence Award former Massereene Army Barracks at the Park’ Aer –Lingus into ‘Randox Science a Awards. futuristic R&D Viscount and manufacturing WItH a reputation for facility. The award-winning, excellence in constructing high “We substantially international biotechnology firm, quality projects, tAL Limited increased our unveiled its plans for an innovative has been awarded a significant in 2015, hub on the 43 workforce acre site earlier this a contract (£3.1m) by global decision which was year. medical diagnostics company driven by a series of Welcoming the announcement, Wendy Austin, BBC, Sherry Freeman, AerDamien Lingus, Hughes, Ray high Randox. profile Director ofcontract TAL Hutchinson Gilbert Ash Business This initial contract is forand theAndrea Hunter, wins across the UK. Limited commented: “We are Development Aer for Lingus. construction of aManager, new facility Webeen successfully delighted to have awarded Excellence at the 2016 Aer Lingus Viscount Awards in London.

The awards ceremony and gala dinner, which took place at the prestigious IoD Headquarters on

this contract with Randox, one of “Recently we took strategic Northern Ireland’s most the dynamic decision to businesses target projects that and exciting on a local would allow to maketheuse of and global level.usThrough quality our to of ourexpertise work andand the experience dedication and sustain our plans forteam continual professionalism of our TAL has growthgrown and we anticipate this will steadily over the last 34 years lead to further wins in the coming and this contract award reinforces year,strength he said.of” our expertise in the the healthcare sector.”

Business development manager The project will be delivered of BIM Aerlevel Lingus Northern Ireland, to 2 ininpartnership Andrea Hunter, said:Ostick “We and are with the design team thrilled to continue to reward Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, and support organisations that Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller represent the absolute best Consulting Engineers and Charles in their respective Hutchison Consulting.fields, in partnership with Ulster Business Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing

CONCRETE FUTURES NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1

and on behalf of Aer Lingus I “The Director at Randox commented: would like toofcongratulate each of development Randox Science the winners Park is core tofor ourtheir planstremendous to create successes.diagnostics, ” innovative to improve manufacturing efficiency to export This year’shealthcare winners capabilities included: to high-value world markets. This state-of-the-art Exporter the Year premises willof become a centre of Award: Sandvik Mobile cutting-edge research, development Crushers Screens covering and diagnostic&manufacture, conditions such as cancer, stroke and Business heart disease.Person We will of alsothe provide a Year: Connaire significant boost to theMcGreevy, local economy CTS Projects & Mourne through new job creation.

We very Mountains Brewery much look forward to working with TAL on this initial contract to deliver Overall Excellence: the high quality infrastructure we Gilbert-Ash 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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CDENVIRO HIGHEST NI RATING Harvey GroupSECURES acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year ON LEAGUE BRITAIN’S FASTEST growth plan inTABLE UK andOF Ireland.

GROWING EXPORTERS NI M&E services SME company acquires renewable energy specialists Newtownabbey-based County-Tyrone based M&E services company, CDEnviro has been Harvey Group, has acquired ranked the top 20 Northernin Ireland renewable on a national energy specialists,league Solmatix Renewables in a move the table of Britain’s fastest companiesSME say will transform growing exporters. the renewable energy sector inThe Northern Ireland andTimes act 2nd annual Sunday as a springboard for further Heathrow SME Export Track 100 expansion the private multi- small league ranksinto Britain’s million pound UKcompanies and Ireland and medium-sized renewable markets.

(SMEs) with energy the fastest-growing The acquisition, for international sales. an undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 the number ofwhich people employed CDEnviro, was listed by the Group in atdirectly number 16, Harvey was one of two Northern Ireland and Great Britain. businesses from Northern Withtoa feature. turnoverThe of £30 million Ireland company and over 80 staff, Harvey Group has grown its international has over 30 years’ experience sales by an average of 127% in the design, installation and and demonstrated exponential maintenance of building services expansion in the last 24 months. within every conceivable kind of building type throughout NI, GB It designs and manufactures and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ aCleanrooms, range of waste reduction and Laboratories, recycling equipment solutions Education, Government and Healthcare . Richard and NorahAnne Bell founded Solmatix Renewables in 2008, and since then

the company has grown to achieve a for application turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff in the sewage, operating from its Nutt’s Corner waste premises. water, wasteof the deal, Solmatix As a result management will continue to operate as an and utility and independent autonomous industries. company within Harvey Group Overseas Brian Harvey, managing director ofcustomers Harvey Group, said there was ainclude perfect fit USbetween the two organisations. multinational “We have been planning to Cargill, which grow renewables involvement usesour its waste for some time, either organically processing ortechnology through the acquisition of an established player. Having worked to clean soil with Solmatix at its tomatoRenewables on aprocessing number of contracts, we’d always been impressed with factory in Brazil. their engineering rigour and professionalism.

CDE was In fact, there seemed toformed be a natural synergy between in 1992 to service the our two companies in terms of sector environmental waste water what weUK do and and how we The do it.CDE I in the Ireland. approached Richard Bell about a group of companies now employs year ago to float the idea of our over 400 people across eight 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).

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 regions. our commitment to professionalism, Marc Jennings, general manager our desire to deliver our services to of CDEnviro, said: “This is the the very highest standards, and the first year that we have featured importance we place on treating our on the Export Track League customers, our suppliers and our staff Table and this ranking is very 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 welcome confirmation that our resources and purchasing power. commitment to our export Ultimately I believe this will lead markets is paying off. “ to greater growth and investment Country Antrim-based Seven within our operations, as well as Technologies Group ranks at No more jobs and job security. It’s a 43 on the league table. win-win relationship that’s good for our whole organisation, as well as the economy of Northern Ireland. “

30,000th Combilift Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction handed over at CeMAT contract at Randox Science Park Combilift Ltd, the Irish specialist manufacturer of multidirectional forklifts, straddle carriers and other innovative handling solutions for long loads, containers and palletised goods recently celebrated a milestone in the company’s history. The 30,000th Combilift to roll off the aproduction WItH reputation lines for in Monaghaninwas officially high excellence constructing handedprojects, over totAL its new owner quality Limited during CeMATa materials has beenthe awarded significant handling(£3.1m) and logistics trade contract by global fair in Hanover, Germany. medical diagnostics company Managing Director Arno Sorger Randox. accepted thecontract Combiliftis C14000 This initial for the model on behalf Haslinger Stahlbau, construction of a of new facility for

one of the major steel construction companies in production of Europe.

Randox’s pioneering Combilift has some way toand go will medical diagnostic products to catch up Haslinger also include associatedStahlbau’s administrative longevity, but termsare of growth functions.

Theinworks the first and success in thecapital materials phase of a major expenditure handlingbysector it has project Randox to certainly develop the made its mark since it wasBarracks former Massereene Army established 1998. Impressive into ‘RandoxinScience Park’ – a year on year growth has enabled futuristic R&D and manufacturing what started as a small company facility.

The award-winning, offering a niche product to now international biotechnology firm, be a major name.

From its unveiled its global plans for an innovative HQ, on manufacturing and R&D hub the 43 acre facility site earlier this department in Monaghan, the 450 year. strong workforce develops Welcoming the designs, announcement, and manufactures a wide range Damien Hughes, Director of TALof productscommented: which are exported Limited “We are to 75 countries. to have been awarded delighted

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 Charles Hutchison Consulting.

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Herr

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Director at Randox commented: “The development of Randox Science Park is core to our plans to create innovative diagnostics, to improve manufacturing efficiency to export high-value healthcare capabilities to world markets. This state-of-the-art premises will become a centre of cutting-edge research, development and diagnostic manufacture, covering conditions such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. We will also provide a significant boost to the local economy through new job creation. We very much look forward to working with TAL on this initial contract to deliver the high quality infrastructure we Sorger and require. ” Martin McVicar of Combilift

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

LATCHWAYS CONSTANT FORCE® POST Controls load in the event of a fall World’s first top-fixed solution Compatible with all major roofing products

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latchways.com © 2016 Latchways plc., an MSA Company.

Constant Force and WalkSafe are registered trademarks of Latchways plc. Transfastener is a trademark of Latchways plc.

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Top builders merchants in Northern Ireland honoured who enter the Octabuild Builders Merchants Awards show that they have confidence in their ability to operate well-managed businesses and provide a quality customer service.”

The overall winner in the Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards Northern Ireland 2016 is Haldane Fisher, Coleraine..

Other builders merchants to win awards are; JP Corry branches in Springfield Road, Belfast, Castlereagh and Bangor; Murdock Builders Merchants, Derry; Newry Building Supplies; NG Bell, Ballywalter and Haldane Fisher, Conlig.

The awards were presented by Jonathan Bell MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the Hilton Belfast Hotel before an audience of almost 200 people representing the merchant and building industry.

The building material manufacturers who organised the awards as Octabuild are: Gyproc, Dulux Paints, Glennon Brothers, Kingspan Insulation, Sanbra Fyffe, Tegral and Wavin. This is the fourth Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards in Northern Ireland.

The awards judge, independent retail expert James Burke, was lavish in his praise of the high standard he found among all the builders merchants visited.

He described the winners as exceptionally well-run businesses.

He said that since the last awards in 2014 there was a stronger focus on sales growth structures and a greater focus on using digital media.In introducing the awards the Octabuild chairman Tadhg Donohoe said, “Merchants

EGLINTON BUILDER WINS £500 WORTH OF BRETT MARTIN CASCADE

THE WINNERS The overall winner, Haldane Fisher, Coleraine. Haldane Fisher in Coleraine, is one of 10 branches in Northern Ireland of the family owned Haldane Fisher group. The Coleraine branch has been in operation since 2009 and currently employs 11 people. The judge complimented its energised sales process and very structured & results orientated team.

Haldane Fisher, Conlig which won the Customer Service Award is in business 36 years. It employs 34 fulltime + 2 part-time staff with an average 16 years service within the Bangor branch. It was commended for its dedicated separate plumbing centre for fast trade service and introduction of a new low cost finance option for customers.

The three JP Corry branches who won category awards were Bangor (Business Focus Award); Castlereagh (Management Award) and Springfield Road, Belfast (Premises Award).

JP Corry has been in business for over 200 years and has a network of 15 branches in Northern Ireland. The Bangor branch was described by the judge as having a very strong focus on sales growth.

Castlereagh was described as a highly energised branch while the Springfield Road branch was lauded as one of the best laid out sites visited.

As part of the grand opening celebrations of J P Corry’s new DIY shop inside their Londonderry branch, Brett Martin Plumbing & Drainage is delighted to announce that Gregory Proctor from Eglinton is the winner of £500 worth of Cascade, the original cast iron style rainwater and soil system.

Promoted by JP Corry Building Suppliers during their grand opening celebrations held at the store earlier in the month, the competition gave visitors the chance to win this generous prize, an impressive £500 worth of Brett Martin Cascade, the classic cast iron rainwater system alternative.

giveaway, Glenn Goodman, Brett Martin’s Sales Manager said: “We’re pleased to support JP Corry (Derry’s) new instore DIY shop by sponsoring the prize and congratulate Gregory on his win.”

Gregory was presented with his cheque by Brett Martin Sales Representative Kerry Murphy at the JP Corry branch on Derry’s Strand Road.

Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater and Soil System allows homeowners to have the look of real cast iron at less than half the price or real cast iron. Available in a range of gutter and downpipe profiles, fittings and hoppers, as well as seven heritage colours including the new Anthracite Grey colour, the range allows property owners to add a touch of old style detail to new buildings or a sympathetic feature to a period property.

Commenting on the prize

Murdock Builders Merchants, Derry won the Multi-location branch award. It is 19 years in business and employs 18 Full-time staff and 3 part-time staff. The judge commented on its strong management respect for staff with a flexible approach to team building.

Newry Building Supplies, which won the Innovation Award, is 33 years in business. It employs 30 full-time +5 part-time

staff. It was commended for its very innovative use of its delivery fleet to promote its business.

NG Bell & Son Ltd, Ballywalter, won the Owner-

Managed / Single Store Award. It is a family run local company in business 66 years and has 15 full-time staff. It was commended for its plan to grow business aggressively during 2016 and its reaction to business challenges.

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BRETT MARTIN CLICKFIX CREATES A DYNAMIC FAÇADE ON RIVER LAGAN The newly transformed Belfast Waterfront has seen the creation of an eye-catching, colourful and prominent riverfront façade that is an integral part of the bold new £29.5 million extension.

One of Belfast’s most important civic buildings and located in the heart of the city, Belfast Waterfront has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. The stunning new 7000m2 extension, built

by McLaughlin and Harvey in collaboration with McAdams Design from a design by TODD Architects, not only regenerates the river frontage but also re-establishes the building’s connection with the River Lagan. The new building features a 2000 seat auditorium and an additional 4000m2 conference facility which includes a 2000m2 major hall and a minor hall of 750m2.

The public facing façades are an integral element of a building of superior architectural quality.

Brett Martin’s innovative and thermally efficient glazing system, Marlon Clickfix1040, played a vital role in achieving this aim whilst at the same time helping the extension establish its own identity.

The building’s 150m long riverfront façade was wrapped with over 1750m2 of multiwall polycarbonate with many panels approximately 14m in length. For a glazing system which would not only maximise daylight but also offer exceptional air tightness, durability and UV stability, Marlon Clickfix1040 from Brett Martin proved the most

adaptable solution and ensured a fast and straightforward installation for roofing and cladding contractor, Thornton Roofing.

Creating a palette

Another key consideration for this project was the colour of the glazing panels, with Brett Martin creating a palette of seven colour samples in a range of tint variations. These were installed at a high level on-site to allow the design team to decide on three completely new colours – petrol, viola and glass green - which were each extruded in two different intensities, creating a graduated flow of colour along the elevation.

“The use of Marlon Clickfix1040 polycarbonate glazing panels enabled us to create a stunning variation in colour and transparency, so that the façade almost changes during the day, depending on how the light hits the building,” said Peter Minnis, Director at TODD Architects. “Combine this with the fact that Marlon Clickfix1040 offered us a full height 14 metre panel and is manufactured locally, this made it an ideal choice for the prominent riverfront façade.”

Thornton Roofing, in order to demonstrate correct installation techniques.

Brett Martin also worked with Thornton Roofing and came up with a system for labelling individual panels which were then cut to size, taped and packed onto pallets in the order of installation sequence.

Commenting on the project Peter Hanvey of Brett Martin said: “The Belfast Waterfront site is constrained by the abutting River Lagan restricting material storage space. This factor, along with the number of contractors working in the same confined area at any one time made the storage of pallets onsite impossible.

Brett Martin worked with the contractors to come up with a system that ensured the pallets of Marlon Click1040 material were delivered to site in the

areas of unlimited size and shape. The 40mm structured polycarbonate glazing panel has 10 insulating walls to achieve a U-value of 0.99 W/m²K, for a high performing and thermally efficient glazing solution. It has a choice of thermally broken aluminium glazing bar systems depending on the application.

The Marlon Clickfix VF glazing bar system has been specifically developed for vertical installations such as façades, partitioning, rain screens and vertically glazed northlights whilst Marlon Clickfix RL has been designed for use in low pitch rooflights and canopies.

Marlon Clickfix1040 provides high-quality natural light, superior thermal insulation and UV protection. In addition to the impact resistance, resilience and structural strength that is inherent in all of Brett Martin’s high performance

Offering high levels of light transmission, the polycarbonate panels provide a naturally diffused daylight.

Click and fix

Brett Martin attended many technical meetings, both with the architect to discuss aesthetics, material properties, structural support requirements and detailing, as well as attending onsite meetings with the main and specialist subcontractor,

correct sequence as and when the sheets were required for installation.”

polycarbonate sheet products, it is also lightweight and easy to handle.

Central to the Marlon Clickfix1040 system is the lightweight polycarbonate panel with integral interlocking connections that simply click into place forming glazed

Now open, this world class conference centre is poised to be a game changer for the city and thanks to the installation of Brett Martin’s Clickfix1040 its colourful façade will transform the riverside location.

14| Brett Martin

A RAINWATER RANGE IN THE PERFECT SHADE OF GREY Anthracite, the UK’s favourite shade of grey, is proving popular on everything from contemporary builds to home extensions, period renovations and across entire estates. Easy to integrate to create a successful building aesthetic, the anthracite grey colour option is now available across selected rainwater ranges from Brett Martin Plumbing and Drainage, allowing the building industry to capitalise on the growing market trend.

Specifically developed to create an exact colour match to the true RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey, Brett Martin’s new colour option is one of the best Anthracite Grey colour tones on the market and perfectly complements other building accessories whether they are windows, doors or other roofing components.

“Anthracite grey has become an architect’s favourite as it is one of the easiest colours to integrate. Our Anthracite Grey offers the perfect colour match to RAL 7016 and will give specifiers the opportunity to have the exact match, ensuring rainwater and soil systems are in line with the overall building aesthetic,” said Hayley Lowry, Marketing Manager of Brett Martin.

Responding to the popularity of the Cascade cast iron style system, the new Anthracite

Grey colour option is available across the complete product range.

Designed with full consideration to original features, dimensions and detailing, the high quality Cascade pipework, fittings and hoppers create a cast iron look for less.

In addition to Anthracite Grey, the Cascade range is available in Classic Black, Oxford Blue, Olive Green, Graphite Grey, Sandstone and Porcelain White to replicate traditional painted coloured cast iron systems.

Through a comprehensive range of gutters and downpipes which feature authentic architectural detailing and a choice of Ogee, Bath, Gothic or motiffed hopper designs, water butt and planters as well as a complementary soil system, Cascade can provide heritage style and meet the aesthetic requirements of new build where traditional style is required as well as sympathetic refurbishments and restoration projects.

There are three styles of domestic gutter (106mm Profiled Ogee, 112mm Half Round and, for larger or steeper roofs, a 115mm Deep Profile) which utilise 68mm round or 65mm square downpipes. For commercial projects there is a high capacity 160mm roundstyle gutter with 105mm round and 4” x 3” rectangular downpipe choice.

Proven on a variety of projects from new build and domestic refurbishment projects, church and barn conversions, Georgian and Victorian shop frontages, flats and apartments, schools

and hotels, the Cascade system has been designed and developed

by Brett Martin Plumbing and Drainage using over 50 years’ experience at the forefront of plastics technology and a unique patented manufacturing process to achieve the authentic cast iron finish.

Offering the appearance of traditional cast iron with all the benefits of plastic materials, Cascade is a fraction of the price of cast iron or other

materials such as aluminium.

Real cast iron products are also heavy and time consuming to work with as they need to be cut to size using grinders before being primed, sealed and finished on site. Cascade is lightweight making it quicker, easier and safer to install, helping to offer huge efficiencies in terms of onsite installation costs. This high performance product is also maintenance free, UV stabilised so it is not vulnerable to rusting or corrosion and offers a 10 year guarantee.

The new Anthracite Grey colour has also been

introduced to the Deepstyle 115mm gutter profile and 68mm Downpipe System in the standard Rainwater range.

This semi-elliptical system is designed to offer effective rainwater drainage on larger roofs allowing fewer downpipes to be used and achieving cost savings. The Deepstyle system is also available in a choice of Black, Grey, Brown, White and Arctic White colour options.

The addition of the new Anthracite Grey colour option to an already comprehensive range of domestic and industrial gutter and pipework profiles, will ensure that both the standard and Cascade Rainwater Ranges are fully compatible with both existing cast iron and modern-style rainwater systems giving it a huge appeal.

To find out more about Cascade, the Deepstyle 115mm Rainwater System or Brett Martin’s expansive range of rainwater systems visit: www. brettmartin.com

Showstopping daylight (and nightlight) at Belfast Waterfront

Seamless | Versatile | Superior Performance

For light, bright and naturally daylit interiors, Marlon Clickfix1040 is the complete architectural glazing system. Its modular design consists of lightweight interlocking polycarbonate panels which simply click and fix together for fast, efficient installation and completely seamless glazing.

Marlon Clickfix1040 proved to be the perfect solution at Belfast Waterfront, the unique colour specification creating a showstopping finish night and day.

View the project at: www.marlonclickfix.com

For showstopping daylight solutions call 024 7660 2022 or email daylight@brettmartin.com www.brettmartin.com

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FOLD HOUSING ASSOCIATION TO INVEST £40 MILLION IN ITS 40TH YEAR

One of the leading housing associations in Northern Ireland has announced that it will invest £40m in 2016 as it celebrates its 40th year as a social enterprise.

The investment by Fold Housing Association will see over 400 new homes started in 10 locations. This will provide over 500 construction jobs and will represent an investment in the wider economy of over £115m. This year, Fold will

have over 800 homes under construction throughout Northern Ireland.

Work has already started on several significant developments, including the former Visteon site in west Belfast. The £25m project will see the construction of 244 new private and social homes, set amidst extensive open space. It represents an overall investment of £70m in the wider economy and will allow for the creation of up to 600

jobs on space designated for business use.

John McLean, chief executive of Fold Housing Association, said: “Fold began in 1976 as a response of a group of committed volunteers to meet housing and care needs for older people. Since then the organisation has developed a network of sheltered housing, housing with care and related care services. We now manage 6,600 homes covering family, sheltered and complex client

need groups.

“We have diversified to become the largest provider of assistive technology in Ireland with 23,000 homes availing of our Telecare and Telehealth services enabling people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and COPD to manage their own health.”

With a turnover of £40m the social enterprise employs over 850 people in 60 towns across Northern Ireland.

Be wise when you advertise Look for the ABC stamp of trust. An ABC certificate provides An ABCverified certificate shows accurate, independently circulation figures giving you confidence in your advertising investment.

www.abc.org.uk

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CLOUD OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION – THE BOX IS JUST THE BEGINNING Cloud Offsite Construction celebrated its launch recently, bringing a fresh new style to the fast moving and constantly developing world of modular building.

Formed in response to a demand for a more flexible approach – literally thinking outside the box – Cloud Offsite Construction has come to the market ready to look at clients’ needs in a very different way. Projects will be approached in a holistic, joined-up style, with clients having one point of contact from start to finish Cloud Offsite Construction’s flexible approach means it can work with the end-user in whichever way suits the project,

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18| RSUA Design Awards

House at Maghera named Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to ‘House at Maghera’, in Castlewellan, County Down by multi award winning architects McGonigle McGrath.

The family dwelling joins an illustrious list of buildings including the Giants Causeway Visitors Centre and the Lyric Theatre which have previously won the prestigious award named after one of Ireland’s greatest 20th century architects.

Other winning buildings at the RSUA Design Awards 2016 included the uplifting Banbridge Health and Care Centre by Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects in association with Avanti Architects, an innovative social housing scheme in Carryduff for Choice Housing designed by PDP London Architects and the sensitively restored Graduate School at Queen’s University by Consarc Design Group.

Martin Hare, RSUA President said, “The RSUA Design Awards primary purpose is to promote excellence in the design of our built environment with the view to making Northern Ireland a better place to be. There is no doubt that all thirteen projects that have received awards this year have truly enhanced our landscape and our communities.

These projects demonstrate the positive impact good design can have on our society including its critical role in making Northern Ireland a more attractive place for citizens, tourists and investors.”

Best Social Housing Project sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Winner: Killynure Green, Carryduff by PDP London Architects

“I applaud the determination of the clients, architects and everyone involved in the delivery of these projects as they have upheld design quality often against a backdrop of severe budgetary pressures. It shows it can be done and sets down a challenge to everybody involved in creating our built environment to match or even exceed that design quality.

We all have a role in creating a brighter future for Northern Ireland and architects are ready to play their part.””

About: A social housing development commissioned by Choice Housing Ireland with sustainability at its core.

Judges said: “This successful competition-winning development is an exemplar project which demonstrates a unique approach to comply with an ambitious sustainability brief. A series of social housing clusters are carefully positioned in a landscape of private, semi-private and public open spaces. Enclosed south facing winter gardens define the architecture of the housing clusters.”

Best Single House or Extension Over £100,000 sponsored

by Lowry Building and Civil Engineering Joint Winner: Grillagh Water House, Maghera, Co.L’derry

by Patrick Bradley Architects About: An experimental housing project designed to help change the

Liam McCormick Prize Winner: House at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co.Down by McGonigle McGrath

About: This family home for a professional couple and their three children was designed to be bright and spacious and complementary to the character or the village.

Judges said: “The Liam McCormack Prize is awarded to the entry that best demonstrates design excellence in all its attributes. This superb family dwelling exudes such excellence from the inspired development of the underlying concept through to the highly disciplined and detailed execution of the resultant design vision. This wonderfully crafted home evokes a strong sense of place, paying subtle homage to local traditional building forms, whilst also creating a strong visual link to the calm solidity of the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains.”

Project of the Year: The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Belfast

perceptions of what rural contemporary architecture is or can be.

Judges said: “A carefully composed piece of architecture making innovative use of shipping containers, the design of this delightful rural dwelling displays self-confident and bold decision making in both its exterior and interior treatments. The siting of the dwelling on the family farm is expertly managed taking full advantage of the surrounding countryside and integrating perfectly with its immediate natural landscape. Stunning and memorable.”

Joint Winner: House at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co.Down

by McGonigle McGrath

RSUA Design Awards |19 About: This family home for a professional couple and their three children was designed to be bright and spacious and complementary to the character or the village. Winner of the Liam McCormick Prize 2016.

Judges said: “This brilliantly conceived dwelling is rooted in the history of traditional rural building forms, and is both elegant and restrained throughout. A masterly control of internal and external spaces, building materials, precise detailing and natural light define this exceptional and consummate design.”

Best Public Building Under £3millon sponsored by the Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance Winner: Home from Home, near Belfast City Hospital by McGonigle McGrath (Also won a RIBA Regional Award and RIBA Regional Client of the Year Award) About: One of a series of ‘Homes from Home’ for CLIC Sargent, the Cancer Charity.

This facility offers the families of children undergoing treatment in the nearby Regional Cancer Centre free accommodation for the duration of the treatment.

It also separately accommodates the charity’s local office.

Judges said: “This accomplished restoration and extension is a well detailed and thoughtful project. The collaboration between architect and client is evident. The contemporary expression fits perfectly in the context of the conservation area.”

Best Public Building Over £3millon sponsored by the Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance Winner: Banbridge Health and Care Centre by Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects in association with Avanti Architects (Also won a RIBA Regional Award)

from a final shortlist of four very strong projects, Banbridge Health and Wellbeing Centre was judged to be a very close runner-up to the winner.”

Best Commercial Project up to £3million sponsored

by JP Corry Winner: Creative Industries Building, Weavers Court, Belfast by Doherty Architects About: A building that was a candidate for demolition and replacement became the feature of this project to provide Grade A office space on behalf of Linfield Properties.

Judges said: “A rare and thoughtful example of a carefully considered environment that takes a holistic view of the working day providing a variety of tranquil work and rest spaces, both internal and external. The existing building is seamlessly integrated into an accomplished formal proposition nuanced by orientation, aspect, and materiality.”

Best Public Space sponsored by the Department for Infrastructure Winner: Lagan Weir Footbridge, Belfast by AECOM About: The bridge, designed for both cyclists and pedestrians, was conceived as a silver blade spanning the River Lagan and as an extension of the public realm from Donegal Quay.

Judges said: “This new addition to the city provides not just an attractive connection between the centre of Belfast and Titanic Quarter, but is in its own right a new public space. It connects with a number of recent public realm works along the river. The bridge is wide, enticing and elegant. It has created a place on the river for the public to pause and admire the vistas along the Lagan, both day and night.”

Best Cultural Project sponsored by the Department for Communities Winner: Portico, Portaferry, Co.Down by Maxwell Pierce

About: A local health facility to provide a range of primary care, community care and actute diagnostic services.

Judges said: “This project comprises a variety of defined spaces providing a wide spectrum of care services to Banbridge and its catchment area. Notwithstanding the complexity of the programme and the challenges of public procurement, the outcome here is a calm uplifting civic building deftly interwoven into its site, a tangible affirmation of the value of the public domain. This is a laudable and humanising achievement transcending current fixations with that which is readily quantifiable, to provide delightful, bright, well-proportioned spaces of tranquil excellence and service for this society. In deciding on the winner of the Liam McCormack Prize for the best overall project

20| RSUA Design Awards About: The Friends of Portaferry Presbyterian Church took action to save this Grade A listed building and to put in place a sustainable business plan involving the building being used by the wider community.

Judges said: “The Portico is a very beautiful building rescued from near death, a reinvigorated place of worship but now also a catalysing and inclusive cultural focus for the Ards peninsula. The deft and talented sensibility applied to the reworking of the building fabric is matched by witty new insertions; an example of creative and enjoyed curation delivered through focused community action.”

Best Conservation of Built Heritage sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Joint Winner: The Graduate School at Queen’s University Belfast by Consarc Design Group (Also won a RIBA Regional Award and a RIBA Regional Conservation

Regeneration Award sponsored by Metal Technology Winner: Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast by Michael

Whitley Architects About: The Hub is the first element of the development of a 14 acre former military barracks site in a contested part of lower north Belfast.

The facility, commissioned by Belfast City Council, is a community space aimed at supporting to peace, reconciliation and further investment in the area.

Judges said: “The challenge of developing this contested space in an interface area in North Belfast cannot be understated. The building makes a significant statement of confidence in the area and its future.

The design is welcoming, accessible to all and is an impressive beginning for the further regeneration of the area.”

Sustainability Award sponsored by the Strategic Investment Board Winner: Crest Pavilion, Enniskillen by Paul McAlister Architects Ltd

Award) About: The Grade B listed Lynn Building is a high profile building on the main site at Queen’s University and one of the best examples of Ruskinian Gothic architecture in Belfast.

Judges said: “The refurbishment of the brick and polychrome stone exterior of the Old Library has been executed with the utmost care, preserving the historic fabric of the building and demonstrating exemplary judgement, skill and craftsmanship by the design and construction teams.

At first floor level the scheme has successfully and sensitively integrated into one of Ireland’s richest High Victorian interiors a range of high quality reading areas and seminar rooms, maintaining its calm, imposing and almost ecclesiastical character.”

Joint Winner: Sion Mills Stables, Co.Tyrone by Hearth Housing Association and Caroline Dickson Architects

About: The educational facility for South West College doubles as a teaching model of sustainable construction for the local building sector.

Judges said: “This Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies achieved its sustainability brief through adopting innovative design and construction principles to meet all three demanding standards of Passive House Certified, BREEAM Excellent and Zero Carbon. As such it acts as a demonstration building for the construction industry providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly, attractive and inspiring learning and working environment.”

Integration of Art Award sponsored by the Arts Council Winner: The Atrium at W5, Odyssey, Belfast by White Ink About: An art installation which is designed to be climbed.

Judges said: “A collaboration between White Ink architects and the artist Spencer Luckey, this beautifully designed sculpture is located in the atrium space at W5. The Celtic Dragon sculpture invites children to climb the spans of its arched wings. A visually stunning and integrated

About: One of the most prominent building in the Sion Mills conservation area which had been disused for 50 years has been transformed into an educational and community facility including a cafe, museum and craft shop.

Judges said: Through this well-considered and sensitive combination of conservation, reconfiguration and extension, a highly committed client and design team have succeeded in restoring the 1835 Sion Stables from virtual dereliction to a building that contributes positively to the architectural quality and community life of the village as well as chronicling the inspirational achievement of the Herdman family’s aspirations for combining social reform and industrial entrepreneurship.”

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22| Construction Company League

Construction business at the Top of the company league table by John Simpson

One of FP McCann’s most notable projects was the new bridge on the Toome bypass

I

n the last two years the Northern Ireland economy has been in recovery mode. Finally and slowly the painful recession affecting the construction industry has eased and been reversed

Northern Ireland is not

enjoying as strong a recovery as other parts of the UK or the Irish economy. Slow recovery has been attributed to several local factors. High on the list is the larger correction to the level of spending by the public sector as the already stretched public sector budget of the last 5 years is brought into balance

FP McCann’s project at Station Square, Portrush

with the lower Block Grant revenue for Stormont. Added to these pressures, there is the outworking of the reform of welfare spending as a critical contribution to the Fresh Start agreement for Stormont.

The new Stormont Executive now has an agreed Budget constrained by the special

arrangements for welfare reform and the probable lower than inflation annual supplements.

In comparative terms in the recent past the construction industry was hard hit by two overlapping features.

First, the crash in property values including housing and commercial property put a near stop to many commercial proposals. Second, the public sector capital programme has

John Simpson Top 100|23 been sharply reduced.

In the overall assessment of the contribution of the construction sector, the official Stormont index shows that construction output fell by 49% from mid-2007 to late 2013.

Construction, John McQuillan, Termon Holdings, Henry Group, and Acheson Holdings (the successor to Acheson and Glover).

Table 1. Construction companies in Top 100

23.

31.

42.

57 From late 2013, construction 62. activity has recovered, from the very low point, by 19%. It is still 63.

38% below the peak in 2007.

The changing 67.

The construction sector is, fortunes 79. therefore, in survival and revival mode. There have been conspicuous casualties and now there are new leaders emerging in a search for expanding and profitable market opportunities. Several large firms acknowledge that, whilst headquartered in Northern Ireland, contracts have been secured in Great Britain or in the Irish Republic.

There are welcome signs of a strengthening and viable construction sector evidenced in the latest publication by the Belfast Telegraph of the Top 100, identifying the leading local businesses, assessing them initially on the recent record of profitable trading.

In the Top 100, there are eight construction companies that qualify for inclusion since their latest registered pre-tax profits are over £2.2m. They are listed in Table 1.

Since this group of eight were identified in the Top 100, later registered results for McAleer and Rushe have been lodged and, retrospectively, it should be added with pre-tax profits of £5,060,000. Also, the results for Carnbane House should be updated for the 2014 results which show lower pre-tax profits of £4,463,000.

There is another group whose recent profits have exceeded £1m including Heron Brothers, Management and

Pre-tax profits £’000

F.P.McCann Carnbane House John Graham H&A Holdings NI Lagan Construction Gp BSG Civil engineering.

Northstone (NI) Western Building Systems

in the construction sector mean that the sector has lost Carvill, H&J Martin (now taken-over by Lagan) and Pattons, three big casualties of the recession

In addition to the group which are essentially main contractors, there is another group of leading businesses which are, in different ways, in the supply chain. Table 2 lists 11 profit making companies which depend on construction and civil engineering.

Closely following the supply companies in Table 2 can be added businesses such as Keystone Holdings, McAvoy Group, Stothers (M&E), and Walker Watson whose latest results show pre-tax profits of over £1m.

identified in the Top 100 do not all add in similar proportions to the Northern Ireland GDP. Some of the larger firms have wage bills of tens of million, others have much lower direct in-house costs.

The largest annual turnover figures recorded include £490m

by John Graham,

£12,340 £10,578 £ 7,435 £ 5,095 £ 4,568 £ 4,373 £ 4,168 £ 3,362

over £300m by Northstone (formerly known as Farrans) and over £150m at FP McCann, Lagan Construction, McLaughlin and Harvey, and McAleer and Rushe.

Eoin McCann, MD of FP McCann who were the top ranked construction company.

Table 2. Companies supplying Because of the differing businesses organisational arrangements Pre-tax profits £’000 for many 52. Brett Martin businesses in the 58. Lagan: White Mountain construction Tobermore Concrete sector ranging 66. from some 69. BI Electrical Services who rely 75. Severfield (NI) heavily on subcontracting 77. BHC arrangements 81. Creagh Concrete to others 86. Macnaughton Blair where nearly all work is 88.

Haldane Sheills conducted 95.

MJM Marine in-house, the businesses 99.

BA Kitchen Components

construction

£ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

5,759 5,041 4,208 4,046 3,486 3,431 3,087 2,796 2,749 2,387 2,280

24| Apprenticeships from Reactive

RETAINING APPRENTICES WILL HELP THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR FLOURISH AGAIN By Max Mackin,

Managing Director of Reactive Recruitment It’s no secret the construction sector has faced major challenges in recent years. The opportunity to train to be a plumber, a joiner or a bricklayer has reduced significantly.

What is surprising is that even though the older generation would see this as an excellent and well paid career choice, an apprenticeship seems like too much hard work for some school leavers.

An apprenticeship can take as long as three to four years to complete and even though the chance of learning a trade is very rewarding in the long term, they are generally not that well paid during this initial period. Sadly, most people coming into the employment market straight from school who don’t wish to attend higher education, decide to focus on short term careers, taking jobs as shelf stackers, warehouse workers, or call centre operators.

Those are lucky enough to gain apprenticeships quickly find themselves exposed to early starts and harsh, cold and wet weather conditions. As a 17 year old earning £70 a week, knowing it will take three to four years to be fully trained, apprenticeships can seem like a hardship with the prospect of still not having a full time job at aged 21 daunting. What most young people forget is the

opportunities it presents. It’s often forgotten that a number of our leading construction companies are run by people who started out at the bottom of the career ladder as apprentices.

Having the chance to travel whilst earning a living and gaining qualifications is a prospect most 17 year olds simple don’t get. A lot of Northern Irish based firms now work exclusively on the mainland, giving apprentices the chance to travel and work on major projects across England, Scotland and Wales. On the mainland there are more business opportunities and given its size and population, this can restrict the opportunities for local apprentices who don’t want to leave Northern Ireland.

Those who do travel are given a sense of independence, managing their own finances and not relying on a parent to look after them. It is vital to retain and bring these people home so they can share their experiences and encourage the next crop of apprentices. Our construction sector is hopefully facing an upturn.

Major contracts are being secured at home and abroad and the industry is in need of fresh, young talent.

The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy next

year will have a big impact on our construction businesses. All employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, will be required to make an investment in apprenticeships. This Levy is one way our local companies are being encouraged to invest in our young people and will surely offer them greater opportunities to learn a trade.

Too often we are losing our skilled apprentices as far afield as Australia. With limited opportunities our young people feel they have no choice

but to leave Northern Ireland.

We need to be doing more to create further apprenticeships and keep our talented pool of young people in the country.

I have had groups of friends who initially moved abroad to find work and at the same time created a support network for themselves. We need to be able to tap into these networks and utilise the experience they have gained away from home.

The only way our construction sector will flourish again is to retain our apprentices and build again for the future.

26| Graepels

Perforated Sunshades: An Exciting Alternative or Addition to Windows

‘sealed’, such as; train stations, bus stations, car parks and other similar structures. The benefits of lightweight, durability and ease of installation can make perforated metal an ideal solution/alternative.

In addition, perforated sunshades, rain screens and curtain walls, with large ‘open’ areas, not only allow light to enter the building, but also provide natural ventilation while limiting the ingress of rain and gusting winds as it acts as a highly effective baffle, which reduces wind speeds and turbulence.

Choosing perforated cladding over glass has many advantages.

Olivier Janin, Secretary General of Europerf, explains: “The purpose of perforated metal in Architecture is to

The Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park has been designed to cater for over one million visitors per year providing new and improved facilities. One of these facilities includes a café for which Graepels manufactured Picture-Perf PPC aluminium panels.

The panels incorporated a thistle leaf pattern and, while aesthetically appealing, the primary function of the Picture Perf panels was practical - to act as sunshades.

The panels were hinged and hung

vertically enabling them to rotate towards the direction of the sun throughout the day thus allowing the aesthetic and functional aspects to work harmoniously together.

Three individual Picture Perf panels were fixed into each of the three large galvanised steel frames. The Picture Perf panels act as a sunscreen, an active rain screen and also have a security element due to the strength of the aluminium panels, discouraging vandals without appearing defensive.

Perforated metal can also be a superior alternative to glass.

The European Perforation Industry Body, Europerf, highlighted that in the case of some buildings, it should be considered as a replacement for glass, where a building’s exterior does not need to be fully

provide Architects and Specifiers with new solutions and ways of thinking about how a building can be designed.” “..Perforated Metal has been used as the primary external cladding which provides a range of benefits over glass and other materials, such as reduced vandalism, ease of installation and the ability to use the perforation patterns to create additional design interest.”

Reasons to consider Picture Perf in conjunction or as an alternative to glass are as follows:-

Graepels |27 Design: The ability to produce strong, durable, lightweight panels in complex shapes is an important consideration.

Installation: Perforated panelling is light but not fragile therefore making installation easier, safer and consequently cost effective.

Vandalism prevention: Due to its strong durable nature, perforated metal is resistant to vandalism. Where Graffiti is a problem, perforated panels are less likely to be targeted, especially with perforations of high open area.

Maintenance: Perforated panels don’t show dirt in the same way that glass does and therefore maintenance costs and upkeep are reduced.

Protection from the sun: Perforated metal shades the sun and eliminates greenhouse effect Weather resistance: Perforated panels are excellent at shielding against adverse weather conditions without stopping the airflow. The holes create localised turbulence as the air passes around the individual perforations, causing a substantial decrease in wind velocity. Consequently a more gentle air flow passes through the building in stormy conditions helping prevent rain from travelling sideways. Thus the building is comfortable enough to allow people to shelter without creating an environment for loitering or anti-social activities. Unlike solid materials perforated metal clad buildings cut down turbulence by virtue of their porous nature.

New Website:

It’s been a busy few months here at Graepels and we are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website. Visit us at our new website on www.graepels.com

Graepels Responsive design: As a leader in the perforation industry in Ireland and UK we feel it is important to make information and more importantly imagery of our products and services easily accessible to our customers. Our new site includes individual galleries for all of our products and also for the industries in which we operate, showcasing the application of a finished Graepels product in its real world sate. We hope you will come take a tour of our new website: www.graepels.com

CEF |29

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

News in Brief...

FOCUS ON CORPORATION TAX POWERS DEVOLUTION With Corporation Tax devolution powers set to be devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and a Northern Ireland rate of 12.5% coming in to play on 1 April 2018, it is critical that all companies are aware of the tax changes and their respective preparedness.

With this in mind we recently ran a seminar with PwC on the detail of the tax changes and how they would affect your business.

A copy of the slide presentation is available for members from the CEF website.

In addition, PwC have a free tool that companies are encouraged to use so that you can ascertain your own preparedness for the introduction of the Northern Ireland rate of Corporation Tax in April 2018.

The link to the diagnostic tool, called NI Ready, is here https://mytaxpartner.pwc.com/ tools/ni-ready You may need to register at the following address first in order to access the diagnostic: www.mytaxpartner.com The registration process is straightforward and takes a couple of minutes. Registration also gives you access to a wealth of other free tax diagnostic tools, modellers and advice, in addition to NI Ready.

Should you have any specific queries then please feel free to contact Martin Fleetwood from PwC via the details below: Martin Fleetwood PwC | Partner Office: +44 (0)2890 415486 | Mobile: +44 (0) 7803 832442 Email: martin.fleetwood@uk.pwc. com

EU REFERENDUM CASTS GROWING SHADOW OVER NORTHERN IRELAND’S CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

A

round a fifth of Northern Ireland’s construction companies are operating at less than half capacity, with demand in GB and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) also down.

That’s according to the latest State of Trade survey from the Construction Employers’ Federation (CEF) and PwC. The survey also suggests that uncertainty over the forthcoming EU referendum outcome may be impacting on industry confidence, with 80% of Federation members saying that the UK should stay in the EU. The latest CEF assessment for the first three months (Q1) of 2016 shows that close to a quarter (22%) of companies were operating in survival mode, while the percentage of companies confident of growth and profitability fell slightly from 50% in Q1 2015 to 48% in Q1 2016.

The proportion of firms reporting that their current workload had increased rose slightly to 33% in Q1 2016, from 27.5% in Q1 2015 but remained well below on the first three months of 2014 when half of companies surveyed reported increased demand and workload.

Two years ago, in Q1 2014, almost a quarter of CEF members’ work done was in construction activity outside Northern Ireland (almost entirely Great Britain and RoI). That fell to 17% in Q1 2015 and then again in Q1 2016, when only 13% of work was in GB and/or RoI markets.

The decline was largely driven by a reduction in work in GB - down from 15% in Q1 2014 to about 10% throughout 2015 and falling to 6% in Q1 2016, the survey found. Commenting on the survey results CEF Managing Director John Armstrong, said the industry was not showing any real signs of sustainable recovery: “This is another survey which suggests that the construction sector is not sharing in Northern Ireland’s modest economic recovery, let alone the significant growth that is being exhibited elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.

“The proportion of companies in survival mode is up, those anticipating growth and profitability are down and the percentage of work in Great Britain and Ireland has fallen.

“This picture is reinforced by official data from NISRA’s Construction Bulletin, which reported falling output in the latter half of 2015.

“While industry output stood at £618m during Q4 of 2015 – a year on year rise of 3% - this actually represented a fall from £643m during Q1 of the year and falls significantly short of the all-time high of £904m in Q1 of 2007.

“We are operating in an environment where growth in housebuilding is broadly flat and where output in infrastructure and roads has actually declined.

“The one glimmer of light is that over a third of our members say they expect things to get better – I sincerely hope they are right.

“Construction and infrastructure accounts for around 6% of UK GDP. But it also delivers instant results – direct employment, high wages, indirect jobs, and greater community cohesion. The new Executive therefore needs to work with the industry to develop and deliver a significant pipeline of projects which will be crucial to the long term sustainability and success of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

“We urge the Executive to look at their infrastructure opportunities and priorities and to act. There is an opportunity to give confidence to developers, and incentives to the industry, which combined, will accelerate growth into the economy.”

CEF also reported that 60% of their full and associate members had responded to their survey in respect of EU membership, with 80% believing that the UK should remain within the EU. Only 16% of members said they would support leaving, John Armstrong said: “This is an industry for which borders represent barriers, where access to the EU market is important and where mobility of labour and currency stability is crucial.

“The fall in construction output across the UK in Q1 of 2016, has been attributed to concerns over the implications for continued EU membership.

This may, in part account for the somewhat downbeat Northern Ireland results, but it is clear that the industry, right across the UK, has concerns about the outcome of the vote on 23 June.

“And while CEF has itself not taken a position on this debate, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of members are concerned at the implications for the UK of leaving the EU.”

News in Brief...

FEDERATION ENGAGES WITH HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE In late April, the Federation was delighted to be joined by Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Head of the Civil Service, for an informal dinner with members that focused on the arrangements for the Northern Ireland Executive’s new Programme for Government after May 5th’s election.

From this engagement, we expected the Executive parties to have agreed a high level, outcomes focused Programme for Government by the end of May – as has now happened.

This will then be subject to public consultation and detailed co-design work on the delivery frameworks underneath it over the coming six months.

In addition, a revised Investment Strategy, Economic Strategy and Budget for the years 2017/18 to 2020/21 will be in place by Christmas.

There will be an extensive programme of engagement with Federation members on these documents once they begin to come out in the public domain.

For further information please contact David Fry on 028 9087 7143 or davidf@cefni.co.uk.

JOINT COUNCIL PROMULGATES CHANGES TO PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS The Joint Council for the Building and Civil Engineering Industry (Northern Ireland) decided at its meeting on 6 May to promulgate changes to pension contributions effective from 5 December 2016.

The Promulgation Notice confirms that both employer and employee contributions to Enhance Construction Pension Scheme Northern Ireland will increase by 1% to 4% and 5% respectively. It has also been agreed that where an employee does not make pension contributions the employer will not be required to pay contributions. The requirement for employers to continue to provide death benefit will remain in place.

Federation members can access the Notice via the CEF website.

NEW NORTHERN IRELAND EXECUTIVE APPOINTED AND DRAFT PFG PUBLISHED Late May saw the appointment of the new Northern Ireland Executive under its restructured nine departmental model.

In addition, the Committee Chair’s and Vice Chair’s of all Northern Ireland Assembly committees have also been confirmed.

The Federation will be extensively engaging will relevant Ministers, senior officials and Committee Chair’s/Vice Chair’s over the coming weeks and months – including meeting with the leaders of the new Opposition.

In addition, the draft Programme for Government Framework has been published – a consultation on this has now commenced and will close on 22 July. The Federation will be making a detailed response to this and members will be asked for their views on it over the coming weeks. The full document is available via: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/consultations/draft-programme-government-framework-2016-21-andquestionnaire

CDM 2016: ARE YOU READY? T The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 will come into operation on 1 August 2016. The new regulations will replace CDM 2007 and are almost identical to CDM 2015 which is currently operational in GB. The main difference is the “Transitional Provisions” element which is 12 months rather than the 6 months transition period operated when the regulations changed in GB. The main difference between CDM 2016 compared to CDM 2007 is that the CDM- Coordinator role is being replaced by a Principal Designer who will have a more

central role in the project.

Now more than ever therefore it is important that construction companies manage health and safety risk and Safe-TCert can help with this. Safe-T-Cert is a third party health and safety management system supported by the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH), one of the most respected health and safety organisations in the world. Currently approximately six hundred companies in Northern Ireland have demonstrated during annual audit that they have implemented an occupational health and safety management system which meets the requirements of Safe-T-Cert and are continual improving.

Many construction companies will already have the bones of a system in place including a health and safety policy, relevant insurances along with risk assessments and method statements. Having the system certified by Safe-T-Cert indicates a professional approach to health and safety to both your clients and employees.

Safe-T-Cert fulfils the requirements of the Buildsafe Initiative and is also accredited by the Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) Forum. This combination means Safe-T-Cert meets the conditions of Northern Ireland public sector procurement policy and widens the recognition of Safe-T-Cert in GB.

30| CEF

News in Brief...

GUIDE ON THE NEW DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PUBLISHED The reform of Northern Ireland Government Departments took place on Monday 9 May, with changes now in place taking the old 12 departmental model to 9 new departments.

Perhaps the most important department from the construction industry’s perspective is the new Department for Infrastructure.

ITS FUNCTIONS INCLUDE:

Those of the old Department for Regional Development – Transport NI, Translink, NI Water Rivers Agency Strategic Planning and PlanningPolicy A fuller briefing document on the changes, including key contacts, is available via the Federation’s website.

The Department’s new website can be accessed via: https://www. infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/ The full list of responsibilities of the nine new departments is available via: https://www. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/changesgovernment-departments

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND

For more information on Safe-T-Cert please speak to a member of the team on 028 9087 7154 or view the website www.cefni. co.uk/schemes/safe-t-cert.

SIB LAUNCH BUYSOCIALNI BROKERAGE WEBSITE As part of the new BuySocialNI social clause model, SIB has now launched a Brokerage website.

Through its ‘search’ function, contractors who have been awarded public contracts with Buy Social clauses can link with relevant organisations that can support them to deliver these clauses.

The website can be accessed via: https://www.buysocialnibrokerage.org/ If you have any feedback on the website and its functionality, then please feel free to share with David Fry via: davidf@cefni.co.uk.

New Northern Ireland Executive appointed and draft PfG published Late May saw the appointment of the new Northern Ireland Executive under its restructured nine departmental model.

In addition, the Committee Chair’s and Vice Chair’s of all Northern Ireland Assembly committees have also been confirmed.

The Federation will be extensively engaging will relevant Ministers, senior officials and Committee Chair’s/Vice Chair’s over the coming weeks and months – including meeting with the leaders of the new Opposition.

In addition, the draft Programme for Government Framework has been published – a consultation on this has now commenced and will close on 22 July. The Federation will be making a detailed response to this and members will be asked for their views on it over the coming weeks. The full document is available via: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/ consultations/draft-programme-government-framework-2016-21-and-questionnaire

FEDERATION ENGAGES WITH THE CENTRAL PROCUREMENT DIRECTORATE In early June we were delighted to welcome Des Armstrong, Director of the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD), to the Federation’s office.

Over an informal dinner, a number of industry-critical items were discussed including:

• The Draft Programme for Government; • Margins within the industry; • The commissioning and pre-procurement processes for public sector capital projects and; • The further centralisation of procurement and delivery of capital projects With a new Northern Ireland Executive now in place, these themes will be of major focus for the Federation over the coming months. For further information, please email David Fry on davidf@cefni.co.uk

INDUSTRY DISCUSSES THE NEW BUYSOCIAL MODEL WITH SIB AND CPD Around 40 industry representatives recently took the time to listen to and question representatives of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) and the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) in respect of the new social clauses model for public sector construction contracts in Northern Ireland, BuySocialNI. The SIB presentation from the event is available for members via the Federation’s website.

In addition, CPD are shortly to publish the final version of the reporting form that will be required to be completed as part of the new model once you are on a contract. This will be shared with members once it is available. Training events will be run on using the new reporting model – these will be in August and more information will be circulated in due course.

As the new BuySocial model continues to evolve, it is vital that we continue to liaise with SIB and CPD in respect of the industry’s views and concerns. To do this, SIB has established a BuySocial Construction Industry Reference Group. This will meet quarterly with the next meeting due to happen at the Federation’s office on Tuesday 6th September at 2pm. A Terms of Reference for the Group is available for members to view via the CEF website. If you would like to attend then please email davidf@cefni.co.uk and a fuller agenda and papers will follow in due course.

Construction Regulations |31 law |61

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Key tips to avoid the pitfalls of termination

By Anna McClimonds, Solicitor, Cleaver Fulton Rankin’.

been raised. Namely, a project is The Construction (Design notifiable if the construction work and Management)

BY AnnA McCliMonds, soliCitor,isCleAver Fulton rAnkin scheduled to last longer than 30 Regulations (Northern working days and have more than Ireland) 2016 are due 20Whether workersyou simultaneously to come into operation have a right toor if it onstruction contracts 1. exceeds 500 person days; on 1 August 2016 and terminate in the circumstances and often include will revoke the 2007 whether the circumstances you are a termination The exemption client duties Regulations. relying upon canfrom be proved. provision allowing parties for domestic clients has been to terminate a contract removed; andright to terminate The 2016 CDM Regulations are 2.

Ensure your in certain circumstances The Approved Code Practice intended to protect persons from exists at the time you of issue the by giving written notice. is replaced with straightforward health and safety risks arising termination notice and the other Alongside a contractual guidance. from construction workthe through party has not remedied its default. right to terminate, the establishment of a systematic parties also have a For the purposes of requirements the CDM framework law for managing Compliance with all common right torisk. They 3.

Regulations, thecontract. following key are intended for to be shorter and set out in the terminate repudiatory questions should be considered substantially in structure breach i.e.simpler a sufficiently atCaution the commencement of any than the 2007 Regulations and will 4. must be taken where serious breach of contract work: there is a two stage notice place greater obligations or demonstrating anin respect construction procedure to ensure the notices of health and safety on bound those for intention not to be worksinfall the arethe connected bothwithin content and whom project is carried out and Do by thea contract. definition of “construction time. also and construction Thetheir 2013design High Court case of work”? team. Fuels Ltd v Redhall Engineering Vivergo

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Solutions Ltd [2013] EWHC 4030 (TCC) highlights the problems a The key changes party can face whenby exercising implemented the 2016 its right to terminate. In particular, CDM Regulations are: it deals with the situation where another party challenges the validity The Regulations will apply to all of a termination notice and claims clients of construction projects, that the termination is itself ais acting whether or not a person repudiatory breach entitling them of in the course of or furtherance to terminate the contract and claim a business; damages.

TheCDM basic co-ordinator rule for servicerole of has The abeen termination notice is that all removed, with various duties contractual requirements must and recast, including client duties be strictlyduties; complied with. As Lord general Hoffman said in Mannai Investments Co v Eagle Star Assurance “If the TheLtdclient is required to appoint clause had said that the notice had a principal designer as well as to be on blue paper, it would have a principal contractor in any been no where good serving project there ais,notice or it on is pink paper, however clear might reasonably foreseeable itthat there have been that than the [party] wanted to will be, more one contractor terminate. ” working on the project; The following points should be considered before exercising a right The duty to notify a project to terminate:

now lies with the client and the threshold for notification has

5. The notice must be clear and unambiguous. Consider “Construction work” is the broadly following whenRegulation drafting a notice: defined under 2(1) as

to every designer and contractor appointed, or being considered for appointment;

•civil Titleengineering the document a notice, or as engineering although a letter may with sufficespecific as a construction works”, warning notice in works certain provided. examples of such circumstances.

Ensuring that: the contractor (if there is only one) or the principal contractor draws up a construction phase plan before the construction phase begins;

“the carrying out of any building,

Who is the “client” and

•what Specifically in the notice that it are state its duties? is intended to be a warning/ termination notice;as and “Client” is defined “any person

for whom a project is carried •out”, Referwith to the contractual clause the Regulation 4 providing is given under mirror fornotice the specific client and duties.

These the wording of that clause. include: In terms of interpreting notices,for Making suitable arrangements the following principles laid downthe managing a project, including in Vivergo Fuels v Redhall Engineering allocation of sufficient time and Solutions Ltd should be considered: resources; •Ensuring Unilateralthe notices to be abovearearrangements interpreted in the same way as are maintained and reviewed contractual documents. That is, they throughout the project; are to be looked at objectively,

Providing pre-construction information as soon as practicable

the principal designer prepares a health and safety file for the project.

Taking reasonable steps to ensure that the principal contractor and principal designer comply with against the relevant background anyorrelevant duties to stated context known both in Regulations 11 to 14. parties.

Regulation also be provides further • The notice8must sufficiently general health and safety duties clear and unambiguous and leave and theroles. receiver in no reasonable doubt as to how and when the

Does noticeaisprincipal intended to designer operate. and principal contractor need to be appointed?

Pursuant to Regulation 5, where there is more than one contractor working on a project at any one time, or if it is reasonably foreseeable there will be more than one, the client is required to appoint in writing as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event, before the construction phase begins: A designer with control over the pre-construction phase as principal designer; and A contractor as principal contractor.

Is the project notifiable?

• Immaterial errors will be ignored if the notice Pursuant to unambiguously Regulation 6, adelivers project the purpose; is notifiable to and the Executive in

writing as soon as practicable • In the the context of clauses phase which before construction require a warning notice begins if the constructionfollowed work by longer a termination notice, the two lasts than 30 working days notices must be connected both in and has more than 20 workers contentsimultaneously, and time. working or exceed 500 person days.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s market-leading team of lawyers deliver comprehensive commercial and practical advice, designed to achieve the most cost efficient result, to a diverse range of corporate clients. The Construction Team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin specialises in providing advice across the spectrum of non-contentious matters such as drafting and advising on building contracts, appointments, bonds, novation agreements and collateral warranties.

If you would like further information or to find out how we can help you please give us a call on: 028 9024 3141 or visit our website: www.cfrlaw.co.uk

32| Flexible finance

Positive winds for construction sector

helped by flexible finance methods Judith Totten, Managing Director at Upstream Working Capital examines the construction market’s finance options

I

t’s no secret that accessing appropriate and flexible finance has not been easy across many sectors since the banking crisis and for some companies, listening to fireside experts and battening down the hatches rather than investing for growth, seemed the sensible and, at times, only option.

flexible approach. Their approach, while not suitable every time, is dramatically aiding businesses with a promising future but a requirement for a solution that fits with them.

Not only is it a soul destroying strategy but it will at best plateau business growth and evolution and in reality as business owners prudently turn away new and stretching business opportunities, they can be sure that one of their competitors has found a way to make it happen.

These processes and ‘audit trails’ instil essential disciplines which, whilst irksome, stand a business owner in good stead when they look for alternative funders. The critical part for any financier is transparency across a business.

They need to understand the cash cycle - when it buys, when it builds, when it sells. How long a contract takes and the tipping points, therein where the business will be most cash constrained and most cash positive. The experienced lender will then endeavour to match a facility to that business’ pattern.

The construction sector has suffered more than most and many institutional funders have had to restrict their support in this and allied industries. This may seem unfair but in a corporate environment it is impractical to analyse each individual transaction on a personal basis and instead, with policy and procedure, comes a perceived inflexibility.

With headlines like “NI construction sector has best performance in three years”, there is certainly much to be be positive about but we are still operating against a low bench mark and uncertainty in the sector is still rife. However if every £1 invested in construction in NI, generates £2.84 for the wider economy, then this is a sector we must find solutions for.

Funding a construction business is not and has never has been straightforward - no surprise to those reading who have worked in the industry over the years – but the important thing is it is achievable with some effort and an open mind. Enter the alternative funder, whose popularity in recent years is on the rise, thanks to a more

Even before the Banking crisis, the mainstream institutions would have required strict covenants and management processes to release cash during building cycles or construction programmes.

Clearly not every business will be the same and not every contract will be structured over the same pattern but clarity and open communication will make it easier to finance.

Within the contract period, a robust paper trail for the funder to understand is crucial.

Ideally independent sign off by the Quantity Surveyor on the business’ side and on the buyer side is ideal, with a release of payment certificate following.

Again, not always possible but for a business’ own protection and that of the funder, this is the best option.

The risk for any financier in a contract related business is non performance part way through and resultant loss. Therefore, it is incumbent on the borrower to mitigate such risk at every point.

Additional, or secondary security, over and above the primary

debenture is often asked for Business owners need to be open minded and expect to be asked for personal security or additional asset charges where possible.

The more comfortable a funder is with the risk profile and the ability to recover in a default situation, the more funding they’ll be able to offer.

Solutions are out there and available. We are now seeing Asset Based Lending (ABL) whereby a funder will leverage more than just a land bank and build costs for example. They will analyse entire balance sheets to see what can be generated with a cross collateralised security suite - often against debtors, stock, work in progress, fixed assets, plant and machinery. This is creative and if handled by a skilled practitioner, can release much more than the traditional term loan or overdraft as it is released in real time.

Consider supply chain finance, stock finance or purchase order finance - all variations on a facility to release funding on the buying side of a transaction and all designed to work in complement to existing bank lines. These funders are generally ‘off balance sheet’ as they sit as trade creditors in a business and therefore have no impact on its existing facilities.

These funders will buy stock and raw materials, will offer extended creditor terms and will give a business buying power during a contract term. There are terms and conditions as with any facility, but these funders are flexible

and very happy to sit alongside a business’ primary bank.

Traditional Invoice Finance is difficult to structure for a contract related business but consider this -is every transaction structured around stage payments, QS measures and certificates or are there some more traditional rolling accounts? If there are some straight supply, time sheet based or short term work, then there may very well be a facility to release some cash locked up in debtor books. Indeed there are some funders who will look at contract invoice discounting, but there will be some restrictive covenants in terms of cash release.

Asset Finance to fund plant and machinery should always be considered in a business which uses and holds cash in the cycle.

Manage cash flow wisely and avoid tying up liquidity in fixed assets.

In summary, there are many funding solutions for every sector. A cocktail of facilities is, in my opinion, much more preferable to a narrow, single funder line. Flexibility is key to the construction sector and the ability to renegotiate and restructure is vital.

Construction is a key industry for NI and growth is evident – let’s work together to strengthen it further.

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NATURAL SLATE

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Contact us today for more details or to arrange a site visit DUBLIN CORK BELFAST OMAGH Construction’s Specialist Solution

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34| RICS Awards

Queen’s University innovation centre wins top RICS Award A Queen’s University research facility has been named Project of the Year at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards 2016, Northern Ireland.

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, situated in the grounds of Belfast City Hospital, won the Design through Innovation award before being crowned Project of the Year at the annual awards, which showcase and reward projects from across Northern Ireland.

The £32m Institute is the latest phase in the configuration of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences and has been designed to enhance its internationally recognised excellence in education and research.

The 9,000 square metre building provides accommodation for some 330 members of staff specialising in research into finding cures for eye diseases and diabetes, and the development of a global programme to aid understanding of the genetics of complex chronic diseases.

Alan Stitt, Director of the Centre for Experimental Medicine commented “… the open and free-flow design of the building offers a positive change in the working environment, which

Alistair Dunn, Chairman, Judging Panel, RICS Northern Ireland and Fiona Grant, Chair of RICS UK & Ireland World Regional Board with John Nugent from Queen’s University Belfast and Colm Lavery from Turner & Townsend

enhances the development of cross-disciplinary collaborations and interactions between peer research groups.”

The project’s design team consisted of Ostick & Williams architects in association with Stantec architects, Turner & Townsend Cost Management Surveyors, Albert Fry Associates as the structural and civil consultants, Services & BREEAM Consultants White Young Green, O’Hare & McGovern as the Main Contractor and Harvey Group as the MEP Contractor.

Judges said “This is a high-quality building housing laboratories, offices and meeting rooms

Project of the Year: The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Belfast

for this international research organisation… Innovatively, the building has been designed on an ‘inside-out’ basis… conducive to collaborative working. The building is finished to a very high standard and the achievement of a BREEAM Excellent certification is laudable.”

The RICS Awards are made up of eight categories from Building Conservation to Tourism & Leisure and Infrastructure, and some of the country’s most popular new builds and recent restorations were in the spotlight at the ceremony at La Mon in May).

The Lagan Weir Footbridge won the award for Infrastructure, while the SPACE (Shared Process and Community Engagement) People’s Park in Portadown took home the Regeneration and Community Benefit awards. Galgorm Resort & Spa won the Tourism & Leisure category, while City Quays 1, Belfast won the Commercial category, Mount Stewart’s recent restoration won the Building Conservation category and an eye-catching family home in Portrush, Blacksmith’s Cottage, took home the top prize in the Residential category.

Ben Collins, RICS Director, Northern Ireland said; “The positive impact that innovative

buildings, regenerated shared spaces and world-class tourist facilities have on the local economy and society cannot be overstated. Once again, we have seen some of the best new builds, infrastructure projects, community schemes, and restoration initiatives from the last few years take the spotlight at our annual awards, and we are delighted to be able to highlight the exceptional work of the surveyors and other property professionals behind the projects.”

RICS Awards Judging Chairman, Alistair Dunn added; “This was a competitive year for the RICS Awards in Northern Ireland.

Our judges were blown away by the standard of the entries from stately homes to family homes, cross-community projects to buildings that are making a difference in education, medicine and culture.

“The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute is a worthy winner for its breakthrough in innovation, helping emphasise Northern Ireland’s credentials as a hub for critical medical research.”

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute and the other winners from the evening will now progress as finalists from the Northern Ireland region at the national RICS Awards gala evening in London later in the year.

RICS Awards |35

Building Conservation- Winner – Mount Stewart, Newtownards Highly Commended – The Graduate Building, Queen’s University, Belfast

Commercial – sponsored by Sika - Winner – City Quays 1, Belfast - Highly Commended – Development at 19-21 Broad Street, Magherafelt

Community Benefit- Winner – SPACE Shared Process and Community Engagement) People’s Park, PortadownHighly Commended – SERC Performing Arts, Computing and Engineering Campus, Bangor

Design through Innovation – sponsored by Forbo Winner – The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Belfast Highly Commended – Grillagh Water House, Maghera

Infrastructure - Winner – Lagan Weir Footbridge, Belfast Highly Commended – RNLI Life Boat Station, Clarrybridge, Enniskillen

Regeneration -Winner – SPACE (Shared Process and Community Engagement) People’s Park, Portadown Highly Commended – Refurbishment of Seaview Hall, Glenarm

Residential- Winner – Blacksmith’s Cottage, Portrush Highly Commended – Lime Court, Peter’s Hill, Belfast

Tourism & Leisure- Winner – Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena - Highly Commended – Schomberg House, Belfast

36| RICS Awards

THE INDUSTRY CAN’T AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY

By Tracy Flannigan FRICS , RICS spokesperson in Northern Ireland

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s I write this, the RICS Headquarters team are busily preparing for a major conference which will be full of practical examples and case studies on how employers across the UK are embracing inclusivity. It is RICS’s second annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference and, as statistics show, it’s a highly pertinent and entirely necessary subject to be both exploring and implementing.

Of the 80,000 qualified surveyors in the UK, only 14% are female. Ethnic minorities, disabilities, socio-economic diversity, all are lacking in a profession where the average member is currently a 58-yearold white male. The statistics in Northern Ireland specifically will be no better. But things are changing– there are pockets of good practice and, more importantly, there is a growing understanding of the business need for a more diverse workforce.

Companies with greater female board representation have been seen to outperform the mono-culture boards financially:

with 42% greater return on sales; 53% better return on equity and 66% higher return on investment capital[1]. And then there is the issue of skills shortages, which is having a considerable impact upon the property and construction sector. Lack of trained people is forcing many companies to put aside their assumptions about the “right” candidates for the job, and so they are beginning to seek out talent in new places.

There has been progress made with some good practice emerging from Northern Ireland. A reflection of this is shown in RICS’s recent appointment of two new female board members and it has also been growing its pool of female spokespeople.

Furthermore, last year, RICS also held a visible women event in Belfast at which senior women from the construction and property sectors engaged with senior female journalists on the issue of diversity in the sector. While the general consensus was that we had come a long way, the group

also acknowledged that there was much still to be done to address the imbalance and be a more attractive profession for new talent pools.

So, as the professional body for the industry, what else is RICS doing to help? We established that the question is not simply one of opening up to a wider talent pool, but of retaining these non-traditional candidates once they are recruited. Indeed recruitment is just the beginning of the work to reshape the workforce, the key issues rapidly become how to retain staff who don’t necessarily see role models in the senior management, nor opportunities for promotion and career development. To combat this RICS introduced the Inclusive Employer Quality Mark to effectively and practically address these issues in the long and short term. My company, Colliers International is one of a growing list of organisations signed up. Employers pledge their commitment to adopting and seeking out best practice with six principles:

• Leadership and Vision commitment to increasing the diversity of the workforce • Recruitment – engage and attract new people to the industry from underrepresented groups; best practice recruitment methods • Staff development– training/promotion policies that offer equal opportunities for career progression • Staff retention – flexible working arrangements/ adaptive working practices • Staff engagement – an inclusive culture where all staff engage with developing, delivering, monitoring and assessing the diversity and inclusivity policies • Continuous improvement – continually refreshing and renewing the firm’s commitment to being the best employer; sharing and learning from best practice across the industry Over 90 companies have signed up to the Inclusive Employer Quality Mark so far, and the number is growing weekly. It is good to see so many making a genuine commitment to change. The future is looking much brighter than the past.

To learn more about RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark or the forthcoming conference, go to http:// www.rics.org/uk/ about-rics/responsiblebusiness/inclusiveemployer/ Tracy Flannigan is Director of Professional Services at Colliers International. Tracy became a Fellow of the RICS in January 2013. She was also the first female arbitrator in Northern Ireland and sits on the panel of arbitrators maintained by the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

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14/04/2016 14:13

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Success for a hire company is all about meeting the demands of the customer with the aim of providing a one-stop shop for hire needs across all industries with innovative solutions,” says the man who heads up HSS /Laois Hire Group, managing director Michael Killeen. “At HSS Hire/ Laois Hire Group we firmly believe that we can provide an unrivalled hire experience.”

Constant investment, of course, is also key to the success of this award winning company that is currently focused on a programme of expansion in Ireland, with four new branches recently opened at Connswater in Belfast, Portadown in County Armagh, Tivoli in Cork, and Enniscorthy - and a further two branches due to open this year in Limerick and the Dublin docklands.

Apart from major investment in the latest range of plant equipment, the group has also won a number of specialist agencies, including Selwood, Western Global, Husqvarna, and most recently ComPair.

New agencies Since Laois Hire acquired the agencies

for both Selwood Pumps and Western Tanks things have gone from strength to strength. The Selwood and Western brands need no introduction as they are World leaders when it comes to their respective areas and Laois are proud to be working in part customernership with them in Ireland helping to deliver projects on time and on budget.

The range of products that both can offer is exceptional, from fuel efficiency to environmental. These products are a must for anyone looking to manage costs and help protect the environment at the same time. Laois can see continued growth with the Selwood and Western products and are looking forward to exciting times ahead. The group recently completed a major investment in mini excavators from

ECI JCB; the new 8026 mini and 86C-1 midi excavators are available to hire from its established network of hire branches and supercentres across Ireland.

Comments Michael “We have made this substantial investment to meet the increased demands from our customers.

We have found JCB to be an excellent brand, trouble free, very popular with our customer base and backed up by an excellent service. We have also found that certain customers will request JCB equipment for certain projects.

“A trouble free machine means no customer down time and undue costs to contracts that need to be completed on tight schedules. We noticed big demand almost immediately for these machines.”

Selwood say they chose HSS/Laois Hire as their Irish Partner not only because it has a remarkable track record, holds a dominant position in the hire sector, but also because of how well the business is run.

Agile approach Customers are also keen on the Caterpillar brand, which prompted HSS/ Laois Hire last year to invest in 16 new Cat excavators from Finning and there are plans to make further substantial investments in a wide range of other plant products over the coming months.

The group recently took possession of 14 concrete skips ranging in sizes from 3/4m to 1.5m. Paul Oxley of Laois Hire says, “Contractors are back pouring concrete so it was an easy decision to invest in Concrete skips to meet today’s demands.

These are of a very high spec and have various safety features ensuring the…

Continuing success for HSS /Laois Hire Group is not just about investing in its people and its equipment; it’s also about adapting to the ever changing needs of its growing and varied customer base across the island of Ireland.

By investing in these skips it has enabled us to meet all our customers’ concrete demands. We pride ourselves on being a one stop shop for all our customers plant and tool hire requirements and this is another example of maintaining this tradition.” An agile approach to the group’s stock is also an important factor.

“We have an integrated logistics division that moves stock around the country effectively and efficiently 24 hours a day,” says Michael.

Big projects Another ingredient to the success of the company is its ability to work with clients on some of the highest profile projects in Ireland including the M50, M7 and M8 motorways, N9, Dublin Airport Terminal 2, Monasterevin Bypass and Intel – and its willingness to take on new agencies, a case in point being the partnership formed with Selwood Pumps.

Since winning the agency in late 2014, HSS/ Laois Hire has grown Selwood’s Irish business base and this is set to continue with highprofile contract wins, most notably largescale road building projects such as the M17/ M18 Tuam to Gort motorway in Galway, the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy motorway as well cleaning rivers and canals with Waterways Ireland. Laois Hire also assisted Enva Ireland Ltd in pumping crude oil from a millionlitre holding tank on a project along a 3km pipeline out to an awaiting ship, using a Selwood high head pump which has the capacity to pump 200 tons of crude oil per hour The pumping job was a complete success with Enva Ireland Ltd completing the project within the tight timeframe given and peace of mind with the reliability and level of safety that the Selwood pumps offer.

Selwood say they chose HSS/Laois Hire as their Irish partner not only because it has a remarkable track record, holds a dominant position in the hire sector, but also because of how well the business is run. The Selwood range, of course, greatly adds to the HSS/ Laois Hire rental portfolio.

“Contractors are back pouring concrete so it was an easy decision to invest in Concrete skips to meet today’s demands,” Paul Oxley, Laois Hire.

“Customer reaction has been very positive.

Not only do they want and ask for Selwood, they know that in HSS/Laois Hire we have the network established to support them at hire and right along to parts and servicing. Put simply, we’ve built our business on trust and we choose brands that our customers trust and which we can deliver. We find that Selwood are a great company to work with, they are professional, friendly, they have supported us 100% and we are extremely happy with the progress to date.”

Responding to an improving marketplace, Laois Hire has been investing in its fleet.

40| Fleet Financial

Fleet Financial drives up a gear for milestone 20th year

Olympic medallist and Commonwealth champion boxer Paddy Barnes joins Fleet Financial Managing Director, Damian Hughes, and Damian Campbell, Sales Manager, to announce Paddy’s his new role as Northern Ireland ambassador for the company.

A

ward-winning Northern Ireland contract hire and vehicle management company, Fleet Financial, is only half way into its milestone 20th year of business and is already celebrating a fresh list of achievements, but with many more to come.

In April, the company marked two decades of growth, business success and innovation with a stunning, high-octane Gala Ball at the Culloden Hotel during which its staff, invited guests and associates helped to raise an unprecedented £30,000 for Hope for Youth NI. The much-needed funds will be used to nourish a range of targeted programmes designed to directly assist young people in disadvantaged areas.

Underlining its focus on innovation and delivering a wraparound, customer-focused service in the construction sector, Fleet Financial has also continued to roll out an exciting new online vehicle management solution called Fleet Navigator, showcasing its growth and leadership in the sector.

The new, bespoke web-based product is designed to provide

building and construction users with additional easy-to-access online information about their vehicles whenever they need it.

Boasting a fresh design, it is easy to navigate and can be accessed from any mobile or desk-based device, helping users to improve day-to-day operations and efficiency for companies.

“We firmly believe that business is about developing the right relationships from the start and in making sure our customers get exactly what they need when they need it. This is something we have been able to do successfully and determinedly over the last 20 years,” Philip Miley, Sales and Marketing Director, said.

Based in Mallusk, and with a reach right across the UK and Ireland, the company employs more than 30 dedicated staff and has more than a thousand clients driving 4,200 vehicles ranging from cars to light commercial vans.

Its clients include some of Northern Ireland’s best-known companies in construction such as Graham, Gilbert Ash, McLaughlin and Harvey and H&J Martin.

In other key sectors, including

utilities, agri-food and distribution, Fleet Financial closely manages to the vehicle requirements of Phoenix Gas, Sky, SHS Group and Dale Farm, as well as small firms with fewer than 10 employees.

“Not only do we have close personal relationships with customers we have built up over two decades but we also work closely with our key suppliers to bring the latest products, technology and innovations direct to the industry.”

This ethos is set to continue as the company plans to continue its success.

“Our goal is to further develop and grow our business, offering our customers in the construction and building sector value for money products and packages, new innovative ranges and a firstclass service.

This milestone year is already shaping up to be a record, according to Philip.

“With orders for deliveries approaching 1,000 this year so far, from businesses large and small, from sole traders up to large

companies and including many fast-growing, forward-looking SMEs in the building industry, we are already on track to record our best year yet.”

Fleet Financial is also throwing its weight behind our local Northern Ireland Olympic heroes in the run up to this year’s games.

Last month, Olympic medallist and Commonwealth champion boxer Paddy Barnes confirmed his brand new role as Northern Ireland ambassador for the company.

As part of an exciting new partnership, the two-time Olympic bronze medallist picked up the keys for a brand new Kia Sorrento which will support him in his efforts to be fighting fit and ringready for this summer’s games.

Damian Hughes, Managing Director of Fleet Financial, said;

“As a fearless, professional competitor with dynamism and strength, Paddy perfectly embodies the spirit and brand traits of Fleet Financial and Kia and we are really looking forward to working together over this busy year ahead.”

42| Hays

Put talent retention at the heart of your recruitment strategy: Hays At the time of writing (prior to the EU referendum vote), it is clear to see that increasing positivity and increased tender opportunities means that attracting quality staff is on everyone’s agenda right now.

For Northern Ireland in general, the most recent Labour Force survey contained extremely positive news for Northern Ireland, including a record rate of employment.

For the construction sector more specifically, we’re seeing local investment supporting greater numbers of jobs within the industry.

For example in the higher education sector, Queen’s University has unveiled a £39 million development plan for its biological sciences school that will support around 550 construction jobs.

The residential sector too is stabilising and positivity is starting to reemerge once more. In June, two housing associations secured £280 million to build hundreds of homes in the North West and Fold Housing followed this up by announcing plans to commit £40 million in create 400 new units.

With better news now emerging organisations would be wise to take a strategic view on their recruitment planning in the months ahead.

For our part, Hays is moving to address anticipated demand through our global network of offices. We are actively working to return skills to the local market and to showcase the wide range of opportunities emerging among Northern Ireland employers.

We are also working with the institutes and federations to engage with school leavers and reinstill confidence in construction from entry level onwards.

TALENT RETENTION But before a company considers attracting new talent, it should consider what plans it has in place to retain the talent already in situ.

A good retention strategy for any staff member begins in how they are recruited in the first place.

That means placing retention at the beginning of the recruitment process so as to provide the best approach to addressing this issue in the longer term.

For example, during the interview process take time to show what your business stands for and illustrate the positive employee experience.

Employers should highlight a clearly defined career path and illustrate the dynamic working culture on offer. And there is clear evidence which shows that flexible working policies can improve productivity and workbalance, as well as entice new talent into a business.

In this way an employer will identify like-minded candidates who are a natural fit with the company and the way it does business.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT Effective employee engagement involves creating an ongoing dialogue across all sections of the company. Many organisations are seeing the benefits of creating ‘good news’ streams through

things like ebulletins, talkback forums and appraisals to ensure employees see the overall picture.

At present we are working with management teams that are employing ever-more sophisticated internal communications processes in order to listen to their workers, provide feedback and ensure personnel are fully engaged and their needs addressed.

Aside from the means of communication, it is vitally important too to maintain the skills of those who are leading internal communications. This includes focusing on improving the people management skills of line managers. They are at the front line and are the first port of call for an employee with concerns.

RECRUITMENT STRATEGY At Hays we believe that retention

doesn’t just become important when a new employee walks in the door, but an employer should start thinking about retention while they are attracting candidates.

Because retention is so integral to talent management and acquisition, we are holding a dedicated HR seminar for organisations to come share ideas, best practice and network.

We look forward to sharing the findings of this seminar with partners in the weeks ahead.

To find out more about how to build retention into your recruitment strategy, log on to http:// www.hays.co.uk/northernireland/ or call Hays on 028 9044 6900.

Fifty years of creating spaces and environments that enhance the lives of those who use them while providing protection for the earth’s natural resources....

Caldwell Consulting is a local, full service Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) engineering resource which is celebrating 50 Years in Business this year.

Caldwell works alongside the pioneers and designers of the built environment to create buildings and spaces that are both comfortable and cost effective to use.

Brian David Caldwell founded the practice in 1966. Brian was an influential figure in shaping the urban landscape in towns all over Northern Ireland and in the Republic. He retired in 1989 and Brian Watson took over as Senior Partner for the next fifteen years.

Now incorporated as a Private Limited Company the practice still has its headquarters in Belfast but has expanded to have offices in Londonderry and London.

With professional teams working throughout the UK and Ireland on major landmark projects Caldwell Consulting has now evolved to be the largest independent Building Services consultancy practice in Northern Ireland. Caldwell Consulting has been headed by Joint Managing Directors Mark Taylor and John Watson since 2004.

Caldwell Consulting has worked on some of the most influential and groundbreaking construction projects in both Northern Ireland and the UK, including the W London in Leicester Square, Rose Bowl Stadium in Southhampton Aloft at the Excel Arena, London, The Merchant Hotel in Belfast, Novotel and Ibis hotels in Blackfriars and the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen. Not limited to hotels, their portfolio of work ranges from the healthcare sector through to shopping centres, office buildings and student accommodation. Client groups include both the Public and Private sectors and it is impressive in its extent and diversity.

Caldwells MEP design consultancy offers a refreshing approach to building engineering and design.

This, integrated with the in-house sustainability team, is a fully collaborated approach to Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Engineering. Every project is unique and our aim of the practice is to create a dynamic working environment where the best minds in the industry flourish and deliver creative design solutions to Clients and Partner Professionals.

DESIGN & BUILD CONTRACTORS | DEVELOPERS | ASSET MANAGERS | INVESTORS

STUDENT | RESIDENTIAL | OFFICE | HOTEL Cookstown Office: 17-19 Dungannon Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, BT80 8TL T: 028 8676 3741 London Office: 100 George Street, London, W1U 8NU T: 020 7224 4900

www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk

RS

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT Caldwell Consulting provides specialist advice on all Sustainability and Environmental matters.

The team at Caldwells is qualifed to provide BREEAM Assessor services for all the recognised UK new build and refurbishment schemes . It can also provide the services of a BREEAM Accredited Professional and regularly lead projects in the role of Project ‘Sustainabilty Champion’.

Caldwells has successfully completed many examples of projects certified to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’rating and was recently involved in a major project at St Martin’s Lane London which was rated as BREEAM ‘Outstanding.’ Acting as Code for Sustainable Homes Assessors the practice has certified a multitude of projects achieving certifications up and including to Level 5.

The team at Caldwells also offer expert advice on a range of environmental issues such as Carbon Footprinting, Waste Management and Reduction, Sustainability and Energy Planning Reports, Life Cycle Costs and Stakeholder Engagement.

They have successfully completed projects with a wide range of environmental technologies – from wind turbines to grey water recycling. They have also worked on various Photovoltaic (PV), Heat Pump, Solar Water Heating, Geothermal and District Heating Schemes around the UK. Among their many accolades, Caldwell Consulting were: 1st Northern Ireland Company to offer in-house BREEAM Assessments 1st Northern Ireland Company with Breeam Accredited Professionals (AP) 1st School in UK to obtain A rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

BIM & 3D MODELLING While their engineers have been using 3D modelling for a number of years, the Government’s Construction Strategy 2011 emphasised the importance in of Building Information Modelling (BIM) with the intention of reducing waste in construction through lowering capital and operational costs by 20% on all publically funded construction projects.

The strategy requires that projects must incorporate 3D BIM level 2 by 2016. Caldwells BIM environment operates in the Autodesk Revit platform and having successfully completed multiple BIM level 2 Projects they are fully versed with the collaborative BIM approach and can understand, create and implement key documents such as BIM Execution plans, Employers Information Requirements (EIR’s) and Information delivery plans. Using key data drops and a common data environment throughout the process they can successfully assist with the delivery of Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) information to facilitate a seamless Facilities Management process through the lifetime of the buildings. Caldwells have BIM Virtual Reality Environment capabilities in-house and can undertake ‘virtual walk arounds’ of their projects. Through this process Clients and Design Partners can to see and experience their designs in the virtual environment.

Caldwell brings an enthusiasm for BIM and challenge project teams to fully embrace the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health elements of their projects to ensure successful integration.

The Renewable Solutions Provider Making a World of Difference

I WANT A VERSATILE HEATING AND COOLING SOLUTION

I WANT TO AVOID THE NEED FOR LEAK DETECTION

Now you can have the best of both worlds Let’s talk about the low-carbon, cost-effective alternative to traditional heating and cooling technology. Let’s talk Hybrid VRF: an innovative, modern solution, offering a highly efficient system that doesn’t require the need for leak detection.

Better for you, better for your customers and a sure way to achieve the optimum comfort control you’re looking for.

Everyone’s now talking Hybrid VRF Be part of the conversation. Call 353 1 419 8800 or visit www.mitsubishielectric.ie

Mitsubishi Electric Ireland

LIGHTING DESIGN CONSULTANCY Much of the visual aspect of Caldwell’s creative approach is achieved through Lighting Design. The company provides a Specialist Lighting Consultancy that is independent of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors. It has created and developed a stand alone identity for its Lighting Design Solution company.

Caldwells have extensive experience working with clients, architects, interior designers, energy managers, focus groups and local authorities to produce lighting schemes that are visually correct for their environment but also represent Value For Money in both installation and operating costs.

In 1981, Caldwell’s Brian Watson presented a lecture on the then innovative Indirect and Ambient Task Lighting to the London School of Business. This followed design of the first two projects of this type outside of the United States of America and which were 10 years in advance of CIBSE LG3 1989 and LG7, the design standards of the day. www.vistalight360.co.uk

BUILDING PERFORMANCE PREDICTION (BPP)

Caldwells believes every building can be sustainable and both energy and carbon efficient.

BPP builds on the extensive experience that Caldwells has gained over the last 50 years of sustainable and efficient design.

Their dedicated team believes that every building has the potential to be sustainable and both energy and carbon efficient in a cost effective way. With appropriate and relevant advice, they provide clear information in a way that assists the process of developing building designs across the client, design and construction teams. Offering a range of services including prediction of building options and performance through computer simulation, BREEAM Assessor role for new and refurbishment projects, BREEAM Contractor liaison, Code for Sustainable homes, Building Regulation calculations such as Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), daylight and right-to-light simulations, planning and early stage building developments with Clients, Architects and Developers. Whatever your target, Caldwell will help you achieve it.

Visit www.bpp.energy

PROCESS ENGINEERING

Process engineering focuses on the design, operation, control, and optimisation of both the process and the environment in which the process is carried out.

Caldwells use their proven building services skills to enhance the co–ordination, cost efficiency and functionality of the manufacturing facility. These include work flow, transport of materials, automation and programmable logic controller controls, as well as a combined ability to co–ordinate and integrate key suppliers.

3D co–ordination drawings, system design, commissioning management, energy management surveys, facilities management, and complete site management and co– ordination during construction is also an available in-house service.

CALDWELL LIFT CONSULTING Caldwell Lift Consulting is a specialist in-house team which provides operates passenger and goods lift traffic simulation and analysis, Under the idenity of VerCon Lift Engineers. Advice is available on all forms of vertical transportation including lifts, escalators, moving walkways, permanent access equipment and disabled access equipment.

FIRE & ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING Caldwells provides the specialist services of Fire and Acoustic Engineering with one of our closely allied partnering companies.

COMPLETE COMMISSIONING MANAGEMENT (CCM) Caldwell Consulting offer the specialist services of its partner company CCM Commissioning Management Specialist Services.

It offers commissioning management services in line with BREEAM credit criteria and for all clients wishing to ensure that systems are setup effectively and economically. CCM Commissioning Specialists has a reputation for enthusiasm and has as a result, developed professional working relations with a number of Clients which have passed the test of time. With our ability to understand our Client’s requirements from receipt of their initial brief to the final systems delivery, our Engineers achieve fully commissioned buildings.

Visit www.ccm.uk.net

Congratulations and best wishes to Caldwell Consulting on their 50th anniversary.

BesPoke BuildinG tecHnoloGy Portland House, Bressenden Place, london sW1e 5sr T : 020 8282 6018 crescent Business Park, lisBurn Bt28 2Gn T: 028 9266 7030 hello@geTclearav.co.uk • www.geTclearav.co.uk

WORK SECTORS The company’s public sector work includes parliament buildings, court houses, new build hospitals and the refurbishment of healthcare facilities, landmark public facilities plus significant schools and third level educational developments.

In the private sector their solutions focused approach has brought in work in airports, retail, residential and commercial projects.

Caldwell Consulting makes commercial sense, meeting deadlines and delivering value on all projects where quality and bottom line performance go hand in hand.

Mark Taylor, MD at Caldwell Consulting is proud of the company’s history and success with clients. “We develop long term relationships with our Clients by partnering closely with them. Clients tell us they value our capability to engineer practical and cost effective solutions that meet project requirements and customer expectations. Because our staff work directly with, but independently of the manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors, clients also benefit from cost and time savings and achieve consistently high quality project outcomes.”

SERMET NI LTD WOULD LIKE TO WISH CALDWELL CONSULTING A

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY Phone: 028 9268 2531 info@sermet.co.uk

David Patterson and Mark Taylor.

Gavin Kelly, Yvonne Clarke, Paul O'Neill and Alwyn Whiteman.

Jonathan O'Neill, Samantha Doyle and John Watson.

Sam Dill, David Doherty and Martin Lennon.

Andrew Harvey, Claire Cox, Glen Andrews and Dermot McLaughlin.

Samantha Black, David Crowe, Sonia Black and Eamon Higgins.

Nick Drennan, Jacqueline Edwards, Jennifer Watson and Paul Macklin.

Caldwell Consulting's management team.

Alan Geddis, Steven Lennon, Sarah Brady and Karl Ruddle.

I

Brian Watson.

Mark Taylor.

Diamond Systems would like to wish Caldwell Consulting a HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY • Fire Detection • Security • Emergency Communications • Communications • Remote Monitoring

n

E: info@diamondsystems.co.uk | W: www.diamondsystems.co.uk | T: +44 (0) 28 90 207 207

Irwin M&E Limited would like to wish Caldwell Consulting a HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY and we look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship for many more years to come!

Irwin M&E deliver high end mechanical, electrical and integrated FM solutions throughout the UK and Ireland Belfast Office: Unit 14, Forty 8 North Business Park, 48/56 Duncrue Street, Belfast, BT3 9BJ

T: +44 (0) 28 9074 7346 E: info@irwinm-e.com

Portadown Office: Unit 4 Diviny Drive, Carn, Portadown, BT63 5WE T: +44 (0) 28 3839 7990 E: info@irwinm-e.com

Rufina Cormick, Grainne Sheppard and Amanda Dalzell.

Peter Greenwood, Paul O'Neill and Mathew Quinn.

Pearse McCallan, Alan Shilliday Feargal Loy and Conor Blaney.

David Hazley, Jennifer Watson, Niky Hazley and Brian Watson.

Fiona Newell, Brian Watson and Jennifer watson.

Graeme Downey, Jonathan O'Neill and Eamon Higgins.

Richard Gilmour, Ryan Nugent, Mark Mayes, Mark Nugent and Len Reid.

Martin Magee, Ian Black and Claude Maguire.

Carl McAllister, Michael Yohannis and Sean McCormick.

Brian Watson, Fiona Newell, Clive Newell and Jennifer Watson.

Jacqui Edwards, Fiona Newelll ans Samantha Doyle.

Catherine Burns, Joy Watson, Tracy Taylor, Jacqui Edwards, Lynne Geddis and Samantha Doyle.

Fiona Newell.

Dermot McLaughlin, Patrick Swain and Joe McCarron.

Mark Taylor makes a presentation to Fiona Newell.

d

ABORICULTURAL CONSULTANCY

AUTOmATIC dOORS

BUILdINg INfORmATION

CONCRETE

Professional & Impartial Services Tree inspections (ground & aerial) Tree Surveys Tree Hazard Identification Mortgage Reports Vegetation Management Schedules Legal Dispute/ Expert Witness Services High Hedge Legislation advice Planning Consultations Woodland Management Plans Tree Planting & Landscape Design All consultancy work is conducted by fully qualified and experienced personnel and is covered by £1m professional indemnity insurance.

Northstone (NI) Ltd, Company No. 4078, Registered Office: 99 Kingsway, Dunmurry Belfast BT17 9NU Correspondence Address: Northstone (NI) Limited Materials Division Shinny Road, Coleraine BT51 4PS Tel: 028 7032 1100

Clarke Cunningham Tree Maintenance Ltd. 69 Upper Mealough Road Carryduff, BT8 8LR TEL: 028 9081 4488, Fax: 028 9081 4333 Email: info@treemaintenance.com Website: www.treemaintenance.com

CAvITY TRAYS

ACCESS SOLUTIONS

Manufacturers of preformed cavitrays, caviclosers, cavivents, caviweeps, dampcourses, arches, lintels, airbricks, membranes, barriers, flashings, ventilators; cavibricks. Radon and Methane protection systems.

Wide range of preformed systems from the largest and longest established specialist. Products with Agrement certificates to British Standards. LABC Product Type Approval. Free design and advisory service. For high performance products with warranty.

Cavity Trays Ltd is the only tray manufacturer awarded European Technical approval.

Quality Access Equipment & Bespoke Access Solutions • Ladders • Stepladders • Scaffold Towers • Platforms & Podiums • Engineering & Fabrication • Inspections • Training Clow Group Ltd. 2/24 Limestone Road Belfast BT15 3AJ Tel: +44 (0)2890 749 748 Fax: +44 (0)2890 749 758 Email: enquiries@clowgroup.co.uk Web: www.clowgroup.co.uk

CONCRETE

TO AdvERTISE CONTACT...

Siobhan Kissward 028 9078 3218

siobhankissward@greerpublications.com

Walkway Systems Scaffold Tower Systems Edge Protection System Fall Arrest & Personal Protection Equipment Promoting ‘Safe Working Platforms’ Ridgeway 103 Airport Road Belfast, BT3 9ED Tel: 028 9045 4599 Fax: 028 9045 4596 Email: info@ridgeway-online.com Web: www.ridgeway-online.com

CES Liquid Screed • Reduced build height • Reduced drying times • Reduced health and safety risk • Reduced tile adhesive • Increased strength • Increased thermal properties

CES LIquId SCREEd Doran's Rock Quarry & Concrete Works, 124 Crossgar Road, Saintfield, Co. Down, BT24 7JQ Email: sales@cesquarryproducts.com Web: www.cesquarryproducts.com

Acoustic and fire barriers /stops for cavity wall specifications.

New range to suppress sound transmission with up to fours hours fire integrity rating Level threshold isolation dpc's and compatible vertical closers now available.

Immediate distribution from stock Cavity Trays Limited Contact: Stephen Leyland Ltd, Castings House, Quarry Heights, North Road, Newtownards BT23 7SZ Tel: 028 9182 2522 Fax: 028 9182 2558 Cavity Trays Ltd New Administration Centre, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8HU Tel: 01935 474769 Fax: 01935 428223 E-mail: enquiries@cavitytrays.co.uk

ConCrEtE

ConCrEtE

FIrE & SECUrItY

“Northern Ireland’s Leading FamilyOwned Fire & Security Specialists” Diamond Systems have been providing innovative fire and security solutions for a range of clients, throughout Northern Ireland for over 27 years, from commercial and industrial premises to public sector and residential.

Calor gas Northern Ireland Limited

• Fire Detection & Alarm • Fire Suppression Systems • Integration • Intruder Detection & Alarm • CCTV • Access Control • Remote Monitoring • Emergency Communications Systems

Airport Road West, Sydenham, Belfast, BT3 9EE. Tel: 028 9045 5588 E-mail: info@calorgas.ie Website: www.calorgas.ie

DESIgN

INSTALLATION

FACADES Quality Precast Solutions for Building and Civil Construction

Swiss Facades Transforming Exterior Facades

• Asset BEBO Bridge Arches • Redi-Rock Wall Systems • Box Culverts • Bridge Parapets • Manhole Rings & Slabs • Heads & Sills, Copings and Edgings • Above Ground Post-Tensioned Tanks

Premium Swiss Quality Panel Systems for High End Architecture

COMMISSIONINg

MAINTENANCE

Diamond Electronic Systems Ltd Unit 1a Harbour Court, 5 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9HB Tel: 028 9020 7207 Email: info@diamondsystems.co.uk www.diamondsystems.co.uk

GAS

Moore Concrete Products Caherty House, 41 Woodside Road, Ballymena BT42 2QH Tel: 028 2565 2566 Fax: 028 2565 8480 Email: info@moore-concrete.com Web: www.moore-concrete.com

Swiss Facades Contact Anne Hurl.

Tel: +44 (0)7554 056930 Office Tel: +44 (0)28 79632026 Email us info@swissfacades.com www.swissfacades.com

PAVInG Supplying Northern Ireland's leading architect and builders Acheson & Glover has been in business for more than 50 years. As well as in-depth experience we offer the widest range of concrete products in the UK and Ireland - from manhole covers to decorative walling and paving.

Then there’s our unique range of problem solvers:

• • • • • •

RTU LTd

Cloughfern Avenue, Newtownabbey, BT37 0UZ T: +44 (0)28 9085 1441 E: info@rtu.co.uk

www.rtu.co.uk

SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALLS ACOUSTIC BLOCKS THERMAL BLOCKS PERMEABLE PAVING PRESTRESSED FLOORING BESPOKE (contact us to discuss your needs)

Acheson & glover Ltd. 64 Old Moy Road Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT71 6PU Tel: 028 8778 4208 Fax: 028 8778 4805 Email: solutions@acheson-glover.com Web: www.acheson-glover.com

GAS

Flogas goes far beyond simply managing and supplying bulk and cylinder LP Gas requirements.

Choosing LP Gas from Flogas not only opens the door to a versatile, highly efficient energy source with affordable installation and running costs – we create and implement tailored energy solutions specific to client applications.

Our experience covers a comprehensive range of markets including domestic (both single dwelling and metered estates), catering, commercial, industrial, agricultural and automotive.

CPD Learning CPD sessions are now available from Flogas to assist architects, planning consultants and other specifiers in updating their core learning and knowledge. For more information visit www.flogasni.com/cpd.

Flogas Airport Road West Belfast Harbour Estate BELFAST BT3 9ED Tel: 028 9073 2611 Email: info@flogasni.com Web: www.flogasni.com

Calor is a leading supplier of cleaner, efficient LPG energy solutions in Northern Ireland with specialist knowledge covering all sectors Including Industrial, Commercial, Hospitality, Agriculture, and Domestic.

We offer our customers: • Tailored energy solution • Full design service • Technical support and guidance • 24-hour emergency call out Calor Accredited CPD programme available.

Content includes LPg Product Knowledge, gas Regulations and Standards. Courses are FREE of charge and available by arrangement with one of our Calor Business Development Engineers. Contact cpd@calorgas.ie

industrial doors

Metal Finishing

oFFice Furniture

PaVing

Specializing in Contemporary Office Furniture

Industrial Doors & Loading Bay Equipment Automatic Gates, Traffic Barriers, Turnstiles, Electric Overhead Cranes, Hoists, Lifting Gear Britannia Electrical Services Unit 4, McKinney Industrial Estate, Hydepark, Mallusk BT36 4PX Tel: 028 9083 8030 Fax: 028 9083 8058 Email: bes.doors@btconnect.com Website: www.besdoors.co.uk

insurance interMediaries

Metal Mesh

Local construction insurance expertise at competitive terms

"Modern office furniture including desking, seating, storage as well breakout & canteen furniture with a contemporary twist."

Plastic sheets/ shaPes

Willis & Company provide a wide range of Insurance products to protect your business as well as Health & Safety and Risk Management Services.

• Employers & Public Liability Insurance • Contractors "All Risks" Insurance • Motor Fleet Insurance • Professional Indemnity Insurance • Property & Business Interruption Insurance • Latent Defects Insurance • Bonds Contact Keith Hynds or David Stevenson

on 028 9032 9042 Email: info@willisinsurance.co.uk Web: www.willisinsurance.co.uk

Mats and Matting

N. Ireland distributors and stockists for Coral mats and matting. Nuway entrance matting systems, threshold matting and tiles, rubber, plastic, coir and anti-fatigue matting, Gradus stairnosings, safety flooring, Flexi tiles, Studded rubber and Jaymart products.

Matrex Mats and Matting 24B Portadown Road, Lurgan, Co. Armagh BT66 8QX Tel: 028 3832 8857 Fax: 028 3832 1058 Mobile: 07831 141305 E-mail: matrex@btconnect.com Web: www.matrexmatsandmatting.co.uk

service

"Twil" Weldmesh EXPAMET Expanded Metal, FLOWFORGE Open Steel Flooring, Handrail Standards & Stair Treads, PERFORATED Metal Sheets, Comprehensive Stock Range, Ridgeway 103 Airport Road, Belfast BT3 9ED Tel: 028 9045 4599 Fax: 028 9045 4596 Email: info@ridgeway-online.com Web: www.ridgeway-online.com

Partitions (acoustic)

We at Masters Choice Ltd have been manufacturing acoustic partitions and joinery products for over 20 years. All products offered by Masters Choice are manufactured at our workshop by experienced and dedicated tradesmen to the highest quality and standard. As we manufacture all products ourselves which allows us to offer a full range of services including Design. We manufacture and install all products to our Clients specific requirements. We also offer an after sales care package on all products provided.

Master's Choice Ltd Silverbridge, Newry N. Ireland, BT35 9LJ Tel: (028) 30861032 Fax: (028) 30861693 E-mail: shona@masterschoice.co.uk

Our furniture is designed for customers seeking high quality products at competitive prices.

For more information on our ranges contact us today on: 028 9581 0189 www.oplanofficefurniture.co.uk

support

range

• Perspex • Lexan solid polycarbonate • Marlon multi wall polycarbonate • Engineering plastics • Machined Parts 24 Stockmans Way, Musgrave Park Industrial Estate, Belfast BT9 7ET Tel: 028 9066 8358 Fax: 028 9066 0623 Email: plastics@comcoplastics.co.uk Web: www.comcoplastics.co.uk

PuMPing PaVing

Hire Centres

FreePhone

0800 1 970 970

DRILLING & PUMPING SUPPLIES LTD Are one of the foremost pump distributors in Ireland, holding agencies for some of the worlds leading pump manufacturers.

We offer a complete design / supply / install service with the technical expertise and product range to support everything from domestic / commercial packaged pump stations to bespoke systems for municipal applications.

Our specialities include: • Hot / cold water boosting • Rainwater harvesting • Food and pharmaceutical • Sewage and storm pumping systems • Leachate systems Drilling & Pumping Supplies Ltd Tel: 028 9181 8347 Email: sales@dps-ni.com

RECRUitmEnt

safEty

Unit 2, 1 Edgewater Road, Belfast Harbour, Belfast, BT3 9JQ Tel: +44 28 9077 0999 E: glenn.mccormick@salesplacement.com Web: www.salesplacement.com

REtaining walls

Retain provides a design supply & installation service for a range of earth retention systems. All of the systems are class leaders. This ensures clients confidence that the most suitable system is used in each given application.

• Greenface • Andacrib • Modular Block • Gabions • Installation • Permacrib

Products and Services The following sections provide an overview of what we can provide, please contact us if you have a particular problem or application that isn’t featured on our site.

Providing on-site safety for: • Construction • Maintenance • Engineering Lifeline Air Bags Mobile: 07748 786 076 Fax: 028 8772 9262 E-mail: malachymckee@me.com Web: www.lifelineairbags.co.uk

PlastER & PlastERBOaRD

Gyproc is the market leader in plaster, plasterboard and drylining systems, manufacturing in Ireland since 1936, with a long history of providing innovative, costeffective and reliable products that meet the demands of the construction industry.

Looking to the future Gyproc is determined to remain at the forefront, as market leader, continuing to provide innovative, sustainable design solutions for the buildings of the future.

Gyproc, Ireland Unit 4, Kilcarbery Business Park, Nangor Rd, Dublin 22, Ireland Direct Line 01-6298400 www.gyproc.ie Email: enquiries@gyproc.ie

• Horizontal, Vertical, Inclined and Overhead Cable Systems • Mobile Anchors • Eyebolts • Demarcation • Annual systems Retest • Risk Assessment • Maintenance • Training Pronet Safety Services Tel: 028 9337 3967 Fax: 028 9335 3518 Email: info@pronetsafetyservices.com Web: www.pronetsafetyservices.com Web: www.pronetsafetyproducts.com

PlastER & PlastERBOaRD

Professional & Impartial Services

Clarke Cunningham Tree Maintenance Ltd.

• HYGEINIC WALL CLADDING • WINDOW TRIMS

Unit 2 Musgrave Park Industrial Estate, 26 Stockmans Way, Belfast, BT9 7ET TEL: 02890381990 www.wilplas.com E-mail Sales@wilplas.com

Branches at: Ballymena 028 25645380 Cookstown 028 86764422 Newry 028 30252499

Outstanding quality & performance

Exceptional service & support

Petal Email: info@petal.co.uk w: www.petal.co.uk

wall & DOOR PROtECtiOn

Products: Protection Rails Handrails Wall Protection Door Protection Heavy Duty Protection

Head Office:

• FASCIA & SOFFITS

Extensive range of washroom systems

tREE CaRE sERViCEs

• RAINWATER SYSTEMS

PVC BUilDing PRODUCts

Design that lasts

National Housebuilding Council (NHBC) Northern Ireland Holyrood Court, 59 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SA Tel: 028 9068 3131 Fax: 028 9068 3258

Crown lifting / Raising / Crown Reduction Selective / Formative Pruning Deadwooding / Crown Cleaning Storm Damage Rectification (24hr) Removal of dead, diseased and dangerous trees Sectional removal with the aid of mobile crane Stump Grinding, Root Removal and Root Pruning Conifer Maintenance High Hedge Legislation advice Young Tree Maintenance Shrub Pruning / Grounds Maintenance Woodland Management Tree Planting Composted Woodchip and Firewood Sales Fully equipped, insured and qualified Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor

Specialists in uPVC Building Products.

Retain Solutions Ltd 56 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AS Tel: 028 9031 3881 Email: retain@retain.co.uk www.retain.co.uk

washROOm systEms

PRONET SAFETY SERVICES

All Ireland Sales and Marketing Recruitment Specialists • Advertising/Media • Building & Construction • Chemicals • FMCG/Foodservice • IT • Marketing • Retail • Telecoms • Technical/ Construction

safEty

69 Upper Mealough Road Carryduff, BT8 8LR TEL: 028 9081 4488, Fax: 028 9081 4333 Email: info@treemaintenance.com Website: www.treemaintenance.com

Yeoman Shield provides a range of functional and attractive wall and door protection systems for new build and refurbishment projects.

Our wide range of rails, wall sheet, corner and door protection systems are designed to prevent expensive and unsightly damage to the internal fabric of commercial and public buildings.

New for 2016 as part of celebrating 50 years in the trade Yeoman Shield are launching a new range of Guardian Handrails to complement their wall & door protection products.

Information on all Yeoman Shield products can be found at www.yeomanshield.com or call the sales office to request a brochure.

Yeoman Shield c/o Harrison Thompson & Co Ltd Whitehall Estate Whitehall Road Leeds LS12 5JB Tel: +44 113 279 5854 Email: sallyann@yeomanshield.com

NEXT ISSUE... nEXt issUE...

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 JUnE/JUly 2016

Appointments |59

APPOINTMENTS Andrew Givan, Senior Surveyor - Property Management, Lambert Smith Hampton Andrew Givan has been appointed senior surveyor of property management at Lambert Smith Hampton. Andrew graduated from Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh in 2006 with BSc (Hons) Estate Management and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He commenced employment with Lambert Smith Hampton in 2013 and manages a mixed portfolio of assets throughout the UK. Andrew Mearns, Senior Surveyor, Lambert Smith Hampton Andrew Mearns has been appointed senior surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton.

Andrew has five years’ experience working within the Scottish commercial market specialising in the valuation and disposal of commercial property and development land.

He has spent 18 months with Lambert Smith Hampton in Northern Ireland covering valuation of all property classes including going concern and investment valuations as well as development appraisals.

David Horisk, Director – Building Consultancy David Horisk has been appointed head of building consultancy at Lambert Smith Hampton in Belfast with overall responsibility for leading service line delivery to existing and new clients. He has over 13 years of commercial building consultancy experience and has been involved in the delivery of building surveying and project management services to both public and private clients throughout the UK and Ireland.

Steven McKee, Associate Director Steven McKee has been appointed associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton.

Steven joined Lambert Smith Hampton in 2008, when he commenced employment within the Property Management Division. He was elected as a professional member of the RICS in 2011. His current role involves the management of a large shopping centre in Northern Ireland, prestigious office developments in Belfast City Centre and a large mixed use industrial scheme in the UK.

PRODUCT NEWS

Irish grind school sees benefit of Gerflor he Institute of Education T occupies seven large Georgian buildings on its

Dublin City Centre campus and is one of the largest private second level schools and ‘grind’ schools in Ireland, sending more students to third-level colleges than any other school in Ireland.

With a refurbishment due, the overall level of academic excellence would spill over onto the institute’s requirements for top quality throughout the project.

The flooring aspect would

take the full brunt of the new requirements with international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor rising to the top of the class to deliver the requisite quality.

They would specify some 1200m2 of Gerflor’s Taralay Impression Comfort flooring, spread over three levels and colour themed in red, blue and yellow.

Email: contractuk@gerflor.com Website: www.gerflor.co.uk

web directory www.wilplas.com

Paul Bradwell, Kissward to advertise Siobhan Sales Manager 028 9078 3218 ContaCt...

Tel: 028 9078 3200

siobhankissward@greerpublications.com paulbradwell@greerpublications.com

www.diamondsystems.co.uk

www.spanwall.com

www.calorgas.ie

www.1080.co.uk

www.flogasni.com

www.gqaqualifications.com

www.jncfence.com

web Directory directory |61 |53 Web www.nkfencing.com

www.acefixings.com

www.contractceilings.com

www.bestvaluegabions.com

www.whitemountain.co.uk

www.ridgefence.com

Whitemountain Quarries Ltd, 11 Sheepwalk Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim. BT28 3RD Telephone: 028 9250 1000 • Fax: 028 9250 1100

www.willisinsurance.co.uk

www.oplanofficefurniture.co.uk

62|Web 54| web Directory directory www.matrexmatsandmatting.co.uk

www.heynwaste.co.uk

www.petal.co.uk

www.masterschoice.co.uk

www.tinnelly.com

www.cphire.com

www.hutchinson-engineering.co.uk

www.sdg.ie

web directory Web Directory |55 |63 www.mclarke.co.uk

www.balloohire.com

www.swissfacades.com

www.treemaintenance.com

www.pronetsafetyservices.com

www.swissfacades.com

www.gyproc.ie

www.yeomanshield.com

V B Evans & Company are pleased to have been chosen to undertake responsibility for the bi-monthly collation of this data and sponsor its publication.

With over 65 years of experience in business the firm provides a wide range of quality assured professional quantity surveying and other consultancy services to Northern Ireland clients who seek value for money and appropriate contract advice for their building design or refurbishment proposals.

The Specify Prices published here are representative of the market price of each building material, having been assessed from a variety of local sources which in the present competitive economic climate prefer not to be named. Readers are advised to verify individual prices with a local merchant for their particular needs since our prices are necessarily averaged for guidance purposes.

We hope that these pages may be of assistance to readers but would welcome any constructive suggestions for amendment to include information which would be appropriate to your needs.

Material prices at May 2016. Prices are exclusive of VAT. Discounts will apply.

This information is compiled specifically for Specify periodicals and is copyright.

Building Materials Prices

64 | prices AGGREGATES Full loads delivered Central Belfast 50mm Crusher run 100mm Crusher run Fine Blinding Coarse Blinding 6mm Stone 10mm Stone Building Sand Washed Sand

Web: www.vbevans.com

Quantity Surveying Building Surveying Project Management CDM Planning Supervision

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

FINISHED SOFTWOOD

Metric-sized concrete bricks delivered

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes. per 100m Parana Pine £61.00 20x8 £94.00 44x8 Whitewood £51.00 32x12 £80.50 69x12 £61.00 32x19 £73.00 44x19 £79.50 32x32 £136.50 69x32 £175.00 69x44 £226.00 94x44 £258.00 69x69

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

per 1,000 £372.00 £377.00 £337.00 £362.00 £337.00 £337.00 £327.00

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

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

INDUSTRIAL AND FIRE-RESISTING BOARD Prices are exclusive of delivery.

Terms for SUPALUX non-combustible asbestos-free fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m2

2440x1220

Bulk Cement delivered in 15-tonne loads to Greater Belfast Area per tonne £139.00 Ordinary Portland Cement £164.00 Sulphate Resisting Cement

per tonne £355.00

CEMENT MORTARS In full loads delivered to Central Belfast per tonne

£26.00 Standard 1 lime mortar Y4 £45.00 Tinted mortar ref.

Y15 £52.00 Y135 £44.00 Y91 £54.00 Y10 £55.00

6mm sanded £50.00

9mm sanded £52.30

12mm sanded £70.00

MASTERBOARD Class O asbestos-free multi-purpose building board sanded finish.

Price per sheet up to 149m2 2440x1220

CEMENT

Ordinary Portland Cement

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

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

BRICKS

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

Chartered Surveyors

CONCRETE BLOCKS

6mm £62.50

9mm £75.00

12mm £96.50

PLASTERING MATERIALS Per tonne, ex-works (delivery by arrangement) Lightweight aggregate pre-mixed gypsum plaster to BS 1191, Part 2.

Metal lathing undercoat Bonding Finish Gypsum plasterboard to BS 1230 per sheet (2400 mm x 1200 mm) 9.5mm thick plasterboard 9.5mm thick foil-backed plasterboard per bundle (6 Nr 1219mm x 406mm) 9.5mm thick plasterlath 9.5mm thick foil-back plasterboard per 100 lin. feet Galvanised standard angle bead Galvanised plasterstop (10mm) Galvanised external renderstop

£301.00 £358.00 £320.00 £10.00 £14.00 £16.00 £10.80 £10.00 £13.00 £26.50

In the next issue of READY MIXED CONCRETES Ordinary Portland Cement in full loads delivered to Central Belfast per cub. metre £65.00 1:10 by volume £79.00 1:2:4 by volume £71.00 1:3:6 by volume £66.00 20 N/mm2:20mm aggregate £70.00 25 N/mm2:20mm aggregate £73.00 30 N/mm2:20mm aggregate

Thrutone Thrutone Relief

per 1,000 £1500.00 £1600.00

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

£860.00 £860.00 £800.00 per tile £4.80 £5.40

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

SAWN REDWOOD Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths.

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

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes.

114x19 89x12 114x12 89x12 94x12

£94.00 £69.00 £80.50 £98.50 £108.00

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

STEEL REINFORCEMENT

ROOF SLATES AND TILES Fibre Cement Slates ex-yard

SOFTWOOD FLOORING, SHEETING AND PANELING

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

SAWN WHITEWOOD

Mild Steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449. High yield steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449/4461.

One size, bent and labelled, per tonne, delivered to Central Belfast Diameter/mm Mild Steel High Yield

6 £755.00 £845.00

8 £755.00 £845.00

10 £755.00 £845.00

12 £755.00 £845.00

20 £755.00 £845.00

25 £755.00 £845.00

32 £755.00 £845.00

40 £755.00 £845.00 Mesh Fabric to BS 4483 ex-yard per sheet (one or mixed references)

per sheet BS reference A 98

£36.50

A142 £36.50

A193 £40.50

A252 £45.00

A393 £78.00

B503 £78.00

B785 £85.00 Heavy section steel ex-yard in lots of over 5T

per tonne UC 152x152x23 £955.00 203x203x46 £1300.00 254x254x73 £1360.00 305x305x118 £1245.00 356x368x153 £1430.00 UB

305x165x40 356x127x37 406x140x39 457x152x52 533x210x82

£1245.00 £1245.00 £1245.00 £1245.00 £1245.00

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

CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 FINALISTS

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths.

50x25 100x25 150x25 275x25 75x50 125x50 175x50 250x50 100x75 200x75 250x75

CEF SPECIFY

TERMS FOR GLASSROCK

CONCRETE IN CONSTRUCTION

Non-combustible asbestos-free fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m2.

6mm 10mm 12.5mm sanded sanded sanded 2400x1200 £49.50 £51.50 £69.00

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

£79.60 £94.80 £110.30 £164.30 £97.30 £129.10 £173.50 £234.50 £325.60

Pipes and fittings to BS 4600. List price ex-yard.

Large quantities will attract considerable discounts.

Plain sewer, per 6m Pipe coupler, ea Single oblique branch, ea Single swept branch, ea 45˚ short radius, ea 87½˚ short radius bend, ea 45˚ long radius bend, ea 90˚ long radius bend, ea Straight channel 45˚ curved channel, ea

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

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016.

66| Interview

Murphy’s Law

Specify talks to Stuart Murphy, Partner and Head of Construction Law, Carson McDowell Q: Did you plan to get involved in the construction industry?

When I was training as a lawyer I did not initially think that I would end up working in the construction industry and did not have plans to do so at the outset of my career.

Q: How did you start off?

I got involved in construction cases as an early part of my training in England, working on construction projects in and around East Anglia.

I enjoyed both the legal challenge of such cases, which often involves marshalling complicated facts and managing extensive volumes of documents in addition to legal arguments, as well as being involved with developments that had a real impact on their communities.

Q: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

I have particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to travel and work on construction projects in many parts of the world, such as Lesotho, the Philippines, Nigeria, Greece, Holland, France, Germany and Italy, to name a few.

Having been born and brought up in Northern Ireland, I was pleased to have the opportunity to return to live and work here in 2007. Since then I have enjoyed being involved in the re-development of the Province and some of Northern Ireland’s most significant projects.

Q: What was the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Legal advice is never an end in itself – a good solicitor needs to focus that advice on what the client is trying to achieve and how the solicitor can assist the client to do so.

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

After the recession of recent years, now is a good time to be considering a career in construction.

The current skills shortage in the industry is one of the most significant problems it is facing therefore anyone joining and training in construction can expect to find a number of opportunities as well as the prospect of good career advancement. In addition, few careers provide the same opportunities to be involved in significantly improving the quality of life of our local environment.

Q: Do you think the construction sector needs more support from Stormont?

The construction sector is a vital part of the local economy and therefore

needs to be fully supported

by Stormont.

Q: What needs to be done to help the NI construction sector?

Work needs to be done to ensure political stability and the advancement of the reform of the public sector in Northern Ireland to ensure the efficient and reliable through put of projects from the public sector pipeline. We would like to see more joined-up thinking and co-operation across the Executive to assist in the development

of Northern Ireland’s infrastructure. Steps should also be taken to address the current skills shortage, including prioritising an effective apprenticeship programme. In addition reforms are necessary to encourage and re-energise the building of sustainable residential homes.

Q: Tell us something surprising about yourself…

I’m a big tennis fan and can name every Wimbledon men’s singles winner, in order, for the last 40 years.

Expertise in ready mix building solutions.

Offering a vast range of ready mixed products including concrete, mortar, plaster, screed, ExposaÂŽ Decorative Concrete and UltrafloÂŽ liquid screed for both residential and commercial projects.

FIBRAPAN TOTAL There is not much more you can ask of an MDF.

solutions in wood

NEW! Moisture Resistant Flame Retardant CARB II Compliant

The Complete MDF Solution Finsa R&D has developed this brand new solution that combines MR and FR features in an E0 - CARB2 compliant board for the most demanding applications and specifications.

One of the most important characteristics of this product is its high dimensional stability, low swelling and absorption and excellent machining quality.

INTERIOR APPLICATIONS Any interior application where by need or specification an FR (Euroclass B) , MR (V313) and E0 board is needed:

- Wall Panelling - Lab/Hospital Furniture - Acoustic Panels - And more....