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Two-thirds of those running small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and carpenters as construction skills shortages hit a ‘record high’, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Key results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include:

• More than two-thirds (68%) of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers and 63% are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners – the highest figures since records began in 2008;

• The number of firms reporting difficulties hiring plumbers and electricians (48%), plasterers (46%) and floorers (30%) also reached record highs;

• Construction SME workloads grew at a slightly slower rate than in Q3 2017, but new enquiries and expected workloads slowed more sharply; expected workloads among those firms building new homes showed a negative net balance for the first time since 2013;

• Fewer construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, down from 41% in the previous quarter to 38% in Q4 2017;

• 87% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months, up from 82% in the previous quarter;

• Nearly two-thirds (61%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Skills shortages are sky rocketing and it begs the question, who will build the new homes and infrastructure projects the Government is crying out for. The Government has set itself an ambitious target to build 300,000 homes every year in England alone. More than two-thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire bricklayers which is one of the key trades in the building industry. This has increased by nearly 10% in just three months which points to a rapid worsening of an already dire situation. What’s more, nearly as many are facing difficulties hiring carpenters and joiners. These figures are the highest we’ve noted since records began a decade ago. As a result, the wages for these increasingly scarce skilled tradespeople continue to rise sharply; that’s a simple consequence of supply and demand. This, coupled with the fact that small construction firms continue to face significant material price increases, will inevitably squeeze their margins and put a brake on growth.”

Berry continued: “The Government must take account of the worsening construction skills shortage with Brexit looming large on the horizon. The Prime Minister must ensure that the immigration system that replaces the free movement of people can take account of the particular needs of key sectors such as construction and house building. Without skilled labour from the EU, the skills shortages we face would be considerably worse, and it is not in anyone’s best interest to pull the rug out from under the sector by introducing an inflexible and unresponsive immigration system. On the domestic front and in the longer term, to ensure we have an ample supply of skilled workers in the future, the Government must continue to work with industry to set the right framework in terms of T-Levels and apprenticeships.”

Berry concluded: “The silver lining to current skills shortages among construction SMEs is that the numerous tradespeople and professionals, who may find themselves out of work following the collapse of Carillion, have a ready supply of alternative employers. The FMB is working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Construction Industry Training Board to match-make ex-Carillion workers with small construction employers in need of skilled workers. We’re also working hard as an industry to re-home the 1,200 Carillion apprentices who are the innocent victims of the major contractor’s demise. It’s in everyone’s interests to ensure that these young people continue on their path to a rewarding career in construction.”

www.fmb.org.uk

North East installation company, Pennine Home Improvements has opened its newest showroom in the heart of Durham.

Its latest retail space, which will be situated in Dragonville Retail Park, is set to be Pennine’s largest showroom to date, and will feature seven stylish conservatories and orangeries, a window and door gallery, as well as a state-of-the-art virtual reality design station.

Pennine Home Improvements has been operating for over 40 years and now makes up one third of the newly-formed Conservatory Outlet Group.

Mark Tinnion, managing director at Pennine Home Improvements, said: “It is a really exciting time for the Company as we prepare for the next stage of our expansion plan as part of the Conservatory Outlet Group.

“The new Durham showroom comes as the result of numerous additions and advances within our product range, along with developments in cutting edge technology that calls for the addition of a virtual reality station. This will allow our customers to experience their desired living spaces, as part of our innovative and advanced design process, before building work even begins.

“With Conservatory Outlet Group’s expertise, we’re certain this showroom will be one of the best in the country. “

www.penninehome.co.uk

The post Delivering a cutting edge appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Picture above: Phil Pluck

“As the assessment of the true damage continues following the collapse of Carillion, it does raise some fundamental issues in terms of protecting both smaller companies caught up in the collapsing supply chains and the jobs that may be lost as a result.

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has sympathy with local government and other bodies tasked with delivering major build projects on ever decreasing Government funding. This creates a race to the bottom in terms of procurement practice in that more and more major contracts are awarded based on the lowest price.

This is a poor, short term approach which causes companies throughout the supply chain to operate at almost impossible margins. The companies that the GGF represents operate to the highest standards of manufacture, supply and installation. As a result of short term procurement practices and Government’s fixation with cost savings, a clear risk has been built into major construction projects.

GGF Members aim to be – and many are – the best in the world in their given sector and collectively the membership represents over 30,000 jobs in the UK alone. A cost cutting approach to the awarding of contracts puts at risk build quality, safety and jobs. In doing so, no legal protection is afforded to those in the supply chain that are now the victims of the Carillion Collapse. This in turn could result in further company failures and consequent losses of jobs and talent.

A knee-jerk reaction comprised of Government rescue packages to selected companies is of no reassurance to GGF Member companies and does not allow them to plan for long term sustainability. A lasting negative effect on Government tax revenue would be the result.

I urge the Government to assess the long term damage that short term cost savings creates and to take heed that Carillion may not be the last company to collapse as a result. There are other major supply chains also operating at near impossible margins.”

Phil Pluck

GGF Group Chief Executive

www.ggf.org.uk

When you take a look at the marketing support that Distinction Doors offers, you quickly realise it offers the same level of market-leading quality and innovation as its doors.

Bethaney Larkman, Distinction’s Marketing Manager, said: “Our unrivalled marketing support package has been designed to give our customers a competitive advantage and help them secure sales.”

One of the most compelling elements of the marketing package is the Skin Book. The Skin Book is a first for the industry and it shows the complete range of 43 colours, including five standard colours, two premium colours, two wood stains and over thirty bespoke colours all on swatches of Distinction’s woodgrain skins so homeowners can choose their door colour with confidence.

As befits a company renowned for its innovation, Distinction was the first company to introduce its Skin Book and their customers report that it aids consumer decision-making and is a superb tool to help in the overall sales process. Bethaney comments: “As market leader, it’s our responsibility to lead the way across the industry and our Skin Book is a perfect example of our ability to innovate in all areas of the business.”

Other highlights include the company’s in-house graphic design service that produces bespoke marketing materials to support their customers’ sales processes. The company’s door-designer application is also a well-valued customer aid and can be personalised for Distinction’s customers and their customers’ websites to promote their composite doors and Distinction Glass offering.

Distinction also offers an online knowledge bank and asset library via the trade log in area of their website that provide customers with electronic versions of documentation and marketing material. Finally, a useful showroom locator allows retailers to find their nearest Distinction showroom to help drive traffic for their customers.

If you want to capitalise on the growth in composite doors, not only do you need a market-leading product, you also need market-leading support – and that’s exactly what Distinction Doors offers.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

When you take a look at the marketing support that Distinction Doors offers, you quickly realise it offers the same level of market-leading quality and innovation as its doors.

Bethaney Larkman, Distinction’s Marketing Manager, said: “Our unrivalled marketing support package has been designed to give our customers a competitive advantage and help them secure sales.”

One of the most compelling elements of the marketing package is the Skin Book. The Skin Book is a first for the industry and it shows the complete range of 43 colours, including five standard colours, two premium colours, two wood stains and over thirty bespoke colours all on swatches of Distinction’s woodgrain skins so homeowners can choose their door colour with confidence.

As befits a company renowned for its innovation, Distinction was the first company to introduce its Skin Book and their customers report that it aids consumer decision-making and is a superb tool to help in the overall sales process. Bethaney comments: “As market leader, it’s our responsibility to lead the way across the industry and our Skin Book is a perfect example of our ability to innovate in all areas of the business.”

Other highlights include the company’s in-house graphic design service that produces bespoke marketing materials to support their customers’ sales processes. The company’s door-designer application is also a well-valued customer aid and can be personalised for Distinction’s customers and their customers’ websites to promote their composite doors and Distinction Glass offering.

Distinction also offers an online knowledge bank and asset library via the trade log in area of their website that provide customers with electronic versions of documentation and marketing material.  Finally, a useful showroom locator allows retailers to find their nearest Distinction showroom to help drive traffic for their customers.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk

GM Fundraising has announced that Graeme Bailey, MD of software specialists Business Micros, back to the fundraising team. Graeme is a long-term supporter of GM Fundraising and after supporting the recent Paddle2Pedal challenge, has volunteered to once again be part of the team of industry fundraisers.

Gary Morton, chairman of GM Fundraising commented: “Graeme has been integral to GM Fundraising for many, many years and we are delighted to welcome him back in an official capacity. Graeme is one of the few supporters to have completed all of the six cycling challenges and has helped with many events over the years. His level of experience, expertise and kindness is invaluable when it comes to organising fundraising events, that need to be improved upon each time.

“Alongside the current fundraising team of myself, Alan Sadler of Profix, Susie Sinden of Brouha Marketing, Adrian Barraclough of Quickslide, Andrew Glover of West Yorkshire Windows and Alison Marsh of Hope House, with the addition of Graeme, we will have a fresh injection of energy to take us forward towards our target of £2million by 2020. We have some great events in 2018, like our infamous gala dinner and the second GMF Cup, as well as the launch of our next cycling challenge “From Russia With Hope” which will take place in 2019. There are also plans afoot for the next all female challenge. Watch this space…”

www.gmfundraising.co.uk

The post Bailey’s Back appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Bringing together more than eight decades of technical industry experience, fire door & window partition systems specialists Aluprof and fire glass experts Pyroguard, have completed an ambitious testing programme for a new, cost-efficient, non-insulated, slimline fire-resistant glazing system for the UK and European market.

Following two years of collaboration, the new MB-45EW framing system has been developed and rigorously tested for applications where non-insulated screens and doors are required.  A first for the UK market, the slim system exceeds the current ratings of E30 and EW requirements with additional radiation reduction.  Suitable for internal applications, the framing system also offers a smoke-proof screen arrangement with doors, compliant with EN13502-2.  Pyroguard Integrity Plus glass is the first fire glazing tested and certified for the new system delivering El 15 and EW30 fire performance along with 1B1 impact protection.

Wojciech Brozyna, Managing Director at Aluprof UK, commented:  “As we’ve strived to deliver a solution which is effective, cost-efficient and aesthetically pleasing to suit the needs of specifiers today, we’ve had to overcome several challenges.  The expertise of Pyroguard has been invaluable and by combining our efforts throughout the testing phase we have created a solution which exceeds current safety requirements to deliver advanced protection.”

“Glazing often plays a vital role in modern buildings, but meeting functional safety requirements needn’t come at the expense of aesthetics,” says Vince Crook, Technical Director at Pyroguard.  “By collaborating with Aluprof, we’ve been able to develop a fully-accredited and certified framing solution which utilises the key characteristics of our high-performing products – namely design and 1B1-classified impact protection, in addition to essential EI 15 and EW30 safety requirements.”

Aluprof’s extensive range of systems extend to unitised curtain walling, sliding folding doors, commercial doors systems and a wide range of window systems, all of which are increasingly being specified on a variety of residential and commercial projects across the UK and overseas.  All systems are designed and installed by selected, specially trained companies to ensure each product meets Aluprof’s exacting standards.  Further information is available on the company website at aluprof.co.uk.

Tradesmith, a trade fabricator of windows, doors and conservatories celebrates 25 years of manufacturing – and has been with VBH from day one.

Mark Hutchinson, managing director of Tradesmith, explained: “It’s been a very successful relationship from the start. VBH has the same ethos as Tradesmith – quality products, reliable service and delivery and close attention to the needs of the customer. As soon as it came out we took on VBH’s own greenteQ range as it’s the perfect fit. It’s now our standard furniture option. Our fabricators find it easy to work with and our customers appreciate the quality.”

Tradesmith is based in Hailsham, near the Sussex coast. Mark added: “Our customers require hardware which performs well in harsh conditions, so we turned to VBH for help. In response to feedback from us, and other customers, VBH has come up with the greenteQ Coastline range – perfect for seaside installations. The stainless-steel material means it’s passed every test thrown at it. Installers love it – the 25-year guarantee means they don’t face hassle from homeowners, and the designs and overall quality are very popular.”

www.tradesmith.co.uk

The post 25 not out appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Scottish window, door and curtain walling designer, manufacturer and installer, CMS Window Systems, has completed a major fenestration contract as part of a project to create a new state-of-the-art primary school in the Scottish Borders that has brought new life to an unused B-listed former high school.

The new £8.6m Duns Primary School and educational campus, designed by Aitken Turnbull Architects and delivered by main contractor GRAHAM Construction, provides a high quality learning environment for over 450 pupils, with the latest facilities and infrastructure required to support children from the ages of three to twelve. It is also home to the Berwickshire Locality Support Centre which assists children with additional needs by providing access to a wider range of staff expertise and integrated services.

The project enabled the school to move from its existing premises in the town, which were largely in a Victorian building that was no longer suited to the needs of modern education. Scottish Borders Council and Hub South East Scotland initiated the project, with part funding from the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), to relocate at the former Berwickshire High School site had been unused since a new purpose-built school was developed in 2009, leaving the B-listed 1950s building vacant.

An extensive refurbishment programme was agreed which involved the complete replacement of the windows, doors and curtain walling throughout the two-storey building. Key to the success of transforming the school building, which has been described as ‘a fine example of a Modernist building’, the project was to preserve as much of the existing school as possible.

CMS Window Systems was appointed by GRAHAM to manufacture and install 223 windows, 14 doors and 125m2 of aluminium curtain walling. All were created using Kawneer systems to deliver superb visual appear thanks to their slim profiles, whilst maintaining excellent thermal and acoustic performance in conjunction with the glazing specification.

The windows, doors and curtain walling features 28.6mm double glazed units which are manufactured using an external 6mm Planiclear Securit COOL-LITE SKN174 II pane, a 16mm black warm edge spacer bar and a 6.8mm Planiclear laminated inner pane – with the cavity being a 90% argon fill. This makes an important contribution to a low overall U-value for the fenestration, with an optimum balance of solar gain and natural light transmission to help provide a comfortable, productive learning environment.

Andy Kerr, Managing Director at CMS Window Systems said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed by GRAHAM to work on the new Duns Primary School project. It is an excellent example of how we can preserve Scotland’s architectural heritage whilst providing the highest quality new facilities to support the government’s goals for improvement in educational achievement. The quality of the school buildings is a major factor in learning outcomes which makes this kind of building project all the more important.”

Find out more about CMS Window Systems at www.cmswindows.com