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Actuate UK
Actuate UK is an alliance of eight specialist engineering membership associations in the United Kingdom. It was formally launched in February 2021, in some respects superseding, but expanding on the activities of, the Specialist Engineering Contractors' Group which operated between 1993 and January 2021. History The SEC Group represented seven organisations which collectively comprised over 60,000 companies, with a total workforce of over 300,000 individuals. It was particularly active in the areas of achieving: more cost effective procurement; fair and prompt payment and protection of cash retentions; supporting excellence and innovation; and the early involvement of specialist contractors in construction projects to ensure more effective delivery. In Scotland the SEC Group operated separately as "SEC Group Scotland".''Scottish Construction Now''Poor payment performance 'still widespread', finds SEC Group Scotland survey published 24 May 2019, accessed 24 April 2023 After leadi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trade Association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific Industry (economics), industry. Through collaboration between companies within a Business sector, sector, a trade association coordinates public relations activities such as advertising, education, publishing and, especially, lobbying and political action. Associations may offer other services, such as producing conferences, setting industry standards, holding networking or charitable events, or offering classes or educational materials. Many associations are non-profit organizations governed by bylaws and directed by officers who are also members. (FEC: Solicitable Class of Trade Association, Library of Congress). In countries with a social market economy, the role of trade associations is often taken by employers' organizations, which also take a role in social dialogue. Political in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Procurement
Procurement is the process of locating and agreeing to terms and purchasing goods, services, or other works from an external source, often with the use of a tendering or competitive bidding process. The term may also refer to a contractual obligation to "procure", i.e. to "ensure" that something is done. When a government agency buys goods or services through this practice, it is referred to as '' government procurement'' or public procurement. Procurement as an organizational process is intended to ensure that the buyer receives goods, services, or works at the best possible price when aspects such as quality, quantity, time, and location are compared. Corporations and public bodies often define processes intended to promote fair and open competition for their business while minimizing risks such as exposure to fraud and collusion. Almost all purchasing decisions include factors such as delivery and handling, marginal benefit, and fluctuations in the prices of goods. Org ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Prompt Payment
Prompt payment is a commercial discipline which requires businesses to: * agree fair and reasonable payment terms with their suppliers * ensure suppliers' invoices are approved and paid within agreed terms * encourage adoption of the same practices throughout their supply chain. It is the opposite of ''late payment'', to which the European Union's Late Payments Directive and the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 in the United Kingdom are directed. Prompt payment may also be contrasted with excessively long or grossly unfair payment terms, such as payment terms in excess of 60 days, even where such terms are honoured by the business making payment. Other terminology adopted to express this discipline includes "fair payment", for example in the construction industry, and "responsible payment", a term used by the UK Government when countering what was seen as a "late payment culture". United Kingdom In the UK, businesses are encouraged to sign the Prompt Payment C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Retentions In The British Construction Industry
Retainage is a portion of the agreed upon contract price deliberately withheld until the work is complete to assure that the contractor or subcontractor will satisfy its obligations and complete a construction project. A retention is money withheld by one party in a contract to act as security against incomplete or defective works. They have their origin in the Railway Mania of the 1840s but are now common across the industry, featuring in the majority of construction contracts. A typical retention rate is 5% of which half is released at completion and half at the end of the defects liability period (often 12 months later). There has been criticism of the practice for leading to uncertainty on payment dates, increasing tensions between parties and putting monies at risk in cases of insolvency. There have been several proposals to replace the practice with alternative systems. History and purpose The practice of retainage dates back to the construction of the United Kingdom railway ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Early Contractor Involvement
Early contractor involvement (ECI) is a type of construction contract where the principal contractor is engaged at an early stage in a project to offer input into the design phase. It is in contrast to the design–bid–build model where the contractor is only brought onboard at the end of the design phase. The model allows the contractor to have an input in the design of the scheme and suggest value engineering changes. Studies have shown that savings of around 10% in construction phase time and 7% in cost are achievable through the use of ECI. The ECI model has become increasingly popular in the United Kingdom since the early 2000s and is also used in Australia and New Zealand. Description In traditional construction contracts (known as design–bid–build contracts) the principal contractor is only engaged when a detailed design is complete. An invitation to tender is published and a number of contractors will price the construction of the design, from which a single ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sustainability
Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time. Definitions of this term are disputed and have varied with literature, context, and time. Sustainability usually has three dimensions (or pillars): environmental, economic, and social. Many definitions emphasize the environmental dimension. This can include addressing key environmental problems, including climate change and biodiversity loss. The idea of sustainability can guide decisions at the global, national, organizational, and individual levels. A related concept is that of sustainable development, and the terms are often used to mean the same thing. UNESCO distinguishes the two like this: "''Sustainability'' is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e. a more sustainable world), while ''sustainable development'' refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it." Details around the economic dimension of sustainability are controversial. Scholars have discussed this under ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Building Regulations In The United Kingdom
Building regulations in the United Kingdom are statutory instrument (UK), statutory instruments or statutory regulations that seek to ensure that the policies set out in the relevant legislation are carried out. Building regulations approval is required for most building work in the UK. Building regulations that apply across England and Wales are made under powers set out in the Building Act 1984 (c. 55) while those that apply across Scotland are set out in the Building (Scotland) Act 2003. The Building Act 1984, as amended by the (c. 30), permits detailed regulations to be made by the Secretary of State for England and by a Welsh Minister for Wales. As 'Building Regulations' and 'Building Safety' are devolved areas of law, in the four parts of the UK. The building regulations made under the Building Act 1984 have been periodically updated, rewritten or consolidated, with the latest and current version being the Building Regulations 2010. The UK Government (at Westminster) is r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Building Engineering Services Association
The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), until 2012 the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association, and from then until 2016, B&ES, is the main UK trade association for companies that design, install, commission and maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration ( HVACR) and related engineering projects. History The association has undergone several name changes since it was initially founded in 1904. It was originally the National Association of Master Heating & Domestic Engineers and was intended to represent the commercial interests of engineering contractors rather than individual engineers, who, since 1897 had been able to join the Institution of Heating & Ventilating Engineers (today CIBSE). Following a series of industrial disputes with employers, the contractors' body was established in January 1904, and held its first official meeting in March, and its first council meeting on 14 June 1904. Fourteen founder members were joined by six fu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
BSRIA
BSRIA (it takes its name from the initial letters of the Building Services Research and Information Association) is a UK-based testing, instrumentation, research and consultancy organisation, providing specialist services in construction and building services engineering. It is a not-for-profit, member-based association, with over 650 member companies; related services are delivered by a trading company, BSRIA Limited. Any profits made are invested in its research programme, producing best practice guidance. BSRIA is a full member of the Construction Industry Council. Structure BSRIA had a turnover of £11.8 million in 2010/11. It employs over 180 people at its UK head office in Bracknell as well as regionally based engineers in the UK and offices in France, Spain, Germany, China, Japan, Brazil and North America. BSRIA's mission is "to enable the building services and construction industries and their clients to enhance the value of the built environment, by improving the qu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chartered Institution Of Building Services Engineers
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE; pronounced 'sib-see') is an international professional engineering association based in London, England that represents building services engineers. It is a full member of the Construction Industry Council, and is consulted by government on matters relating to construction, engineering and sustainability. It is also licensed by the Engineering Council to assess candidates for inclusion on its Register of Professional Engineers. History CIBSE was formed in 1976, and received a Royal Charter that same year following a merger of the Institution of Heating and Ventilation Engineers (founded in 1897) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (founded in 1909). Previously CIBS, the word 'Engineers' was added in 1985, and hence the Institution became CIBSE. Royal Charter Under the CIBSE Royal Charter and By-laws, the Institution's primary objects are: * The promotion for the benefit of the public in general of the art, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Electrical Contractors' Association
ECA (formerly the Electrical Contractors' Association) is the main trade association for companies involved in electrotechnical and other technical engineering projects in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. In 2022 it had some 2600 registered members - companies who collectively generated annual revenues of over £6billion (e.g. the UK electrical contracting industry is worth in excess of £10 billion). ECA also has associate categories open to industry manufacturers, distributors, educators, clients and specifiers who wish to engage and collaborate with members. ECA is currently either leading or active across a range of built environment, building, construction, maintenance, and infrastructure issues, and in particular those relating to electrical engineering, mainly in the commercial, industrial and public sectors, as well as the domestic arena. Key areas of activity include: technical; standards; skills; health and safety; renewable, energy efficiency and other energy install ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Federation Of Environmental Trade Associations
A federation (also called a federal state) is an entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a federal government (federalism). In a federation, the self-governing status of the component states, as well as the division of power between them and the central government, is constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision, neither by the component states nor the federal political body without constitutional amendment. Sovereign power is formally divided between a central authority and a number of constituent regions so that each region retains some degree of control over its internal affairs. Overriding powers of a central authority theoretically can include the constitutional authority to suspend a constituent state's government by invoking gross mismanagement or civil unrest, or to adopt national legislation that overrides or infringes on the constituent states' powers by invoking the cen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
