Supply Chain

HE Simm has appointed a new managing director to take charge of its engineering division in the south of the UK. Marcus Wallis has joined the family-owned MEP specialist from Phoenix ME, a London-based mechanical and electrical specialist focused on the datacentre sector, where he served as operations director for…

Job adverts for construction trades have slumped, according to recent analysis, with supply chain issues being blamed for constraining growth. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), which tracks the volume of vacancy adverts, said there were notable falls in construction sector roles during the first week of November. It blamed…

Morgan Sindall chief executive John Morgan has said the rising cost of construction materials has slowed the process of winning new work. He told Construction News that there have been some “headwinds” created in the market because of construction cost inflation. The situation has created problems when it comes to…

Steel-frame specialist Robinson Structures Limited has been sold under a pre-pack administration deal that has safeguarded around 70 jobs. The Derby-based firm appointed administrator PKF Smith Cooper on 4 November as it struggled to cope with a number of problems, including rising costs. Some of its assets have now been…

Metalwork specialist Architectural Fabrications Ltd has filed for administration after being hit by the rising cost of steel. The firm’s collapse has led to the loss of 70 jobs. The Sheffield-headquartered firm carried out subcontracting works including producing and installing balcony systems, glazed balustrade, railings and staircases. It had worked…

Brickmaker Ibstock has launched a new business unit, which will kickstart with a £50m investment into a a brick slip system factory. The manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products said its brand-new venture – Ibstock Futures – will be headquartered in London and will help diversify the business. This…

Nine out of 10 material suppliers expect costs to increase further over the next 12 months, according to the Construction Products Association. In its latest State of Trade Survey, 87 per cent of heavy side manufacturers – producing items such as cement, blocks and concrete – and 90 per cent…

The recent rise in energy prices is expected to push up the cost of some construction materials, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has warned. Heavy-side materials, including ceramic products, glass, steel and bricks could “soon” see significant price rises. The CLC said: “Cement supply, though struggling for example, is holding…

More than eight in 10 SME builders have had to delay work as they struggled to access the materials needed to complete jobs. 82 per cent of builders said they delayed work in the third quarter of 2021 due to material shortages, according to the latest state of trade survey…

HS2 has defended its use of steel reinforcement from a foreign fabricator, citing a lack of suitable UK suppliers. HS2 used French fabricator Sendin for the supply of pre-assembled steel reinforcement panels used for the diaphragm walls forming two ventilation shafts of the Chiltern tunnels. The British Association of Reinforcement…