WET News

News+ University researchers reveal concerns that the potential consequences of microplastics emitted from households have not been adequately analysed. P4 Onsite: How has innovation and collaboration knocked weeks o of timescales on Severn Trent's Little Eaton WTW upgraded? P10-11 Insight: Sludge treatment & disposal Sludge quality, storage and transport have become critical factors driving performance and e„ ciencies P16-17 WET NEWS WATER AND EFFLUENT TREATMENT NEWS Hewden collapse comes weeks after it warned it had been 'impacted' by Brexit vote. T he Water Industry Achievement Awards are back, which means it is time to showcase your innovative thinking. So get those entries in – the closing date is January 20, 2017. Organised by WET News and Water & Wastewater Treatment, the awards celebrate and reward forward thinking and best practice in the water industry. A new category for the 2017 event is Team of the Year, which will go to the team that has consistently delivered best practice and leading-edge ideas. The winners will be announced at a glittering extravaganza at The Vox, Birmingham, on May 23, 2017! Companies have already signed up and are sponsoring categories including the CPSA, sponsoring Sustainable Drain- age & Flood Management Initiative of the Year, and Asset International, sponsoring Car- bon Reduction Initiative of the Year. Entering the awards could not be easier – just visit wwtonline.co.uk/awards. A-Plant swoops for assets a er Hewden collapse DECEMBER 2016 Volume 22 • Issue 12 Dee Valley Water in demand A s WET News went to press Dee Valley Water (DVW) was at the centre of a bidding war between Severn Trent Water and infrastructure investment manager Ancala. Severn Trent said it would buy rival water company Dee Valley in a deal worth £78.5M, overtaking an original £71.3M takeover agreed by Ancala. The company said it would pay 1,705 pence in cash per share for Dee Valley. However, Ancala came back with a bid of 1p a share more than Severn Trent. In a statement, Ancala said: "Under the terms of the revised Ancala bid, voting ordinary shareholders will receive 1,706 pence in cash per voting ordinary share they hold." It said that, under its ownership, Dee Valley would "continue to be a local company, run by sta¤ situated locally within the community who will be incentivised to deliver excellent customer service to that community". In response, Severn Trent said it "continues to consider its options". "…detailed and e ective site drainage and flood risk suitability should now be automatic for every development" Stuart Pearce, GeoSmart. P7 "BIM is supporting inspired decision- making, because you are getting clarity" Anne Kemp, UK BIM Alliance. P8 Water 'Oscars' open for entries A shtead Group subsidiary A-Plant has forked out £29M to buy certain assets of crane and plant hire specialist Hewden, which went into administration last month just weeks a§ er it warned it had been "impacted by market uncertainty following the vote to leave the EU'. Ernst & Young's Sam Wood- ward, one of the joint adminis- trator of Hewden, said three divisions of Hewden had been sold to A-Plant – the Access and Power generation assets, the On-site plant business and the business and assets of Interli§ . A total of 133 employees were transferring across with the businesses. A-Plant chief executive Sat Dhaiwal said: "This acquisition signiª cantly enhances A-Plant's o¤ ering in the industrial sector where we have been keen to develop our capabilities for some time." Manchester-based Hewden, which on LinkedIn lists Thames Water, Carillion, and Balfour Beatty among its customers, went into administration on November 22, a¤ ecting more than 750 sta¤ including crane drivers, customer service sta¤ , plant ª tters and maintenance crews. The administrators con- ª rmed 251 sta¤ had been made redundant as a result of Hewd- en's administration. Hewden's recent accounts, covering the year to December 2014, revealed losses of £16.6M on sales of £105M. A statement issued by Hewden in October said the Brexit vote "has adversely a¤ ected a number of large construction and capital investment projects. The com- pany is in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to resolve the situation in a consensual man- ner…" It has been optimistic that a positive solution would be found. Woodward said: "Manage- ment has been attempting to operationally reshape the [Hewden] business to focus on higher margin and quicker returning assets and services. However, this has proven chal- lenging with the group's capital structure and the recent trading environment. Management recently undertook a number of initiatives including approach- ing new funders and potential acquirers to recapitalise the business, but unfortunately these e¤ orts proved unsuccessful." Woodward said the adminis- trators were assessing the opti- mum strategy for maximising value in the remainder of the group. "In the meantime, we will continue to work with stakeholders to maintain ser- vice levels to customers who have assets on hire." Trade union Unite described Hewden's administration as a "sickening blow", and said it would ª ght to secure as many jobs as possible. It has been in contact with the administrators Ernst &Young over today's announcement which a¤ ects over 750 sta¤ including crane drivers, customer service sta¤ , plant ª tters and maintenance crews. National o± cer Bernard McAulay said: "Unite will be ª ghting to secure the futures of Hewden workers and support- ing them in any way we can through this di± cult time. We are currently in contact with the administrators over the transfer of workers to A-Plant, in addition to other crane oper- ators and plant hire companies. REALITY CHECK • Hewden's accounts for the 12 months to Dececmber 2014 reveal a £16.6M loss • Around 750 sta were a ected by Hedwden's collapse • Ernst & Young was appointed administrator or Hewden • Hewden has been owned by private equity › rm Sun European since 2010. Pumps for water and wastewater Selwood is the UK's leading supplier of high quality contractors pumps for sale and rental. Our range of pumps, specifically designed for sewage, sludge, wastewater and clean water applications, are built to cope with arduous conditions and offers maximum performance and reliability. Selwood has more than 60 years of manufacturing expertise supported by a national branch and worldwide distributor network committed to outstanding levels of service. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your pumping requirements. 023 8026 6311 Facebook "f " Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook "f " Logo CMYK / .ai

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