Despite my concerns over the Brexit fallout; despite my fears for a continuation of the Coronavirus crisis; despite my trepidation over the findings of the CMA investigation; and despite my growing frustration and anger over the endless Didcot investigation, I start 2021 with a surprising degree of excitement and optimism.

2020 was the year in which forecasts became futile; when predictions became pointless; when the runes were rendered redundant. 

So, in a year in which the unprecedented became the norm, the fact that the UK construction industry recorded more than £12.2 billion (against a monthly average of £4.0 billion) in new contract awards really was the most 2020 way in which to see out an erratic and unpredictable year.

The global demolition industry officially returns to work today after the festive break.   And t returns to find a special gift waiting for it in the shape of a new book by industry veteran and former president of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, Terry Quarmby.

In this exclusive audio presentation, we speak to Quarmby about the new book which you can buy here:  https://amzn.to/380ym02

For some, 2020 will be the first year in which they are unable to spend time with their loved ones.   For many in the demolition industry, being separated from family and friends over the festive period is merely business as usual.

With the news of the collapse of a power station undergoing demolition in Ohio, industry minds will turn immediately to the Didcot disaster back in 2016.

This episode was originally broadcast as a live video stream.

After 12 years, John Woodward is stepping down as a World Demolition Awards judge.   During his time as a judge, the former Institute of Demolition Engineers' (IDE) president has seen many changes as the awards have gone global.

In this exclusive interview, we look back at more than a decade of World Demolition Awards, and he is full of praise for companies including Erith Contractors, Liberty Industrial, Kocurek, Safedem and Despe.

some of the high profile projects in which he was involved, and we look ahead to the appointment of a new IDE president.

Six high profile demolition company acquisitions is NOT a trend.   But six out of less than 600 UK demolition firms represents better odds than a winning lottery ticket; and could prove to be the demolition company owner's ideal exit strategy.

Faced with a slowing in workload, demolition companies generally seek to cut costs by reducing their spend on both training and technology.   

Yet we cut these things at our peril.   And cuts made today could impact negatively tomorrow and for months and even years to come.

Some UK demolition firms are flying high while others are clinging to survival; some are recruiting and investing while others are begging for work; and some companies are doubling down on demolition while others see diversification as the path to salvation.   This is the demolition dichotomy.

This show was originally broadcast as a video LiveStream on the evening of Tuesday 10 November 2020.

It tells the story behind a story about a UK demolition company that may or may not have gone into receivership.

At the time of recording this podcast version of the show, we still don’t know the outcome.

And so, while we cling to the vague hope that the story will prove to be untrue, the name of the company is not mentioned.