News Archive - March 2013
Sabien Technology agrees distribution deal with Fireye
27 March 2013
Sabien Technology has agreed a non-exclusive distribution deal with Fireye for the supply of its UL-approved M2G boiler optimisation controller.
Specflue announces key appointments
27 March 2013
Specflue Group has made two key new appointments.
White paper highlights good practice in independent measurement and verification
27 March 2013
Drumbeat Energy Management, the energy management business support service, has published a white paper on independent measurement and verification entitled IPMVP and improving energy-efficiency: The importance of independent measurement & verification.
ACCA says SMEs backed by finance expertise are stronger
27 March 2013
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) says that small businesses with well-developed finance teams achieve faster, more sustainable growth for longer and can attract investment to help them develop.
Pre-qualification questionnaires are major industry bugbear, survey finds
27 March 2013
According to Constructionline, the UK's largest and only government-backed pre-qualification service, the length of time it takes to complete pre-qualification questionnaires is the biggest challenge faced by construction companies when tendering for work.
Renewable energy project reaches halfway point
27 March 2013
A three-year research project that will help the European Commission to achieve ambitious renewable energy targets, is halfway to completion, according to Bluesky, the UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.
Industry “bitterly disappointed” with government delay to domestic RHI
27 March 2013
Following the Government's announcement (26 March) that it is delaying implementation of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) until April 2014, the industry has reacted with disappointment.
Pegler & Louden appoints national sales manager
25 March 2013
Pegler & Louden, the industrial valve division of leading distributor BSS Industrial, has appointed Andrew Fraser as national sales manager.
Geberit launches new website
25 March 2013
Geberit has launched a new website for the UK, which aims to provide one easy-to-navigate online resource for installers.
Md calls for a halt to incentives for biomass waste
25 March 2013
The managing director of CPV, a UK manufacturer of district heating pipe systems, is calling for an end to the way in which the Renewables Obligation is incentivising electricity producers to use biomass fuels in inefficient, conventional power stations and effectively squandering the waste heat produced.
CIBSE ASHRAE Young Engineers' Awards 2013 call for entries
25 March 2013
CIBSE (The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is inviting entries for the CIBSE ASHRAE Young Engineers' Awards 2013.
HSE clamps down on unsafe sites
25 March 2013
Almost one in five construction sites visited have had enforcement action taken against them following visits from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
SummitSkills reacts to Government response on Richard Review
21 March 2013
SummitSkills, the sector skills council for the building services engineering sector, is urging the Government to remember the needs of employers of SMEs and micro-businesses following its response to the review of apprenticeships by Doug Richard, published last week.
FMB calls on Government to back smaller firms
21 March 2013
Responding to Chancellor George Osborne's Budget yesterday (20 March), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says that although positive steps have been taken to address the housing crisis, the measures announced may not be enough to enable smaller builders to deliver the energy efficient new homes that Britain badly needs.
BBES delivers sustainable m&e installation at Intertek
21 March 2013
Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) has completed a comprehensive mechanical and electrical installation at the headquarters of energy services firm Intertek, in Aberdeen.
NSAET offers free tips for SMEs
21 March 2013
The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (NSAET) has produced a free, online sales and marketing plan generator with the aim of helping small to medium-sized businesses think of new ideas and find cost-effective ways to promote their services.
BSRIA comments on Budget
21 March 2013
Reacting to yesterday's (20 March) Budget, BSRIA ceo Andrew Eastwell acknowledged that it "contained quite a lot for construction".
B&ES celebrates North West Regional Training Awards
21 March 2013
Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) president, Sue Sharp, presented this year's North West Regional Training Awards, during a dinner held at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.
Briggs & Forrester secures four London contracts
20 March 2013
Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services has secured four major projects in London worth in excess of £15m.
OFTEC report questions benefits of rural renewables
20 March 2013
OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) has put the suitability of renewable heating for rural homes under the microscope in a new report.
FPB says many small firms still unprepared for new RTI system
20 March 2013
HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs) has announced an 11th hour change to its Real Time Information system, its new way of reporting PAYE, just two weeks before the scheme goes live, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).
Remeha Commercial continues to expand
18 March 2013
Remeha Commercial has made a number of new appointments as it continues to expand.
FMB calls for greater say for employers on apprenticeships
18 March 2013
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) says the Government is right to recognise that employers need more say when it comes to the content of apprenticeship qualifications.
European associations welcome new ecodesign rules for heaters
18 March 2013
EHPA (European Heat Pump Association) and EPEE (The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment) have welcomed the adoption of the Ecodesign requirements for heaters.
BSRIA wins BREEAM award
18 March 2013
BSRIA has won a 'BREEAM Country First Award' as part of this year's BREEAM Awards.
Hargreaves awarded quality and safety certification
18 March 2013
Hargreaves, the air movement and ventilation ductwork solutions provider, has received Quality and Fabrication Standards certification from Sellafield.
UK-GBC calls for Chancellor to underline commitment to energy efficiency
18 March 2013
The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) is urging the Chancellor to use his Budget 2013 to demonstrate the Coalition's commitment to energy efficiency as a key driver of green growth and to give the construction sector a timely boost.
FPB wants a business focused budget
18 March 2013
The Forum of Private Business says that Chancellor, George Osborne, must deliver a business focused Budget on Wednesday if he is serious about boosting businesses and the economy.
HETAS publishes new guide
14 March 2013
HETAS has launched its new Guide for 2013.
Unregistered Worcestershire gas fitter prosecuted
14 March 2013
An unregistered gas fitter from Worcestershire has been prosecuted for carrying out illegal and dangerous gas work.
CPV boosts district heating sales team
14 March 2013
CPV, the manufacturer of pre-insulated pipe systems, has recruited Tony Jackson to head up business development for its district heating business.
Systemair buys Carrier Holland Heating
14 March 2013
Swedish ventilation company Systemair has acquired Dutch air handling unit manufacturer Holland Heating from Carrier.
EcoSkies offers discounts on training
13 March 2013
Renewable training provider EcoSkies decided not to attend Ecobuild this year and instead of paying for a stand at the exhibition, it is discounting its training courses by £15,000 this month.
Trade Skills 4 U celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
13 March 2013
Currently running until 15 March, the sixth National Apprenticeship Week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.
Countdown begins to the ACR Show 2014
13 March 2013
With just under a year before the doors open, the countdown has started to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show (ACR Show) 2014.
Briggs & Forrester Group achieves OHSAS 18001 accreditation
13 March 2013
Briggs & Forrester has achieved registration to the management system OHSAS 18001:2007, through its chosen audit partner B M Trada.
Record demand for higher level apprenticeships
13 March 2013
Almost 40 companies operating in the construction industry have signed up to provide their apprentices with university level work based training.
eu.bac launches energy labelling for heating controls and equipment
13 March 2013
eu.bac, the European Building Automation and Controls Association, is introducing a Europe-wide voluntary energy labelling scheme for building services products that deliver heating regulation and hydraulic balancing, not currently covered by EU labelling regulations.
New website helps with environmental assessment
13 March 2013
Ingleton-Wood, the multi-disciplinary building consultancy, has launched its own BREEAM website at
www.breeam-online.com
The Green Deal will take time to reach its full potential, according to managing director of Sustainable Building Solutions (SBS), Paul Joyner, who was one of the speakers at Ecobuild last week.
Altecnic recruits specification manager
12 March 2013
Altecnic has appointed Paul Longman to the newly created position of specification manager for the South East, as it looks to expand its specialist specification department.
Merriott Radiators names new sales director
11 March 2013
Merriott Radiators, part of the Quinn Group, has appointed a new sales director as part of its strategy to achieve number one market positioning.
OFTEC appoints new chairman
11 March 2013
Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support at Worcester, Bosch Group, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC).
ebm-papst UK announces new director of sales
11 March 2013
Andrew Bayram has been appointed UK director of sales at ebm-papst.
Camfil launches indoor air quality survey
11 March 2013
Camfil UK, the air filtration solutions provider, has launched a short survey on indoor air quality for FM, estates managers and building services professionals in the UK.
FG Eurofred recruits technical support engineer
11 March 2013
FG Eurofred has appointed Ian Simmonds as a new Fujitsu technical support engineer to provide help to customers both over the telephone and on site.
HMRC urges employers to prepare for changes to PAYE
11 March 2013
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is advising employers to get ready to move to the new way of reporting Pay As You Earn (PAYE), which takes effect from 6 April.
HPA responds to DECC's RHI non-domestic update
11 March 2013
The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has issued a qualified welcome to the DECC's consultation outcome (27 February) on the Government Response: Providing Certainty & Improving Performance consultation on the non-domestic RHI, which closed in September last year.
Colt launches new website
11 March 2013
Colt has unveiled a new website which focuses on helping customers find the information they are looking for quickly and easily, as well as providing advice, ideas and inspiration.
ENER-G Combined Power appoints sales director
11 March 2013
ENER-G Combined Power has appointed Ian Hopkins as sales director to drive its UK and international expansion.
HSE welcomes new chief inspector of construction
11 March 2013
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recruited a new chief inspector of construction.
FMB calls for an end to discrimination against construction firms
11 March 2013
According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), 25% of SME building firms have missed out on contracts because they can't secure vital funding and many claim that banks and building societies are "actively discriminating" against construction companies.
EnOcean Alliance advances wireless standard for green buildings
11 March 2013
EnOcean Alliance, the group formed of leading companies from the building sector worldwide, says it is advancing the interoperability between EnOcean-based products from different OEMs by developing the EEP 2.5 version of the EnOcean Equipment Profiles (EEP).
World Green Building Council launches sustainable buildings report
07 March 2013
A new report looking at the economic and social benefits of sustainable buildings worldwide was launched at Ecobuild yesterday by the World Green Building Council.
Culligan appoints business development manager
05 March 2013
Advanced water treatment solutions provider, Culligan UK, has appointed Steve Hastings as business development manager.
CEOs highlight benefits of a sustainable built environment
05 March 2013
A series of short essays outlining the business case for green buildings and infrastructure have been written by ceos from 15 major companies, from design and construction firms, to engineers and energy companies, including Atkins, Balfour Beatty and E.ON.
NSCC welcomes EU fair payment legislation
05 March 2013
A new EU Directive has been welcomed by The National Specialist Contractors' Council (NSCC) and will see the principles of fair payment outlined in its Fair Payment Campaign being extended throughout Europe.
SEATS launched to drive environmental best practice in construction
04 March 2013
The first nationally accredited environmental training programme for people working on construction sites, the Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme (SEATS), was officially launched at an event in London on 28 February.
B&ES survey reveals decline in orders and enquiries
04 March 2013
Members of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) saw a less rapid drop during the second half of 2012 than in the first half, but falling levels of orders and enquiries indicate that business performance is likely to worsen in the year ahead, according to the association's second independent state of trade survey.
GSHPA urges DECC to take action on RHI tariff review
04 March 2013
The Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) is renewing its call for DECC to conclude deliberations around a revised Renewable Heat Incentive Phase One non-domestic tariff without further delay.
MHI to open European subsidiary in the UK
04 March 2013
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is launching Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning Europe in the UK, to oversee its air-conditioning and refrigeration business in Europe.