,

Wernick Group celebrates 90 years of business

Wernick Group proudly announces its 90th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the company’s rich history of delivering innovative and sustainable modular solutions.

The Wernick Group of companies has a proud legacy stretching back to 1934, growing from a humble maker of poultry crates to becoming Britain’s largest family-owned provider of portable and modular buildings, and off-grid power solutions.

Since its founding, the business has been at the forefront of the modular building industry. Whilst maintaining an enduring status as a family-owned and run business over the past nine decades, Wernick continues its mission to improve people’s lives through the provision of sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

CEO Jonathan Wernick, commented, “Samuel Wernick, my great-grandfather, started his working life as a poultry dealer. He manufactured wooden crates to transport the chickens which led him to start manufacturing as a commercial enterprise. It was Sam’s ability to adapt to the opportunity of manufacturing these crates that led to the birth of the Wernick Group a few years later. This ability to adapt quickly to opportunities remains one of the key strengths of the Wernick Group 90 years later. He would be immensely proud of everything the company has achieved over that time.

Today, the Wernick Group consists of six distinct businesses: Wernick Buildings, Wernick Hire, Wernick Refurbished Buildings, Wernick Events, Wernick AVDanzer, and Wernick Power Solutions. Each company within the group holds focal importance in delivering comprehensive and tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of its clients.

The last decade, in particular, has seen a vigorous expansion through a combination of shrewd acquisitions and organic growth. The Wernick Group currently has forty operating centres throughout the UK, working across both the public and private sectors. The Group of companies combine to offer the sale and hire of permanent and temporary modular buildings, site accommodation, and off-grid power solutions.

Wernick Group’s Chairman David Wernick commented, “We are a 4th generation company with my son Jonathan running the Group as CEO. We take great pride in what we’ve achieved over the last 90 years and are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our employees during this period.”

www.wernick.co.uk

/0 Comments/by
, ,

GRAHAM begins construction of low-carbon residential project in Edinburgh

GRAHAM has initiated the construction of a £59m ($73.99m) low-carbon residential project in Edinburgh, named Burnet Point.

To be located in Abbey Lane, the project is claimed to be the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by student accommodation provider Unite Students.

Unite Students group development director Tom Brewerton said: “This is the company’s first combined development of purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent and affordable housing. We look forward to contributing positively to the student and private rental market in Edinburgh to help address the supply-demand imbalance in the city.

“This development reflects Unite Students’ ongoing commitment to providing high-standard, affordable student accommodation in locations where demand is greatest.”

The project will utilise a low-carbon concrete and timber composite, an eco-friendly alternative to natural wood.

Burnet Point will feature 298 student bedrooms, including a variety of cluster and studio flats, with communal spaces and accessible landscaped roof areas.

In addition, the scheme will offer 66 flats for rent.

Of these, 17 units will be designated as affordable and managed by Hillcrest Homes.

The completion of Burnet Point is scheduled for September 2025, aligning with the 2025/2026 academic term.

GRAHAM Building North regional managing director Gary Holmes said: “Burnet Point is a unique project which prioritises sustainable construction.

“The demand for student accommodation continues to grow and the build-to-rent market remains buoyant, giving us a strong pipeline of projects in the coming years.”

Last month, GRAHAM, on behalf of Wirral Council, announced plans to initiate two motorway improvement schemes in Birkenhead’s town centre.

From Global Data

 

/0 Comments/by
, , ,

Net-zero construction: Bath leads the way in cutting emissions in construction

Bath and North East Somerset Council have announced a planning policy to reduce carbon emissions and work towards net-zero construction

This approach, in collaboration with the University of Bath, shows six initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero targets through local collaboration.

The report presented by the Key Cities Innovation Network (KCIN) in “Civic Partners in Net Zero“ sets an example of sustainable construction practices across the UK.

Achieving net zero by tackling construction pollution

Since January 2023, the Council has implemented strict local planning policies requiring that all new building developments achieve net zero operational energy. Major developments must also meet an incorporated carbon target, surpassing national building regulations. Bath and North East Somerset were the first UK local authorities to introduce these planning policies.

What happens in our cities – in construction, in transport, in waste processing, in energy consumption – has a major impact in how we reach our net zero targets as a nation

The council worked with the university to review the impact. So far, they found that initial assessments reveal a significant improvement in the projected outcomes of new applications, showing a promising shift towards eco-conscious construction practices. Industry support for the policy aims has been strong, showing a collective commitment to combatting climate change.

Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, praised the joint effort, highlighting sustainability as a priority research theme for the institution.

Initiatives across the UK

The “Civic Partners in Net Zero” report also features other initiatives from across the UK including:

  • Coventry University and Coventry City Council’s new technology enables active recharging of electric vehicles, changing transportation in urban settings.
  • Lancaster University’s collaboration with educators integrates sustainability into everyday teaching, inspiring future generations to embrace eco-friendly practices.
  • Wrexham University allows communities and industries to drive the net zero transition, promoting a culture of environmental management.
  • The University of South Wales explores the potential of biotechnology to support a circular economy by transforming waste into clean energy and fertilisers.
  • The University of Southampton teams up with a theatre company to emotionally engage primary school audiences with climate science.

Cllr John Merry, Chair of Key Cities and Deputy Mayor of Salford City Council, said: “The ideas presented here are important and exciting. Important because what happens in our cities – in construction, in transport, in waste processing, in energy consumption – has a major impact in how we reach our net zero targets as a nation, and we in the Key Cities are determined to play our part. Exciting because they demonstrate the ingenuity in our universities and councils, and the strength of our growing civic partnership across the network. These are ideas we can build on, both as a network and in partnership with our communities, stakeholders and the government.”

Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, also highlighted the collective effort needed to replicate and upscale these initiatives.

Working towards net-zero-carbon construction

Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council and Deputy Chair of Key Cities, said: “In Bath and North East Somerset, I am proud of the strong and longstanding partnerships we have with our two universities so it is great to see our collaboration with the University of Bath on net-zero-carbon construction so well reflected in the report.

Source: Open Access Government

/0 Comments/by
, ,

Cash incentive to boost number of construction industry apprentices

Telford College’s apprenticeships team is helping to signpost businesses to as much as £10,000 for each candidate which fills a much-needed skills gap in the sector.

“The Construction Industry Training Board has grants for approved apprenticeships at level two and above that focus on core construction skills needed across the industry,” said Telford College business development manager Chris Field.

“Employers are entitled to £2,500 a year through the CITB for attendance whilst completing the apprenticeship, payable in quarterly instalments.

“On top of this, there is also £3,500 achievement grant which is payable on completion of the full apprenticeship.

“For an apprenticeship which runs for two and a half or three years, that could add up to more than £10,000.

“You have to be a CITB registered employer to be entitled to this grant aid – for smaller-sized construction businesses, this is free. Even for the larger companies, it’s worthwhile and the membership fee is a tiny fraction of the incentives which are available.”

Telford College’s construction-related apprenticeships which qualify for the CITB grant support include property maintenance, bricklayer, groundworks, highways maintenance and road surfacing operative.

Chris added: “We are here to support employers every step of the way. We recognise that they are experts in construction industries – not in filling out paperwork for grant applications. That’s where we come in, with our experience and expertise.

“It’s about encouraging the next generation into the construction industry to keep pace with huge demand for skills.

“Construction companies might not know about the grant support which is available through these channels – or think it’s too good to be true and there must be a catch. There isn’t.”

He added: “We can liaise with industry bodies and help with the paperwork. You can trust us to manage the process and make it an easy process.”

From The Shropshire Star

/0 Comments/by
,

North America modular construction market poised for steady growth, projected to reach US$ 42.2 billion by 2032

The North America modular construction sector is experiencing a significant upsurge, with the market size hitting US$ 27.3 billion in the year 2023. Forecasts indicate a robust continuation of this trend, with an anticipated climb to a market size of US$ 42.2 billion by the year 2032. This projection corresponds to a compounded annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2023 to 2032. This expansion signifies the industry’s growing commitment to sustainable construction practices and its response to the increasing demand for rapid, cost-efficient building solutions.

The substantial growth can chiefly be attributed to the augmented demand for prefabricated building structures in North America, coupled with the sector’s intent to diminish construction time and costs. The market’s upward momentum is further supported by the surge in infrastructure projects, encompassing healthcare, corporate offices, residential complexes, and educational institutions.

Additionally, heightened environmental concerns regarding the carbon emissions associated with traditional construction are propelling regional interest towards modular construction methods. Government initiatives across the United States and Canada that encourage the erection of green buildings have also played a pivotal role in the market’s growth. Moreover, the advent of advanced technology integrations, such as 3D printing and Building Information Modeling (BIM), is predicted to further amplify the market’s prospects.

Impact of COVID-19 on the modular construction sector

Despite healthy growth indicators, the modular construction market faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to curtail the virus’ spread, such as lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, prompted the postponement of various construction projects, creating disruptions in supply chains and temporary facility shutdowns, all of which impacted market performance.

Key market segmentation

The market is segmented into distinct divisions, including Permanent Modular Construction (PMC) and Relocatable Buildings (RB). Additional segments comprise various sectors, such as public, residential, and commercial, alongside a breakdown by construction material, with categories encompassing wood, concrete, and steel, among others. Geographically, the market encapsulates profound analysis at both regional and country levels, with the United States and Canada being central areas of focus within the North American market.

Industry competitive landscape

The competitive dynamics of the industry have been carefully assessed, showcasing key players who are contributing to the market’s development and expansion. These industry leaders are fostering innovation and utilizing strategic initiatives to strengthen their market presence, ultimately serving a diverse range of construction needs in the modular construction space.

Looking forward

As the North America modular construction market paves the path toward a more sustainable and efficient future, it continues to offer substantial opportunities for players within the industry and potential entrants, with a steady growth rate that signals enduring demand for modular construction solutions across North America.

Source: Yahoo! Finance

/0 Comments/by
,

Farnham mayor opens new eco-friendly dining hall at Barfield Prep School

Barfield Prep School welcomed a visit by the mayor of Farnham, Cllr Alan Earwaker, to open its new dining hall on Monday, April 22. Sustainable construction firm TG Escapes designed and built the new hall using modular construction methods in just four months, allowing children to continue their education.

The bespoke timber building offers panoramic views across the school’s grounds and plenty of natural light through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

It is a low energy ‘A’ rated building with solar panels on the roof, air source heat pumps, active ventilation and heat recovery, and LED lighting.

It boasts a commercial kitchen with cold and dry stores, pot wash area, office, toilet, plant room and a veranda overlooking the headteacher’s lawn.

Andy Boyle, Barfield headmaster, said: “Thanks to TG Escapes we now have a beautifully designed eco-friendly functional building for everyone at the school to enjoy and benefit from.”

Source: Farnham Herald

/0 Comments/by