Supply Chain

Caterpillar is planning to cut 700 people from its 1,600-strong workforce in Northern Ireland. The US multinational manufacturer said that it is looking to “better utilise” capacity and “improve cost competitiveness”. Workers in production, support and management positions in Larne, County Antrim, would be most affected under the plans, though…

The UK should change its procurement rules after Brexit, Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild has said. Wild, a former managing director of London Underground and CEO of Public Transport Victoria in Australia, described current procurement rules as a “big barrier” for clients. Speaking at a Railway Industry Association conference panel…

HS2 and Network Rail should make tier-one contractors provide a visible pipeline of work for potential subcontractors as a condition of winning work, according to Keltbray’s chief executive. Darren James called for the measure to be introduced to help SMEs win work and make the correct investments. He was speaking…

Network Rail is to introduce carbon-reduction targets in contracts with its supply chain, according to the transport body’s procurement director. The government-owned firm yesterday pledged action, including cutting its direct carbon emissions by 46 per cent by 2029. It also announced measures such as an examination of how to use…

Trade bodies representing the providers of construction materials and equipment have warned a no-deal Brexit will lead to substantial price rises and shortages. Builders Merchants Federation chief executive John Newcomb said: “We need a deal with the EU. Without it, the impact of large-scale price increases across the industry and…

As part of our inaugural Decarbonising Construction virtual event, an expert panel from across the industry shared the secrets to going green, and discussed how firms would be able to speed up the process

British Gypsum has been given planning permission for a 91-hectare expansion of Fauld Mine in Staffordshire. The mine, at Newchurch, Burton, is the principal UK supplier of gypsum for use in the manufacture of cement. It supplies seven cement works. Plans were approved by Staffordshire County Council last week. The…

Tool hire company HSS has announced the closure of 134 branches and made 300 staff redundant. In a statement released with financial results for the half-year ended 27 June 2020, the firm said around 30 per cent of its custom is now online, and online operations would receive further investment.…

Advocates of sustainable construction must ensure the terms they use are understood by those they’re speaking to. Several panellists at Construction News’s Decarbonising Construction online conference warned that the use of jargon can be unhelpful when dealing with supply chains and the wider public, but stressed the need to try…

Concrete and cement producers have warned the industry needs “robust financial support” from government “no later than 2021” to address the costs of developing industrial-scale carbon capture technology. The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has set out steps it says are required to bring overall carbon emissions from their products below…