Staff boost
Alumet has taken on three staff from a local competitor.
[Read the Rest Here]

£250m training fund
The announcement by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) that businesses will be given the power to design, develop and purchase the vocational training programme they need under a £250 million plan is fantastic news for the industry, said Terry Watts, CEO of Proskills
[Read the Rest Here]

Team expansion
Reynaers Aluminium has expanded its team so it is better prepared to proactively deal with customer enquiries quickly and efficiently, the company has claimed.
[Read the Rest Here]

Top of the class
Metal Technology has supplied its Latitude Curtain Walling on a five storey scheme at Teesside University’s new Darlington campus.
[Read the Rest Here]

Hospital appointment
Curtain walling and windows from Kawneer have played an ‘integral’ part in the redevelopment of Walsall Manor Hospital.
[Read the Rest Here]

Refurb advancement
Schueco UK has launched the Schueco ERC 50 Renovation Facade, which allows an office building to be given a complete external facelift, including the installation of ProSol TF thin-film PV modules if required, without the need for the occupants to move out.
[Read the Rest Here]

Top marks
Aluminium elliptical and specially shaped apex framed windows were supplied and installed by fenestration specialists Total Glass as part of a major refurbishment programme at St David’s Haigh and Aspull Church of England Primary School near Wigan.
[Read the Rest Here]

Aluminium added
Tradelink has acquired Lee Aluminium – a well respected fabricator with a 22 year history.
[Read the Rest Here]

New tilt and turn window
Kawneer has enhanced its AA540 window range with a tilturn variant.
[Read the Rest Here]

EN 1627 advice
Following the introduction of the BS EN 1627, Adams Rite is offering support and practical solutions for fabricators and systems houses, to ensure its customers are best equipped to deal with the standard’s impact on the industry.
[Read the Rest Here]

Branded lock
Carl F Groupco has launched the ‘XL’ multipoint door lock.
[Read the Rest Here]

Visual concept
Siegenia-Aubi LM4200 tilt and turn hardware has helped fabricator and installer Visual Concept deliver high performance aluminium windows and doors for a new £20 million student residence in Newcastle.
[Read the Rest Here]

Best-ever show
Balcony Systems has reported its best-ever Grand Designs exhibition with record levels of enquiries and increased orders from more visitors attending the October consumer home show at Birmingham’s NEC.
[Read the Rest Here]

Vertical glazing
Lexan Thermoclick, from Sabic is a member of the Lexan family and is widely used in vertical glazing applications; it is a translucent, profile free facade system.
[Read the Rest Here]

New facade products
Technal, has launched a series of new curtain walling, window and door products at Batimat 2011 in Paris.
[Read the Rest Here]

Investing in people

Construction is such as massive industry that you don’t think about the number of people it employs, or how people are recruited to join its ranks. Apprenticeships play a vital role in a) advertising the industry to young people and b) ensuring that that are properly trained to work with modern materials, using techniques that are forever being improved upon.

However, it appears that a double whammy has affected the high numbers of skilled workers joining the industry [Read Story Here]: the recession has put some employers off from taking on new recruits; and the industry doesn’t look attractive to young people.

As I write this, George Osborne is delivering his Autumn Statement to the House of Commons. In it he has pledged the following: a £1bn ‘youth contract’ to subsidise six-month work placements for 410,000 young people; and a £400m scheme to kick-start stalled construction projects in England.

This apparent change of heart by the coalition government has been brought about in part because the private sector didn’t fill the gap left by the tightening of the public purse strings (as the Chancellor had hoped), and many people are crossing their fingers that this isn’t a case of locking the stable door once the horse has bolted.

Scottish Building Federation chief executive Michael Levack said: “Breathing life back into private sector construction must be a top priority as we try to build a sustainable economic recovery.”

James Gray, head of project and building consultancy division, Cluttons, said: “Construction has traditionally been one of the largest contributors to the UK economy and, as a result, was one of the biggest casualties when the recession saw building work ground to a halt. However, even prior to the downturn, lack of investment in major infrastructure projects has seen the UK fall slowly behind the likes of China and the Middle East, which are now being called upon to fund the projects we desperately need to progress. When this is considered alongside the ailing public sector pipeline and the country’s housing crisis, it becomes clear just how much support our construction industry needs.”

Hopefully, the government has learned that it can’t be fickle over publicly financed construction projects – largely because of the people element. The construction industry can’t turn on a sixpence, and the effects of decisions made now will be felt for a long time. If we lose good people now, it could take years to train new recruits to the same standard. Furthermore, it doesn’t make the industry any more attractive to young people if there is no perceived job security.

Nathan Bushell

Missed last month's Aluminium in Architecture Ezine? It's here

CHIEF EXEC'S COMMENT Chief Executive’s comments – Justin Ratcliffe Aluminium’s High Performance Recent analysis by the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Low Carbon Economy Index shows that in Britain last year greenhouse gas emissions increased by 3.5%, more than double the 1.3% growth in the economy. It means that for the first year since 2000, there has been no improvement in reducing ‘carbon intensity’ – the greenhouse gases emitted for each unit of economic output. PwC stated that the economic recovery, where it had occurred, had been a dirty one. However, such figures overshadow continuous improvements made by the materials sector including aluminium across a number of areas of sustainability and not just carbon reduction. Robin Nicholson of Edward Cullinan Architects talking about Sustainable design and construction in London recently, focused on the importance of measuring and publishing information on projects. This is equally important for the materials sector which has been highlighted in the various Defra Roadmaps including the Windows Sustainability Action Plan. CAB is actively involved in the follow up to this which is the Windows Sustainability Partnership (WSP) and which will report on the latest results and commitments made by the materials sectors. Read the Rest Here: Technical Consultant’s comments – Patrick England Forewarned is Forearmed The Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) technical team of Patrick England and Martin Ford is very actively involved in the changing standards and regulations in the UK which keeps members up to date with compliance. Regular communication with CAB members also gives businesses a real advantage in an ever competitive market. A little known change to the Building Regulations was communicated to members back in July regarding the changes which were to take place with the ‘Competent Person Scheme’ (CPS). Read the Rest Here: THIS MONTH'S NEWS Domestic glazing takes a hit The market for glazed products in Great Britain declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2010, with no upturn predicted until 2015. That’s according to the latest Palmer Market Research report, which reflects interviews carried out with over 600 industry stakeholders. [Read the Rest Here] Positive signs? The final quarter of 2011 started more positively for UK constructors, according to the latest data from Markit. [Read the Rest Here] Positive response The GGF Green Deal Debate captured the interest of many GGF Members and the Federation was pleased that members of all sizes, profiles and regions across the UK attended on Thursday November 17th in Birmingham. [Read the Rest Here] Edgetech joins CAB Edgetech has joined the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB). [Read the Rest Here] Early kick off The Council for Aluminium in Building’s last Breakfast Network for 2011 kicks off at the Reebok Stadium,Bolton on December 6th at 7.30am. [Read the Rest Here] Winter weather warning A not-for-profit business support group has said small firms should start planning now for harsh winter weather to avoid being caught out by sudden cold snaps as seen during the previous two years. [Read the Rest Here] Image problem? Too many people fail to understand that the construction industry needs highly skilled people from a variety of backgrounds, according to the Federation of Master Builders. [Read the Rest Here] Hardware Agrément certificates launched The BBA has launched a new BBA approval scheme for window and door hardware products, in a bid to improve the robustness of the approval process. [Read the Rest Here] Lending initiative limited Just over a year after the launch of the British Bankers’ Associations’ (BBA’s) Business Finance Taskforce, new research suggests that it has not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses. [Read the Rest Here] Private political meeting Following the Glass and Glazing Federation’s attendance at the House of Commons Briefing with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Federation of Master Builders on Thursday November 3, GGF chief executive, Nigel Rees had a private meeting with Greg Barker MP, Minster of Energy and Climate Change and Lord McLean on Tuesday November 9 at the Department of Energy and Climate Change to discuss the detail of Green Deal and how it will work for the Glass and Glazing Industry. [Read the Rest Here] Construction charity challenge This month the charity launches the third Care Construction Challenge, taking place on Saturday 30th June 2012. The event is for teams from across every level of construction from architecture to property sale. [Read the Rest Here] Employment concern Employment law was the single biggest issue for business owners calling the Forum of Private Business’s legal helpline during a five-week period between September and October, which included the 1 October ‘common commencement date’ when new regulations come into force. [Read the Rest Here] Sustainability award Specialist facade contractor Alumet collected the ‘Environment: Recycling and Sustainability Award’ from Journalist and broadcaster Andrew Neil at the recent Birmingham Post Business Awards. [Read the Rest Here] Green business of the year CMS Enviro Systems has been shortlisted for The Scottish Business Awards – in the category Green Business of the Year. [Read the Rest Here] Increased Membership Qualicoat UK & Ireland continues to increase its membership as more powder coaters realise the benefits of adopting the quality label. [Read the Rest Here] Riba approval Edgetech has received Riba approval for its CPD (Continuous Professional Development) presentation. [Read the Rest Here] Excellent investment Specialist construction contractors, the Alumet Group, has achieved the Investors in Excellence standard. [Read the Rest Here]

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CAB Diary 2011

Full details of all CAB's 2011 events can be found at www.c-a-b.org.uk under 'news and events'.
We are delighted to announce our next event which is:
Date: Tuesday 6 December 2011
Time: 7.30 am – 10.30 am
Event: CAB ‘Breakfast Network’ Meeting
Venue: Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Details: enquiries@c-a-b.org.uk
For further details contact Justin Ratcliffe, Chief Executive or Julie Harley, Office Manager at the CAB office on 01453 828851.

Museum piece?
Two Schueco SU 90 unitised facade systems form an important structural element in Glasgow's new £74 million Riverside Museum of Transport, a stunning building designed by the much-admired international practice of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).
[Read the Rest Here]

Emergency service
Adams Rite, part of Assa Abloy Security Solutions, has supplied its Sentinel 6 security package to the new Sandyford Community Fire Station.
[Read the Rest Here]

Window shopping
The highly-anticipated Westfield Stratford City shopping centre was ready to open its doors to the public on Tuesday 13th September after lifting solutions company GGR Group assisted with the shop front glazing installation for retailers hoping to draw in the crowds.
[Read the Rest Here]

Dual tone finish
Hunter Douglas has supplied a dual tone version of its high-performance QuadroClad ventilated facade system to complete a striking finish for the Caja Rural bank in Mengibar, Spain.
[Read the Rest Here]

Supply contract awarded
Bowater Building Products has been awarded a supply contract for its System10 Aluminium products by the LHC (formerly the London Housing Consortium) under the recent Aluminium Windows and Doors (A5) ‘framework agreement’ round.
[Read the Rest Here]

Colourful facade
Aluminium and Trespa faced panels from Panel Systems have been chosen to enhance the aesthetics of a new environmentally friendly Merseyside primary school, which is part of the Primary Capital Programme.
[Read the Rest Here]

Company move
Machinery supplier Haffner GB has moved premises.
[Read the Rest Here]

Emergency service provided
Kombimatec sprung into action and got window fabricator, Prizma Windows, up and running within a week following a massive fire on August 13th that wiped out its factory, including all machinery and stock.
[Read the Rest Here]