Category: Industry news

Top stories

Green light for Glasgow’s 270km active travel network

Plans to build a City Network of active travel infrastructure for all parts of Glasgow have been approved by the council’s City Administration Committee.

Intended to support a crucial shift to walking, wheeling and cycling as part of the wider effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint and improve air quality, the plans will add 270km of high-quality cycleways and improved footways along main roads in Glasgow.

The City Network is based upon a vision that active travel becomes the first choice for everyday journeys and will be designed to ensure easy access to safe, segregated routes from homes, schools, key amenities and cultural destinations throughout the city.   It is planned that schools will be within 400m of the main active travel routes while no home is more than 800m from segregated cycling infrastructure.

Find out more >>

Climate-friendly heat networks gets £300m boost

The Scottish government has announced a new £300m fund supporting the development and roll-out of zero-emission heat networks.  The Heat Network Fund targets both homes and commercial properties across Scotland and will support projects where the heat for individual properties is supplied from a communal source.

The new fund takes over from the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and is part of the overall £1.8 billion committed over the course of this parliament to decarbonise the heating of buildings

Learn more >>

Scotland to get two Green Freeports

Read more >>

March’s Featured Topic: Air Quality

The quality of the air we all breathe often gets overlooked, until it becomes so bad that it affects our health. More and more cities are setting up clean air zones to reduce the impact on citizens’ health from poor air quality.

Start your learning on the topic of Air Quality with the handpicked resources below:

Clean Air Zones Map

Use the map to find locations and relevant information for clean air zones and low emission zones around the UK.

Access the Map>>

Air Quality in the Built Environment

A weblink provided by the World Green Building Council containing information specific to the built environment around air pollution causes and solutions.

Learn more>>

Case Study: Zero Emission Welfare Cabin

A case study from GAP and AJC EasyCabin who have together created a welfare cabin that uses hydrogen and solar panels as power sources to move towards zero carbon emissions, zero air quality emissions and less noise on site

Find out more>>

VIRTUAL SESSIONS COMING UP….

Scotland Construction 2022:  Webinar
10 March (14:00 – 15:00)

Hear directly from major contractors about their upcoming ‘shovel ready’ projects and the supply chain opportunities that these present. The webinar will give details of sustainability features, innovations & outcomes such as low/zero carbon solutions, investment in future skills, and positive impact on local environment and communities.

Contractors presenting as part of this webinar include:

• Balfour Beatty
• Morgan Sindall
• Kier
• BAM

Book your place below. Further information please contact [email protected]

REGISTER NOW>>

Hydrogen and the Clean Energy Transition:  Webinar
6 April (10:00 – 11:30)

This webinar will present existing hydrogen technologies and the innovation which is accelerating the transition from natural gas to hydrogen. It is aimed at Home Builders, Commercial Contractors, Facilities Management companies and their supply chain suppliers/sub-contractors, interested in the drivers and timescales for hydrogen to become a viable, scalable alternative to natural gas.

REGISTER NOW>>

Top stories

Launch of the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2022

Summary The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor evaluates the transparency and integrity of companies’ climate pledges. Companies around the world are increasing alert to the climate emergency. They face calls from a growing range of stakeholders.

Find out more >>

Carbon Offsetting: Businesses must commit to going further

Carbon-negative initiatives that minimise waste and increase company efficiency are key goals to aim for in 2022.

Learn more >>

International Women’s Day Coffee Morning in Partnership with CHWARAE TEG

Read more >>

Please also click here for a blog written by David Emery – Sector Manager for the Wales Market of the School.

March’s Featured Topic: Air Quality

The quality of the air we all breathe often gets overlooked, until it becomes so bad that it affects our health. More and more cities are setting up clean air zones to reduce the impact on citizens’ health from poor air quality.

Start your learning on the topic of Air Quality with the handpicked resources below:

Clean Air Zones Map

Use the map to find locations and relevant information for clean air zones and low emission zones around the UK.

Access the Map>>

Air Quality in the Built Environment

A weblink provided by the World Green Building Council containing information specific to the built environment around air pollution causes and solutions.

Learn more>>

Case Study: Zero Emission Welfare Cabin

A case study from GAP and AJC EasyCabin who have together created a welfare cabin that uses hydrogen and solar panels as power sources to move towards zero carbon emissions, zero air quality emissions and less noise on site

Find out more>>

A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes

Join the Living Wage Foundation and Willmott Dixon at our ‘A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes‘  taking place on the 10th March from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

At this session you will:

• Learn about wages trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ wages
• Understand the business case and challenges often associated with paying the real Living Wage
• Hear how the Living Wage Foundation accreditation works and who should receive the Living Wage
• Hear from Willmott Dixon, about their approach to wages and the implications both up and down the value chain
• Gain an SME insight into the drivers / impact of paying the Living Wage
• Have an opportunity to ask questions to the panel of experts from The Poverty Alliance UK,  Living Wage Foundation and  the Supply Chain Sustainability School

                                                                                                                                  REGISTER NOW>>

Top stories

Catering for a hybrid workforce

The CGA’s 2021 Contract Caterer Tracker showed a 36 per cent drop in third-quarter sales of food and beverages at work compared to pre-COVID. As contract catering continues to suffer from a reduced footfall in workplaces, how can caterers and their FM clients maintain the supply of reliable and appealing food services to a hybrid workforce while still remaining competitive?

Read more >>

Take action to secure smart buildings

Smart devices are often connected using unsecured internet such as guest Wi-Fi in buildings, which makes them vulnerable to hackers. John Archer, Solutions Director at Backbone Connect explains how to navigate the cybersecurity risks of smart building technology.

Learn more >>

Green Principles

Find out more >>

March’s Featured Topic: Air Quality

The quality of the air we all breathe often gets overlooked, until it becomes so bad that it affects our health. More and more cities are setting up clean air zones to reduce the impact on citizens’ health from poor air quality.

Start your learning on the topic of Air Quality with the handpicked resources below:

Clean Air Zones Map

Use the map to find locations and relevant information for clean air zones and low emission zones around the UK.

Access the Map>>

Air Quality in the Built Environment

A weblink provided by the World Green Building Council containing information specific to the built environment around air pollution causes and solutions.

Learn more>>

Case Study: Zero Emission Welfare Cabin

A case study from GAP and AJC EasyCabin who have together created a welfare cabin that uses hydrogen and solar panels as power sources to move towards zero carbon emissions, zero air quality emissions and less noise on site

Find out more>>

A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes

Join the Living Wage Foundation and Willmott Dixon at our ‘A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes‘  taking place on the 10th March from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

At this session you will:

• Learn about wages trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ wages
• Understand the business case and challenges often associated with paying the real Living Wage
• Hear how the Living Wage Foundation accreditation works and who should receive the Living Wage
• Hear from Willmott Dixon, about their approach to wages and the implications both up and down the value chain
• Gain an SME insight into the drivers / impact of paying the Living Wage
• Have an opportunity to ask questions to the panel of experts from The Poverty Alliance UK,  Living Wage Foundation and  the Supply Chain Sustainability School

                                                                                                                                  REGISTER NOW>>

Top stories

ACE urges the Government to deliver on its Offsite pledge 

The government needs to deliver on previously made commitments around off-site manufacturing, including for repeatable social infrastructure to be delivered using a platform/off-site approach according to a new report issued today by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE).

Find out more >>

24GW of long duration energy needed for Net Zero UK Grid

Major investment is urgently needed to roll out up to 24GW of long-duration energy storage over the next 15 years to help smooth operation of the grid as it contends with a rapid influx of intermittent wind power capacity, Aurora Energy Research has warned.

Learn more >>

Wales Transport: New commission and major project axed

Read more >>

March’s Featured Topic: Air Quality

The quality of the air we all breathe often gets overlooked, until it becomes so bad that it affects our health. More and more cities are setting up clean air zones to reduce the impact on citizens’ health from poor air quality.

Start your learning on the topic of Air Quality with the handpicked resources below:

Clean Air Zones Map

Use the map to find locations and relevant information for clean air zones and low emission zones around the UK.

Access the Map>>

Air Quality in the Built Environment

A weblink provided by the World Green Building Council containing information specific to the built environment around air pollution causes and solutions.

Learn more>>

Case Study: Zero Emission Welfare Cabin

A case study from GAP and AJC EasyCabin who have together created a welfare cabin that uses hydrogen and solar panels as power sources to move towards zero carbon emissions, zero air quality emissions and less noise on site

Find out more>>

A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes

Join the Living Wage Foundation and Willmott Dixon at our ‘A wage based on the cost of living Business Bytes‘  taking place on the 10th March from 10:00am – 12:00pm.

At this session you will:

• Learn about wages trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ wages
• Understand the business case and challenges often associated with paying the real Living Wage
• Hear how the Living Wage Foundation accreditation works and who should receive the Living Wage
• Hear from Willmott Dixon, about their approach to wages and the implications both up and down the value chain
• Gain an SME insight into the drivers / impact of paying the Living Wage
• Have an opportunity to ask questions to the panel of experts from The Poverty Alliance UK,  Living Wage Foundation and  the Supply Chain Sustainability School

                                                                                                                                  REGISTER NOW>>

Top stories

Multiplex’s strategy to tackle deep rooted inequities in construction.

Multiplex has unveiled a new plan of action that seeks to ensure it takes a leading role in tackling inequality and injustice across construction.

Identifying improvements across all aspects of its UK operations, the decade long social equity strategy will address key issues such as the just transition, mental health, wellbeing, fair employment, prompt payment, modern slavery, diversity and inclusion and income inequality.

Find out more >>>>

Buchanan Galleries revamp moves forward.

Glasgow City Council is to begin negotiations with developer Landsec on the proposed decade-long redevelopment of the Buchanan Galleries.

The negotiations with Landsec, the head tenant of the Buchanan Galleries, are with a view to creating a new mixed-use quarter at the site.

Plans for the Galleries are still at the concept stage but the aim is for a project running from 2023 to2033 to create a net-zero, mixed-use retail, office, leisure and residential quarter for the city centre.

Find out more >>>>

Scottish trial begins for decarbonising heat

A £5m Scottish project has been launched to explore how electricity networks can respond to the increase in demand from decarbonising heat.

The Scottish Government, SP Energy Networks and Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution have launched a trial called Project Re-Heat to decarbonise homes in Highland and across Scotland.

The project – which is claimed to be an industry first – will trial how electricity networks can respond to the increase in electricity demand created by decarbonising heat. Re-Heat will see the trial of heat pumps and thermal storage in domestic homes and the project will explore how electricity networks can respond flexibly to the increase in demand created by decarbonisation.

Find our more >>>>>

BAM starts prep for £118m Tay link

BAM Nuttall will make a start this week on preparatory work for Perth’s largest-ever infrastructure project.

It was appointed last year by Perth & Kinross Council as Stage 1 contractor for the work on the Cross Tay Link Road.

Advance work between now and March will include localised tree felling and ground clearance along some parts of the link road route. BAM Nuttall will begin main construction this summer. ‘Meet the contractor’ events are currently being planned to give opportunities for local businesses within the project. These are likely to take place this spring.

Find our more>>>>>

February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone.

As a sector, we need to embrace FIR in order to attract, recruit, train and retain the skills to address the industry-wide skills shortage. Homebuilder clients and developers are increasingly expecting their supply chain partners to work with them to achieve this. Take a look at some of the key resources available to support you on this:

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Policy Template

Simple document for small businesses to use to get started writing their EDI policy.

Get started >>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Take a look >>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is absolutely vital. It’s not about communicating in singular ways or even one-way communication. It is about ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse, that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more >>

Upcoming virtual events:

Hear from major contractors in Scotland about upcoming ‘shovel ready’ projects @ Scotland Construction 2022 on 10 March.

Join us at ‘Construction Scotland 2022’ to find out about key supply chain opportunities.  At this webinar, you will hear directly from Major Contractors in Scotland about upcoming projects.  This webinar will give details of sustainability features, innovations & outcomes such as low/zero carbon solutions, investment in future skills, and positive impact on local environment and communities.

Contractors presenting as part of this webinar include:

• Balfour Beatty
• Morgan Sindall
• Kier
• BAM

This webinar will run from 2pm – 3.30pm on 10 March.

Book you place now.

Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Lunch and Learn sessions continue…

As a principal partner of COP26, one of SSEN’s key goals is to build a legacy through their involvement with this crucial summit to create a cleaner, greener future for all of us.

Following the successful and very popular first Climate Academy session ‘Introduction to Climate’ held last week, the next  “Lunch and Learn” hour long sessions will take place 12:00pm -13:00pm on the following dates:

• 2nd February 2022 – Net Zero & Carbon Neutral 
• 9th February 2022 – Adaptation
• 16th February 2022- Climate Change and Nature
• 23rd February 2022 – Climate Change and People
• 2nd March 2022 –  Waste, Resource Efficiency and the Circular Economy 

Register using the links above to secure your place!

Top stories

Scrap apprenticeship levy to get more people into green building jobs, Lords urge Government

The House of Lords’ Built Environment Committee is warning the UK Government that its approach to housebuilding is out of kilter with national commitments on levelling up and the environment, and that key ambitions won’t be realised without better support for training and education.

Find out more >>

Lords report calls for action on removing housing barriers

The government must “take action” to remove barriers to housebuilding if it wishes to meet its target of 300,000 new homes a year, according to the House of Lords Built Environment Committee.

Read more >>

Defra seeks views on biodiversity net gain requirements

The government is inviting comments on it plans to make developers deliver a ‘biodiversity net gain’ with anything they build.

Take a look >>

February’s featured topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone.

As a sector, we need to embrace FIR in order to attract, recruit, train and retain the skills to address the industry-wide skills shortage. Homebuilder clients and developers are increasingly expecting their supply chain partners to work with them to achieve this. Take a look at some of the key resources available to support you on this:

Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Policy Template

Simple document for small businesses to use to get started writing their EDI policy.

Get started >>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Take a look >>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is absolutely vital. It’s not about communicating in singular ways or even one-way communication. It is about ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse, that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more >>

Upcoming Virtual Training:

Eliminating Waste & Delivering Social Value – Case Study Lunch ‘n’ Learn

A 1 hour case study Lunch ‘n’ Learn with PPE and workwear supplier Mathias and Sons on how they have implemented various sustainability initiatives to reduce waste and deliver social value.

Register now >>

Supply Chain Risk, Resilience & Capacity – Lunch ‘n’ Learn

This 1 hour session will provide you with an overview of supplier resilience and capacity issues, and help you understand how to mitigate it.

Register now >>

FIR: Our new home

You may have noticed that the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme has a new home on our website! 

As a standalone ‘topic’ this means you can navigate between FIR pages more easily. You can now also choose to receive bespoke marketing communications on FIR.

To check if your company has selected to receive FIR communications (and gain access to the new FIR assessment):

1. Visit your company dashboard and click “view company profile”
2. Select “edit profile”
3. Tick FIR under “please select 1 or more topics your organisation is interested in”

FIR Assessment 

The FIR Assessment offers your organisation a structured way to develop and embed Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) in the workplace.

This approach, which is available to School “Admin” users, allows employers to support their workers and grow their business whilst incorporating FIR principles. Benchmark your knowledge to understand your best practice and areas for improvement.

Complete the assessment here >> 

How to get started? Admin users should follow these simple steps:

1. Login to your school account 
2. Ensure you are an admin on your corporate account by selecting “view all colleagues” and reviewing your assigned role, which should say “admin”. Only admins will be able to complete the assessment. If you need admin rights, please contact an admin/owner on your account or contact the school.
3. Check your company has selected FIR as a topic of interest – To do this, go to the dashboard, click “view company profile” > “edit profile” > tick FIR under “Please select 1 or more topics your organisation is interested in”
4. Take the FIR Assessment and click “submit your answers”
5. Work through the assigned action plan

Don’t forget that once you’ve completed all the relevant learning, you can reassess and watch your score improve! 

February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. Promoting a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect brings many business benefits to the companies that work to achieve it.

Start your learning on the topic of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) with the handpicked resources below:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Template

A document to assist small businesses in writing their EDI policy.

Access the document >>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Learn more >>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is Vital. This weblink looks at communication, ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse and that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more >>

Annual FIR Survey

Top stories

Welsh social housing to embrace passive house, timber & life cycle assessment

The Welsh government has issued a new standard for social housing that requires an embodied carbon assessment, favours timber-based offsite construction, and bans fossil fuel boilers.

Find out more >>

SME Builders face huge costs to prove Biodiversity gain

Artificial intelligence should be harnessed to work out biodiversity net gain for sites of 50 homes or less, urges the National Federation of Builders, NFB.The call follows the government’s consultation released today on restoring ecological loss during housing construction and delivering a ten per cent boost on biodiversity post-development.

Learn more >>

Global Centre of rail excellence (GCRE)

GCRE is a special purpose vehicle being established by the Welsh Government in partnership with Celtic Energy, Powys County Council and Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council. 

Read more >>

Sector Lead for Wales – David Emery reflects on the progress of the standards for social housing in Wales and  embodied carbon. Click here to view the blog post.

February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. Promoting a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect brings many business benefits to the companies that work to achieve it.

Start your learning on the topic of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) with the handpicked resources below:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Template

A document to assist small businesses in writing their EDI policy.

Access the document>>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Learn more>>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is Vital. This weblink looks at communication, ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse and that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more>>

Due Diligence in Combatting Modern Slavery in Wales

Join us on the 22nd March from 12:00am -13:00pm on Zoom Webinars at our Due Diligence in Combatting Modern Slavery in Wales Lunch ‘n’ Learn.  This session will provide an  understanding of what modern slavery is, the risks of slavery within the supply chain and will look at what due diligence processes should look like for your organisation in order to combat labour exploitation.

By attending this session you will:

• Identify and create a policy and strategy that outlines your organisations approach to combatting exploitation
• Understand the principles of risk assessments focusing on labour exploitation and the role supply chain mapping plays in addressing the risks
• Adapt procurement strategies that will allow you to address exploitation concerns or respond to client requirements

REGISTER NOW>

Top stories

Work to safefguard HS2’s eastern branch route to continue, minster confirms

Work to protect land that would be required to build the HS2 branch to Leeds is ongoing despite the government confirming it would not be continuing with the route in full.

Find out more >>

Firms gear up to bid for Scape’s £4bn civils frameworks

Scape has unveiled plans for two civil engineering frameworks worth a combined £4bn – almost twice the value of its current deals.

Learn more >>

Sizewell C decision could be delayed after minister agrees extension

Read more >>

February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. Promoting a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect brings many business benefits to the companies that work to achieve it.

Start your learning on the topic of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) with the handpicked resources below:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Template

A document to assist small businesses in writing their EDI policy.

Access the document>>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Learn more>>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is Vital. This weblink looks at communication, ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse and that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more>>

Exploiting Digital in FM Conference

Join us on the 22nd February from 10:00am -12:00pm on Zoom Webinars at our Exploiting Digital in FM Conference. This session will examine how digital data and technologies are helping Real Estate to become more safe, productive and sustainable.

Speakers Include: Active Plan,  Hexagon,  Sunbelt Rentals andUniversity of West Scotland & Conexa

By attending this session you will:

• Hear from experts about the importance of good quality data in the aftermath of Grenfell
• Understand how to simulate maintenance and safety procedures in the buildings you manage or supply to
• Recognise what tools and innovations are ‘just around the corner’
• Learn how to quantify the benefits and risks of digital innovations

REGISTER NOW>

Top stories

Broadening the scope

Anthony Ainsworth, COO at npower Business Solutions explains why Scope 3 needs to be on your sustainability agenda.

Find out more >>

Why I lobbied for the sachet ban by Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet

Last week Whitehall announced it is to ban plastic food sachets. The move can’t come a moment too soon and is something A Plastic Planet has campaigned on for years.

Learn more >>

The Human Touch

FMJ’s Sara Bean talks with Environmental Psychologist and Workplace Strategist Dr Nigel Oseland about the decades of research behind his new book and why an understanding of the psychology of the workplace is essential as we embrace new ways of working.

Read more >>

February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect

The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone. Promoting a culture of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect brings many business benefits to the companies that work to achieve it.

Start your learning on the topic of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) with the handpicked resources below:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Template

A document to assist small businesses in writing their EDI policy.

Access the document>>

CIPD Good Work Index

The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.

Learn more>>

Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy

Communication is Vital. This weblink looks at communication, ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse and that you’re thinking about people.

Find out more>>

Exploiting Digital in FM Conference

Join us on the 22nd February from 10:00am -12:00pm on Zoom Webinars at our Exploiting Digital in FM Conference. This session will examine how digital data and technologies are helping Real Estate to become more safe, productive and sustainable.

Speakers Include: Active Plan,  Hexagon,  Sunbelt Rentals andUniversity of West Scotland & Conexa

By attending this session you will:

• Hear from experts about the importance of good quality data in the aftermath of Grenfell
• Understand how to simulate maintenance and safety procedures in the buildings you manage or supply to
• Recognise what tools and innovations are ‘just around the corner’
• Learn how to quantify the benefits and risks of digital innovations

REGISTER NOW>

Top stories

Zero Carbon Hospital being planned by NHS Lanarkshire 

NHS Lanarkshire is planning a £500m new hospital in Wester Moffat on the outskirts of Airdrie in Scotland. This will be the first in Scotland to be designed as fully net zero for both the build and operation phases.

Find out more >>

New Office Development For Carrick Square, Glasgow

Initial plans have been brought forward for a major office building on a site in Glasgow’s Broomielaw office district. Mosaic Architecture & Design has submitted an application for planning in principle to erect the second phase of planned office development at Carrick Street.

If approved, the 17-storey office block will be situated behind the 14-storey phase one building, with construction due to start on that in the first half of 2022.

Learn more >>

£1.3bn Edinburgh Waterfront Scheme Seeks MMC Expert as Development Partner 

The City of Edinburgh Council is looking for a development partner to start a major new regeneration of part of its waterfront. The £170-£190m first phase of the overall Granton Waterfront project requires expertise in sustainability and modern methods of construction.

440 private homes, 200 council homes, 2,000 square metres of private commercial space and 1,000 square metres of public-sector space are being planned, connected by sustainable transport infrastructure and served by low-carbon energy projects.

Read more >>

January’s Featured Topic: Biodiversity & Ecology 

All of the Earth’s plants, animals, insects and microbes contribute to biodiversity with each individual species playing its own unique part. Without biodiversity, we would not have clean air, water or soil. Our food sources, raw materials and even our climate can be dramatically affected by changes in species diversity.

Start your learning on the topic of Biodiversity with the handpicked resources below:

Reducing Biodiversity Loss

A weblink providing an engaging introduction to biodiversity, what it means and why we need to preserve and enhance it. 

Learn more >>

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

This short video introduces some of the key the key impacts human have to biodiversity.

Watch now>>

Guidance for Pollution Prevention

A guide from  from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), giving advice on how to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Find out more>>

New Sustainability Supply Chain & Stakeholder Workshops announced by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)

As a principal partner of COP26, one of SSEN’s key goals is to build a legacy through their involvement with this crucial summit to create a cleaner, greener future for all of us.

Part of that commitment is to bring industry together who are already powering change through the work they are doing to make net zero a reality.

As such SSEN are supporting industry on the transition to net zero by offering the Climate Academy, a series of six online learning sessions available to charities and businesses across their licence areas.  In partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, the Climate Academy will provide a rich knowledge and understanding of climate change issues and what we can do to address them.

Starting on 26 January 2022, the sessions will share insight on safeguarding and enhancing the environment, with an emphasis on education and awareness of climate change. There will also be a strong focus on social inclusion, and creating a more fair, just and inclusive society at local, national and international levels.

The sessions will be “Lunch and Learn” hour long sessions, taking place 12:00pm -13:00pm on the following dates:

• 26th January 2022 – Introduction to Climate Change
• 2nd February 2022 – Net Zero & Carbon Neutral 
• 9th February 2022 – Adaptation
• 16th February 2022- Climate Change and Nature
• 23rd February 2022 – Climate Change and People
• 2nd March 2022 –  Waste, Resource Efficiency and the Circular Economy 

Register using the links above to secure your place!

Top stories

Zero Carbon Hospital being planned by NHS Lanarkshire 

NHS Lanarkshire is planning a £500m new hospital in Wester Moffat on the outskirts of Airdrie in Scotland. This will be the first in Scotland to be designed as fully net zero for both the build and operation phases.

Find out more >>

New Office Development For Carrick Square, Glasgow

Initial plans have been brought forward for a major office building on a site in Glasgow’s Broomielaw office district. Mosaic Architecture & Design has submitted an application for planning in principle to erect the second phase of planned office development at Carrick Street.

If approved, the 17-storey office block will be situated behind the 14-storey phase one building, with construction due to start on that in the first half of 2022.

Learn more >>

£1.3bn Edinburgh Waterfront Scheme Seeks MMC Expert as Development Partner 

The City of Edinburgh Council is looking for a development partner to start a major new regeneration of part of its waterfront. The £170-£190m first phase of the overall Granton Waterfront project requires expertise in sustainability and modern methods of construction.

440 private homes, 200 council homes, 2,000 square metres of private commercial space and 1,000 square metres of public-sector space are being planned, connected by sustainable transport infrastructure and served by low-carbon energy projects.

Read more >>

January’s Featured Topic: Biodiversity & Ecology 

All of the Earth’s plants, animals, insects and microbes contribute to biodiversity with each individual species playing its own unique part. Without biodiversity, we would not have clean air, water or soil. Our food sources, raw materials and even our climate can be dramatically affected by changes in species diversity.

Start your learning on the topic of Biodiversity with the handpicked resources below:

Reducing Biodiversity Loss

A weblink providing an engaging introduction to biodiversity, what it means and why we need to preserve and enhance it. 

Learn more >>

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

This short video introduces some of the key the key impacts human have to biodiversity.

Watch now>>

Guidance for Pollution Prevention

A guide from  from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), giving advice on how to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Find out more>>

New Sustainability Supply Chain & Stakeholder Workshops announced by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)

As a principal partner of COP26, one of SSEN’s key goals is to build a legacy through their involvement with this crucial summit to create a cleaner, greener future for all of us.

Part of that commitment is to bring industry together who are already powering change through the work they are doing to make net zero a reality.

As such SSEN are supporting industry on the transition to net zero by offering the Climate Academy, a series of six online learning sessions available to charities and businesses across their licence areas.  In partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, the Climate Academy will provide a rich knowledge and understanding of climate change issues and what we can do to address them.

Starting on 26 January 2022, the sessions will share insight on safeguarding and enhancing the environment, with an emphasis on education and awareness of climate change. There will also be a strong focus on social inclusion, and creating a more fair, just and inclusive society at local, national and international levels.

The sessions will be “Lunch and Learn” hour long sessions, taking place 12:00pm -13:00pm on the following dates:

• 26th January 2022 – Introduction to Climate Change
• 2nd February 2022 – Net Zero & Carbon Neutral 
• 9th February 2022 – Adaptation
• 16th February 2022- Climate Change and Nature
• 23rd February 2022 – Climate Change and People
• 2nd March 2022 –  Waste, Resource Efficiency and the Circular Economy 

Register using the links above to secure your place!

Top stories

Renewable Energy in Wales

The Welsh Government has published the outcome of the exercise to identify opportunities to significantly scale up renewable energy in Wales.

Find out more >>

Safer Building in Wales: A Consultation; A building Safety White Paper

The Welsh Government’s response to Safer Buildings in Wales: A Consultation. The Safer Buildings in Wales White Paper consultation was published on 12 January 2021. It set out our plans to improve building safety following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower, and the policy goals our programme of work is intending to deliver in response to the issues identified by the Hackitt Review, the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry and our own Building Safety Expert Group.

Read more >>

Barriers to Innovation in Smart Energy Services for SME’s

SMEs account for 99.9% of the business population of the UK representing a staggering three fifths of employment and half of the turnover of the UK private sector (£2.3 trillion). They contribute a significant amount to overall UK emissions and represent a market opportunity for smarter energy services to help them reduce their energy use and carbon impact.

Learn more >>

January’s Featured Topic: Biodiversity & Ecology 

All of the Earth’s plants, animals, insects and microbes contribute to biodiversity with each individual species playing its own unique part. Without biodiversity, we would not have clean air, water or soil. Our food sources, raw materials and even our climate can be dramatically affected by changes in species diversity.

Start your learning on the topic of Biodiversity with the handpicked resources below:

Reducing Biodiversity Loss

A weblink providing an engaging introduction to biodiversity, what it means and why we need to preserve and enhance it. 

Learn more >>

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

This short video introduces some of the key the key impacts human have to biodiversity.

Watch now>>

Guidance for Pollution Prevention

A guide from  from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), giving advice on how to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Find out more>>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Top stories

New Building Regulations Mean Buildings Will Produce 1/3 Less Carbon

New homes and buildings in England will have to produce significantly less CO2 under new rules.  Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30 per cent lower than current standards and emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be reduced by 27 per cent.

Find out more >>

Digital Twin Simulation Helps Baristas Make A Perfect Espresso

A century-old Italian maker of high-end coffee machines used digital twins to virtually eliminate physical prototypes and set the stage for IoT*-connected product as a service.

(The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet”.

Learn more >>

Workers Desperate To Return To The Office, Study Finds

The novelty of working from home is wearing off with the majority of employees keen to get back to their desks according to a new survey conducted by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management, revealing that 60 per cent of employees expect to get back to full time work this year.

Read more >>

January’s Featured Topic: Biodiversity & Ecology 

All of the Earth’s plants, animals, insects and microbes contribute to biodiversity with each individual species playing its own unique part. Without biodiversity, we would not have clean air, water or soil. Our food sources, raw materials and even our climate can be dramatically affected by changes in species diversity.

Start your learning on the topic of Biodiversity with the handpicked resources below:

Reducing Biodiversity Loss

A weblink providing an engaging introduction to biodiversity, what it means and why we need to preserve and enhance it. 

Learn more >>

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

This short video introduces some of the key the key impacts human have to biodiversity.

Watch now>>

Guidance for Pollution Prevention

A guide from  from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), giving advice on how to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Find out more>>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Top stories

Second National Infrastructure Assessment: Baseline Report 

This Baseline Report sets out the current state of the UK’s economic infrastructure and identifies key challenges for the coming decades. The Commission will make recommendations to address these challenges in the second National Infrastructure Assessment, to be published in the second half of 2023.

Read more >>

National Infrastructure Commission Announces Net Zero Remit

The new guidance adds a fourth objective to the NIC’s scope of work – to support climate resilience and the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 .

Find out more >>

Equinor and Cadent Gas Plan ” Hydrogen Town”

Cadent and Equinor have joined forces to realise the ambition of delivering one of the world’s first low carbon Hydrogen Town. The conversion of the gas networks of a town to 100% low carbon hydrogen have the potential to “drastically reduce” the carbon emissions linked to home heating. In turn, this could bring down the overall emissions in the town by around a quarter.

Learn more >>

January’s Featured Topic: Biodiversity & Ecology 

All of the Earth’s plants, animals, insects and microbes contribute to biodiversity with each individual species playing its own unique part. Without biodiversity, we would not have clean air, water or soil. Our food sources, raw materials and even our climate can be dramatically affected by changes in species diversity.

Start your learning on the topic of Biodiversity with the handpicked resources below:

Reducing Biodiversity Loss

A weblink providing an engaging introduction to biodiversity, what it means and why we need to preserve and enhance it. 

Learn more >>

Human Impacts on Biodiversity

This short video introduces some of the key the key impacts human have to biodiversity.

Watch now>>

Guidance for Pollution Prevention

A guide from  from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), giving advice on how to prevent pollution and protect the environment.

Find out more>>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Top stories

Universal method to report carbon in building and infrastructure launched

An international coalition of construction experts has published the world’s first universal standard for reporting carbon dioxide emissions used in the building and lifecycle of structures – also known as ‘embodied and operational carbon’ within the industry.

Find out more >>

Government ringfences investment in tidal power

The Government  will invest £20m a year in tidal stream electricity as part of its renewable energy auction scheme.

Read more >>

UK will require new homes to have EV chargers starting in 2022

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be required for all new homes and businesses in the UK starting in 2022, the government announced today. The new measure aims to boost EV adoption in the nation by adding up to 145,000 extra charging points each year.

Learn more >>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Top stories

Nature Scot publishes its new draft guidance for comment: Developing with Nature

This guidance has been prepared in support of the draft National Planning Framework 4, to inform understanding of The Scottish Government’s approach set out in Policy 3(e) on the Nature Crisis.  This policy refers to the inclusion of ‘appropriate measures’ to enhance biodiversity for certain local and non-EIA development.  The draft guidance provides advice on 23 such measures, including managing water with nature, providing homes for nature and planting for nature.

Find out more >>

SGN plans accelerated hydrogen roll out

SGN has set out an accelerated pathway for converting Scotland’s gas networks to 100% hydrogen, starting with Aberdeen. The gas network company commissioned consultant Wood to investigate the feasibility of a hydrogen energy system with a view to helping deliver the Scottish government’s target of one million homes having low-carbon heat by 2030.

Read more >>

Edinburgh trams to Newhaven project remains on track

The Trams to Newhaven project remains on track to be completed by Spring 2023, as the City of Edinburgh Council marks the two years point in the projects construction.

Learn more >>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

Upcoming virtual training:

Understanding climate change & carbon and the importance to your organisation & customers 

The built environment is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions and reduction has to occur to avoid the worst effects. There is increasing pressure on our industry to ensure that we are reducing carbon in the design, construction and operation of projects, and organisations need to understand how to help their customers meet this challenge.

This workshop will develop your knowledge and skills so that you can support your organisation by assessing and reducing your carbon emissions.

Event Details:

• DATE: 14th December
• TIME: 9:30am -12:30pm
• LOCATION: Online

Register now >>

Top stories

Barratt Developments unveils flagship zero carbon home, ‘Z House’

The Z House, built on University of Salford’s main campus, is the first home in the country to be built by a major housebuilder that goes substantially beyond the Future Homes Standard.

Find out more >>

Boris Johnson confirms mandatory EV charging points for new buildings in England

All new homes and workplaces built in England from 2022 will need to have electric vehicle (EV) charging points as standard, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

Read more >>

Countryside announces net zero strategy

Countryside has launched it’s Net Zero strategy, with an aim for a “swift transition” to a decarbonised economy and society by 2050.

Take a look >>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Upcoming Homes virtual training:

Transitioning to HVO – Case Study Lunch ‘n’ Learn 

This case study session with leading housebuilder Lovell will cover the implementation of HVO fuel, a direct substitute to red diesel that they have been using to power telehandlers and generators on site.

Join us >>

Delivering Social Value with Keepmoat Lunch ‘n’ Learn

Find out why social value is important to business success at Keepmoat and about social value implications for Keepmoat’s supply chain.

Join us >>

Top stories

Pallet recycling scheme seeks to cut industry waste

BAM, Morgan Sindall and Willmott Dixon are among early backers of a new pallet recycling scheme for the construction industry.

Find out more >>

Balfour secures construction’s largest sustainability-linked loan

Balfour Beatty has secured a sustainability-linked loan it claims is the largest in the construction sector. 

Read more >>

New rules proposed for construction carbon

New regulations should be introduced for construction to avert the risk of missing net-zero goals, the UK Green Building Council has warned. The body’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap has called for legislation to limit the damage development does to the environment both in construction and use. 

Take a look >>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Upcoming construction virtual training:

Sustainable Materials – Lunch ‘n’ Learn

This case study session with leading housebuilder Lovell will cover the implementation of HVO fuel, a direct substitute to red diesel that they have been using to power telehandlers and generators on site.

Join us >>

Setting Science Based Targets – Lunch ‘n’ Learn

Offering you practical guidance on how to set a Science Based Target in your organisation.

Join us >>

Top stories

UK Government announces biggest investment into Welsh tidal power

The UK Government will invest £20 million per year across the UK in Tidal Stream electricity as part of its flagship renewable energy auction scheme, kickstarting a brand-new chapter for Wales’s tidal industry and creating jobs across Welsh coastal regions.

Learn more >>

New Stats Show Wales Upholds World Class Recycling Rates

Wales is currently ranked third in the world in recycling. Reducing waste ranks the priority goal- the amount of rubbish ending up in landfill for 2020-21  in Wales dropped to less than 5%.

Find out more >>

£45 Million package to train staff & help Welsh SME’s grow

A £45 million package of funding that will help small businesses across Wales to grow and support thousands of people to train to work in key sectors is being made available by the Welsh Government. As part of the package, £35 million will help small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Wales relaunch, develop, decarbonise and grow to help drive Wales’ economic recovery

Read more>>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Top stories

Reducing carbon emissions through circular economy

The circular economy is to play a critical role in helping to cut carbon emissions. By recycling existing materials the highly energy-intensive production of new raw materials is reduced, accelerating the movement to net zero carbon emissions. What technologies are available to meet the challenges ahead?

Find out more >>

Time to reskill our people to meet the needs of the digital economy

The Autumn Budget presented an opportunity to reshape the economy around technology and scientific innovation and take a proactive approach to reskilling for a digital era. This means upskilling certain areas such as the hospitality area.

Learn more >>

Hybrid Operations

Tom Absalom, Managing Director of JCA discusses the delivery of M&E services that support the operation of hybrid working. 

Read more>>

December’s Featured Topic: Lean & Operational Efficiency 

Implementing Lean principles in your business can improve and support the development of a better skilled workforce. There is a clear correlation between high performing processes and teams having a significant impact on sustainability goals, enabling us to meet challenges faced by organisations throughout the built environment sector, including reaching sustainability targets to reduce waste and carbon, and improving the wellbeing of staff.

Start your learning on the topic of Lean with the handpicked resources below:

Lean Construction in 3 minutes

A video providing an introduction to Lean and the benefits it can bring to your business to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle sustainability issues. 

Watch now >>

Kaizen The Secret behind Japanese Productivity

This short video explains why Kaizen can be the secret behind Japanese productivity.

Find out more >>

Visual Management

A module, which describes the purpose and aims of visual management, and outlines how visual management can support productivity and continuous improvement.

Get started >>

What do you think of the School’s resources?

As a member, we’d like to understand what’s important to you! Take 12 minutes to share your feedback in our Impact Survey, to help us shape the future of the School.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS >

Marc Roberts, Operations Director at LC International, discusses the six main time stealers found within a construction manufacturing process and outlines how to combat them.

Today, construction is as complex and technologically advanced as it’s ever been. In some areas, in fact, it’s becoming increasingly indistinguishable from manufacturing – and that’s meant thousands of construction businesses are beginning to confront challenges that manufacturers have been tussling with for decades.

Among the biggest is simply wasted time. Here, I want to examine the six most common time-stealers I see sapping productivity at ambitious construction firms around the country.

1: The breakdown loss
Equipment breakdowns cost time and money, stopping the flow of production and creating all sorts of knock-on impacts to lead times, product deadlines and project schedules.

Preventing them is often very simple. Ask yourself – just how reliable is the machinery you’re using? Are you regularly servicing it? In the long run, is it worth investing in new machinery rather than dealing with the aftermath of frequent shutdowns?

There could be some quick and easy fixes to machine-related downtime.

2: The changeover loss
So much time is lost when either a product or shift is being changed over, because everything is put on hold as the equipment is reconfigured, or the new workers prepare for the next shift.

In total, how long do these change overs take per day, week or month? No doubt, valuable time is misspent and could be used elsewhere.

Optimising your workflow to minimise these unwanted and costly disruptions might be a way to save a lot of time and money.

3: Idling and minor stops
Interruptions to work is a classic example of how time can be wasted in a production line. Rather than having everything ready before starting the job, work is stopped to fetch the materials to feed the station.

Maximise the productivity of your team by making sure they have what they need to do their job from the get-go.

It’s a simple solution that can lead to massive time savings.

4: Reduced speed loss
There are two key things to consider when you want to cut reductions in speed – people and machines. A piece of equipment is designed to perform at a certain rate, but if the settings aren’t configured properly, the machine won’t be performing at the level its manufacturers intended.

Address this issue, and you could achieve drastic improvements in performance.

When it comes to the team working on the production line, each member will have a different level of experience. A skilled person who knows the intricacies of the line will understand all the nuances of the job inside and out, compared to someone new.

To prevent reduced speed losses, it’s fundamental that all new recruits complete a comprehensive enrolment programme so that they too can learn the same ‘dark arts’ as the more experienced employees.

The results? Each person can work safely at an equal rate, and deliver exceptional quality.

5: Quality loss
Failing to make products right first time causes delays. Whether it’s issues with the materials supplied, the approved drawings or the machines, consider what can be done to fix things at the source as opposed to just sticking a plaster on the error and making do.

Reduce the number of reworks, or eliminate them completely, by teasing out the root cause of the problem and finding a proper solution.

6: Start-up and set-up loss
The biggest time vacuum on site is start-up and set-up losses. It’s rare to see a project kick-off exactly as scheduled, because the right resources aren’t always ready when they’re given the green light.

Everything should be set up and in place ahead of time so that nothing falls behind and off-track from the critical path of the project.

The good news is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to stop these frustrations and unnecessary losses. Understanding what the solutions are and how to apply them can have a real positive impact on the supply chain and manufacturing process, resulting in big savings on time, money and materials.

The School has a wealth of free material available to support you to spot the six time stealers within your organisation, take a look here. We’ve also worked with LC International to secure access for organisations to utilise their CITB levy to pay for Lean Foundations skills training. For more information about how LC International can work with you to spot the six time stealers click here.