Read and learn everything about it here. The findings of the two are anticipated to shed further light on current tendencies observed in the building and construction industries on both sides of the Atlantic. In the meantime, Hilti has created a new cordless battery platform, and it is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom towards the tail end of 2022. Furthermore, construction companies who are collaborating on large building projects like HS2 have indeed been given unprecedented cybersecurity guidance from the government and the construction industry on how they can safeguard themselves from cyber assaults. This guidance has been issued for the first time ever. On top of that, 125 Deansgate, which is located in the centre of Manchester’s oldest thoroughfares, was just finished by Glenn Howells Architects.

CRH and Grafton may signal US and UK building slowdown; Jackson Hole seminar begins

Original Source: CRH and Grafton may reveal building slowdown in US and UK, while Jackson Hole symposium begins

CRH and Grafton may unveil plans for Thursday, presenting a chance to compare CRH and Grafton, two Irish FTSE 350 corporations that supply construction companies. Their shares are down 22% and 42% since the start of the year, respectively.

Builders’ merchant Grafton Group PLC (ISE:GFTU) last reported in July, when it indicated growth was slowing but full-year profit estimates were unchanged. CEO Gavin Slark also stepped down after 11 years in charge.

Like-for-like sales declined 2% in the second quarter compared to 10% in the first. The UK reversed course, while Irish merchanting slowed and Irish retailing remained robust.

The interim results will give “additional colour” on trends within each business segment and recent trading activity, said Peel Hunt.

In this regard, we expect a similar refrain from the remainder of the sector, with a sustained weakening of DIY demand and a more robust trade forecast.

The broker stated that updates on the future CEO and capital allocation policy will be essential considering the company’s strong balance sheet.

CRH PLC (LSE:CRH), a FTSE 100 company focusing on the US construction industry, has been a favourite of investors during the pandemic, gaining on anticipation of bountiful earnings from President Biden’s infrastructure push.

The Dublin-based firm released a favourable trading report in April, indicating sales, cash profits, and margins for the first half were likely to be ahead of the prior year.

With recession fears rising, economists predict Thursday’s half-year data will show a weaker second half.

Steps, treading water, and motorcycles

Morses Club PLC (AIM:MCL) will announce full-year results a week after pausing redress payments and saying it was close to finalising a potential mechanism to reduce the impact of compensation payments to mis-selling claim winners.

With less competition and rising consumer demand for quick cash, the group may have a brighter medium- to long-term future.

Energy services firm Hunting PLC (LSE:HTG) reports the following sector counterpart Wood Group.

However, hunting shares have been treading water for years, and a bullish trading update in July was barely noticed.

Later in the day, investors will focus on US GDP and the Jackson Hole symposium of central bankers.

Given the light calendar, it’s an excellent week to take a break and go fishing, BDSwiss’ Marshall Gittler said. “One who did was Paul Volcker, the Fed chief from 1979 to 1987.â€�

In 1978, the Kansas City Fed established an annual conference. In 1982, they moved the conference to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so Volcker could fish there. It’s been there since.

The three-day symposium gathers central bankers and academic economists and is “frequently, but not always, the venue of a large announcement or market indication,” says Gittler.

After the closing bell in New York, Peloton Interactive will report earnings. A recent memo revealed 800 jobs will be shed along with the closure of warehouses and retail stores across North America as the static-bike company looks for new paths to regain some of its IPO pazzazz. Lowdown in the US and UK, while the Jackson Hole symposium begins.

Hilti’s cordless tool platform speeds construction

Original Source: Hilti’s cordless tool platform streamlines construction site operations

Nuron can power 70 22V tools. All batteries are platform-compatible. This lowers the need for batteries, chargers, and wired power sources.

Due to improved battery technology, cordless tools have more power than corded or gas-powered tools. It allows heavy-duty jobs traditionally limited to corded, gas-powered, or high-voltage battery systems.

lightweight Nuron tools with ergonomic grips and shock-resistant bumpers.

Health safeguards

Hilti’s DRS and ATC are available on Nuron tools. Active vibration reduction (AVR), another health and comfort element, has been expanded.

Cloud-based tools are available. Users may increase tool park performance and productivity using Hilti’s ON!Track asset management solution.

Tool usage, charging location, and battery health are collected. Data and knowledge can help manage a better-functioning tool park.

“We’re thrilled to offer this new platform to British clients.” Based on customer feedback, we know this will make a tremendous difference in their operations,” said Sebastiaan Groenhuijsen, Hilti’s head of product marketing for northern Europe.

“We want to give construction experts the greatest tools and solutions so they can develop society’s future infrastructure safely and efficiently,” he said.

Cybersecurity advice for construction enterprises

Original Source: Construction firms offered new cyber security guidance

The new Information Security Best Practice guide offers personalised advice on how to safely handle data created, stored, and shared in joint venture initiatives.

The guide is a unique partnership involving industry professionals, the NCSC, BEIS, and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).

It includes organisations with experience in joint ventures, such as HS2 and Crossrail, where information security risks are especially relevant due to their scale, value, and complexity.

By following the guidelines, organisations may improve their physical, personnel, and cyber security, making them less attractive targets for criminal actors as threats, like ransomware, continue to be an issue internationally.

NCSC deputy director for economic and social resilience Sarah Lyons said, “Joint ventures in construction are responsible for some of the UK’s greatest building projects, and the data they manage must be protected to keep critical infrastructure safe.”

“Failing to protect sensitive information might jeopardise national security, so joint ventures must secure their sites, systems, and data.”

By adopting this new guidance, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between industry and government, construction businesses can implement a holistic risk management approach.

The guidance is a partnership between government and industry members of an NCSC-convened trust group, bringing together dozens of companies in the field.

Lord Callanan: “Data and digital technology are crucial to a productive, competitive, and sustainable construction sector.” Businesses must safeguard themselves and their stakeholders from this new technology.

“This new guidance, issued by industry and the government, will assist construction firms in keeping their information safe, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and securely.”

The guide explains why joint ventures need information security and suggests how to handle the risks, including:

• Establishing information security governance and accountability in the joint venture and engaging the board
• Designating employees to examine information security threats and build a shared plan
• Understanding the risks and legal requirements of the joint venture and deciding on a risk appetite
• Develop and agree on a shared information security strategy to manage and mitigate physical, human, and cyber risks.

The construction industry remains a top target for internet attackers, and businesses of all sizes are at risk.

Jon Ozanne, chief information officer at Balfour Beatty, stated, “With cyberattacks growing more intelligent, cyber security and protecting our own, workers’, supply chain, and customers’ data has never been more vital.”

“The new Information Security Best Practice guide will assist in addressing operational risks across the sector by improving the bar and educating those on cyber dangers.”

Andy Black, chief information security officer at Sir Robert McAlpine, said cross-industry collaboration is key to boosting information security in the construction sector. We are happy to have the opportunity to share our experience and engage with our peers, the NCSC, BEIS, and CPNI.

NCSC developed cyber security recommendations with the Chartered Institute of Building to help SMEs strengthen resilience.

NCSC resources that help organisations manage cyber security risks include the Board Toolkit, which facilitates dialogue between board members and technical experts, and the Exercise in a Box toolkit, which helps organisations test their incident response plans in a secure environment.

Glenn Howells finishes Manchester’s office building

Original Source: Glenn Howells completes terracotta-clad office block in Manchester

The building, which has 11,892m2 of workspace and retail, is coated in a deep-red terracotta veneer to represent its industrial background. It sits among Manchester’s most significant structures, including the Grade I-listed John Rylands Library.

It connects Spinningfields to the west with Albert Square to the east.

The terracotta cladding was delivered using a prefabricated unitised system. This strategy was created with Manchester City Council and Historic England to maintain construction details.

The prefabrication allowed contractors to deliver to a city-centre site.

Interlocking fenestrations passively add shade and energy efficiency to the BREEAM rating. Excellent.

125 Deansgate is one of the largest co-working spaces in the UK.

It replaces Holford Associates’ 10-story PoMo Lincoln House office skyscraper (1986) at 123-127 Deansgate and is part of the renovation of Brazennose Street and Lincoln Square.

In 2015, Glenn Howells Architects submitted office building plans.

An architect’s vision

The Worthington Family commissioned the structure to honour the industrialist families who constructed Manchester’s rich architectural legacy.

Their brief was to create a modern workspace for any size firm, with efficient and flexible floorplans. Close involvement with the family during the design phase made the project more than an office.

The project’s location is a challenge. This requires extraordinary architecture, materiality, and detailing from the macro to the micro scale. The resulting façade design is constructed with scalloped and fluted red terracotta piers and spandrels.

Strong vertical proportions create a sense of sturdiness and strength, like many historic structures in Deansgate. The fabric first method generates an environmentally responsive façade with a different intensity of piers based on orientation, with the southern elevation having more principal piers than the east and west elevations.

The key advances in the façade construction were a prefabricated modern method that seeks precision and clarity in details and working meticulously with subcontractors throughout procurement.

Dav Bansal, Glenn Howells’ partner

Customer view

During a search for an alternative location in the city, it was determined that a new home wouldn’t be available in the immediate future. So BT leased 125 Deansgate to use alongside Dial House until a longer-term option could be found.

Floors 7-11 of the building are occupied by BT’s Global, Enterprise, and corporate support groups. The floors have flexible spaces, collaborative zones, and individual work rooms for employees. The structure was built to facilitate hybrid working, so employees sit in “neighbourhood” spaces with their teams.

125 Deansgate met all objectives, including the ability to alter floor space to BT’s demands, closeness to public transit; and a central location to allow travelling between BT facilities as needed. The wide windows provide light and views of the Manchester skyline.

The C-Sat survey (November 2021) had positive results. Overall satisfaction soared by 71%.

Simon Bailey, BT communication lead

Summary of today’s construction news

You have read this far and have learned information regarding the recent report that it is possible that CRH and Grafton will reveal their intentions on Thursday. This will provide an opportunity to contrast CRH and Grafton, who are both Irish organisations that are included in the FTSE 350 and provide supplies to construction businesses. Since the beginning of the year, their respective share prices have fallen by 22 percent and 42 percent.

Meanwhile, cordless power tools offer greater power than their corded or gas-powered counterparts due to advancements in battery technology. Heavy-duty jobs that were previously impossible to complete without corded, gas-powered, or high-voltage battery systems are now possible with this technology.

In addition, the newly released Information Security Best Practices handbook provides individualised recommendations for protecting information developed, kept, and shared during collaborations. Experts from the sector worked with the National Cyber Security Centre, the British government’s Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, and the Centre to Protect Critical National Infrastructure to create this guidance (CPNI). Dozens of companies in the field collaborated with the government to create this guidance as part of an NCSC-convened trust group.

Over and above that, 125 Deansgate is a major hub for shared office space in the UK. This building is part of the revitalization of Brazennose Street and Lincoln Square, and it stands in place of the 10-story PoMo Lincoln House office tower (1986) by Holford Associates at 123-127 Deansgate.