News Archive - January 2013
More than 9,000 insolvencies in construction and manufacturing since 2011
31 January 2013
According to new figures from Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), to date, there have been more than 9,000 insolvencies in construction and manufacturing since the first quarter of 2011.
BBES apprentices learn the ropes at new fire training centre
31 January 2013
Three apprentices from Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) have helped with the construction of the new £36 million Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Training Centre.
ENER-G backs proposed doubling of RHI tariff for ground source heat pumps
31 January 2013
ENER-G Sustainable Technologies has welcomed the proposed increase in the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for ground source heat pumps in commercial, industrial and community buildings, saying that it would offer a level playing field with other qualifying renewable technologies.
ICS introduces new data centre cooling website
31 January 2013
ICS Temperature Control has unveiled a new website which aims to provide expert advice and information on cooling systems designed specifically for data centres and server rooms.
WindowMaster helps architects and specifiers choosing natural ventilation
31 January 2013
WindowMaster, the supplier of natural comfort and smoke ventilation solutions, has produced a new white paper for architects on how best to select window actuators to enable precision control of windows and facades in natural ventilation systems.
White paper published on thermal destratification in buildings
31 January 2013
Drumbeat Energy Management, a new energy management business support service, has published a white paper on thermal destratification in buildings.
Schiedel marks 45 years in business
30 January 2013
Schiedel Chimney Systems is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
HETAS maps training against national standards
30 January 2013
HETAS has become the first organisation to successfully map biomass assessments against National Occupational Standards (NOS).
Travis Perkins acquires Solfex Energy Systems
30 January 2013
The Travis Perkins Group has acquired renewable energy distribution specialist, Solfex Energy Systems for an initial consideration of £8m.
Small local firms feel excluded from Green Deal, says FMB
29 January 2013
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says that more small, local builders want to get involved in the Green Deal but find the application and accreditation process overly complicated, while many householders are unaware of the potential benefits of the scheme due to a lack of positive publicity.
BSW celebrates golden anniversary
29 January 2013
Independent central heating contractor, BSW Building Services, is celebrating 50 years in business.
Schneider Electric awarded ISO 50001 accreditation
29 January 2013
Schneider Electric has received ISO 50001 accreditation for complying with the new standard for energy management systems across 15 of its largest UK sites.
Join a Part P CPS before requirements change, urges certification body
29 January 2013
Logic Certification is urging installers who may be considering joining a Part P Competent Persons Scheme (CPS) to do so now before the qualifying requirements change on 6 April.
BSI updates Green Deal standard
29 January 2013
Business standards organisation, BSI, has published an update to PAS 2030, the standard which supports the Green Deal policy, encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency measures within existing households and businesses.
Altecnic names new OEM sales manager
29 January 2013
Altecnic, the manufacturer and supplier of quality plumbing equipment, has appointed Chris Haycock as OEM sales manager.
Two new directors join TrustMark board
28 January 2013
TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen, has appointed two new directors to its board.
HPA welcomes RHI update statement
28 January 2013
The Heat Pump Association (HPA) says it welcomes the DECC's recent RHI update statement, which focused in particular on the low uptake of Ground Source Heat Pump systems compared to other technologies currently supported.
BBES completes £13m m&e project
28 January 2013
Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) has delivered an m&e package worth £13m for an award-winning science laboratory in Cambridge.
SIG urges PM to make Energy Bill Revolution top priority
28 January 2013
Following a letter sent to Prime Minister David Cameron by an alliance of more than 100 energy companies, charities and businesses, warning that Britain is heading for a fuel poverty crisis, SIG Energy Management, one of the alliance, has re-emphasised its support for the campaign.
B&ES reaches wage agreement with Unite
28 January 2013
B&ES says that it has negotiated a wage agreement for 2013/2014 with the trade union Unite, effective from today (28 January).
Green Deal launched today
28 January 2013
The Government's long awaited Green Deal has been launched today, with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of the UK's buildings.
TCL acquires Serviceplan
28 January 2013
TCL Air Conditioning has acquired Seviceplan for an undisclosed sum.
Lowara UK gains new factory standards
24 January 2013
Lowara UK, a leading supplier of domestic and commercial pumping solutions, has been awarded BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 certification following a thorough audit of its Devon head office, by risk and management system assessor, DNV.
Leading trade bodies back ACR Show
23 January 2013
Leading trade bodies from the air conditioning and refrigeration industry have given their official backing to the next ACR Show, which takes place from 11 to 13 February 2014, at the NEC in Birmingham.
UK-GBC joins alliance to warn PM about fuel poverty crisis
23 January 2013
The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has joined an alliance of more than 100 energy companies, charities and businesses, who have written to Prime Minister, David Cameron, warning him that Britain is heading for a fuel poverty crisis due to a failure of government policy.
Redring recruits marketing executive
23 January 2013
Redring Xpelair Group has appointed Daniela Martino as marketing executive, after she completed a year-long apprenticeship with the company.
JS Wright awarded £3.4m White City contract
23 January 2013
J S Wright has won a contract worth around £3.4m in one of London's biggest regeneration schemes.
Star Refrigeration relaunches e-learning system
23 January 2013
Star Refrigeration has launched the beta version of its re-branded global e-learning platform i-Know.com, previously known as elearning-training.com.
Sabien Technology says it feels vindicated by ASA decision
23 January 2013
Following a two and a half year investigation, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rejected three out of four points in a complaint about the content of a fact sheet produced by Sabien Technology.
Plumb Center becomes Green Deal provider
21 January 2013
Plumb Center (through parent company Wolseley UK) has become a Green Deal provider after receiving authorisation from the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body.
Copper ban prompts search for alternative anti-legionella water treatment
21 January 2013
The use of elemental copper has been banned as a biocide, particularly for legionella control, following a review by the EU under the Biocidal Products Directive.
Chris Balch named non-executive chairman at Hilson Moran
21 January 2013
Engineering consultancy Hilson Moran, has appointed Chris Balch as non-executive chairman.
Rettig ICC appoints new ceo
21 January 2013
Neil MacPherson has been appointed as chief executive officer of Rettig ICC, the European manufacturer of the Myson and Purmo brand products.
Rob Fawkner joins TROX UK board as production director
21 January 2013
Rob Fawkner has been appointed to the board of TROX UK as production director.
Energy and Utilities Alliance launches Biomass Heating Group
21 January 2013
Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) has introduced a biomass heating group.
Daikin seizes opportunities presented by climate change legislation
21 January 2013
Daikin UK has welcomed MP Ed Davey's speech at the launch of the Climate Legislation Initiative in London on 15 January, during the Globe Climate Legislation Summit.
ADEY marks seven carbon neutral years
21 January 2013
ADEY Professional Heating Solutions, the magnetic filtration specialist, has been declared a carbon neutral business for the seventh consecutive year.
CIBSE co-signs letter to Chancellor
21 January 2013
CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) has joined other member organisations from across the construction, property and infrastructure sectors, in an open letter to The Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for smart regulation and pointing out that there is already a degree of consensus around the Green for Growth campaign.
Alpha Heating recruits regional specification manager
21 January 2013
Alpha Heating has appointed Gavin Grover as its new regional specification manager.
Ruskin weather louvres get BSRIA certification
21 January 2013
Ruskin Air Management has gained BSRIA certification of three of its NACO brand weather louvres.
BMF reveals new corporate identity
17 January 2013
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has a new logo and corporate identity, which will be launched in February to coincide with its move to new offices in Coventry.
Cool Designs recruits apprentice and sales manager
16 January 2013
Alistair Dickson has joined Cool Designs Ltd (CDL) as apprentice projects engineer.
Sentinel names new ceo
16 January 2013
Water treatment specialist Sentinel has appointed Steve Goodwin as its new chief executive officer.
Vent-Axia expands UK manufacturing
16 January 2013
Vent-Axia is doubling its manufacturing capacity of unitary domestic fans at its Crawley site.
UFW launches Eco-Hub in Scotland
16 January 2013
Renewable energy specialist UFW has launched a new Eco-Hub site in Livingston, Scotland, in a £1.5m investment, which is expected to create around 15 new jobs in its first year.
Climate Energy gets Green Deal authorisation
16 January 2013
Climate Energy Group, a leading independent provider of energy efficiency services in the UK, has been granted authorisation by Secretary of State, Ed Davey, to act as a Green Deal Provider for both domestic and non-domestic work.
Geberit roadshow results in record number of conversions
16 January 2013
Geberit has reported that its 2012 roadshow was its most successful to date, with a record number of conversions to its press-fitting system.
UK Green Building Council appoints new chairman
15 January 2013
Andrew Gould of Jones Lang LaSalle has succeeded Dan Labbad, group ceo of Lend Lease, as chairman of the UK Green Building Council.
Unregistered Morden gas fitter risked family's safety
14 January 2013
An unregistered gas fitter from Morden has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after he installed unsafe gas fittings at a family's home in Tooting.
LC Energy acquires Harvest Wood
10 January 2013
LC Energy, the specialist supplier of sustainable wood fuel, has acquired the Harvest Wood Fuels bulk pellet business.
Danfoss attains full ownership of Turbocor
10 January 2013
Danfoss has acquired full ownership of the joint venture company Danfoss Turbocor Compressors, in which Danfoss has had a 50 per cent stake since 2004.
Accident rates fall in specialist sector says NSCC
10 January 2013
The results from the 2011/12 accident survey carried out by the National Specialist Contractor's Council (NSCC) show that the NSCC fatality rate has fallen by 50 per cent, the major injury rate by 43 per cent and the over 3-day rate by 60 per cent since NSCC started collecting accident information nine years ago.
Research highlights key trends for intelligent buildings
10 January 2013
Key trends and opportunities in the intelligent buildings industry for 2013 and beyond have been identified by IMS Research.
Preferred energy management software suppliers revealed
10 January 2013
Independent analyst Verdantix has claimed that CA Technologies, CarbonSystems, IBM, Schneider Electric and Verisae are the leaders in the global market for energy management software.
Greg Roberts joins expert panel on international standards
08 January 2013
Greg Roberts, environmental consultant at the manufacturers' organisation, EEF, has been appointed as the UK expert in a group reviewing the international standard ISO 14004.
Parish councillor prosecuted for unsafe gas work
08 January 2013
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an unregistered gas fitter from Swindon for carrying out unsafe work on a boiler and putting the householder at risk.
Sainsbury's enters domestic boiler market in Northern Ireland
07 January 2013
Sainsbury's is now selling a range of gas and oil boilers for the domestic heating market in its 13 stores in Northern Ireland.
Schneider Electric expresses concern over Government's plans for gas
07 January 2013
Schneider Electric has responded to the UK Government's plans for gas, with customer marketing manager, Darren Farrar, outlining his concern.
Airtherm names new associate director
07 January 2013
Airtherm has appointed David Brown as associate director.
Bradford landlord found guilty of gas safety failings
03 January 2013
A Bradford landlord has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for breaching gas safety regulations at a property where a mother and her two children lived.
Flogas encourages new talent
03 January 2013
Two graduates have been appointed by Flogas UK as part of a two-year programme run by its parent company DCC plc.
New director for ICOM Energy Association
03 January 2013
Ross Anderson has been appointed director of ICOM Energy Association, effective from 1 January.
Inteb recruits training services manager
03 January 2013
Inteb Sustainability, the sustainability and low energy solutions specialist, has appointed Steve Williams as training services manager.
Chris Bielby appointed first AGSM president
03 January 2013
Chris Bielby MBE has been named as the first president of the Association of Gas Safety Managers (AGSM).
Gas Safe Register launches online learning tool for engineers
03 January 2013
Gas Safe Register has launched a new online learning platform for registered engineers to help them understand and apply industry guidance around flues in voids.
DECC Roadmap shows increase in renewable energy output
02 January 2013
Renewable energy output increased by 27% between July 2011 and July 2012, according to the latest update on the Renewable Energy Roadmap published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on 27 December.
New Year Honours include construction industry
02 January 2013
Paul Westbury, ceo of international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy, Buro Happold, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List.