1. Skanska to build first commercial 3D concrete printer
Skanska has signed a collaboration agreement with Loughborough University to develop its lab-based concrete 3D printing technology to a commercially viable scale. Read more…
2. BIM start-up spun out of Kier targets new customers
A BIM platform that originated in-house at Kier is now actively targeting other contractors and clients, aiming to shift its client base to a wide mix between Kier and external customers. Read more…
3. Industry facing pipeline bulge and skills crisis by April
The industry in the south east could face a shortfall of labour and professional skills as early as April as pipeline schemes come on stream, according to a report by KPMG and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Read more…
4. First tool in Google’s ‘BIM-busting app’ launched
The software company spun out of “moonshot” incubator Google [x] has launched the first version of an app that could speed up building design by “an order of magnitude”. Read more…
5. HSE takes action at one in five sites in latest safety blitz
The HSE’s month-long random inspection of 1,748 repair and refurbishment sites resulted in 360 sites being issued with enforcement notices, and 40% of all sites visited (691) failed health and safety spot-checks. Read more…
6. Members invited to EGM to vote on new Grade Review
Members were invited to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting of the CIOB on 24 November 2014 to vote on a resolution to reform the membership structure. Read more…
7. ‘More IT investment needed to grow BIM adoption’
Construction needs to invest more in technology if adoption of BIM is to become more widespread, according to a survey by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) 2050 Group. Read more…
8. Plan to cover car parks and stadia in PV ‘solar cloth’
A “solar cloth” that won an award for the best solar innovation of 2014 could soon be installed over 27,000 car parking spaces, according to its inventor, The Solar Cloth Company. Read more…
9. Aecom calls on industry to back ‘Natural Grid’ canal
The £14bn “Aecom canal” proposal for a north-south waterway to solve drought and water supply problems has been rebranded as The Natural Grid – and seeks the involvement and support of other consultants in the sector. Read more…
10. Robots to take 35% of job roles by 2034
Jobs in construction are among those at “high risk” of being replaced in the next 20 years as a result of the onward march of technology, automation and robotics, latest research reveals. Read more…
Top in Agenda
Why is the industry making such a meal of its bread and butter?
Contractors such as Balfour Beatty are struggling to turn profit predictions into cash. CM spoke to accountants and industry experts to ask why experienced firms are getting it wrong. Read more…
Top in Management
Britain’s oldest builder joins the pension revolution
R Durtnell & Sons has joined nearly 28,000 other businesses in operating a pension arrangement under the new auto-enrolment regime. Darren Philp of B&CE explains how. Read more…
Top in Comment
A no-brainer for NEETs and the house building industry
Keith Simpson, co-founder of Building Better Lives, on an elegant way to address two major issues: the out of work and housing supply. Read more…
Top in International
Denmark’s huge power plant & ski slope
Five municipalities near Copenhagen are replacing an old waste incinerator with a gigantic new one that will burn a greater quantity of trash, heat homes, generate electricity, and provide a new facility for skiers. Read more…
