On 9 May 2013, the Irish Supreme Court held that the Registered Employment Agreement (REA) system whereby collective agreements are endorsed by the Labour Court and set industry-wide pay rates and working conditions, is unconstitutional. The decision is likely to have a significant effect on thousands of employers and workers in the construction industry in Ireland and also on foreign construction companies which may have an interest in Ireland as a place of business.

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Kershaw Contracting Services Limited’s New Build Insulation Division is flourishing, having recently secured orders from Bellway Homes and Pochin Residential, to install various insulation measures on forthcoming projects in the south east.

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Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, the UK’s largest supplier of pre-owned Portakabin buildings, has launched a new website to meet the rising demand for second hand modular buildings.

The new site, www.foremansbuildings.co.uk, has a number of key features, including:

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Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) celebrated the success of its local residents at its first ever tenant awards evening held at Liverpool Hope University on 11 April.

Hosted by local actress and comedian Pauline Daniels, and supported by a range of sponsors, the ‘Making It Happen’ awards saw tenants, community groups and contractors recognised for the difference they make both for themselves and their communities.

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Buyer’s Guide

Neil Ginger, CEO of Origin, an award-winning UK manufacturer of bifolding doors, provides some key points you should consider before installing bi-folding doors.

There are a number of considerations when choosing bi-fold doors but quality is key – quality of door performance, how long they last, energy efficiency and how easy they are to use. When considering the door material, Origin recommends aluminium as it offers the right combination of strength and weight, allowing for narrow, more aesthetically pleasing frames and better sight lines.

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Cambridge based energy services company, Kershaw Contracting Services Limited, has appointed Jonathan Say as its new Business Development Manager.

Jonathan, who brings with him 11 years’ specialist experience in the energy industry, will focus primarily on maximising ECO and Green Deal related opportunities. “There are two objectives we are working towards” he explained. “Firstly, we are looking to build on our existing experience of installing energy saving measures for boroughs, county councils and housing associations, where we are successfully upgrading housing stock, as an Accredited Installer, with ten different energy saving measures.” Secondly, Kershaw Contracting Services is driving down the costs of energy efficiency measures with cutting edge abseiling techniques and direct access to ECO funding”.

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Fine examples of work carried out by External Coatings can be seen across Huddersfield and beyond.

Karl Goodyear, who runs the Shepley-based business and has 30 years’ experience in the industry, says: “The outside of your home is as important as the inside.

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Technal has launched the only visualisation tool currently available in the UK for architects and specifiers to produce 2D and 3D drawings and 3D renders for architectural aluminium façade designs.

TechSketch has been developed following consultation with leading architects to enable building designers to sketch out initial concepts and ideas quickly and easily, incorporating Technal’s GEODE-MX curtain walling, MODAL low rise glazing, brise soleil sunshading, sloped glazing, and window and door infills.

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SPEEDROBE from Premdor is a unique, recently launched sliding wardrobe system that will become an instant success with the builder or trade installer who will benefit from the speed and ease of installing additional wardrobes using the SPEEDROBE system.

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TROX has launched Version 2 of its extremely popular design tool – Easy Product Finder – which is faster and easier to use, and includes additional product ranges.

Easy Product Finder has become a vital tool in the building services industry, helping system designers and specifiers to identify system components and collate all the necessary costings and technical material. TROX has now announced the arrival of Version 2, which features a new intuitive design concept.

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