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NORTHERN IRELAND’S No.1 CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE 

SPECIFY is the official publication for the 

Construction Employers Federation 

June/July 2016 £3.00 

NEW ANTHRACITE GREY 

RAINWATER SYSTEMS 

RAINWATER 

www.brettmartin.com

Finalists 

announced in the 

2016 Construction 

Excellence Awards 

This year’s Showcase will 

take place at the Wellcome- 

Wolfson Institute for 

Experimental Medicine at 

Queen’s University Belfast, 

the 2015 Overall Winner, on 

7 September and will give 

finalists the opportunity 

to demonstrate the 

excellence of their 

project to customers, 

suppliers and industry 

professionals. 

The winners will 

be announced at a 

Gala Evening on 

6 October at the 

Culloden Hotel. 

General 

Construction 

Commercial 

Construction Award 

Heron Brothers 

Forthriver Innovation Factory 

Martin & Hamilton 

Galgorm Resort & Spa 

O’Hare & McGovern 

IFA National Football Stadium 

P & K McKaigue 

Causeway Rural & Urban Network 

(CRUN) Building 

Fit-Out Award 

Dixons Contractors 

16 College Street, Belfast 

Gilbert-Ash 

PwC / Google Innovation Lab 

Woodvale Construction Company 

Stranmillis Refectory 

Restoration Award 

Gilbert-Ash 

The Crown Bar and Dining Rooms 

Martin & Hamilton 

St. Bernadette’s Church, Belfast 

QMAC Construction 

St. Patrick’s Church, Donaghmore 

TAL 

Restoration of Portaferry 

Presbyterian Church 

Social/Community 


Maurice Flynn & Sons 

Waterfront Hall Refurbishment 

QMAC Construction 

The Junction 

TAL 

Schomberg House 

Woodvale Construction Company 

Queens Boat Club 

GB & Republic of Ireland 


Gilbert-Ash 

Institution of Engineering & 

Technology 

Tracey Brothers 

Eolas Building at NUI Maynooth 


Stevenson Hive Project 

Farrans Construction 

Ellon Academy Community Campus 

Housing 

Private Housing Award 

Carr Brothers 

Bannview Court Retirement Village 

Dixons Contractors 

Redbridge Development 

Donaghmore Construction 

Fairfields 

J W & J Porter & Company 

Saddlers Hall 

Social Housing Award 


Ballymister Supported Housing 

Hagan Homes 

Fort Hall 

Lowry Construction 

Manse Court 

P & K McKaigue 

Holly Lane 

Infrastructure 

Health Infrastructure 

Award 

Felix O’Hare & Company 

Banbridge CTCC 

Glasgiven Contracts 

Ballymena Ambulance Station 

H & J Martin 

Northern Ireland Adult Hospice 


Ballymena Health & Care Centre 

Education 

Infrastructure Award 

Mascott Construction 

MENCAP Building Belfast 


St Joseph’s Carnacaville 


SERC Space Campus 


New Dromore Central Primary School 

Transport 


Fox Building & Engineering 

Valley Park 

Fox Building & Engineering 

Strabane Pedestrian Bridge 

John Graham Construction 

A2 Shore Road, Carrickfergus 

McLaughlin and Harvey 

Glynn River Bridge 

Utilities 


Adman Civil Projects 

Eglish Wind Farm 

DAWSON-WAM 

Newcastle Wastewater Treatment 

Works 

Lagan Construction Group 

Castor Bay to Belfast Strategic Trunk 

Main 

Terra Solutions 

York Street Interchange Storm 

Chamber 

Quality 

Performance 

Health & 

Safety Award 




McAleer & Teague 

Training Award 

David Jameson Roofing Services 




Environmental 

Sustainability Award 

Adman Civil Projects 

David Jameson Roofing Services 


Principal Sponsor: 

Sponsors:

Comments|03 

PAT BURNS 

Editor 

Paul Bradwell 

Sales Manager 

Construction sector still 

suffering – but things will 

get better! 

SUBSCRIPTIONS: 

(UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50) 

PUBLISHERS: 

James & Gladys Greer 

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GREERS PUBLICATIONS 2016. No part of this publication 

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or 

transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, 

mechanical, photcopying, recording or otherwise without the 

prior permission of Greer Publications. 

The latest State of 

Trade survey from the 

Construction Employers 

Federation and PwC 

show that around a fifth 

of Northern Ireland’s 

construction companies 

are operating at less 

than half capacity, 

with demand in GB 

and the Republic of 

Ireland (RoI) also down. 

The EU Referendum is 

thought to have created 

uncertainty in the 

economy but now that 

is out of the way, many 

construction companies 

expect business to 

improve later this year. 

The latest CEF assessment for 

the first three months (Q1) 

of 2016 shows that close to a 

quarter (22%) of companies 

were operating in survival 

mode, while the percentage of 

companies confident of growth 

and profitability fell slightly from 

50% in Q1 2015 to 48% in Q1 

2016. 

The proportion of firms 

reporting that their current 

workload had increased rose 

slightly to 33% in Q1 2016, 

from 27.5% in Q1 2015 but 

remained well below on the 

first three months of 2014 

when half of companies 

surveyed reported increased 

demand and workload. 

Northern Ireland (almost 

entirely Great Britain and RoI). 

That fell to 17% in Q1 2015 

and then again in Q1 2016, 

when only 13% of work was in 

GB and/or RoI markets. 

The decline was largely driven 

by a reduction in work in GB 

– down from 15% in Q1 2014 

to about 10% throughout 2015 

and falling to 6% in Q1 2016, 

the survey found. 

Commenting on the survey 

results CEF Managing Director 

John Armstrong, said the 

industry was not showing 

any real signs of sustainable 

recovery: 

“This is another survey which 

suggests that the construction 

sector is not sharing in 

Northern Ireland’s modest 

economic recovery, let alone 

the significant growth that is 

being exhibited elsewhere in 

the UK and Ireland. 

“The proportion of companies 

in survival mode is up, those 

anticipating growth and 

profitability are down and the 

percentage of work in Great 

Britain and Ireland has fallen. 

We are operating in an 

environment where growth 

in housebuilding is broadly 

flat and where output in 

infrastructure and roads has 

actually declined. 

“The one glimmer of light 

is that over a third of our 

members say they expect 

things to get better – I sincerely 

hope they are right. 

“Construction and 

infrastructure accounts for 

around 6% of UK GDP. But 

it also delivers instant results 

– direct employment, high 

wages, indirect jobs, and greater 

community cohesion. The new 

Executive therefore needs 

to work with the industry to 

develop and deliver a significant 

pipeline of projects which will 

be crucial to the long term 

sustainability and success of 

the construction industry in 

Northern Ireland.” 

Two years ago, in Q1 2014, 

almost a quarter of CEF 

members’ work done was in 

construction activity outside 

Fold Housing announces a £40m investment in new homes in 2016 

• Fire Detection & Alarm 

• IP Video Surveillance 

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Tel: 02890 207 207 • Email: info@diamondsystems.co.uk • www.diamondsystems.co.uk

JUNE/JULY 2016 

contents... 

6 

9 

12 

16 

18 

22 

24 

34 

44 

66 

DIGEST 

Queen’s new £39M Biological Sciences build to support 

550 construction jobs . 

DIGEST 

Gilbert-Ash lifts the award for Overall Excellence at the 2016 Aer Lingus 

Viscount Awards in London. 

DIGEST 

The top builders merchants in Northern Ireland are honoured at the 

Octabuild Builders Merchant Awards with Haldane Fisher, Coleraine taking the 

top spot. 

RICS Opinion: 

The industry can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to 

diversity, says Tracy Flannigan FRICS , RICS spokesperson in Northern 

Ireland 

RSUA DESIGN AWARDS: 

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam 

McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to ‘House at 

Maghera’, in Castlewellan, County Down. 

BELFAST TELEGRAPH TOP 100: 

John Simpson analyses the top construction companies in the BT Top 100. 

APPRENTICESHIPS: 

Retaining apprentices will help the construction sector flourish again, 

according to Max Mackin of Reactive Recruitment 

RICS AWARDS:: 

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine has been 

named Project of the Year at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 

(RICS) Awards 2016 

CALDWELL CONSULTING: 

Caldwell Consulting celebrate fifty years of creating spaces and environments 

that enhance the lives of those who use them. 

INTERVIEW: 

Specify talks to Stuart Murphy, Partner and Head of Construction Law, Carson 

McDowell. 

• Tailored energy solution 

• Full design service 

• Technical support and guidance 

• 24-hour emergency call out 

We provide CPD courses. TO FIND OUT MORE Visit calorgas.ie 

• Email cpd@calorgas.ie • Contact: 028 9045 5588 

calorgas.ie

contents |05 

CALDWELL 

CONSULTING: 

Page 43-55 

22 John Simpson 

Construction Company League 

24 Max Mackin 

Apprenticeships from Reactive 

66 Stuart Murphy 

Interview 

• Tailored energy solution 


• Technical support and guidance 

• 24-hour emergency call out 

We provide CPD courses. TO FIND OUT MORE Visit calorgas.ie 

• Email cpd@calorgas.ie • Contact: 028 9045 5588 

calorgas.ie

06| digest 

Queen’s new £39M Biological Sciences 

Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year 

growth plan in UK and Ireland. 

build to support 550 construction jobs 

NI M&E services company acquires renewable energy specialists 

Newtownabbey-based 

Queen’s University 

M&E services company, 

Belfast has unveiled 

Harvey Group, has acquired 

the foundation stone 

Northern Ireland renewable 

for its new £39 million 

energy specialists, Solmatix 

School of Biological 

Renewables in a move the 

Sciences. 

companies say will transform 

The new School will be a 

the renewable energy sector 

key driver for the development 

in Northern Ireland and act 

and 

as a 

future 

springboard 

growth 

for 

of 

further 

the life 

sciences expansion and into agri-food the multimillion 

Northern pound Ireland, UK and which Ireland 

sectors 

in 

currently renewable employ energy some markets. 80,000 

people The and acquisition, generate for an more 

than undisclosed £5.5 billion sum, will in bring sales to each 110 

year. the number of people employed 

directly Building by the Harvey new School Group in will 

also Northern support Ireland 550 and jobs Great in the Britain. 

construction With a turnover sector, of including £30 million 

staff and from over 80 the staff, main Harvey contractor Group 

O’Hare has over and 30 years’ McGovern, experience and a 

range in the of design, other installation firms. and 

maintenance The new School, of building which services is 

being within built every at conceivable Chlorine kind Gardens of 

in building Belfast, type will throughout offer state-ofthe 

and art RoI, teaching including Pharmaceutical/ 

and research 

NI, GB 

facilities Cleanrooms, for its Laboratories, 750 students 

and Education, 170 staff, Government who will and tackle 

some Healthcare of the . Richard world’s and most Norah- 

Anne Bell founded Solmatix 

Renewables in 2008, and since then 

the pressing company issues. has grown to achieve a 

turnover Due to of £6 open million, in 2018, with 30 the staff 

operating building from will provide its Nutt’s the Corner 

premises. facilities to help grow the life 

sciences As a result sector, of the especially deal, Solmatix in 

will areas continue such to as operate agriculture/food as an 

autonomous science, food and safety, independent disease/ 

company within Harvey Group 

infection biology, diagnostics, 

Brian Harvey, managing director 

waste management, ecosystems 

of Harvey Group, said there was 

and the environment. The Life 

a perfect fit between the two 

and Health Sciences and Agriorganisations. 

Food sectors are key to driving 

“We have been planning to 

future economic prosperity 

grow our renewables involvement 

in Northern Ireland. The Life 

for some time, either organically 

or 

Science 

through 

graduates 

the acquisition 

who 

of 

will 

an 

be 

established trained within player. the Having new worked building 

with will underpin Solmatix Renewables these areas on and 

a help number facilitate of contracts, future we’d growth. 

always The been new impressed 11,000m² with School is 

their the latest engineering building rigour in and Queen’s 

professionalism. £700M 20-year In fact, capital there seemed 

to investment be a natural programme synergy between to 

our support two companies world-class in terms research of 

what and education we do and how and we provide do it. I an 

approached exceptional Richard experience Bell about for a its 

year students. ago to float the idea of our 

companies In keeping coming with together, the but only 

if University’s there was a good commitment fit. After careful 

consideration we both agreed 

that this would indeed be mutually 

CONCRETE 

FUTURES 

(L to R): Damien Toner, Queen’s Director of Estates, Eamon O’Hare, 

Celebrating Managing the Director, acquisition O’Hare (from left) & Norah-Anne McGovern; Bell, Queen’s Richard Vice-Chancellor, 

Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth 

Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). 

Professor Patrick Johnston; Simon Hamilton, Minister for the Economy; St. 

beneficial. John Hadley, From Architect, my perspective, Scott Tallon Walker as and great Martin news Lennon, for Solmatix, Managing its 

having Director, Solmatix O’Hare as & part McGovern. of Harvey customers, suppliers and staff. 

Group gives us a level of expertise “In many respects, it’s a case 

to that sustainability, would have taken the us building years to technologies of ‘business as usual’. including However, a in 

has acquire been otherwise. designed to 

combined real terms, being heat part and of power this larger 

minimize “Harvey its Group impact and Solmatix on the engine, organisation ventilation will give us heat access to 

environment, share similar values, and by to which achieve I mean recovery enhanced technical units and skills, a financial Ground 

the our commitment target of Building to professionalism, Research Source resources Heat and purchasing Pump system. power. 

Establishment our desire to deliver Environmental 

our services to Ultimately This will I believe the this 14th will lead project 

Method the very highest (BREEAM) standards, Excellent. and the O’Hare to greater & growth McGovern, and investment the 

Set importance over five we place floors, on the treating our Newry-based within our operations, construction as well as 

building customers, is our designed suppliers around and our staff a company, more jobs and has job delivered security. It’s for a 

central with courtesy glazed and atrium consideration.” and will Queen’s. win-win relationship The first that’s scheme good was 

incorporate Richard Bell, carbon the founder reduction and completed for our whole in organisation, August 1989. as 

managing director of Solmatix well as the economy of Northern 

Renewables described the acquisition Ireland. “ 

£7m support for ADDITIONAL 

300 new home programme 

Lisburn firm TAL awarded the first major construction 

contract at Randox Science Park 

Ulster Bank is providing 

£7million in support to a local 

housing association for a major 

programme that will deliver up 

to 300 new social homes across 

Northern Ireland over the next 

three years. 

WItH 100 a units reputation will be provided for in 

excellence 2016/17 as in part constructing of the initiative high 

quality by Ballymoney-headquartered 

projects, tAL Limited 

has Triangle been Housing awarded Association, a significant and 

contract the organisation’s (£3.1m) by finance global director, 

medical Alan Crilly, diagnostics says that company Ulster Bank’s 

Randox. support is crucial to making this 

happen. This initial contract is for the 

construction “Ulster Bank of a new has been facility active for 

production of Randox’s pioneering 

medical in the social diagnostic housing products and will 

also sector include for associated many years administrative 

functions. and we have The works been are the first 

phase very of pleased a major to capital work expenditure 

project with them by Randox on a funding to develop the 

former package Massereene to support Army Barracks 

into our ‘Randox development Science Park’ – a 

futuristic plans,” he R&D continues. and manufacturing 

facility. The award-winning, 

international “This will biotechnology enable us firm, 

unveiled to meet its our plans target for an for innovative 

hub new on homes the 43 this acre year, site earlier this 

this contract with Randox, one of 

Northern Ireland’s most dynamic 

and exciting businesses on a local 

and global level. Through the quality 

of our work and the dedication and 

professionalism of our team TAL has 

steadily grown over the last 34 years 

and this contract award reinforces 

the strength of our expertise in the 

healthcare sector.” 

The project will be delivered 

to BIM level 2 in partnership 

with the design team Ostick and 

Director at Randox commented: “The 

development of Randox Science 

Park is core to our plans to create 

innovative diagnostics, to improve 

manufacturing efficiency to export 

high-value healthcare capabilities to 

world markets. This state-of-the-art 

premises will become a centre of 

cutting-edge research, development 

and diagnostic manufacture, covering 

conditions such as cancer, stroke and 

heart disease. We will also provide a 

significant boost to the local economy 

year. which is a major part 

Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, through new job creation. We very 

Pictured on site at a Triangle Housing Association development in 

of Welcoming our overall the growth announcement, Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller much look forward to working with 

Belfast are Kenton Hilman, Ulster Bank, Paul Herbison, Ulster Bank, 

Damien and development Hughes, Director plan of TAL Consulting Engineers and Charles TAL on this initial contract to deliver 

Raymond Nicholl, Triangle Housing Association, and Alan Crilly, Triangle 

Limited for the commented: next three “We are Hutchison Consulting. 

the high quality infrastructure we 

House Association. 

delighted years,” he to adds. have been awarded Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing require.” 

The right job can transform a person’s life and the right 

person can transform an organisation, we’re experts at 

matching both in construction management. 

Find out more at hays.co.uk/ni 

NI-9402 Specify Strip Ads.indd 1 20/08/2014 16:45

06| digest digest 

|07 

HAGAN Harvey Group HOMES acquires TO Solmatix BUILD as 250 part of HOMES 5 year 

IN growth £30M plan DEVELOPMENT in UK and Ireland. IN ANTRIM 



Hagan Homes, one 

of M&E Northern services Ireland’s company, 

largest Harvey Group, homebuilders, 

has acquired 

is Northern to build Ireland 250 renewable 

homes energy specialists, at a site Solmatix in 

Antrim Renewables (Ballygore in a move Road, the 

BT41) companies in a say £30million will transform 

development. 


in Construction Northern Ireland has already and act 

started as a springboard at the 16.6-acre for further 

‘Ballyveigh’ expansion site into and the the multimillion 

take up pound to five UK years and Ireland to 

project 

will 

complete. renewable The energy first homes markets. will 

be completed The acquisition, from for an September 

2016, undisclosed with prices sum, will starting bring to from 110 

approx. the number £79,950. of people employed 

directly Jamesy by Hagan, the Harvey Managing Group in 

Director, Northern Hagan Ireland Homes, and Great told Britain. 

Specify 

With 

“We 

a turnover 

are delighted 

of £30 million 

to 

and over 80 staff, Harvey Group 

announce our plans for the 

has over 30 years’ experience 

new Ballyveigh site in Antrim. 

in the design, installation and 

This will be the largest housing 

maintenance of building services 

development started in Antrim 

within every conceivable kind of 

in more than ten years and 

building type throughout NI, GB 

is a clear indication of Hagan 

and RoI, including Pharmaceutical/ 

Homes’ confidence in the local 

Cleanrooms, Laboratories, 

market. Education, It is Government also a further and 

sign Healthcare of rejuvenation . Richard and in the Norahconstruction 

Anne Bell founded sector.” Solmatix 

Renewables “Demand in for 2008, superior and since then 

homes offering value in 

Northern Ireland is high and 

the company Ballyveigh has development 

grown to achieve a cater for changing needs as homebuilders. Having built 

offers turnover homebuyers of £6 million, with the 30 staff families grow.” 

almost 3300 homes across 

opportunity operating from to its Nutt’s live in Corner a mature Every new home in 

Northern Ireland since it was 

residential premises. area nestled off the Ballyveigh, Antrim will benefit established over 25 years ago 

Ballygore As a result Road of the in deal, Antrim. Solmatix The from Hagan Homes’ high 1988. 

homes will continue are to designed operate as to an appeal quality and stylish turnkey The family-run, award- 

autonomous all demographics, and independent whether specification, which includes winning Hagan Homes 

first-time company within buyers, Harvey families, Groupyoung 

professionals Brian Harvey, and managing downsizers, director 

and of Harvey will include Group, said one, there two was and 

three a perfect bedroom fit between apartments, the two 

townhouses, organisations. semi-detached 

a chic fully fitted kitchen and 

modern bathroom suite. 

The main contractor for the 

project is Claudy-based JCL 

Contracts. 

employs a highly experienced 

team, many of whom have 

been with the company 

since its inception. Company 

headquarters are located on 

and “We detached have been homes.” planning to Hagan Homes is one of Templepatrick Road, Ballyclare, 

Celebrating the acquisition (from left) Norah-Anne Bell, Richard Bell, Brian Harvey, Gareth 

grow Mr our Hagan renewables continues: involvement “Hagan Northern Booth (Financial Ireland’s Controller, Harvey largest Group). Co. Antrim. 

Homes’ for some time, aim either is to organically 

beneficial. From my perspective, as great news for Solmatix, its 

or through the acquisition of an Jim Burke, Director of Sales & Acquisitions along with Jamesy Hagan, Managing 

build affordable, 

having Solmatix as part of Harvey customers, suppliers and staff. 

established player. Having worked Director and James McLaughlin Main Contractor (JCL) 

quality, stylish homes 

with Solmatix Renewables on 


and achieve this by 

a number of contracts, we’d 

that would have taken us years to of ‘business as usual’. However, in 

appointing awardwinning 

architects, 

always been impressed with 

acquire otherwise. 

real terms, being part of this larger 

their engineering rigour and 

“Harvey Group and Solmatix organisation will give us access to 

interior designers and 

professionalism. In fact, there seemed share similar values, by which I mean enhanced technical skills, financial 

craftspeople. Our 

to be a natural synergy between our commitment to professionalism, resources and purchasing power. 

homes are built to 

our two companies in terms of our desire to deliver our services to Ultimately I believe this will lead 

be lived in, so the 

what we do and how we do it. I the very highest standards, and the to greater growth and investment 

usability of homes 

approached Richard Bell about a importance we place on treating our within our operations, as well as 

has been a primary 

year ago to float the idea of our customers, our suppliers and our staff more jobs and job security. It’s a 

consideration in the 

companies coming together, but only with courtesy and consideration.” win-win relationship that’s good 

design and build. 

if there was a good fit. After careful Richard Bell, the founder and for our whole organisation, as 

Hagan Homes reflect 

consideration we both agreed managing director of Solmatix well as the economy of Northern 

the needs of the 

that this would indeed be mutually Renewables described the acquisition Ireland. “ 

modern day family 

and are designed to 


contract Local industry at Randox supports Science the next Park generation of Ulster 

University engineers 

production of Randox’s pioneering 

Local businesses are helping to 

develop the next generation of 

engineers by funding an Ulster 

University project designed to give 

first year students an insight into the 

world of engineering. 

Ulster University engineering 

WItH 

students 

a 

used 

reputation 

their mechanical, 

for 

excellence 

electronic, design 

in constructing 

and biomedical 

high 

skills 

quality 

to develop 

projects, 

components 

tAL 

of 

Limited 

a racing 

has 

car as 

been 

part 

awarded 

of the Formula 

a significant 

Student 

contract 

initiative, Europe’s 

(£3.1m) 

most 

by 

established 

global 

medical 

educational 

diagnostics 

motorsport 

company 

competition. 

Randox. 

The project, which is sponsored by 

McAuley 

This initial 

Engineering, 

contract is 

Elite 

for 

Electronics, 

the 

construction 

Fleming-Agri, 

of 

Advanced 

a new facility 

Sensors 

for 

Ltd, 

Yelo Ltd and JMG Systems, aims to 

medical diagnostic products and will 

help students develop relevant 

also include associated administrative 

skills that will enhance employment 

functions. The works are the first 

prospects after graduation. In 

phase of a major capital expenditure 

addition to applying design and 

project by Randox to develop the 

engineering principles, participating 

former Massereene Army Barracks 

students also gained experience 

into ‘Randox Science Park’ – a 

of project management and team 

futuristic R&D and manufacturing 

working. 


Pictured with one of the projects 

international biotechnology firm, 

based on the design of an engine 

unveiled its plans for an innovative 

frame is mechanical engineering 

hub on the 43 acre site earlier this 

student Aleena Selestine 

year. 

alongside one of the judges of the 

Welcoming the announcement, 

competition, Michael McLaughlin, 

Damien Hughes, Director of TAL 

Business Improvement Manager at 

Limited commented: “We are 

McAuley Engineering. 

delighted to have been awarded 

CONCRETE 

FUTURES 









the strength of our expertise in the 


The project will be delivered 


with the design team Ostick and 

Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, 

Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller 

Consulting Engineers and Charles 

Hutchison Consulting. 

Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing 














through new job creation. We very 

much look forward to working with 

TAL on this initial contract to deliver 


require.” 






06| 08| digest 

CIOB Harvey Visit Group Belfast acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year 

Student growth Accommodation 

plan in UK and Ireland. participants hear from 

Project 

industry experts 



Recently Newry-based 

chartered M&E services building company, 

O’Hare Harvey & Group, McGovern, has acquired facilitated 

a Northern Chartered Ireland Institute renewable of Building 

(CIOB) energy site specialists, visit to John Solmatix Bell 

House, Renewables which is in located a move at the the 

iconic companies former say Belfast will Met transform college 

at the College renewable Square energy East. The sector 

attendees 

in Northern 

were 

Ireland 

given a 

and 

guided 

act 

as a springboard for further 

tour of the building by Project 

expansion into the multimillion 

pound UK and Ireland 

Manager Edward O’Hare and 

Design Manager Eamon Laverty. 

renewable energy markets. 

The walkthrough included an 

The acquisition, for an 

overview of how the listed 

undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 

building is being converted to 

the number of people employed 

house over 400 bedrooms as 

directly by the Harvey Group in 

part of a £16m redevelopment 

Northern Ireland and Great Britain. 

project. 

With 

Work 

a turnover 

includes 

of £30 

the 

million 

full 

refurbishment and over 80 staff, of the Harvey existing Group five 








Education, Government and 

Healthcare . Richard and Norah- 



the floors company within has the grown building to achieve as well a 

turnover as the addition of £6 million, of three with floors 30 staff 

operating roof level. from Commenting its Nutt’s Corner on 

premises. the event, Gerard Graham, Chair 

of As CIOB a result in Ireland’s of the deal, Northern Solmatix 

will Centre continue said, to operate as an 

autonomous “This was and a great independent opportunity 

company 

for the attendees, 

within Harvey 

which 

Group 

included 

Brian Harvey, 

students, 

managing 

lecturers 

director 

and 

of Harvey Group, said there was 

construction professionals to see 

a perfect fit between the two 

how a city centre building is being 

organisations. 

transformed within a challenging 


and restricted timeframe. We 

grow our renewables involvement 

would like to pass on our sincere 

for some time, either organically 

thanks to O’Hare & McGovern 

or through the acquisition of an 

for facilitating the event.” 

established player. Having worked 


a number 

For further 

of contracts, 

details 

we’d 

on the CIOB 

always visit www.ciob.org. 

been impressed with 


professionalism. In fact, there seemed 

to be a natural synergy between 

our two companies in terms of 

what we do and how we do it. I 

approached Richard Bell about a 

year ago to float the idea of our 

companies coming together, but only 

if there was a good fit. After careful 



Local company achieves first Heritage 

CONCRETE 

FUTURES 

Patrick Brown, Managing Partner, 

Booth Tughans (Financial commented: Controller, Harvey “We Group). 

selected to get involved with the 

beneficial. From my perspective, 

CITB NI Leader in Construction 

having Solmatix as part of Harvey 

programme as it correlates 

Group gives us a level of expertise 

with one of our major practice 

that would have taken us years to 

areas. Our construction team 


combines the expertise of 

“Harvey Group and Solmatix 

dedicated construction solicitors 

share similar values, by which I mean 

in non-contentious matters and 

our commitment to professionalism, 

dispute resolution experts for 

our desire to deliver our services to 

contentious issues, offering our 

the very highest standards, and the 

clients’ specialist support in the 

importance we place on treating our 

development of procurement 

customers, our suppliers and our staff 

strategies and in the management 

with courtesy and consideration.” 

of risk and dispute avoidance”. 

Richard Bell, the founder and 

managing director of Solmatix 

“We understand the importance 

Renewables described the acquisition 

of the construction sector to 

the local economy, as well as our 

own firm, and therefore made the 

decision to not only sponsor, but 


Lisburn endorsed Construction firm TAL Skills awarded Register Card the first major construction 

ideas. 

A Co Down based company, NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills 


The Glass Shutter Company, is the 

first company in NI to get Heritage 

Endorsed CSR cards. 

Director, David McClimond and 

employee Jonathan Black have both 

successfully completed an NVQ Level 

3 in Heritage Skills Construction - 

Wood Occupations to enable them 

to achieve the endorsement. 

Jonathan was a trainee on 

WItH the first a ever reputation Heritage Specialist for 

excellence Apprenticeship in constructing Programme Wood high 

quality Occupations projects, in Northern tAL Limited Ireland 

has managed been by awarded CITB NI a and significant funded 

contract by the Heritage (£3.1m) Lottery by global Fund. This 

medical programme diagnostics resulted in company 11 trainees 

Randox. receiving bespoke, structured training 

and This assessment initial contract with experienced is for the 

construction heritage contractors of a new leading facility to for 

the achievement of the Level 3 

(Construction) – Wood Occupations. 

production Johnathan of said, Randox’s “I have pioneering always had 

medical a passion diagnostic for carpentry products and and joinery will 

also and include began my associated career working administrative 

the 

functions. trade which The had works involved are the an element first 

phase of historic of a maintenance major capital work. expenditure I was 

project excited by on Randox hearing to about develop the Heritage the 

former Apprenticeship Massereene Programme Army Barracks as I knew 

into this ‘Randox would help Science develop Park’ my – skills a 

futuristic in this area, R&D gain and a qualification manufacturing and 

facility. hopefully The open award-winning, up opportunities to 

international be able to focus biotechnology my career firm, within 

unveiled the traditional its plans building for an sector. innovative I was 

hub fortunate on the enough 43 acre to site be earlier accepted this 

year. onto the programme and worked on 

projects Welcoming for the the National announcement, Trust to help 

Damien put theory Hughes, into practice. Director I of am TAL now 

Limited using my commented: qualification, “We skills are to work 

delighted on key projects. to have I am been delighted awarded to be 

the first to gain my Heritage endorsed 

Leader in Construction 

Participants from the CITB 

NI Leader in Construction 

programme were treated to 

a special guest speaker from 

Tughans, who are sponsoring 

two of the programme modules. 

Ciara Lagan spoke during the 

module on Managing and Securing 

Financial Resources which took 

place at CITB NI’s premises in 

May 2016. 









the 

CSR 

strength 

card which 

of our 

fully 

expertise 

validates 

in 

that 

the 

I 

healthcare 

have the skills 

sector.” 

and knowledge to use 

appropriate 

The project 

methods 

will be 

on 

delivered 

pre 1919 

to 

buildings.” 

BIM level 2 in partnership 

with 

David, 

the design 

also stated, 

team 

“We 

Ostick 

are 

and 

very 

Williams 

proud to 

Architects, 

be the first 

Rainey 

company 

& Best, 

in 

Doran 

Northern 

Consulting, 

Ireland to 

Delap 

achieve 

& Waller 

this 

Consulting 

Heritage CSR 

Engineers 

card endorsement. 

and Charles 

This 

Hutchison 

reinforces the 

Consulting. 

work that we have 

been 

Dr 

doing 

Peter FitzGerald, 

in relation to 

Managing 

historic 

buildings in particular traditional 

play an active role in delivering 

the course to the next generation 

of leaders’ in-order to build a 

strong indigenous sector.” 

The Leader in Construction 

programme is fast approaching 

the mid-way point which will 

be marked by the study visit to 

The Leuven Institute just outside 

Brussels in June 2016 (more in 

the next issue). Three modules 

have been completed to date 

and there are a further three to 

take as great place news between for Solmatix, now its and the 

end customers, of September. suppliers and In addition, staff. 

participants “In many respects, are involved it’s a case in an 

on-going of ‘business programme as usual’. However, of coaching. 

Feedback real terms, from being participants of this larger to 

date organisation includes will ‘I give found us it access really to 

useful enhanced to understand technical skills, that financial to be a 

leader resources I need and purchasing to balance power. providing 

direction Ultimately with I believe developing this will lead 

people to greater and growth achieving and investment results’ and 

‘sometimes within our operations, you need as to well step as 

back more and jobs look and job at why security. things It’s are a 

being win-win done relationship the way that’s they good are’. 

Others for our whole found organisation, having time as away 

from well as the the office economy to think of Northern was useful 

Ireland. “ 

and many feel that the practical 

element of the workshops is of 

advantage in terms of applying the 









sash windows. We hope that this 


endorsement allows us to develop 


further work in this area.” 


Jonathan was one of a number of 


trainees that participated in Heritage 


Lottery Funded built heritage 

through new job creation. We very 

upskilling programmes funded by the 

much look forward to working with 

Heritage Lottery Fund. To find out 


more about Jonathan’s story read 


his blog on http://www.citbni.org.uk/ 

require.” 

Heritage/Blogs.aspx 






06| digest digest 

|09 

MD AT CTS PROJECTS CONQUERS 

PRESTIGIOUS BUSINESS AWARDS 

Harvey Group acquires Solmatix as part of 5 year 

growth plan in UK and Ireland. 


Managing Director of leading 

heating Newtownabbey-based 

and renewable energy 

installer M&E services CTS Projects, company, Connaire 

McGreevy, Harvey Group, has been has acquired named 

Young Northern Business Ireland Person renewable of the 

Year, energy sponsored specialists, by ALMAC Solmatix 

at Renewables this year’s Belfast in a move Telegraph the 

Northern companies Ireland say will Business transform 

Awards, the renewable in association energy with sector 

British in Northern Airways. Ireland and act 

as a springboard for further 

expansion Connaire established into the multimillion 

heating pound UK specialists and Ireland CTS 

his first 

business 

Projects renewable back energy in 2005 markets. when he 

was The just acquisition, 23. Under for Connaire’s an 

leadership, undisclosed the sum, business will bring to has 110 

the number of people employed 

grown and he has invested 

directly by the Harvey Group in 

significantly in bespoke, 

Northern Ireland and Great Britain. 

innovative technologies to 

With a turnover of £30 million 

ensure the home-heating 

and over 80 staff, Harvey Group 

systems provided by CTS are 


second to none. 



CTS Projects was named 


Northern building type Ireland’s throughout Heating NI, GB 

Installer and RoI, of including the Year Pharmaceutical/ by Installer 

magazine Cleanrooms, in March Laboratories, 2016 and 

is Education, now in the Government running and for the 




accolade of the UK’s Heating FedEx 

Year sponsored by ALMAC 

Installer the company of the has grown Year. to achieve a 

turnover of £6 million, with 30 staff 

operating And from Boilers its Nutt’s to Corner Beer 

- premises. Connaire’s entrepreneurial 

journey As a result does of not the deal, end Solmatix with 

CTS! will continue A craft to beer operate aficionado as an 

with autonomous a passion and independent for all things 

local, company Connaire within Harvey launched Group 

Mourne Brian Harvey, managing director 

Mountains of Harvey Group, said there was 

Brewery. a perfect fit between the two 

organisations. 


Winner – AJ Power Ltd 

Best Use of Digital and/or 

Social Media sponsored by 

Saville Audio Visual 

Winner – CosyRoof 

Young Businessperson of the 

Winner – Connaire 

McGreevy –CTS Projects and 

Mourne Mountains Brewery 

Businessperson of the Year 

sponsored by British Airways 

Winner – Brian McConville, 

MJM Group 


grow Other our renewables winners involvement Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). 

on for some the evening time, either organically 

beneficial. From my perspective, as great news for Solmatix, its 

or through the acquisition of an 

included: 

having Solmatix as part of Harvey customers, suppliers and staff. 

established player. Having worked 

Excellence 



in Marketing 

a number of contracts, we’d 

that would have taken us years to of ‘business as usual’. However, in 

sponsored by 

always been impressed with 



RLA Ireland 


“Harvey Group and Solmatix organisation will give us access to 

Winner – 

professionalism. In fact, there seemed share similar values, by which I mean enhanced technical skills, financial 

Galgorm Resort 

to be a natural synergy between our commitment to professionalism, resources and purchasing power. 

and SPA 

our two companies in terms of our desire to deliver our services to Ultimately I believe this will lead 

what we do and how we do it. I the very highest standards, and the to greater growth and investment 

approached Excellence Picture Caption - Connaire McGreevy is presented with his award from John McQuaid, 

Richard Bell about a importance we place on treating our within our operations, as well as 

in year Exporting VP Technical Operations of category sponsors ALMAC . Also pictured are British Airways 

ago to float the idea of our customers, our suppliers and our staff more jobs and job security. It’s a 

sponsored companies coming by Ambassadors Jayne Deasy and Christine Wright. 

together, but only with courtesy and consideration.” win-win relationship that’s good 







for our whole organisation, as 

well as the economy of Northern 

Ireland. “ 

Gilbert-Ash lift “Overall Excellence” 

Award at Aer Lingus Viscount Awards 

Lisburn Innovative construction firm TAL Pall Mall awarded recently celebrates the the increased first our turnover major in 2015 construction 

and fit-out contractor, best of indigenous businesses. to £115m and are on target to 

contract Gilbert-Ash, has lifted at Randox 

Ray Hutchinson, 

Science 

managing 

Park 

achieve a turnover of £160m+ in 

the award for Overall 

Excellence at the 2016 Aer 

Lingus Viscount Awards in 

London. 

The awards ceremony and gala 

dinner, which took place at the 

prestigious IoD Headquarters on 

director of Gilbert Ash, who won 

production the award of for Randox’s Overall pioneering Excellence 

medical said: “This diagnostic year has products been and very will 

also exciting include for associated the company administrative and we 

functions. are proud The that works our are hard the work first has 

phase been of recognised a major capital with expenditure the news 

project that we by have Randox won to the develop Overall the 

former Massereene Excellence Army Barracks Award 

into ‘Randox Science at the Park’ Aer – Lingus a 

futuristic R&D Viscount and manufacturing Awards. 

WItH a reputation for 

excellence in constructing high 

quality projects, tAL Limited 

has been awarded a significant 


international biotechnology “We substantially firm, 

unveiled its plans increased for an innovative our 

hub on the 43 workforce acre site earlier in 2015, this a 

contract (£3.1m) by global year. decision which was 

medical diagnostics company Welcoming the driven announcement, by a series of 

Randox. Wendy Austin, BBC, Sherry Freeman, Aer Damien Lingus, Hughes, Ray high Director profile of contract TAL 

Hutchinson This initial contract Gilbert Ash is for and the Andrea Hunter, Limited Business commented: wins across “We are the UK. 

construction Development of a Manager, new facility Aer for Lingus. delighted to have We been successfully awarded 

2016. 


Northern “Recently Ireland’s we took most the dynamic strategic 

and decision exciting to businesses target projects on a local that 

and would global allow level. us Through to make the use quality of 

of our our expertise work and and the experience dedication and to 

professionalism sustain our plans of our for team continual TAL has 

steadily growth grown and we over anticipate the last 34 this years will 

and lead this to contract further award wins in reinforces the coming 

the year, strength he said.” of our expertise in the 


The Business project development will be delivered manager 

to of BIM Aer level Lingus 2 in in partnership Northern Ireland, 

with Andrea the design Hunter, team said: Ostick “We and are 

Williams thrilled to Architects, continue Rainey to reward & Best, 

Doran and support Consulting, organisations Delap & Waller that 

Consulting represent Engineers the absolute and Charles best 

Hutchison in their respective Consulting. fields, in 

partnership Dr Peter FitzGerald, with Ulster Managing Business 

magazine Gilbert-Ash has been 

truly deserving of this award. 

“The Viscount Awards are a 

celebration of business excellence 

Director and on behalf at Randox of Aer commented: Lingus I “The 

development would like to of congratulate Randox Science each of 

Park the winners is core to for our their plans tremendous to create 

innovative successes.” diagnostics, to improve 


high-value This year’s healthcare winners capabilities included: to 


premises Exporter will of become the Year a centre of 

cutting-edge Award: Sandvik research, development Mobile 

and Crushers diagnostic & manufacture, Screens covering 


heart Business disease. Person We will of also the provide a 

significant Year: Connaire boost to the McGreevy, 

local economy 

through CTS Projects new job creation. & Mourne We very 

much Mountains look forward Brewery to working with 


the Overall high quality Excellence: infrastructure we 

require.” Gilbert-Ash 

CONCRETE 

FUTURES 






06| 10| digest 

CDENVIRO Harvey Group SECURES acquires Solmatix HIGHEST as part NI RATING of 5 year 

ON growth LEAGUE plan in TABLE UK and OF Ireland. BRITAIN’S FASTEST 

GROWING SME EXPORTERS 



M&E County-Tyrone services company, based 

CDEnviro Harvey Group, has has been acquired 

ranked Northern in Ireland the top renewable 20 

on energy a national specialists, league Solmatix 

table Renewables of Britain’s in a move fastest the 

growing companies SME say will exporters. transform 


in The Northern 2nd annual Ireland Sunday and Times act 

Heathrow as a springboard SME Export for further Track 100 

league expansion ranks into Britain’s the private multimillion 

medium-sized pound UK companies and Ireland 

small 

and 

(SMEs) renewable with energy the fastest-growing markets. 

international The acquisition, sales. for an 

undisclosed sum, will bring to 110 

the CDEnviro, number of which people was employed listed 

at directly number by the 16, Harvey was one Group of two in 

businesses Northern Ireland from Northern and Great Britain. 

Ireland 

With 

to 

a 

feature. 

turnover 

The 

of £30 

company 

million 

has 

and 

grown 

over 80 

its 

staff, 

international 

Harvey Group 


sales by an average of 127% 


and demonstrated exponential 


expansion in the last 24 months. 



It designs and manufactures 


a range of waste reduction and 


recycling equipment solutions 

Education, Government and 




the company has grown to achieve a 

turnover for application of £6 million, with 30 staff 

operating the sewage, from its Nutt’s Corner 

premises. waste 

water, As a result waste of the deal, Solmatix 

will management continue to operate as an 

autonomous and utility and independent 

company industries. within Harvey Group 

Overseas Brian Harvey, managing director 

of customers Harvey Group, said there was 

a include perfect fit US between the two 

organisations. multinational 

Cargill, “We have which been planning to 

grow uses our its waste renewables involvement 

for processing some time, either organically 

or technology through the acquisition of an 

established to clean soil player. Having worked 

with at its Solmatix tomato Renewables on 

a processing number of contracts, we’d 

always factory been in Brazil. impressed with 


professionalism. CDE was In fact, there seemed 

to formed be a natural in 1992 synergy to service between the 

our 

environmental 

two companies 

waste 

in terms 

water 

of 

sector 

what 

in the 

we 

UK 

do 

and how 

Ireland. 

we 

The 

do it. 

CDE 

I 

approached Richard Bell about a 

group of companies now employs 

year ago to float the idea of our 

over 400 people across eight 

companies coming together, but only 





Booth (Financial Controller, Harvey Group). 

beneficial. From my perspective, 

having Solmatix as part of Harvey 

Group gives us a level of expertise 

that would have taken us years to 


“Harvey Group and Solmatix 

share similar values, by which I mean 

regions. 

our commitment to professionalism, 

Marc Jennings, general manager 

our desire to deliver our services to 

of CDEnviro, said: “This is the 

the very highest standards, and the 

first year that we have featured 

importance we place on treating our 

on the Export Track League 

customers, our suppliers and our staff 

Table and this ranking is very 

with courtesy and consideration.” 




30,000th Combilift 

handed over at CeMAT 

as great news for Solmatix, its 

customers, suppliers and staff. 

“In many respects, it’s a case 

of ‘business as usual’. However, in 


organisation will give us access to 

enhanced technical skills, financial 

welcome confirmation that our 

resources and purchasing power. 

commitment to our export 

Ultimately I believe this will lead 

markets is paying off. “ 

to greater growth and investment 

Country Antrim-based Seven 

within our operations, as well as 

Technologies Group ranks at No 

more jobs and job security. It’s a 

43 on the league table. 

win-win relationship that’s good 

for our whole organisation, as 

well as the economy of Northern 

Ireland. “ 



Combilift Ltd, the Irish 

specialist manufacturer of 

multidirectional forklifts, 

straddle carriers and other 

innovative handling solutions 

for long loads, containers 

and palletised goods recently 

celebrated a milestone in 

the company’s history. The 

30,000th Combilift to roll 

WItH off the a production reputation lines for in 

excellence Monaghan in was constructing officially high 

quality handed projects, over to tAL its new Limited owner 

has during been the awarded CeMAT a materials significant 

contract handling (£3.1m) and logistics by global trade 

medical fair in Hanover, diagnostics Germany. company 

Randox. Managing Director Arno Sorger 

accepted This initial the contract Combilift is C14000 for the 

construction model behalf of a of new Haslinger facility for Stahlbau, 

one of the major steel construction 

production companies in of Europe. Randox’s pioneering 

medical Combilift diagnostic has some products way to and go will 

also to catch include up Haslinger associated Stahlbau’s administrative 

functions. longevity, but The in works terms are of growth the first 

phase and success of a major in the capital materials expenditure 

project handling by sector Randox it has to certainly develop the 

former made its Massereene mark since Army it was Barracks 

into established ‘Randox in Science 1998. Impressive Park’ – a 

futuristic year on year R&D growth and manufacturing has enabled 

facility. what started The award-winning, 

as a small company 

international offering a niche biotechnology product to now firm, 

unveiled be a major its global plans for name. an innovative From its 

hub HQ, on manufacturing the 43 acre facility site earlier and R&D this 

year. department in Monaghan, the 450 

strong Welcoming workforce the designs, announcement, develops 

Damien and manufactures Hughes, Director a wide range of TAL of 

Limited products commented: which are exported “We are to 75 

delighted countries. to have been awarded 

this contract with Randox, one of Director at Randox commented: “The 

Northern Ireland’s most dynamic development of Randox Science 

and exciting businesses on a local Park is core to our plans to create 

and global level. Through the quality innovative diagnostics, to improve 

of our work and the dedication and manufacturing efficiency to export 

professionalism of our team TAL has high-value healthcare capabilities to 

steadily grown over the last 34 years world markets. This state-of-the-art 

and this contract award reinforces premises will become a centre of 

the strength of our expertise in the cutting-edge research, development 



The project will be delivered conditions such as cancer, stroke and 



with the design team Ostick and significant boost to the local economy 

Williams Architects, Rainey & Best, through new job creation. We very 

Doran Consulting, Delap & Waller much look forward to working with 

Consulting Engineers and Charles TAL on this initial contract to deliver 

Hutchison Consulting. 


Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Herr Sorger require.” and Martin McVicar of Combilift 

CONCRETE 

FUTURES 






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12| digest 

Top builders merchants 

in Northern Ireland 

honoured 

who enter the 

Octabuild Builders 

Merchants Awards 

show that they 

have confidence 

in their ability 

to operate 

well-managed 

businesses and 

provide a quality 

customer service.” 

EGLINTON BUILDER 

WINS £500 WORTH 

OF BRETT MARTIN 

CASCADE 

The overall winner in 

the Octabuild Builders 

Merchant Awards 

Northern Ireland 2016 

is Haldane Fisher, 

Coleraine.. 

Other builders merchants to win 

awards are; JP Corry branches 

in Springfield Road, Belfast, 

Castlereagh and Bangor; Murdock 

Builders Merchants, Derry; 

Newry Building Supplies; NG Bell, 

Ballywalter and Haldane Fisher, 

Conlig. 

The awards were presented by 

Jonathan Bell MLA, Minister of 

Enterprise, Trade and Investment 

in the Hilton Belfast Hotel before 

an audience of almost 200 people 

representing the merchant and 

building industry. 

The building material 

manufacturers who organised the 

awards as Octabuild are: Gyproc, 

Dulux Paints, Glennon Brothers, 

Kingspan Insulation, Sanbra 

Fyffe, Tegral and Wavin. This is 

the fourth Octabuild Builders 

Merchant Awards in Northern 

Ireland. 

The awards judge, independent 

retail expert James Burke, was 

lavish in his praise of the high 

standard he found among all 

the builders merchants visited. 

He described the winners as 

exceptionally well-run businesses. 

He said that since the last awards 

in 2014 there was a stronger 

focus on sales growth structures 

and a greater focus on using 

digital media.In introducing the 

awards the Octabuild chairman 

Tadhg Donohoe said, “Merchants 

The winners 

The overall winner, Haldane 

Fisher, Coleraine. Haldane 

Fisher in Coleraine, is one of 

10 branches in Northern Ireland 

of the family owned Haldane 

Fisher group. The Coleraine 

branch has been in operation 

since 2009 and currently 

employs 11 people. The judge 

complimented its energised sales 

process and very structured & 

results orientated team. 

Haldane Fisher, Conlig 

which won the Customer 

Service Award is in business 

36 years. It employs 34 fulltime 

+ 2 part-time staff with 

an average 16 years service 

within the Bangor branch. It was 

commended for its dedicated 

separate plumbing centre for fast 

trade service and introduction of 

a new low cost finance option for 

customers. 

The three JP Corry branches 

who won category awards were 

Bangor (Business Focus 

Award); Castlereagh 

(Management Award) and 

Springfield Road, Belfast 

(Premises Award). 

JP Corry has been in business for 

over 200 years and has a network 

of 15 branches in Northern 

Ireland. The Bangor branch was 

described by the judge as having a 

very strong focus on sales growth. 

Castlereagh was described as a 

highly energised branch while 

the Springfield Road branch was 

lauded as one of the best laid out 

sites visited. 

As part of the grand 

opening celebrations of 

J P Corry’s new DIY shop 

inside their Londonderry 

branch, Brett Martin 

Plumbing & Drainage is 

delighted to announce 

that Gregory Proctor 

from Eglinton is the 

winner of £500 worth of 

Cascade, the original 

cast iron style rainwater 

and soil system. 

Promoted by JP Corry Building 

Suppliers during their grand 

opening celebrations held at 

the store earlier in the month, 

the competition gave visitors 

the chance to win this generous 

prize, an impressive £500 worth 

of Brett Martin Cascade, the 

classic cast iron rainwater system 

alternative. 

Commenting on the prize 

Murdock Builders 

Merchants, Derry won the 

Multi-location branch 

award. It is 19 years in business 

and employs 18 Full-time staff 

and 3 part-time staff. The judge 

commented on its strong 

management respect for staff 

with a flexible approach to team 

building. 

Newry Building Supplies, 

which won the Innovation 

Award, is 33 years in business. It 

employs 30 full-time +5 part-time 

giveaway, Glenn Goodman, Brett 

Martin’s Sales Manager said: 

“We’re pleased to support JP 

Corry (Derry’s) new instore DIY 

shop by sponsoring the prize and 

congratulate Gregory on his win.” 

Gregory was presented with his 

cheque by Brett Martin Sales 

Representative Kerry Murphy at 

the JP Corry branch on Derry’s 

Strand Road. 

Cascade Cast Iron Style 

Rainwater and Soil System allows 

homeowners to have the look of 

real cast iron at less than half the 

price or real cast iron. Available in 

a range of gutter and downpipe 

profiles, fittings and hoppers, as 

well as seven heritage colours 

including the new Anthracite Grey 

colour, the range allows property 

owners to add a touch of old 

style detail to new buildings or a 

sympathetic feature to a period 

property. 

staff. It was commended for its 

very innovative use of its delivery 

fleet to promote its business. 

NG Bell & Son Ltd, 

Ballywalter, won the Owner- 

Managed / Single 

Store Award. It is a family 

run local company in business 

66 years and has 15 full-time 

staff. It was commended for 

its plan to grow business 

aggressively during 2016 and its 

reaction to business challenges.

Brett Martin |13 

BRETT MARTIN CLICKFIX CREATES A 

DYNAMIC FAÇADE ON RIVER LAGAN 

The newly transformed 

Belfast Waterfront has 

seen the creation of an 

eye-catching, colourful 

and prominent 

riverfront façade that is 

an integral part of the 

bold new £29.5 million 

extension. 

One of Belfast’s most 

important civic buildings and 

located in the heart of the 

city, Belfast Waterfront has 

undergone a remarkable 

metamorphosis. The stunning 

new 7000m2 extension, built 

by McLaughlin and Harvey in 

collaboration with McAdams 

Design from a design by 

TODD Architects, not only 

regenerates the river frontage 

but also re-establishes the 

building’s connection with the 

River Lagan. The new building 

features a 2000 seat auditorium 

and an additional 4000m2 

conference facility which 

includes a 2000m2 major hall 

and a minor hall of 750m2. 

The public facing façades are an 

integral element of a building 

of superior architectural quality. 

Brett Martin’s innovative and 

thermally efficient glazing 

system, Marlon Clickfix1040, 

played a vital role in achieving 

this aim whilst at the same time 

helping the extension establish 

its own identity. 

The building’s 150m long 

riverfront façade was wrapped 

with over 1750m2 of 

multiwall polycarbonate with 

many panels approximately 

14m in length. For a glazing 

system which would not only 

maximise daylight but also 

offer exceptional air tightness, 

durability and UV stability, 

Marlon Clickfix1040 from 

Brett Martin proved the most 

adaptable solution and ensured 

a fast and straightforward 

installation for roofing and 

cladding contractor, Thornton 

Roofing. 

Creating a palette 

Another key consideration for 

this project was the colour of 

the glazing panels, with Brett 

Martin creating a palette of 

seven colour samples in a range 

of tint variations. These were 

installed at a high level on-site 

to allow the design team to 

decide on three completely 

new colours – petrol, viola 

and glass green - which were 

each extruded in two different 

intensities, creating a graduated 

flow of colour along the 

elevation. 

“The use of Marlon 

Clickfix1040 polycarbonate 

glazing panels enabled us to 

create a stunning variation in 

colour and transparency, so 

that the façade almost changes 

during the day, depending on 

how the light hits the building,” 

said Peter Minnis, Director at 

TODD Architects. “Combine 

this with the fact that Marlon 

Clickfix1040 offered us a full 

height 14 metre panel and 

is manufactured locally, this 

made it an ideal choice for the 

prominent riverfront façade.” 

Offering high levels of 

light transmission, the 

polycarbonate panels provide 

a naturally diffused daylight. 

Click and fix 

Brett Martin attended 

many technical meetings, 

both with the architect to 

discuss aesthetics, material 

properties, structural support 

requirements and detailing, 

as well as attending onsite 

meetings with the main and 

specialist subcontractor, 

Thornton Roofing, in order to 

demonstrate correct installation 

techniques. 

Brett Martin also worked with 

Thornton Roofing and came 

up with a system for labelling 

individual panels which were 

then cut to size, taped and 

packed onto pallets in the 

order of installation sequence. 

Commenting on the project 

Peter Hanvey of Brett Martin 

said: “The Belfast Waterfront 

site is constrained by the 

abutting River Lagan restricting 

material storage space. This 

factor, along with the number 

of contractors working in the 

same confined area at any 

one time made the storage 

of pallets onsite impossible. 

Brett Martin worked with the 

contractors to come up with a 

system that ensured the pallets 

of Marlon Click1040 material 

were delivered to site in the 

correct sequence as and when 

the sheets were required for 

installation.” 

Central to the Marlon 

Clickfix1040 system is the 

lightweight polycarbonate 

panel with integral interlocking 

connections that simply click 

into place forming glazed 

areas of unlimited size and 

shape. The 40mm structured 

polycarbonate glazing panel has 

10 insulating walls to achieve a 

U-value of 0.99 W/m²K, for a 

high performing and thermally 

efficient glazing solution. It has 

a choice of thermally broken 

aluminium glazing bar systems 

depending on the application. 

The Marlon Clickfix VF glazing 

bar system has been specifically 

developed for vertical 

installations such as façades, 

partitioning, rain screens and 

vertically glazed northlights 

whilst Marlon Clickfix RL has 

been designed for use in low 

pitch rooflights and canopies. 

Marlon Clickfix1040 provides 

high-quality natural light, 

superior thermal insulation and 

UV protection. In addition to 

the impact resistance, resilience 

and structural strength that 

is inherent in all of Brett 

Martin’s high performance 

polycarbonate sheet products, 

it is also lightweight and easy to 

handle. 

Now open, this world class 

conference centre is poised to 

be a game changer for the city 

and thanks to the installation of 

Brett Martin’s Clickfix1040 its 

colourful façade will transform 

the riverside location.

14| Brett Martin 

A RAINWATER RANGE IN THE PERFECT 

SHADE OF GREY 

Anthracite, the UK’s 

favourite shade of 

grey, is proving 

popular on everything 

from contemporary 

builds to home 

extensions, period 

renovations and across 

entire estates. Easy 

to integrate to 

create a successful 

building aesthetic, the 

anthracite grey colour 

option is now available 

across selected 

rainwater ranges from 

Brett Martin Plumbing 

and Drainage, 

allowing the building 

industry to capitalise 

on the growing market 

trend. 

Specifically developed to create 

an exact colour match to the 

true RAL 7016 Anthracite 

Grey, Brett Martin’s new colour 

option is one of the best 

Anthracite Grey colour tones 

on the market and perfectly 

complements other building 

accessories whether they 

are windows, doors or other 

roofing components. 

“Anthracite grey has become 

an architect’s favourite as it is 

one of the easiest colours to 

integrate. Our Anthracite Grey 

offers the perfect colour match 

to RAL 7016 and will give 

specifiers the opportunity to 

have the exact match, ensuring 

rainwater and soil systems are 

in line with the overall building 

aesthetic,” said Hayley Lowry, 

Marketing Manager of Brett 

Martin. 

Responding to the popularity 

of the Cascade cast iron style 

system, the new Anthracite 

Grey colour option is available 

across the complete product 

range. 

Designed with full 

consideration to original 

features, dimensions and 

detailing, the high quality 

Cascade pipework, fittings and 

hoppers create a cast iron look 

for less. 

In addition to Anthracite Grey, 

the Cascade range is available 

in Classic Black, Oxford Blue, 

Olive Green, Graphite Grey, 

Sandstone and Porcelain White 

to replicate traditional painted 

coloured cast iron systems. 

Through a comprehensive 

range of gutters and downpipes 

which feature authentic 

architectural detailing and a 

choice of Ogee, Bath, Gothic 

or motiffed hopper designs, 

water butt and planters as 

well as a complementary soil 

system, Cascade can provide 

heritage style and meet the 

aesthetic requirements of new 

build where traditional style is 

required as well as sympathetic 

refurbishments and restoration 

projects. 

There are three styles of 

domestic gutter (106mm 

Profiled Ogee, 112mm Half 

Round and, for larger or 

steeper roofs, a 115mm Deep 

Profile) which utilise 68mm 

round or 65mm square 

downpipes. For commercial 

projects there is a high capacity 

160mm roundstyle gutter with 

105mm round and 4” x 3” 

rectangular downpipe choice. 

Proven on a variety of projects 

from new build and domestic 

refurbishment projects, church 

and barn conversions, Georgian 

and Victorian shop frontages, 

flats and apartments, schools 

and hotels, 

the Cascade 

system 

has been 

designed 

and 

developed 

by Brett 

Martin 

Plumbing 

and 

Drainage 

using over 

50 years’ experience at the 

forefront of plastics technology 

and a unique patented 

manufacturing process to 

achieve the authentic cast iron 

finish. 

Offering the appearance of 

traditional cast iron with all the 

benefits of plastic materials, 

Cascade is a fraction of the 

price of cast iron or other 

materials such as aluminium. 

Real cast iron products are 

also heavy and time consuming 

to work with as they need to 

be cut to size using grinders 

before being primed, sealed 

and finished on site. Cascade 

is lightweight making it 

quicker, easier and safer to 

install, helping to offer huge 

efficiencies in terms of onsite 

installation costs. This high 

performance product is also 

maintenance free, UV stabilised 

so it is not vulnerable to rusting 

or corrosion and offers a 10 

year guarantee. 

The new Anthracite Grey 

colour has also been 

introduced to the Deepstyle 

115mm gutter profile and 

68mm Downpipe System in 

the standard Rainwater range. 

This semi-elliptical system is 

designed to offer effective 

rainwater drainage on larger 

roofs allowing fewer downpipes 

to be used and achieving cost 

savings. The Deepstyle system 

is also available in a choice of 

Black, Grey, Brown, White and 

Arctic White colour options. 

The addition of the new 

Anthracite Grey colour option 

to an already comprehensive 

range of domestic and 

industrial gutter and pipework 

profiles, will ensure that both 

the standard and Cascade 

Rainwater Ranges are fully 

compatible with both existing 

cast iron and modern-style 

rainwater systems giving it a 

huge appeal. 

To find out more about Cascade, 

the Deepstyle 115mm Rainwater 

System or Brett 

Martin’s expansive range of 

rainwater systems visit: www. 

brettmartin.com

Showstopping daylight (and nightlight) 

at Belfast Waterfront 

Seamless | Versatile | Superior Performance 

View the project at: www.marlonclickfix.com 

For light, bright and naturally daylit interiors, Marlon 

Clickfix1040 is the complete architectural glazing 

system. Its modular design consists of lightweight 

interlocking polycarbonate panels which simply click and 

fix together for fast, efficient installation and completely 

seamless glazing. 

Marlon Clickfix1040 proved to be the perfect solution 

at Belfast Waterfront, the unique colour specification 

creating a showstopping finish night and day. 

For showstopping daylight solutions call 024 7660 2022 

or email daylight@brettmartin.com 

www.brettmartin.com

16| digest 

FOLD HOUSING ASSOCIATION TO 

INVEST £40 MILLION IN ITS 40TH YEAR 

One of the leading 

housing associations in 

Northern Ireland has 

announced that it will 

invest £40m in 2016 as it 

celebrates its 40th year 

as a social enterprise. 

The investment by Fold 

Housing Association will see 

over 400 new homes started 

in 10 locations. This will provide 

over 500 construction jobs and 

will represent an investment 

in the wider economy of over 

£115m. This year, Fold will 

have over 800 homes under 

construction throughout 

Northern Ireland. 

Work has already started 

on several significant 

developments, including the 

former Visteon site in west 

Belfast. The £25m project will 

see the construction of 244 

new private and social homes, 

set amidst extensive open 

space. It represents an overall 

investment of £70m in the 

wider economy and will allow 

for the creation of up to 600 

jobs on space designated for 

business use. 

John McLean, chief executive 

of Fold Housing Association, 

said: “Fold began in 1976 

as a response of a group of 

committed volunteers to meet 

housing and care needs for 

older people. Since then the 

organisation has developed a 

network of sheltered housing, 

housing with care and related 

care services. We now manage 

6,600 homes covering family, 

sheltered and complex client 

need groups. 

“We have diversified to 

become the largest provider of 

assistive technology in Ireland 

with 23,000 homes availing 

of our Telecare and Telehealth 

services enabling people 

with chronic diseases such as 

diabetes and COPD to manage 

their own health.” 

With a turnover of £40m the 

social enterprise employs over 

850 people in 60 towns across 

Northern Ireland. 

Be wise when you advertise 

Look for the ABC stamp of trust. An ABC certificate provides 

An shows 

accurate, independently verified circulation figures giving you 

confidence in your advertising investment. 

www.abc.org.uk

digest 

|17 

CLOUD OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION – 

THE BOX IS JUST THE BEGINNING 

Cloud Offsite Construction 

celebrated its launch 

recently, bringing a fresh 

new style to the fast 

moving and constantly 

developing world of 

modular building. 

Formed in response to 

a demand for a more 

flexible approach – literally 

thinking outside the box – 

Cloud Offsite Construction 

has come to the market 

ready to look at clients’ 

needs in a very different 

way. Projects will be 

approached in a holistic, 

joined-up style, with clients 

having one point of contact 

from start to finish 

Cloud Offsite Construction’s 

flexible approach means it can 

work with the end-user in 

whichever way suits the project, 

whether as the principal or subcontractor. 

A flexible design 

ethic means the company can 

offer a wide spectrum of options 

– permanent structures or semipermanent, 

panelised construction 

or more traditional style, Cloud 

Offsite Construction will find 

the option that works best for 

the client. This approach will be 

applied across a wide variety 

of markets, from education to 

commercial, with a key focus on 

providing solutions for specialist 

healthcare projects. 

Heading up the team at Cloud 

Offsite Construction are two 

co-directors who have been 

involved in the engineering 

and construction world their 

whole working career – Ben 

Pemberton and Simon Ward. Ben 

and Simon are supported by a 

team offering design, structural, 

architectural, manufacturing and 

marketing expertise, and have 

an extensive network of key 

industry relationships. Both have 

worked in offsite construction for 

many years, and are committed 

to promoting it as a cost, time 

and energy efficient approach to 

adding space to a facility, or even 

creating an entirely new one. 

Together they have a clear vision 

and purpose: to offer better 

response levels, better delivery of 

projects, and always to maintain 

the forward thinking, flexible 

approach that will set Cloud 

Offsite Construction and its team 

apart from the competition. 

The Edge, Manchester, 

M3 5ND, UK 

T: 0844 245 1945 

sales@cloudoffsiteconstruction.com 

Welcome to Lewis Services. 

Our enthusiastic team is always on 

standby and ready to get to work using 

the latest equipment. we are always keen 

to participate in new & challenging 

projects. Based in Doagh we excel 

working with Domestic & Commercial 

companies across the U.K. and Ireland. We 

deliver a comprehensive range of expert 

electrical services including installation, 

maintenance, testing & inspection. 

15 Main Street, Doagh, Ballyclare, 

BT390QL, Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland 

T: 028 93 324 390 

E: info@lewisservices.org

18| RSUA Design Awards 

House at Maghera named Northern 

Ireland’s Building of the Year 

The Royal Society of 

Ulster Architects (RSUA) 

has awarded the Liam 

McCormick Prize for 

Northern Ireland’s 

Building of the Year to 

‘House at Maghera’, in 

Castlewellan, County 

Down by multi award 

winning architects 

McGonigle McGrath. 

The family dwelling joins an 

illustrious list of buildings including 

the Giants Causeway Visitors 

Centre and the Lyric Theatre 

which have previously won the 

prestigious award named after 

one of Ireland’s greatest 20th 

century architects. 

Other winning buildings at the 

RSUA Design Awards 2016 

included the uplifting Banbridge 

Health and Care Centre by 

Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects in 

association with Avanti Architects, 

an innovative social housing 

scheme in Carryduff for Choice 

Housing designed by PDP London 

Architects and the sensitively 

restored Graduate School at 

Queen’s University by Consarc 

Design Group. 

Martin Hare, RSUA President 

said, “The RSUA Design Awards 

primary purpose is to promote 

excellence in the design of our 

built environment with the view 

to making Northern Ireland a 

better place to be. There is no 

doubt that all thirteen projects 

that have received awards this 

year have truly enhanced our 

landscape and our communities. 

These projects demonstrate the 

positive impact good design can 

have on our society including its 

critical role in making Northern 

Ireland a more attractive place for 

citizens, tourists and investors.” 

“I applaud the determination 

of the clients, architects and 

everyone involved in the delivery 

of these projects as they have 

upheld design quality often against 

a backdrop of severe budgetary 

pressures. It shows it can be done 

and sets down a challenge to 

everybody involved in creating 

our built environment to match 

or even exceed that design quality. 

We all have a role in creating 

a brighter future for Northern 

Ireland and architects are ready to 

play their part.”” 

Best Social Housing Project sponsored by the Northern 

Ireland Housing Executive 

Winner: Killynure Green, Carryduff by PDP London 

Architects 

About: A social housing development commissioned by Choice 

Housing Ireland with sustainability at its core. 

Judges said: “This successful competition-winning development is 

an exemplar project which demonstrates a unique approach to comply 

with an ambitious sustainability brief. A series of social housing clusters 

are carefully positioned in a landscape of private, semi-private and 

public open spaces. Enclosed south facing winter gardens define the 

architecture of the housing clusters.” 

Best Single House or Extension Over £100,000 sponsored 

by Lowry Building and Civil Engineering 

Joint Winner: Grillagh Water House, Maghera, Co.L’derry 

by Patrick Bradley Architects 

About: An experimental housing project designed to help change the 

Liam McCormick Prize 

Winner: House at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co.Down by 

McGonigle McGrath 

About: This family home for a professional couple and their three 

children was designed to be bright and spacious and complementary to 

the character or the village. 

Judges said: “The Liam McCormack Prize is awarded to the entry 

that best demonstrates design excellence in all its attributes. This superb 

family dwelling exudes such excellence from the inspired development 

of the underlying concept through to the highly disciplined and detailed 

execution of the resultant design vision. This wonderfully crafted home 

evokes a strong sense of place, paying subtle homage to local traditional 

building forms, whilst also creating a strong visual link to the calm 

solidity of the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains.” 

Project of the Year: The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for 

Experimental Medicine, Belfast 

perceptions of what rural contemporary architecture is or can be. 

Judges said: “A carefully composed piece of architecture making 

innovative use of shipping containers, the design of this delightful rural 

dwelling displays self-confident and bold decision making in both its 

exterior and interior treatments. The siting of the dwelling on the family 

farm is expertly managed taking full advantage of the surrounding 

countryside and integrating perfectly with its immediate natural 

landscape. Stunning and memorable.” 

Joint Winner: House at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co.Down 

by McGonigle McGrath

RSUA Design Awards |19 

About: This family home for a professional couple and their three 

children was designed to be bright and spacious and complementary to 

the character or the village. Winner of the Liam McCormick Prize 2016. 

Judges said: “This brilliantly conceived dwelling is rooted in the 

history of traditional rural building forms, and is both elegant and 

restrained throughout. A masterly control of internal and external 

spaces, building materials, precise detailing and natural light define this 

exceptional and consummate design.” 

Best Public Building Under £3millon sponsored by the 

Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of 

Finance 

Winner: Home from Home, near Belfast City Hospital by 

McGonigle McGrath (Also won a RIBA Regional Award 

and RIBA Regional Client of the Year Award) 

About: One of a 

series of ‘Homes 

from Home’ for 

CLIC Sargent, the 

Cancer Charity. 

This facility offers 

the families of 

children undergoing 

treatment in the 

nearby Regional 

Cancer Centre free 

accommodation 

for the duration 

of the treatment. 

It also separately 

accommodates the 

charity’s local office. 

Judges said: “This accomplished restoration and extension is a well 

detailed and thoughtful project. The collaboration between architect 

and client is evident. The contemporary expression fits perfectly in the 

context of the conservation area.” 

Best Public Building Over £3millon sponsored by the 

Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of 

Finance 

Winner: Banbridge Health and Care Centre by Kennedy 

Fitzgerald Architects in association with Avanti 

Architects (Also won a RIBA Regional Award) 

from a final shortlist of four very strong projects, Banbridge Health 

and Wellbeing Centre was judged to be a very close runner-up to the 

winner.” 

Best Commercial 

Project up to 

£3million sponsored 

by JP Corry 

Winner: Creative 

Industries Building, 

Weavers Court, 

Belfast by Doherty 

Architects 

About: A building 

that was a candidate 

for demolition and 

replacement became the 

feature of this project 

to provide Grade A 

office space on behalf of 

Linfield Properties. 

Judges said: “A rare and thoughtful example of a carefully 

considered environment that takes a holistic view of the working day 

providing a variety of tranquil work and rest spaces, both internal 

and external. The existing building is seamlessly integrated into an 

accomplished formal proposition nuanced by orientation, aspect, and 

materiality.” 

Best Public Space 

sponsored by the 

Department for 


Winner: Lagan Weir 

Footbridge, Belfast by 

AECOM 

About: The bridge, designed 

for both cyclists and pedestrians, 

was conceived as a silver blade 

spanning the River Lagan and as 

an extension of the public realm 

from Donegal Quay. 

Judges said: “This new 

addition to the city provides not just an attractive connection between 

the centre of Belfast and Titanic Quarter, but is in its own right a new 

public space. It connects with a number of recent public realm works 

along the river. The bridge is wide, enticing and elegant. It has created a 

place on the river for the public to pause and admire the vistas along 

the Lagan, both day and night.” 

Best Cultural Project sponsored by the Department for 

Communities 

Winner: Portico, Portaferry, Co.Down by Maxwell Pierce 

About: A local health facility to provide a range of primary care, 

community care and actute diagnostic services. 

Judges said: “This project comprises a variety of defined spaces 

providing a wide spectrum of care services to Banbridge and its 

catchment area. Notwithstanding the complexity of the programme 

and the challenges of public procurement, the outcome here is a 

calm uplifting civic building deftly interwoven into its site, a tangible 

affirmation of the value of the public domain. This is a laudable and 

humanising achievement transcending current fixations with that which 

is readily quantifiable, to provide delightful, bright, well-proportioned 

spaces of tranquil excellence and service for this society. In deciding on 

the winner of the Liam McCormack Prize for the best overall project

20| RSUA Design Awards 

About: The Friends of Portaferry Presbyterian Church took action 

to save this Grade A listed building and to put in place a sustainable 

business plan involving the building being used by the wider community. 

Judges said: “The Portico is a very beautiful building rescued from 

near death, a reinvigorated place of worship but now also a catalysing 

and inclusive cultural focus for the Ards peninsula. The deft and talented 

sensibility applied to the reworking of the building fabric is matched 

by witty new insertions; an example of creative and enjoyed curation 

delivered through focused community action.” 

Best Conservation of Built Heritage sponsored by Armagh 

City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council 

Joint Winner: The Graduate School at Queen’s University 

Belfast by Consarc Design Group (Also won a RIBA 

Regional Award and a RIBA Regional Conservation 

Regeneration Award sponsored by Metal Technology 

Winner: Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast by Michael 

Whitley Architects 

About: The Hub is the first element of the development of a 14 acre 

former military barracks site in a contested part of lower north Belfast. 

The facility, commissioned by Belfast City Council, is a community space 

aimed at supporting to peace, reconciliation and further investment in 

the area. 

Judges said: “The challenge of developing this contested space in 

an interface area in North Belfast cannot be understated. The building 

makes a significant statement of confidence in the area and its future. 

The design is welcoming, accessible to all and is an impressive beginning 

for the further regeneration of the area.” 

Sustainability Award sponsored by the Strategic 

Investment Board 

Winner: Crest Pavilion, Enniskillen by Paul McAlister 

Architects Ltd 

Award) 

About: The Grade B listed Lynn Building is a high profile building on 

the main site at Queen’s University and one of the best examples of 

Ruskinian Gothic architecture in Belfast. 

Judges said: “The refurbishment of the brick and polychrome 

stone exterior of the Old Library has been executed with the utmost 

care, preserving the historic fabric of the building and demonstrating 

exemplary judgement, skill and craftsmanship by the design and 

construction teams. 

At first floor level the scheme has successfully and sensitively integrated 

into one of Ireland’s richest High Victorian interiors a range of high 

quality reading areas and seminar rooms, maintaining its calm, imposing 

and almost ecclesiastical character.” 

Joint Winner: Sion Mills Stables, Co.Tyrone by Hearth 

Housing Association and Caroline Dickson Architects 

About: The educational facility for South West College doubles as a 

teaching model of sustainable construction for the local building sector. 

Judges said: “This Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable 

Technologies achieved its sustainability brief through adopting innovative 

design and construction principles to meet all three demanding 

standards of Passive House Certified, BREEAM Excellent and Zero 

Carbon. As such it acts as a demonstration building for the construction 

industry providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly, attractive and 

inspiring learning and working environment.” 

Integration of Art Award sponsored by the Arts Council 

Winner: The Atrium at W5, Odyssey, Belfast by White Ink 

About: An art installation which is designed to be climbed. 

Judges said: “A collaboration between White Ink architects and the 

artist Spencer Luckey, this beautifully designed sculpture is located in 

the atrium space at W5. The Celtic Dragon sculpture invites children to 

climb the spans of its arched wings. A visually stunning and integrated 

About: One of the most prominent building in the Sion Mills 

conservation area which had been disused for 50 years has been 

transformed into an educational and community facility including a cafe, 

museum and craft shop. 

Judges said: Through this well-considered and sensitive combination 

of conservation, reconfiguration and extension, a highly committed 

client and design team have succeeded in restoring the 1835 Sion 

Stables from virtual dereliction to a building that contributes positively 

to the architectural quality and community life of the village as well 

as chronicling the inspirational achievement of the Herdman family’s 

aspirations for combining social reform and industrial entrepreneurship.” 

interactive piece of artwork.”

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22| Construction Company League 

Construction business at the Top of the 

company league table by John Simpson 

One of FP McCann’s most notable projects was the new bridge on the Toome bypass 

In the last two years enjoying as strong a recovery with the lower Block Grant 

the Northern Ireland as other parts of the UK or the revenue for Stormont. Added 

economy has been in 

recovery mode. Finally 

and slowly the painful 

recession affecting the 

construction industry has 

eased and been reversed 

Northern Ireland is not 

Irish economy. Slow recovery 

has been attributed to several 

local factors. High on the list 

is the larger correction to the 

level of spending by the public 

sector as the already stretched 

public sector budget of the last 

5 years is brought into balance 

to these pressures, there is the 

outworking of the reform of 

welfare spending as a critical 

contribution to the Fresh Start 

agreement for Stormont. 

The new Stormont Executive 

now has an agreed Budget 

constrained by the special 

arrangements for welfare 

reform and the probable 

lower than inflation annual 

supplements. 

In comparative terms in the 

recent past the construction 

industry was hard hit by 

two overlapping features. 

First, the crash in property 

values including housing and 

commercial property put a 

near stop to many commercial 

proposals. Second, the public 

sector capital programme has 

FP McCann’s project at Station Square, Portrush

John Simpson Top 100|23 

been sharply reduced. 

In the overall assessment 

of the contribution of the 

construction sector, the official 

Stormont index shows that 

construction output fell by 49% 

from mid-2007 to late 2013. 

From late 2013, construction 

activity has recovered, from the 

very low point, by 19%. It is still 

38% below the peak in 2007. 

The construction sector is, 

therefore, in survival and 

revival mode. There have 

been conspicuous casualties 

and now there are new 

leaders emerging in a search 

for expanding and profitable 

market opportunities. Several 

large firms acknowledge 

that, whilst headquartered in 

Northern Ireland, contracts 

have been secured in Great 

Britain or in the Irish Republic. 

There are welcome signs of 

a strengthening and viable 

construction sector evidenced 

in the latest publication by the 

Belfast Telegraph of the Top 

100, identifying the leading 

local businesses, assessing them 

initially on the recent record of 

profitable trading. 

In the Top 100, there are eight 

construction companies that 

qualify for inclusion since their 

latest registered pre-tax profits 

are over £2.2m. They are listed 

in Table 1. 

Since this group of eight were 

identified in the Top 100, later 

registered results for McAleer 

and Rushe have been lodged 

and, retrospectively, it should 

be added with pre-tax profits 

of £5,060,000. Also, the results 

for Carnbane House should be 

updated for the 2014 results 

which show lower pre-tax 

profits of £4,463,000. 

There is another group whose 

recent profits have exceeded 

£1m including Heron Brothers, 

Management and 

Construction, 

John 

McQuillan, 

Termon 

Holdings, 

Henry 

Group, and 

Acheson 

Holdings (the 

successor to 

Acheson and 

Glover). 

The changing 

fortunes 

in the 

construction sector mean that 

the sector has lost Carvill, H&J 

Martin (now taken-over by 

Lagan) and Pattons, three big 

casualties of the recession 

In addition to the group which 

are essentially main contractors, 

there is another group of 

leading businesses which are, 

in different ways, in the supply 

chain. Table 2 lists 11 profit 

making companies which 

depend on construction and 

civil engineering. 

Closely following the supply 

companies in Table 2 can be 

added businesses such as 

Keystone Holdings, McAvoy 

Group, Stothers (M&E), and 

Walker Watson whose latest 

results show pre-tax profits of 

over £1m. 

Because of 

the differing 

organisational 

arrangements 

for many 

businesses 

in the 

construction 

sector ranging 

from some 

who rely 

heavily on subcontracting 

arrangements 

to others 

where nearly 

all work is 

conducted 

in-house, the 

businesses 

Table 1. Construction companies in Top 100 

Pre-tax profits £’000 

23. F.P.McCann £12,340 

31. Carnbane House £10,578 

42. John Graham £ 7,435 

57 H&A Holdings NI £ 5,095 

62. Lagan Construction Gp £ 4,568 

63. BSG Civil engineering. £ 4,373 

67. Northstone (NI) £ 4,168 

79. Western Building Systems £ 3,362 

identified in the Top 100 do not 

all add in similar proportions to 

the Northern Ireland GDP. 

Some of the larger firms have 

wage bills of tens of million, 

others 

have 

much 

lower 

direct 

in-house 

costs. 

The 

largest 

annual 

turnover 

figures 

recorded 

include 

£490m 

by John 

Graham, 

Eoin McCann, MD of FP McCann 

who were the top ranked construction 

company. 

over £300m by Northstone 

(formerly known as Farrans) 

and over £150m at FP McCann, 

Lagan Construction, McLaughlin 

and Harvey, and McAleer and 

Rushe. 

Table 2. Companies supplying construction 

businesses 

Pre-tax profits £’000 

52. Brett Martin £ 5,759 

58. Lagan: White Mountain £ 5,041 

66. Tobermore Concrete £ 4,208 

69. BI Electrical Services £ 4,046 

75. Severfield (NI) £ 3,486 

77. BHC £ 3,431 

81. Creagh Concrete £ 3,087 

86. Macnaughton Blair £ 2,796 

88. Haldane Sheills £ 2,749 

95. MJM Marine £ 2,387 

99. BA Kitchen Components £ 2,280

24| Apprenticeships from Reactive 

RETAINING APPRENTICES WILL 

HELP THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR 

FLOURISH AGAIN By Max Mackin, 

Managing Director of Reactive Recruitment 

It’s no secret the 

construction sector has 

faced major challenges 

in recent years. The 

opportunity to train to 

be a plumber, a joiner 

or a bricklayer has 

reduced significantly. 

What is surprising 

is that even though 

the older generation 

would see this as an 

excellent and well 

paid career choice, an 

apprenticeship seems 

like too much hard 

work for some school 

leavers. 

An apprenticeship can take 

as long as three to four years 

to complete and even though 

the chance of learning a trade 

is very rewarding in the long 

term, they are generally not 

that well paid during this initial 

period. Sadly, most people 

coming into the employment 

market straight from school 

who don’t wish to attend 

higher education, decide to 

focus on short term careers, 

taking jobs as shelf stackers, 

warehouse workers, or call 

centre operators. 

Those are lucky enough to gain 

apprenticeships quickly find 

themselves exposed to early 

starts and harsh, cold and wet 

weather conditions. As a 17 

year old earning £70 a week, 

knowing it will take three to 

four years to be fully trained, 

apprenticeships can seem like a 

hardship with the prospect of 

still not having a full time job at 

aged 21 daunting. What most 

young people forget is the 

opportunities it presents. It’s 

often forgotten that a number 

of our leading construction 

companies are run by people 

who started out at the 

bottom of the career ladder as 

apprentices. 

Having the chance to travel 

whilst earning a living and 

gaining qualifications is a 

prospect most 17 year olds 

simple don’t get. A lot of 

Northern Irish based firms 

now work exclusively on the 

mainland, giving apprentices 

the chance to travel and work 

on major projects across 

England, Scotland and 

Wales. On the mainland 

there are more business 

opportunities and given 

its size and population, 

this can restrict the 

opportunities for local 

apprentices who don’t 

want to leave Northern 

Ireland. 

Those who do travel 

are given a sense of 

independence, managing 

their own finances and 

not relying on a parent to 

look after them. It is vital 

to retain and bring these 

people home so they can 

share their experiences 

and encourage the next 

crop of apprentices. Our 

construction sector is 

hopefully facing an upturn. 

Major contracts are being 

secured at home and 

abroad and the industry 

is in need of fresh, young 

talent. 

The introduction of the 

Apprenticeship Levy next 

year will have a big impact on 

our construction businesses. All 

employers operating in the UK, 

with a pay bill over £3 million 

each year, will be required 

to make an investment in 

apprenticeships. This Levy is 

one way our local companies 

are being encouraged to invest 

in our young people and will 

surely offer them greater 

opportunities to learn a trade. 

Too often we are losing our 

skilled apprentices as far afield 

as Australia. With limited 

opportunities our young 

people feel they have no choice 

but to leave Northern Ireland. 

We need to be doing more to 

create further apprenticeships 

and keep our talented pool of 

young people in the country. 

I have had groups of friends 

who initially moved abroad to 

find work and at the same time 

created a support network for 

themselves. We need to be 

able to tap into these networks 

and utilise the experience they 

have gained away from home. 

The only way our construction 

sector will flourish again is to 

retain our apprentices and build 

again for the future.

26| Graepels 

Perforated Sunshades: An Exciting 

Alternative or Addition to Windows 

‘sealed’, such as; train stations, 

bus stations, car parks and other 

similar structures. The benefits of 

lightweight, durability and ease of 

installation can make perforated 

metal an ideal solution/alternative. 

In addition, perforated 

sunshades, rain screens and 

curtain walls, with large ‘open’ 

areas, not only allow light to 

enter the building, but also 

provide natural ventilation while 

limiting the ingress of rain and 

gusting winds as it acts as a highly 

effective baffle, which reduces 

wind speeds and turbulence. 

Choosing perforated cladding 

over glass has many advantages. 

Olivier Janin, Secretary General of 

Europerf, explains: 

“The purpose of perforated 

metal in Architecture is to 

The Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park 

has been designed to cater for 

over one million visitors per year 

providing new and improved 

facilities. One of these facilities 

includes a café for which Graepels 

manufactured Picture-Perf PPC 

aluminium panels. 

The panels incorporated a 

thistle leaf pattern and, while 

aesthetically appealing, the primary 

function of the Picture Perf panels 

was practical - to act as sunshades. 

The panels were hinged and hung 

vertically enabling them to rotate 

towards the direction of the sun 

throughout the day thus allowing 

the aesthetic and functional 

aspects to work harmoniously 

together. 

Three individual Picture Perf 

panels were fixed into each of 

the three large galvanised steel 

frames. The Picture Perf panels 

act as a sunscreen, an active rain 

screen and also have a security 

element due to the strength of 

the aluminium panels, discouraging 

vandals without 

appearing 

defensive. 

Perforated 

metal can also 

be a superior 

alternative to glass. 

The European 

Perforation Industry 

Body, Europerf, 

highlighted that in 

the case of some 

buildings, it should 

be considered as 

a replacement 

for glass, where 

a building’s 

exterior does not 

need to be fully 

provide Architects and Specifiers 

with new solutions and ways of 

thinking about how a building can 

be designed.” “..Perforated Metal 

has been used as the primary 

external cladding which provides 

a range of benefits over glass and 

other materials, such as reduced 

vandalism, ease of installation and 

the ability to use the perforation 

patterns to create additional 

design interest.” 

Reasons to consider 

Picture Perf in conjunction 

or as an alternative to 

glass are as follows:-

Graepels |27 

Design: The ability to 

produce strong, durable, 

lightweight panels in complex 

shapes is an important 

consideration. 

Installation: Perforated 

panelling is light but not fragile 

therefore making installation 

easier, safer and consequently 

cost effective. 

Vandalism prevention: Due 

to its strong durable nature, 

perforated metal is resistant to 

vandalism. Where Graffiti is 

a problem, perforated panels 

are less likely to be targeted, 

especially with perforations of 

high open area. 

Maintenance: Perforated 

panels don’t show dirt in the 

same way that glass does and 

therefore maintenance costs 

and upkeep are reduced. 

New Website: 

It’s been a busy few months here at 

Graepels and we are very excited to 

announce the launch of our newly 

designed website. Visit us at our new 

website on www.graepels.com 

Graepels Responsive design: As a leader in the 

perforation industry in Ireland and UK we feel 

it is important to make information and more 

importantly imagery of our products and services 

easily accessible to our customers. Our new site 

includes individual galleries for all of our products 

and also for the industries in which we operate, 

showcasing the application of a finished Graepels 

product in its real world sate. We hope you will 

come take a tour of our new website: 

www.graepels.com 

Protection from the sun: 

Perforated metal shades the 

sun and eliminates greenhouse 

effect 

Weather resistance: 

Perforated panels are excellent 

at shielding against adverse 

weather conditions without 

stopping the airflow. The holes 

create localised turbulence 

as the air passes around the 

individual perforations, causing 

a substantial decrease in 

wind velocity. Consequently 

a more gentle air flow passes 

through the building in stormy 

conditions helping prevent rain 

from travelling sideways. Thus 

the building is comfortable 

enough to allow people to 

shelter without creating an 

environment for loitering or 

anti-social activities. Unlike solid 

materials perforated metal clad 

buildings cut down turbulence 

by virtue of their porous nature.

News in 

Brief... 

Focus on 

Corporation Tax 

powers devolution 

With Corporation Tax devolution 

powers set to be devolved to the 

Northern Ireland Assembly, and 

a Northern Ireland rate of 12.5% 

coming in to play on 1 April 2018, 

it is critical that all companies are 

aware of the tax changes and 

their respective preparedness. 

With this in mind we recently ran 

a seminar with PwC on the detail 

of the tax changes and how they 

would affect your business. 

A copy of the slide presentation 

is available for members from the 

CEF website. 

In addition, PwC have a free tool 

that companies are encouraged 

to use so that you can ascertain 

your own preparedness for the 

introduction of the Northern 

Ireland rate of Corporation Tax in 

April 2018. 

The link to the diagnostic tool, 

called NI Ready, is here - 

https://mytaxpartner.pwc.com/ 

tools/ni-ready 

You may need to register at the 

following address first in order to 

access the diagnostic: 

www.mytaxpartner.com 

The registration process is 

straightforward and takes a 

couple of minutes. Registration 

also gives you access to a wealth 

of other free tax diagnostic tools, 

modellers and advice, in addition 

to NI Ready. 

Should you have any specific 

queries then please feel free to 

contact Martin Fleetwood from PwC 

via the details below: 

Martin Fleetwood 

PwC | Partner 

Office: +44 (0)2890 415486 | 

Mobile: +44 (0) 7803 832442 

Email: martin.fleetwood@uk.pwc. 

com 

CEF |29 

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND 

EU Referendum casts growing 

shadow over Northern Ireland’s 

construction sector 

Around a fifth of Northern Ireland’s construction companies are operating at less than half capacity, with 

demand in GB and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) also down. 

That’s according to the latest State of Trade survey from the Construction Employers’ Federation (CEF) and PwC. 

The survey also suggests that uncertainty over the forthcoming EU referendum outcome may be impacting on industry 

confidence, with 80% of Federation members saying that the UK should stay in the EU. 

The latest CEF assessment for the first three months (Q1) of 2016 shows that close to a quarter (22%) of companies 

were operating in survival mode, while the percentage of companies confident of growth and profitability fell slightly from 

50% in Q1 2015 to 48% in Q1 2016. 

The proportion of firms reporting that their current workload had increased rose slightly to 33% in Q1 2016, from 27.5% 

in Q1 2015 but remained well below on the first three months of 2014 when half of companies surveyed reported 

increased demand and workload. 

Two years ago, in Q1 2014, almost a quarter of CEF members’ work done was in construction activity outside Northern 

Ireland (almost entirely Great Britain and RoI). That fell to 17% in Q1 2015 and then again in Q1 2016, when only 13% of 

work was in GB and/or RoI markets. 

The decline was largely driven by a reduction in work in GB - down from 15% in Q1 2014 to about 10% throughout 2015 

and falling to 6% in Q1 2016, the survey found. Commenting on the survey results CEF Managing Director John Armstrong, 

said the industry was not showing any real signs of sustainable recovery: 

“This is another survey which suggests that the construction sector is not sharing in Northern Ireland’s modest economic 

recovery, let alone the significant growth that is being exhibited elsewhere in the UK and Ireland. 

“The proportion of companies in survival mode is up, those anticipating growth and profitability are down and the 

percentage of work in Great Britain and Ireland has fallen. 

“This picture is reinforced by official data from NISRA’s Construction Bulletin, which reported falling output in the latter 

half of 2015. 

“While industry output stood at £618m during Q4 of 2015 – a year on year rise of 3% - this actually represented a fall 

from £643m during Q1 of the year and falls significantly short of the all-time high of £904m in Q1 of 2007. 

“We are operating in an environment where growth in housebuilding is broadly flat and where output in infrastructure and 

roads has actually declined. 

“The one glimmer of light is that over a third of our members say they expect things to get better – I sincerely hope they 

are right. 

“Construction and infrastructure accounts for around 6% of UK GDP. But it also delivers instant results – direct 

employment, high wages, indirect jobs, and greater community cohesion. The new Executive therefore needs to work with 

the industry to develop and deliver a significant pipeline of projects which will be crucial to the long term sustainability and 

success of the construction industry in Northern Ireland. 

“We urge the Executive to look at their infrastructure opportunities and priorities and to act. There is an opportunity to 

give confidence to developers, and incentives to the industry, which combined, will accelerate growth into the economy.” 

CEF also reported that 60% of their full and associate members had responded to their survey in respect of EU 

membership, with 80% believing that the UK should remain within the EU. Only 16% of members said they would support 

leaving, John Armstrong said: 

“This is an industry for which borders represent barriers, where access to the EU market is important and where mobility 

of labour and currency stability is crucial. 

“The fall in construction output across the UK in 

Q1 of 2016, has been attributed to concerns over 

the implications for continued EU membership. 

This may, in part account for the somewhat 

downbeat Northern Ireland results, but it is 

clear that the industry, right across the UK, has 

concerns about the outcome of the vote on 23 

June. 

“And while CEF has itself not taken a position 

on this debate, it is clear that the overwhelming 

majority of members are concerned at the 

implications for the UK of leaving the EU.”

News in 

Brief... 

Federation engages 

with Head of the 

Civil Service 

In late April, the Federation was 

delighted to be joined by Dr 

Malcolm McKibbin, Head of the 

Civil Service, for an informal 

dinner with members that focused 

on the arrangements for the 

Northern Ireland Executive’s new 

Programme for Government after 

May 5th’s election. 

From this engagement, we 

expected the Executive parties 

to have agreed a high level, 

outcomes focused Programme 

for Government by the end of 

May – as has now happened. 

This will then be subject to 

public consultation and detailed 

co-design work on the delivery 

frameworks underneath it over 

the coming six months. 

In addition, a revised Investment 

Strategy, Economic Strategy and 

Budget for the years 2017/18 

to 2020/21 will be in place by 

Christmas. 

There will be an extensive 

programme of engagement with 

Federation members on these 

documents once they begin to 

come out in the public domain. 

For further information please 

contact David Fry on 028 9087 

7143 or davidf@cefni.co.uk. 

Joint Council 

Promulgates 

Changes to Pension 

Contributions 

The Joint Council for the Building 

and Civil Engineering Industry 

(Northern Ireland) decided at its 

meeting on 6 May to promulgate 

changes to pension contributions 

effective from 5 December 2016. 

The Promulgation Notice 

confirms that both employer 

and employee contributions to 

Enhance Construction Pension 

Scheme Northern Ireland will 

increase by 1% to 4% and 5% 

respectively. It has also been 

agreed that where an employee 

does not make pension 

contributions the employer 

will not be required to pay 

contributions. The requirement for 

employers to continue to provide 

death benefit will remain in place. 

Federation members can access the 

Notice via the CEF website. 

New Northern Ireland 

Executive appointed and draft 

PfG published 

Late May saw the 

appointment of the new 

Northern Ireland Executive 

under its restructured nine 

departmental model. 

In addition, the Committee 

Chair’s and Vice Chair’s 

of all Northern Ireland 

Assembly committees have 

also been confirmed. 

The Federation will be 

extensively engaging will 

relevant Ministers, senior 

officials and Committee 

Chair’s/Vice Chair’s over 

the coming weeks and 

months – including meeting with the leaders of the new Opposition. 

In addition, the draft Programme for Government Framework has been published – a consultation on this 

has now commenced and will close on 22 July. The Federation will be making a detailed response to this 

and members will be asked for their views on it over the coming weeks. The full document is available via: 

https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/consultations/draft-programme-government-framework-2016-21-andquestionnaire 

CDM 2016: Are you ready? 

T The Construction (Design 

& Management) Regulations 

(Northern Ireland) 2016 will 

come into operation on 1 August 

2016. The new regulations will 

replace CDM 2007 and are almost 

identical to CDM 2015 which is 

currently operational in GB. The 

main difference is the “Transitional 

Provisions” element which is 12 

months rather than the 6 months 

transition period operated when the 

regulations changed in GB. 

The main difference between CDM 

2016 compared to CDM 2007 is 

that the CDM- Coordinator role 

is being replaced by a Principal 

Designer who will have a more 

central role in the project. 

Now more than ever therefore it is important that construction companies manage health and safety risk and Safe-T- 

Cert can help with this. Safe-T-Cert is a third party health and safety management system supported by the Institute of 

Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH), one of the most respected health and safety organisations in the world. Currently 

approximately six hundred companies in Northern Ireland have demonstrated during annual audit that they have 

implemented an occupational health and safety management system which meets the requirements of Safe-T-Cert and are 

continual improving. 

Many construction companies will already have the bones of a system in place including a health and safety policy, relevant 

insurances along with risk assessments and method statements. Having the system certified by Safe-T-Cert indicates a 

professional approach to health and safety to both your clients and employees. 

Safe-T-Cert fulfils the requirements of the Buildsafe Initiative and is also accredited by the Safety Schemes in Procurement 

(SSIP) Forum. This combination means Safe-T-Cert meets the conditions of Northern Ireland public sector procurement 

policy and widens the recognition of Safe-T-Cert in GB.

30| CEF 

THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN IRELAND 

News in 

Brief... 

Guide on the new 

Department for 


published 

The reform of Northern Ireland 

Government Departments took 

place on Monday 9 May, with 

changes now in place taking the 

old 12 departmental model to 9 

new departments. 

Perhaps the most important 

department from the construction 

industry’s perspective is the new 

Department for Infrastructure. 

Its functions include: 

Those of the old Department 

for Regional Development – 

Transport NI, Translink, NI Water 

Rivers Agency 

Strategic Planning and 

PlanningPolicy 

A fuller briefing document on the 

changes, including key contacts, 

is available via the Federation’s 

website. 

The Department’s new website 

can be accessed via: https://www. 

infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/ 

The full list of responsibilities 

of the nine new departments 

is available via: https://www. 

nidirect.gov.uk/articles/changesgovernment-departments 

For more information on Safe-T-Cert please speak to a member of the team on 028 9087 7154 or view the website www.cefni. 

co.uk/schemes/safe-t-cert. 

SIB launch BuySocialNI 

Brokerage website 

As part of the new BuySocialNI social clause model, SIB has now launched a Brokerage website. 

Through its ‘search’ function, contractors who have been awarded public contracts with Buy Social clauses can link with 

relevant organisations that can support them to deliver these clauses. 

The website can be accessed via: https://www.buysocialnibrokerage.org/ 

If you have any feedback on the website and its functionality, then please feel free to share with David Fry via: 

davidf@cefni.co.uk. 

New Northern Ireland Executive appointed and draft PfG published 

Late May saw the appointment of the new Northern Ireland Executive under its restructured nine departmental model. 

In addition, the Committee Chair’s and Vice Chair’s of all Northern Ireland Assembly committees have also been confirmed. 

The Federation will be extensively engaging will relevant Ministers, senior officials and Committee Chair’s/Vice Chair’s over 

the coming weeks and months – including meeting with the leaders of the new Opposition. 

In addition, the draft Programme for Government Framework has been published – a consultation on this has now 

commenced and will close on 22 July. The Federation will be making a detailed response to this and members will be 

asked for their views on it over the coming weeks. The full document is available via: https://www.northernireland.gov.uk/ 

consultations/draft-programme-government-framework-2016-21-and-questionnaire 

Federation engages with the Central 

Procurement Directorate 

In early June we were delighted to welcome Des Armstrong, Director of the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD), to 

the Federation’s office. 

Over an informal dinner, a number of industry-critical items were discussed including: 

• The Draft Programme for Government; 

• Margins within the industry; 

• The commissioning and pre-procurement processes for public sector capital projects and; 

• The further centralisation of procurement and delivery of capital projects 

With a new Northern Ireland Executive now in place, these themes will be of major focus for the Federation over the 

coming months. For further information, please email David Fry on davidf@cefni.co.uk 

Industry discusses the new BuySocial model with 

SIB and CPD 

Around 40 industry representatives recently took the time to listen to and question representatives of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) and the Central 

Procurement Directorate (CPD) in respect of the new social clauses model for public sector construction contracts in Northern Ireland, BuySocialNI. 

The SIB presentation from the event is available for members via the Federation’s website. 

In addition, CPD are shortly to publish the final version of the reporting form that will be required to be completed as part of the new model once you are on 

a contract. This will be shared with members once it is available. Training events will be run on using the new reporting model – these will be in August and more 

information will be circulated in due course. 

As the new BuySocial model continues to evolve, it is vital that we continue to liaise with SIB and CPD in respect of the industry’s views and concerns. To do this, 

SIB has established a BuySocial Construction Industry Reference Group. This will meet quarterly with the next meeting due to happen at the Federation’s office on 

Tuesday 6th September at 2pm. A Terms of Reference for the Group is available for members to view via the CEF website. If you would like to attend then please 

email davidf@cefni.co.uk and a fuller agenda and papers will follow in due course.

Construction Regulations |31 

law |61 

The Construction 

(Design and Management) 

Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 

Key tips to avoid the 

pitfalls of termination 

By Anna McClimonds, Solicitor, Cleaver Fulton Rankin’. 

The Construction (Design 

and Management) 

been raised. Namely, a project is 

notifiable if the construction work 

BY AnnA McCliMonds, soliCitor, 

Regulations (Northern is CleAver scheduled Fulton last longer rAnkin than 30 

Ireland) 2016 are due working days and have more than 

Construction to come into operation contracts 1. 20 Whether workers you simultaneously have a right toor if it 

on 1 August often include 2016 and exceeds terminate 500 in person the circumstances days; and 

will revoke a termination the 2007 

whether the circumstances you are 

provision Regulations. allowing parties The relying exemption upon can from be proved. client duties 

to terminate a contract for domestic clients has been 

in The certain 2016 CDM circumstances 

Regulations are 2. removed; Ensure your and right to terminate 

by intended giving to protect written persons notice. from The exists Approved at the time Code you of issue Practice the 

Alongside health and safety a contractual risks arising is termination replaced with notice straightforward 

and the other 

right from construction to terminate, work the through guidance. party has not remedied its default. 

parties the establishment also have of a a systematic 

common framework law for managing right to risk. They 3. For Compliance the purposes with all of requirements the CDM 

terminate are intended for to be repudiatory shorter and Regulations, set out in the the contract. following key 

breach substantially i.e. simpler a sufficiently in structure questions should be considered 

serious than the 2007 breach Regulations of contract and will 4. at Caution the commencement must be taken where of any 

or place demonstrating greater obligations an in respect construction there is a two work: stage notice 

intention of health and not safety to be on bound those for 

by whom the a contract. project is carried out and 

also The their 2013 design High Court and construction case of 

Vivergo team. Fuels Ltd v Redhall Engineering 

Solutions Ltd [2013] EWHC 4030 

(TCC) The key highlights changes the problems a 

party implemented can face when by exercising the 2016 

its CDM right to Regulations terminate. In particular, are: 

it deals with the situation where 

another The Regulations party challenges will apply the validity to all 

procedure to ensure the notices 

Do are the connected works in fall both within content and the 

definition time. of “construction 

work”? 

5. The notice must be clear and 

“Construction unambiguous. Consider work” is the broadly 

defined following under when Regulation drafting a notice: 2(1) as 

“the carrying out of any building, 

• civil Title engineering the document or as engineering a notice, 

construction although a letter works”, may with suffice specific as a 

to every designer and contractor 

appointed, or being considered for 

appointment; 

Ensuring that: 

the contractor (if there is only 

Pursuant to Regulation 5, where 

there is more than one contractor 

working on a project at any 

one time, or if it is reasonably 

foreseeable there will be more 

than one, the client is required 

of clients a termination of construction notice and projects, claims examples warning notice of such in works certain provided. one) or the principal contractor to appoint in writing as soon as 

that whether termination or not a person is itself a is acting circumstances. 

draws up a construction phase reasonably practicable, and in any 

repudiatory in the course breach of or entitling furtherance them of Who is the “client” and plan before the construction event, before the construction 

to a business; terminate the contract and claim • what Specifically are state its duties? in the notice that it 

phase begins; 

phase begins: 

damages. 

is intended to be a warning/ 

A designer with control over 

The The CDM basic co-ordinator rule for service role of has “Client” termination is defined notice; as and “any person the principal designer prepares the pre-construction phase as 

a been termination removed, notice with is that various all duties for whom a project is carried a health and safety file for the principal designer; and 

contractual recast, including requirements client duties must and • out”, Refer with to the Regulation contractual 4 providing clause the 

project. 

A contractor as principal 

be general strictly duties; complied with. As Lord for notice the specific is given under client and duties. mirror These 

Taking reasonable steps to ensure contractor. 

Hoffman said in Mannai Investments include: the wording of that clause. 

that the principal contractor and 

Co The Ltd client v Eagle is required Star Assurance to appoint “If the 

principal designer comply with Is the project notifiable? 

clause a principal had said designer that the as notice well as had Making In terms suitable of interpreting arrangements notices, for against the relevant background • Immaterial errors will be ignored if 

to any relevant duties stated in 

a principal be on blue contractor paper, it would in any have the managing following a project, principles including laid down the or context known to both 

Regulations 11 to 14. 

Pursuant the notice to unambiguously Regulation 6, a delivers project 

been project no where good serving there a is, notice or it on in 

is allocation Vivergo Fuels of sufficient v Redhall Engineering time and parties. 

is notifiable the purpose; to and the Executive in 

pink 

reasonably 

paper, however 

foreseeable 

clear it 

that 

might Solutions 

there resources; 

Ltd should be considered: 

writing as soon as practicable 

have Regulation 8 also provides further 

will be, 

been 

more 

that 

than 

the [party] 

one contractor 

wanted to 

• The notice must be sufficiently before • In the the context construction of clauses phase which 

terminate.” 

• general health and safety duties 

working on the project; 

Ensuring 

Unilateral 

the 

notices 

above 

are 

arrangements 

to be 

clear and unambiguous and leave 

begins require if the a warning construction notice followed work 

The following points should be interpreted in the same way as and roles. 

are maintained and reviewed the receiver in no reasonable 

lasts 

by 

longer 

a termination 

than 30 

notice, 

working 

the two 

days 

considered before exercising a right contractual documents. That is, they 

The duty to notify a project throughout the project; 

doubt as to how and when the 

and 

notices 

has more 

must be 

than 

connected 

20 workers 

both in 

to terminate: 

are to be looked at objectively, 

now lies with the client and the Providing pre-construction 

Does notice a is principal intended to designer operate. 

working 

content 

simultaneously, 

and time. 

or exceed 

threshold for notification has information as soon as practicable 

and principal contractor 

500 person days. 

need to be appointed? 

Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s market-leading team of lawyers deliver comprehensive commercial and 

practical advice, designed to achieve the most cost efficient result, to a diverse range of corporate 

clients. The Construction Team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin specialises in providing advice across the 

spectrum of non-contentious matters such as drafting and advising on building contracts, appointments, 

bonds, novation agreements and collateral warranties. 

If you would like further information or to find out how we can help you please give us a 

call on: 028 9024 3141 or visit our website: www.cfrlaw.co.uk

32| Flexible finance 

Positive winds for construction sector helped 

by flexible finance methods Judith Totten, Managing Director 

at Upstream Working Capital examines the construction 

market’s finance options 

It’s no secret that 

accessing appropriate 

and flexible finance has 

not been easy across 

many sectors since the 

banking crisis and for 

some companies, listening 

to fireside experts and 

battening down the 

hatches rather than 

investing for growth, 

seemed the sensible and, 

at times, only option. 

Not only is it a soul destroying 

strategy but it will at best plateau 

business growth and evolution 

and in reality as business owners 

prudently turn away new and 

stretching business opportunities, 

they can be sure that one of their 

competitors has found a way to 

make it happen. 

The construction sector has 

suffered more than most and 

many institutional funders have 

had to restrict their support in 

this and allied industries. This may 

seem unfair but in a corporate 

environment it is impractical to 

analyse each individual transaction 

on a personal basis and instead, 

with policy and procedure, comes 

a perceived inflexibility. 

With headlines like “NI 

construction sector has best 

performance in three years”, there 

is certainly much to be be positive 

about but we are still operating 

against a low bench mark and 

uncertainty in the sector is still 

rife. However if every £1 invested 

in construction in NI, generates 

£2.84 for the wider economy, 

then this is a sector we must find 

solutions for. 

Funding a construction business 

is not and has never has been 

straightforward - no surprise 

to those reading who have 

worked in the industry over the 

years – but the important thing 

is it is achievable with some 

effort and an open mind. Enter 

the alternative funder, whose 

popularity in recent years is 

on the rise, thanks to a more 

flexible approach. Their approach, 

while not suitable every time, 

is dramatically aiding businesses 

with a promising future but a 

requirement for a solution that fits 

with them. 

Even before the Banking crisis, 

the mainstream institutions would 

have required strict covenants and 

management processes to release 

cash during building cycles or 

construction programmes. 

These processes and ‘audit trails’ 

instil essential disciplines which, 

whilst irksome, stand a business 

owner in good stead when they 

look for alternative funders. The 

critical part for any financier is 

transparency across a business. 

They need to understand the 

cash cycle - when it buys, when 

it builds, when it sells. How long 

a contract takes and the tipping 

points, therein where the business 

will be most cash constrained 

and most cash positive. The 

experienced lender will then 

endeavour to match a facility to 

that business’ pattern. 

Clearly not every business 

will be the same and not every 

contract will be structured over 

the same pattern but clarity and 

open communication will make it 

easier to finance. 

Within the contract period, 

a robust paper trail for the 

funder to understand is crucial. 

Ideally independent sign off by 

the Quantity Surveyor on the 

business’ side and on the buyer 

side is ideal, with a release of 

payment certificate following. 

Again, not always possible but for 

a business’ own protection and 

that of the funder, this is the best 

option. 

The risk for any financier in a 

contract related business is non 

performance part way through 

and resultant loss. Therefore, it is 

incumbent on the borrower to 

mitigate such risk at every point. 

Additional, or secondary security, 

over and above the primary 

debenture 

is often 

asked for 

Business 

owners 

need to 

be open 

minded 

and expect 

to be 

asked for 

personal 

security or 

additional 

asset 

charges 

where 

possible. 

The more 

comfortable a funder is with 

the risk profile and the ability to 

recover in a default situation, the 

more funding they’ll be able to 

offer. 

Solutions are out there and 

available. We are now seeing Asset 

Based Lending (ABL) whereby a 

funder will leverage more than 

just a land bank and build costs 

for example. They will analyse 

entire balance sheets to see what 

can be generated with a cross 

collateralised security suite - often 

against debtors, stock, work in 

progress, fixed assets, plant and 

machinery. This is creative and if 

handled by a skilled practitioner, 

can release much more than the 

traditional term loan or overdraft 

as it is released in real time. 

Consider supply chain finance, 

stock finance or purchase order 

finance - all variations on a facility 

to release funding on the buying 

side of a transaction and all 

designed to work in complement 

to existing bank lines. These 

funders are generally ‘off balance 

sheet’ as they sit as trade creditors 

in a business and therefore have 

no impact on its existing facilities. 

These funders will buy stock and 

raw materials, will offer extended 

creditor terms and will give a 

business buying power during a 

contract term. There are terms 

and conditions as with any facility, 

but these funders are flexible 

and very happy to sit alongside a 

business’ primary bank. 

Traditional Invoice Finance is 

difficult to structure for a contract 

related business but consider this 

-is every transaction structured 

around stage payments, QS 

measures and certificates or are 

there some more traditional 

rolling accounts? If there are 

some straight supply, time sheet 

based or short term work, then 

there may very well be a facility 

to release some cash locked up 

in debtor books. Indeed there 

are some funders who will look 

at contract invoice discounting, 

but there will be some restrictive 

covenants in terms of cash release. 

Asset Finance to fund plant 

and machinery should always be 

considered in a business which 

uses and holds cash in the cycle. 

Manage cash flow wisely and avoid 

tying up liquidity in fixed assets. 

In summary, there are many 

funding solutions for every 

sector. A cocktail of facilities 

is, in my opinion, much more 

preferable to a narrow, single 

funder line. Flexibility is key to the 

construction sector and the ability 

to renegotiate and restructure is 

vital. 

Construction is a key industry 

for NI and growth is evident – 

let’s work together to strengthen 

it further.

NATURAL SLATE 

Contact us today for more 

details or to arrange a site visit 

Construction’s Specialist Solution 

DUBLIN 01 623 4541 

CORK 021 4320 877 

BELFAST 028 9068 6380 

OMAGH 028 8224 6220 

www.siginsulation.ie 

www.sigroofing.ie

34| RICS Awards 

Queen’s University innovation centre 

wins top RICS Award 

A Queen’s University 

research facility has 

been named Project of 

the Year at the Royal 

Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors (RICS) Awards 

2016, Northern Ireland. 

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute 

for Experimental Medicine, 

situated in the grounds of Belfast 

City Hospital, won the Design 

through Innovation award before 

being crowned Project of the 

Year at the annual awards, which 

showcase and reward projects 

from across Northern Ireland. 

The £32m Institute is the latest 

phase in the configuration of the 

School of Medicine, Dentistry 

and Biomedical Sciences and 

has been designed to enhance 

its internationally recognised 

excellence in education and 

research. 

The 9,000 square metre building 

provides accommodation for 

some 330 members of staff 

specialising in research into 

finding cures for eye diseases and 

diabetes, and the development 

of a global programme to aid 

understanding of the genetics of 

complex chronic diseases. 

Alan Stitt, Director of the Centre 

for Experimental Medicine 

commented “… the open and 

free-flow design of the building 

offers a positive change in the 

working environment, which 

enhances the development of 

cross-disciplinary collaborations 

and interactions between peer 

research groups.” 

The project’s design team 

consisted of Ostick & Williams 

architects in association with 

Stantec architects, Turner & 

Townsend Cost Management 

Surveyors, Albert Fry Associates 

as the structural and civil 

consultants, Services & BREEAM 

Consultants White Young Green, 

O’Hare & McGovern as the Main 

Contractor and Harvey Group as 

the MEP Contractor. 

Judges said “This is a high-quality 

building housing laboratories, 

offices and meeting rooms 

Project of the Year: The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for 

Experimental Medicine, Belfast 

Alistair Dunn, Chairman, Judging Panel, RICS Northern Ireland and Fiona Grant, Chair of RICS UK & Ireland World 

Regional Board with John Nugent from Queen’s University Belfast and Colm Lavery from Turner & Townsend 

for this international research 

organisation… Innovatively, the 

building has been designed on 

an ‘inside-out’ basis… conducive 

to collaborative working. The 

building is finished to a very high 

standard and the achievement of 

a BREEAM Excellent certification 

is laudable.” 

The RICS Awards are made up 

of eight categories from Building 

Conservation to Tourism & 

Leisure and Infrastructure, and 

some of the country’s most 

popular new builds and recent 

restorations were in the spotlight 

at the ceremony at La Mon in 

May). 

The Lagan Weir Footbridge won 

the award for Infrastructure, while 

the SPACE (Shared Process and 

Community Engagement) People’s 

Park in Portadown took home 

the Regeneration and Community 

Benefit awards. Galgorm Resort 

& Spa won the Tourism & Leisure 

category, while City Quays 1, 

Belfast won the Commercial 

category, Mount Stewart’s recent 

restoration won the Building 

Conservation category and an 

eye-catching family home in 

Portrush, Blacksmith’s Cottage, 

took home the top prize in the 

Residential category. 

Ben Collins, RICS Director, 

Northern Ireland said; “The 

positive impact that innovative 

buildings, regenerated shared 

spaces and world-class tourist 

facilities have on the local 

economy and society cannot be 

overstated. Once again, we have 

seen some of the best new builds, 

infrastructure projects, community 

schemes, and restoration initiatives 

from the last few years take the 

spotlight at our annual awards, and 

we are delighted to be able to 

highlight the exceptional work of 

the surveyors and other property 

professionals behind the projects.” 

RICS Awards Judging Chairman, 

Alistair Dunn added; “This was 

a competitive year for the RICS 

Awards in Northern Ireland. 

Our judges were blown away 

by the standard of the entries 

from stately homes to family 

homes, cross-community projects 

to buildings that are making a 

difference in education, medicine 

and culture. 

“The Wellcome-Wolfson 

Institute is a worthy winner for 

its breakthrough in innovation, 

helping emphasise Northern 

Ireland’s credentials as a hub for 

critical medical research.” 

The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute 

and the other winners from 

the evening will now progress 

as finalists from the Northern 

Ireland region at the national RICS 

Awards gala evening in London 

later in the year.

RICS Awards |35 

Building Conservation- Winner – Mount Stewart, 

Newtownards Highly Commended – The Graduate 

Building, Queen’s University, Belfast 

Infrastructure - Winner – Lagan Weir Footbridge, Belfast 

Highly Commended – RNLI Life Boat Station, 

Clarrybridge, Enniskillen 

Commercial – sponsored by Sika - Winner – City Quays 

1, Belfast - Highly Commended – Development at 19-21 

Broad Street, Magherafelt 

Regeneration -Winner – SPACE (Shared Process and 

Community Engagement) People’s Park, Portadown 

Highly Commended – Refurbishment of Seaview Hall, 

Glenarm 

Community Benefit- Winner – SPACE Shared Process and 

Community Engagement) People’s Park, Portadown- 

Highly Commended – SERC Performing Arts, Computing 

and Engineering Campus, Bangor 

Residential- Winner – Blacksmith’s Cottage, Portrush 

Highly Commended – Lime Court, Peter’s Hill, Belfast 

Design through Innovation – sponsored by Forbo 

Winner – The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for 

Experimental Medicine, Belfast Highly Commended – 

Grillagh Water House, Maghera 

Tourism & Leisure- Winner – Galgorm Resort & Spa, 

Ballymena - Highly Commended – Schomberg House, 

Belfast

36| RICS Awards 

THE INDUSTRY CAN’T AFFORD TO BE 

COMPLACENT WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY 

By Tracy Flannigan FRICS , RICS spokesperson in Northern Ireland 

As I write this, the RICS 

Headquarters team are 

busily preparing for a major 

conference which will be full 

of practical examples and case 

studies on how employers 

across the UK are embracing 

inclusivity. It is RICS’s second 

annual Diversity and Inclusion 

Conference and, as statistics 

show, it’s a highly pertinent 

and entirely necessary subject 

to be both exploring and 

implementing. 

Of the 80,000 qualified 

surveyors in the UK, only 14% 

are female. Ethnic minorities, 

disabilities, socio-economic 

diversity, all are lacking in a 

profession where the average 

member is currently a 58-yearold 

white male. The statistics 

in Northern Ireland specifically 

will be no better. But things are 

changing– there are pockets 

of good practice and, more 

importantly, there is a growing 

understanding of the business 

need for a more diverse 

workforce. 

Companies with greater female 

board representation have 

been seen to outperform the 

mono-culture boards financially: 

with 42% greater return on 

sales; 53% better return on 

equity and 66% higher return 

on investment capital[1]. And 

then there is the issue of skills 

shortages, which is having a 

considerable impact upon the 

property and construction 

sector. Lack of trained people 

is forcing many companies to 

put aside their assumptions 

about the “right” candidates 

for the job, and so they are 

beginning to seek out talent in 

new places. 

There has been progress made 

with some good practice 

emerging from Northern 

Ireland. A reflection of this 

is shown in RICS’s recent 

appointment of two new 

female board members and 

it has also been growing its 

pool of female spokespeople. 

Furthermore, last year, RICS 

also held a visible women 

event in Belfast at which senior 

women from the construction 

and property sectors engaged 

with senior female journalists 

on the issue of diversity in 

the sector. While the general 

consensus was that we had 

come a long way, the group 

also acknowledged that there 

was much still to be done to 

address the imbalance and be 

a more attractive profession 

for new talent pools. 

So, as the professional body for 

the industry, what else is RICS 

doing to help? We established 

that the question is not simply 

one of opening up to a wider 

talent pool, but of retaining 

these non-traditional candidates 

once they are recruited. Indeed 

recruitment is just the beginning 

of the work to reshape the 

workforce, the key issues rapidly 

become how to retain staff who 

don’t necessarily see role models 

in the senior management, nor 

opportunities for promotion 

and career development. To 

combat this RICS introduced 

the Inclusive Employer Quality 

Mark to effectively and practically 

address these issues in the long 

and short term. My company, 

Colliers International is one of 

a growing list of organisations 

signed up. Employers pledge their 

commitment to adopting and 

seeking out best practice with six 

principles: 

• Leadership and Vision 

commitment to increasing 

the diversity of the 

workforce 

• Recruitment – engage 

and attract new people to 

the industry from underrepresented 

groups; best 

practice recruitment 

methods 

• Staff development– 

training/promotion 

policies that offer equal 

opportunities for career 

progression 

• Staff retention – flexible 

working arrangements/ 

adaptive working practices 

• Staff engagement – an 

inclusive culture where 

all staff engage with 

developing, delivering, 

monitoring and assessing 

the diversity and 

inclusivity policies 

• Continuous 

improvement – continually 

refreshing and renewing 

the firm’s commitment to 

being the best employer; 

sharing and learning from 

best practice across the 

industry 

Over 90 companies have 

signed up to the Inclusive 

Employer Quality Mark so far, 

and the number is growing 

weekly. It is good to see 

so many making a genuine 

commitment to change. The 

future is looking much brighter 

than the past. 

To learn more about RICS 

Inclusive Employer Quality 

Mark or the forthcoming 

conference, go to http:// 

www.rics.org/uk/ 

about-rics/responsiblebusiness/inclusiveemployer/ 

Tracy Flannigan is Director of 

Professional Services at Colliers 

International. Tracy became a 

Fellow of the RICS in January 

2013. She was also the first 

female arbitrator in Northern 

Ireland and sits on the panel of 

arbitrators maintained by the 

President of the Law Society of 

Northern Ireland.

Northern 

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NEW 

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“Success for a hire company 

is all about meeting the 

demands of the customer 

with the aim of providing 

a one-stop shop for hire 

needs across all industries 

with innovative solutions,” 

says the man who heads 

up HSS /Laois Hire Group, managing 

director Michael Killeen. “At HSS Hire/ Laois 

Hire Group we firmly believe that we can 

provide an unrivalled hire experience.” 

Constant investment, of course, is also 

key to the success of this award winning 

company that is currently focused on 

a programme of expansion in Ireland, 

with four new branches recently opened 

at Connswater in Belfast, Portadown 

in County Armagh, Tivoli in Cork, and 

Enniscorthy - and a further two branches 

due to open this year in Limerick and the 

Dublin docklands. 

Apart from major investment in the latest 

range of plant equipment, the group has 

also won a number of specialist agencies, 

including Selwood, Western Global, 

Husqvarna, and most recently ComPair. 

New agencies 

Since Laois Hire acquired the agencies 

for both Selwood Pumps and Western 

Tanks things have gone from strength to 

strength. The Selwood and 

Western brands need no introduction as 

they are World leaders when it comes to 

their respective areas and Laois are proud 

to be working in part customernership with 

them in Ireland helping to deliver projects 

on time and on budget. 

The range of products that both can offer 

is exceptional, from fuel efficiency to 

environmental. These products are a must 

for anyone looking to manage costs and 

help protect the environment at the same 

time. Laois can see continued growth 

with the Selwood and Western products 

and are looking forward to exciting times 

ahead. The group recently completed a 

major investment in mini excavators from 

ECI JCB; the new 8026 mini and 86C-1 

midi excavators are available to hire from 

its established network of hire branches 

and supercentres across Ireland. 

Comments Michael “We have made this 

substantial investment to meet the 

increased demands from our customers. 

We have found JCB to be an excellent 

brand, trouble free, very popular with our 

customer base and backed up by an 

excellent service. We have also found that 

certain customers will request JCB 

equipment for certain projects. 

“A trouble free machine means no 

customer down time and undue costs to 

contracts that need to be completed on 

tight schedules. We noticed big demand 

almost immediately for these machines.”

Agile approach 

Customers are also keen on the 

Caterpillar brand, which prompted HSS/ 

Laois Hire last year to invest in 16 new 

Cat excavators from Finning and there 

are plans to make further substantial 

investments in a wide range of other plant 

products over the coming months. 

The group recently took possession of 14 

concrete skips ranging in sizes from 3/4m 

to 1.5m. Paul Oxley of Laois Hire says, 

“Contractors are back pouring concrete 

so it was an easy decision to invest in 

Concrete skips to meet today’s demands. 

These are of a very high spec and have 

various safety features ensuring the… 

Continuing success for HSS /Laois 

Hire Group is not just about investing 

in its people and its equipment; it’s 

also about adapting to the ever 

changing needs of its growing and 

varied customer base across the 

island of Ireland. 

By investing in these skips it has enabled 

us to meet all our customers’ concrete 

demands. We pride ourselves on being 

a one stop shop for all our customers 

plant and tool hire requirements and 

this is another example of maintaining 

this tradition.” An agile approach to the 

group’s stock is also an important factor. 

“We have an integrated logistics division 

that moves stock around the country 

effectively and efficiently 24 hours a 

day,” says Michael. 

Big projects 

Another ingredient to the success of the 

company is its ability to work with clients on 

some of the highest profile projects in Ireland 

including the M50, M7 and M8 motorways, 

N9, Dublin Airport Terminal 2, Monasterevin 

Bypass and Intel – and its willingness to take 

on new agencies, a case in point being the 

partnership formed with Selwood Pumps. 

Since winning the agency in late 2014, HSS/ 

Laois Hire has grown Selwood’s Irish business 

base and this is set to continue with highprofile 

contract wins, most notably largescale 

road building projects such as the M17/ 

M18 Tuam to Gort motorway in Galway, the 

M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy motorway as well 

cleaning rivers and canals with Waterways 

Ireland. Laois Hire also assisted Enva Ireland 

Ltd in pumping crude oil from a millionlitre 

holding tank on a project along a 3km 

pipeline out to an awaiting ship, using a 

Selwood high head pump which has the 

capacity to pump 200 tons of crude oil 

per hour The pumping job was a complete 

success with Enva Ireland Ltd completing the 

project within the tight timeframe given and 

peace of mind with the reliability and level of 

safety that the Selwood pumps offer. 

Selwood say they chose HSS/Laois Hire 

as their Irish partner not only because it has 

a remarkable track record, holds a dominant 

position in the hire sector, but also because of 

how well the business is run. The Selwood 

range, of course, greatly adds to the HSS/ 

Laois Hire rental portfolio. 

Selwood say they chose HSS/Laois Hire 

as their Irish Partner not only because 

it has a remarkable track record, holds a 

dominant position in the hire sector, but 

also because of how well the business is 

run. 

“Contractors are back pouring 

concrete so it was an easy decision 

to invest in Concrete skips to meet 

today’s demands,” Paul Oxley, 

Laois Hire. 

“Customer reaction has been very positive. 

Not only do they want and ask for Selwood, 

they know that in HSS/Laois Hire we have the 

network established to support them at hire 

and right along to parts and servicing. Put 

simply, we’ve built our business on trust and 

we choose brands that our customers trust 

and which we can deliver. We find that 

Selwood are a great company to work with, 

they are professional, friendly, they have 

supported us 100% and we are extremely 

happy with the progress to date.” 

Responding to an improving 

marketplace, Laois Hire has been 

investing in its fleet.

40| Fleet Financial 

Fleet Financial drives up a gear for 

milestone 20 th year 

Olympic medallist and Commonwealth champion boxer 

Paddy Barnes joins Fleet Financial Managing Director, 

Damian Hughes, and Damian Campbell, Sales Manager, 

to announce Paddy’s his new role as Northern Ireland 

ambassador for the company. 

Award-winning 

Northern Ireland 

contract hire and vehicle 

management company, 

Fleet Financial, is only half 

way into its milestone 20 th 

year of business and is 

already celebrating a fresh 

list of achievements, but 

with many more to come. 

In April, the company marked 

two decades of growth, business 

success and innovation with a 

stunning, high-octane Gala Ball 

at the Culloden Hotel during 

which its staff, invited guests and 

associates helped to raise an 

unprecedented £30,000 for Hope 

for Youth NI. The much-needed 

funds will be used to nourish a 

range of targeted programmes 

designed to directly assist young 

people in disadvantaged areas. 

Underlining its focus on 

innovation and delivering a wraparound, 

customer-focused service 

in the construction sector, Fleet 

Financial has also continued to roll 

out an exciting new online vehicle 

management solution called Fleet 

Navigator, showcasing its growth 

and leadership in the sector. 

The new, bespoke web-based 

product is designed to provide 

building and construction users 

with additional easy-to-access 

online information about their 

vehicles whenever they need it. 

Boasting a fresh design, it is easy 

to navigate and can be accessed 

from any mobile or desk-based 

device, helping users to improve 

day-to-day operations and 

efficiency for companies. 

“We firmly believe that business 

is about developing the right 

relationships from the start and 

in making sure our customers 

get exactly what they need when 

they need it. This is something we 

have been able to do successfully 

and determinedly over the last 

20 years,” Philip Miley, Sales and 

Marketing Director, said. 

Based in Mallusk, and with a 

reach right across the UK and 

Ireland, the company employs 

more than 30 dedicated staff and 

has more than a thousand clients 

driving 4,200 vehicles ranging from 

cars to light commercial vans. 

Its clients include some of 

Northern Ireland’s best-known 

companies in construction such as 

Graham, Gilbert Ash, McLaughlin 

and Harvey and H&J Martin. 

In other key sectors, including 

utilities, agri-food and distribution, 

Fleet Financial closely manages 

to the vehicle requirements of 

Phoenix Gas, Sky, SHS Group and 

Dale Farm, as well as small firms 

with fewer than 10 employees. 

“Not only do we have close 

personal relationships with 

customers we have built up over 

two decades but we also work 

closely with our key suppliers 

to bring the latest products, 

technology and innovations direct 

to the industry.” 

This ethos is set to continue as 

the company plans to continue its 

success. 

“Our goal is to further develop 

and grow our business, offering 

our customers in the construction 

and building sector value for 

money products and packages, 

new innovative ranges and a firstclass 

service. 

This milestone year is already 

shaping up to be a record, 

according to Philip. 

“With orders for deliveries 

approaching 1,000 this year so far, 

from businesses large and small, 

from sole traders up to large 

companies and including many 

fast-growing, forward-looking 

SMEs in the building industry, we 

are already on track to record our 

best year yet.” 

Fleet Financial is also throwing its 

weight behind our local Northern 

Ireland Olympic heroes in the run 

up to this year’s games. 

Last month, Olympic medallist 

and Commonwealth champion 

boxer Paddy Barnes confirmed 

his brand new role as Northern 

Ireland ambassador for the 

company. 

As part of an exciting new 

partnership, the two-time Olympic 

bronze medallist picked up the 

keys for a brand new Kia Sorrento 

which will support him in his 

efforts to be fighting fit and ringready 

for this summer’s games. 

Damian Hughes, Managing 

Director of Fleet Financial, said; 

“As a fearless, professional 

competitor with dynamism 

and strength, Paddy perfectly 

embodies the spirit and brand 

traits of Fleet Financial and 

Kia and we are really looking 

forward to working together 

over this busy year ahead.”

42| Hays 

Put talent retention at the heart of 

your recruitment strategy: Hays 

At the time of writing 

(prior to the EU 

referendum vote), it 

is clear to see that 

increasing positivity 

and increased tender 

opportunities means that 

attracting quality staff is 

on everyone’s agenda 

right now. 

For Northern Ireland in general, 

the most recent Labour Force 

survey contained extremely 

positive news for Northern 

Ireland, including a record rate of 

employment. 

TALENT 

RETENTION 

But before 

a company 

considers 

attracting new 

talent, it should 

consider what 

plans it has in 

place to retain the 

talent already in 

situ. 

A good retention 

strategy for any 

staff member 

begins in how they 

are recruited in 

the first place. 

For the construction sector more 

specifically, we’re seeing local 

investment supporting greater 

numbers of jobs within the 

industry. 

For example in the higher 

education sector, Queen’s 

University has unveiled a £39 

million development plan for its 

biological sciences school that will 

support around 550 construction 

jobs. 

The residential sector too is 

stabilising and positivity is starting 

to reemerge once more. In June, 

two housing associations secured 

£280 million to build hundreds 

of homes in the North West and 

Fold Housing followed this up by 

announcing plans to commit £40 

million in create 400 new units. 

With better news now emerging 

organisations would be wise to 

take a strategic view on their 

recruitment planning in the 

months ahead. 

For our part, Hays is moving 

to address anticipated demand 

through our global network of 

offices. We are actively working to 

return skills to the local market 

and to showcase the wide range 

of opportunities emerging among 

Northern Ireland employers. 

We are also working with the 

institutes and federations to 

engage with school leavers and 

reinstill confidence in construction 

from entry level onwards. 

That means 

placing retention 

at the beginning 

of the recruitment 

process so as 

to provide the 

best approach to 

addressing this 

issue in the longer 

term. 

For example, 

during the 

interview process 

take time to 

show what your 

business stands for 

and illustrate the 

positive employee 

experience. 

Employers should highlight a 

clearly defined career path and 

illustrate the dynamic working 

culture on offer. And there is 

clear evidence which shows that 

flexible working policies can 

improve productivity and workbalance, 

as well as entice new 

talent into a business. 

In this way an employer will 

identify like-minded candidates 

who are a natural fit with the 

company and the way it does 

business. 

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 

Effective employee engagement 

involves creating an ongoing 

dialogue across all sections of the 

company. Many organisations are 

seeing the benefits of creating 

‘good news’ streams through 

things like ebulletins, talkback 

forums and appraisals to ensure 

employees see the overall picture. 

At present we are working with 

management teams that are 

employing ever-more sophisticated 

internal communications processes 

in order to listen to their workers, 

provide feedback and ensure 

personnel are fully engaged and 

their needs addressed. 

Aside from the means of 

communication, it is vitally 

important too to maintain the 

skills of those who are leading 

internal communications. This 

includes focusing on improving the 

people management skills of line 

managers. They are at the front 

line and are the first port of call 

for an employee with concerns. 

RECRUITMENT STRATEGY 

At Hays we believe that retention 

doesn’t just become important 

when a new employee walks 

in the door, but an employer 

should start thinking about 

retention while they are attracting 

candidates. 

Because retention is so integral 

to talent management and 

acquisition, we are holding 

a dedicated HR seminar for 

organisations to come share 

ideas, best practice and network. 

We look forward to sharing 

the findings of this seminar with 

partners in the weeks ahead. 

To find out more about 

how to build retention 

into your recruitment 

strategy, log on to http:// 

www.hays.co.uk/northernireland/ 

or call Hays on 

028 9044 6900.

Fifty years of creating spaces and environments 

that enhance the lives of those who use them 

while providing protection for the earth’s natural 

resources.... 

Caldwell Consulting is a local, full service Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) engineering resource which is 

celebrating 50 Years in Business this year. 

Caldwell works alongside the pioneers and designers of the built environment to create buildings and spaces that are both 

comfortable and cost effective to use. 

Brian David Caldwell founded the practice in 1966. Brian was an influential figure in shaping the urban landscape in towns all 

over Northern Ireland and in the Republic. He retired in 1989 and Brian Watson took over as Senior Partner for the next fifteen 

years. 

Now incorporated as a Private Limited Company the practice still has its headquarters in Belfast but has expanded to have 

offices in Londonderry and London. 

With professional teams working throughout the UK and Ireland on major landmark projects Caldwell Consulting has now 

evolved to be the largest independent Building Services consultancy practice in Northern Ireland. Caldwell Consulting has been 

headed by Joint Managing Directors Mark Taylor and John Watson since 2004. 

Caldwell Consulting has worked on some of the most influential and groundbreaking construction projects in both Northern 

Ireland and the UK, including the W London in Leicester Square, Rose Bowl Stadium in Southhampton Aloft at the Excel Arena, 

London, The Merchant Hotel in Belfast, Novotel and Ibis hotels in Blackfriars and the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen. Not 

limited to hotels, their portfolio of work ranges from the healthcare sector through to shopping centres, office buildings and 

student accommodation. Client groups include both the Public and Private sectors and it is impressive in its extent and diversity. 

Caldwells MEP design consultancy 

offers a refreshing approach to 

building engineering and design. 

This, integrated with the in-house 

sustainability team, is a fully 

collaborated approach to Mechanical, 

Electrical and Public Health 

Engineering. Every project is unique 

and our aim of the practice is to create 

a dynamic working environment 

where the best minds in the industry 

flourish and deliver creative design 

solutions to Clients and Partner 

Professionals.

DESIGN & BUILD CONTRACTORS | DEVELOPERS | ASSET MANAGERS | INVESTORS 

STUDENT | RESIDENTIAL | OFFICE | HOTEL 

Cookstown Office: 

17-19 Dungannon Road, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, BT80 8TL 

T: 028 8676 3741 

London Office: 

100 George Street, London, W1U 8NU 

T: 020 7224 4900 www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT 

Caldwell Consulting provides specialist advice on all 

Sustainability and Environmental matters. 

The team at Caldwells is qualifed to provide BREEAM 

Assessor services for all the recognised UK new build and 

refurbishment schemes . It can also provide the services of a 

BREEAM Accredited Professional and regularly lead projects 

in the role of Project ‘Sustainabilty Champion’. 

Caldwells has successfully completed many examples of 

projects certified to the BREEAM ‘Excellent’rating and was 

recently involved in a major project at St Martin’s Lane 

London which was rated as BREEAM ‘Outstanding.’ Acting 

as Code for Sustainable Homes Assessors the practice has 

certified a multitude of projects achieving certifications up 

and including to Level 5. 

The team at Caldwells also offer expert advice on a range of 

environmental issues such as Carbon Footprinting, Waste 

Management and Reduction, Sustainability and Energy Planning Reports, Life Cycle Costs and Stakeholder Engagement. 

They have successfully completed projects with a wide range of environmental technologies – from wind turbines to grey 

water recycling. They have also worked on various Photovoltaic (PV), Heat Pump, Solar Water Heating, Geothermal and District 

Heating Schemes around the UK. 

Among their many accolades, Caldwell Consulting were: 

1st Northern Ireland Company to offer in-house BREEAM Assessments 

1st Northern Ireland Company with Breeam Accredited Professionals (AP) 

1st School in UK to obtain A rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 

BIM & 3D MODELLING 

While their engineers have 

been using 3D modelling 

for a number of years, the 

Government’s Construction 

Strategy 2011 emphasised 

the importance in of Building 

Information Modelling (BIM) 

with the intention of reducing 

waste in construction through 

lowering capital and operational 

costs by 20% on all publically 

funded construction projects. 

The strategy requires that 

projects must incorporate 3D 

BIM level 2 by 2016. Caldwells 

BIM environment operates in 

the Autodesk Revit platform and 

having successfully completed 

multiple BIM level 2 Projects 

they are fully versed with the collaborative BIM approach and can understand, create and implement key documents such as 

BIM Execution plans, Employers Information Requirements (EIR’s) and Information delivery plans. Using key data drops and a 

common data environment throughout the process they can successfully assist with the delivery of Construction Operations 

Building Information Exchange (COBie) information to facilitate a seamless Facilities Management process through the lifetime 

of the buildings. Caldwells have BIM Virtual Reality Environment capabilities in-house and can undertake ‘virtual walk arounds’ 

of their projects. Through this process Clients and Design Partners can to see and experience their designs in the virtual 

environment. 

Caldwell brings an enthusiasm for BIM and challenge project teams to fully embrace the Mechanical, Electrical and Public 

Health elements of their projects to ensure successful integration.

The Renewable Solutions Provider 

Making a World of Difference 

I WANT A VERSATILE 

HEATING AND 

COOLING SOLUTION 

I WANT TO AVOID 

THE NEED FOR 

LEAK DETECTION 

Now you can have the best 

of both worlds 

Let’s talk about the low-carbon, cost-effective alternative to traditional heating 

and cooling technology. Let’s talk Hybrid VRF: an innovative, modern solution, 

offering a highly efficient system that doesn’t require the need for leak detection. 

Better for you, better for your customers and a sure way to achieve the optimum 

comfort control you’re looking for. 

Everyone’s now talking Hybrid VRF 

Be part of the conversation. Call 353 1 419 8800 

or visit www.mitsubishielectric.ie 

Mitsubishi Electric Ireland

LIGHTING DESIGN 

CONSULTANCY 

Much of the visual aspect of 

Caldwell’s creative approach 

is achieved through Lighting 

Design. The company 

provides a Specialist 

Lighting Consultancy that is 

independent of manufacturers, 

suppliers and contractors. It 

has created and developed 

a stand alone identity for 

its Lighting Design Solution 

company. 

Caldwells have extensive 

experience working with 

clients, architects, interior 

designers, energy managers, 

focus groups and local authorities to produce lighting schemes that are visually correct for their environment but also represent 

Value For Money in both installation and operating costs. 

In 1981, Caldwell’s Brian Watson presented a lecture on the then innovative Indirect and Ambient Task Lighting to the London 

School of Business. This followed design of the first two projects of this type outside of the United States of America and which 

were 10 years in advance of CIBSE LG3 1989 and LG7, the design standards of the day. www.vistalight360.co.uk 

BUILDING PERFORMANCE PREDICTION (BPP) 

Caldwells believes every building can be sustainable and both energy and carbon efficient. 

BPP builds on the extensive experience that Caldwells has gained over the last 50 years of sustainable and efficient design. 

Their dedicated team believes that every building has the potential to be sustainable and both energy and carbon efficient in 

a cost effective way. With appropriate and relevant advice, they provide clear information in a way that assists the process of 

developing building designs across the client, design and construction teams. Offering a range of services including prediction 

of building options and performance through computer simulation, BREEAM Assessor role for new and refurbishment projects, 

BREEAM Contractor liaison, Code for Sustainable homes, Building Regulation calculations such as Simplified Building Energy 

Model (SBEM) and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), daylight and right-to-light simulations, planning and early stage 

building developments with Clients, Architects and Developers. Whatever your target, Caldwell will help you achieve it. 

Visit www.bpp.energy

PROCESS ENGINEERING 

Process engineering focuses on the design, operation, control, and optimisation of both the process and the environment in 

which the process is carried out. 

Caldwells use their proven building services skills to enhance the co–ordination, cost efficiency and functionality of the 

manufacturing facility. These 

include work flow, transport 

of materials, automation and 

programmable logic controller 

controls, as well as a combined 

ability to co–ordinate and 

integrate key suppliers. 

3D co–ordination drawings, 

system design, commissioning 

management, energy 

management surveys, facilities 

management, and complete 

site management and co– 

ordination during construction 

is also an available in-house 

service. 

CALDWELL LIFT 

CONSULTING 

Caldwell Lift Consulting is a 

specialist in-house team which 

provides operates passenger 

and goods lift traffic simulation and analysis, Under the idenity of VerCon Lift Engineers. Advice is available on all forms of 

vertical transportation including lifts, escalators, moving walkways, permanent 

access equipment and disabled access equipment. 

FIRE & ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING 

Caldwells provides the specialist services of Fire and Acoustic Engineering with one 

of our closely allied partnering companies. 

COMPLETE COMMISSIONING MANAGEMENT (CCM) 

Caldwell Consulting offer 

the specialist services 

of its partner company 

CCM Commissioning 

Management Specialist 

Services. 

It offers commissioning 

management services in 

line with BREEAM credit 

criteria and for all clients 

wishing to ensure that 

systems are setup effectively 

and economically. CCM 

Commissioning Specialists has a reputation for enthusiasm and has as a result, developed professional working relations with a 

number of Clients which have passed the test of time. With our ability to understand our Client’s requirements from receipt of 

their initial brief to the final systems delivery, our Engineers achieve fully commissioned buildings. 

Visit www.ccm.uk.net

Congratulations 

and best wishes 

to Caldwell 

Consulting 

on their 50th 

anniversary. 

BesP oke BuildinG t ecH noloG y 

Portland House, Bressenden Place, london sW1e 5sr 

T : 020 8282 6018 

crescent Business Park, lisBurn Bt28 2Gn 

T: 028 9266 7030 

hello@geTclearav.co.uk • www.geTclearav.co.uk

WORK SECTORS 

The company’s public sector 

work includes parliament 

buildings, court houses, 

new build hospitals and the 

refurbishment of healthcare 

facilities, landmark public 

facilities plus significant 

schools and third level 

educational developments. 

In the private sector their 

solutions focused approach 

has brought in work in 

airports, retail, residential and 

commercial projects. 

Caldwell Consulting makes 

commercial sense, meeting 

deadlines and delivering 

value on all projects where 

quality and bottom line performance go hand in hand. 

Mark Taylor, MD at Caldwell Consulting is proud of the company’s history and success with clients. “We develop long term 

relationships with our Clients by partnering closely with them. Clients tell us they value our capability to engineer practical and 

cost effective solutions that meet project requirements and customer expectations. Because our staff work directly with, but 

independently of the manufacturers, suppliers, installers and contractors, clients also benefit from cost and time savings and 

achieve consistently high quality project outcomes.” 

SERMET NI LTD 

WOULD LIKE TO 

WISH 

CALDWELL 

CONSULTING A 

HAPPY 50TH 

ANNIVERSARY 

Phone: 028 9268 2531 

info@sermet.co.uk

David Patterson and Mark Taylor. 

Sam Dill, David Doherty and Martin 

Lennon. 

Jonathan O'Neill, Samantha 

Doyle and John Watson. 

Gavin Kelly, Yvonne Clarke, Paul O'Neill 

and Alwyn Whiteman. 

Andrew Harvey, Claire Cox, Glen 

Andrews and Dermot McLaughlin. 

Samantha Black, David Crowe, Sonia Black 

and Eamon Higgins. 

Nick Drennan, Jacqueline Edwards, Jennifer Watson 

and Paul Macklin. 

Caldwell Consulting's management team. 

Alan Geddis, Steven Lennon, Sarah Brady 

and Karl Ruddle. 

Mark Taylor. 

Brian Watson.

Diamond Systems would like to wish 

Caldwell Consulting a 

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY 

• Fire Detection 

• Security 

• Emergency Communications 

• Communications 

• Remote Monitoring 

E: info@diamondsystems.co.uk | W: www.diamondsystems.co.uk | T: +44 (0) 28 90 207 207 

Irwin M&E Limited would like to wish Caldwell Consulting a 

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY and we look forward to 

continuing our longstanding relationship for 

many more years to come! 

Irwin M&E deliver high end mechanical, electrical and integrated FM 

solutions throughout the UK and Ireland 

Belfast Office: Unit 14, Forty 8 North 

Business Park, 48/56 Duncrue Street, 

Belfast, BT3 9BJ 

T: +44 (0) 28 9074 7346 

E: info@irwinm-e.com 

Portadown Office: Unit 4 Diviny 

Drive, Carn, Portadown, 

BT63 5WE 

T: +44 (0) 28 3839 7990 

E: info@irwinm-e.com

Rufina Cormick, Grainne Sheppard and 

Amanda Dalzell. 

Pearse McCallan, Alan Shilliday Feargal Loy 

and Conor Blaney. 

David Hazley, Jennifer Watson, 

Niky Hazley and Brian Watson. 

Peter Greenwood, Paul O'Neill and Mathew 

Quinn. 

Fiona Newell, Brian Watson and Jennifer 

watson. 

Graeme Downey, Jonathan O'Neill and 

Eamon Higgins. 

Richard Gilmour, Ryan Nugent, Mark Mayes, 

Mark Nugent and Len Reid. 

Martin Magee, Ian Black and Claude 

Maguire. 

Jacqui Edwards, Fiona Newelll 

ans Samantha Doyle. 

Carl McAllister, Michael Yohannis and Sean 

McCormick. 

Brian Watson, Fiona Newell, Clive Newell 

and Jennifer Watson. 

Catherine Burns, Joy Watson, 

Tracy Taylor, Jacqui Edwards, 

Lynne Geddis and Samantha 

Doyle. 

Fiona Newell. 

Dermot McLaughlin, Patrick Swain 

and Joe McCarron. 

Mark Taylor makes a presentation 

to Fiona Newell.

ABORICULTURAL 

CONSULTANCY 

AUTOmATIC dOORS 

BUILdINg 

INfORmATION 

CONCRETE 

Professional & Impartial Services 

Tree inspections (ground & aerial) 

Tree Surveys 

Tree Hazard Identification 

Mortgage Reports 

Vegetation Management Schedules 

Legal Dispute/ Expert Witness Services 

High Hedge Legislation advice 

Planning Consultations 

Woodland Management Plans 

Tree Planting & Landscape Design 

All consultancy work is conducted by 

fully qualified and experienced personnel 

and is covered by £1m professional 

indemnity insurance. 

Clarke Cunningham 

Tree Maintenance Ltd. 

69 Upper Mealough Road 

Carryduff, BT8 8LR 

TEL: 028 9081 4488, Fax: 028 9081 4333 

Email: info@treemaintenance.com 

Website: www.treemaintenance.com 

Northstone (NI) Ltd, 

Company No. 4078, 

Registered Office: 

99 Kingsway, Dunmurry 

Belfast 

BT17 9NU 

Correspondence Address: 

Northstone (NI) Limited 

Materials Division 

Shinny Road, Coleraine 

BT51 4PS 

Tel: 028 7032 1100 

CAvITY TRAYS 

ACCESS SOLUTIONS 

Quality Access Equipment & 

Bespoke Access Solutions 

• Ladders 

• Stepladders 

• Scaffold Towers 

• Platforms & Podiums 

• Engineering & Fabrication 

• Inspections 

• Training 

Clow Group Ltd. 

2/24 Limestone Road 

Belfast 

BT15 3AJ 

Tel: +44 (0)2890 749 748 

Fax: +44 (0)2890 749 758 

Email: enquiries@clowgroup.co.uk 

Web: www.clowgroup.co.uk 

CONCRETE 

Manufacturers of preformed cavitrays, 

caviclosers, cavivents, caviweeps, 

dampcourses, arches, lintels, airbricks, 

membranes, barriers, flashings, 

ventilators; cavibricks. Radon and 

Methane protection systems. 

Wide range of preformed systems 

from the largest and longest 

established specialist. Products with 

Agrement certificates to British 

Standards. LABC Product Type 

Approval. Free design and advisory 

service. For high performance 

products with warranty. 

Cavity Trays Ltd is the only tray 

manufacturer awarded European 

Technical approval. 

Acoustic and fire barriers /stops for 

cavity wall specifications. 

Walkway Systems 

Scaffold Tower Systems 

Edge Protection System 

Fall Arrest & Personal Protection 

Equipment 

Promoting ‘Safe Working Platforms’ 

Ridgeway 

103 Airport Road 

Belfast, BT3 9ED 

Tel: 028 9045 4599 

Fax: 028 9045 4596 

Email: info@ridgeway-online.com 

Web: www.ridgeway-online.com 

TO AdvERTISE 

CONTACT... 

Siobhan Kissward 

028 9078 3218 

siobhankissward@greerpublications.com 

CES Liquid Screed 

• Reduced build height 

• Reduced drying times 

• Reduced health and 

safety risk 

• Reduced tile adhesive 

• Increased strength 

• Increased thermal 

properties 

CES LIquId SCREEd 

Doran's Rock Quarry & Concrete 

Works, 124 Crossgar Road, Saintfield, 

Co. Down, BT24 7JQ 

Email: sales@cesquarryproducts.com 

Web: www.cesquarryproducts.com 

New range to suppress sound 

transmission with up to fours hours 

fire integrity rating 

Level threshold isolation dpc's and 

compatible vertical closers now 

available. 

Immediate distribution from stock 

Cavity Trays Limited 

Contact: Stephen 

Leyland Ltd, Castings House, Quarry 

Heights, North Road, 

Newtownards BT23 7SZ 

Tel: 028 9182 2522 

Fax: 028 9182 2558 

Cavity Trays Ltd 

New Administration Centre, 

Yeovil, Somerset BA22 8HU 

Tel: 01935 474769 

Fax: 01935 428223 

E-mail: enquiries@cavitytrays.co.uk

ConCrEtE 

ConCrEtE 

FIrE & SECUrItY 

GAS 

“Northern Ireland’s Leading Family- 

Owned Fire & Security Specialists” 

Diamond Systems have been providing 

innovative fire and security solutions for 

a range of clients, throughout Northern 

Ireland for over 27 years, from commercial 

and industrial premises to public sector 

and residential. 

Calor gas Northern 

Ireland Limited 

• Fire Detection & Alarm 

• Fire Suppression Systems 

• Integration 

• Intruder Detection & Alarm 

• CCTV 

• Access Control 

• Remote Monitoring 

• Emergency Communications Systems 

Airport Road West, 

Sydenham, 

Belfast, BT3 9EE. 

Tel: 028 9045 5588 

E-mail: info@calorgas.ie 

Website: www.calorgas.ie 

DESIgN 

INSTALLATION 

Quality Precast Solutions for 

Building and Civil Construction 

• Asset BEBO Bridge Arches 

• Redi-Rock Wall Systems 

• Box Culverts 

• Bridge Parapets 

• Manhole Rings & Slabs 

• Heads & Sills, Copings and Edgings 

• Above Ground Post-Tensioned Tanks 

Moore Concrete Products 

Caherty House, 

41 Woodside Road, 

Ballymena BT42 2QH 

Tel: 028 2565 2566 

Fax: 028 2565 8480 

Email: info@moore-concrete.com 

Web: www.moore-concrete.com 

Supplying Northern Ireland's leading 

architect and builders 

RTU LTd 

Cloughfern Avenue, 

Newtownabbey, BT37 0UZ 

T: +44 (0)28 9085 1441 

E: info@rtu.co.uk 

www.rtu.co.uk 

FACADES 

Swiss Facades 

Transforming 

Exterior Facades 

Premium Swiss Quality 

Panel Systems for High 

End Architecture 

Swiss Facades 

Contact Anne Hurl. 

Tel: +44 (0)7554 056930 

Office Tel: +44 (0)28 79632026 

Email us info@swissfacades.com 

www.swissfacades.com 

PAVInG 

Acheson & Glover has been in business for 

more than 50 years. As well as in-depth 

experience we offer the widest range of 

concrete products in the UK and Ireland - from 

manhole covers to decorative walling and 

paving. 

Then there’s our unique range of 

problem solvers: 

• SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALLS 

• ACOUSTIC BLOCKS 

• THERMAL BLOCKS 

• PERMEABLE PAVING 

• PRESTRESSED FLOORING 

• BESPOKE (contact us to discuss 

your needs) 

Acheson & glover Ltd. 

64 Old Moy Road 

Dungannon 

Co. Tyrone 

BT71 6PU 

Tel: 028 8778 4208 

Fax: 028 8778 4805 

Email: solutions@acheson-glover.com 

Web: www.acheson-glover.com 

COMMISSIONINg 

Diamond Electronic Systems Ltd 

Unit 1a Harbour Court, 

5 Heron Road, Belfast 

BT3 9HB 

Tel: 028 9020 7207 

Email: info@diamondsystems.co.uk 

www.diamondsystems.co.uk 

GAS 

MAINTENANCE 

Flogas goes far beyond simply 

managing and supplying bulk and 

cylinder LP Gas requirements. 

Choosing LP Gas from Flogas not only 

opens the door to a versatile, highly 

efficient energy source with affordable 

installation and running costs – we 

create and implement tailored energy 

solutions specific to client applications. 

Our experience covers a 

comprehensive range of markets 

including domestic (both single 

dwelling and metered estates), 

catering, commercial, industrial, 

agricultural and automotive. 

CPD Learning 

CPD sessions are now available from 

Flogas to assist architects, planning 

consultants and other specifiers in 

updating their core learning and 

knowledge. For more information visit 

www.flogasni.com/cpd. 

Flogas 

Airport Road West 

Belfast Harbour Estate 

BELFAST BT3 9ED 

Tel: 028 9073 2611 

Email: info@flogasni.com 

Web: www.flogasni.com 

Calor is a leading supplier 

of cleaner, efficient LPG 

energy solutions in 

Northern Ireland with 

specialist knowledge 

covering all sectors 

Including Industrial, 

Commercial, Hospitality, 

Agriculture, and 

Domestic. 

We offer our customers: 

• Tailored energy 

solution 


• Technical support and 

guidance 

• 24-hour emergency 

call out 

Calor Accredited CPD 

programme available. 

Content includes LPg 

Product Knowledge, 

gas Regulations and 

Standards. Courses 

are FREE of charge and 

available by arrangement 

with one of our Calor 

Business Development 

Engineers. Contact 

cpd@calorgas.ie

industrial doors 

Metal Finishing 

oFFice Furniture 

PaVing 

Industrial Doors & Loading Bay 

Equipment Automatic Gates, Traffic 

Barriers, Turnstiles, Electric Overhead 

Cranes, Hoists, Lifting Gear 

Britannia Electrical Services 

Unit 4, McKinney Industrial Estate, 

Hydepark, Mallusk BT36 4PX 

Specializing in 

Contemporary 

Office Furniture 

Tel: 028 9083 8030 

Fax: 028 9083 8058 

Email: bes.doors@btconnect.com 

Website: www.besdoors.co.uk 

insurance - 

interMediaries 

Local construction insurance 

expertise at competitive terms 

Metal Mesh 

"Modern office furniture 

including desking, 

seating, storage 

as well breakout & 

canteen furniture with a 

contemporary twist." 

Plastic sheets/ 

shaPes 

Willis & Company provide a wide 

range of Insurance products to protect 

your business as well as Health & 

Safety and Risk Management Services. 

• Employers & Public Liability 

Insurance 

• Contractors "All Risks" Insurance 

• Motor Fleet Insurance 

• Professional Indemnity Insurance 

• Property & Business Interruption 

Insurance 

• Latent Defects Insurance 

• Bonds 

Contact Keith Hynds or David Stevenson 

on 028 9032 9042 

Email: info@willisinsurance.co.uk 

Web: www.willisinsurance.co.uk 

Mats and 

Matting 

"Twil" Weldmesh 

EXPAMET Expanded Metal, 

FLOWFORGE Open Steel Flooring, 

Handrail Standards & Stair Treads, 

PERFORATED Metal Sheets, 

Comprehensive Stock Range, 

Ridgeway 

103 Airport Road, 

Belfast BT3 9ED 

Tel: 028 9045 4599 

Fax: 028 9045 4596 

Email: info@ridgeway-online.com 

Web: www.ridgeway-online.com 

Partitions 

(acoustic) 

Our furniture is designed 

for customers seeking 

high quality products 

at competitive prices. 

For more information 

on our ranges 

contact us today on: 

028 9581 0189 

www.oplanofficefurniture.co.uk 

service 

support 

range 

• Perspex 

• Lexan solid polycarbonate 

• Marlon multi wall polycarbonate 

• Engineering plastics 

• Machined Parts 

24 Stockmans Way, 

Musgrave Park Industrial Estate, 

Belfast BT9 7ET 

Tel: 028 9066 8358 

Fax: 028 9066 0623 

Email: plastics@comcoplastics.co.uk 

Web: www.comcoplastics.co.uk 

N. Ireland distributors and stockists 

for Coral mats and matting. Nuway 

entrance matting systems, threshold 

matting and tiles, rubber, plastic, coir 

and anti-fatigue matting, Gradus 

stairnosings, safety flooring, Flexi tiles, 

Studded rubber and Jaymart products. 

Matrex Mats and Matting 

24B Portadown Road, Lurgan, 

Co. Armagh BT66 8QX 

Tel: 028 3832 8857 

Fax: 028 3832 1058 

Mobile: 07831 141305 

E-mail: matrex@btconnect.com 

Web: www.matrexmatsandmatting.co.uk 

We at Masters Choice Ltd have been 

manufacturing acoustic partitions and 

joinery products for over 20 years. All 

products offered by Masters Choice are 

manufactured at our workshop by 

experienced and dedicated tradesmen to 

the highest quality and standard. As we 

manufacture all products ourselves which 

allows us to offer a full range of services 

including Design. We manufacture and 

install all products to our Clients specific 

requirements. We also offer an after 

sales care package on all products 

provided. 

Master's Choice Ltd 

Silverbridge, Newry 

N. Ireland, BT35 9LJ 

Tel: (028) 30861032 

Fax: (028) 30861693 

E-mail: shona@masterschoice.co.uk 

PaVing 

Hire Centres 

FreePhone 

0800 1 970 970 

PuMPing 

DRILLING 

& PUMPING 

SUPPLIES LTD 

Are one of the foremost pump 

distributors in Ireland, holding agencies 

for some of the worlds leading pump 

manufacturers. 

We offer a complete design / supply 

/ install service with the technical 

expertise and product range to support 

everything from domestic / commercial 

packaged pump stations to bespoke 

systems for municipal applications. 

Our specialities include: 

• Hot / cold water boosting 

• Rainwater harvesting 

• Food and pharmaceutical 

• Sewage and storm pumping systems 

• Leachate systems 

Drilling & Pumping Supplies Ltd 

Tel: 028 9181 8347 

Email: sales@dps-ni.com

RECRUitmEnt 

safEty 

safEty 

washROOm 

systEms 

All Ireland Sales 

and Marketing 

Recruitment 

Specialists 

• Advertising/Media 

• Building & Construction 

• Chemicals 

• FMCG/Foodservice 

• IT 

• Marketing 

• Retail 

• Telecoms 

• Technical/ 

Construction 

Providing on-site safety for: 

• Construction 

• Maintenance 

• Engineering 

Lifeline Air Bags 

Mobile: 07748 786 076 

Fax: 028 8772 9262 

E-mail: malachymckee@me.com 

Web: www.lifelineairbags.co.uk 

PlastER & 

PlastERBOaRD 

PRONET 

SAFETY SERVICES 

Products and Services 

The following sections provide an overview 

of what we can provide, please contact us if 

you have a particular problem or application 

that isn’t featured on our site. 

• Horizontal, Vertical, Inclined and 

Overhead Cable Systems 

• Mobile Anchors 

• Eyebolts 

• Demarcation 

• Annual systems Retest 

• Risk Assessment 

• Maintenance 

• Training 

Pronet Safety Services 

Tel: 028 9337 3967 

Fax: 028 9335 3518 

Email: info@pronetsafetyservices.com 

Web: www.pronetsafetyservices.com 

Web: www.pronetsafetyproducts.com 

PlastER & 

PlastERBOaRD 

Design that lasts 

Extensive range of washroom systems 

Outstanding quality & performance 

Exceptional service & support 

Petal 

Email: info@petal.co.uk 

w: www.petal.co.uk 

wall & DOOR 

PROtECtiOn 

Unit 2, 1 Edgewater Road, 

Belfast Harbour, 

Belfast, BT3 9JQ 

Tel: +44 28 9077 0999 

E: glenn.mccormick@salesplacement.com 

Web: www.salesplacement.com 

REtaining walls 

Retain provides a design supply & 

installation service for a range of earth 

retention systems. All of the systems 

are class leaders. This ensures clients 

confidence that the most suitable 

system is used in each given application. 

• Greenface • Andacrib • Modular Block 

• Gabions • Installation • Permacrib 

Retain Solutions Ltd 

56 York Street, Belfast 

BT15 1AS 

Tel: 028 9031 3881 

Email: retain@retain.co.uk 

www.retain.co.uk 

Gyproc is the market leader in plaster, 

plasterboard and drylining systems, 

manufacturing in Ireland since 1936, with a 

long history of providing innovative, costeffective 

and reliable products that meet 

the demands of the construction industry. 

Looking to the future Gyproc is determined 

to remain at the forefront, as market leader, 

continuing to provide innovative, sustainable 

design solutions for the buildings of the future. 

Gyproc, Ireland 

Unit 4, Kilcarbery Business Park, 

Nangor Rd, Dublin 22, Ireland 

Direct Line 01-6298400 

www.gyproc.ie 

Email: enquiries@gyproc.ie 

PVC BUilDing 

PRODUCts 

Specialists in uPVC Building 

Products. 

• FASCIA & SOFFITS 

• HYGEINIC WALL CLADDING 

• WINDOW TRIMS 

• RAINWATER SYSTEMS 

Head Office: 

Unit 2 Musgrave Park Industrial Estate, 

26 Stockmans Way, Belfast, 

BT9 7ET 

TEL: 02890381990 

www.wilplas.com 

E-mail Sales@wilplas.com 

Branches at: 

Ballymena 

028 25645380 

National Housebuilding 

Council (NHBC) Northern Ireland 

Holyrood Court, 59 Malone Road, 

Belfast BT9 6SA 

Tel: 028 9068 3131 

Fax: 028 9068 3258 

tREE CaRE 

sERViCEs 

Professional & Impartial Services 

Crown lifting / Raising / Crown Reduction 

Selective / Formative Pruning 

Deadwooding / Crown Cleaning 

Storm Damage Rectification (24hr) 

Removal of dead, diseased and 

dangerous trees 

Sectional removal with the aid of 

mobile crane 

Stump Grinding, Root Removal and 

Root Pruning 

Conifer Maintenance 

High Hedge Legislation advice 

Young Tree Maintenance 

Shrub Pruning / Grounds Maintenance 

Woodland Management 

Tree Planting 

Composted Woodchip and 

Firewood Sales 

Fully equipped, insured and qualified 

Arboricultural Association 

Approved Contractor 

Clarke Cunningham 

Tree Maintenance Ltd. 

69 Upper Mealough Road 

Carryduff, BT8 8LR 

TEL: 028 9081 4488, Fax: 028 9081 4333 

Email: info@treemaintenance.com 

Website: www.treemaintenance.com 

Products: 

Protection Rails 

Handrails 

Wall Protection 

Door Protection 

Heavy Duty Protection 

Yeoman Shield provides a range of functional 

and attractive wall and door protection 

systems for new build and refurbishment 

projects. 

Our wide range of rails, wall sheet, corner 

and door protection systems are designed 

to prevent expensive and unsightly damage 

to the internal fabric of commercial and 

public buildings. 

New for 2016 as part of celebrating 

50 years in the trade Yeoman Shield 

are launching a new range of Guardian 

Handrails to complement their wall & door 

protection products. 

Information on all Yeoman Shield products 

can be found at www.yeomanshield.com or call 

the sales office to request a brochure. 

Yeoman Shield 

c/o Harrison Thompson & Co Ltd 

Whitehall Estate 

Whitehall Road 

Leeds 

LS12 5JB 

Tel: +44 113 279 5854 

Email: sallyann@yeomanshield.com 

Cookstown 

028 86764422 

Newry 

028 30252499 

Next issue... 

nEXt issUE... 

August/September 2016 

JUnE/JUly 2016

Appointments |59 

APPOINTMENTS 

Andrew Givan, Senior Surveyor - Property Management, 

Lambert Smith Hampton 

Andrew Givan has been appointed senior surveyor of property management at Lambert 

Smith Hampton. Andrew graduated from Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh in 2006 with 

BSc (Hons) Estate Management and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered 

Surveyors. He commenced employment with Lambert Smith Hampton in 2013 and 

manages a mixed portfolio of assets throughout the UK. 

Andrew Mearns, Senior Surveyor, Lambert Smith Hampton 

Andrew Mearns has been appointed senior surveyor at Lambert Smith Hampton. 

Andrew has five years’ experience working within the Scottish commercial market 

specialising in the valuation and disposal of commercial property and development land. 

He has spent 18 months with Lambert Smith Hampton in Northern Ireland covering 

valuation of all property classes including going concern and investment valuations as well as 

development appraisals. 

David Horisk, Director – Building Consultancy 

David Horisk has been appointed head of building consultancy at Lambert Smith Hampton 

in Belfast with overall responsibility for leading service line delivery to existing and new 

clients. He has over 13 years of commercial building consultancy experience and has been 

involved in the delivery of building surveying and project management services to both 

public and private clients throughout the UK and Ireland. 

Steven McKee, Associate Director 

Steven McKee has been appointed associate director at Lambert Smith Hampton. 

Steven joined Lambert Smith Hampton in 2008, when he commenced employment within 

the Property Management Division. He was elected as a professional member of the RICS 

in 2011. His current role involves the management of a large shopping centre in Northern 

Ireland, prestigious office developments in Belfast City Centre and a large mixed use 

industrial scheme in the UK. 

PRODUCT NEWS 

Irish grind school sees 

benefit of Gerflor 

The Institute of Education 

occupies seven large 

Georgian buildings on its 

Dublin City Centre campus 

and is one of the largest 

private second level schools 

and ‘grind’ schools in Ireland, 

sending more students to 

third-level colleges than any 

other school in Ireland. 

With a refurbishment 

due, the overall level of 

academic excellence would 

spill over onto the institute’s 

requirements for top quality 

throughout the project. 

The flooring aspect would 

take the full brunt of the 

new requirements with 

international flooring and 

interiors specialist Gerflor 

rising to the top of the 

class to deliver the requisite 

quality. 

They would specify some 

1200m2 of Gerflor’s Taralay 

Impression Comfort flooring, 

spread over three levels and 

colour themed in red, blue 

and yellow. 

Email: contractuk@gerflor.com 

Website: www.gerflor.co.uk

web directory 

www.wilplas.com 

Siobhan Paul Bradwell, 

to advertise Kissward 

Sales Manager 

ContaCt... 028 9078 3218 

Tel: 028 9078 3200 

siobhankissward@greerpublications.com 

paulbradwell@greerpublications.com 

www.diamondsystems.co.uk 

www.spanwall.com 

www.calorgas.ie 

www.1080.co.uk 

www.flogasni.com 

www.gqaqualifications.com 

www.jncfence.com

Web web Directory directory |61 |53 

www.nkfencing.com 

www.acefixings.com 

www.contractceilings.com 

www.bestvaluegabions.com 

www.whitemountain.co.uk 

www.ridgefence.com 

Whitemountain Quarries Ltd, 11 Sheepwalk Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim. BT28 3RD 

Telephone: 028 9250 1000 • Fax: 028 9250 1100 

www.willisinsurance.co.uk 

www.oplanofficefurniture.co.uk

54| 62| Web web Directory directory 

www.matrexmatsandmatting.co.uk 

www.tinnelly.com 

www.heynwaste.co.uk 

www.cphire.com 

www.petal.co.uk 

www.hutchinson-engineering.co.uk 

www.masterschoice.co.uk 

www.sdg.ie

web directory |55 

Web Directory |63 

www.mclarke.co.uk 

www.balloohire.com 


www.treemaintenance.com 

www.pronetsafetyservices.com 


www.gyproc.ie 

www.yeomanshield.com

64 | prices 

Building Materials Prices 

V B Evans & Company are pleased to have been chosen to undertake responsibility for the bi-monthly collation of this data and sponsor its publication. 

With over 65 years of experience in business the firm provides a wide range of quality assured professional quantity surveying and other consultancy 

services to Northern Ireland clients who seek value for money and appropriate contract advice for their building design or refurbishment proposals. 

The Specify Prices published here are representative of the market price of each building material, having been assessed from a variety of local sources 

which in the present competitive economic climate prefer not to be named. Readers are advised to verify individual prices with a local merchant for their 

particular needs since our prices are necessarily averaged for guidance purposes. 

We hope that these pages may be of assistance to readers but would welcome any constructive suggestions for amendment to include information which 

would be appropriate to your needs. 

Material prices at May 2016. Prices are exclusive of VAT. Discounts will apply. 

This information is compiled specifically for Specify periodicals and is copyright. 

Chartered Surveyors 

3 Pilot's View, Heron Road 

Belfast BT3 9LE 

Tel: 028 9045 7000 

Fax: 028 9045 7040 

Web: www.vbevans.com 

Quantity Surveying 

Building Surveying 

Project Management 

CDM Planning Supervision 

AGGREGATES 

Full loads delivered Central Belfast 

50mm Crusher run 

100mm Crusher run 

Fine Blinding 

Coarse Blinding 

6mm Stone 

10mm Stone 

Building Sand 

Washed Sand 

BRICKS 

Metric-sized concrete bricks delivered 

Facings 

Blanchardstown Antique 

Fergustie Country Mixture 

Richmond Mixture 

Irish Dacharne 

Devenish 

Ardagh Gold Textured 

Lismore Slate Textured 

CARCASSING TIMBER 

CEMENT 

Bulk Cement delivered in 15-tonne loads 

to Greater Belfast Area 

Ordinary Portland Cement 

Sulphate Resisting Cement 

Bagged cement delivered in 15-tonne 

loads to Greater Belfast Area 

Ordinary Portland Cement 

CEMENT MORTARS 

In full loads delivered to Central Belfast 

Standard 1 lime mortar 

Tinted mortar ref. 

Y4 

Y15 

Y135 

Y91 

Y10 

per tonne 

£16.00 

£16.50 

£15.50 

£15.50 

£17.50 

£20.50 

£21.00 

£18.50 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, not 

exceeding 5.7 metres. 

50x19 

75x19 

125x19 

38x25 

75x25 

150x25 

50x38 

100x38 

150x38 

50x50 

100x50 

125x50 

100x75 

200x75 

150x100 

per 1,000 

£372.00 

£377.00 

£337.00 

£362.00 

£337.00 

£337.00 

£327.00 

NB Clay brick prices are not included because of the 

enormous variation in types, quality and prices from various 

sources. 

per 100m 

£46.50 

£69.00 

£112.00 

£42.00 

£51.00 

£99.50 

£78.00 

£118.00 

£93.50 

£93.50 

£148.00 

£168.50 

£205.00 

£460.00 

£380.00 

per tonne 

£139.00 

£164.00 

per tonne 

£355.00 

per tonne 

£26.00 

£45.00 

£52.00 

£44.00 

£54.00 

£55.00 

CONCRETE BLOCKS 

Metric-sized concrete blocks, delivered to 

Belfast area, full loads, mechanically off-loaded 

per 1,000 

440x215x100 3.5N/mm 2 

£424.00 

440x215x100 7Nmm 2 

£433.50 

440x215x100 10Nmm 2 

£434.00 

440x300x100 7Nmm 2 

£513.50 

440x300x100 10Nmm 2 

£535.00 

Concrete brick 15Nmm 2 

£410.00 

440x215x100 Tolite 

803.00 

FINISHED SOFTWOOD 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, finished sizes. 

per 100m 

Parana Pine 

20x8 

44x8 

Whitewood 

32x12 

69x12 

32x19 

44x19 

32x32 

69x32 

69x44 

94x44 

69x69 

INDUSTRIAL AND 

FIRE-RESISTING BOARD 

£61.00 

£94.00 

£51.00 

£80.50 

£61.00 

£73.00 

£79.50 

£136.50 

£175.00 

£226.00 

£258.00 

Prices are exclusive of delivery. 

Terms for SUPALUX non-combustible asbestos-free 

fire-resisting board - price per sheet up to 149m 2 

6mm 9mm 12mm 

sanded sanded sanded 

2440x1220 £50.00 £52.30 £70.00 

MASTERBOARD 

Class O asbestos-free multi-purpose building 

board sanded finish. 

Price per sheet up to 149m 2 

6mm 9mm 12mm 

2440x1220 £62.50 £75.00 £96.50 

PLASTERING MATERIALS 

Per tonne, ex-works (delivery by arrangement) 

Lightweight aggregate pre-mixed gypsum 

plaster to BS 1191, Part 2. 

Metal lathing undercoat 

Bonding 

Finish 

Gypsum plasterboard to BS 1230 

per sheet (2400 mm x 1200 mm) 

9.5mm thick plasterboard 

9.5mm thick foil-backed plasterboard 

per bundle (6 Nr 1219mm x 406mm) 

9.5mm thick plasterlath 

9.5mm thick foil-back plasterboard 

per 100 lin. feet 

Galvanised standard angle bead 

Galvanised plasterstop (10mm) 

Galvanised external renderstop 

£301.00 

£358.00 

£320.00 

£10.00 

£14.00 

£16.00 

£10.80 

£10.00 

£13.00 

£26.50

READY MIXED CONCRETES 

Ordinary Portland Cement in full loads 

delivered to Central Belfast 

1:10 by volume 

1:2:4 by volume 

1:3:6 by volume 

20 N/mm 2 :20mm aggregate 



per cub. metre 

£65.00 

£79.00 

£71.00 

£66.00 

£70.00 

£73.00 

SOFTWOOD FLOORING, 

SHEETING AND PANELING 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, 

finished sizes. 

114x19 

89x12 

114x12 

89x12 

94x12 

T + G Whitewood 

TG + V Whitewood 

TG + V Whitewood 

TG + V Redwood 

TG + Open V Redwood 

£94.00 

£69.00 

£80.50 

£98.50 

£108.00 

In the next issue of 

ROOF SLATES AND TILES 

Fibre Cement Slates ex-yard 

Thrutone 

Thrutone Relief 

Concrete tiles delivered Central Belfast 

Interlocking flat tile 

Double roll tile 

Single roll tile 

Half round ridge tile - 457mm long 

Angular ridge tile - 457mm long 

SAWN REDWOOD 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths. 

100x50 

150x50 

100x63 

150x63 

200x63 

100x75 

150x75 

200x75 

SAWN WHITEWOOD 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths. 

50x25 

100x25 

150x25 

275x25 

75x50 

125x50 

175x50 

250x50 

100x75 

200x75 

250x75 

SOFTWOOD SHELVING 

Per 100 metres, ex-yard, random lengths, 

finished sizes 

119x12 

144x12 

169x12 

219x12 

119x19 

144x19 

194x19 

244x19 

269x19 

per 1,000 

£1500.00 

£1600.00 

£860.00 

£860.00 

£800.00 

per tile 

£4.80 

£5.40 

£224.00 

£318.00 

£243.00 

£379.60 

£519.00 

£304.00 

£457.00 

£683.00 

£40.00 

£74.00 

£102.50 

£191.50 

£120.00 

£204.00 

£260.00 

£440.00 

£227.50 

£492.00 

£753.90 

£79.60 

£94.80 

£110.30 

£164.30 

£97.30 

£129.10 

£173.50 

£234.50 

£325.60 

STEEL REINFORCEMENT 

Mild Steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449. High yield 

steel reinforcing bars to BS 4449/4461. 

One size, bent and labelled, per tonne, delivered to 

Central Belfast 

Diameter/mm Mild Steel High Yield 

6 £755.00 £845.00 

8 £755.00 £845.00 

10 £755.00 £845.00 

12 £755.00 £845.00 

20 £755.00 £845.00 

25 £755.00 £845.00 

32 £755.00 £845.00 

40 £755.00 £845.00 

Mesh Fabric to BS 4483 ex-yard per sheet (one or 

mixed references) 

per sheet 

BS reference A 98 £36.50 

A142 £36.50 

A193 £40.50 

A252 £45.00 

A393 £78.00 

B503 £78.00 

B785 £85.00 

Heavy section steel ex-yard in lots of over 5T 

per tonne 

UC 152x152x23 £955.00 

203x203x46 £1300.00 

254x254x73 £1360.00 

305x305x118 £1245.00 

356x368x153 £1430.00 

UB 305x165x40 £1245.00 

356x127x37 £1245.00 

406x140x39 £1245.00 

457x152x52 £1245.00 

533x210x82 £1245.00 

TERMS FOR GLASSROCK 

Non-combustible asbestos-free fire-resisting 

board - price per sheet up to 149m 2 . 

6mm 10mm 12.5mm 

sanded sanded sanded 

2400x1200 £49.50 £51.50 £69.00 

UPVC DRAIN PIPES 

AND FITTINGS 

Pipes and fittings to BS 4600. List price ex-yard. 

Large quantities will attract considerable discounts. 

110mm 

Plain sewer, per 6m £10.50 

Pipe coupler, ea £3.50 

Single oblique branch, ea £11.00 

Single swept branch, ea £12.00 

45˚ short radius, ea £6.20 

87½˚ short radius bend, ea £6.20 

45˚ long radius bend, ea £17.00 

90˚ long radius bend, ea £19.00 

Straight channel £18.50 

45˚ curved channel, ea £23.00 

160mm 

£23.00 

£7.50 

£25.00 

£25.00 

£17.00 

£15.50 

£32.00 

£32.00 

£31.00 

£58.00 

CEF Specify 

Construction 

Excellence 

awards 2016 finalists 

Concrete in 

Construction 

August/September 2016.

66| Interview 

Murphy’s Law 

Specify talks to Stuart Murphy, Partner and Head of 

Construction Law, Carson McDowell 

Q: Did you plan to 

get involved in the 

construction industry? 

When I was training as a 

lawyer I did not initially think 

that I would end up working 

in the construction industry 

and did not have plans to 

do so at the outset of my 

career. 

Q: How did you start 

off? 

I got involved in 

construction cases as an 

early part of my training 

in England, working on 

construction projects in 

and around East Anglia. 

I enjoyed both the legal 

challenge of such cases, 

which often involves 

marshalling complicated 

facts and managing extensive 

volumes of documents in 

addition to legal arguments, 

as well as being involved 

with developments that 

had a real impact on their 

communities. 

Q: What have been 

the highlights of your 

career so far? 

I have particularly enjoyed 

having the opportunity 

to travel and work on 

construction projects in 

many parts of the world, 

such as Lesotho, the 

Philippines, Nigeria, Greece, 

Holland, France, Germany 

and Italy, to name a few. 

Having been born and 

brought up in Northern 

Ireland, I was pleased to 

have the opportunity to 

return to live and work 

here in 2007. Since then I 

have enjoyed being involved 

in the re-development of 

the Province and some of 

Northern Ireland’s most 

significant projects. 

Q: What was 

the best piece 

of advice 

you’ve been 

given? 

Legal advice is 

never an end in 

itself – a good 

solicitor needs to 

focus that advice 

on what the client 

is trying to achieve 

and how the 

solicitor can assist 

the client to do so. 

Q: What would 

you say to any 

students who 

are considering 

a career in 

construction? 

After the recession 

of recent years, 

now is a good time 

to be considering 

a career in 

construction. 

The current skills 

shortage in the 

industry is one of 

the most significant 

problems it is 

facing therefore 

anyone joining and 

training in construction can 

expect to find a number of 

opportunities as well as the 

prospect of good career 

advancement. In addition, 

few careers provide the 

same opportunities to 

be involved in significantly 

improving the quality of life 

of our local environment. 

Q: Do you think the 

construction sector 

needs more support 

from Stormont? 

The construction sector 

is a vital part of the local 

economy and therefore 

needs to be fully supported 

by Stormont. 

Q: What needs to be 

done to help the NI 

construction sector? 

Work needs to be done 

to ensure political stability 

and the advancement of 

the reform of the public 

sector in Northern Ireland 

to ensure the efficient and 

reliable through put of 

projects from the public 

sector pipeline. We would 

like to see more joined-up 

thinking and co-operation 

across the Executive to 

assist in the development 

of Northern Ireland’s 

infrastructure. Steps should 

also be taken to address 

the current skills shortage, 

including prioritising an 

effective apprenticeship 

programme. In addition 

reforms are necessary to 

encourage and re-energise 

the building of sustainable 

residential homes. 

Q: Tell us something 

surprising about 

yourself… 

I’m a big tennis fan and can 

name every Wimbledon 

men’s singles winner, in 

order, for the last 40 years.

Expertise in ready mix 

building solutions. 

Offering a vast range of ready mixed products including concrete, 

mortar, plaster, screed, Exposa ® Decorative Concrete and Ultraflo ® 

liquid screed for both residential and commercial projects.

FIBRAPAN 

TOTAL 

solutions in wood 

There is 

not much more 

you can ask of 

an MDF. 

The 

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MDF 

Solution 

NEW! 

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Flame Retardant 

CARB II Compliant 

Finsa R&D has developed 

this brand new solution 

that combines MR and FR 

features in an E0 - CARB2 

compliant board for the most 

demanding applications and 

specifications. 

One of the most important characteristics of 

this product is its high dimensional stability, 

low swelling and absorption and excellent 

machining quality. 

INTERIOR APPLICATIONS 

Any interior application where by need or 

specification an FR (Euroclass B) , 

MR (V313) and E0 board is needed: 

- Wall Panelling 

- Lab/Hospital Furniture 

- Acoustic Panels 

- And more....

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