Dear CCS Member,

Welcome to the Confederation's latest newsletter. Our goal with this exciting new launch is to keep our members up to date with all our latest campaigns, news and initiatives.

There will also be plenty of opportunities for you to get involved too. Please send all your news and views to info@constructionspecialists.org - we look forward to hearing from you.

Your Confederation is committed to reducing waste and battling climate change, which is why we are bringing this newsletter to you by email. Please spare a thought for the environment before printing it.

In this issue:

- Conductix sparks a global revolution
- CCS accuses house builders of "playground bullying"
- New CCS image puts the message out
- Put health and safety on your agenda
- CSS 25th Annual Conference - last chance to book - only £60 (exc.VAT)
- Construction Act - by Richard Noble

Conductix Ltd, the conductic division of Delachaux SA, is set to strengthen its position as the UK's leading designer and manufacturer of electrification systems and cable machinery with the acquisition of Wampfler Co Ltd.

It follows a move by Delachaux SA, last year, to purchase a share capital in Germany's Wampfler AG - another world leader in energy supply systems - to create a worldwide group with a turnover in excess of €800m.

Under a programme of corporate rationalisation and rebranding, Conductix, as of 1st May, will become Conductix-Wampfler - the 'global market leader for energy and data transmission systems'.

With such a huge synergy between the two companies, Conductix-Wampfler customers will benefit from an unbeatable solutions package, backed by extensive expertise and specialisation, whatever the application.

Your Confederation has put its full weight behind a major new campaign to discourage house builders levying a 5% deduction or surcharge on their suppliers - an action we consider to be nothing short of playground bullying.

The controversial decision to cut payments has angered many subcontractors who have already offered the best possible price at the front end of the contract in order to secure the work and could face financial ruin if payments are cut further.

Staggeringly, this 'like it or lump it' deduction comes just months after the Office of Government Commerce released its guide to Best 'Fair Payment' Practices for public sector construction, which includes a Fair Payment Charter that commits clients, lead contractors and their suppliers to, amongst other things, no unfair withholding of retentions.

The Confederation is appalled at what we feel is an irresponsible display of contempt toward Specialist Subcontractors and our members. The house builders claim to have based their decision on the prospect of a tough 2008, yet it is you, the suppliers and specialist subcontractors, who are being forced to foot the bill for housekeeping inefficiencies and fine margin tendering.

No doubt if the boot was on the other foot, the response from the house builders would be 'tough' or so what.

This is why The Confederation of Construction Specialists is spearheading a united front to allow smaller companies to challenge house builders and ensure the construction industry does not tolerate the kind of behavior which erodes the progress that has been made in resent years and slipping back into the draconian dark ages.

With the list of House builders reducing payments to suppliers growing by the day, along with the effects of the Credit Crunch beginning to be felt, specialist contractors require expert practical and contractual advice more than ever.

The Confederation of Construction Specialists' new slogan - 'Working for Ethical Contracts' - tells them exactly where to find it.

For a quarter of a century now, The Confederation of Construction Specialists has championed the cause of members, delivering crucial legal and practical advice on contract issues and providing a strong independent voice.

On the eve of the 25th anniversary, we wanted to broadcast a clear, definitive message to people working for specialist Subcontractors and Suppliers who are tired of facing contractual obstacles. The Confederation's new strap line 'Working for Ethical Contracts' is the perfect calling card.

Time is running out to book your place on our upcoming health and safety courses - IOSH Managing Safely and IOSH Directing Safely - available through our sister organisation the IOCS.

As health and safety legislation continues to mount, so do the risks, including the issue of corporate manslaughter. This is why The Confederation of Construction Specialists is urging all members to make full use of the courses, which are fully accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

They are specifically tailored to the needs of individuals employed by specialist companies at supervisor, manager and director level, clearly explaining their duties and responsibilities.

More importantly, they get delegates thinking about health and safety as an integral aspect of their jobs and show them how to get it right. This includes assessing and controlling risks, identifying hazards, planning effectively and measuring performance.

All participants who successfully complete the written and practical assessments are awarded an IOSH certificate.

IOSH Managing Safely (four day course)
John Huxtable Centre, Aldershot - 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th June

Cost for non-Members: £800 exc. VAT
Cost for Members: £625 exc. VAT

IOSH Directing Safely (one day course)
Static Systems, Wombourne - 29th May

Cost for non-Members: £200 exc. VAT
Cost for Members: £125 exc. VAT

For further information on the full range of IOCS courses, including IOSH Managing Safely or IOSH Directing Safely,
please call 01252 312122.

Book now to reserve your place at our 25th Annual Conference, which is being held on 30th April at the Henley Golf & Country Club, Warwickshire.

This year's theme is 'early specialist contractor involvement' and, with a number of prominent speakers, promises to be an event not to be missed.

Guest speakers include:

Andy Johnson - Director of Purchasing, Kier Residential (Group) Plc
Martin Scarth - retired Director, Kier Group Plc
"Procurement"

Jim Mason - Senior Lecturer, Faculty of the Built Environment, University of the West of England
"Partnering"

Roger Bibbings - Occupational Safety Advisor, ROSPA
"Board Level Leadership of Health and Safety"

Following lunch, there will be a golf competition on the 9-hole par three course - perfect for your short game. Alternatively, beginners can chose to receive expert tuition from the club's resident golf pro. Either way, we have something for everyone.

Tickets for the conference cost just £60 (exc. VAT) each and are available on a first come, first served basis.

For further information or to make your reservation, please call Dusty Brough on 01252 312122 or email dustybrough@constructionspecialists.org

What happened to the review of The Construction Act, which originally aimed to reduce confrontation and give us better cash flow and fair pay?

Instead of the long-awaited improvement, all we have is guidance from the Office of Government Commerce on best procurement practice, urging the public sector to lead way.

And what happens? Over-complex demands are placed on tenderers and subcontractors are faced with a proliferation of schemes and form filling, as each player attempts to set up his own compliance package.

Faced with the demands of these schemes, one beleaguered subcontractor says, "We invest large sums in the independent assessment of our operation."

"Why should we have to spend more money to buy in to each contractor's scheme?"

"We pay independent health and safety consultants to audit our systems. We have an environmental policy."

"We are audited for Notified Body Approval on the design of our products. This costs money too. And now,  more contractors want money to join their schemes."

What is the point of all this if contractors ask up to £3,000 to join a pre-tender scheme? The idea behind best practice is to cut the time and money wasted on forms.