Construction Logistics: A fast changing landscape

The construction industry has long been a barometer for the health of the wider UK economy and the government’s renewed focus on infrastructure and housebuilding has left long-term prospects for the sector looking distinctly positive.
There are, however, several industry-wide logistical challenges on the horizon which will inevitably impact on the way construction businesses and their supply chains do business.
The rising challenge of a falling pound

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Rooflight Fragility Testing and Compliance

Despite the prevalence of rooflights, and their more antique predecessors, over the years, walk-on rooflights are a relatively new customer demand. It has only been in the past thirty years or so that rooflights have been expected to support the weight of passers by on roofs and balconies, and prior to this, rooflights were designed and manufactured to provide light and little more. Certainly not surfaces sturdy enough for grown adults to wander across.

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Birketts’ Construction and Engineering Team are holding their latest construction law seminar series in March.

This free seminar is aimed at all parties involved in construction contracts and will look at the issue of delays and the legal and technical principles behind claims for extensions.

1. The basic legal position relating to claims for time, including how such claims are dealt with under JCT and NEC contracts
2. A brief outline of the various delay analysis techniques available, from Keith Strutt of Diales, a specialist quantum and planning expert
3. Recent case law on delay, highlighting strict compliance with time limits and the thorny issue of concurrent delay.

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Four factors to consider when adding an extension to your home

With the ongoing housing crisis taking a cold hold this Winter, more homeowners than ever before are choosing to stay put. Rather than selling or leasing and moving onto a larger property, homeowners are extending in order to gain more space.

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British Drilling Association Announces ‘Quality Matters’ Roadshow Presentations

The British Drilling Association (BDA) is the official trade association that represents the entire spectrum of the drilling industry. This includes companies undertaking ground investigation, ground engineering, ground consolidation, de-watering, waterwells, geothermal and ground source, sonic drilling and blast drilling, those who manufacture and supply rigs and equipment, providers of support services to the industry and engineering consultants. The Association, which celebrated its 40thanniversary in 2016, has as its ethos the continued promotion of quality, safety and good practice with a continued focus on advancing the processes and output from such an essential industry.

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Embracing The Uncertain

“I am certain there is too much certainty in the world.”

Michael Crichton

Britain for Brexit, Donald Trump as US President, Iceland thrashing England at football and even shrinking Toblerones… what we once took for granted is being flipped on its head in a topsy-turvy uncontrolled world that for many is just bewildering. Things we considered as certainties are being overtaken by random acts of chaos and disorder. But should these things trouble us in business as well as in our own daily lives?

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ANWYL GROUP LAUNCHES NEW NATIONAL LAND PROMOTION COMPANY

The multi-award-winning Anwyl Group is expanding its service offering with the launch of a new division; Anwyl Land.

Heading up the new division and tasked with driving it forward are Managing Director Phil Dolan and Land & Planning Director Duncan Gregory. Both join Anwyl from land promoter Gladman Developments and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in sourcing suitable land for strategic and immediate residential and mixed-use development.

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SME Owners: Take Cyber Security Seriously

Clare Fleming, Director of Membership and Communications for the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM) highlights the importance of cybersecurity for SME owners.

In the past year alone, 74% of small organisations reported a breach in cyber security. [1] Despite this, 66% of SMEs don’t consider their business to be at risk from an attack. [2] As the new EU Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to come into force in May 2018, the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) is calling for SMEs to consider how to implement effective cyber security processes.

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Inta raises over £1,000 by turning pink for Breast Cancer Now

Just over £1,150 has been raised by Staffordshire-based heating and plumbing product manufacturer Inta, who turned themselves, and their products, pink for the day for leading charity Breast Cancer Now.

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Wickes fundraiser takes to the saddle in 700km challenge for dementia research

Intrepid Wickes cyclist Anil Pindoria has raised thousands for Alzheimer’s Research UK after a gruelling 700km challenge that saw him pedal through four countries in as many days. Anil, Supply Chain Manager at Wickes’ support centre in Watford, was inspired to take on the challenge after the organisation selected the UK’s leading dementia research charity for a three-year fundraising partnership. The adventure saw Anil and fellow cyclist Richard Burnham, from Wickes’ supplier JW Ostendorf, brave soaring temperatures and torrential rain in the space of four days – raising over £2,500 for pioneering dementia research.

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