News Archive - July 2011
Worcester Bosch wins at Plumb Center awards
29 July 2011
The Worcester Bosch Group scooped three awards at the Plumb Center and Parts Center National Supplier Conference.
Vokèra promotes BDM to regional sales director
29 July 2011
John Davies has been promoted to regional sales director for the central region of the Vokèra sales team.
Team Leeds wins Graham go-karting challenge
29 July 2011
Team Leeds - Contract Branch, has been crowned Graham National Go Karting Challenge 2011 champions.
Centrica reports £1.3bn profits
28 July 2011
British Gas owner Centrica has reported operating profits of £1.3bn in the six months to 30 June, which is down 19 per cent on the same period last year.
High fuel costs are holding heating companies back
27 July 2011
The Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors (APHC) says the industry is suffering a double-whammy due to the combination of the high price of fuel and the recession.
First building services degree launched in Liverpool
27 July 2011
A building services engineering (BSE) Foundation degree being delivered by Liverpool Community College and awarded by Liverpool John Moores University is said to be the first to secure the endorsement of both SummitSkills and fdf (Foundation degree Forward).
Fläkt Woods appoints new service and sales manager
27 July 2011
Dave Perry has been appointed as the new service and sales manager for Fläkt Woods.
£25m investment to boost new apprenticeships
27 July 2011
The Government has announced a new apprenticeship programme to help create jobs and growth which needs to be extended to the construction industry.
HVCA president urges contractors to meet client demands
27 July 2011
HVCA president Bob Shelley says meeting the demands of customers and clients is the key to remaining "in business and in profit" in the times ahead.
SummitSkills releases framework for standards
27 July 2011
SummitSkills, the sector skills council for the building services engineering sector, has developed five frameworks to safeguard standards and enhance the quality of services across the electrotechnical, heating and ventilating, plumbing, and refrigeration and air conditioning industries.
Blane Judd receives C&G fellowship
27 July 2011
New HVCA chief executive Blane Judd has been appointed a fellow of the City and Guilds of London Institute in recognition of his contribution to training and education in building engineering services.
British Gas fined £2.5m for failing customers
27 July 2011
Ofgem has announced a £2.5 million penalty on British Gas after an investigation by the regulator found that the company had breached regulations setting standards for the way energy companies handle customer complaints.
Wolseley announces sale of Build Center
25 July 2011
Wolseley is selling its Build Center division to Jewson for a reported £145 million.
10,000 litre heating oil leak in Cumbria
25 July 2011
An investigation is underway to discover how around 10,000 litres of heating oil leaked from underground tanks at the County Hotel in Kendal.
BP Chemicals fined £30,000 for gas leak
25 July 2011
BP Chemicals has been fined £30,000 at Hull Magistrates Court for two offences after pleading guilty to a leak of gas containing carbon monoxide from its plant.
Scottish & Southern Energy to raise prices
22 July 2011
Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) will raise its prices from September.
Online tool to calculate absorption distance
22 July 2011
HygroMatik is offering a calculator and an absorption distance nonogram on their website, available to help consultants in the design process.
Renewable Heat Premium Payment launched
22 July 2011
Householders could get up to £1,250 of government funding to help towards the cost of installing renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps and solar thermal panels.
BBC Young Plumber joins Vaillant
22 July 2011
Vaillant has appointed Aimee Patterson as an area sales manager covering the South-West of England.
ebm-papst technical director is new president of FETA
22 July 2011
Geoff Lockwood, technical director at fan and motor supplier ebm-papst, has been appointed president of the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA).
BARMA appoints new chairman
22 July 2011
BARMA, the Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers' Association, has appointed John Colling as its new chairman.
CIPHE warns of asbestos responsibilities
22 July 2011
Acting chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) Kevin Wellman has warned heating engineers that they need to know their responsibilities in dealing with asbestos.
M&S and two contractors guilty of safety failings
20 July 2011
Retail giant Marks and Spencer has been convicted of putting members of the public, staff and construction workers at risk of exposure to asbestos-containing materials during the refurbishment of one of its stores.
Genlec gains core patent deal in Canada
20 July 2011
Energetix Group, which develops alternative and efficient energy products, has announced that its subsidiary Energetix Genlec has been granted a core patent by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for its microCHP technology used in its Kingston appliance.
A.O. Smith to acquire Lochinvar for $418m
20 July 2011
A.O. Smith Corp will acquire Lochinvar Corp for $418 million to expand the company's presence in the global water heating market.
Construction workers warned about risk of skin cancer
19 July 2011
Skin cancer in construction workers could be as common as asbestos-related disease, warns new research.
£22bn investment in Government construction projects announced
19 July 2011
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude has announced £22 billion of investment in Government construction projects over the next three years.
Polypipe Ventilation launches installer loyalty scheme
19 July 2011
Polypipe Ventilation has launched a loyalty programme, providing installers with the opportunity to gain points on the purchase of Silavent and Domus fan and heat recovery products.
Plumber sentenced for causing a gas explosion
19 July 2011
A Wolverhampton plumber received a 10-month suspended jail sentence for causing a gas explosion and fire in which a pensioner sustained 21 per cent burns while rescuing his nine-year-old granddaughter.
Guide to agency workers regulations launched
19 July 2011
The HVCA and the Building Services Engineering Employment Agency Alliance have jointly produced a practical guide to the agency workers regulations.
Vent-Axia on the market for £200m
19 July 2011
Vent-Axia, the heating and ventilation unit manufacturer, has been put on the market with a price tag of £200 million.
Parliament approves new energy planning reforms
19 July 2011
The energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) have been approved in the House of Commons.
ADEY appoints new members to sales force
18 July 2011
ADEY has appointed five new positions in what the company says is the largest expansion of its sales team to date.
Glenigan reports construction starts down 24%
18 July 2011
The underlying value of UK construction project starts was 24 per cent lower for the three months to June compared to the same period in 2010, according to industry analyst Glenigan.
More environmental training still needed
18 July 2011
A new report from SummitSkills reveals that there is insufficient environmental technology training available to meet potential demand which could lead to rogue traders.
EAL urges the Government to deliver on apprenticeships
18 July 2011
Ann Watson, managing director of specialist awarding organisation, EAL, has welcomed Skills Minster John Hayes’ plans to reduce bureaucracy for micro-firms looking to take on apprentices, but warns that wider action is needed if Britain is to avoid a shortage of skilled labour.
Irish business leader made non-executive director at Norland
18 July 2011
Brian Montague has been appointed a non-executive director by Norland Managed Services.
Panasonic launches free designer software
15 July 2011
Panasonic has launched its new ECOi VRF Designer software to make bespoke air conditioning systems.
Westminster Academy to sue BDP
15 July 2011
Education secretary Michael Gove is reported to have backed Westminster Academy to sue BDP in the High Court over defects with the building's ventilation system.
Johnson & Starley acquires Quake Energy Services
14 July 2011
Johnson & Starley has entered the renewable energy market by acquiring White Consolidated trading under the name of Quake Energy Services.
HMRC offers firms online Olympics advice
14 July 2011
Small and medium-sized companies hoping to win Olympics contracts are invited to the HMRC's online advice seminar this month.
£1m funding gives Worgas Burners a boost
14 July 2011
Worgas Burners has secured a £1 million funding facility through independent invoice and asset based lender Venture Finance.
Bluesky maps potential for free electricity
14 July 2011
Bluesky Solar Maps says it is giving businesses across the South of England the chance to benefit from free or low cost electricity.
BBES raises over £17,000 for the ACCORD Hospice
14 July 2011
Employees from Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) took part in the 'Whitelee Challenge' on 22 May 2011 and raised £17,422 for the ACCORD Hospice in Paisley.
Sabien announces 114% turnover boost
14 July 2011
Sabien Technology Group has announced a 114 per cent increase in turnover for the year to 30 June 2011, compared to the previous year in its trading report.
Viessmann backs Moto2 leader Stefan Bradl
14 July 2011
Viessmann is backing German motorcyclist Stefan Bradl for the second year running.
Hilson Moran hires security and FM specialists
14 July 2011
Hilson Moran, an international engineering consultancy, has made two key appointments in its Manchester office.
Ceres Power opens new facility in Sussex
14 July 2011
Ceres Power's fuel cell manufacturing facility has been officially unveiled in Horsham by the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP.
£110bn energy investment plan revealed
13 July 2011
Plans for £110bn investment into electricity generation in the UK have been unveiled in a white paper by the Energy Secretary Chris Huhne.
Vokèra launches trade vehicle to tour the UK
12 July 2011
Vokèra has launched a trade vehicle designed to help installers learn more about its residential, light commercial and renewable solutions.
Wolseley UK announces sale of Electric Center
12 July 2011
Wolseley UK has agreed to sell its Electric Center business to electrical equipment distributor Edmundson Electrical.
SkillPIPE announces finalists
12 July 2011
The 2011 SkillPIPE competition has named the finalists who will compete in September to be named its UK champion.
Timoleon releases under floor heating app
12 July 2011
Timoleon has launched an iPhone app to make getting quotations, information, and even ordering underfloor heating available through an 'application' for the iPhone.
Green equipment finance scheme launched
12 July 2011
The Carbon Trust and Siemens have launched a new scheme to provide UK manufacturers with green equipment finance.
Newham raises the bar on gas safety
12 July 2011
The London Borough of Newham has installed carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and smoke alarms in more than 15,000 properties.
Salus launches Facebook reward for installers
11 July 2011
Salus is offering to reward every registered installer who 'likes' the company's Facebook page with a £100 cheque.
EnviroVent receives BPEC approval for new training initiative
11 July 2011
EnviroVent, has received approval for its new Domestic Ventilation Training Programme from the British Plumbing Employers Council (BPEC).
BBES wins education projects valued at £10.5m
08 July 2011
Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) has been awarded two schools contracts within the Oldham Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, valued at £10.5m.
British Gas to raise prices
08 July 2011
British Gas has announced that domestic tariffs will rise for customers, meaning an average increase in the cost of gas of 18 per cent, and for electricity 16 per cent.
Man fined for dangerous gas work
08 July 2011
A gas engineer from South Warwickshire has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for carrying out dangerous work that put two people at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Explosion in Castleford linked to copper cabling theft
08 July 2011
The theft of copper cabling may have been responsible for a large gas explosion that ripped through a row of houses in Castleford.
Whitehall exceeds Prime Minister's 10 per cent carbon target
07 July 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that carbon emissions from Government HQs and offices have been slashed by nearly 14 per cent in just one year, and now plans to put a 25 per cent target in place for 2015.
EPCs get re-design in bid to tackle grassroots energy efficiency
07 July 2011
A new design of the front page of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be launched from April 2012, and a series of business-led trials have also been announced to help reduce fuel bills.
Fernox brings installer advice to the Renewable Roadshow
07 July 2011
Chemical water treatment manufacturer Fernox will be exhibiting at the Renewable Roadshow taking place across the UK this September.
New acoustic test facility at BSRIA
07 July 2011
Research organisation BSRIA has completed its new acoustic chamber for testing of airborne noise of space heating and cooling products.
Gas Safety Week launched for September
07 July 2011
The Gas Safe Register is looking for organisations to pledge their support for the first Gas Safety Week that will take place between the 12 - 18 September.
Walter Meier reports increased growth
06 July 2011
Walter Meier has improved sales by 3.3 per cent to CHF 317 million (Swiss francs) - £236m - in the first half of 2011.
Silver CREST awards presented to high school pupils
06 July 2011
Nine high pupils have received awards for a project to design an eco-classroom.
New president for CIPHE
06 July 2011
Lee Davies is the new president of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).
Take pride in apprenticeships, urges SummitSkills
06 July 2011
More employers in the building services engineering (BSE) sector should celebrate the success that apprentices have brought to their companies, said SummitSkills chief executive Keith Marshall as he congratulated electrical company Clarkson Evans for its win in the National Apprenticeship Awards for 2011.
Energy Saving Trust gives chemical water treatment a boost
06 July 2011
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is to endorse chemical inhibitors for water treatment from Autumn 2011.
New fire resistant ductwork white paper released
04 July 2011
Senior Hargreaves has published a white paper examining how fire resistant ductwork helps save lives and safeguards property in the event of a fire.
Valves and controls manufacturers join European association
04 July 2011
Major European manufacturers of thermostatic valves and other residential controls have formed an association as part of the European Building Automation and Controls Association (eu.bac).
BSS appoints new key account director
04 July 2011
BSS Industrial has appointed Paul Norton as key account director for the water sector.
Kingspan Renewables appoints new training manager
04 July 2011
Kingspan Renewables has appointed Keith Carruthers as training manager to oversee the company's portfolio of product, merchant and installer training.
Trane reports price rise
04 July 2011
Trane has announced a second price increase for this year of 2 to 5 per cent for various chillers, terminal and air handling systems, light commercial unitary and commercial rooftop solutions.
New online shop for building services engineers
04 July 2011
Logic4trade, a new online store, has been launched selling testing, inspection and consumable products for gas engineers, oil installers and electricians.
Climate Center to supply Daikin's VRV ac systems across the UK
04 July 2011
Climate Center has signed a nationwide supply agreement with Daikin UK for the latter's VRV air conditioning.
Johnson & Starley offer new BPEC ventilation courses
04 July 2011
New ventilation courses have been released by Johnson & Starley based at the training centre in Northampton.
NAPIT supports carbon monoxide awareness campaign
04 July 2011
NAPIT, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, has joined forces with the charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness to help raise the profile of the charity's work.
SummitSkills drives UK skills agenda
04 July 2011
The Annual Review for 2010/2011 from SummitSkills shows the impact the sector skills council has had for the building services engineering sector.
New technology director spearheads RW growth
04 July 2011
Willie Byrne has been appointed technology director by holding company the GDC Group to steer the anticipated growth in the Robinson Willey (RW) brand.