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Subcontractors and suppliers can pitch for work across the North West at a Meet the Buyer event at Haydock Park Racecourse tomorrow. Buyers already signed up to the event include contractors Wates and Seddon as well as clients like the University of Manchester, Bolton University, Highways England, Oldham Council and the North West Construction Hub. The University of Manchester will be looking for suppliers to work on a number of upcoming projects as part of the institution’s £1.2bn campus masterplan. There are also opportunities to deliver wider developments for the University that are currently in the pipeline, ranging from £1m to £10m across joinery, industrial kitchen installation, groundworks and security systems among many other trades. Olga Gough, client relationship manager at event organiser Constructionline, …

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New research by trade insurance specialist’s construcaquote.com has revealed that the average British construction worker will eat upwards of 1,500 calories more than the recommended daily intake. Despite this revelation, less than one fifth of workers polled considered themselves to be at all overweight.   As part of its ongoing research into insights and trends surrounding the construction industry, a constructatquote.com has investigated the eating habits and diets of a group of British construction workers, to look into how healthy they are compared to those with more stationary and less active jobs. Researchers at constructaquote.com polled a total of 2,193 male UK construction workers, all of whom were aged 18 or over. In order to keep the results as unbiased as possible, those taking part in the …

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To coincide with UK Radon Awareness Week, leading experts in the field of radon management have undertaken a new piece of research which indicates that fewer than 10% of British adults are aware of the dangers of the gas, even though it is responsible for an estimated 1100 deaths annually as a result of the lung cancer it can cause. In the lead up to the 2015 Radon Awareness Week, taking place between the 7th and 13th  of November, a brand new study has been carried out in a bid to discover the awareness levels of radon gas amongst Britons. UK Radon Association members (www.radonweek.co.uk) commissioned a poll of 2,884 UK adults aged 18 and over as part of the research. Participants were spread across an even range …

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8 Router Bits & Accessories for all DIYers Whether you are a seasoned DIYer, donning your tool belt or a novice who chooses their tool belt based on the cool logo it holds, there are some pieces of equipment that everyone who is worth their salt should know about. Working on the assumption that you already have the raw materials, we welcome new and experienced DIYers alike to our countdown of what bits you need to complete your tool box, from money saving essentials to the stuff that makes you look like a pro: Coming in at Number 8 Looking to make your money go the extra mile? This dry lubricant spray will increase your tool life, making your saw blade and cutters live on much longer than expected. Unlike…

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JCOP clarifies need for EN 54 fire alarm on construction sites If you work in the construction sector then the chances are that you have already heard of Joint Code of Practice (JCOP) or, to give it its full title; ‘The Joint Code of Practice on the protection from Fire on Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation’. JCOP, as it is commonly referred to, for understandable reasons, has just been updated and is now available in its 9th edition. This edition applies to activities carried out prior to and during the procurement, construction and design process. JCOP is an important and useful document for construction professionals as it is often referred to in insurance contracts and is recognised as ‘best practice’, which means that it’s definitely worth …

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Main contractors will have to reveal where they are sourcing steelwork when bidding for major projects under emergency Government plans to level the playing field for the UK industry. The radical new measures are being introduced as concern grows that projects like HS2 will suck in huge amounts of cheap imported steel from China threatening the existence of UK steelwork fabricators and suppliers. New Government procurement guidelines also urge all public clients to look at the carbon footprint of steel supplies, including transport costs, when judging bids from main contractors. Procurement chiefs have also been told to take into account the social impacts of competing suppliers. Critcally, this includes the impact on jobs, protecting the health and safety of staff and the social integration of disadvantaged workers, …

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An interactive visual resource which showcases London’s finest and most-recognised architects and their respective buildings. London is gifted with a diverse range of architectural styles thanks in part to the age of the England’s capital but mostly owing to the talented pool of architects whose skills and creativity has helped shape the city’s skyline. To celebrate the collective talents of these architects and the ever-changing built landscape of London, Gregory Phillips has created a visual resource of iconic buildings called Architects of London. Visitors can navigate the guide using the left-hand side scrollable panel which features a choice selection of architects. Click on the architect to preview their iconic London building along with a concise summary of style, information on the architect and location …

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Starting a Construction Company – Guide for New Business  by AMA If you’ve ever thought about starting a construction company, we understand that turning your dream into reality can be tough. We’ve learnt some important lessons about business since we set up AMA, and wanted to share them with our readers. AMA Skip Hire has created a guide about how to start a building company, including important information about all parts of your business. The AMA Guide to Starting a Construction Company includes: Tips on writing your business plan The construction regulations you’ll need to know The benefits of joining the CCS Finding a base for your business Waste management options for businesses. Guide for New Business 

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A new poll finds that (97%) of family business bosses hope that their children will follow them into the family firm; Yet, nearly one in five (16%) say family firms should employ outside of the family to allow it to grow. constructaquote.com, the business insurance expert, quizzed over 500* family company bosses about how they feel about their business and its future. The respondents came from various sectors such as construction, retail and accountancy.** Half of those questioned said that they had inherited the company, or that it had been handed down to them, while 39% had started the business themselves, with 11% buying it off relatives. Nearly all (97%) said they hoped their children would join them in the family business…

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A Welsh steel rod and coil supplier mothballed over two years ago has resumed production, securing 150 jobs. Liberty Steel in Newport will hot roll steel producing products that are re-engineered for use in construction. International steel and metals group Liberty House bought the works from Mir Steel in 2013 and kept workers on half pay while waiting for market conditions to improve. The steel works is predicted to produce 50,000 tonnes of steel for the UK market and also plans to increase the production to 100,000 per month for export. Liberty group managing director Sanjeev Gupta said: “We intend to buck the recent trend in the UK steel industry. “The UK has the richest history in steel production in the world and production is viable here – what is needed is …

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