Written by: Andy Harding, National Technical Sales Manager, Pirtek UK and Ireland The construction industry has always been one of the biggest contributors to the UK’s GNP at 7% (a value of over £110 billion per annum). But the industry is not without its challenges and in 2023, more than most, output fell dramatically. The Construction Products Association forecasted a fall of 6.4% in 2023 and only a very small recovery for this year. This has been caused by a combination of different factors but most notably the fall in private housing combined with government delays on major infrastructure ..read more

More than four in five (82%) UK tradespeople experience mental health problems due to work-related issues, a new study has found.  The research was commissioned for Mental Health Awareness Week (13th-19th May) by IronmongeryDirect, and the results have been published in the fourth edition of their annual industry report.  It found that more than half (56%) of tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as stress, anxiety or depression, every month, and sadly, more than a quarter (27%) feel symptoms every single week. However, in more positive findings, both stati ..read more

A construction and engineering talent firm is warning that the UK’s construction industry is facing a skills shortage that will “make the 2007 War for Talent look like a water fight”.  Simon Harris, the MD of construction, property and engineering recruitment at Randstad UK says a combination of mega construction projects already underway and projects that are yet to begin — such as water infrastructure developments, the construction of the Lower Thames Crossing, the expansion of the National Grid, and the Stonehenge Tunnel —  is set to intensify the  current talent shortage and ..read more

Grant Thornton UK LLP’s corporate finance team in the East of England has advised Peterborough-based PJ Thory on the acquisition of three quarry sites and Gemmix on the acquisition of five ready-mix concrete sites which is believed to make it the largest independently owned supplier of ready-mix concrete in the UK. These transactions add to the Group’s well-established operations, acquiring the sites from Heidelberg Materials, which was forced to sell them by the Competition and Markets Authority following its acquisition of Mick George Group. The ready-mix concrete sites are in Cambridgeshire ..read more

SAM, the market leader in the manufacture of MDF mouldings celebrated outstanding success at the recent STARK UK Supplier Awards Dinner held in Birmingham. In a remarkable showcase of industry leadership and commitment, SAM clinched two prestigious accolades: the Overall Supplier of the Year Award and Supply Chain Award and the, marking an unprecedented back-to-back victory in the former category. For the prestigious Overall Supplier of the Year Award, Mark Esling, CCO STARK Building Materials UK praised SAM’s excellence in their partnership, noting, “SAM Mouldings has truly gone above and bey ..read more

Bradford College have partnered with Sewell Construction for the creation of their new multi-million-pound T Level facilities. The work, which starts in May, will involve the remodelling of a number of areas within the College’s David Hockney Building to create a high-quality training environment, enabling students to learn skills which will help them in their future careers. The project is the result of a £3.5m Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5) investment. As well as adding new lecturing spaces for business and media students, the project will also create new hair and b ..read more

A new report highlights that demand for age-appropriate housing for older people is rising despite a slowdown in the housing market, and that affordability is a key driver, something that My Future Living, the UK’s leading retirement rentals brand says echoes their experience as retirees want to live somewhere that suits their needs in later life. The ‘UK Real Estate Market Outlook Intelligent Investment 2024’ from CBRE[i] which has a chapter on Senior Living also found that the take up of rentals has grown substantially over the last five years, and that is the increasing number of over 75s i ..read more

Over 40 VIP guests attended a launch dinner at The Grove Restaurant to hear about exciting plans set to transform Bradford College. Hosted by former MasterChef finalist Exose Grant, the event showcased several of the College’s extensive construction projects, which will soon take shape. Projects include new £3.5m vocational T Level facilities, a £6.9m refurbishment of the derelict Garden Mills, and the construction of a new £17m Future Technologies Centre on Thornton Road. Christopher Malish, Bradford College Vice Principal Finance & Corporate Services, opened the dinner by saying, “T ..read more

Albrighton residents opposed to the green belt land grab are being urged to come out in force at a Public Meeting set to be held by Mark Pritchard MP. The event, which will take place on May 16th at 7.30pm at the Red House, will provide crucial updates on the campaign to protect 56 hectares of beautiful countryside in the village from proposals to build 800 homes by Boningale Homes. The Wrekin MP has already thrown his backing behind the Albrighton Village Action Group’s efforts to mobilise local support, providing a TV interview against the development and holding regular communication with A ..read more

As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Russell Roof Tiles has launched its first solar PV offer to market, with the same quality credentials and easy installation as its concrete products. Russell Roof Tiles (RRT), is the leading independent manufacturer of concrete roof tiles and accessories. This launch follows 18 months of research and development, and the new in-roof solar PV system RussFast Solar has been designed to be compatible with most profiles of Russell Roof Tiles, offering a quality roof aesthetic for both commercial and domestic specification. This is the latest i ..read more