Building Briefs - July 21st

• Key appointment for hazardous lighting specialist BME Nitech

Graham Donnelly has been appointed business development manager to lead the expansion of the firm’s innovative hazardous area temporary and portable lighting products in the UK and internationally. Graham has 17 years’ strategic sales and BD expertise.

Part of the BME group of companies, BME Nitech is predicting a bright future for its innovative industrial lighting solution after investing £1million in a product development programme. The lights were formally launched at the start of 2020.

Scot Borland, managing director at BME, said: “The addition of Graham to the team is the latest step in broadening the reach of our lighting products. We’re very proud to say we’ve developed a lighter, brighter and better product that is British-made and already being used globally by some of industry’s biggest names. We’re delighted to have someone of Graham’s expertise on board as we look to move the company forward.”

Graham, who previously ran his own business development consultancy, said: “The chance to be a part of this innovative business and take it to the next level is a fantastic opportunity. There is a huge gap in the hazardous area temporary and portable market. We have an amazing product – one with outstanding cost and efficiency benefits as well as a customer-focussed aftermarket service.

“It’s now a case of getting decision-makers to realise there has been a step change in this area of the supply chain and make BME Nitech the go-to temporary and portable lighting product.”

• New look for contactless SKILLcard

One of the building services industry’s largest personnel registration schemes has revamped the cards operatives must carry to gain access to sites.

Engineering Services SKILLcard has produced a new design to better reflect its contactless operation and make it easier for site managers to check all workers have the appropriate training and qualifications for their specific occupation.

The new look card now has a contactless symbol in place of the old chip and the holographic ‘health and safety tested’ symbol has been removed. The contactless facility makes it easier to check the holder’s qualifications are up-to-date and to spot any possible counterfeit cards to make sure only competent people are allowed on site.

SKILLcard celebrates its 20th anniversary later this year and is managed by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA). It is part of the construction-wide Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) scheme and is used by more than 64,000 heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration operatives to provide proof of competence and qualifications.

It was the first of the CSCS Partner card schemes to go ‘smart’ easing the process of updating the holder’s qualifications and making it simpler and quicker for site managers to check skills and prevent potential fraud. Holders are also now able to renew their cards online following an upgrade of the application system last year.

For more information about SKILLCard go to: www.skillcard.org.uk

• New guide helps SMEs adapt to a Net Zero future

A new Net Zero guide targeted at SMEs working in the built environment has been jointly released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and sister organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC).

Aimed at small and medium sized members of both of these business associations, the guide highlights the steps that should be taken towards a carbon free future, explores how Net Zero is already influencing client decision making, and outlines how to meet new client expectations while seizing the business opportunities created.

The guide also provides a handy reference to previously released publications, reports, pledge schemes and sector plans, directly sign-posting to the most important and relevant sources of information.

Available to download from the ACE website, EIC members will be sent a copy directly.

The guide is released during Net Zero Week, a new national awareness campaign which is bringing together nearly 30 business associations and major organisations to explore all things Net Zero. ACE and EIC are founding partners of the week.

• Major roadworks in Bridgend area of Perth

Perth & Kinross Council will be carrying out essential road resurfacing works for two weeks in the Bridgend area of Perth, from Sunday 1 August 2021.

The road resurfacing will be carried out on Main Street, Bridgend from Gowrie Street to Isla Road and on East Bridge Street and Lochie Brae from the junction with Perth Bridge to Muirhall Road. Works will be carried out in phases in an effort to keep disruption to a minimum.