PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Steel sector mourns
8 NSC
Apr 20
David Hodgkiss OBE, CEO of
steelwork contractor William
Hare and grandson of the
company’s founder, has died after
a short illness, he was 71.
A company statement said:
“Many clients and employees will
have met or worked directly with
David and know of his enduring
passion and enthusiasm for his
family’s business. David’s legacy
through his dynamic leadership
can be seen throughout the global
business.
“In this testing time of a global
pandemic, David wished for
all colleagues to continue their
positive attitude towards every
facet of their respective work, to
ensure continued and successful
services to our clients.”
David’s sister and William Hare
Chairman, Susan Hodgkiss CBE
DL, said: “He will be sadly missed
by the construction world and
many others, and our thoughts
are with his wife Shirley and
family.”
David and Susan together
had put measures in place to
ensure that there is a legacy plan
with the family to maintain a
direct involvement, securing the
heritage and future direction of a
successful family business.
William Hare Group Board
have announced, in order to
ensure business continuity,
that Hugo Camacho has been
appointed as Chief Operations
Officer.
Kloeckner Metals UK has
announced that it has been
certified with Fit 4 Nuclear status
(F4N) by Nuclear AMRC.
F4N is a unique service,
developed by Nuclear AMRC
(University of Sheffield) to help
UK manufacturing companies get
ready to bid for work in the nuclear
supply chain. It lets companies
measure their operations against
standards required to supply the
nuclear industry - in new build,
operations and decommissioning.
Throughout the assessment
process Kloeckner’s Blackburn
site was supported by F4N
Industry Advisor John Olver who
reviewed a wide range of processes
and procedures and suggested
improvements.
Mr Olver said: “Kloeckner
Blackburn has been on its F4N
journey for three years. In that
time, extra resource has been
provided in a focused manner and
substantial training undertaken
to ensure there is a suitably
qualified workforce, effective
communication and introduction
of a lean philosophy. There is
clearly a strong commitment
from the business and all its
employees towards a nuclear safety
culture and ongoing continuous
improvement.
Steve Tyrer Kloeckner Metals
UK Business Development
Manager Nuclear said: “Our F4N
journey has been an extremely
positive one with our successful
award the result of a collaborative
approach.
“This certificate is in recognition
of Kloeckner’s strong drive towards
continuous improvement and will
greatly assist us in our journey into
nuclear new build, as many tier one
contractors recognise F4N as an
important qualification to identify
new potential suppliers.”
News
The world is facing unprecedented
times. The effect of the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic on the health
and wellbeing of the nation is still
uncertain. Each day the number of
people infected, and the number of
deaths increases. We are also getting
more stringent information on social
distancing; pubs restaurants, clubs etc have been
closed as have some parks and public spaces. We can
only go outside for food, health reasons or work - but
only if we cannot work from home. Further restrictive
measures including ‘curfews and prohibitions’ on
movement may yet be imposed.
The government and the Chancellor have
introduced unprecedented peacetime measures to
ensure companies and employees make it through the
pandemic and are able to continue their business and
social lives once the pandemic is over.
But what are steelwork contractors doing? Like
most companies they are trying to follow government
guidance, but this is changing rapidly, and the
measures put in place today may be different from
those needed tomorrow. These are very challenging
and stressful times.
Most companies are doing their best to operate
a business as usual approach by putting in place
lots of measures to help prevent the spread of the
virus including special cleaning in the office and
workshop. Members of staff with existing conditions
and those with children whose jobs permit it have
been set up with systems allowing then to work from
home. Companies report that all staff are being very
supportive and realise that it is not just the Company’s
responsibility to deal with the current circumstances,
but they too have a responsibility.
However, the business as usual approach is
becoming more difficult as site shutdowns become
widespread. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure
that the business remains viable during these difficult
times and this includes reviewing active contracts and
any contracts that the company is about to enter. It is
important to review what the contract says about the
following issues:
• Use of alternative materials
• Force majeure (if defined, sometimes epidemics or
pandemics are included)
• Relevant events/matters enabling claims for
extensions of time and additional money
• Delay and liquidated damages
• Rights to suspend/terminate the contract
• Notices – early warnings and notification of relevant
events/compensation events in particular
Other issues that are being reviewed include what
to do if employees do contract coronavirus, and if you
do shut down the works how do you do so quickly
and safely? How quickly and safely can companies
react to receiving a notice to shut down your works on
site from a main contractor? These are questions that
some companies are having to deal with now. Another
issue to consider is insurance and whether companies
have insurance policies that could held recoup losses
and, if you have this type of insurance, do you need to
contact your insurers under the terms of the insurance
policy?
The effect of the pandemic is likely to result in a
recession although there is also talk of a depression.
Strategic planning is therefore needed to ensure
companies can weather the results of this economic
shock.
These are very difficult times for the country, its
people and the construction industry. The impact
that this will have on the construction industry is
unknown, but I feel that by pulling together the
industry will come through this.
Tim Outteridge
BCSA President
William Hare CEO
Steel trees support LSE campus expansion
Two steel tree-like structures have
been installed as integral elements
of the London School of Economics
(LSE) new Marshall Building.
The trees, which are to be
encased in concrete, help to
create open-plan areas and evenly
transfer substantial loads to the
foundations in the otherwise
concrete-framed building.
Both trees have four steel
raking branches, are similar in
size and provide similar solutions.
One of the trees is supported by
a column, stemming from the
first floor through a second-floor
void, and supports the third floor.
The other tree supports the slab
at level four and is founded on a
steel column that is sat on top of a
transfer beam at level one.
“Steel was used for the trees
as the four branches collectively
support approximately 3,500t,
which was not feasible in concrete
given the structural zones available,”
explains AKT II Associate Wai Pang.
Offering approximately
18,100m2 of space, the Marshall
Building is the latest project
in the London School of
Economics (LSE) campus-wide
redevelopment programme.
Overlooking Lincolns Inn Fields,
the flagship building will have ten
upper floors and two basement
levels, and will contain The Marshall
Institute for Philanthropy and Social
Entrepreneurship, founded by Sir
Thomas Hughes-Hallett and Sir Paul
Marshall to improve the impact,
effectiveness and appeal of private
contributions to the public good.
Working on behalf of main
contractor Mace, Bourne Steel is
erecting 126t of steelwork for the
project.
Other steel elements on the
project include steel nodes that
have been installed within the
main core, to help transfer loads.
Kloeckner Metals UK gains
fit for nuclear status
/Construction#Steel_erection
/Concept_design#Concrete_or_steel_cores