interiors insight - july 2009

Serving the interiors sector

INTERIORS insightJuly 2009

Featuring...

AIS President's Lunch

Understanding the director's role

Green credentials

A risky business

...and more.

www.ais-interiors.org.uk £2.50 when sold

Finalist in the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2008 - Newsletter of the Year

Interiors Insightcirculation to quadrupleINTERIORS INSIGHT IS TO UNDERGO a facelift, and its circulation increases from approximately 900 to 4,000. As well as being sent to AIS members, Insight will now also go to some 3,000 contractors and a selected list of specifiers.

Most noticeable to the new layout will be the introduction of

a sponsored feature. Focusing on a single contract, this high impact centre double-page spread will

provide a showcase for members’ contracting skills and manufacturers’ products. The aim is to highlight how the AIS member supply chain works together to create perfect interior solutions. AIS will write the feature on its members behalf, and commission photography if required. Members receive a run on of the feature and a PDF for their own ongoing marketing activities.

The sponsored feature can be commissioned by a single member or where a number of members have been involved in the supply chain the cost can be split.

Insight’s editor Jane Cook said: ’We are constantly looking for waysto improve Insight, in order to offer maximum benefit to members andof course to provide a ‘good read’. The increased circulation tocontractors will provide a major benefit to suppliers, whilst the introduction of specifiers to the circulation will increase the profile ofour contractor members.’

For those companies interested in advertising or the sponsored feature, a new rate card is enclosed. Editorial contributions should be emailed to [email protected]

THE RESULTS OF THE 2009 AIS Contractors Awards were announced at the AIS President’s Lunch on 9 June at the Dorchester hotel in London.

Once again support for the awards was tremendous, with the fit-out category proving exceptionally popular. The under £1,000,000 value band in particular had such an unusually high level of entries it was split into two, resulting in three interior fit-out value bands - up to £500,000, £500,001 to £1,000,000 and over £1,000,000.

The judges commented that the quality of entries was even better than in previous years, with only a very thin line between the

winning entries and those that did not receive an award. In recognition of the high standards of workmanship and technical expertise demonstrated on those contracts which narrowly missed out on an award, a certificate of excellence has been introduced. Recipients are mentioned in the award winners brochure and on the AIS website.

Managing director of design consultants ttsp Tim Jennings, who judged the finalists of the Interior Fit-Outs category said: ‘There was a wide range of scope, quality and delivery to evaluate, even within each value band. All entries, however, demonstrated a remarkable level of commitment,

value for money and tremendous desire to deliver the absolute best outcome for clients. Without exception, the nine shortlisted entries received accolades from respective clients.

‘With such a range of scope and with a desire to create a level playing field, my evaluation of each entry has been founded upon key criteria including standards of workmanship, material complexity, interfaces and design challenges, delivery and logistics issues, timescale, innovation and value for money.’

Presented annually in June at the AIS President’s Lunch, the AIS Contractors Awards promote high levels of craftsmanship and design. There are seven categories - Interior Fit-Outs, Ceilings, Partitioning, Drywall Construction, Specialist Joinery, Operable Walls and the Judges’ Award. The architect or interior designer of the Gold award winning project also receivesan award.

Turn to page 8 for full details of the President's Lunch.

Former bmibaby MD to speak at AIS ConferenceTHIS YEAR’S AIS CONFERENCE GUEST speaker is former managing director of bmibaby David Bryon.

David is an outstanding and highly entertaining speaker who has built an excellent reputation on the speaking circuit. As well as hosting cable TV shows, David is a regular guest on various national programmes including Five Live, Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show, BBC News 24, and Sky News. David speaks with authority on business growth, customer service, leadership, sustainability and the environmental impact of business, combining rich content with humour to motivate us all.

The AIS Conference, which this year will be held at the 4-star Highcliff Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth, is one of the highlights of the AIS calendar. A conference leaflet can be downloaded from www.ais-interiors.org.uk or email [email protected]

Former bmibaby

AIS announces2009 Contractors Award winners

the absolute best outcome for clients. Without exception, the


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Insight July 2009 at a glance...

AIS announces 2009 Contractors Award winners. . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Former bmibaby MD to speak at AIS Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Interiors Insight circulation to quadruple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Building Tecnics praise Armstrong recycling scheme . . . . . . . . . . .2

Kier commit to Builder’s Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Eco-innovation award launch for AIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Credit insurance top up scheme extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Invicta manifestations take to the sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

OGV deadline approaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

New role for AIS President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

AIS to appoint technical manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

OBG offers smart choice for switchable privacy glass . . . . . . . . . . .3

CIJC wage rates frozen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Souness & Boyne install award winning fit-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

British Gypsum re-launches passive fire protection guide . . . . . . . .4

Newbury Interiors makes film debut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Fast take up for PiMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

International design award for Hilti screw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

New Quartz range brings a touch of ‘glass’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Rockwool announces changes to FirePro range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

New fire protection guide from Knauf AMF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

People and places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

News in brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Benefit focus: Insurance reviews reduce costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

AIS Training + Health and Safety news

Alco Beldan opens movable wall training centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

H&S qualifications for all Altplan staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Designers of the future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Ageing workforce presents threat to industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Discounted site safety training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

New HSE Small Sites Strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Free guides from HSE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Selling to architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Changes to CSCS cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Feature: The Astins Institute. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FeaturesComrades in arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 AIS President's Lunch: President proclaims green benefits . . 8ConstructionSkills pledges to help businesses throughthe recession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A risky business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Understanding the director's role . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Green credentials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Follow AIS on Twittertwitter.com/AISinteriors

INTERIORS insight

Association of Interior SpecialistsOlton Bridge, 245 Warwick RoadSolihull, West Midlands B92 7AH

Telephone: 0121 707 0077Facsimile: 0121 706 1949

Email: [email protected]: www.ais-interiors.org.uk

Edited by Jane Cook (AIS operations director) email: [email protected]

Building Tecnicspraise Armstrong recycling scheme

AS PART OF ITS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ITS REFURBISHMENT of 15,000ft² of office space in Segensworth, Hampshire, Building Tecnics has recycled 100% of the redundant ceiling tiles, thanks to Armstrong Ceilings ‘return to manufacturer’ recycling scheme.

Following confirmation that the tiles met Armstrong’s criteria for recycling, waste transfer documentation was drawn up. A lorry then collected the old tiles at the same time that distributor CCF delivered new ones, so that its Moffett ‘piggy back’ fork lift truck could be utilised to upload the tiles to the artic trailer.

Building Tecnic’s managing director Ian Laishley commented: ‘It is good to see these waste materials, especially with the volumes we were dealing with, not going to landfill. It was a great combined effort between our management and on site teams and a fantastic service offered by Armstrong. We will continue to offer this service wherever possible.’ www.buildingtecnics.com or www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk

supported by

Kier commit to Builder’s ProfileKIER HAS BECOME THE LATEST main contractor to announce its support of the Builder’s Profile, in a move which will further reduce duplication amongst existing prequalification systems.

The Builder’s Profile is an online service enabling companies to submit the same prequalification information to different contractors and clients without filling in a multitude of questionnaires. For Kier, signing up to the Builder’s Profile means its different regional divisionscan accept prequalification information from any subcontractor using the service, instead of sending paper questionnaires.

The Builder’s Profile provides main contractors with answersto all common prequalification questions at the touch of abutton in whatever format they require, saving them the expensive and time consuming task of extracting the information from paper questionnaires.

A spokesman explained why Kier is happy to use the Builder’s Profile: ‘We are committed to working in partnership with our supply chain and can see that by accepting the information we require for our prequalification procedure from the Builder’s Profile, we will become more efficient by creating a more streamlined process for our subcontractors and for Kier.’ www.buildersprofile.co.uk

Credit insurance top up scheme extendedELIGIBILITY FOR THE CREDIT insurance top up scheme has now been extended to cover reductions which have occurred since October 2008.

Under the scheme, the government provides additional insurance to top up the level of cover provided by the private sector. It is available to businesses of all sizes in all industries from 1 May until 31 December 2009.

AIS chief executive Simon Forrester said: 'We have been lobbying the government and the Association of British Insurers to amend the scheme, and this is a useful first step, but still leaves many AIS members without vital cover in difficult times. We will continue to fight to protect those members who have seen their cover withdrawn completely.' www.businesslink.gov.uk

AIS IS COMMITTED TO RECOGNISING innovation and excellence in the development and deployment of environmental technologies, processes and techniques in commercial interior fit-out. It believes best practice among members should be rewarded, and so is launching an Eco-innovation award.

Winning entries will likely be from members demonstrating an innovation which results in a clear environmental benefit, with the potential to be transferable between member companies. Eco-innovation is the process of developing new products, processes or services which provide customer and business value with low environmental impact.

AIS President David Jones said:‘AIS strives to communicate best practice in all areas, but particularly in sustainability, as this will be a key factor for the future of our sector. My Presidential theme of 'environment matters' encompasses Eco-innovation, which offers major opportunities for businesses and for regional and

national economies in emerging global markets for more eco efficient products and services. It is widely recognised that eco-innovation will play a critical broad role in sustainable

development through contributing to more sustainable forms of construction. It will also play a critical specific role in addressing environmental problems such as climate change. AIS wants to promote this at all levels.’

Eco-innovation may include incremental environmental improvements,

organisational marketing and other changes by a company and wider system changes affecting use of their products or services. It can be applied in any area leading to environmental benefits but core (related) areas of need are in ‘dematerialisation' (materials reduction/efficiency)and ‘decarbonisation' (low carbon/energy efficiency).

Details of what the judges are looking for, how the awards process works and an entry form are at www.ais-interiors.org.uk

Eco-innovation award launch for AIS


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OGV deadline approachesAS THE 31 DECEMBER 2009 deadline for AIS members to complete their ongoing vetting fast approaches, 24% of members have still to go through part or all of the OGV process. Those that fail to meet the deadline could forfeit their AIS membership.

‘By the end of this year, all AIS members should have completed the ongoing vetting process, and those that haven’t will be asked to leave the Association’, warns AIS chief executive Simon Forrester. ‘Over the past thirty months we have helped those members

who have fallen short of the mark, but at some point we have to draw a line. While our intention was always to try to keep everyone in membership, we know some companies will fall by the wayside. The intention is to show clients the benefits of using the AIS supply chain. Next year's vetting criteria will be tightened to raise the bar even more, and we are currently in discussions with main contractors, architects and other clients about what they want to see from our members.’

Ongoing vetting was introduced in 2006, to raise, maintain and ensure continuity of standards for the mutual benefit of

members and their clients.Its main aims are:

• Vetting of AIS members recognises and promotes good practice industry wide. • Vetting helps maintain minimum standards of all members. • Vetting demonstrates AIS members are quality companies that provide a quality service. • AIS is seen as a mark of quality by all.

So if your ongoing vetting certificate is not yet proudly displayed on your office wall next to your membership certificate, or you would like to join AIS, contact membership secretary Sally Miles on 0121 707 0077.

CIJC wage rates frozenFOLLOWING A MEETING between employers and trade unions in June, there was no increase in the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) wage rates after the existing Working Rule Agreement expired on 30 June.

This means that last year’s pay rates, travel allowances, lodging allowance, and industry sick pay will continue to apply until further notice. Further negotiations will take place in the autumn but no changes are expected to come into effect until at least 2010. In the meantime, detailed talks on modernising the remainder of the Working Rule Agreement will continue.

To view the pay and other rates of the Working Rule Agreement visit www.nscc.org.uk

New role for AIS PresidentAIS PRESIDENT DAVID JONES of Classic Excel had been elected senior vice president of the National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC). Commenting on his appointment David said: ‘I am very proud to be selected for this role, and I look forward to guiding NSCC's work on fair payment, a solution to the problem of prequalification via the Builder’s Profile, and safeguarding the future of the industry by training the workforce and in particular apprentices.’

Hamish MacGregor, managing director of MacGregor Flooring Company Ltd, becomes NSCC President.

AIS to appointtechnical manager AIS IS TO APPOINT A TECHNICAL MANAGER FROM THIS SUMMER, THE first role of its type for the Association. The AIS Board made the decision to expand the staff team as part of the Strategic Plan, citing a significant growth in members' requests for assistance, plus the expansion of activity in vetting and targeting specifiers. AIS chief executive Simon Forrester welcomed the Board's decision to invest in supporting the membership, saying: 'This will be a major boost to our efforts to raise the bar on vetting. It will also help us expand on the RIBA CPDs being launched later this year, and the growth of technical publications for members. AIS will be the only federation in our sector with full time technical support, and we hope members can see how we are ensuring they get assistance in every area of their work, not just a few helplines and courses.'

The AIS Board wish to recruit an individual with technical knowledge and experience of the interiors sector, who can act as a focal point for members technical issues including the AIS advisory service, the AIS awards, and legislative issues. AIS Technical Committee chairman Wendy Frampton said: 'The new technical manager will drive rapid expansion of our technical and environmental services, and give AIS a boost in producing additional research and statistics that will be key to our success in lobbying government.'

See page 6 of this issue, or www.ais-interiors.org.uk

Invicta manifestations take to the skyINVICTA WINDOW FILMS & CONTRACTING SERVICES HAS RECENTLY installed vinyl graphics to a YAK 52 ex Russian fighter trainer. ‘We normally work on glass in offices so the YAK 52 gave us a new challenge’, said Stuart Pritchard of Invicta.

‘Powered by a 360bhp supercharged nine cylinder radial engine this fully aerobatic single engine plane can fly up to 420kph, so we had to source a vinyl that would not literally fly off when the plane was used for aerobatic routines.’

Invicta also had to dual laminate a special cast vinyl over the riveted metal skin to achieve the effect further adding to the complexity of the job, and check with the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the registration number was of the correct size and spacing.

‘I’m very impressed, the aeroplane now looks like new,’ said co-owner Stu Bell. And I can happily report that even at maximum speed the graphics stayed on.’ www.invictawindowfilms.com

OBG offers smartchoice for switchable privacy glass

OBG HAS INTRODUCED Smart Film, an affordable and effective switchable privacy film for its frameless glass partitioning systems. Unlike more expensive laminated privacy glazing options, Smart Film is applied to the surface of the glass.

The product is made by sandwiching LCD crystals between two layers of film, the Smart Film then switches from opaque to clear when an electric current is passed through it. With no current, the crystals are arranged randomly, making the surface look opaque. When the electric current is turned on, the crystals all line up, which allows light to pass through and creates a clear appearance.

As well as being less costly to install than traditional switchable privacy glass, Smart Film costs no more to run than the average light bulb and is available on a shorter lead time than most laminated glass alternatives. Smart Film can be applied to panel sizes of up to 3000mm x 1200mm.

OBG’s managing director Alan Nichols said: ‘Switchable privacy screens and partitions are very popular for all kinds of commercial interiors, from boardrooms to airport security areas. However, the cost of some of the market leading products has put this option beyond some clients’ budgets and specifications often have to revert to standard products, such as blinds or manifestation, on the grounds of cost. Now Smart Film makes this technology accessible to many more projects and that’s already being reflected in the contracts we have won since adding this exciting new development to our range.’ www.obgltd.co.uk


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Souness & Boyne install award winning fit-outsEVERY YEAR THE CREAM OF UK CORPORATE REAL ESTATEgather to celebrate the very best in excellent office space at the British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards, so it is no mean feat that Souness & Boyne Interiors were the fit-out contractors for two of the 2009 Scottish Regional award winning projects.

The two projects were put forward by Souness & Boyne and S&B Manufacturing’s clients Scottish Widows and Reiach & Hall.

Scottish Widows won the Refurbished/Recycled Workplace Category for its submission of the `New Ways of Working` environments, implemented by the Lloyds Banking Group’s in-house project management and design team for its Corporate and DCC divisions within 15 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh.

Reiach & Hall won the Fit-out of Workplace Category for its submission of Evolution House for Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh.

Several other AIS members including Swift Horsman and Overbury were instrumental in the fit-out of winning entries in other regions. All go forward to the National Awards whichtake place in London on 6 October. For full details visit www.bcoawards.org.uk

British Gypsum re-launches passive fire protection guideFIFTEEN YEARS ON SINCE ITS FIRST PUBLICATION, BRITISH Gypsum has re-launched its passive fire protection solutions guide The Fire Book. This updated and much expanded version is designed for anyone specifying, approving or installing structural fire protection in buildings systems.

The Fire Book includes more than 140 pages of theory, advice, construction details and product information to show how British Gypsum Glasroc F specialist board products can be used to meet all current Building Regulations and insurance requirements. The book leads users through the key details including section factors and sizes for all UK steel sizes, and also includes two new solutions for 60 minute mezzanine floors and 120 minute ceiling membranes. www.british-gypsum.com

Newbury Interiors makes film debutIN AN UNUSUAL DEPARTURE FROM ITS NORMAL OFFICE FIT-OUTS,Newbury Commercial Interiors built part of the set for the latest Armando Iannucci’s film, In The Loop (now available on DVD).

Loop Productions asked Newbury Commercial Interiors to build the set for the office scenes which were filmed at Swakeleys House, Ickenham, Middlesex. The set design required enclosed offices of solid and glazed partitioning to be built alongside a central open plan area.

Project manager Bradley Young said: ‘We essentially approached the office fit-out for the film like any other. However, normally the offices we create stay in place for several years, this one had to be reconfigured to its original layout once filming was finished.’

In the Loop is a political comedy that re-enacts a fictionalised version of the Iraq War and stars James Gandolfini (of Sopranos fame), Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and of course Newbury Commercial Interiors' partitioning. www.newinteriors.co.uk

Fast take up for PiMSPIMS WORKSPACE HASlaunched an Asset Audit service to provide its customers with a comprehensive and indexed portfolio of their space and furniture. The service enables company directors and facilities managers to visualise space and assets, and identify areas where savings can be made.

‘The service has been well received with a fast take up by existing and prospective clients alike,’ comments PiMS managing director Martin Atkinson.‘Large companies with an extensive portfolio of buildings where their assets are spread out over numerous sites are often unaware of the status of their resources.’

The PiMS Workspace Audit Team surveys each floor of every property individually, to identify the location and value of everything, from furniture to floor space. PiMS Workspace then provides customers with valuable information that can be generated into reports, in order to facilitate informed business decisions. www.pimsworkspace.com

SEVEN HILTI PRODUCTS WERE recognised for outstanding design in this year’s iF (International Forum) product design award competition that took place in Hanover, Germany. The surprise was that the jury awarded the iF Gold award to Hilti’s S-MS highspeed screw.

The jury commented: ‘This product is truly innovative because it represents the perfect solution to a real problem. Normally self-drilling screws produce metal dust and cuttings that remain as residue and

then rust. This screw produces no metal cuttings.’

The competition which is open to manufacturers and designers honours products that uniquely represent functionality, comfort and aesthetics while being particularly innovative.

Hilti’s chief designer Stephan Niehaus said: ‘Hilti aims to design its products so that they provide added value for the user. Winning the iF product design award shows us that we are on the right path.’ www.hilti.com

International design award for Hilti screw

Hilti's chief designerStephan Niehaus (left) and project manager Achim Ruf

at the iF gold awardceremony in Hanover.


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New fire protection guide from Knauf AMFKNAUF AMF HAS LAUNCHEDa new fire protectionbrochure designed to give a comprehensive overview of its full range of high performance, fire-protecting ceilings and

innovative fire protection solutions.

In addition to meeting the requirements of various parts of the British Standard BS 476, its ceiling systems have also been tested to the new European

norms, EN 1365-2 and EN 1364-2. The brochure includes test reports and detailed information on reaction to fire and fire resistance, as well as looking at the individual requirements of structural and independent fire protection.

A copy can be download from the Knauf AMF website. www.amfceilings.co.uk

Rockwool announces changes to FirePro rangeMANUFACTURER OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE STONE WOOL INSULATION Rockwool, has improved its Ablative Coated Batt product following major investment in its production line at its Bridgend factory in South Wales. The product now comes in 1200 x 600mm dimensions as standard.

Rockwool Ablative Coated Batt is manufactured using a fully automated process. This includes the spray application of the ablative coating to Rockwool stone wool slab, to ensure uniform coverage and thickness.

Rockwool has also made its Acoustic Intumescent Sealant available in a 600mm foil sausage. This offers contractors double the capacity of conventional sealant cartridges and creates significantly less packaging waste as it compresses down to a small disc which can be easily disposed of in mixed waste skips.

Rockwool’s new Ablative Coated Batt has been tested in conjunction with Rockwool Intumescent Acoustic Sealant and can provide effective fire stopping solutions with up to four hours protection. www.rockwool.co.uk

New Quartz range brings a touch of ‘glass’APTON PARTITIONING HAS LAUNCHED A NEW FRAMELESS GLAZING system. The new Quartz range offers end users a contemporary look to enhance natural light and make any working environment feel brightand spacious.

Modular by design, Quartz can be situated anywhere within a building and relocated if required for maximum flexibility. The range is available in a number of glass thicknesses from 10mm to 19mm and comes in clear-cut straight lengths or soft curved forms.

Apton managing director Ian Strangward explains: ‘For businesses that want to achieve the ‘X’ factor with their clients and give their employees a relaxed and tranquil place to work, the Quartz range will offer this and more. The range is a cost effective method of creating a stylish and useful space, allowing businesses to create the exact look they want quickly and easily.’

Featuring silicon and crystal clear joints, the Quartz system is available in both single or double glazed format, with glass, timber or double glazed doors complementing the system to allow for a full range of aesthetic options. In addition, manifestation such as company logos and emblems can be added through Apton’s bespoke service.

To support the launch and add value to its service offering, Apton has also introduced a new dedicated installation team of glass handling specialists for its Quartz range. www.apton-partitioning.com


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SAS expands its Irish operationTo cater for its increasing product line, service offering and recent new business wins, SAS International has moved to a larger unit situated at Unit 252, Block A, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Dublin 15. www.sasint.co.uk

Triple accreditation for CIMCeiling Installation & Maintenance (CIM) based in east London has gone from strength to strength since joining AIS in February, achieving a trio of accreditations - ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and SAFEcontractor. Director Paul McDonagh said: ‘Along with joining AIS, we believe these accreditations demonstrate to our clients our continued commitment to quality and safety.’ www.cimceilings.co.uk

Marketing to specifierWorld Architecture News has launched an expanded service which identifies the architects which have secured projects when they are still at the concept stage. Called Early Bird Leads this early information will provide a key advantage for specification sales. Based on an annual subscription, leads matching your requirements are delivered by email each week. www.earlybirdleads.com

Solent Interiors achievequality standardSolent Interior Systems has recently achieved IS0 9001. The standard adds to its impressive list of accreditations including CHAS, IiP, Constructionline and SAFEcontractor. www.solentinteriors.co.uk

KCC approval for RAPMaidstone based RAP Office Contracts has been accepted as a supplier to the KCC (Kent County Council) Approved Contractor database for office refurbishments, office furniture and office relocation service.

RAP had to achieve a numberof accreditations to beconsidered for the database including implementing ISO9001 procedures. www.rapofficecontracts.co.uk

Mivan receive quality awardAIS member Mivan receivedhighly commended in the recent Construction News QualityAwards. The award for trainingis presented to thosecompanies that demonstrate a positive approach to producing well trained staff committed to delivering exceptional quality to their customers. www.cnqualityawards.com

JCT goes greenAll new construction projectsusing JCT contracts must now include sustainability clauses, following the decision by JCT to extend the green provisionswithin its suite of contracts. As part of its new guidance note, Building a Sustainable Future Together, JCT has published a series of clauses which are being incorporated into Revision two of its 2005 suite.

The guidance provides a framework for sustainability and highlights the importance of client commitment and early involvement of the supply chain. www.jctltd.co.uk

DCP supports disabled anglersDrywall, Ceilings and Partitions (DCP) has signed a three year sponsorship deal to support the National Championship for Anglers with Disabilities. DCP’s sponsorship will enable the championship to become one of the country's leading competitions for people with disabilities. www.dcplimited.co.uk

Herriots achieve Achilles UVDB accreditationHaving been rigorously audited across its safety, health, environmental and quality practices and procedures Herriots has been awarded Achilles UVDB Category B2 Verify accreditation.

Herriots also recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor. www.herriots.co.uk

Lean ImprovementThe current market offers an excellent opportunity to review business performance.

NSCC is running a project to facilitate lean training via the BRE Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP) subsidised by up to £10,000.

To find out more about how CLIP could help your business email [email protected]

Writing a quality policy statement

AIS's latest Factfile on quality policy statements, essential reading for all contractors, is enclosed with this issue of Insight (AIS members only).

www.ais-interiors.org.uk News in briefPeople and places

Honours for constructionThe Construction Products Association’s chief executive Michael Ankers has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for services to the construction industry.

Michael said: ‘I am very honoured to have been given this award and the recognition it gives to the importance to the economy of construction products' manufacturersand suppliers.’

David Patton, chairman of AIS member Patton Fit-Out, is also gearing up for a day out to Buckingham Palace after being awarded an MBE for services to the construction industry in Northern Ireland. www.constructionproducts.org.uk or www.patton.co.uk

Malcolm Plum joins Parogon Office InteriorsInteriors specialist Parogon Office Interiors has recruited Malcolm Plum as senior sales executive. Malcolm, who has been in the commercial interiors industry for 33 years, will be responsible for selling Parogon’s services direct to clients requiring office redesign and refurbishment projects.

‘I first met the team at Parogon when they were working on a large project for my previous employer’, said Malcolm. ’I was impressed by the fact that they produced a first class job and delivered on all their promises. We kept in touch over the years and when the opportunity arose to front Parogon’s sales operation I jumped at it.’

Call Malcolm on 07876 347509 or email [email protected]

DORMA brings change in ScotlandDORMA has appointed David Mason as general manager of its Falkirk office, taking on responsibility for service and installation operations in Scotland.

David has been with DORMA for 12 years, initially working for the

Service Division’s in the north of England, transferring to Automatics Division, and then moving to a senior automatics sales role in Scotland.

‘I am looking forward to the challenge’, said David. ‘My main priority is to ensure that everything we do in the region is totally customer focused and I will be implementing some operational changes with that in mind.’ www.dorma-uk.co.uk

As part of the continued growth of services and benefits to its members, the Association of Interior Specialists (AIS) is introducing a full time Technical Manager position. The position will be instrumental in driving the expansion of a wide range of technical services and will play a key role in developing the AIS as the leading association for the interiors fit-out sector.

Main duties will include:• Technical and environmental support and advice for members• Management of the AIS independent advisory service

• Monitoring technical and legislative issues to identify and exploit the opportunities and counter potential threats any changes create • Running a State of Trade Survey and other research, writing technical articles, media releases, and updating AIS publications• Ongoing member vetting visits and assessment• RIBA CPD Seminars at road shows and exhibitions• Support to relevant AIS committees, and representing AIS and its members on external committees

The ideal candidate would have extensive technical knowledge and experience of one or more of the core specialisms of ceilings, partitions, drywall or closely related areas. Able to work independently, the post holder will be responsible for their own workload, meeting or exceeding targets set by the AIS Board while maintaining high levels of service in regard to member queries.The role would suit someone who has worked in the interiors sector, has recent practical experience of delivering technical advice in a clear and concise manner, and can command the respect of their peers within the industry.

VACANCY: TECHNICAL MANAGERSalary: circa £35,000 plus company car, benefits package, and bonus schemeBased: Solihull, with extensive UK travel and some home working

For an application pack or a confidential discussion callSimon Forrester, Chief Executive on 0121 707 0077 oremail [email protected]

Closing date: Friday 14 August 2009 First interviews late August

All applications and requests for further information will remain confidential. AIS has achieved the Investors in People standard, and is committed to equality of opportunity.


7


HAVING ATTENDED THE President’s Lunch last month, I was struck by the camaraderie that exists between AIS members. What a sterling bunch of people make up our industry. Times may be tough but there seems to be a genuine determination to pull together to survive and prosper.

It has been heartening and inspiring to see AIS event and meeting attendance increase this year, as well as membership retention being on par with previous years. It just goes to show how much AIS membership is valued.

As AIS president David Jones said in his speech: ‘I believe it is important to remain positive. That’s why membership of associations is so important. The opportunities to learn, develop and network are crucial for any business - more so now than ever.’

We still have a packed programme of meetings and events through to the end ofthe year which I would urge you to attend. Our membersmeeting speakers are focusedon maximising certainty and minimising risk, topics close to everyone’s heart at the moment. More importantly the meetings provide an opportunity to network with fellow members and share experiences.

At our 25 June members meeting in Cardiff, the managing risk in the current economic climate seminar given by Mark Stephenson from J R Knowles was a great hit, with many questions tabled for discussion. ConstructionSkills also advised members about the availabilityof training grants and how best to obtain them.

Mark Stephenson haskindly offered to do his bestin answering any contractual questions from local members. These queries should be sent to [email protected]

Stan Jones of Paramount Office Interiors said: ‘I found the meeting topics very informative and Mark Stephenson’s seminar very useful. It is always good to be reminded of best practice in contract risk management’.

Following the meeting discussions and questions continued over dinner, which was sponsored by AIS member Speedy Hire.

For supplier members,our Supplier Forum offers manufacturers and distributors a chance to debate industry issues and highlight to AIS their hopes, aspirations and membership needs.

One of the highlights of the AIS calendar is the annual conference, which this year is at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth on 9 -11 October. This is probably the

best and most important networking event of the year as you get the whole weekend to renew acquaintances, make new contacts and discuss industry issues with fellow members - all in a relaxed atmosphere.

It is friendly, welcoming, entertaining, fun and of course informative. We aim to combine business with pleasure and give members and their guests the opportunity to network and discuss the latest developments in the interiors sector.

Many members attend the conference with their partners year after year, and it is always a pleasure to welcome them, but we would also like to encourage those of you who have not been before to join us for an outstanding weekend.

The event begins with a drinks reception on Friday evening, followed by dinner and a race night. The business conference which takes place on Saturday morning finishes around noon, leaving the afternoon free for members to enjoy Bournemouth. Saturday evening sees the social highlight of the weekend with a black tie dinner and dance.

We find that most people that attend once become regular attendees! To book, download a conference leaflet from www.ais-interiors.org.uk or email [email protected] for details.

Insurance reviewsreduce costsPAUL COPAS OF TRIDENT INSURANCE, WHICH PROVIDES AN insurance scheme specifically tailored to AIS contractor members, explains why regular insurance provision reviews can help cut the cost of premiums.

A recent visit to a longstanding AIS contractor client highlighted the need to review insurance provision on a regular basis, particularly in view of the current economic climate.

Up until recently, the company’s turnover had been steadily growing resulting in an increase in insurance costs, despite insurance rates in general remaining static or indeed falling. However, the current trading conditions had resulted in turnover being down by a quarter and the contractor was keen to see this trend reflected in its overall expenditure.

We reviewed the company’s current insurance provision, taking into account reductions in estimates for projected turnover, wages and payments to subcontractors and were able to secure a 20% reduction in the renewal premium. Not only that, but as last year’s premium was based upon estimates that were not achieved, a rebate was also provided.

There are a number of areas that should be considered whenreviewing liability and contractors all risks insurance premium spend. These include adequacy of indemnity limits and sums insured, any restrictions applicable to the policy such as height limits, heat conditions and bona fide subcontractor conditions. If your current insurance advisor has not offered to carry out a review and merely sends out a renewal invitation then request that they do so or contact us and we would be happy to help.

One contractor who decided to review its insurance arrangements this year was Sovereign Commercial Installations Ltd. Managing director Stuart McAulay said: ‘We opted to arrange cover through Trident under the scheme for AIS contractors because of their professional approach and competitive quotation. Also, as a long standing AIS member we wanted to support the efforts AIS had gone to in order to provide this benefit for its members.’

Many of the major insurers competing for contractors business are currently increasing insurance premium rates. However, Trident currently has two insurers willing to provide specific discounts for AIS members including no claims bonuses. This is due to the fact AIS has been able to prove that its members represent an improved risk, primarily because of the annual provision of accident statistics by AIS members to NSCC.

If you have not already supplied your accidents statistics you can do so at www.nscc.org.uk It takes less than five minutes to submit figures and will help us reduce insurance premiums still further in the future.

Email [email protected]

AIS MEMBERSHIP manager Robert Barker talks about thebenefits ofattending AISevents andnetworkingwith fellowmembers.

Follow AIS on Twitter twitter.com/AISinteriors Benefit focus

Event Venue Date

Members’ Meeting Leeds 17 September

AIS Conference Bournemouth 9-11 October

Members’ Meeting East London 15 October

Supplier Forum North Birmingham 11 November

Members’ Meeting West London 12 November

To book email [email protected] or visit www.ais-interiors.org.uk

Your Association Comrades in arms


8


President proclaims

green benefits

DESPITE A TOUGH ECONOMIC CLIMATE, THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENT’S LUNCH at the Dorchester on 9 June was once again a sellout.

Principals from some of the UK’s leading architectural practices, joined AIS members and guests to mingle with their peers and to hear the results of the AIS Contractors Awards, compèred by Sandi Toksvig.

To continue to raise its profile and that of its members with the specifying community, AIS’s top table guests included guest judge Tim Jennings (MD, ttsp), Jennifer Hamilton (director, MoreySmith), Robert Fry (MD Europe - principal, Swanke Hayden Connell), Ken Baker (managing principal, Gensler), Anthony Nutt (partner, Gardiner and Theobald) and Phil Hutchinson (joint MD, BDGworkfutures).

In his speech, AIS President David Jones encouraged members and their guests to remain positive and to pull together to support the industry. He talked about why he believed membership of trade associations was so important, and the new membership benefits AIS was developing to support interiors companies through 2009 and beyond. These included a guide to acoustics in office environments, a series of interiors CPDs for architects and stronger ongoing vetting criteria for AIS membership designed to put ‘clear blue water’ between them and non-members.

Championing the environment as always, David urged companies not to let sustainability take a back seat. To drive home his point, he said that in a shrinking and highly competitive marketplace, research indicated that 95% of firms give preference to specialists who can prove their green credentials.

David’s term as President ends in October, so he concluded by encouraging his fellow contractor members to put themselves forward for election to the AIS Board, saying how proud he was to have been given the opportunity to serve such a dynamic and diverse association. He also pledged his support to incoming President Martin Romaine. David’s full speech is available on the AIS Member Zone under events.

As usual the AIS Contractors Awards were very well received, with much applause for the successful contractors and their architects. Tim Jennings, who presented the awards, was clearly impressed with the standard of work carried out by AIS members.

The event concluded at around 3.30pm, with many guests remaining at the Dorchester or going on to the pub to continue networking.

Thanks go to B&CE, Optima, and Stretch Ceilings (UK) for their generous sponsorship and to award sponsors British Gypsum, CCF, CPD Distribution and Lafarge Plasterboard.

Due to popular demand, next year’s lunch will again be held at the Dorchester on 8 June, so make sure you reserve your places early by emailing [email protected]

A copy of the Contractors Awards Winners’ brochure, including comments from the judges, was sent to all members in June. To view the winning entries again, visit www.ais-interiors.org.uk - who knows, next year it could be you!

Our Association

Interior Fit-Outs - sponsored by British GypsumGold (lc) Parkeray Ltd for Imperial College LondonSilver (lc) Ibex Interiors Ltd for Engine, LondonGold (mc) Jennor (UK) Ltd for Manchester City Football ClubSilver (mc) Advanced Interior Solutions Ltd for Software AG, BracknellGold (sc) Alterspace Ltd for The Hub, LondonSilver (sc) Utopia for EC Harris, Bristol

Ceilings - sponsored by CPD DistributionGold (lc) Lindner plc for T5, London HeathrowSilver (lc) Baker Stickland Ltd for The Herbarium, Kew Gardens, LondonGold (sc) Tapper Interiors Ltd for BMW / Mini Showroom, LeicesterSilver (lc) Ceiling 2 Ltd for Mamas and Papas, Nottingham

Partitioning - sponsored by CCFGold (lc) Optima Contracting Ltd for Taylor Wessing, LondonSilver (lc) WESTMINSTER for Bryan Cave, London

Drywall Construction - sponsored by Lafarge Plasterboard Gold WRR (UK) for Pan Peninsula Health Club and Spa, London Silver GT Contracts Ltd for Freemans Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Specialist JoineryGold Swift Horsman Ltd for Kings Place Auditorium, LondonSilver Thorpes of Great Glen Ltd for Bryan Cave, London

Operable WallsGold Style Moveable Partition Specialists for Henderson Global Investors, LondonSilver Alco Beldan Ltd for the Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool

Judges’ AwardGold PAN Interiors Ltd for T5 Rail Station, London HeathrowSilver Souness & Boyne Interiors Ltd for the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh

To view full details of Gold and Silver winners visit the AIS website at www.ais-interiors.org.uk

lc = large contractsmc = medium contractssc = small contracts

2009 AIS Contractors Awards winners


9


Call for entries for 2010ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING SOUGHT FOR THE 2010 AIS

Contractors Awards. All members should consider entering as it is the quality of work which is judged not the value or profile of the contract.

Why enter?Winning an AIS award is an excellent way to raise your company’s profile and give you a competitive edge. An award provides visible and valuable recognition for your entire organisation. If your company delivers first class interior solutions, then the AIS Contractors Awards are a perfect opportunity to be recognised for the quality of your work.

Gold award winner Alterspace’s managing director Paul Norris agrees: ‘We are delighted to have won the Gold award this year in the interior fit-out small contracts category, it is a massive achievement for us and something we hope that will give us huge recognition within the construction industry’.

Winners and entrants receive substantial publicity in Interiors Focus magazine, on the AIS website and through the construction press. The awards brochure is circulated to 26,000 construction industry specialists with Building magazine.

Images of all entries, along with up to a two hundred word write-up appear on the AIS website gallery.

An added bonus is that entering the awards counts towards members ongoing vetting.

Entry formsThe deadline for entries is Friday 30 October 2009 and the entry fee is £200 per entry.

Visit www.ais-interiors.org.uk to download an entry form or call 0121 707 0077 for more details.

10

AIS Training + Health and Safety news supported by

Alco Beldan opens movable wall training centreALCO BELDAN HAS OPENED A training centre for movable walls at its Nusing factory in Loughborough. The £60k centre, which offers full presentation facilities, opened its doors for the first time with a product update to its sales operation

on 8 April.The centre features a ceiling

mounted track fitted with movable wall panels from the NW100 range, finished in a digitally enhanced scenic print to demonstrate the numerous ways of enhancing the finish of a panel. Both 70mm and 100mm Visioplan units are installed, and a straight sliding system completes the products on show.

A working miniature of the new semi automatic (Easymatic) system is also on display.

Managing director of Alco Beldan

Steve James said: ‘This new facility presents us with a unique opportunity to enhance the knowledge of all our products across the board.’

The centre is also availableto demonstrate the product range to architects, designers, contractors and clients.

Alco Beldan has also opened an acoustic laboratory at the same site, allowing on site performance testing on movable walls. www.alcobeldan.com

MURASPEC IS CONTINUING ITSwork with the designers of the future, this time at the Universityof Huddersfield.

Muraspec provided a group of art and design students with an insight into the wallcoverings industry, specifically looking at the different types of wallcoverings available and what needs to be considered when working in a commercial environment.

Students took part in a workshop enabling them to put in to practice

what they had learnt, creating mood boards taking into account issues such as durability, fire ratings and light reflective values.

Muraspec’s vast product range allowed the students to familiarise themselves with the various types of wallcoverings on offer including environmental options, digital and SSG, a hard wearing protective wallcovering.

‘It was a workshop that allowed the students to use their design

skills, whilst giving them an understanding of industry requirements and restrictions. They all got involved and enjoyed themselves thoroughly’, said senior lecturer Helen Ryall. www.muraspec.com

Designers of the futureALTPLAN’S MD ERIC BLOOR BELIEVES THAT HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE workplace is so important that he recently insisted that all employees take a level one Health & Safety in the Workplace examination.

‘There were 150,000 injuries reported and 228 people killed during 2007/2008 and this doesn’t account for the hundreds of thousands that went unreported,’ said Eric.

‘As a member of AIS and the British Safety Council and having achieved Safecontractor accreditation we believe health and safety in the workplace has to be a top priority. It was important that all members of staff are aware of their responsibilities regarding health and safety whether working on site or within the office environment.’

Congratulations to all members of staff who passed their examination with flying colours, pictured are just some of them proudly displaying their certificates. www.altplan.co.uk

Ageing workforce presents threat to industryRESEARCH BY THE CHARTERED Institute of Building (CIOB) has shown that construction managers over the age of 60 are the fastest growing age group in the sector.

The research, which looks at the impact of what an ageing population will have on the construction industry, revealed not only the implications for building, design and structure but also the effect on the workforce.

CIOB deputy chief executive Michael Brown said: ‘There are two trends in particular that should be of concern for the industry. Firstly the total numbers of construction managers above the age of 60 has increased and the biggest reduction in workers fell in the under 30 group. The likely impact is as clear as it is worrying. A great deal of knowledge is about to be lost and fewer professionals are in line to replace it.’

The majority of respondentscited the ageing construction workforce, the economic impact of this demographic change and the state of the existing building stock as the biggest challenges facing the industry.

View a full version of the report at www.ciob.org/resources/research

Free guides from HSEMORE THAN £1MILLION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PUBLICATIONS AND guidance will now be free to access on the Health and Safety Executive’s website.

Launching its new five year strategy for safety in Great Britain, the HSE said it would make all its documents freely available in a bid to help SMEs improve safety standards in their businesses.

The documents, which are largely purchased by small and medium-sized firms, are currently only available in paid for hardcopy.

The safety body is also asking organisations to sign up to its new strategy, which has already been signed by firms including Corus, BAA and BT.

For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk

Discounted site safety trainingFROM 2010, MAJOR CONTRACTORS will require all supervisors on their sites to have successfullycompleted the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) (or equivalent) within the last five years. AIS members are eligible for £50 off both the two day SSSTS course and the five day SMSTS course when booked with one of NSCC’s chosen providers. AIS will be launching its own SMSTS course later in 2009.

For course dates, see the information page of the NSCC website at www.nscc.org.uk

Selling to architectsCIMCIG, IN ASSOCIATIONwith RIBA Enterprises, is running a half day seminar on marketing to architects on 22 September in London.The event will look at how architects' needs are changing and review the key methods of selling to architects including NBS specifications, CPD, the role of the sustainability consultant and specifier communication channels. www.cimcig.org/events.php

Changes to CSCS cardsANYONE APPLYING FOR, OR renewing black CSCS senior manager cards will now be required to take the Higher Managerial/Professionally Qualified Person’s (PQP) health and safety test. The aim is to test the health and safety knowledge of those people qualifying for a black CSCS card with questions more appropriate to their job roles. www.cscs.uk.com

New HSE Small Sites StrategyTHE HSE IS LAUNCHING A national strategy for improving health and safety on small building sites where less than five people are working. Intended to run until 2012/13, the Small Sites Strategy will provide practical information sheets on how to improve heath and safety processes with inspector visits promoting good practice messages.

The new strategy, which will not apply to small firms on larger sites, will focus on domestic roof repair, manual handling and the provision of welfare facilities in 2009/10. www.hse.gov.uk

Free guides from HSE

creating mood boards taking

range allowed the students to skills, whilst

H&S qualifications for all Altplan staff

1111

What is the Astins Institute?THE ASTINS INSTITUTE IS THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ARM OF drylining contractor Astins. Located in London, near Battersea Power Station, it is a privately funded facility devoted to research, innovation and training for the construction industry.

How did it come about?Fundamentally it was born out of management’s belief that people are the company’s greatest asset.

Our managing director Dominic Tutt visited the Honda Institute three years ago and was so impressed with the facility and the way it operated that he wanted to create something similar for the construction industry.

The company has always been an advocate of training, but this significant investment takes it one step further, reflecting just how seriously we are committed to training.

What makes it special?The institute is an impressive place in both function and form. It is a state of the art facility, which provides a stimulating training environment stocked with the latest equipment and resources.

There are open plan workshop areas, which allow apprentices to build off Astins project drawings rather than fit in to small bays, and classrooms are equipped with interactive learning technology. The latest power tools and laser equipment have been supplied by Hilti to allow the apprentices to train using some of the best equipment available.

The facility is staffed by a first class in house team of directlyemployed people. There is a real buzz about the place, with staff havinga sense of great purpose and vision. Just looking at the way they work with trainees and apprentices, you can immediately feel the ambition to provide something special to the construction industry. It is a very special atmosphere. One that you can imagine producing the people and technology required to shape the future of construction and drylining.

How did the launch go?Very well, thank you. The institute was officially opened last month bySir Michael Latham, chairman of ConstructionSkills. Over 140 guests were given a tour of the facilities, where they saw first hand what the institute has to offer.

I believe there was a surprise for guests? There certainly was. Guests were introduced to our second intake of apprentices. What was unusual was that they were all young women.

We spent six months scouring the country in search of the next generation of top talent for the construction industry, shortlisting 600 applicants. The six we selected are extremely talented young ladies,with the drive and ambition to become the 'best in construction'.

Why the focus on women?The diversity imbalance in the construction industry is easy to see. Females make up 51% of the population, whilst just 12% work in construction, 88% of which are in secretarial roles.

The Astins Institute is the only privately funded organisation offering fully paid, women-only apprenticeships to our sector. It is hoped that this will help encourage the construction industry to engaging with a new and more diverse workforce. We want it to become a beacon to young women across the country, with a view to opening up employment opportunities for young women in our sector.

This is unprecedented in an industry that is recorded as employing less than one percent of women as construction site workers. It is indicative of the revolutionary principles that underlie the work of the institute, which can be summarised in its motto ‘Transforming Lives, Challenging Expectations’.

What type of training does the institute provide?A large part of the institute’s work is contained within its mission to improve the skills and talents of trainees, the construction industry and society in general. It aims to do this by opening up opportunities in construction for all and through the development of people's untapped potential. Providing apprenticeships is fundamental to this work.

We are set to offer up to 25 apprenticeships each year to young people. Each apprentice is given the benefit of a two year programme, providing salaried work, training and work experience. At the end of the two years each apprentice will have an NVQ two qualification and experience in all areas of internal construction and fit-out including ceilings, drylining, partitioning, carpentry and metal working.

What else does it offer?We also offer a range of training and skills development opportunities to other organisations in the construction industry. These include upskilling NVQ assessments, new entrant training for new joiners, Modern Methods in Construction courses in conjunction with ConstructionSkills, bespoke skills development programmes designed by Astins Institute staff, off site training, EWPA assessments and away days for strategic management and development sessions.

The institute is also the focus of Astins innovation and development work. Teams from inside and outside the firm will make use of the facility to explore new and more effective means of delivering drylining solutions to the construction industry. Astins is continuously looking to improve the quality and efficiency of its delivery. The institute provides a facility for the investigation on new products, new techniques and new processes and how they can be worked onto commercial construction sites.

What about the future?Organisations from both inside and outside our industry have already come to us to discuss the mutual benefits of partnering around the work that the institute does. These include Waitrose, Laing O’Rourke, The Army, Women and Manual Trades and senior politicians from both the major political parties.

Our training is already becoming recognised as the very best that this country has to offer and other companies are keen to take advantage. Together with ConstructionSkills, we hope to build the Astins Institute into the UK’s leading training and skills development organisation.

If you would like to find out more about the work of the Astins Institute and how it can help you with your training and skills development needs, contact Sally Friedlander by email at [email protected] www.astinsinstitute.com

Training feature The Astins InstituteA new future for research and training in construction

AIS TRAINING MANAGER Jeremy Clayton talks to Astins’ head of people and organisational development Sally Friedlander about the new £1million Astins Institute and its mission to bring the very bestin trainingandconstructionskills transferto youngpeople.


12


ConstructionSkills pledges to help businesses through the recession

News feature

CITB-CONSTRUCTIONSKILLS, THE body responsible for collecting the levy from the industry as well as providing grants, is taking steps to ensure that businesses are given a helping hand during the recession.

The current economic climate means that theCITB-ConstructionSkills Levy and Grants system is more crucial than ever. GB plc still needs a construction workforce that is both professional and safe. Now, more than ever before it is important that the industry continues to train up its future workforce, so that we are ready when the upturn comes.

According to ConstructionSkills more than 60% of employers believe there would be a detrimental impact on training in the industry if the levy was removed. Parliament recently endorsed this by the introducing a three year Levy Order covering levies payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Levy rates remain unchanged at 0.5% in respect of payments to directly employed personnel (PAYE) and 1.5% on payments to labour only

subcontractors (LOSC) for all three years. In addition, the small firms exclusion limit has been increased to £80,000 for the same period. This will ensure that employers can plan for the future and guarantees support for the construction industry at a time when it needs it most.

AIS training manager Jeremy Clayton said: ’While times are tough, AIS is working closely with ConstructionSkills to maximise the levy return to our members. Our aim is to have every penny of levy returned as training grants, so our members are ready to hit the ground running once the economy picks up.’

Assessments for this year’s levy are based on employmentpayments for the year to 5 April 2008. This means that despite the current economic climate levels of levy continue to remain high, resulting in many businesses facing problems in making payment. CITB-ConstructionSkills has put in place a number measures to help employers to manage their levy payments. These include setting up a payment plan or paying by Direct Debit and spreading the levy over monthly instalments. AIS members are urged to consider how to maximise their cashflow by taking advantage of these optionswhere appropriate.

In addition, from August 2009 any employer that has not paid its 2008 levy or signed up to pay by direct debit instalments will have its grant payments withheld until the levy conditions are met. This is to ensure that employers who have paid their levy are not subsidising those who have not paid.

The message from CITB-ConstructionSkills is very much one of ‘we are here to help’. Last year, 23,500 employers benefited from grants. Support will continue to be available for those engaged in training throughout the industry over the coming years.

The CITB-ConstructionSkills website has a dedicated Levy andGrants page with lots of useful advice and phone numbers.In addition, the Levy and Grant customer service team can be contacted on 0300 456 7668. www.cskills.org.uk


13


Business feature

A good contract can protect both the main and subcontractor, minimise risk and ensure a project runs smoothly. So why do so many subcontractors fail to negotiate or even understand the terms of the contract? Andrew Voysey, managing director of ARV Surveying & Developments, explains.

ARV Surveying & Developments provides a free Q&A service for AIS members via its website www.arvsurveying.co.uk

SUBCONTRACTORS AND CONTRACTS ARE NOT ALWAYS A COMFORTABLE pair. Many subcontractors view signing a construction contract as a necessary evil, firstly to secure work and secondly to get paid on time. Thoughts on what clauses the contract may contain are noted, but fingers are firmly crossed that unread clauses do not come back to bite.

Signing a contract is a serious business, as each and every construction project has the potential to place a subcontractor into liquidation. On this basis alone, they should never be entered into lightly.

The reasons some subcontractors ignore the importance of perusing, understanding and particularly negotiating the proposed contract are culturally plausible. ‘The main contractor will get upset’; ‘the cost of employing a professional to vet the contract is too expensive’; ‘the main contractor will seek the services of one of my competitors if I come across too contractual’; ‘the main contractor said I would not be paid until I signed the contract’. However, what many subcontractors fail to realise is that main contractors see lack of negotiation as a sign of weakness and being unprofessional.

The important point to remember is that skilful negotiation of contracts in all business transactions

is the key to business survival. It is imperative that subcontractors minimise their financial risks by identifying the risks of construction contracts and where necessary negotiate. Negotiation is not being too contractual, but rather a sign of professionalism. It demonstrates that your business fully understands the grey areas of the proposed contract and is willing to work with the main contractor to eliminate them. It is far better to negotiate a contract before commencing work than have a protracted and expensive legal dispute at the end. Identifying and minimising financial risk and reducing mutual uncertainty helps to avoid disputes, achieve profit and improve cash flow. This process can only lead to a smoother journey along the construction highway.

The benefits of identifying and understanding your risks are huge. Being contractual and being contractually aware are not mutually exclusive. Being contractually aware facilitates a good negotiator who knows when his hand is strong and when his hand is weak and can thus make educated contractual decisions accordingly.

There are three types of negotiation positions:• Domination - the party knows his position is strong.• Subordination - the party knows his position is weak.• Uncertainty - the party has no idea if he is strong or weak.

A subcontractor should never have ‘uncertainty’; this is the worst position to be in. Understanding your contractual rights and reading and understanding the contract prevents this.

Subcontractors should also be aware of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (commonly known as the Construction Act).

The Construction Act calls for all contracts to have key clauses such as a means to adjudicate disputes, an adequate payment mechanism which identifies when a party will be paid and how, a means to suspend work for non-payment and a prior notice of intention to withhold payment.

The Construction Act is the most defining piece of legislation the construction industry has ever been presented with. However few subcontractors know its worth. The Construction Act can help with non-payment, late payment, under payment, late issuing of payment certificates,

suspension of work and a means to settling disputes. All of which are valuable tools in the subcontractors armoury.

It also recommends that you insist on an identifiable scope of works, a priced bill of quantities, a construction programme, a detailed trade specification, a list of attendances, and a defects liability period. These clauses are seen as the bare minimum.

Variations to the original scope of work are of course inevitable. Where they occur you need to be clear as to what action the contract demands you take. A contractually incorrect submission of a variation claim can lead to non-payment and the potential loss of a programme extension attributed to complete your extra works. Invariably most construction projects overrun their original contract programme and to lose the right to an extension of time attributed to variations through poorly administered variation submissions could have severe financial consequences. Extra time to complete your works due to variations is a lot easier to prove than trying to claw back time due to delays by other trades or by the main contractor.

Nobody disputes that if a construction project was carried out to the letter of the contract it would probably be delayed by a considerable period of time. It is essential that a good main contractor/subcontractor relationship is based on a mutually agreed understanding of the contract and its parameters and the flexibility of both parties to work within the spirit and not necessarily the letter of the contract.

Understanding the construction contract you enter into is clarity. Working with the main contractor within the boundaries of the contract is sanity.

A riskybusiness

Ten tips for contract survival• Read the contract and do not sign it if you do not understand it.• Understand how the contract requires variations to be notified and priced and act accordingly.• Know the payment mechanism and the key dates associated with it.• Keep the main contractor informed of costs as they occur and do not spring any surprises on them, especially at final account stage.• Monitor your construction programme for progress on a weekly basis.• Take progress photos.• Notify the main contractor of any delays to your package at the point they occur or you become aware.• Fill out a daily diary record.• Agree and sign a Final Account Statement.• If necessary, take action and advice.



14


Business feature

IT IS USUAL FOR THE MANAGEMENT and direction of a company to be entrusted to the directors by the company’s articles of association. The powers conferred on the board by the constitution are invariably wide ranging.

The law seeks to impose restrictions and controls on the directors to prevent them from abusing their powers. Some of the restrictions and controls are contained in statutes, principally the Companies Acts and Insolvency Acts, whereas some have their origin in the common law of negligence and the equitable principles relating to fiduciary duties, built up by judges deciding different cases since the 19th century.

A wide range of statutes imposes additional duties on directors eg over 200 other duties under the Companies Act 2006 and health and safety law and competition law.

The rest of this article is concerned only with directors’ general duties under the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ general dutiesThe law on directors’ duties was transformed by the Companies Act 2006, which codified the common law and equitable principles for the first time, although it will still be necessary to refer to the historic body of case law to understand the new provisions.

The seven general duties, asstated in the Companies Act 2006, are described below. They apply to directors of all companies, public and private, holding and subsidiary companies.

Duty 1: To act within powers Directors have the job of managing the company and they are given certain powers to enable them to do that, but they must act according to the company’s constitution and use those powers in the interests of the company, not to further their own narrow interests.

Duty 2: To promotethe success of the company This is a new duty, a re-casting of the old law that imposed a duty to act in good faith in the best interests of the company as a whole. The language is now subtly different: directors of a company must act in the way that they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole.

The directors must have regard to certain matters in discharging this duty. These include:• the likely consequences of any decision in the long term

• the interests of the company’s employees • the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others• the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment• the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct• the need to act fairly as between members of the company.

Duty 3: To exercise independent judgment A director must exercise independent judgement. A director is on a board to act in the best interests of the company as a whole, not to represent the interests of just one shareholder or even a group of like-minded investors. That rule applies irrespective of the circumstances in which a director has been appointed.

Duty 4: To exercise reasonable care, skill and diligenceThis duty sets a minimum standard required by law of all directors, which is increased should the director possess a higher standard of general knowledge, skill or experience. The director owes a duty to his company to exercise the same standard of care, skill and diligence that would be exercised by a reasonably diligent person with:• general knowledge, skill and experience that may reasonably be expected of a person carrying out the same function as the director in relation to that company (an objective test)• the general knowledge, skill and experience that the director actually has (a subjective test).

Duty 5: To avoid conflicts of interest A director has a duty to avoid any conflict of interest. The Act distinguishes between three different situations in which directors have potential or actual conflicts of interest (in addition to the duty not to accept benefits from third parties). These are: • conflicts with the interests of the company in relation to transactions/arrangements to which the company is not a party - for example the exploitation of an opportunity, whether or not the company could have taken advantage of it • conflicts in relation to proposed transactions/arrangements to which the company will be party• conflicts in relation to existing transactions/arrangements to which the company is party.

The Act defines conflict of interest to mean both a conflict of interest and a conflict of duties.

Duty 6: Not to accept benefits from third parties A director must not accept a benefit from a third party unless acceptance of such a benefit ‘cannot be reasonably regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest’.

Duty 7: To declare interests in proposed transactions with the companyIf a director is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the company, he must declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other directors. The declaration can be given orally at a board meeting, or in writing sent to each director.

DisqualificationDefaulting directors may expect not only personal or criminal liabilities as a consequence of a breach of duty, but may also face a court order disqualifying them from acting as a director for up to 15 years.

ConclusionIt is important to remember however, that there is no expectation by the courts of perfection or infallibility on the part of directors. Provided directors have a proper understanding of their role and take basic protective measures, the risks of committing a breach of a general duty can be kept to an acceptable level.

All AIS members have been sent a series of FactFile information sheets providing further guidance on the roles and responsibilities of directors.

Understandingthe director's role

What is theInstitute of Directors?

THE IOD WAS FOUNDED IN 1903 and obtained a Royal Charter in 1906. It has upwards of 52,000 members in the UK and overseas. Membership includes directors from right across the business spectrum.

The IoD offers a wide range of business services which include business centre facilities, conferences, networking events, issues-led guides and literature, as well as free access to business information and advisory services and a comprehensive Information Centre. It places great emphasis on director development and has established a certified qualification for directors, Chartered Director, as well as running specific board level and director level training and individual career mentoring programmes. www.iod.com

MANY AIS MEMBERS ARE COMPANY DIRECTORS, HAVINGset up their own company or been promoted into the position. But do you truly know what it means?George Bartlett FCIS of the Institute of Directors takes a look at directors’ responsibilities.


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SIMON FINEMAN, CHIEF executive of Timbmet, one of Europe’s largest timber distributors and innovators, explores the impact of sourcing unsustainable plywood from China, the slow but steady growth in demand for sustainable timber as a whole and assesses the impact the government’s revised timber procurement policy has had on the market.

THE COMMERCIAL FIT-OUT SECTOR SPENDS SEVERAL MILLION EACH YEAR ON imported plywood, a large proportion of which has no environmental credentials. Used widely across the construction industry as a whole, plywood was the subject of a 2008 Greenpeace report: ‘Setting a New Standard - alternatives to unsustainable plywood in the UK construction industry’. The report is a practical guide for companies wanting to avoid the use of illegal plywood. Much of this comes from China, now the world’s largest plywood producing and exporting country. Today, 45% of all UK hardwood plywood imports come from China despite there being virtually no certified tropical hardwood plywood available. According to Greenpeace, the origins of much of this timber are the rainforests of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which are being ‘plundered with impunity by international logging companies in defiance of both national law and the rights of indigenous people...’

Although a number of UK and European timber traders have suspended trade in the product since Greenpeace’s exposé, and the Timber Trade Federation has advised members not to deal in wood products from Papua New Guinea or the Solomon Islands, Chinese plywood continues to flood the market. This might be easier to comprehend if the properties and cost benefits of unsustainable plywood outweighed the alternatives, but this isn’t the case. Both FSC plywood and FSC certified OSB (Oriented Strand Board) offer quality, cost effective options and are ideal for the commercial fit-out sector.

Although OSB has been available for some time and is extremely price competitive, take up within the interior fit-out industry has been relatively low, largely due to a lack of understanding about its properties and uses. OSB consists of three layers of wood strands coated with waterproof resins interwoven in a lattice pattern and then compressed at high temperature to add extra strength, rigidity and moisture resistance. It has no knotholes or core voids, does not split and will not delaminate. It also has excellent fixing capabilities, comparable with plywood, and is easy to work with. Importantly, OSB is also FSC certified.

Timbmet’s answer to OSB is to stock SmartPly®, which comes from well managed, sustainable forests in Ireland and is independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The product comes in two types – SmartPly 3 which is for structural use in dry or humid conditions and is ideal for general building purposes; and SmartPly 2 which is a general purpose board with a square-edged finish in 8, 11, 15 and 18mm thicknesses. Easy to saw, drill, sand, plane, glue and paint, it can be nailed up to 10mm from the edge without splitting.

The specification and use of sustainable timber and timber products affects the entire construction industry. This is especially true in light of the government’s newly upgraded procurement policy, which came into effect on 1 April this year.

Although the policy has been slow to make an impact on the industry so far, it is an important step in the right direction. Essentially, the policy says that works generated by government departments, executive agencies or public bodies can only use timber from independently verified legal and sustainable sources or from a licensed Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) partner.

For those not familiar with the terminology, a FLEGT partner is a timber producing country that has signed up to a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Community to implement a timber licensing system. The EU will only accept licensed products from that country, with the aim of preventing illegal products from entering the EU market. However, from 1 April 2015, only legal and sustainable timber will be demanded and timber from FLEGT partners will not be admissible.

According to the new procurement rules, timber and wood-derived products must now be specified in performance output terms rather than be species specific. It is also worth noting that before a contract is awarded, a contractor’s record in supplying legal and sustainable timber will be taken into consideration when inviting companies to tender.

Bearing in mind the limitations of the current market it would surely be in a supplier’s best interests to switch to sustainable timber in order to appeal to the broadest possible customer base, particularly when signs are pointing to an increase in public sector contracts whilst the private sector declines.

The government has pledged huge investment ahead of the next election and the Construction Products Association is anticipating growth in education, health, prisons and the Olympics.

I would suggest that any suppliers wanting to get free advice and guidance to help comply with the policy contact the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) which is funded by Defra. The CPET website at www.proforest.net/cpet provides information on procuring legal and sustainable timber, dealing with specification and contract compliance among other issues. CPET also holds Defra-funded training workshops all over the UK.

While many AIS members may have limited exposure to government contracts, demand for sustainably sourced timber is increasing across the board. With greater public awareness of how illegally harvested timber is affecting climate change as well as the negative impact on indigenous populations, some companies are demanding the use of FSC timber in construction projects. DIY stores are moving towards selling environmentally and socially responsible timber and some construction companies such as Carillion and Taylor Woodrow have policies aimed at preventing the use of illegal and unsustainable timber on their sites.

Without a doubt the construction industry, including the commercial fit-out sector, needs to get behind the issue of sustainability and start making changes to the materials used traditionally. The ecological and social impact of using illegally logged, unsustainable timber is well documented and with viable, cost effective alternatives available offering equal if not improved performance criteria, the choice is clear. The government has set an important standard with its revised procurement policy, but it’s up to the construction industry to take the next step and where possible apply these rules to non-public sector projects. The benefits will be commercial as well as environmental. www.timbmet.com

Business feature


interiors insight - july 2009

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