Latest News

OCU Group Acquires RJ McLeod to Boost UK Energy Transition Capabilities

OCU Group, a leading infrastructure and energy company, has acquired civil engineering firm RJ McLeod for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, announced on the 11th of June, is expected to increase OCU’s annual revenue to over £800 million, enhancing its capacity to support the critical UK energy transition to net zero. OCU’s chief executive, Michael Hughes, stated that the acquisition “marks a key milestone in the OCU Group journey to become the leading energy transition and utilities contractor in the UK”. RJ McLeod will continue to operate under its own name, with its joint managing director, Graeme Clark, noting that joining OCU “has increased our ability to provide a more comprehensive service to existing and new clients”. RJ McLeod, established in 1951 and based in Glasgow, was

Doosan Bobcat Reclaims Mottrol in Strategic $178.6 Million Deal

Doosan Bobcat Inc., a leading compact construction machinery and equipment manufacturer under South Korea's Doosan Group, will reacquire its former affiliate Mottrol Co. for 246 billion won ($178.6 million), less than four years after its initial divestiture. This strategic move was approved by Doosan Bobcat's board,
Construction Machines & Vehicles

Develon Mini-Excavator Used to Install Panes of Glass in Home

We are used to seeing countless jobs carried out by mini-excavators, but a novel application in the construction industry involving a new Develon DX20Z-7 model demonstrates a new way of working for many companies in the sector. The two tonne Develon DX20Z-7 mini-excavator was recently purchased by Ciment i Estructures Costa Brava, a company located in Garrigàs (Girona) in Spain. With the DX20Z-7, the company met their need for a mini-excavator that is very compact, powerful and above all versatile. Maximum Versatility and Compact Size Ismael Cabrera, Manager of Ciment i Estructures Costa Brava, commented: “In the latest work we carried out with the Develon DX20Z-7 mini-excavator on a house renovation project, the advantages have been multiple thanks to the versatility provided by this

Crane And SPMT Transfer Decrease Downtime for TP Load-In

Transition piece marshaling utilized fast and efficient SPMT and crawler crane transfer method for an offshore wind farm. 22 kilometers off the Scottish coast, Moray West marks the third offshore wind farm in the Moray Firth region, joining Moray East and Beatrice. The clean energy project will help to deliver a

Sany Achieves $10.2 Billion in Total Revenue, Electric Products Make Up 4.3%

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer Sany reported its total revenue from both electrically powered and hydrogen-powered machines for 2023. According to the company, revenue from electric products reached CNY 3.1 billion (US$434.8 million), while sales of hydrogen energy products amounted to CNY 130 million
Building Equipment & Products

Innovative Method for CO2 Sequestration in Concrete Discovered by Northwestern University Engineers

A novel method for storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in concrete has been discovered by a team of engineers led by Northwestern University, utilizing a carbonated water-based solution instead of still water during the concrete manufacturing process. This innovative technique not only sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere but also produces concrete with uncompromised strength and durability. Concrete, the second most consumed material worldwide after water, is made by combining water, fine aggregates (such as sand), coarse aggregates (like gravel), and cement. Cement binds all the ingredients together, but its production is a significant source of human-caused CO2 emissions. The cement and concrete industries contribute to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Alessandro Rotta Loria, the Louis

Rio Tinto Advances Carbon-Free Aluminium Production in Québec

Rio Tinto's strategic initiative at its Arvida facility in Québec, Canada, marks a significant milestone in the aluminium industry. As the first licensee of ELYSIS technology, Rio Tinto is poised to deploy carbon-free aluminium smelting cells. This move underscores their commitment to advancing sustainable technology

Nacre-Inspired Design Enhances Toughness of Building Materials

Scientists are perpetually seeking methods to enhance the toughness, safety, and durability of inherently brittle building materials like concrete and ceramic. Their latest inspiration comes from an unexpected source: the incredibly strong shells of oysters. Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is the iridescent
Digital Construction

FEDS and Flybotix Partner to Transform Gulf Construction Inspections with Drones

FEDS has announced a strategic partnership with Flybotix, marking the latter’s entry into the Middle East market. This collaboration aims to revolutionize industrial inspections across Gulf countries, particularly focusing on the construction sector along with oil, gas, and mining industries. Rabih Bou Rached, CEO & Founder of FEDS, stated: “The driving force behind this partnership is FEDS’ commitment to a future-forward approach. Recognising the growing demand for indoor confined space inspections in the Middle East, we identified Flybotix as a perfect fit to meet market needs.” The partnership underscores the commitment of both companies to enhance safety, efficiency, and data accuracy in confined space inspections, particularly within the construction industry in the Gulf region. It

From Skanska to Katerra: Leading Players in the Modular Construction

Modular construction has emerged as a transformative force within the global construction industry, attracting major players like Bouygues, Skanska, Katerra, and others. This innovative approach addresses critical challenges such as housing shortages, rising costs, and labor constraints, positioning itself as a pivotal
Articles

Winvic moves forward on second Lincolnshire County Council highways framework project

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has started work on the second project awarded to it under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract. Work has begun on the resurfacing and signal improvement scheme on Newland, between Carholme Road and Mint Street, along with sections of Wigford Way, Mint Lane and Lucy Tower Street. As part of proposed works, Winvic will be improving multiple highway assets, including drainage, footways, kerbs, surfacing, traffic signals and road markings. The General Works Lot contract is designed to deliver new infrastructure assets and improvements across the County over a four-year period. Winvic commenced

Harnessing Technology and Safety Awareness for a Safer Construction Industry

The convergence of heightened safety awareness and the adoption of advanced technology is poised to instigate a significant transformation within the construction industry. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that nearly one-quarter of all work-related fatalities occur within this

Lendlease Prepares for Sale of Construction Business

Lendlease, a prominent construction firm, is currently in the process of being sold, with several potential buyers expressing interest. Simon Gorski, the managing director of its construction business, disclosed that while the formal sale process has yet to commence, preparations are underway to facilitate it promptly.
Security & Fire Protection

Warringtonfire's £24M Fire-Security Lab Nears Completion

A fire security testing and certification provider is making significant strides at its new £24 million facility in Warrington, poised to generate 50 employment opportunities upon its inauguration next year. Warringtonfire is currently erecting a new 101,000 square foot laboratory at Birchwood Technology Park, with progress now reaching the 'third fix' stage. Four out of a planned seven state-of-the-art fire resistance testing furnaces have been installed, signifying substantial advancement towards completion and commissioning. As part of the global Element Materials Technology group, Warringtonfire specializes in the fire resistance testing of critical fire safety products and systems, such as fire doorsets and intumescent coatings for steel protection. Ten months into the anticipated
Product Focus

cove.tool Launches Vitras.ai to Optimize Architectural Project Management

Today, cove.tool, a leader in AI-powered sustainability and architecture consulting, introduces Vitras.ai. This innovative online platform leverages artificial intelligence to revolutionize architectural and design workflows. Scheduled to launch later in June, Vitras.ai features AI-powered modules that automate critical tasks such as zoning studies, cost estimating, energy benchmarking, and climate analysis. By streamlining complex and time-consuming processes and providing deep, data-driven insights, Vitras.ai enhances efficiency and precision, optimizing architectural project management and decision-making. Vitras.ai capitalizes on cove.tool’s proprietary AI infrastructure and the latest open-source technology, ensuring the platform not only meets but exceeds the needs of modern
Country Reports

Karmod Completes Steel House Project in Mannheim, Germany

Karmod, a leading construction company based in Turkey, has successfully completed a steel house project in Mannheim, Germany. The project, announced in a statement released on Wednesday, adhered strictly to local construction regulations and showcased Karmod's commitment to high standards of quality and sustainability. The steel house spans 152 square meters over two floors, with a base area of 72 square meters and an attic accessible via a foldable ladder. The construction involved the use of 12 tons of prefabricated steel, produced at Karmod's facilities in Istanbul's Tuzla district. Mehmet Cankaya, Chairman of Karmod, emphasized that the project was executed in compliance with rigorous German and European standards. This adherence covered all aspects of the project, including

Thailand's Rural Roads Innovate with Recycled Plastic in Road Construction

The Department of Rural Roads in Thailand has made a significant stride in sustainable infrastructure by successfully incorporating recycled plastic into road construction. This development aligns with Thailand's ambitions for achieving net zero-waste. In 2019, the department initiated a pilot project that involved

Insights from Kesz Romania’s Latest Project

The construction industry is experiencing a gradual transformation driven by technological advancements, despite its traditional reliance on human labor. In Romania, this shift is notably illustrated by Kesz Romania, a leading construction firm undertaking the ambitious project of establishing a new AI Research
Events

Carrefour International du Bois 2024

After the great success of the 2022 edition of the Carrefour International du Bois, The reference event for the entire forest and wood sector is back in Nantes, France, on 28, 29 and 30 May 2024 with its share of new features. The major indicator, which could predict the success for this show : the stand sales are now closed! The exhibitors' enthusiasm for this biennial event was immediate. New for 2024 : The Carrefour International du Bois will be implementing the sectorization, in order to improve the visibility of the products and the visitor experience, and will divided into 4 exhibition halls: Hall 1: Parquet Hall 2 : Panels Grand Palais : Construction Hall XXL: Sawn timber, Timber trade and Forestry Also new for 2024, the show will be now open on Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 and Thursday

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