Weekly News Bulletin – 6th April 2018

This week, we shared news from Construction Enquirer that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is thought to be about to lose two thirds of staff in the reform programme. The CITB is looking to outsource jobs in areas such as finance, HR and marketing, with around 867 staff thought to be affected,

PCB Today released news that the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry into off-site manufacture for construction. Here at Metsec, we aim to provide an off-site solution wherever possible to increase productivity and reduce project time. The committee is inviting written evidence on the issue by the 26^th April so we will keep you updated as we know more.

We saw news from Construction Enquirer surrounding how the ‘Beast from the East’ storm affected construction activity. Due to the bad weather in March, activity fell with civil engineering jobs seeing the biggest drop in work for five years. However, construction buyers are viewing this as a temporary blip and are confident that the industry will quickly shake off this brief slowdown in the coming months. What are your opinions? Did the ‘Beast from the East’ affect your business productivity?

We shared news from Architects Data File about our involvement on the Nine Elms Point project. The project used voestalpine Metsec plc’s steel framing systems (SFS) infill walling for both its flexibility in terms of sizing, and the additional design services that we provide to our customers. We would recommend reading this story to find out more about how SFS infill walling can create a bespoke solution for construction projects.

We also saw an interesting piece on Industry 4.0 focusing on dispelling the myths surrounding what it is all about, from 3D printing to automation. Here at Metsec, we are excited by the prospect of advanced technologies and how they can help to improve productivity, especially in the construction sector. What are your thoughts? Do you embrace the upcoming technological revolution or are you wary about how it will affect your business?

Finally, we saw positive news from Construction Enquirer that the construction industry is coming together to improve health and safety on sites. The campaign, launched in 2017 by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, focuses on improving health and safety performance across the UK. In 2017, more than 60,000 people took part in stand down events focused on the infrastructure sector. This year, the campaign is seeing new participants, such as Wates and McLaren, committing to support mental health and plant safety.

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CITB to lose two thirds of staff in training revolution

The Construction Industry Training Board is set to outsource hundreds of jobs as the skills body steps-up its reform programme.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/04/03/citb-to-lose-two-thirds-of-staff-in-training-revolution/

Inquiry launched into off-site manufacture for construction

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry into off-site manufacture for construction
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/inquiry-launched-into-off-site-manufacture-for-construction/40024/

Beast from the East blamed for fall in construction activity

Bad weather in March is being blamed for the first fall in construction activity for six months.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/04/04/beast-from-the-east-blamed-for-fall-in-construction-activity/

Nine Elms Point: Metsec provides design and walling services to regeneration project

Nine Elms Point is a former Sainsbury’s site in London’s Vauxhall district that is being redeveloped to house a new Sainsbury’s store and a combination of three high rise and four low rise residential blocks, providing 647 apartments.
http://www.architectsdatafile.co.uk/news/nine-elms-point-metsec-provides-design-and-walling-services-to-regeneration-project/

Dispelling the myths of the fourth industrial revolution

Tim Lake, partner at leading law firm DLA Piper, looks at the opportunities set to arise from the rise of Industry 4.0.
http://www.bqlive.co.uk/midlands/2018/04/03/news/dispelling-the-myths-of-the-fourth-industrial-revolution-31353/

Industry gears-up for site safety stand down

A host of the UK’s largest building companies have signed up to take part in the country’s largest construction health and safety stand down.
http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/04/05/industry-gears-up-for-site-safety-stand-down/