< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS materials Trends inwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS W ith the long-anticipated growth in sight, attention has turned to the very foundations of the industry, and how the shifting trends will elevate the quality of outputs and ensure continued industry success. This year is poised to shine a spotlight on a longstanding challenge – the excessive consumption of virgin materials. Despite concerted efforts by governments worldwide to curb this trend, consumption levels remain stubbornly high, leading to a cascade of waste and heightened emissions. Industry leaders are beginning to pressure manufacturers to act, appealing to their social responsibility to spearhead solutions. Embracing circular practices represents a crucial step forward, setting a precedent for others to follow suit. Whilst regulations may be tightening, manufacturers must take the initiative. Incremental changes, such as prioritizing reuse and recycling over fresh production, can yield significant strides in mitigating the environmental impact. By laying the groundwork for these practices now, the pace can quicken for broader, more transformative shifts in the future. Experts argue that it should not be merely seen as compliance but being proactive in preserving our planet’s resources for generations to come. In fact, structural engineers are increasingly tasked with futureproofing both existing infrastructure and new plans in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns. With 2023 witnessing a surge in extreme weather events, adapting existing structures to withstand floods, droughts, and other harsh elements has become imperative. With this in mind, sustainability is taking centre stage as the construction industry grapples with its role in combating climate change. With construction accounting for a significant portion of UK emissions, attention must be paid to the four Cs: climate, carbon, compliance, and cost when choosing project materials. The imperative to integrate these aspects is underscored by the growing © stock.adobe.com/waranyu © stock.adobe.com/EdNurg Faced with a difficult few years post-pandemic, the construction industry appears to be on the mend. 32 Á East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS demand for data and transparency. As financial institutions increasingly factor climate risk into their decisions, construction projects must demonstrate their green credentials to remain insurable and eligible for loans. Addressing energy consumption, particularly within areas like heavy machinery, will also aid these green initiatives. Implementing effective emission reduction solutions hinges on robust benchmarking practices. As the trade embraces digital transformation, access to data on emissions and operational efficiency becomes more readily available. Closer monitoring of machine metrics offers a tangible solution, enabling companies to identify and optimize fuel consumption throughout project lifecycles. The question then becomes, which materials should be adopted to support these efforts? In discussions surrounding sustainability, the focus often centres on the longevity of materials. However, the maintenance and replacement of building materials are frequently overlooked aspects that can significantly deplete resources. Take roofing tiles, for instance, which commonly suffer from cracking and fading, necessitating frequent attention and upkeep. By blending diverse materials such as asphalt, slate, laminate, tar paper, wood fibres, and fiberglass, manufacturers create synthetic shingles that boast enhanced durability compared to single- material options. These modern roofing solutions retain the essence of their natural counterparts while demanding minimal maintenance, presenting a promising avenue for sustainable construction practices. Similarly, Ferrock is a relatively new building material crafted from a blend of recycled components. During its hardening and drying process, this mixture actively absorbs carbon dioxide, setting it apart from traditional materials like concrete and giving itself those all- important environmentally friendly qualifications. With ingredients such as steel dust contributing to its composition, Ferrock not only mimics the functionality of concrete but also surpasses it in environmental sustainability. This distinctive material boasts a reduced carbon footprint and achieves carbon neutrality, representing a significant step forward in eco-conscious construction practices. By harnessing readily available resources and repurposing waste materials, Ferrock embodies industry drive for sustainability by transforming waste products into opportunities for positive innovation. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS Although we may not initially think of wood as a sustainable material, the key lies in the wood type. In recent years, bamboo has surged in popularity, particularly in the realm of furniture, thanks to its chic aesthetic. However, its use in construction predates this trend by many years. Unlike traditional trees like pine and cedar, which face challenges in prompt reforestation and limited geographic prevalence, bamboo boasts rapid growth rates. Furthermore, it is a natural choice for construction, with a strength-to-weight ratio that outshines wood, concrete, and brick, alongside a tensile strength rivalling that of steel. Likewise, cork has witnessed a resurgence in demand as a versatile building material with a myriad of applications. Derived from the bark of cork oak trees, cork enhances both aesthetics and functionality in construction projects. One of the unique features of cork oak trees is their longevity, with some living for over two centuries. What sets them apart is their ability to undergo bark harvesting without causing harm, allowing for repeated harvesting cycles. This sustainable practice not only makes cork an attractive building material but also underscores its eco-friendly qualifications, offering a renewable resource that aligns with the principles of responsible construction. Whether adorning walls and facades, providing flooring solutions, or serving as insulation for roofs and ceilings, cork stands as a demonstration of the potential of natural materials in creating sustainably built environments moving forward. Given this heavy focus on new materials, and re-introducing traditional ones, there becomes a pressing need to refocus attention on investing in skills, especially within specialized professions. From the craftsmanship of conservation stonemasons and master joiners to the meticulous work of lead workers, gilders, and even cleaners, the talent pool for these niche roles is rapidly dwindling. As the economy shows signs of stabilization and with an imminent election on the horizon, there’s a unique opportunity to reevaluate the priorities of the education system. The atmosphere is perfect for policymakers and industry leaders to collaborate on crafting a viable strategy to address the acute shortages in human resources currently plaguing the sector. Now more than ever, the future success of the construction industry hinges upon proactive measures to nurture and sustain the skills essential for not only continuation, but growth in the face of new climates. © stock.adobe.com/Michal East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk LEGAL SERVICES In a tightly regulated business environment, legal services are indispensable when safeguarding your company’s interests and securing its success. W hether ensuring compliance with the law, mitigating risks or managing contracts, seeking out the right expertise for your concerns can make all the difference. Many successful businesses will find themselves needing specialised lawyers or firms to navigate the intricacies of legislation, and often in several areas. Before you begin your search, you should identify your specific legal needs. Different aspects of your business may require expertise in various legal domains. For instance, if you’re dealing with trademark issues, you’ll need an intellectual property lawyer. If you’re facing a contract dispute however, a lawyer with expertise in contract law will be best approached instead. Start by pinpointing the exact challenges or opportunities you’re dealing with, and you’ll be better equipped to search for people with expertise in those areas. As you begin your search, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with competing law firms all marketing for your attention. One of the most effective ways to find a An indispensable asset An indispensable asset www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link LEGAL SERVICES © stock.adobe.com/M+Isolation+Photo specialised lawyer, or at least narrow your list down, is through personal recommendations. Reach out to your network of business contacts, mentors or industry associations for referrals. They may have firsthand experience working with professionals in your area of need, providing valuable insights into their capabilities and reputation. Once you have a shortlist of potential lawyers or law firms, it’ll be easier to conduct thorough research into that handful of choices. Visit their websites and read their bios to make sure they have the right credentials. Pay close attention to their track record, client testimonials and case studies, which will display all the details you need to verify that they are licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction. It’s also a smart move to make sure they have the necessary certifications, or memberships in relevant legal associations. Just as you would showcase your business successes to prove customers can trust you, a reputable and trustworthy law firm should do the same. By this point, you should have a manageable number of firms or individuals to arrange consultations with. These meetings are excellent opportunities to assess whether a lawyer is the right fit for your business, but it’s also important to prepare for them properly. Note down your needs both from your business and from legal support and identify questions you could ask about their experience in similar cases. While you talk to them about how they 36 Á East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk LEGAL SERVICES would approach your situation, pay attention to how comfortable you feel. Communication between you both will be crucial throughout your legal dealings, and sensitive conversations are bound to be much easier if you sense an instant rapport. As long as you aren’t making unfair judgements or acting on discriminatory attitudes, it’s okay to use your instincts. Intuition is often undervalued in business—though it can be a slippery source of reasoning, the fact it’s more in tune with emotion is more helpful when considering the person you want on your side, not just the job you want done. Consider it a working relationship and choose someone who not only possesses the required legal expertise, but also understands your business. A strong lawyer-client relationship is built on trust and needs someone you feel good about working closely with. Finding someone whose ethics and personality aligns with your business and its goals can bring you a long way towards closing a deal with them. But certain details shouldn’t be overlooked, even at this late stage in talks. Before making a final decision, inquire about the lawyer’s fees and billing practices. Different lawyers may have various fee arrangements, such as hourly rates, flat fees or contingency charges. Be sure to discuss the estimated costs and any potential additional expenses associated with your legal matter, as getting tripped up by fine print may land you in yet another complicated situation further down the line. Discuss any associated expenses, which can include court filing, travel expenses or witness fees, and determine which ones you or your lawyer will cover. It’s important to know where responsibilities lie on both sides, so you know everything expected of you as well as what is legally required of your lawyer. When you’re going over the details, always review and understand the engagement agreement thoroughly. This document outlines the scope of work and extensive terms of your partnership but is also legally binding. It can be surprisingly stressful to read and digest so many specifics, but a lawyer you can trust will let you keep the document for reviewing in your own time. Rushing through may cause misunderstandings or missed words, so make sure you take all the time you need. You may find it particularly helpful to review any clauses on dispute resolution, such as arbitration or mediation, so you can understand how disagreements between you and a lawyer will be resolved. Taking this in now will smooth over any potential conflicts, avoiding any messy arguments in already complicated legal matters. But you should also receive a copy of the agreement for later reference, and seeking legal advice from another impartial source is always an option if you have any uncertainties or concerns. © stock.adobe.com/Wicitr0800 542 4245 info@s ĕĩĩŜĩøČÑĩǍëĺǍūĦ www ǍŜĕĩĩŜĩøČÑĩǍëĺǍūĦ SOLICITORS Incorporating www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link LEGAL SERVICES S ills & Betteridge LLP have acquired Nottingham-headquartered Campions Solicitors. The collaboration is a significant development in the East Midlands legal landscape and realises the ambitions of both firms to create a dynamic legal partnership in the region. Sills & Betteridge were founded over 265 years ago and are consistently ranked among the top-performing law firms in the UK. The firm first expanded into Nottingham from neighbouring Lincolnshire in 2013 when they acquired MacLaren Britton of King Street. In 2019 they undertook extensive sympathetic refurbishment of their current offices on George Street, Hockley to where the Campions team will now relocate. Campions offices on Mansfield Road in the city will close - and their operations in Pride Park, Derby and Grove Park, Leicester will remain open and be further developed by the firm. The merged practice will operate across the East Midlands as Sills & Betteridge incorporating Campions. Sills & Betteridge Chief Executive Martyn Hall explained the reason for the merger: “Bringing an established East Midlands brand like Campions on board will help us to develop our profile in the region and gain real competitive advantage in our complementary practice areas of family law, residential conveyancing and wills, trusts and probate. We look forward to working with their team and providing additional personal and commercial legal services to their clients.” Campions Founder Stephen Campion said: “We are very pleased to be joining forces with Sills. We are aware of their strong reputation and wide range of legal services and believe our collective expertise and commitment to delivering excellent client care will truly benefit existing and future clients.” Daniel Priest, joining the merged practice as a Partner agreed: “Having worked in family law for over 20 years I am very excited to be bringing my experience and expertise of working with clients throughout the East Midlands to such a large and established legal practice.” The acquisition will see the 400 strong team at Sills & Betteridge deliver legal services from 18 locations across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the East Midlands. East Midlands law firms unite to create dynamic legal partnership L-R: Partner and Nottingham Branch Manager Stephen Britton, Chief Executive Martyn Hall, Campions Founder Stephen Campion and Partner Daniel Priest East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS W hen I hear that tired old cliche “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” I cringe. The classic Gerald Ratner “cr*p” comment is the one that most often gets cited but that was at least off-camera and off the cuff. Plus, the only bad taste about it was the product, not the message or the media. Let alone the audience. Compare that to the astonishing ill- conceived Valentine’s Cards sent to residents at Whitegates Care Centre in Surrey with the heart-felt (profit driven message) “Sent with love from TH Sanders & Sons.” As if this wasn’t and we value the support and engagement of all our neighbours, including TH Sanders. Out of their own kindness and goodwill, they have brought warmth, joy, and generosity to residents through various initiatives.” Out of context, this sounds wonderful! They go on: “From delivering Christmas blankets, donating to our charity raffles, sending in cards and sweets, to gifting seeds for our garden, their contributions have been received with gratitude and appreciation from both residents and our team members alike.” How lovely! However, this goodwill does not give anyone carte blanche to Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, illustrates why there is such thing as bad publicity. enough, the care home thought it was wise to distribute them! That was the “sliding doors” marketing moment here. Take a pause, think carefully, politely decline for fear of potential offence caused, let alone brand damage! Nobody needs to be made to feel awkward, embarrassed or distressed – well, maybe some embarrassment for the funeral firm but they probably deserved that. To make matters worse, the care home has since come out defending the actions! They did so with some lovely little marketing messages too: “We’re deeply embedded within the local community, www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link PUBLIC RELATIONS ride roughshod over a potentially devastating and raw time for any number of residents, their families, friends and their caregivers. Apparently: “Residents were thrilled to receive the Valentine’s Day cards and they all had a lovely day celebrating.” Well, you would say that wouldn’t you? No press quotes are ever going to come out saying: “To be honest, it was a tad awks for some. We had one resident taken to A&E yesterday and another has had family over all weekend as things aren’t looking too good but at least there was a jolly card to remind them of a local firm who can take care of their looming doom.” The reply from the spokesperson for Dignity, the funeral director’s parent company, is far better mainly because they have admitted fault albeit they have then thrown the local branch under the marketing bus: “We deeply regret any unintended distress caused by the Valentine’s card sent to Whitegates Care Centre by one of our branches. We are committed to maintaining a positive and respectful relationship with the communities we serve. We accept that, in this instance, our efforts to connect with the local community were misjudged and not appropriate.” So, still think there’s no such thing as bad publicity? A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. Next >