Builders, Construction, Construction Equipment, Contractors, Do-It-Yourself, Electricians, Home & Garden

Amongst Uncertain Weather, Stay Covered With The Help Of Brookes

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January maybe nearly over but the unpredictable weather and cold conditions look here to stay, at least for the short term. Working amongst unpredictable weather isn’t always easy, though thanks to online workwear retailer ebrookes.co.uk, the task is made a bit more manageable.

Ebrookes.co.uk, one of the uk’s leading quality discounted workwear suppliers, have a fantastic range of outdoor jackets and fleeces to suit any workforce. They can even be customised to feature your company’s logo too.

“Our selection of outdoor jackets are wide-ranging and suitable for anybody who works outside for any period of time,” said Ian Brookes, founder of ebrookes.co.uk

“We have worked hard to offer a collection from famous brands including Dickies, Craghoppers and Carhartt and they are proving popular.”

Available for both men and women and in a variety of colours, outdoor jackets at Brookes, like the rest of the Brookes catalogue which includes Carhartt trousers and Regatta walking boots, are also sold at wholesale prices.

“A jacket can be an important part of any workwear, especially when working outside, so it is important to get it right.”
“Our range of bodywarmers are bestsellers, as they are lightweight, fashionable and of course customisable, like the rest of our workwear range,” added Brookes.

Many brands and retailers adopt slogans, but eBrookes.co.uk’s “Making close personal” really is appropriate for this discounted retailer. Founder Ian Brookes has developed an embroidery service which has also proved popular with his loyal customers.

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Builders, Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Tools, Contractors, Do-It-Yourself, Home Improvement, Maintenance

Facilities Management Association to Give Formal Endorsement to HSS Training

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HSS Hire, the national supplier of tool and equipment hire, has received formal endorsement for its specialist training division, HSS Training, from the Facilities Management Association (FMA). HSS Hire becomes the first company under this newly launched scheme to gain such recognition.

HSS Training was rigorously assessed by the FMA to gain this endorsement, achieving full compliance across all categories including management, venues, training material and trainers.

HSS Hire Training Director, Mark Winfield comments: “We are delighted to have received this endorsement from the FMA – we are commited to offering the best training and to making it easy for our customers to access the training they need and it’s nice to have what we do formally recognised by such an important third party. Over the past two years, we have invested significantly in our training capabilities with new training centres across the UK and Ireland and we’ve expanded the courses we offer and in the team of experts that deliver them. We look forward to continuing this progress into the new year and beyond.”

Chris Hoar, Chief Executive of the FMA, adds: “HSS Training is a very professional organisation, something that was evident as soon as we entered their training centres. They demonstrate an excellent commitment to highest standards in training with a skilled team of trainers, a broad range of courses that link to trade organisation and professional body requirements and very good, modern training facilities. The FMA had no hesitation in endorsing HSS’s training capability and the courses they offer. They are the first company to achieve our endorsement and have really set the standard for the rest of their industry.”

The announcement comes just days after HSS Hire launched its latest training catalogue featuring new technical, safety and rail sector training courses and including a range of new e-learning courses. The innovative click and flick version of the training catalogue enables easy viewing of the catalogue online.

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Builders, Building, Construction, Construction Materials, Flooring, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Masonry, Products, Renovation, Restoration

Calacatta Gold Subway Tile and Marble Mosaics

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It is believed that Calacatta Gold marble mosaics tiles polished and honed have always been the choice of kings in the ancient world for it strength and beauty. However the cost of this product and limited availability has put it out of reach and budget for most homeowners until now.

The Builder Depot has launched a new collection of Calacatta Gold marble subway tiles, floor tiles, mosaics and trims for 2011 creating affordability and availability for homeowners, contractors and developers of a much sought after Calacatta gold product.

In the same tradition of all Builder Depot collections the pricing is very aggressive. “This particular product and European quarry has been monopolized by a few distributors” comments a Builder Depot spokesperson “This has allowed the pricing of the product to be inflated, we are going to sell the same quality for 75% less than the competitors”

The main products on the Calacatta Gold collection are:

•Calacatta Gold 3×6” Subway Tile Honed
•Calacatta Gold 2” Hexagon Tile Honed
•Calacatta Gold Herringbone Tile Honed

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Builders, Construction

IADDIC Shelters Help Solve Global Housing Crises

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IADDIC produces the first rigid, permanent shelters for mass distribution to help with disaster relief and humanitarian social housing

You are weather-beaten, tired and frayed. Due to situations beyond your control you have lost everything. Maybe there was a fire, flood, hurricane, or you simply lost your job. The roof and walls of your home have now been replaced by either a shredded tarp, the boards of a shack, a tent ripped apart by the wind, or maybe you have no protection at all. In any case, there is no relief from the noise and clutter of the streets – no protection from the elements or from the people who call themselves your neighbors. Having a protective shelter is a basic human need denied to 1 out of 5 people in the global population. 1.8 billion people in the world do not have adequate, livable shelters – 500 million of those are homeless. Even in America, the richest nation in the world, there are 670,000 people homeless on any given night.

“Every place on earth has a housing problem from Haiti, Mexico, Ecuador, Pakistan, India, and Africa to America where you see homeless veterans in Ohio,” says Richard Grabowski, CEO of IADDIC Shelters. “There are billions of people around the world living in abject poverty. We as a society, as a global community, have yet to find the way to adequately shelter this overwhelming volume.”

Grabowski and his company IADDIC Shelters have discovered the “need to shelter” and have dedicated themselves to producing an innovative solution to this global housing crisis. IADDIC has spent the last 5 years perfecting the first rigid, permanent shelters for mass production. With the final model completed and the resources developed for mass circulation, these shelters are ready to start rebuilding permanent communities that will revitalize areas devastated by disasters and poverty.

“There are two specific needs filled by IADDIC Shelters that did not previously exist in the marketplace: shelters for disaster relief and humanitarian social housing,” says Grabowski, “There was a need to shelter that was not being met and I think we now bring to the table a long-lasting affordable shelter that can be built in overwhelming numbers in a couple of hours.”

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Builders, Gardening, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Landscaping, Renovation, Services

Increasing Numbers of Home Improvement Projects Ignoring Trees

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Today’s homeowners want their homes to be functional and attractive with pristine curb appeal, but it takes careful planning to decide on a home improvement project.

Sometimes a room addition is needed. Sometimes it’s landscaping. The homeowner might want to add a play area or a basketball court to the back yard for the kids. In all these projects it’s important to not overlook trees.

Trees can present problems for the home improvement weekend warrior that many planners fail to consider in improvement projects affecting the outside of the home.

Play areas and room additions may require the removal and relocation of trees, but if the tree is providing a valuable benefit, like shade, some homeowners don’t want to lose them.

“You don’t have to, “ said John Howard of Premiere Tree Services of Orlando. “It’s sometimes more reasonable to relocate trees than to buy new ones.”

Premiere Tree Services of Orlando offers a full range of tree services, including planting, tree removal, stump grinding and tree shaping.

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Building Energy Efficiency, Construction, Construction Equipment, Contractors, Heaters

Carl Soderman Was Named The New President Of ZAP Engineering And Construction Services Inc.

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ZAP Engineering and Construction Services, Inc.(ZAP ECS), a leading full service engineering and construction management company serving the gas processing, pipeline, field services, petroleum, refinery, chemical and alternative energy industries, names Carl Soderman as President to manage the firms substantial team growth experienced over the past year and lead the firm into the future.

“Carl comes to our business with the experience needed to navigate ZAP’s evolving business expansion in a full range of professional services.,” said Steve Tzap, CEO of ZAP ECS. “His strong track record in operational efficiency and growth, combined with an emphasis on quality and customer focus will be the key assets to driving the continued success of our business.”

Soderman joins ZAP Engineering and Construction Services, Inc. as a recognized leader in engineering and operations with over 30 years of experience in the natural gas industry. His responsibilities have included engineering management, operations management, project development, project management and operations engineering. In directing groups in a leadership role, responsibilities have included asset planning and development, asset optimization, acquisition and merger due diligence and integration, and project delivery.

“ZAP’s business model is built upon client representation and personal attention as the foundation to the company’s philosophy. Monitoring the investments our clients allocate to each specific project is a key element to the “partners in business” commitment at ZAP,” commented Steve. “Soderman has broad management experience in executive and leadership positions across a wide range of commercial, operational, and quality functions, as well as familiarity with the ZAP organization.”

Prior to joining ZAP ECS, Soderman was Northern US Process Manager with Enerflex Energy Systems, Ltd., a division of Toromont Industries, Inc.(TSX: TIH), an international company delivering products, services and integrated solutions to all corners of the world, focusing on the natural gas industry. After graduating from University of Texas of Austin in 1979 his exceptional career background progressed from Project Engineer with Brown and Root to Manager of Operations, Process Engineering Manager to Vice President of Engineering with DCP Midstream.

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Builders, Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Tools, Contractors, Do-It-Yourself, Home Improvement, Maintenance

HSS Buoyant As They Secure Thames Water Contract Win

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HSS Hire, the UK’s award-winning tool and equipment hire company, has secured a 5 year, multi-million pound contract for the hire of tools and equipment to Thames Water.

The agreement will see HSS supply any contractors working on Thames Water projects throughout the region from their extensive range of small tools and equipment as well as safety & survey equipment and health & safety training.

It’s the latest in a series of big contract wins for HSS based on their its innovative ‘through the line’ approach which sees it supply all contractors working on behalf of the end-customer. Acting as a supply base for any of the equipment requirements at all Thames Water projects, HSS will offer one point of contact and a 24 hour service to any onsite contractors for the provision of reliable, safety-compliant tools and equipment at centrally pre-agreed, competitive rates. This will not only ensure consistently low costs and encourage a level playing field for those contractors but will also guarantee HSS’ rigorous service levels throughout all areas of the supply chain.

Thames Water will also be using HSS’ revolutionary online business management system, ‘HSS LiveHire’, which will provide them and their contractors with unprecedented transparency and control over their equipment hire portfolio.

Announcing the contract, HSS Chief Executive Chris Davies, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Thames Water on this exciting new agreement. We believe firmly in helping our customers to save time and money and this new collaborative partnership model is a pioneering approach that will do just that by promoting price transparency and operational efficiency. It will also encourage the cross-hire of equipment between contractors which will help reduce both any potential downtime and the environmental impact of multiple deliveries to site.”

HSS Hire is a UK-based tool and equipment hire chain that has been serving big businesses, trade and DIY customers since 1957. It is the Hire Association Europe’s Hire Company of the Year 2009 and Contract Journal’s Plant Hire Company of the Year 2009. In 2010 it was awarded the HAE’s ‘Excellence in Customer Care’ award.

With 250 outlets in the UK and Ireland stocking everything from Floor Sanders, Carpet Cleaners to Heater Hire, HSS Hire are on hand to help you find the tool you need.

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Architecture, Baths, Cabinetry, Construction, Construction Consultant, Contractors, Doors, Glass, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Remodelling, Renovation, Services

Replacement Windows: Five Facts To Find The Most Energy Efficient

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The energy efficiency of a house can be dramatically increased by the installation of replacement windows. Homeowners must be aware of these five facts to find the options that will give them the most energy savings.

1. Shatterproof glass is becoming increasingly popular as it provides additional security against break-ins and severe weather. The glass is shatterproof because of a layer of plastic that is sandwiched between two glass panes. These are two to four times stronger than standard glass and are as energy efficient as low-E panes and help reduce noise levels. In some hurricane-prone areas, shatterproof glass is now required.

2. The R-value of replacement windows measures the resistance to heat flow. Homeowners will want to look for the highest number when it comes to the R-value because the higher the number, the more energy efficient the window.

3. The U-factor measures the rate of heat transfer from the inside of a house to the outside. Homeowners will want the lowest number possible for the U-factor because the lower the number, the more energy efficient the window.

4. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating displays how much heat a house gains from the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less heat will be gained. Homeowners will need to decide what options would be best for their climate.

5. Light colored shades can reduce the solar heat gained through a window by up to 43% and awnings can reduce this by as much as 77%. These options should be considered for any home, but especially those looking at picture window replacement as these larger options will have a greater impact on the energy efficiency of a home.

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Architecture, Baths, Cabinetry, Construction, Construction Consultant, Contractors, Doors, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Remodelling, Renovation, Services

Kitchen Remodeling To Increase Home Resale

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Statistically, there are two areas that can can be redesigned or renovated in order to increase the sale value of home. These are bathroom and kitchen remodeling projects. Even on a small budget and simple remodeling projects, there are investments that can be made to increase the return on house sale. The latest results from the National Association of Realtors estimated that over 72% of kitchen renovations can be recouped after a sale.

Unless working on a strict budget, the kitchen can be extremely expensive. Homeowners will want to redesign with a broad spectrum of buyers in mind within their price point and their locality. There are a couple ways to find out the current trends. A homeowner can visit a local home supply store and inquire about the most popular brands and sales in the area. They can also browse through design magazines to see what current trends are in cabinets, wall color, styles and accents.

When researching, homeowners should focus on kitchen remodeling ideas that fit well into the current community, rather than upgrading beyond the personality or value of the neighborhood. For instance, if the majority of the community is started homes, homeowners should not invest in granite counter tops, especially when there are many other more affordable options.

New appliances are generally the most expensive items when redesigning this area of the house. By putting in a little let work, homeowners can find appliances in excellent condition for a discounted price. They should look at “scratch and dent” stores and online.

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Builders, Construction, Construction Consultant, Contractors, Home & Garden, Renovation, Residential Housing, Restoration, Roofing Industry, Services

Integrity Roofing & Exteriors Offers Free 35 Point Roof Inspections In Response To The Tremendous Amount Of Overlooked Storm Damage Throughout Northern Alabama

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Integrity Roofing and Exteriors, the premier residential restoration firm in the Midwest, announced today that its Decatur Alabama office will help home owners throughout the Northeastern Alabama area this year, not only rebuild, but understand and work through the often complex insurance claims process.

“Most homeowners do not realize they have hail damage. Why? It is impossible to see damage from the ground,” states Brian James. “Homeowners need a trained professional who knows the difference between nail pops, blistering and hail damage. Just because your car didn’t get dinged up doesn’t mean the integrity of your roof hasn’t been compromised. The solution is to have a trained professional examine your roof up close. And since our company offers a no obligation, free, 35 point inspection, homeowners have nothing to lose – with one exception. If homeowners wait and do not file a claim in time, they may have to pay out of pocket.”

In addition to offering homeowners great workmanship and great customer service, Integrity has a team of insurance claim specialists that assist homeowners in understanding and working through the often complex insurance claims process.

I want to sing the praises of a local roofing company, Integrity Roofing and Exteriors. They completed my new roof earlier this year. They met with my insurance adjuster and myself, and made me feel very comfortable with the entire process. They kept me up-to-date with my project, and always returned my calls. Not only was the work that they provided exceptional, but I also loved the warranty that I received at no additional charge. They workers were very clean and professional, and my service was wonderful. I would recommend this company to anyone who needs roof work done.

About Integrity Roofing and Exteriors. Integrity Roofing and Exteriors is committed to the community it serves providing employment and resources for long-term cooperative growth. Their commitment to 5 star customer service is unprecedented in the construction industry. Call them anytime at: 256-898-3332.

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Builders, Construction, Construction Marketing, Contractors, Electricians, Flooring, Gardening, Glass, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Landscaping, Maintenance, Remodelling, Renovation, Restoration, Services

BizziBid.com Now Saves North Carolina Homeowners Money By Providing State-Wide Coverage

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In order to address the increasing demand for state-wide contracting bid services in North Carolina, BizziBid.com now provides free, state-wide coverage for home improvement and remodeling estimates. Submission for bids at the web portal is free of charge with a minimum of three, hand-picked contractor responses guaranteed for all customers.

Just because the U.S. Economy is taking a significant time to recover doesn’t mean that homeowners have to put off repairs and upgrades. The BizziBid.com website lets homeowners choose remodeling estimates by either repair category or sub-region in the state of North Carolina.

The website offers a wide selection of certified contractors across North Carolina that can perform work ranging from large bathroom remodeling to replacing the roof on the family home. One of the more popular aspects of the BizziBid service is that consumers do not incur a commitment to pay for estimates and can comparison shop between a greater number of companies before choosing to spend monies on improving their home.

Ryan Coery of BizziBid.com states, “With North Carolina being so diverse from one side of the state to the other, homeowners have such a wide variety of needs. Therefore, we now have pre-screened local and licensed home improvement contractors that can meet those needs from the Mountains to the Ocean.”

BizziBid.com continues to be one of the online leaders of connecting home owners with the right contractor at the right time for a good price. The staff is confident that consumers searching for North Carolina home improvement project quotes and assistance will be able to get help through the recently expanded services that encompass the state.

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Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Materials, Environmental Construction, Green Building, Recycling

Dem-Con Shingle Grinding, Shingle Processing Poised for Growth

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Dem-Con Companies, an innovator in construction and demolition recycling and one of the top shingle recycling companies in the area, announced today that it has increased investment into mobile shingle grinding. Dem-Con’s mobile recycling service diverts shingles from landfills into cost-effective, environmentally sound replacement to virgin oil used in hot-mix asphalt.

“Our activities parallel the findings of the recent NDA survey, and we at Dem-Con echo the optimism expressed by some member companies,” said Chris Guillemette, vice president, business development, Dem-Con Companies. “Our experience and reinvestment into Dem-Con’s shingle recycling service puts us in a position to accommodate this growth and service landfills and other facilities that collect but that do not have the internal resources to recycle shingles.”

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Builders, Construction, Electrical Utility, Electricians, Gardening, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Outdoor Lighting, Products, Renovation, Supplier

AccessDiscounts.com Offers Home Lighting for Home Improvement Season

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AccessDiscounts.com, the web’s leading online retailer of commercial lighting, grow lights and home lighting, is proud to offer a wide variety of home lighting just in time for the summer home improvement season. May it be for the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or foyer, AccessDisounts.com has everything you need to give your home some hip new style.

“With the temperatures warming up and the rain and snow distant memories, summer is the perfect time to break out the hammer and get all those home improvement’s you’ve been putting off during the rainy season done,” said Christina Roush, spokesperson for Access Discounts. “To help our customers breath some new life into their abode, AccessDisounts.com is offering stylish lighting options to help accent almost any decor theme, style or color. We even have a fine selection of chandeliers and fountains for those who are looking to make a real statement. Add in the fact that we have some of the best prices on the market, AccessDisounts.com is the perfect place to start your journey to a better looking home.”

Offering the best prices and stellar customer service, AccessDisounts.com stocks the highest quality home lighting available for those looking for everything f r o m a basic lamp or ceiling fixture, to an elegant and state of the art lighting piece that can be both a lighting source and a conversation piece.

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Builders, Building, Building Energy Efficiency, Construction, Environmental Construction, Green Building, Sustainable Architecture

BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group’s New Manchester Home

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The Co-operative Group has today (24 June) announced that BAM Construction has been appointed to build its new home in Manchester.

BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group's New Manchester Home

Construction of the £100m building, on Miller Street, which will be one of the most sustainable in Europe, will commence next month.

In recent months BAM has been working with the design team to help cost the final build and has prepared the site for the 15 storey building which will comprise of 325,000 sq ft of open plan office and support space.

Peter Marks Group Chief Executive at the Co-operative Group, said: “Our new building will be one of the most exciting and innovative in the UK and so it was essential that we appointed a company with the experience of working on other similar projects not only in this country but across Europe.

“During the past few months we have been working with BAM on finalising the specifications and costings and preparing the site. They have demonstrated that they have the right approach and so we have every confidence that they will help deliver a truly magnificent new home for the Group.”

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Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Materials, Environmental Construction, Green Building, Recycling

Dem-Con Expands Mobile Shingle Grinding Service

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Dem-Con Companies, an innovator in construction and demolition recycling and one of the top shingle recycling companies, expands its mobile shingle grinding service to recycle roofing material and construction waste into a saleable product that would otherwise end up in landfills. Dem-Con’s mobile recycling service is ideal for landfills and hot-mix asphalt production facilities that segregate and prepare, but lack the resources to recycle tear off shingles.

Dem-Con Expands Mobile Shingle Grinding Service

“Dem-Con’s mobile shingle recycling service enables customers to produce and sell a valuable material used in hot mix asphalt, from materials that would have gone to landfills,” said Chris Guillemette, vice president, business development, Dem-Con Companies. “The service has been very well embraced and we are steadily expanding, working consistently across the U.S.”

As a full or custom on-site service, Dem-Con’s mobile shingle grinding utilizes customers’ own equipment to save cost. For facilities not equipped with the machinery, Dem-Con supplies all of the equipment, providing technical and operational assistance — from delivery of shingles from the jobsite to hot mix design. The service includes a mobile staff that can travel anywhere in the U.S. The company has invested in multiple machines that enable its staff to fit into the customer’s schedule. The service is available anywhere in the U.S.

Dem-Con Shingle Processing is a company developed to recover shingles resulting from the manufacturing process as well as tear-off shingles from homes. Tens of thousands of tons are currently buried in landfills each year and Dem-Con shingle recycling is working to recover and provide alternative uses for this material to reduce reliance on virgin asphalt. Dem-Con works with many government and other organizations to develop equipment, specifications and end-use options for this material. The company, which will recycle more than 25,000 tons of shingles in 2010, offers local and mobile shingle grinding services.

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Builders, Building, Construction, Construction Materials, Contractors, Home Improvement, Steel

Olympia Steel Buildings Anticipates Strong Industry Growth

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Olympia Steel Buildings continues its steady growth as a leader in the pre-engineered steel buildings industry with fourteen locations in the United States and Canada, including offices in Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Ontario and now Virginia.

Olympia President, Arnold Davis recently announced the opening of a new office in Virginia, headed by regional sales manager, Mike Duffy, serving steel building and turnkey construction customers in both Virginia and North Carolina.

“Mike Duffy is exceptionally experienced in the building and construction industry, particularly in pre-engineered steel buildings and we are fortunate to have him come aboard with us,” said Davis. “We look forward to increasing sales in Virginia and North Carolina as the construction industry continues to expand in the coming months. We plan to be well positioned to serve customers looking to build with our pre-engineered steel building construction packages.”

“Olympia Steel Buildings offers not only pre-engineered steel building kits and metal buildings erection and construction services, we also offer complete turnkey construction packages,” explained Davis. “Our full turnkey building package includes steel building design, supply of pre-engineered steel buildings, and management and construction of the building or buildings, with all phases of development and building construction, including foundation, insulation, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical, sheet rock, painting, doors and windows, all handled by an experienced team of steel building construction specialists.”

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Builders, Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Tools, Contractors, Do-It-Yourself, Home Improvement, Maintenance

HSS Hire Supports News Ladder Safety Campaign

HSS Hire, the UK’s award-winning tool and equipment hire company, has announced it will be supporting the Ladder Association’s new safety campaign ‘Don’t be a Ladder Lightweight’.

HSS Hire Supports News Ladder Safety Campaign

The initiative will encourage proper training in ladder use to help combat the over-confident and sometimes unsafe approach of ladder users who underestimate the associated dangers. The campaign is also aimed at ensuring ladder users, managers and supervisors are competent in line with Work at Height regulations.

With an estimated 2 million operated daily, ladders are – and will remain – an invaluable and flexible piece of workplace equipment. However, as with any type of working at height, they pose potential risks to the well-being of the operator and the ‘Ladder Lightweight’ campaign hopes to educate those that take ladders and their associated risks for granted.

Ladder Association chairman, Chris Ball, says: “Sadly, familiarity breeds contempt. Our aim is simply to promote an informed and professional approach to ladder use, just like any other piece of access equipment. Falls can be avoided by sensible and proportionate management of the risks – knowledge and skills best acquired through training. We’ve actively supported the Health and Safety Executive’s Ladder Exchange initiative for the last 3 years to help highlight the importance of safe ladder use”.

Integral to the initiative is the association’s new Code of Practice which can also be used as a stand-alone reference. With a foreward from the HSE, the code comprises employers’ and users’ responsibilities, the Working at Height Regulations, risk avoidance and the importance of planning, inspection and maintenance. The CoP also complements the Ladder Association’s one-day training course, offered by HSS Training.

Head of Health and Safety at HSS, David Wilson, adds: “The ladder is, and always will be, integral to working at height but it’s also not without risk. It’s really important that people understand the dangers of using ladders in the workplace and at home and that they are aware of the correct procedures to help minimise those risks. By using the right equipment, by ensuring that it’s fit for purpose and by being aware of the safest working practices, the risk can be managed and ladders can be used safely. We’re able to help on all accounts and are delighted to be supporting this latest ladder safety campaign”.

HSS Hire remains the only tool and equipment hire company to have achieved the coveted 4* British Safety award and also offer a comprehensive range of industry-recognised safety, technical and personnel training courses.

HSS Hire Service Group is a UK-based tool rental and equipment hire chain that has been serving big businesses, trade and DIY customers since 1957. It is the Hire Association Europe’s Hire Company of the Year 2009 and Contract Journal’s Plant Hire Company of the Year 2009. It has just been recognised by the HAE for Excellence in Customer Care.

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Builders, Building, Construction, Contractors, Services

Despite Plummeting Revenues Property & Construction Organisations Make Great Efforts to Minimise Redundancies

According to Reed’s recent report ‘Meeting the People Challenge’, most employers now prefer to find alternatives to making mass redundancies, a significant departure from the response of UK plc to the 1992 recession. But is this really true, even in one of the economy’s hardest-hit sectors?

Despite Plummeting Revenues Property & Construction Organisations Make Great Efforts to Minimise Redundancies

Despite plummeting revenues, organisations in property and construction have made great efforts to minimise redundancies, instead using tactics such as cutting hours or freezing pay. Nevertheless some talented people have inevitably found themselves looking for work.

‘A number of heavyweight project managers are on the market,’ says Gavin Tufton, Business Manager at Reed Property & Construction. ‘It’s become so much harder for companies to secure project funding that some phenomenal candidates – people who previously would have enjoyed the pick of available roles – have had to take backward steps. Even then, many are struggling, as clients seeking long-term commitment will often be concerned that they’ll leave as soon as things pick up.’

Midas – regroup and redeploy

Midas, a company with interests in construction, retail, interiors, affordable housing and property development, has sought to minimise redundancies. ‘We’ve reduced working hours for certain workers not based on site,’ says Ian Bassett, the company’s Head of People. ‘But what’s worked most successfully for us is redeployment.’

Prior to the downturn, Midas’s operating divisions recruited people on a largely autonomous basis; these days, resourcing is far more centrally planned. ‘We’ve moved people from quieter to busier areas, providing the skill sets are there,’ says Bassett. ‘Around ten per cent of our operational staff have been redeployed. Our people understand the world in which we live and they’re much more open to considering relocation to take up redeployment; in fact, they regard it as a benefit of working in a wider group.’

The company has sought to communicate initiatives designed to help withstand the recession throughout the workforce, using tools such as the annual staff roadshow and internal magazine, as well as regular sharing of information on company performance with staff. This, along with an emphasis on treating people fairly and transparently, has been particularly helpful when jobs have had to be shed. ‘Most of those who were made redundant, or whose colleagues were let go, said they felt the process was managed well,’ says Bassett. ‘The feedback we received was that selection had been conducted fairly, people were consulted, and their questions answered openly and honestly. The part of our business that experienced the worst cuts actually expressed the highest satisfaction levels with the process. It’s a difficult time for everyone but people recognised it was done in a sensitive way.’

For more information on property recruitment and jobs offered by Reed Specialist Recruitment, please visit their website www.reedglobal.com.

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Closets & Kitchens Van Go Teams With The Sliding Door Company To Open A Joint Showroom In San Francisco, California

Founder David Feinstein of Closets & Kitchens Van Go announced today that his company will be partnering with The Sliding Door Company to open a new joint showroom at 680 8th St, Suite 163, in San Francisco. Closets & Kitchens Van Go (http://www.ckvango.com) is an innovative kitchen and closet design/remodel company that offers a host of cabinetry for home and kitchen, countertops, and closet organizing solutions. Its mobile showroom services the entire Bay Area, offering consumers the convenience of finding high quality Bay Area kitchen and closet services locally. CK VANGO’s main office and manufacturing facility is in San Rafael, with affiliate locations throughout the Bay Area.

Closets & Kitchens Van Go Teams With The Sliding Door Company To Open A Joint Showroom In San Francisco, California

Closets & Kitchens Van Go offers complimentary in-home consultations via their mobile showrooms. With the help of one of CK VANGO’s knowledgeable designers, clients can create their own kitchen or closet design, and fill it with all the right accessories to address their individual needs. Closets & Kitchens Van Go offers locally made cabinetry with quality craftsmanship, along with building & construction services for almost any type of home improvement project, all very competitively priced.

David Feinstein, President of Closets Van Go & Kitchen Van Go, was asked “Why Partner with The Sliding Door Company?” Feinstein explained “It’s a very organic fit. The Sliding Door Company offers products that work so well with what we do. We both believe in using environmentally friendly materials. Their line of unique door options and room dividers complement our cabinetry and organizing systems. The showroom really highlights how beautifully we work together!”

Consumers will now have access to a wide variety of creative solutions for up-and-coming home improvement projects. The new joint showroom in San Francisco will allow potential customers to set private appointments with the showroom’s representative – Closets & Kitchens Van Go’s senior designer, Manon Demers. The official grand opening for the showroom is slated for May 5th, 2010. San Francisco kitchen design and Bay Area kitchen remodeling enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.

Via EPR Network
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Jon Ahrens of Madrone LDC Wins 2010 Honor Award from Texas ASLA

Jon Ahrens, owner of Madrone LDC, a landscape architecture firm that takes advantage of nature and the land’s natural topography to design and construct its projects, was awarded a 2010 Honor Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (TX ASLA) for Chris Park in San Antonio.

Jon Ahrens of Madrone LDC Wins 2010 Honor Award from Texas ASLA

TX ASLA recognized Ahrens, of Austin-based Madrone, at an awards banquet March 11 th in San Antonio for the Chris Park project. Ahrens’ award came in the Design: Constructed Projects Category, which recognizes site-specific works of landscape architecture and urban design. Chris Park, once part of a neglected industrial area, is now an inviting green space with a unique mix of plants, terrain and artwork. As envisioned by the client, the late Linda Pace, the park memorializes and celebrates her late son. It provides a playful yet calming escape from the city, improving the lives of locals while introducing environmental improvements. Chris Park is part of a larger mixed development project.

“We worked collaboratively with Linda Pace and several Pace Foundation artists to achieve the right mix of plants and contemporary art,” said Ahrens. “Our challenge was to convert an old industrial parking lot into a lush garden that would give back to the residents of San Antonio for decades to come.”

The judges, members of the Colorado ALSA Chapter, reviewed the entries based on design quality, functionality, context and environmental responsibility. Entries were also judged on relevance to the profession, the public and the environment; and design value to the client. According to a TX ASLA Award Committee chair, “T he Colorado jury loved the [Chris Park] story and the amount of thought that went into the creation of the spaces.”

Park highlights include Chris Hill, where a Natchez Mock Orange Tree blooms abundantly in Chris’ birth month of April, the entrance fountain with an intricately designed drainage system to ensure that water does not pond and kids can safely run about, and t he Starfield, where 55 LED light fixtures shine tiny blue lights into the nighttime sky and represent the constellations the day of Chris’ birth.

Via EPR Network
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