All Features articles – Page 545
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Features
Crystal island
Following the great tradition of creating glass structures for public events, the Austrian city of Graz is starting its year as European Capital of Culture with Vito Acconi's astonishing Mur Island
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FeaturesFull circle
This is the tale of how David Bucknall sold his family firm, then five years later bought it back in an adrenalin-charged race against the clock. We chart the rise and fall of Citex and talks to Bucknall about how he got his old job back.
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FeaturesOn the beat with building control
It’s not easy being a building control officer – you have to be exacting yet diplomatic. We spent the day with three honchos from Southwark council and found out what eventful lives they lead – that, and not to go on a roof alone with an angry builder …
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FeaturesBack to skool: Company colleges
Here's an idea that could help you in the battle to retain your most promising employees – and get more out of them to boot. Try setting up a company university.
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FeaturesArchitectural manoeuvres on the Tyne
There is a new star on Gateshead's glittering design scene: a Foster-designed music centre. But with dedicated venues for classical and jazz butting up against each other, Laing O'Rourke had to box clever to stop the improv interfering with the Rimsky-Korsakov.
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Features
Cost update: March 2003
We focus on the cost of brick and blockwork, glances at the latest materials price changes and works out how much to pay a sparks
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Features
Arup and Interior star in 'best employers' survey
Contractor Interior and consulting engineer Arup head a list of eight construction firms named in a leading survey of good employers.Interior, which came 21st in The Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For survey, was praised for its commitment to personal career development and because the management had obtained ...
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Features
UCATT calls for direct employment rules
UCATT general secretary George Brumwell this week renewed his call for workers on government contracts to be directly employed.Brumwell made the suggestion as part of the consultation process accompanying a review of the Construction Industry Scheme, the Inland Revenue’s system for collecting tax from the construction industry.He said the government ...
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Features
Macob Construction promotes two key staff to board
Cardiff contractor Macob Construction has made two employees executive directors.Project manager Nigel Barnes has been promoted to group managing director and quantity surveyor Cathy Bousie will become group commercial director.Macob chairman John Roberts said Barnes had extensive experience of the industry and was capable of tackling prestigious projects in the ...
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Features
Higgs review set to trigger wholesale board changes
Large number of construction firms will be in breach of upcoming corporate governance guidelines.
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Features
New chief gives Schal a shake-up
Carillion arm Schal has restructured following a strategy review led by managing director Terry Chapman, writes Phil Clark.The firm, best known for high-profile construction management projects such as the Royal Opera House and Tate Modern, has now been split into five divisions (see box below).Chapman, who officially became managing director ...
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Features
Whitbread
Procurement policyStrategic partnering is the main procurement route used by Whitbread, including for its hotels, Brewers Fayre and Costa operations. Design-and-build contracts are also used occasionally.Current and future projectsWhitbread's transformation from a brewing and leisure conglomerate into a pure leisure and hotel group is proving successful. While the Marriott/Swallow hotel ...
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Features
United Utilities
Procurement policyEngineering services are provided by Montgomery Watson Harza, which liaises with the company's Process Design Group to help ensure that signature design and asset standardisation is obtained. To rationalise the supply chain of strategic equipment, the water company has entered into 42 term contracts for the design, supply and ...
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Features
Transco
Procurement policyLike all utility companies, Transco is covered by European Union regulations in terms of its capital purchasing. For example, all major contracts are advertised in the EU's Official Journal.The company uses a range of contracts, framework agreements, call-off contracts, turnkey contracts and competitive tendering. For example, contracts for new ...
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Features
Thames Water Utilities
Procurement policyFollowing publication of its forward works programme in the EU's Official Journal, Thames Water has approved 24 contractors and 10 consultants to help it deliver its capital works programme. These alliance contracts will run for three years, with an option to extend for two. From this list, three alliances ...
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Features
Tesco
Procurement policyThe bulk of Tesco's UK capital programme is let under partnership arrangements, with 10-15% let using other forms of contract.Most major developments, such as new stores and major extensions and refits, are carried out by nine contractors. These comprise national as well as large regional players and include Bowmer ...
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Features
Somerfield
Procurement policySomerfield has a small number of contractors with which it works through a partnering arrangement.Current and future projectsSomerfield entered the third year of its five-year recovery programme in early 2002. Although sales growth by the group was regarded as disappointing, capital expenditure increased to almost £120m, with the group ...
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Features
Severn Trent Water
Procurement policyLike all utility companies, Severn Trent has to meet European Union requirements when it letting contracts. This means all major contracts have to be advertised in the EU's Official Journal.In terms of new work, the company has four lists of approved suppliers covering process contracts. These cover clean and ...
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Features
Wessex Water Services
Procurement policyWessex Water has set up a partnership with Montgomery Watson Harza, called MWH Wessex. This will be responsible for delivering about £390m of investment in water and sewerage improvements over the three-year period to March 2005. Wessex Water holds 51% of this joint venture.MWH Wessex has entered into alliances ...