Articles by Date : October 14 2002 - October 20 2002

Multi-modal studies come under fire
The benefits of the government's multi-modal studies have been questioned in a report released by the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT). more
(18 October 2002 12:58)

Barratt announce successor to Eaton
Barratt Developments has today (Friday) announced the appointment of David Pretty as group chief executive in succession to Frank Eaton, the former.... more
(18 October 2002 12:55)

Respect for People may take time to see change
Industry guru Sir Michael Latham is confident that the industry will take on board the Respect for People agenda – but admits that it may take some.... more
(18 October 2002 12:27)

Wilson close to tackling bogus self-employed
Construction minister Brian Wilson has hinted to CJ that the government should be near to a decision on how to tackle bogus self-employment within.... more
(17 October 2002 18:17)

Wage-to-age ratio takes a battering over 40
A construction manager's basic wage keeps pace with his age until he reaches his 40s. more
(17 October 2002 18:17)

University challenge
When terms such as 'pod' and 'prototype' are used, someone could be forgiven for thinking they have stumbled on to Cape Canaveral or the set of a.... more
(17 October 2002 18:16)

Timber frame quality scheme
A new quality scheme for the timber-frame industry could lead to an increased use of timber in UK construction. more
(17 October 2002 18:15)

Thomas Vale says IT is overwhelming industry
Contractors are overwhelmed by the wide choice of IT software systems for construction management, said Tony Hyde, managing director of Thomas Vale,.... more
(17 October 2002 18:15)

Strategic opportunism
Roger Feast is not on an ego trip. He doesn't covet all the trappings of office that normally go with a chief executive's job. He walks to work every.... more
(17 October 2002 18:14)

Speedy Hire's good results
Hire specialist Speedy Hire has seen turnover increase by 25% for the first five months of the financial year (5% like-for-like). more
(17 October 2002 18:13)

South Africa praises UK
The South African Institute of Steel Construction has praised the UK construction industry for "grabbing the partnering ball and running with it". more
(17 October 2002 18:13)

Socially acceptable
While most private housebuilders are still dithering over the long-term merits of volumetric construction and off-site manufacturing, forward.... more
(17 October 2002 18:12)

Scots Executive to set up central procurement unit
Public private partnerships (PPP) have made a "valuable contribution" in bringing forward major capital projects, according to a report released by.... more
(17 October 2002 18:12)

RSL deals vulnerable to fraud
Housing associations are particularly vulnerable to fraud when procuring work, an investigation has revealed. more
(17 October 2002 18:11)

Retirement complex deal for Bluestone
Bluestone has the key to a £5.5m deal to build a complex of 41 apartments for retired people in Acton, west London. more
(17 October 2002 18:11)

Race discrimination must be addressed
More ethnic minority workers would stay in construction and be able to move into senior positions if the industry took action to address elements of.... more
(17 October 2002 18:10)

PFI lighting contracts go to Amey and Balfour
The spotlight has shone on two groups for £170m-plus worth of PFI streetlighting work in the north of England. more
(17 October 2002 18:09)

People issues more than just an initiative
Sir Michael Latham has defended the latest Respect for People report - following a heart-felt cry from the construction industry for no more.... more
(17 October 2002 18:09)

Orderbook 'well ahead' for specialist firm Keller
Keller, the building foundations specialist, has reported a "very good" first half of 2002. Chief executive Tom Dobson said last week that the.... more
(17 October 2002 18:08)

No complaining start respecting
The chairman of the Strategic Forum has urged the industry to stop making excuses and to start respecting its people. more
(17 October 2002 18:08)

New orders in August 10% down on last year
Industrial continued its slide to £191m from £223m, and private commercial slipped from £971m to £909m. more
(17 October 2002 18:07)

Metso delivers Nordberg LT105 to Kane Haulage
Metso Minerals has delivered an unusual tracked crusher to Kane Haulage. more
(17 October 2002 18:06)

Mascus adds calculator to its website
Mascus has added an online finance calculator to its website to help potential purchasers to gain a fast accurate estimate of the cost of financing a.... more
(17 October 2002 18:05)

Marley solar tiles ready soon
A solar tile system that generates clean and silent electric power is being developed by Marley Roofing Products and Powertile. more
(17 October 2002 18:05)

Liability for defective goods
In contracts for design and construction, considerable attention is usually paid to the question of whether the contractor will warrant that its.... more
(17 October 2002 18:03)

Lafarge Envirocem cuts out dig and dump costs
A cost-effective alternative to dig and dump, developed by Lafarge, has completed successful trials and is ready to roll. more
(17 October 2002 18:03)

Investors in People status is below industry average
Shock figures reveal that just 10% of the construction industry has obtained Investors in People (IiP) status - well below the all-industry average.... more
(17 October 2002 18:02)

Government 'irresponsible'
Minister for corporate social responsibility (CSR) Stephen Timms upset construction delegates at last week's CSR conference by insinuating that the.... more
(17 October 2002 18:01)

Five up for £10m MoD barracks job
Five firms are gunning for a £10m-plus scheme to provide accommodation for troops at Carver Barracks in Wimbish, Essex. more
(17 October 2002 18:00)

Five line up for science project
Five of the industry's major players are lining up to pitch for a demanding £60m scientific construction project in Oxfordshire. more
(17 October 2002 17:59)

Employment Survey 2002
The Contract Journal Employment Survey 2002 gives us a clear picture of the average construction industry manager. He (yes he's a man) is 41 years.... more
(17 October 2002 17:59)

Costain top for £16m NHS job
Costain has moved to the head of the queue for a privately financed £16.5m Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Centre in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. more
(17 October 2002 17:58)

Cat gets to work on landfill site
The UK's first Cat 826G series II landfill compactor has gone to work for CWM Environmental at its Nant-Y-Caws site. The 37t machine has been.... more
(17 October 2002 17:58)

Bovis blacklists two asbestos specialists
Bovis Lend Lease has blacklisted two asbestos treatment specialists that worked on its £186m Bradford schools programme following an asbestos.... more
(17 October 2002 17:57)

Birse gets a £6m ProLogis deal
Birse has scooped a £6m deal to design and build a warehouse for ProLogis Developments at Dartford, Kent. more
(17 October 2002 17:56)

Best practice participants 'sharing false information'
The best practice programme will fail to change the industry as most contractors "will never share information", according to one major mechanical.... more
(17 October 2002 17:56)

Balfour alone in research top 10
Balfour Beatty, which spends just under 1% of its £1.7bn turnover on research and development, is the only contractor listed in the top 10.... more
(17 October 2002 17:55)

Balfour wins £110m civil engineering contract
Balfour Beatty's civil engineering has been awarded the Durham County Council Strategic Alliance for Civil Engineering & Environmental Works &.... more
(17 October 2002 15:16)

CPA accuses report of neglecting product makers
The Construction Products Association (CPA) has today (Thursday) given its backing to the Office of Government Commerce/CABE report, published.... more
(17 October 2002 15:10)

Mowlem in running for Wales museum
Mowlem is in the frame for a landmark project in south Wales, valued at nearly £20m. more
(17 October 2002 15:08)

JCB adds rising cab to range
JCB has added the option of hydraulically raised cabs on its tracked and wheeled excavator ranges. The cabs, which can be stopped at any convenient.... more
(17 October 2002 15:08)

Mainland strikes Volvo deal
Mainland Plant Hire, a division of Mainland Contractors of Kettering, is gearing up to offer plant hire to third parties by placing a £2m order with.... more
(17 October 2002 15:06)

Case goes small with wheel loader addition
Case has added a small wheel loader, the 21D, to its range. With an operating weight of 4.5t, the 21D wheel loader has a breakout force of 54.5kN and.... more
(17 October 2002 15:06)

Extec gets recycling work
Leading East Midlands road reconstruction contractor JC Balls and Sons has taken delivery of an Extec C-10 tracked jaw crusher to process material at.... more
(17 October 2002 15:04)

CPA's new best practice guide
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has published a new best practice guide entitled Installation, Use, Maintenance, Inspection,.... more
(17 October 2002 15:04)

Readymix buys Volvo truck mixer
The first new Volvo FM9 truck mixer has been bought by Readymix contract haulier Andrew Brown. more
(17 October 2002 15:03)

Schaeff is quick and quiet
A Schaeff WS-30 excavator-mounted milling cutter attachment is being used on a major pipeline trenching projects in Sweden by utilities and quarrying.... more
(17 October 2002 15:01)

Hanson plans to expand
Newly formed Hanson Packed Products is planning a "rapid expansion programme" that will offer customers improved services and "exciting new products". more
(17 October 2002 15:01)

Hertfordshire looks to Botes and Jarvis
London-based contractors Botes and Jarvis have each picked up local authority-measured term-maintenance deals totalling £24m. more
(17 October 2002 14:59)

Government delays £30m dock extension
The government is again delaying a £30m East Anglian dock extension scheme, which has been on the simmer for more than 18 months. more
(17 October 2002 14:59)