Friday, September 5, 2025
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Ingenious Air MVHR Probiotics Upgrade

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Robin upgrades his Lindab MVHR system with some probiotics from Ingenious Air.

🎬 Lindab MVHR Installation
youtu.be/0EQ-pJmPZ-M

ℹ Ingenious Air
ingenious-air.com

The Ingenious Solution

The Ingenious Air (Small Duct) System combines comfortable, draught-free cooling, heating with air and surface purification.

This means air, surfaces and objects are purified, especially in those hard to reach areas.

Together, this creates the ultimate, balanced and healthy indoor environment, which improves wellness and productivity.

It also solves all five factors of Indoor Climate Quality (ICQ).

Nemetschek Group Paves the Way for Continuous Model Workflows in the Construction Lifecycle

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  • A new solution to automatically create an analysis model, from an architectural or structural model
  • Open BIM workflows now integrate structural engineers
  • More efficient cross-discipline collaboration

In conjunction with the release of Allplan 2021, the Nemetschek Group is reinforcing its continuous model solution portfolio for increased collaboration in the construction lifecycle. With SCIA AutoConverter, in a limited version part of Allplan 2021, structural engineers can fully participate in the BIM process.

The solution refines the traditional structural to analysis model-based workflow. In combination with the Bimplus platform from Allplan, engineers and modellers can work together in an open and integrated BIM workflow and develop analytical models from any source with a high degree of accuracy.

“This is another great result from the increasing collaboration between our brands. Again, several Nemetschek Group brands – led by Allplan and SCIA – have joined forces to improve collaboration and efficiency across the construction lifecycle”, says Viktor Várkonyi, Chief Division Officer, Planning & Design Division and member of the Executive Board of the Nemetschek Group. “The innovation is a true game-changer for structural engineers”.

Until now, structural engineers were hindered by having to create or recreate analysis models from scratch. This process often took up 30 per cent of the project time. “This solution saves a lot of time and effort for my work as an engineer. I don´t have to spend any time rebuilding models”, comments Hannah Freireich, Will Rudd Davidson Ltd, Scotland.

The analysis model is automatically generated from the geometric model, regardless of the software used, by leveraging the Open BIM approach of the Nemetschek Group. Throughout the automated process, the engineer retains control over how the analysis model is created – a crucial feature for most engineers.

All participants always have the latest information available. Any changes made to the geometric model are automatically updated in the analysis model without losing any analysis data, and vice versa.

“Collaboration between all disciplines, including architects, modellers, structural engineers and others, is crucial for a safe and sustainable design. With our new solution, we are providing a highly innovative way to improve the engineering workflow and to make BIM a workable reality for all, including structural engineers”, says Hilde Sevens, CEO of SCIA.

With this innovation, engineers are given the ability to integrate Allplan models quickly and efficiently in their structural analysis tool of choice – including sister brands SCIA, Frilo and Risa – and further structural analysis tools by leveraging Open BIM. “The automatic conversion of the structural model to the analysis model saves a vast amount of time and reduces the risk of errors in re-modelling – a great benefit for our customers”, adds Detlef Schneider, CEO of Allplan. “Therefore, it was a given for us to include it into our new release of Allplan 2021”.

SCIA AutoConverter was released in June 2020 and SCIA AutoConverter Light has now been included as part of the Allplan 2021 release for customers on maintenance.

More information at SCIA and Allplan.

About the Nemetschek Group

The Nemetschek Group is a pioneer for the digital transformation in the AEC industry. With its software solutions, it covers the complete life cycle of building and infrastructure projects and guides its customers into the future of digitalization.

As one of the world’s leading corporate groups in this field, the Nemetschek Group increases quality in the construction process and improves the digital workflow of all those involved in the construction process. This revolves around the use of open standards (Open BIM).

The innovative solutions of the 16 brands in the four customer-oriented divisions are used by approximately six million users worldwide. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs more than 3,000 experts.

Publicly listed since 1999 and quoted on the MDAX and TecDAX, the company achieved revenue in the amount of EUR 556.9 million and an EBITDA of EUR 165.7 million in 2019.

More on software from Skill Builder.

Canary Wharf to Get Turkish Touch with 4 New Lounge Bars

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Set to open next year in London’s Canary Wharf district, the four bars will be designed by top Turkish architect Serif Sogukbulak, who is known for his trademark ‘360-degree’ style.

Turkish architect Serif Sogukbulak will both design and oversee construction of four new lounge bars in London’s upscale Canary Wharf, all of which are expected to open – barring unforeseen circumstances – sometime next year.

“In keeping with Canary Wharf’s status as one of London’s most important financial centres, the bars we have planned will be both aesthetically pleasing and ultra-modern in design,” Sogukbulak says.

The projects are to be built in line with Sogukbulak’s signature “360-degree” style, affording patrons a sweeping panoramic view of the area. “We plan to combine the traditional lounge-bar model with cutting-edge design concepts, with a view to optimising their suitability for entertainment,” the architect says.

Canary Wharf Upgraded

One of the four bars will be located on the roof of the Radisson Hotel in the trendy North Greenwich Peninsula, a mere ten-minute walk from the world-famous O2 Arena.

Sublime Aesthetic – Visual Splendour

The new lounge bars will also be designed in accordance with Sogukbulak’s “Sublime Aesthetic” principle, by which the highest-quality materials are used to create an atmosphere that is both visually appealing and entirely unique.

According to the architect, “every aspect” of the four projects will be characterised by this guiding principle, including the building exteriors, interior décor, bar fixtures and furniture.

For example, all four lounge bars will prominently feature hand-made ceramic tiling designed and created specifically for ambitious projects.

A City of ‘Endless Possibilities’

With Master’s Degrees in both architecture and interior design, Sogukbulak is the CEO of Richard Home, a prominent Istanbul-based architectural firm.

In recent years, Richard Home has designed a number of high-end cafes and restaurants in both Europe and the Arab Gulf region.

“We look forward to bringing our considerable design experience to Canary Wharf,” Sogukbulak says, going on to point out that he always chooses his projects based on his own particular interests and unique artistic vision.

Richard Home is currently planning to open an office in the UK sometime next year. “We’re very excited about having a presence in London, which offers endless possibilities for our team of passionate young designers.”

More development from Skill Builder.

More on Serif Sogukbulak at www.sogukbulak.com.

Mitre Saw Dust Bust ~ 2-Minute Tip

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Don’t let that sawdust spoil the accuracy of your cuts, use this mitre saw hack.

First in a new ‘quick tips’ series from Roger where he shares his years of experience.

Modest Growth Expected for 2021 for the Bathroom & Kitchen Market

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The Bathroom & Kitchen Market is expected to decline 17% in 2020, this is due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stockpiles will have at the very least started to deplete, cashflow will be running low both of which will have the potential to cause stock shortages.

Looking to 2021 we estimate a steady growth of 2-4% per annum, where there has been a focus on hygiene and handwashing measures resulting from the pandemic, showing just one avenue of where this moderate upturn can come from.

Michelle Turner, editor of the Bathroom and Kitchen Brassware and Taps Market Report comments, “Resilience has been shown by many major key suppliers in the Brassware and Taps market as the means of supply has felt less distribution than other areas of the supply chain within this market, mainly thanks to pure adaptability, surplus Brexit stocks and the ever-important ‘essential’ products and services provided.

Although forecasts for the short term are bleak, the return of housebuilding activity and all-important consumer confidence cannot come quick enough to support the modest growth expected to return at the end of the forecast period.”

Bathroom & Kitchen Market

This is now considered a mature market where the top 5 suppliers represent around half of the market, the remainder is highly fragmented, which includes direct sales, sales via furniture multiples as well as retails department stores.

The value of UK imports of mixer taps has increased by 27% in the period 2016-19, whereas imports of other taps have decreased by 10%. At the end of the Brexit transition period in January 2021, a free trade deal with the EU and other trading nations will be a desired outcome, in order to stop tariffs and reduce other trade barriers coming into force.

The domestic replacement sector accounts for the largest share of the brassware and taps market at just over half in 2019.

With the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 homeowners undertook many home improvements to occupy themselves which increased the sales of DIY products especially for those which offered click and collect.

Overall, around 25% of all UK households have two or more bathrooms whereas 45% have two or more WCs. This varies throughout the different types of dwellings from ‘owner-occupied’, ‘private rented’, ‘local authority’ and ‘housing association’.

For more information or to purchase this report please visit www.amaresearch.co.uk or call us on 01242 235724.

The information was taken from the Bathroom and Kitchen Brassware and Taps Market Report – UK 2020-2024 by AMA Research, which is available to purchase now at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

More on kitchens from Skill Builder.

Snickers Workwear Sustainable Merino Wool Clothing

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Mulesing-free, 100% All-natural and sustainable undergarments.

Stay warm or cool in our 100% All-Natural Merino Wool mid- and base-layer clothes that deliver optimal comfort for all kinds of working environments and leisure activities when the weather gets chilly.

There are short and long sleeve T-shirts as well as leggings and topwear that combine superior wool warmth with body-mapping designs for the ultimate base- and mid-layer protection in really cold conditions.

Merino Wool Clothing

Designed by nature for excellent ventilation and insulation, Merino wool is extremely soft, and naturally odour-preventive for an all-day fresh feel. It’s also temperature-regulating, repels water, dirt particles. It’s anti-static and Snickers Workwear ensures that the wool it uses is produced in kind-to-animals, ‘Mulesing-Free’ environments.

All in all, Snickers Workwear clothing for autumn and winter give you the kind of warm, dry and fresh working comfort you wouldn’t have thought possible. That’s why Snickers Workwear is the brand of choice for working outside in cold weather.

Check out the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

Amazing Science For Plumbers and 5 Year Olds

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Roger gives us a brief history of water and looks at how to manage it in his latest whiteboard explainer.

Did you know?

⚛ Atmospheric pressure at sea level is capable of supporting a column of water up to 9.8 meters high.

⚛ Your brain is about 60% water, so keep drinking and don’t let it dry out!

⚛ 200 million hours per day are spent gathering drinking water from wells.

⚛ 200 children die every hour as a result of contaminated water.

Do you have something you want us to cover?
Get in touch: https://skill-builder.uk/send

HIPPOBAG ~ Easy Skip Bag Rubbish Removal

Roger uses the HIPPOBAG grab bag or skip bag on a lot on his smaller jobs and always keeps one on the van. He explains why it is gaining popularity as the way to get rid of rubbish in the U.K.

Why use HIPPOBAG?

No matter how much home or garden waste you have, for reliable and responsible rubbish removal, HIPPO is for you.

HIPPO is the answer for convenient and cost-effective rubbish removal. If you’re clearing small amounts of garden waste or completing a big home renovation, our range of HIPPOBAGs, skips and Man & Van services mean there’s always an option that works for you. Over one million satisfied customers have found the right solution for them.

HIPPOBAG

Convenient
Flexible options for every job

Cost-Effective
A range of services to suit your needs and your budget

Reliable
A fleet of bespoke HIPPO vehicles across the UK

Specialists
Over one million customers have trusted HIPPO for over 15 years

Our original, sturdy and much-loved HIPPOBAGs are ideal if you want flexibility and convenience as part of your project.

If you need help lifting your waste, we’ve got a handy Man and Van option to take the strain out of heavy lifting.

With experienced and reliable teams, you can relax knowing the clear-out process is in safe hands.

Or, if you’ve got a full-scale renovation, our skip hire is for you – we can even arrange the permit, so everything is covered.

Order your HIPPOBAG: https://bit.ly/34UeCsm

See more on waste removal on Skill Builder.

Signal Park breaks ground in Daventry

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Work is underway at Signal Park – the first industrial development of its size in the Northamptonshire town of Daventry for nearly a decade.

More than 56,500 sq. ft of industrial space is now being developed, with 15 units set to be built to support growth in the town. 

The development will bring six acres of urban land into use and is expected to accommodate over 112 new jobs in the medium term, in addition to the significant indirect economic activity generated by its design and construction.

Neal Shegog, Claymore Investment Manager, said: “Daventry is growing from strength to strength and as a locally based developer we are committed to supporting that growth and excited to be developing this prestigious project.

“Land available to build on is scarce in Daventry, which is inhibiting business growth. Our six-acre plot is located in one of the main industrial areas in the town. Until recently, the plot was considered unusable because the cost of levelling the hill meant it was considered impossible to profitably develop.”

In 2019, Claymore Investments were awarded project awarded a £3.2million grant from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), via its Local Growth Fund, to cover abnormal land preparation costs, enabling the project to proceed.

Peter Horrocks CBE, SEMLEP Chair, said: “Daventry has lots of premises which cater for large warehouses and logistics operations, but the town lacks smaller industrial units which are essential if growing businesses are to remain in the town and Daventry is to attract national and regional businesses.

“This is a unique development in the area and one we are proud to be supporting. Daventry benefits from a skilled workforce and is already home to an array of engineering and motorsport companies. This development will strengthen the area yet further.”

The groundworks at Signal Park commenced on 15 September, the official ground-breaking ceremony took place on 8 October 2020, the construction of the steel frames will start in early December, and the scheme is due to be completed by July 2021.

The development has been branded ‘Signal Park’ – in recognition of Daventry’s history with radio. The Daventry Transmitter, which opened nearby on 27 July 1925, was the world’s first Long Wave transmitting station and the phrase ‘Daventry Calling’ was renowned across the world, thanks to the BBC’s fledgeling World Service.

More on development on Skill Builder.

Discover more about Signal Park.

DeWalt DCW210 Random Orbital Sander

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Dewalt 18v XR Li-ion Brushless 125mm Random Orbital Sander Bare Unit DCW210N-XJ

The Dewalt DCW210N-XJ is an 18v XR Li-ion Brushless 125mm Random Orbital Sander.

Ideal for a wide variety of sanding applications, both stock removal and ultra-smooth finishing.

Dewalt DCW210
DEWALT DCW210N XR Brushless Random Orbital Sander

The precision-engineered brushless motor delivers the power to meet the demands of the toughest applications.

A variable-speed dial provides ultimate speed control from 8,000 – 12,000 OPM for a variety of projects.

One-handed locking dust bag attaches securely to the sander to aid in dust collection or the user can attach the sander directly to a dust extractor.

Rubber over-mould grip provides comfortable sanding. Replacement 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding pad for quick, easy paper changing.

Supplied with fixed backing pad and dust bag.

DeWalt DCW210 Features and Benefits

• Variable speed to match the speed to the application
• Texturized rubber overmold grip for more comfortable sanding
• Low height gets you closer to the work surface for more control when sanding
• Brushless motor provides long run time
• Replaceable 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding pad for quick, easy paper changing
• Ergonomic design makes sanding more comfortable

Sale
DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 125mm Sander, Bare Unit, DCW210N-XJ
  • BUILT FOR DEMANDING PROFESSIONALS: For 100 years, DEWALT has been the brand of choice for demanding professionals who require tools that are innovative, tough, and built to last. With a legacy of excellence and a future of continued innovation, DEWALT tools are engineered to deliver superior performance and durability, ensuring you can tackle the most challenging tasks with confidence and precision.
  • ENHANCED EFFICIENCY AND DURABILITY: The DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 125mm Sander features a brushless motor that provides superior efficiency and durability, making it a reliable choice for professional projects.
  • CORD-FREE CONNECTIVITY: Equipped with 2WTC technology, this sander allows for seamless, cord-free connectivity to switch on/off WTC-equipped DEWALT dust extractors, enhancing convenience and mobility.

MORE VIDEOS FROM SKILL BUILDER

🎬 DeWalt DCW604 Cordless Router 18v XR Brushless : https://youtu.be/NbflPWvK1zs

🎬 DeWalt DCS520 Cordless 54v Plunge Saw: https://youtu.be/9bz620IocDE

🎬 Impact Driver Showdown! Review of 8 Best Drivers: https://youtu.be/pvqar-4ZelA

Acoustic Engineering for the Premier League – The Soul of Sport

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Sports arenas the world over are contending with a whole new paradigm of acoustics. Empty stadiums mean no verbal sound from crowds, but also increased reverberation. It turns out people played a very important role in the satisfying sports acoustics we once took for granted.

Kyriakos Papanagiotou, director of acoustic consultancy KP Acoustics, explains the much bigger effects of empty stadiums on society’s wellbeing.

Acoustic Engineering

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement in the UK on September 22, 2020 halted previous plans of a phased return of fans to stadiums across the country. If empty stadiums are set to be around for the next six months, the industry needs to get the acoustics right.

Broadcasters have turned to using fake crowd noises on televised sports matches, to make up for the lack of atmosphere in empty stadiums. Using an ‘audio carpet’, basic noise from a pre-COVID match is laid on top of the real noise of the actual game.

More reactive crowd noises for goals, penalties and fouls are event inserted — when appropriate. Of course, it’s a fine line between an authentic atmosphere and that ‘canned laughter’ feel.

Fake Crowd

The dubbing of crowd noise is an optional extra for some viewers. Fans may have the option to flick between two channels, one with the fake crowd noise, and one without.

Without the signature cheering, and chants, viewers at home get insight into what the empty echoey stadium really sounds like.

Fake crowd noise has divided opinion among Premier League football fans. A survey on Radio Times found that while 27 per cent preferred watching with fake crowd noise, 73 per cent would rather go without.

Acoustic engineering soccer ball

Echo Chamber

For many people in lockdown, sport — and its conventional noise, plays an important role in their lives. The artificial noise in question is likely to provide many people with a feeling of comfort and normality. On the flip side, the stark, echoey stadium could exacerbate anxiety and depression.

The link between sound and emotion has long been known. Often emotions are triggered by sounds connected to a particular circumstance, like the sound of bath water running at bedtime.

Author of The Universal Sense and auditory neurologist, Seth Horowitz said that “sound is in the background and often taken for granted, yet it’s developed to trigger deeply-held emotions.”

Soundscape Application

Research is currently underway at Solent University, with a PhD, titled Interactive and immersive soundscapes promoting health and wellbeing. Originating from research based on biosensor technology and affective computing, this research will explore multiple soundscape applications, including physical rehabilitation therapy and cue exposure therapy for treating phobias and anxiety.

While the outcomes of this study may not be ready for sports match viewers in the next six months, its premise highlights the importance of the sound around us. For stadiums across the nation, the answer to getting this right is more than simply playing the sound from last year’s matches.

Real acoustic engineering in these stadiums could provide a much calmer and grounded feel, than the current echoey eeriness that viewers have experienced.

People Power

People played a very important role in sporting stadiums and continue to play a very important role as they watch from home — that role being keeping themselves and other people safe.

Small changes to acoustics could make a big difference to these people’s wellbeing.

For more information on KP Acoustics, visit kpacoustics.com.

See more on acoustics on Skill Builder.

Introducing Makita’s Third Generation of Accessories

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Makita UK has launched a new and improved collection of belts and pouches to its extensive and popular range of accessories. The newly designed range makes it even easier for tradespeople to safely and easily store and transport their tools and accessories.

The collection includes belts, braces, pouches, holders, bags, cases, gear and equipment, and offers users the durability and reliability needed for everyday use.

Makita Accessories Graphic
Makita Accessories Collection

It is important for tradespeople to have easy access to their tools wherever they are on-site to ensure they are equipped for the job in hand. Makita’s new and improved range of belts, bags and pouches means users can safely and securely transport tools to and from the van and around the work area.

Each product in the range has been designed for longevity and durability, as well as ease of use and comfort.

With over 40 products in the range, Makita has a solution to suit every task; the pouches and holsters are available in a range of designs, depending on the end-use. Each has the benefit of Anti-Slip Technology, which is used on all friction points and pocket edges, to tightly grip tools, stopping them from sliding around and keeping them securely in place to help prevent accidental falls.

Makita Accessories 2

This is also ideal for those working in awkward positions where they need both hands free. Due to its rigidity, Anti-Slip Technology also helps to extend the lifespan of the item by allowing it to retain its shape. All belts and pouches are inclusive of 3L Technology, a unique three-layer combination of polyesters and foam, to provide additional cushioning and improve user comfort.

For ease of use, Makita’s innovative Strap Belt System allows users to effortlessly connect Makita belts or shoulder straps to pouches, holders, bags and cases for trouble-free carrying.

The belt loop holders (which are compatible with all Makita work belts) can also be used to hang anything with a carabiner – their lightweight, flexibility and strength make them suitable for carrying a wide range of products.

In addition, a heavy load support system has been incorporated into products such as the Ultimate Padded Braces, which works by distributing the weight between the waist and shoulders to reduce hip and lower back pain – thereby reducing fatigue on these areas and allowing users to continue to work in comfort for longer.

Makita Accessories 3

To store tools easily, almost all of Makita’s bags, pouches and holders include elastic loops that can be used to organise tools and essential items, keeping them secure during transportation. In addition, the innovative Tool Loops System, which is available in the new tool cases, allows the user to store numerous tools without having to make any adjustments.

The system can hold a wide variety of tools thanks to a combination of loop sizes, with a single or twin-row formation to maximise capacity. Makita’s new tool cases also give users the flexibility to customise the internal compartments using the new Rail Guide System – the perfect combination of plastic side rails and light separating walls.

Lyndsey Bailey, Assistant Product Manager at Makita said: “To complete the range, Makita has also launched a range of handy additional accessories – including smartphone holders, flasks, a work vest with adjustable pockets, knee pads, a guide rail protective holder, lunch bags and a thermal mug.

Makita has designed each product with its end use in mind and has introduced a number of new technologies and innovative features to guarantee suitability. These fantastic new products offer users increased comfort, ease of use, flexibility and reliability.”

To find out more about Makita and its products visit: www.makitauk.com

See more from Makita on Skill Builder.

GMB London Call for Halt on New Offshore Wind Farms Until Local Supply Chain Like for Nuclear Is in Place

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GMB LONDON, ECHOING ANGER ON MORE SCOTTISH WIND FARM JOBS TO CHINA, CALL FOR HALT ON NEW OFFSHORE WIND FARMS UNTIL LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN LIKE FOR NUCLEAR IS IN PLACE

Offshore wind farms with the current supply chain which lead to higher bills and no jobs are against the direct economic interest of union members and their families say GMB London.

GMB London, the union for energy supply and fabrication workers, echoed the growing anger felt by GMB Scotland members that the supply chain for the SSE offshore wind farm in Angus will be in China and UAE.

This follows the award by EDF, the owner on London’s electricity distributor, of the vast majority of the supply chain to Indonesia for its wind farm about 10 miles off the coast of Fife.

Media report on the SSE wind farm.

Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary, said:

“Politicians of all stripes, who bought into the hype that renewable energy would give rise to green jobs in the UK in return for the higher electricity prices and subsidies required to bring it on stream, are taking union members for fools at the breath-taking absurdity of the supply chain and carbon emissions reality.

The steel for the turbines and jackets is being made from high emissions coal and the ships that transport them many thousands of miles will be powered by high emissions oil.

It is householders in the UK that are required to pay a surcharge of £10 per week on household energy bills, regardless of income, to fund the subsidies required by renewables energy suppliers to make their projects viable while creating jobs in the Far East. Without the subsidies, the wind farms would not exist.

To add insult to injury last week these same electricity suppliers sought the right to use smart meters to ration electricity to households at times when there is no wind or sun. This switch-off rationing is sadly not a joke and OFGEN should reject it.

Offshore wind farms and the current supply chain which lead to higher bills and no jobs are against the direct economic interest of union members and families.

The contrast with Hinckley Point and Sizewell new nuclear power supply chain could not be starker. There is a verifiable UK supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs in developing nuclear zero carbon emissions reliable electricity.

GMB London calls for the Government to halt awarding any further offshore wind farm electricity supply contracts until the power companies have put in place a comparable UK based supply chain.

The surcharge on household energy bills regardless of income must end too – with the subsidies paid from progressive general taxation.

EDF is involved in nuclear and wind so knows well what to do. It is time for politicians of all stripes to stop taking our members for fools”.

More on energy issues with Skill Builder.

Turbine jackets for Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm will be fabricated in China.

Which Caulk or Sealant Adhesive Do You Need?

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Which one of the hundreds of tubes should you grab from the shelf of your builder’s merchant or buy online?

Here are a few options for sealant adhesives:

🛒 HB42 Ultimate Sealant Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3nyKtat

🛒 CT1 Sealant Adhesive: https://amzn.to/2GK1FsR

🛒 Everbuild Stixall Extreme Power: https://amzn.to/34KhwzA

🛒 Sikaflex EBT+ Three In One Adhesive: https://amzn.to/2GAq1Wa

🛒 Gorilla Glue Grab Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3iOdKdw

🛒 UniBond No More Nails: https://amzn.to/3jOsudN

Roger wants to help everybody understand their house better and eliminate those things that have been bugging you.

Do you have something you want us to cover? Get in touch: https://skill-builder.uk/send

DeWalt DCD470 Right Angle Diamond Core Drill

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Dewalt DCD470N 54V XR Flexvolt Brushless Right Angle Diamond Core Drill.
🛒 DEWALT DCD470N: screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dcd470n-xj-54v-li-ion-xr-flexvolt-brushless-cordless-right-angle-diamond-core-drill-bare/980hp

MORE INFO FROM DEWALT

Power of corded freedom of cordless for versatility Designed to handle a wide range of large drilling applications 2 variable speed ranges from 0-400/ 0-1320 rpm

• The DEWALT DCD470 XR FlexVolt Right Angle/Diamond Core Drill delivers high-speed drilling performance, making it ideal for drilling within a concrete block, brickwork or wood.

• Metal gear case housing to reduce weight while maintaining job site durability

• 54v Brushless Motor for increased power, run time and reliability

• The adjustable bail handle and 2-position side handle provide safety, leverage and control.

• Quick-shift speed selector allows the user to easily change speeds without having to feather the trigger

• LED light to indicate E-Clutch status

• 2 position side handle

• 1/2 Inch keyed chuck

• Low head profile for better access in tight spaces offers user versatility

• Power Output: 2600UWO Max.

• Torque: 269Nm

• Chuck Capacity: 13mm

• Load Speed: 0-400/0-1320rpm Max.

Drilling:
Aerated Concrete: 152mm Max.
Brick: 127mm Max.
Wood with Holesaw: 158mm

• The brushless motor offers incredible efficiency and increased power delivery, resulting in less wear and increased longevity of the tool.

• The two variable speed function allows you to match the appropriate speed and torque depending on the application.

• The Perform and Protect E-Clutch detects reactionary torque caused by a bind-up or stall and reduces speed to a manageable level until control is regained, providing optimum control and safety.

MORE FROM SKILL BUILDER

🎬 DeWALT DCS520 Cordless 54v Plunge Saw: https://youtu.be/9bz620IocDE

🎬 Planning Permission V Permitted Development Rights: https://youtu.be/l97KezwLWIM

🎬 Impact Driver Showdown! Review of 8 Best Drivers: https://youtu.be/pvqar-4ZelA

Learn online with Skill Builder, share the video and get in touch to let us know what you want to see next.

How Did Your Toilet Flush Become a Disaster?

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How did we go from having a good flushing cistern for your WC to a water-wasting cistern that many people do not understand?

Don’t blame Thomas Crapper, or the actual inventor of the flush toilet Sir John Harington of Kelston, because they aren’t guilty.

Their inventions achieved the exact opposite of what we have now.

Roger wants to help everybody understand their house better and eliminate those things that have been bugging you.

Do you have something you want us to cover? Get in touch: https://skill-builder.uk/send

Trade Paint vs Retail – Are You Being Ripped Off?

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James is unhappy with the huge price difference between Dulux trade paint and their retail version of Dulux Weathershield All Weather Protection Smooth Masonry Paint from B&Q.

Trade Paint vs Retail difference

Dulux pointed James to an article on their website which explains the difference between the paints and explains trade paint vs retail.

Dulux say “There are many important differences between Professional and Retail paints. Professional paints need to last longer and be more versatile, whilst meeting the high demands of all professional users and their customers.”

The main differences are professional paints cover better even after thinning and avoid extra coats. Professional paints also have a higher spreading rate than retail.

They also claim that professional paints are consistently tested to make sure that they reach the high standards of professional users and their customers.

Read the complete article here: duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/advice/trade_retail_paint

Dulux Trade Paint vs Retail
Dulux Trade Paint Special Value Pack.

A 10L tin of Dulux Weathershield All Weather Smooth Matt Masonry paint is 3 times more expensive from a Dulux Decorator Centre store than it is at B&Q.

Price comparison including VAT:

B&Q – £35
Homebase – £35
Brewers – £90
Dulux Decorator Centre – £108

More on paint from Skill Builder.

Widely anticipated V-Gard H1 Safety Helmet from MSA Safety available in Europe

MSA Safety, industry-leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of safety products the world over, has launched its V-Gard® H1 Safety Helmet.

Best Seller

Having sold well over 100 million helmets since its introduction, the V-Gard® range is a brand recognised and revered the world over. Available now in three stylish and low-profile models – called the Novent, the Trivent and the Bivent which include MSA’s market-leading Fas-Trac® III Pivot Ratchet Suspension.

The all-new V-Gard H1 helmets are designed for multiple industries and applications, including construction, utilities, working at heights, rescue, and confined spaces.

Additional features include venting options, and a non-contact foam and premium sweatband to provide optimal airflow to keep workers cool and comfortable.

Inspired, tested, and refined in the most challenging, and rigorous conditions, the V-Gard H1 Safety Helmet provides the quality and style workers have come to expect and trust from the V-Gard brand.

V-Gard H1 Novent Safety Helmet

Comfort and ease of use

Mackenzie Peters, Global Product Group Manager, Industrial Head Protection, MSA Safety, comments: “We believe that the V-Gard H1 really does represent the next generation of head protection. It was designed with those using the helmet day in day out firmly in mind.

“We realise that workers wearing their safety helmets for upwards of seven or eight hours a day require exceptional comfort and ease of use. Both of which not only help to generally improve the mood and wellbeing of those wearing them but ultimately contribute to greater compliance.

Safety helmets count for little if workers frequently take them off because they’re so uncomfortable, or don’t work properly with essential additional accessories.

“Working at height can carry many potential risks, and the safety helmets those operatives wear are integral to their safety. We’ve designed a safety helmet that frees workers up to concentrate fully on the job at hand, unhindered, with a clear mind.”

H1 Safety Helmet pivot

The V-Gard H1 helmet’s Fas-Trac III Pivot Suspension provides users with a full range of motion and allows the helmet to move with workers while remaining secure and in place, while its four-point chinstrap with multipoint adjustment allows users to achieve a custom, secure fit.

Venting options, non-contact foam and sweatband provides airflow and helps to keep users cool and comfortable.

Its patent-pending integrated rail system enables the integration of multiple proprietary accessories (PC clear visor, mesh visor & PC spectacles) which can be simply installed and removed with the push of a button. No need for an external carrier anymore!

The frameless design of the V-Gard H1 eliminates the need for extra parts. The dual-pivot design enables the visor to keep a low profile when lifted into the park position, providing for stability, balance and wind resistance.

V-Gard H1 Trivent Safety Helmet with Clear Face Shield

Safety and style

“Let’s face it, we’re all human. We all like to look good – inside and outside of work,” says Ms. Peters. “Of course, style should never come at the expense of safety – that’s a given – but it’s important for workers to look as stylish and professional as possible.

It represents an investment, by safety managers, in their workforce and can boost morale. The V-Gard H1’s low profile, matte finish, stylish reflective stickers, the wide range of colours available, and its ability to be customised via MSA LOGO EXPRESS® high-quality customisation service helps to achieve just that.”

Two of the V-Gard H1 Safety Helmet – the Novent, unvented version and the Bivent, vented version, comply with EN 397, which specifies physical and performance requirements, and methods of test and marking requirements for industrial safety helmets.

It also covers low-temperature use down to -30°C. In addition, the Novent is approved to the EN 50365 1000V A.C. and can be used for work at height with electric insulation. And the Trivent, vented helmet, meets the standard EN 12492 for mountaineering equipment.

“Safety is, above all else, paramount,” concludes Ms.  Peters. “But we at MSA believe that a safety helmet is much more than its hard-outer shell.

It’s the associated benefits that come with it – greater comfort, intuitive design, and ease of use – that collectively add up to increased compliance.”

More on hard hats and safety with Skill Builder.

Find out more about the all-new V-Gard H1 Safety Helmet..

A New Mini Excavator for the Next Generation

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Why the next generation mini excavators are the best and technologically most advanced small machines yet.

Caterpillar Reputation

Caterpillar® is famous for its big machines. The company built its reputation manufacturing massive earthmoving equipment and only entered the market of smaller excavators just over two decades ago in 1998. Since then, the Cat® mini excavators have become known as small machines with big capabilities.

Here, Mark Mulligan, building and product manager at Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Caterpillar equipment, explains why the new Cat next-generation mini excavator range stays true to the Caterpillar DNA with exceptional build quality and is suitable for the most challenging environments.

Just like all Caterpillar’s machines, the minis must perform in a range of challenging environments and are built to withstand extreme heat, cold, dust and smell. And because they are the smallest machines in the Caterpillar lineup, the mini excavators are also built for precision work.

Mini Excavator for the Next Generation

A new generation of mini excavator

The Caterpillar next-generation mini excavators were developed over a period of five years with input from customers all over the world and tested rigorously in the harshest settings. An all-steel design gives the next-gen mini the required toughness.

Their ruggedness translates into at least 15 per cent lower operating costs because parts last longer and they are replaced more easily due to a modular design.

Service intervals have also been extended, which reduces downtime. For instance, hydraulic filters are changed after 500 operating hours, hydraulic oil when the machine reaches 3000, and coolant after 6000 hours at work. When any of these parts need to be replaced, the cab has been specifically designed to simply tilt up for speedy operator access.

Caterpillar has ensured that operating one of its next-gen mini excavators is a comfortable experience. It’s the only mini excavator on the market with air conditioning in a pressurised and sealed cabin, so working in a hot, dusty or smelly environment is no longer a problem.

A further innovation is that at the push of a button, the operator can switch from the pedals to a joystick and even travel across the site using cruise control. Experienced operators will no doubt be keen to try out this new feature, putting an end to being hunched over while moving the machine from one part of a site to another.

Gen Z technology

The Cat next-gen mini excavator range has been designed with the next generation of technology in mind. Especially Generation Z — people born in the 1990s who grew up with computers and video games — are now entering the workforce and expect machines to be interactive, intuitive and interconnected. This is why they were fitted with Bluetooth making it easier to stay connected whilst on site.

The health of the entire machine can also be monitored remotely because it’s fitted with telematics, including remote software updates and geo-blocking in case someone tries to steal one.

Mini excavators are the most stolen type of plant equipment due to their relatively compact size and ease of concealment — with a total of 650 mini excavators reported as stolen nationwide in 2018.

The addition of the built-in technology and tools means it will take less time and be less intensive to train operators to use the mini excavator effectively. Seasoned operators will find ways to use the new customisation features to fine-tune their machines.

For instance, the next-gen minis recognise their attachment and at the touch of a button, the power and controllability can be changed to suit the job and the settings on the hydraulics can be adjusted so precisely that the excavator can be used to crack an egg.

The layout of the next-gen mini is consistent with other Caterpillar models, so operators can switch easily between machines. The newly developed stick and steer joystick is an industry first.

At the push of a button, an operator can switch from the traditional pedal steering to controlling the movements of the machine with the joystick. Doing so gives the operator more flexibility, it’s easier to work more precisely and ultimately a lot more comfortable. The paddles and levers can even be removed entirely.

Generator Hire Companies Need to Be Adaptable Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Generator hire companies need to be adaptable to the changing environment and the extremely tough trading conditions expected in the short to medium term, according to the latest Generator Hire Market Report from AMA Research.

Companies with inefficient operations are likely to suffer as market conditions are expected to be challenging. However, those with a focus on operational efficiencies and delivering improved margins are likely to fare better.

Generator hire is a competitive market, but benefits from the wide range of end-use applications and subsequently the performance of the UK economy has a direct impact on the level of generator hire demand. In the construction sector new orders collapsed to an historic all-time low in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown, with new orders in Great Britain decreasing by 51% in April-June 2020. The UK economy was sent into recession due to the Covid-19 impact, but construction output grew by 24% in June which may indicate the possibility of a much-needed V-shape recovery.

Generator Hire Companies Need to Be Adaptable Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Generator Hire Companies Challenge

Both construction and non-construction activity stimulate generator hire demand, with factors impacting on market development including construction and industrial performances, emergencies (such as flooding) and major events as well as ‘critical’ applications requiring back-up support.

Construction is a key market and tends to be cyclical and exposed to economic downturns. Consequently, many hire companies also work in sectors that are less cyclical such as facilities management, retail operations, commercial fit-out, property and utilities. The pandemic impact is likely to see hirers move into sectors with the most opportunities and intensify market competition. Those with the best offering and operations will survive the challenge, but it is likely that others will not.

Brexit Trade Deal

Aside from the Covid-19 pandemic issue, the uncertainties regarding the Brexit trade deal also impact on market development. Furthermore, the UK saw its largest ever decline in GDP growth in Q2 with 20% fall. Levels of confidence and investment remain a key risk factor adding to the complexity of assessing future market prospects.

Whilst Covid-19 and the Brexit negotiations have introduced uncertainty into the UK economy and end-use sectors of generator hire, the diversity of applications and range of positive underlying drivers, provides some expectation for continued demand, albeit at lower levels than previously achieved. The ‘generator only’ hire market is expected to recover and grow to 2024 as demand for temporary power is expected to rise, supported by increasing levels of construction as well as other non-construction activities.

Call to Action

The information was taken from the Generator Hire Market Report – UK 2020-2024 by AMA Research, which is available to purchase now at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.