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Paragon Interiors goes into administration

Fit out and refurbishment specialist Paragon Interiors Group Plc has recently gone into administration.

The Midlands based contractor is in the hands of administrators from Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery.

The joint administrators are now seeking offers for the business in order to preserve jobs and maximise the return to creditors.

It is understood that the company employs in excess of 90 people.

Paragon Interiors is not related to Interserve company Paragon which continues to trade well.

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GPD Decline Hitting UK Construction

According to recent figures, the UK economy’s been grinding its gears hard lately – and now it’s actually slipped into reverse. The Office for National Statistics is reporting that growth in Gross Domestic Product (the value of all the country’s goods and services produced) shrank 0.4% in a month. In fact the 2018 figures show that growth in the UK economy has now hit its lowest point since 2012. With an uncertain Brexit just weeks away and a skills shortfall crisis to contend with, these are uncomfortable numbers for the British construction industry.

Overall, ONS figures for the building trade show:

• Total construction output went town by 0.3% in the last 3 months of 2018, after having risen by 2.1% for the quarter before. The drop was mostly down to maintenance and repair output, which fell 2.8%.
• The maintenance and repair drop came down to decreases of 4% in figures for private housing output and 2.9% in non-housing.
• The blow was cushioned a bit by a 1.1% rise in overall new work. You can thank rises of 1.9% in infrastructure and 1.4% in private commercial work for that.
• The latest monthly figures dropped badly, with December’s all-work series falling 2.8% compared to November. That’s the biggest one-month drop since  June 2012’s 4.3% plummet.
• Looking back to 2017’s numbers, we’re seeing growth of 0.7% in construction over the last year. Again, that’s the lowest year-on-year growth rate since 2012, when output dropped by 6.9%.

Needless to say, these aren’t great numbers – and there are likely to be some knock-on effects for the industry to deal with. A general unease over awarding new projects would be pretty understandable, for one thing.

A nervous atmosphere in the industry is exactly the kind of breeding ground that leads to stalled or abandoned projects – particularly when there’s the fear of rising costs to factor in.

Work opportunities tend to dwindle down, and the looming threat of layoffs feeds into a broader perception of construction as a field weak on opportunity and prospects. With an ageing workforce and a skills shortfall, people are just leaving the industry and not coming back.

Construction thrives on innovation, and is learning fast how to pull in talent from other fields. The other side to that, obviously, is that people with transferable skills will simply transfer themselves back out when the going gets too uneven.

Putting it all in perspective, if you’re working in the building trade it’s a challenging time. At RIFT, we see more and more of our construction customers struggling over finding new jobs and making the most of existing ones.

It’s more important than ever to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax – and claiming back what you’re owed from HMRC. That takes expertise that few people have – and it’s the reason RIFT are the UK’s leading tax specialists. From welders to window fitters, when it comes to handling tax refunds in construction, you’re better off with RIFT.

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Let’s Get More Women Into Engineering – an International Women’s Day plea from training provider DTL

Attracting more women into construction and engineering must become a higher priority for government and employers, urges Develop Training Ltd (DTL).

The training company says redressing the gender imbalance is not just desirable from an ideological viewpoint but also a means of helping to tackle the chronic skills shortage afflicting the industry. Two thirds of employers say a shortage of engineers is a threat to their business.

DTL, whose customers include household names in the utilities and energy sectors, highlighted the issue to coincide with International Women’s Day on Friday March 8.

This year, International Women’s Day kicks off a year-long campaign with the theme #BalanceForBetter. Organisers say: “Balance is not a women’s issue, it’s a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, a gender-balance of employees… Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive.”

John Kerr, DTL’s Director of Education & Training, said: “The industries we serve are among the most male-dominated in the country. Only nine per cent of the UK’s engineering workforce is female, and we have the lowest percentage of female engineering professionals in Europe.”

He said the challenges included improving the way construction and engineering were portrayed in schools, encouraging girls and young women to study engineering-related subjects and changing perceptions of working in the industry.

“In many ways, the obstacles to bringing more women into the sector are the same as we face in attracting young people,” said Mr Kerr. “The industry offers well-paid, secure and skilled work with great career prospects, but it still encounters prejudiced ideas of dirty manual labour. There are a number of excellent initiatives to attract women into engineering and construction, and some great role models, and we hope that broader changes in society will also play a part in breaking down barriers. We support International Women’s Day and the Balance For Better campaign in their efforts to make a difference.”

One female role model is DTL’s own Nicola Smith, who swapped life as a stockbroker to become an engineer.

Nicola has been a Lecturer in Smart Meter installation with DTL since February 2017, passing on the skills and knowledge she developed during her time as a hands-on installer to others. Having started work as a cashier for a building society, she

quickly progressed in the financial services sector, eventually becoming a stockbroker based in London’s Canary Wharf, but she had a nagging feeling that she wanted to do something else.

At age 19, she applied for a mechanics course, but the man she spoke to about it put her off. Years later, when an apprenticeship at British Gas came up, she grabbed the opportunity.

“At that time British Gas were one of the few companies offering to pay people while they learned,” Nicola recalls. “Fortunately, many more companies offer apprenticeships today.”

Nicola said she was completely accepted by her team-mates, but she had to challenge public perceptions that engineers were men. “Customers would say to me ‘but when will the engineer be here?’ and I’d have to explain that I was the engineer,” she says.

Nicola hopes that at DTL, she can play a part in encouraging women into engineering: “I’m a massive advocate of encouraging more women into the industry.  I really want to encourage women to see it as a career choice. There’s genuinely nothing a man can do that we can’t. With practice, you become just as capable as your male colleagues. I really can’t shout loudly enough about it.”

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Ways the UK construction industry is adapting

The last few years have been difficult for many industries, but for the construction industry, it’s been particularly trying. Since the 2016 referendum, ongoing uncertainty within the sector has meant construction businesses have had to deal with the world’s hesitation to tie themselves into a British project of any kind.

Brexit isn’t the only challenge facing the construction industry. The effects of an aging workforce, the growing demand for more eco-friendly alternatives to traditional construction methods, and the introduction of many new technologies has meant that the sector must adapt rapidly.

2019’s challenges

Let’s look in more detail at these ongoing challenges for the industry this year. From profitability to sustainability, economic, social and political factors all play a part in the success of firms within this industry. Here is a selection of the major problems that the construction industry is fighting against in 2019:

Retirement and skill shortages

Last year saw the worst recorded level of skill shortages within the construction industry, and it’s only set to continue. From bricklayers, carpenters and plumbers, to electricians and plasterers; the scarcity of employees is reportedly across the board. An aging workforce means more retirement, which means the gap needs to be filled with new workers. But with less than one in 10 young people considering a job in construction, the sector needs to do more to entice the next generation of employee.

After all, the sector isn’t looking particularly appealing to foreign workers anymore, thanks to Brexit. In fact, a third of EU construction workers are said to be considering leaving the UK, further widening the skills shortage for the sector. On top of this, while skill shortage is a large enough issue, it is also having another detrimental effect on the industry — cost. Due to the lack of skilled tradespeople, wages are rising for jobs within the sector, which, along with a rise in material cost, is impacting on profitability for building companies.

Leaving the EU (and everything that comes with it)

The problem of uncertainty is rife when it comes to Brexit. While there is speculation regarding how the construction sector will fare after 29 March 2019 — the official leaving date — negotiations are ongoing, and we don’t yet know how taxes, imports and labour between the UK and EU will pan out.

But it’s not just labourers from the European Union that the sector stands to lose out on. According to government data, around 60% of imported building materials come from the EU. Combine this with a potential negative change in VAT and tax, and a loss of access to the European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund — major investors in construction SMEs — and we could see higher product prices and less capital for the construction sector. 

Worrying for the world

There’s also pressure on the construction sector to adapt to greener methods too. According to the World Economic Forum, the construction industry can account for up to 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. With a global drive to crackdown on carbon emissions, any sector that doesn’t assist with this initiative could run the risk of incurring sanctions and fines — another potential hit that could affect the construction industry’s profitability.

New technology

The construction industry also needs to keep up with all the latest technological advances in order to stay relevant on a global scale. From robotics to BIM — building information modelling — there’s a wave of new technologies and gadgets available to help make construction more efficient and profitable. However, this is only possible if building firms of all sizes are willing to get on board with a new way of working.

Ways the sector can adapt

The problem of labour shortages

First, the industry must address the matter of its workforce. The Chartered Institute of Building claims that the construction sector will need to secure 157,000 new recruits by 2021 if it wants to keep up with demand. One method of enhancing the construction workforce is perhaps to encourage more apprenticeships in the industry — and positively, apprenticeship starts are at a record high in the UK construction industry at the moment. 

With skilled workers from the EU no longer as readily available, the sector needs to work on homegrown talent. If the industry wants to prosper down the line, it will need to keep encouraging young workers to take on apprenticeship programmes as soon as possible, whether this is via positive workplace initiatives, bonuses or a closer relationship with schools.

Imports  

It’s impossible to predict the full impact of Brexit right now. However, it’s clear that material costs and the ease of employing the labour of EU nationals are the sector’s greatest concerns. To keep material costs down, building companies must keep a detailed inventory of what they have and what they need. Replacing can be more costly than simply repairing and vice versa, while not ‘shopping around’ for the best local prices can mean bargains are missed. Although we may not see a significant increase in charges and tax for EU imports, it may be worth sourcing UK- and none EU-based alternatives now to ease the pressure in 2019.

Keeping it green

Going green isn’t a choice, it’s a necessity. The government is determined to lower carbon emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels by 2050. So, the construction industry needs to be active in reducing its contribution to emissions if it wants to avoid potential financial penalties.

Highlighting the need to recycle in the sector will certainly help. Furthermore, many construction vehicles and equipment, such as work platforms, come with eco-friendlier hybrid motors or can be powered by batteries, while utilising solar energy panels, non-toxic paint, locally-grown timber, and low-energy lightbulbs during the construction process will all contribute to a greener industry.

Continuing to bring in new technology

The construction industry also needs to stay ahead of the technology game. Construction software that eases communication between different teams on a single building project is growing in use and popularity across the sector, as are BIM and augmented reality technologies which help project managers spot potentially costly issues before the physical construction. Similarly, robotic machines are helping ease the pressure of a lack of low-level workers while making potentially hazardous jobs easier to complete, and advances in materials — such as self-healing and permeable concrete solutions — are solving longstanding problems, like cracked building foundations.

There are many benefits to this. For example, it’s possible that construction companies can help protect themselves from using inefficient, labour-intensive and environmentally-unfriendly methods by learning about new technologies and bringing them into their workspaces.

The construction sector is certainly in the midst of a difficult time.  However, a bright future is not unattainable. By adopting eco-friendly processes, being responsive to new technology, having a plan in place for Brexit, and encouraging apprentices to come on board, the sector can thrive in 2019 and beyond.

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Wood for Good Marketing Summit to put health and wellbeing into practice

How to Remove Tough Stains from Your Asphalt Driveway

Here in Wisconsin, we know how important it is to get repairs and maintenance done before the winter weather hits. Once the snows start falling, it's virtually impossible to do any outside work, especially once the temperatures head below zero.

That's probably why we get so many calls around this time of year from people wondering how to get stains out of their asphalt driveway.

Asphalt driveway stains seem to accumulate in the summer and autumn.

• People spill oil while doing an oil change
• Crushed leaves decay and leave stains behind
• Dark 'shadows' on asphalt linger behind from piles of leaves or mulch.

 

Luckily, you don't need an asphalt paving specialist to clean a stained asphalt driveway. It's easy to do yourself, with nothing but common household items.

How to Remove Stains from Asphalt Pavement

Whether it’s leaves, oil, chalk or paint, removing stains from asphalt can be tough! Follow these DIY tips from our experts to remove unwanted stains from your driveway or parking lot.

Step 1: The first step to stain removal is to clean your asphalt surface. No matter what caused the stain or how you decide to remove it, use a hose to clear away as much of the debris as possible.Click here to learn more about the do’s and don’t of pressure washing asphalt.

Step 2: Next, use a household cleaner on the stain, like soap, diluted vinegar or dishwashing liquid. There are many environmentally friendly options that may be a good choice for you. Use a stiff bristled brush to scrub suds in, rinse and repeat. Get more tips on stain cleaning now, like how long you should let the cleaning solution sit on the stain.

Get more cleaning tips here: Sweep Away Leaves And Debris To Extend The Life Of Your Asphalt

How to Remove Oil Spills from Pavement and Parking Lots

Removing oil spills and vehicle fluids can be a very tricky business. Our experts have some sound advice you should consider trying.

Step 1: Try to absorb as much as of the excess liquid or spill as possible. Non-clump cat litter, sawdust or gravel are all great options for liquid absorption. These materials will soak up any of the liquid you cannot remove with a rag or towel. Sometimes it is best to leave the cat litter, or other material, on the stain overnight. Learn more about cleaning now.

Step 2: Sweep away the material and spray the stain with a hose to clean it off. Next, you’re ready to try a cleaning solution to help remove the stain.

How to Remove Mulch and Oil Stains from Driveways

Did you leave your pile of mulch on your driveway too long? Did you accidentally spill some oil while you were repairing your car? Don’t worry! We have some expert tips that can help you get the stains out of your asphalt surface.

Take a look now: Asphalt Maintenance Tips - Removing Mulch And Oil Stains

Driveway Cleaning Tools and Cleaning Solutions

When you are ready to tackle a stubborn stain, what types of tools and cleaning solutions should you use? You’ve just read about the power of Coca-Cola and kitty litter, well, we have even more information for you in this helpful blog.

Should you use a pressure washer? Maybe, but check your pressure settings. Can you use trisodium phosphate, bleach and baking soda? Perhaps, depending on the stain. Take a look as we review important driveway cleaning tips you should know.

Looking for more information? Read this educational blog where we breakdown how to clean concrete, asphalt, mulch, oil and grease.

Let’s take a look at some more stain-fighting advice for our asphalt pavement professionals.

• Important Driveway Cleaning Tips
• Asphalt Maintenance Tips - Removing Mulch And Oil Stains
• How to Repair and Clean Your Parking Lot
• 7 Reasons Why Parking Lot Cleaning Is Essential To Your Business
• Sweep Away Leaves And Debris To Extend The Life Of Your Asphalt

General Asphalt Pavement Cleaning Tips

Even if your driveway or parking lot doesn’t have problems with stains, you should consider seasonal cleanings to help extend the lifespan of your surface and to prevent damage.

Take a look a few reasons why you should consider scheduling professional parking lot cleaning regularly:

• A clean parking lot makes a good first impression.
• Regular street sweeping extends the life of asphalt, especially porous asphalt.
• A clean parking lot discourages littering.
• Clean surfaces minimize pollution to local waterways.
• Proper asphalt cleaning and care prevents erosion.
• A clean exterior helps deter rodents and other pests

To learn more benefits of parking lot cleaning and maintenance, click here.

Interested in more parking lot information? Read this helpful article: How to Repair and Clean Your Parking Lot

Trying To Remove Stains From Your Concrete Driveway?

 

Check out our blog  Cleaning Concrete: What Products Should You Use? There you'll find  a list of products commonly used to clean up fresh spills and set stains, along with instructions on what you should do prior to the cleaning.

At Wolf Paving, we own the materials and plants, which allows us to control the entire process and provide customers with the highest quality custom asphalt mixes to meet every specific paving need.

Looking to learn more about asphalt in general?
Visit our Everything You Need To Know About Asphalt Paving page.

With more than 75 years of paving experience, from highways to commercial driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

Request an estimate and get on our list for upcoming projects! Call Wolf Paving today. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

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