NEWSROUND
MKM opens in Gloucester
Construction workload expectations fall
Ex ski-jumper and Olympian Eddie Edwards lead the official opening of MKM’s new branch in Gloucester, located just around the corner from the dry slope where he learnt to ski. Local charity Gloucester Feed The Hungry – one of MKM Gloucester’s official community partners – were on hand to receive the proceeds of the fundraising efforts of the MKM Gloucester team, with a cheque for £580 presented to Founder Hashim Norat. The branch is also
partnering with Gloucester City AFC, a club that is also committed to giving back to the local community. Charles McArthur, co- branch director at MKM Gloucester, said: “We had a great day officially opening the branch to both trade and retail customers and we cannot wait to deliver excellent service to the region. From a trade counter offering to our kitchen and bathroom showroom, there’s
something for everyone at the branch.”
Rob Caren, co-branch director at MKM Gloucester, added: “We were so excited to welcome the brilliant Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards in branch – his unbelievable energy and enthusiasm certainly rubbed off on our team.”
6
UK construction companies are expecting workloads to fall further than had been expected according to the latest seasonally adjusted S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Manag- ers’ Index®. There was a renewed slowdown in business activity growth during November, reflecting subdued demand and reduced risk appetite among clients. A number of sur- vey respondents noted that higher borrowing costs and worries about the economic outlook had curtailed construction activity. Expectations for business activ-
ity growth during the year ahead continued to slide in November, with optimism the lowest for two-and-a-half years. Aside from the levels seen at the start of the pandemic, the degree of positive sentiment was the joint-weakest since December 2008. At 50.4 in November, the headline Index – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – registered above the 50.0 no-change mark for the third month running. However, the index was down from 53.2 in October and pointed to the weak- est performance since August. Commercial work was the only segment to register an overall rise
Breedon cuts fleet carbon emissions
in business activity in November. House building activity meanwhile stalled (index at 50.0), which ended at three-month period of marginal expansion. Construction companies often noted higher mortgage rates and falling con- sumer confidence as factors. Civil engineering (46.7) declined for the fifth consecutive month, the sharpest fall since August. Lower volumes were mainly linked to a lack of new work to replace completed projects. Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “Stalling house building activity contributed to the weakest UK construction sector performance for three months in November. Survey respondents noted that new residential building projects had been curtailed in response to rising interest rates, cancelled sales and worries about the eco- nomic outlook.”
The GB materials division of Breedon has used Lightfoot’s green fleet tech to help bring about a 12.2% fall in fuel costs, a 10.9% drop in CO2 emissions, and a 24% reduction in pollution caused by vehicle idling. Following the roll-out of Lightfoot’s in-cab driver coaching technology and rewards platform, Breedon is now on target to reduce fleet CO2 emissions by 1,651 tonnes over the next five years, equivalent to removing 359 passenger vehicles from the road.
In addition to cutting emissions, Lightfoot has played a key role in enhancing the safety of Breedon’s drivers. Within just one month of being fitted to the dashboard of its fleet of 380 vans, instances of aggressive driving were cut by 80%, with harsh acceleration falling by 63%, severe braking by 28%, and cornering at speed by 19%.
Kilwaughter launches new training academy at a smaller scale, training will
Kilwaughter Minerals, which owns both the K Rend and K Systems brands, has launched its new training academy, specially developed to promote excellence in industry and address the skills gap facing the construction industry.
The training centre will be branded ‘K Academy’ and courses will be delivered at a purpose-built facility in St Helens, Liverpool, serving as the company’s primary training facility in Great Britain. Although
also continue at the Kilwaughter Minerals’ headquarters in Larne, Northern Ireland.
The Academy courses, standard and bespoke, aim to support applicators and installers, merchants, contractors, architects and local authorities in accelerating the skills development of their teams and ultimately ensuring highest quality finishes for end customers. It will be accessible to Kilwaughter customers initially across the
K Rend and K Systems brands with programmes incorporating both practical and classroom- based learning. The addition of Kilwaughter Lime courses and employee training under the K Academy will follow in 2023 as part of a phased expansion plan. Gary Wilmot, CEO, Kilwaughter Minerals said: “We are very pleased to be launching our new Academy and to play our part in addressing the skills gap and enhancing skills within our industries.”
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
