by Clair Mooney | 9 Jun, 2023 | Main News Feed
FIS today celebrated the finishes and interiors sector with the announcement of the winners of the FIS 2023 Contractors Awards.
Members and their guests packed out the Nine Kings Suite at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London to see the winners in the 14 categories receive their prestigious awards.
Independent Awards Judges Tony Pieri and Colin Hunter, who visited all project entered said:
“As judges, we take our responsibilities very seriously as we fully understand the hard work and endeavour everyone has applied to the project they have entered for the awards process. We recognise the pride you feel in your work as that is fundamentally why you have entered your project in the first place.
“FIS contractor members continue to produce excellent work against the increasing pressure of tight budgets and challenging time constraints. That characterises the spirit of FIS members, who consistently demonstrate the resolve to do a good job on time and within budget. It has been a real pleasure for Colin and me to witness such outstanding and varied work.”
A final award was given for the Project of the Year, which was judged by guest architect Robert Fry, International and
Executive Director of Aukett Swanke Group plc. Robert selected the overall Project of the Year from the winning contracts across all categories.
Robert said:
“The very high quality of the award category winners made the selection of a single project for the ‘Best of the Best’ award a very challenging proposition given the excellence demonstrated by so many varied trades and skillsets brought to bear for clients in such a collaborative endeavour”.
About the FIS Contractors Awards
The FIS Contractors Awards are held annually to encourage and promote high levels of craftsmanship and design. Not only does the FIS member who installed the contract win an award, but so does the architect or interior designer of an award-winning project.
by Clair Mooney | 9 Jun, 2023 | Main News Feed, Sustainability
Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani MP joins industry leaders today to launch a plan to eliminate the use of diesel from most UK construction sites.
Over the last year, representatives from across the industry have collaborated on the development of Zero Diesel Sites Route Map, a key element of the Construction Leadership Council’s CO2nstruct Zero programme to decarbonise the industry.
The launch took place on HS2’s Old Oak Common Station construction site, which is progressing towards cleaner construction as part of HS2’s target for all its sites to be diesel-free by 2029.
Following consultation on a draft plan late last year, today’s Route Map confirms the industry will:
• Put in place support to roll out hydrogen, electricity and other cleaner power sources;
• Promote early wins by boosting efficiency and cutting diesel use by existing plant, and asking companies to reduce the use of diesel generators;
• Helping businesses to develop their own company’s diesel reduction plans;
• Engaging with clients to secure commitments that ban diesel use and
• Tracking data on industry diesel consumption to confirm progress over time.
There are currently an estimated 300,000 items of Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) used by the UK construction sector. Typically, such plant is powered by diesel consuming 2.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe), generating significant carbon emissions.
The Zero Diesel Sites Route Map sets out practical measures to reduce this volume by 78 per cent by 2035, in line with the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget published in 2021.
Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:
“Cutting carbon emissions in construction is vital to achieving our net zero ambitions by 2050. That’s why I’m pleased to see the leadership the sector is showing by publishing this new Route Map, helping us move forward towards a cleaner, greener industrial future.”
Neil Wait, Head of Environmental Delivery at HS2 Ltd and Chair of the Zero Diesel Route Map Working Group, said:
“The carbon challenge we face is significant and can only be overcome if we show real determination in a push for change. HS2 Ltd has played a key role in the development of the Route Map and is already making great progress with 19 diesel-free construction sites on the project. Today’s launch is a tangible demonstration of the industry’s shared commitment to radically cut our reliance on diesel. I would encourage companies to get involved and support the move towards cleaner, greener construction.”
Matt Palmer, CO2nstruct Zero Programme Sponsor and Executive Director, Lower Thames Crossing said:
“One of the strengths of the Construction Leadership Council is its ability to bring the industry together to identify and commit to actions that will change our sector for the better. The Zero Diesel Route Map is a perfect example of this, setting a clear mission that everyone can sign up to support.
by Clair Mooney | 25 May, 2023 | Main News Feed, Market data
Surveys from across the construction supply chain showed a more encouraging performance in the first quarter of the year after the uncertainty-filled end to 2022. Looking back to what preceded the opening three months of 2023, the failed Mini Budget from the short-lived Truss government resulted in financial market turmoil, consecutive interest rate rises from the Bank of England, a collapse in housing market demand and widespread reticence to start new projects. As conditions became somewhat more settled in the new year, product manufacturers’ sales, and SME contractors’, civil engineering contractors’ and chartered surveyors’ workloads indicate that there has been an improvement in conditions for construction. However, this is from a low point and net balances remain muted which, in turn, points to only a cautious pickup as the economy still struggles to gain momentum in the light of high rates of inflation and limited growth. Certainly, cost inflation across inputs within construction are still reported as being historically high, exerting downward pressure on margins and likely adding to client hesitation in signing off new work. Forward-looking indicators such as enquiries and new orders point to weakness lingering in new house building, commercial and industrial, but demand strengthening in public non-housing, RM&I and, in particular, infrastructure work linked to energy generation or storage.
by Clair Mooney | 18 May, 2023 | Main News Feed
Following the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this year to fine 10 demolition and asbestos removal firms almost £60 million for colluding to rig bids for contracts, Build UK has updated its guidance on preventing anti‐competitive behaviour in construction.
The guidance, which is available to FIS members here, has been written by Wedlake Bell LLP and explains common violations of competition law, such as cartel activities and cover pricing, with the latest CMA decision now included as a case study. It is designed to help businesses and directors comply with their legal obligations by explaining the risks and the steps they should take.
by Oscar Venus | 16 May, 2023 | Main News Feed
Since the year began the FIS team have been hard at work and achieved some brilliant results across out Technical, Business Development, Skills and Training, and Lobbying efforts. Here’s a short look back at the first 3 months of 2023
Key technical work
Business support and guidance
- New Best Practice Guide to help contractors and subcontractors improve cashflow and prevent costly and damaging disputes
- New FIS Standard Terms and Conditions for England, Scotland and Wales launched
- Wage Rate and State of Trade Surveys published
- New QS helpline has been instrumental in a number of disputes being resolved positively.
Lobbying and representation
- Procurement Research published, and data featured in Times Article
- Responded to Fire Classification and BS476 withdrawal from Building Regulations
- FIS work on the interim review by the Migration Advisory Committee saw Dry Lining as the only trade reviewed and moved to the Skilled Worker list and a number of FIS Trades added to the Shortage Occupation List
- FIS invited to speak and support workshops hosted by the Construction Leadership Council, Department for Business and Trade and Small Business Commissioner on payment practices
- Invited to attend the inaugural Building Safety Conference, hosted by the Building Safety Regulator
- Responded to RICS professional statement consultation for whole life carbon
Skills and training
Key Events
- FIS Conference at Workspace Design Show at the Building Design Centre in Islington
- Hosted Inaugural FIS Innovation Awards
- Manchester Regional Meeting
- Webinar on Increasing circularity and reuse in fit-out projects
Download this doc here
by Clair Mooney | 15 May, 2023 | Contractual and Legal, Lens Blog, Main News Feed
FIS Consultant Len Bunton talks termination of contracts. This is another minefield, and another good reason you should read contracts.
Here, Len discusses what can you do to reduce exposure to a threat of termination.
These monthly Blogs are designed to help FIS Members avoid common traps and build on our focus on collective experience. They share ideas about improving the commercial management of your contracts. In other words, instilling best practice into the way FIS members run and manage their business. What I have endeavored to suggest is ways to ensure you get paid on time, and what you are due.
