Supply Chain

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? Two open-access procurement routes launched by the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) in February 2025 are expected to widen access to public sector repair and energy efficiency contracts for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs) cover…

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? Tarmac has expanded the availability of its Portland limestone cement (PLC) across England and Wales, after recent changes to national concrete standards enabled wider use of the lower-carbon material. The move follows an update to the BS 8500…

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? Wessex Water has named 45 contractors to a framework agreement covering mechanical and electrical (M&E) minor works across its operational region. The agreement supports the delivery of the company’s AMP8 capital investment programme and is split into three…

The plumbing and heating profession in Scotland is at “breaking point” due to skills shortages, according to a trade body. A survey by the Plumbing and Heating Federation has revealed that 69 per cent of businesses north of the border are experiencing low availability of skilled professionals. It found that…

Mark Leeson is operations director at consultancy McBains Will the government’s recent defence-spending boost provide ammunition to help spark construction’s recovery? To say recent construction industry forecasts have been downbeat would be an understatement, what with consultancy Arcadis’ market-view report predicting a painfully slow revival and market analysts S&P Global’s…

More than two-thirds of ISG’s former staff are pursuing legal claims over the way they were made redundant, according to administrators. In their latest update on the administration of eight ISG firms (see box below), published on Wednesday (30 April), EY’s Timothy Graham and Alan Hudson said they were dealing…

West London-based mechanical and electrical (M&E) specialist Lorne Stewart has narrowed its pre-tax loss from £2.4m in 2023 to £1.6m last year, its latest financial results show.  However, the firm posted lower turnover of £101.6m in its latest accounts for the year to 31 December 2024, compared with £118.7m in…

Richard Stanford is chief executive of the Forestry Commission          The urgency of the climate crisis and the increasing demand for sustainable building practices make it clear that we must move beyond commonly used materials and embrace renewable alternatives. Timber is the most promising solution – and it’s time to prioritise…

A UK construction product manufacturer has lost its right to display a key quality Kitemark on a range of products after using an unaudited overseas foundry for production. In a statement posted on its website, Thomas Dudley Ltd said that 14 products were produced in a foundry in Howrah, India,…

A specialist contractor body has called for the creation of a national electrification taskforce to boost the UK’s transition to renewable energy. The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) said a cross-government panel could coordinate efforts across different areas including transport, housing and skills. This was one of 10 recommendations published this…