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KOMATSU NEW YEAR NEWCOMERS FROM McHALE PLANT SALES

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Two important New Year newcomers from Komatsu distributor in Ireland, McHale Plant Sales will be the latest Dash-11 generation WA475-11 and WA485-11 wheel loaders, details of which have just been announced.

Already an established favourite amongst quarry owners, aggregates producers, and those working in a variety of applications that include timber, waste, grain, and fertiliser handling, both newcomers come on the market equipped with a variety of upgrades, with a major focus on fuel efficiency.

Biggest improvement in terms of fuel saving is a 29% reduction in the WA485-11c compared with its WA480-8 predecessor. Another double-digit reduction is the WA475-11’s 14% better figure compared to its Dash-10 predecessor.

Ahead of their arrival – supported by a dedicated demonstration programme – McHale Plant Sales’ director, Denis McGrath says: “replacing two highly-successful units proven in numerous Irish applications, both new models are characterised by better consumption and by an equally-important high torque in the low speed range.

“Equipped with Komatsu’s own hydro-mechanical transmission, both machines are said to deliver a superior performance with power reserves and ease of operation in all transport and loading tasks,” McGrath said.

“Compared with its WA480-8 predecessor, the WA485-11 offers a significant upgrade in payload and bucket capacity. All components have been adapted to a permanent payload of 8,800kg, a level extendable to 9,300kg in an aggregates-handling variant which helps reduce the number of loading cycles required depending on the vehicle size.

“A constant variable gear ratio ensures the engine stays in a highly efficient fuel zone, with variable speed control that makes it possible to adapt the machine’s maximum speed to the requirements of the job site. Adjustable variable traction control limits wheel spin in difficult ground conditions,” McGrath adds.

On the sustainability front, both models have EU Stage V compliant advanced emissions control. Features of note include Komatsu’s well-proven exhaust with diesel particulate filter and selective catalyst reduction that further reduces NOx emissions using AdBlue.  With low-emission combustion, this means their diesel particulate filter needs replacement only every 8,000h – an interval that can be extended by using low-ash engine oil.

In the matter of lifting power, Komatsu notes that ‘never before has it been easier for an operator to find the correct balance between traction and lifting power.’

Impressive lifting speed and class-leading machine stability help to increase productivity, especially in tight V-shaped loading applications. Contributing to this improvement is ‘variable power control’ which  allows lifting speed to be controlled independently of the accelerator pedal. In addition, hydraulic response time and tipping or lifting speed can be adjusted to application requirements. In addition, the optimised Z-bar linkage offers up to 20% more lifting power and a higher tonnes/h production rate.

Conscious of the importance that Irish owners attach to ‘operator comfort’, McHale Plant Sales cites a number of changes that raise the bar in that respect. “One highlighted improvement is a new, spacious cab with generous all-round glazing, a heated rear window angled to prevent dirt from sticking, and an operator-friendly lower noise level.

‘A lever console with new command control switch is adjustable on a five-way axis for each operator, while increased internal air pressure prevents dust particles from entering the cab. A rear-hinged door, angled steps, and large handrails facilitate easy and safe entry and exit,’ the company notes.

A new air-suspended seat dampens vibrations for a more comfortable driving experience, as do seat-mounted electronic control levers that improve operating comfort and reduce operator fatigue. Automatic bucket filling and other assistance functions help operators to maintain productivity even during long shifts.

Amongst many other advances found in both models are: a high-resolution machine measurements information system; data on AdBlue levels and fuel consumption; real time ECO control system that displays messages during operation and at switch-off; constant steering angle feedback; easier engine access for cleaning and maintenance; and a programmable engine-management system that automatically switches the engine off when idling or after running to cool down.

As on all Komatsu equipment, KOMTRAX telematics and Komatsu Care customer maintenance provisions provide fleet management and support, protect the machine from misuse, and ensuring maximum efficiency and uptime.

Chadwicks Group announces winner of its first ever forklift obstacle course championship, Tour de Forks

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*** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** 5/11/2024 : Pictured are all the contestants of Chadwicks Group’s first ever Tour De Forks competition at Chadwicks East Wall Road. Tour de Forks consists of a series of diverse challenges that puts the skills of forklift drivers who work at Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre and Cork Builders Providers to the test. With 395 licensed forklift operators across Chadwicks Group, and many colleagues trained to operate three different types of forklift vehicles, Tour de Forks was created to demonstrate the importance of health and safety in the business. The competition brought together colleagues who got the chance to see several of the business' forklift drivers show why they are masters of their craft as well as flaunt their impressive skills. Picture Conor McCabe Photography. MEDIA CONTACT : kotryna.Cikanaviciute@teneo.com

Chadwicks Group’s Tour de Forks is a forklift skills showcase that puts competitors to the test with a series of fun, challenging obstacles

Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants, has announced that James Kearns from Chadwicks Coolock has won its first ever forklift skills competition, Tour de Forks. A first of its kind for Chadwicks Group, Tour de Forks consists of a series of diverse challenges that puts the skills of forklift operators who work at Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre and Cork Builders Providers to the test. On Friday, after a hard-fought contest, James emerged victorious, taking home a prize of €500 for his efforts, while runner-up Gordon Parker from Chadwicks Monaghan received a prize of €250.

The first Tour de Forks was held at Chadwicks East Wall Road on Friday, and the course began with a pallet pick-up and a roadway featuring a challenging corner turn. The 16 male and female contestants then had to remove a pallet from a truck, negotiate a roundabout and accurately place it onto the racking, then reverse the procedure and bring it back to the truck, all while the time clock was ticking. To finish the course, they needed to complete a series of zig-zag routes, which included collecting and dropping off a pallet full of footballs. Before they reached the finishing line, the competitors picked up planks with footballs and tees, and carefully weaved through the cones once more, replacing the plank in its original position. Any lost load or hitting of obstacles, among other broken rules, incurred a time penalty, bringing new meaning to the saying that steady (but perhaps not slow!) wins the race.

*** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** 5/11/2024 : Pictured is Patrick Atkinson, CEO, at Chadwicks Group’s first ever Tour De Forks competition at Chadwicks East Wall Road. Tour de Forks consists of a series of diverse challenges that puts the skills of forklift drivers who work at Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre and Cork Builders Providers to the test. With 395 licensed forklift operators across Chadwicks Group, and many colleagues trained to operate three different types of forklift vehicles, Tour de Forks was created to demonstrate the importance of health and safety in the business. The competition brought together colleagues who got the chance to see several of the business’ forklift drivers show why they are masters of their craft as well as flaunt their impressive skills. Picture Conor McCabe Photography. MEDIA CONTACT : kotryna.Cikanaviciute@teneo.com

With 395 licensed forklift operators across Chadwicks Group, and many colleagues trained to operate three different types of forklift vehicles, Tour de Forks was created to demonstrate the importance of health and safety in the business. The competition brought together teams from Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre and Cork Builders Providers, who got the chance to see several of the business’ forklift drivers show why they are masters of their craft as well as flaunt their impressive skills.

To be in with a chance to compete as one of the chosen contestants, forklift drivers across the business were invited to submit a short video demonstrating their skills and were selected by a panel of judges based on applicants adhering to a specific set of criteria.

*** NO REPRODUCTION FEE *** 5/11/2024 : Pictured are Owen Colgan and Brand Ambassador Jack Marley at Chadwicks Group’s first ever Tour De Forks competition at Chadwicks East Wall Road. Tour de Forks consists of a series of diverse challenges that puts the skills of forklift drivers who work at Chadwicks, The Panelling Centre and Cork Builders Providers to the test. With 395 licensed forklift operators across Chadwicks Group, and many colleagues trained to operate three different types of forklift vehicles, Tour de Forks was created to demonstrate the importance of health and safety in the business. The competition brought together colleagues who got the chance to see several of the business’ forklift drivers show why they are masters of their craft as well as flaunt their impressive skills. Picture Conor McCabe Photography. MEDIA CONTACT : kotryna.Cikanaviciute@teneo.com

Commenting on the Chadwicks Group Tour de Forks competition, Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group said: ‘We are excited to announce the winner of our first ever Tour de Forks competition and come together to recognise the skills of forklift drivers across our businesses. It was not only an impressive showcase of talent, but the competition also served as a reminder of how vital each of our 395 forklift operators are to us, and was above all, a lot of fun. We all witnessed unique scenes of forklifting triumph and it was an event that we won’t forget!’

To learn more about Chadwicks Group Tour de Forks competition, visit @chadwicks_ie on Instagram

Hagan Homes and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Celebrate Major Milestone: 50,000th Book Delivered to Belfast Children

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Press Eye Northern Ireland Friday 1st November 2024 Photo by William Cherry / Press Eye Jim Burke, Director of Sales and Acquisitions at Hagan Homes and Dr. Marion Gillooly, Executive Director from The Dollywood Foundation UK with staff and families at Sure Start East Belfast. 1 November 2024 Hagan Homes and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Celebrate Major Milestone: 50,000th Book Delivered to Belfast Children The global music icon, businesswoman, and philanthropist sent a heartfelt thank you to the company for its incredible work over the past four years Hagan Homes, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has delivered 50,000 books to children across Belfast. This significant milestone highlights the extraordinary impact of the charitable initiative, which has been inspiring a love of reading and building literacy skills among the city’s youngest residents since 2020. To celebrate the occasion, Hagan Homes hosted a special storytelling event recently at Carew Family Centre in east Belfast. Jim Burke, Director of Sales and Acquisitions at Hagan Homes, was delighted to meet some of the children and their parents at the event. Since the partnership between Hagan Homes and the Imagination Library began, more than 2,800 children have been impacted by the programme, with 1,443 currently enrolled and receiving a free, age-appropriate book each month. The initiative, operated through nine Sure Start Centres in Belfast, continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and families across the city.

The global music icon, businesswoman, and philanthropist sent a heartfelt thank you to the company for its incredible work over the past four year

Hagan Homes, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has delivered 50,000 books to children across Belfast.

This significant milestone highlights the extraordinary impact of the charitable initiative, which has been inspiring a love of reading and building literacy skills among the city’s youngest residents since 2020.

Dolly Parton herself congratulated Hagan Homes on reaching this remarkable milestone, in a video saying, “We should all be proud of these amazing numbers. All these achievements have very little to do with me and everything to do with you. You’ve brought so much joy to so many families and children and I just simply want to say, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me inspire children to love reading.”

To celebrate the occasion, Hagan Homes hosted a special storytelling event recently at Carew Family Centre in east Belfast. Jim Burke, Director of Sales and Acquisitions at Hagan Homes, was delighted to meet some of the children and their parents at the event.

Since the partnership between Hagan Homes and the Imagination Library began, more than 2,800 children have been impacted by the programme, with 1,443 currently enrolled and receiving a free, age-appropriate book each month. The initiative, operated through nine Sure Start Centres in Belfast, continues to make a profound difference in the lives of children and families across the city.

A heartfelt video featuring Dolly Parton and local Belfast children has been shared with Hagan Homes to commemorate the 50,000th book milestone. The video, filled with messages of gratitude from Sure Start centres and families, captures how much the programme means to the community.

Dr. Marion Gillooly, Executive Director from The Dollywood Foundation UK, said, “It was an absolute joy watching the videos come in – they really get across how much the programme means to families and the children especially.”

James Hagan, Chair and Founder of Hagan Homes, said, “When we first started working with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 2020, we were inspired by the pioneering work of Brenda McMullen, who set up the first Imagination Library in Northern Ireland at Cliftonville Integrated Primary School. It has been our privilege to continue what she started and to expand the reach of this wonderful initiative. Reaching the 50,000th book is reflective of the power of community and the importance of investing in our children’s future.”

The initiative has also been warmly received by parents. One parent shared, “We have noticed when the postman comes, our son gets really, really excited because the postman comes with his envelope with his own name on it, so he gets to open that envelope once a month, and he’s so excited to see a different book.”

She added: “The books that we’ve received have all been so different; there have been regular books that I read to him, flip books and texture books. This allows us to have a big range, rather than the same types.”

East Belfast Sure Start Co-ordinator, Tracey Ripley-McElvogue, echoed the importance of the programme, stating, “To celebrate the occasion, Hagan Homes hosted a special storytelling event with East Belfast Sure Start parents and children at Carew Family Centre in East Belfast. The Hagan Homes team were delighted to meet some of the children and their parents at the event.”

As Hagan Homes continues its partnership with the Imagination Library, the company urges other businesses and individuals to get involved. James said: “At Hagan Homes, we’re not just about building homes; we’re about building communities. We encourage others to join us in this vital mission to support the next generation and to create a legacy of literacy that will benefit Belfast for years to come.”

Dolly Parton, through the Dollywood Foundation, covers all infrastructure costs associated with the programme so when it partners with a local community, it just asks that they fundraise to cover the cost of books and mailing, which is on average £2.16 per child per month (£26 per child per year).

For more information on how you can support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Northern Ireland, visit imaginationlibrary.com/northern-ireland

ASSETS OF ALUMINIUM CLADDING SPECIALISTS PSP GROUP LIMITED GO TO AUCTION

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RICS regulated asset valuers BPI Asset Advisory have been instructed to value and dispose of the company assets following the Appointment of James Lumb and James Clark of Interpath as Joint Administrators on 20 September 2024.

The County Durham based company ceased trading in September. Whilst efforts have been made to save the business, a combination of redundancies and other costs have resulted in the requirement for a piecemeal disposal of company assets.

Having invested in new manufacturing technology and industry renowned equipment, the company specialised in the manufacturing of aluminium facades and cladding along with door and window frames, supplying substructure and architectural features for a number of large-scale developments.

Over 600 Lots are now available through BPI’s online marketplace BPI Auctions, with a two-phase auction closing from 11am 6th November and 11am 14th November respectively.

Asset valuers BPI Asset Advisory are seeking interested parties for the company’s manufacturing equipment, site support assets, stock, vehicles and business equipment.

The phase one auction focuses on the architectural aluminium window, door and curtain walling machinery and stocks including a 2019 Schuco AF450 CNC Profile Machining Centre, along with a 2014 Emmegi TS2 Twin Head Cutting Off machine, Phantomatic X6 CNC Machining Centre and a range of Elumatec equipment.

The second phase includes conventional and traditional fabrication equipment, welding equipment, hand tools and stock to include a Bystronic Xact Smart Press Brake, a Edwards Pearson Press Brake, AMB pyramid Rollers, Turret Press, a range of Mig and Tig Welders, power tools, along with DAF and Iveco dropside wagons.

BPI Asset Advisory director Andy Cromack commented: “Whilst it is unfortunate that no proceedable interest was found for the business, the online auction presents an opportunity for businesses within the industry to bid on a range of well-maintained manufacturing and fabrication equipment. Given the scale of the business, there will be equipment to suit companies of various size and measure.

“The facility and equipment within appear well-presented, whilst the equipment seems to have been well-maintained throughout its working life. We anticipate this sale will be popular within the industry and urge bidders to register their interest as soon as possible and make arrangements to view the asset.”

BPI Asset Advisory is a RICS-regulated team of specialist surveyors delivering accurate valuations, uncompromised disposal advice and RICS standards for instructions including corporate recovery, secured lending, accounts and insurance valuations across the UK.

To view the auction lots, visit:

Sale 1 – https://www.bpiauctions.com/auctions/#/auctions/d35831f2-3ee0-4bd9-8b84-178e49b69391

Sale 2 – https://www.bpiauctions.com/auctions/#/auctions/147dbc3e-4363-415b-aa12-bfa25bfa7e23

For further information and to book a viewing, please contact the team on 01924 245040.

TU Dublin Announces Launch of Chadwicks Group Scholarship Programme

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TU Dublin and Chadwicks Group are proud to announce the launch of the Chadwicks Group Scholarship Programme, created to support students in the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. Introduced in February 2024, this inaugural programme will provide financial assistance to two outstanding students for the duration of their studies, allowing them to focus on their education and future careers.

On Thursday, September 27th, Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group, visited the TU Dublin Grangegorman Campus to meet the TU Dublin Access team and one of the first recipients of the Chadwicks Group Scholarship, Omar Hasan. The visit marked the start of an exciting chapter for both the university and its industry partner, Chadwicks Group.

This new scholarship programme further strengthens the relationship between TU Dublin and Chadwicks Group, as both organisations share a commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders in engineering and construction.

Speaking about the launch, Claire Dunne, Access Support Manager at TU Dublin, said, “Financial supports like the Chadwicks Scholarship provide a vital lifeline for students, empowering them to focus on their studies without the constant worry of financial pressures. This allows them to fully engage in university life and provides them with the resources needed to reach their full potential.”

Patrick Atkinson, CEO of Chadwicks Group, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the programme, stating, Chadwicks Group is delighted to be able to present this scholarship programme to TU Dublin to support the education and development of students in the Engineering and Built environment. We are committed to investing in the future of the construction industry by helping students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers.  We wish the recipients every success in the future studies and careers and look forward to continuing to work with TU Dublin on this and other development projects.

TU Dublin’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment has 180 programs ranging from craft apprenticeships to short CPD courses, degree programmes to Masters. Collaboration with businesses, such as Chadwicks, ensures that its graduates acquire the required abilities and expertise to thrive in occupations in the built environment and engineering sectors.

Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants, has been a valued partner of TU Dublin since 2022, when the company began supporting Ireland’s first Design + Construct Centre at TU Dublin Broombridge. The Chadwicks Group Scholarship Programme exemplifies the commitment of TU Dublin and its partners to providing students with the support they need to succeed. This Scholarship Programme will provide peace of mind and reassurance for the successful engineering students as they navigate their way through University.

Merchants Building Products Drives the Digital Route

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Merchants Transport, the heavy construction product transportation company, has transformed its delivery operation with an electronic Proof of Delivery system from Podfather.

Drivers use an App to capture date, time and geo coded photographs and customer signatures. This information is simultaneously shared with the back-office, giving management and support staff total visibility of the delivery operation as it unfolds. The details can also be shared with the customer via an automatically generated email or a secure log-in to the Podfather system, and the Merchants’ accounts team can also access delivery information if required.
Providing deliveries to builder’s merchants and constructions sites, Leicestershire-based Merchants Transport operates a mixed fleet of artics with curtain sided and flatbed trailers, rigids with flatbeds and HIAB cranes.
Prior to implementing the software, Merchants was 100 percent reliant on paper delivery notes. This had the potential to cause delays in responding to customer queries and could result in credit notes being issued unnecessarily. Merchants also relied on paper-based vehicle checks for its fleet of HGVs, a workflow the Podfather solution has also digitised.
“Before Podfather, PODs were paper only versions containing a signature and a date,” commented Martin Hemley, Transport Supervisor at Merchants Transport. “In the case of a query we had to either wait until the driver returned to the office or, as a minimum, until they were parked up for the night so we could speak to them safely.
“Due to a rising amount of POD queries and disputes from our customers’ customers we realised we needed to be able to deliver more information, more quickly. We knew we wanted a system that was user friendly for our office team, for our drivers and for our customers, and following extensive research, testing and supplier meetings, we decided Podfather was most suited to our requirements.”
“Podfather has exceeded our original requirements and expectations, giving us everything we needed and more!” Hemley continued. “The improvements in efficiency and the service we now provide to our customers has certainly been surpassed.
“Some of our bigger accounts have embraced Podfather and now say they couldn’t work without it. In fact, one of our customers has made it a requirement of our terms of business with them as it has greatly reduced the amount and value of credits they issue to their customers for damaged and missing items.”
In addition to the automation of POD reporting, Merchants Transport has also replaced its paper-based driver walkaround checks with a fully digitised process. Using the Podfather app, drivers are guided through a series of vehicle and welfare checks at the start of each shift. This information is then automatically shared with the inhouse mechanic to ensure any potential defects are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Moving forward with Podfather, Merchants hopes to embrace other aspects of the system including the planning and optimisation tools for load allocation and journey planning, tracking and notifications for customer email or and text ETA generation, and performance dashboards and integrated reports to drive further efficiency gains.

INNOVATIVE AND MARKET-LEADING PRODUCT SCOOPS KEYFIX MAJOR AWARD

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Having provided the construction industry with a time and cost-saving product that truly enhances building safety and quality, Keyfix recently won the Manufacturer & Supplier of the Year Award at the Wates Group’s London Supply Chain event.  

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of non-combustible cavity solutions and a company that delivers highly innovative and effective products to help clients meet buildability, quality, and sustainability standards, Keyfix takes great pride in being acknowledged by the industry.

John Duffin, Managing Director at Keyfix, was delighted to see the hard work of the talented Keyfix team being recognised with the prestigious Manufacturer & Supplier of the Year Award. He said: “We’re just absolutely thrilled. It is an incredible honour for us to receive this award. It’s testimony to the hard work and dedication of the great team at Keyfix and this award goes to each and every one of them.

“We’d like to thank Wates for the great day and for awarding us with this achievement.”

 

 

For Keyfix, winning the award was the result of a fierce determination to provide the construction industry with a product that’s simple to understand, easy to install, and avoids the need for future alterations. Keyfix’s A1 fire rated Non-Combustible Cavity Tray System (NCCT) is fully BBA certified and approved by Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty. Keyfix NCCT is manufactured using non-combustible Grade 304 austenitic stainless steel that won’t contribute to fire loading, ensuring the highest standards of fire resistance for the building.

With a rapid-build system that features a unique design that enables the stainless steel tray to be self-supporting across the cavity and requires no support from the internal structure, the NCCT is commercially viable and suitable for any relevant project.

 

The innovative NCCT system comes with split pins, designed to pin overlapping trays together to ensure simple and efficient installation, saving valuable time on-site. Furthermore, with no connection with the inner skin, the NCCT is not affected by issues associated with thermal bridging and differential movement.

The event, held at 10 Union Street in London on Tuesday 24th September, brought together industry leaders and decision-makers, acknowledging the incredible talent throughout the built environment and shining a spotlight on companies leading the way in innovation and sustainability.

Ballyholme Beach Study Extended to Investigate Winter Water Quality

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A new study to investigate water quality at Ballyholme Beach in Bangor has been extended until February 2025 to better understand water pollution in the winter season.

Launched at the start of 2024, the study is being led by NI Water and is fully supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

Its goal is to pinpoint the primary sources of pollution that are negatively affecting water quality in the region, enabling authorities to make informed decisions about future remediation actions and investment needs.

Intensive water sampling commenced in May 2024 at the start of the bathing season, with the samples being tested for genetic Microbial Source Tracking (MST) to determine if the bacteria pollution is coming from human or from animals or a combination of both. It is hoped that by extending the study until February 2025, authorities will better understand pollution changes in the winter season when farming practices, such as slurry spreading, are reduced.

Pollution that affects water quality can come from a variety of sources including sewage discharges, diffuse pollution from agriculture, household misconnections or septic tanks.

Angela Halpenny, NI Water Head of Environmental Regulation, said: “Ballyholme is one of 26 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland. According to DAERA, Ballyholme beach has been classified as having ‘poor’ bathing water status since 2022. The Cotton River is the main waterbody discharging into Belfast Lough at Ballyholme beach and we understand that it is the likely source of pollution in Ballyholme Bay.

“This study is well underway with NI Water teams collecting a minimum of 25 water samples each week.  The sampling locations are both within the Ballyholme Bay itself where the public are bathing and also at key locations along the Cotton River. These samples are then delivered by NI Water to AFBI and DAERA Laboratories for analysis.

“So far, the preliminary results have typically shown high levels of E. coli and enterococci in the Cotton River but not in the marine environment of Ballyholme Bay. At the end of the main water quality sampling period (October 2024) the samples will be tested for genetic Microbial Source Tracking (MST) to determine if the bacterial pollution is coming from humans or from animals or a combination of both.”

Fergus Kerr, Director of McAdam, said: “We are delighted to support NI Water in this important study. The use of intensive sampling and real-time water quality sensors will provide insights into the sources and impacts of pollution in both the Cotton River and Ballyholme Bay.”

Biodiversity Units UK Helps Galliford Try Achieve Planning Success for Brentwood Special Needs School in Manchester

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Manchester, UK – Biodiversity Units UK is proud to announce its successful collaboration with Galliford Try in providing a compliant Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) solution for the Brentwood Special Needs School project in Manchester. With a critical deadline looming, Galliford Try required 8.48 habitat units to meet planning conditions set by Trafford Council, ensuring the timely start of construction.

Galliford Try, one of the UK’s leading building constructors, turned to Biodiversity Units UK for a fast, effective solution. Working in partnership with the Iford Estate, one of only seven projects officially registered on the government’s DEFRA platform at the time, Biodiversity Units UK sourced the necessary BNG units and swiftly completed all required legal paperwork. This enabled Galliford Try to discharge the planning conditions and proceed with construction in time for the school holidays.

Michael Cook, Senior Design Manager at Galliford Try, commented:

“We worked with Biodiversity Units UK on our Brentwood Special Needs School project in Manchester. We needed a compliant BNG solution fast in order to hit our construction timelines. They found us suitable BNG Units and a solution which enabled us to quickly discharge the planning conditions to meet the client’s timescales.”

Supporting Biodiversity at Iford Estate

The Iford Estate, located in the South Downs National Park and managed by the Robinson family for over 125 years, has long prioritized environmental stewardship. The estate has been a pioneer in exploring new land use strategies, and in 2020, it was selected as one of Natural England’s statutory biodiversity credits pilot sites in preparation for mandatory BNG.

The funds generated from the sale of biodiversity units are being directly invested into restoring and enhancing local habitats, ensuring a long-term impact on biodiversity in the region. By engaging in habitat creation and enhancement projects, the estate is helping to restore nature, promote biodiversity, and increase the presence of rare species on the land.

Ben Taylor, Managing Director at Iford Estate, added:

“We were delighted to be able to offer a solution to Brentwood Special School’s BNG requirement. This transaction proved that the processes we have developed over the last 4 years are robust and enable us to quickly respond to BNG requests.  The proceeds will help progress Iford Estate’s 800ha habitat restoration vision.”

Ian Hambleton, Founder of Biodiversity Units UK commented:
We’re incredibly proud to have supported Galliford Try on this important project, ensuring that biodiversity net gain is not only achieved but embedded as a core part of the development. At Biodiversity Units UK, we believe that sustainable development and nature recovery should go hand-in-hand. By working with visionary partners like the Iford Estate, we are able to provide real solutions that benefit both the environment and the communities who depend on it. The Brentwood Special Needs School project is a perfect example of how BNG can help deliver vital infrastructure while enhancing the natural world for future generations.”

For more information about Biodiversity Units UK and their approach, visit biodiversity-units.uk

Bassetts Tees Up Plumbing & Heating Expertise for Luxury Golf Accommodation in Portrush

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Bassetts, Northern Ireland’s largest plumbing and heating merchant, is proud to announce its role as a key supplier in the recent transformation of The Rosses Property, a luxury holiday let in Portrush. The property, located on a 3.3-acre estate, adjoins the fourth fairway of the prestigious Royal Portrush Golf Club. 

Glebeview Contracts carried out the extensive renovation, with Bassetts supplying the heating system, sanitaryware and tiles throughout the property. The Rosses is a stunning 4,300 sq ft home featuring four double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and four spacious reception rooms. 

Bassetts’ expertise was pivotal in designing and installing high-quality, contemporary bathroom solutions. Each bathroom features modern aesthetics and durable finishes, perfectly complementing the overall style of the property. With a focus on quality and longevity, Bassetts provided premium bathroom furniture, mirrors, tiles, and coloured brassware, ensuring the installations would stand the test of time. 

Mark Darragh, Project Manager at Bassetts, commented: 

The Rosses Property was a standout project, and we’re proud to have supplied everything from the heating systems to the stylish sanitaryware. Our team worked closely with Glebeview Contracts to ensure a seamless process, providing expert advice on design and installation. As with all our projects, we aim to go above and beyond to meet the specific needs of our clients. 

Chris Lamont, Glebeview Builders, added: 

Working on The Rosses has been an incredible experience. The project required meticulous attention to detail and partnering with Bassetts for the heating system and sanitaryware was key to achieving the high standards we set for this luxury accommodation. Their expertise and commitment to quality made the process seamless, ensuring that every element, from design to installation, met the demands of this exceptional property.” 

The Rosses is a flagship residential project. It reflects the business’s ability to handle complex, multidisciplinary projects while delivering bespoke, high-quality solutions for builders, developers, and contractors across Northern Ireland. 




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