BSEE-MAY21-P05 News & Quotes_Layout 1 22/04/2021 14:30 Page 5


NEWS & QUOTES


J S Wright sponsors junior netball club for third season


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echanical and electrical services specialist J S Wright has renewed its sponsorship of the West Midlands’ premier junior netball club for the


third consecutive season. [BODY COPY]


The company will remain the principal sponsor of Parkside in Sutton Coldfield whose girls currently play at Under 12 to Under 15 levels in the Birmingham Intermediate Netball League (BINL) and at Under 14 and Under 16 levels in the National League. J S Wright’s renewed sponsorship will enable Parkside to continue to invest in quality training equipment and subsidise the entry fees for tournaments as its members return to indoor netball following the easing of Covid lockdown curbs. David Griffiths, Parkside Netball Club Chairman, commented: “Given that most of last season was cancelled, the club is extremely grateful that J S Wright has continued to support us in these difficult times.” He added: “J S Wright’s support has proved invaluable in giving the increasing numbers of girls across Birmingham that are keen to take up netball the opportunity to train and play in a safe environment, gain confidence and achieve their potential, and make lasting friendships.”


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BSEE Quote, unquote


By Nico van der Merwe, Vice President of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric


Andrew Smith, J S Wright National Design and Estimating Director, whose daughter Lily plays for the club, said: “As a company that is committed to providing a safe and inclusive career path for our young people, we are delighted to continue to support a club that both nurtures the sporting ambitions of young girls in the community and aids their fitness, confidence and mental health.” Parkside is always interested in recruiting new players from across Greater Birmingham. The club can be contacted at parkside@gmail.com.


Engineering services alliance backs industry prequalification Standard


Assessment Standard. A


The Common Assessment Standard, which has been developed by Build UK and a range of industry stakeholders, including Actuate UK member bodies, aims to remove wasteful commercial and public sector prequalification through the adoption of widely specified common assessment prequalification (PQ) questions.


Significantly, a new ‘data sharing’ solution has been introduced, enabling contractors and clients to obtain key PQ responses from any Recognised Assessment Body. Data sharing is expected to increase the specification of the Standard by main contractors and other buyers and increasingly, suppliers will only need to be certified by one Recognised Assessment Body, saving time and money.


The prequalification system is currently overseen by an Interim Cross-Industry Body including public


ctuate UK, the umbrella body for the £multi-billion engineering services sector, has expressed its support for the revitalised prequalification Common


and private sector clients, contractors and trade associations. According to Paul Reeve, CSR Director at Actuate UK member ECA and deputy chair of the Cross-Industry Body:


“We welcome the introduction of ‘data sharing’ to the Common Assessment Standard. Data sharing paves the way for increased specification by main contractors and other buyers and offers suppliers more choice about who carries out their prequalification assessment. It will also help to deliver the savings and efficiencies that the supply chain has long been looking for, by reducing the need for multiple PQ questionnaires and schemes.” Rachel Davidson, Certification Director at BESA, another Actuate UK member, and member of the Standard’s Questions Review Group added: “With the introduction of data sharing, an industry- wide solution to prequalification waste is now in sight. We encourage public sector and commercial clients and other buyers to adopt the Common Assessment Standard in their procurement processes, giving suppliers a widely recognized route to cost-effective supply chain prequalification”.


“Latest government figures show that the majority of new homes in England are now in the most energy efficient bands. With 84% of new homes across the country now given an energy rating of A or B, we’re on the right track to achieving our net zero targets. “The growing phenomenon of energy efficient home improvements has allowed consumers to make significant progress in their homes, reducing energy consumption, and lowering energy costs. With the power of smart data-driven technology, consumers are able to have unprecedented visibility over energy habits at home, which provides objectives that consumers can easily understand and adjust their energy usage to meet. The importance of integrated solutions, which connect and analyse data from a wide variety of smart products in the home, can’t be overstated. Once our homes have become truly intelligent, a realistic path to net zero will be revealed. “With evidence that people now want to prioritise energy- efficient homes, the outlook is looking more positive. Technology that offers easy-to-understand insights to guide us towards making decisions will be key to the next stage of sustainable development at home.”


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In response to IHS MARKIT / CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index which found construction output rose by its sharpest pace since September 2014, we have the following comment from construction firm, Beard.


Commenting on the latest CIPS figures, Fraser Johns, finance director at Beard, said: “After a big dip in 2020, the construction sector has recorded an impressive bounce back. Primarily driven by strong output in house building, commercial work and civil engineering, March gave reason for optimism for the rest of the year. “While there was some nervousness at the start of 2021, the sector appears to have shaken these nerves and there is hope that this will be a strong and relatively quick recovery. Job creation was at its highest for over two-years, which is a clear sign the industry is feeling more positive in planning for projects. “It certainly won’t be plain sailing from here however, with pressure put on supply chains, which has become evident with material shortages and logistical issues becoming more prevalent. “With the success of the vaccine rollout and a roadmap for the return to normal in place, confidence should keep building as projects that have been on hold are given the green light.” Reflecting on the European Green Deal that sets initiatives with aim for a neutral climate by 2050, today Honeywell announces its commitment to become carbon neutral in its operations and facilities by 2035.


To achieve this, the company will be investing in energy saving projects and converting to renewable energy sources. Not only that but Honeywell will be completing capital improvement projects at its sites and in its fleet of company vehicles, and utilising credible carbon credits.


Honeywell has a long and successful track record of setting ambitious sustainability targets and exceeding them. In addition to significantly reducing its greenhouse gas intensity, Honeywell has implemented more than 5,700 sustainability projects since 2010, saving an annualised $100 million in costs.


The company has already reduced the greenhouse gas intensity of its operation and facilities by more than 90% since 2004.


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Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2021 5


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