Latest news with #Tarmac
Geek Vibes Nation
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Geek Vibes Nation
Mokwheel Tarmac: Best Men's And Women's Commuter E-Bike
In a world where urban congestion and environmental concerns are pushing commuters to seek more sustainable options, e-bikes have emerged as a game-changing solution. They not only minimize carbon emissions but also provide a faster, cost-effective alternative to traditional vehicles. One standout in the commuter e-bike category is the Mokwheel Tarmac — a thoughtfully engineered, unisex model that caters to city riders who value comfort, performance, and cutting-edge technology. Designed to handle the demands of modern urban life, the Tarmac combines smart features, robust power, and rider-centric ergonomics to deliver a seamless commuting experience. Unisex Design for Everyday Riders The Mokwheel Tarmac stands out as a commuter e-bike that caters to both men and women without compromising on performance or style. Here's how it achieves that balance: Inclusive Sizing: The Tarmac is designed to accommodate riders between 5'7″ and 6'7″, with a robust 350lbs payload capacity. This makes it an ideal choice for various body types, ensuring a comfortable and secure riding experience for everyone. Comfort-Centric Features: Comfort is at the forefront of the Tarmac's design. An ergonomic frame geometry, a plush leather saddle, and a user-friendly thumb throttle make it easy to navigate through city streets, regardless of riding experience. Neutral Aesthetic: Featuring clean lines and a minimalist design, the Tarmac seamlessly integrates into urban settings. Its modern styling appeals to both male and female riders, making it an e-bike that fits any lifestyle. Smart Technology for City Riding In today's fast-paced urban environment, having a commuter e-bike that's equipped with smart technology can make all the difference. The Mokwheel Tarmac leverages advanced systems to provide a seamless and intuitive riding experience that goes beyond simple commuting. 'A smarter ride isn't just about speed; it's about how well your bike responds to you,' says Mokwheel's product team, emphasizing the Tarmac's ability to adapt to various riding conditions. Torque + Cadence Sensors: The Tarmac employs a dual-sensor system that works in tandem to monitor both pedaling intensity and terrain. This setup ensures that power delivery is optimized based on how hard you're pedaling and the type of terrain you're navigating. Whether you're powering through city intersections or cruising along park paths, the sensors adjust motor output seamlessly. 'It's like having a second sense — the bike knows when you need that extra boost,' notes a Mokwheel representative. Detachable HD Display: At the heart of the Tarmac's smart tech is its detachable HD display. This intuitive screen provides real-time data on speed, battery life, PAS levels, and more. It not only keeps riders informed but also adds a layer of security. Removing the display when parking effectively disables the bike's power, acting as a practical theft deterrent. 'Think of it as taking the key out of your car — it's a simple yet effective security measure,' explains the Mokwheel team. Pedal Assist Intelligence (PAS): The Tarmac offers five levels of pedal assist, each tailored for different riding intensities. Riders can easily toggle between relaxed cruising, moderate effort, or full-power sprints. 'With PAS, it's not just about going faster — it's about riding smarter,' says Mokwheel. The system adapts to rider effort, balancing power output to conserve battery life while still delivering optimal performance. By these advanced smart features, the Mokwheel Tarmac not only enhances convenience and safety but also makes every ride feel more intuitive and connected. Safety-First Features Urban commuters face unique safety challenges, particularly during night rides and rush hour traffic. The Mokwheel Tarmac addresses these concerns with a comprehensive lighting and signaling system: Integrated Lighting: Equipped with a powerful front headlight, tail light, rear fork tail light, and turn signals integrated into the rear rack, the Tarmac ensures 360° visibility on the road. Enhanced Night Riding: The sophisticated lighting setup significantly improves visibility during low-light conditions, allowing riders to navigate safely through busy streets and make lane changes with confidence. Power and Battery Performance Powerful yet energy-efficient, the Mokwheel Tarmac strikes the perfect balance between torque and range: Motor and Torque: Featuring a 750W motor that peaks at 920W, the Tarmac delivers 75Nm of torque — ample power for climbing hills, accelerating through intersections, and maintaining consistent speed on flat roads. 48V 15Ah LG Battery: The Tarmac is powered by a UL-certified LG lithium-ion battery that offers up to 60 miles of range per charge, depending on riding conditions. The battery's intelligent management system optimizes energy use, extending both range and overall battery lifespan. Top Speed: With a maximum speed of 28mph, riders can keep up with city traffic, making it a viable car replacement for short commutes. Ride Control & Custom Settings From adjustable power settings to advanced suspension, the Tarmac provides a customizable riding experience: Thumb Throttle & 5 PAS Levels: Riders can choose between using the thumb throttle for relaxed, motor-assisted cruising or selecting one of five PAS levels to fine-tune motor output. Suspension Fork: Equipped with an 80mm travel front fork, the Tarmac absorbs shocks from uneven roads and light off-road paths, providing a smoother ride. 8-Speed Shimano Drivetrain: The Shimano 8-speed gear system ensures smooth transitions across different terrains, allowing for precise control and a more comfortable riding experience. Ideal Scenarios & Use Cases The Mokwheel Tarmac is more than just a commuter e-bike — it's a versatile tool for various urban and recreational activities: Rush Hour Riders: Cut through congested streets, avoid gridlock, and arrive faster without breaking a sweat. Campus Commuters: Quiet, efficient, and easy to handle — ideal for navigating college campuses or urban centers. Weekend Explorers: With its 60-mile range, the Tarmac is perfect for weekend rides along nature paths or city parks. Eco-Conscious Citizens: Every mile you ride reduces your carbon footprint, making the Tarmac a sustainable transportation choice. Tech-Savvy Urbanites: Intelligent sensors and smart battery control systems enhance the overall riding experience, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate advanced tech. Conclusion The Mokwheel Tarmac is a commuter e-bike that combines intelligent design, advanced safety features, and powerful performance in one sleek package. Designed for men and women alike, it's the ideal solution for those seeking a versatile, reliable, and eco-friendly commuting option. Whether you're rushing to work, exploring new routes, or simply enjoying a leisurely weekend ride, the Tarmac delivers a smooth, powerful, and intelligent riding experience. Ready to transform your daily commute? The Mokwheel Tarmac is waiting to redefine how you ride.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Wealthy businessman steps in to rescue the struggling firm he sold for £36m
Wealthy businessman steps in to rescue the struggling firm he sold for £36m The move could save hundreds of jobs at the firm that is behind the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road Current Griffiths projects include the final dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road, pictured here (Image: John Myers ) A wealthy businessman has stepped in to help rescue a Wales-based construction contracting company potentially saving hundreds of jobs. It's understood Abergavenny-based businessman 79-year-old Alun Griffiths, who established Griffiths in 1968 and is a popular philanthropist in the area, is in the process of buying back the company he sold to the Tarmac group for £36m in 2018. Griffiths - also known as Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd - is the construction firm behind the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road and was also behind the 2010 Ryder Cup golf course in Newport. Earlier this year the firm had failed to file its accounts on time and had previously recorded four years of losses. Results filed at Companies House for 2023 showed a pre-tax loss of £95m. In a statement the company, which employs more than 900 people, said in March its review of market conditions and financial performance had led to discussions of 'proposed changes' with staff, which the Welsh Government described as 'worrying news'. In a new statement the company confirmed its intention for a 'smooth transition' following Mr Griffiths' renewed investment. Article continues below 'Tarmac will continue to work closely with Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd to ensure there is a smooth transition on a business-as-usual basis,' they said. 'The intention is to refocus the company as a privately owned entity with an emphasis on its established strengths of safety, customer service, engineering excellence and a local geographic presence.' Mr Griffiths was confirmed as a director on May 8 on Companies House. According to Companies House he is being joined by Tim James and Simon Dunn, who both left the business just over a year ago and are returning as managing and deputy managing director. Article continues below Current Griffiths projects include the final dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road and a joint venture to develop Bristol Airport's new £60m transport hub.
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Parents' council given a hand to turn unused Bargeddie land into fantastic community garden
Cara Creighton came up with the name and the P6 pupil's artwork was used for a sign An unused piece of land in Bargeddie has been turned into an amazing new community garden thanks to the hard work of local volunteers. It features an open-air classroom, 10 raised beds, and a polytunnel for growing fruits and vegetables all year round. The new garden was officially opened at the end of April, and was delivered by St Kevin's Primary School Parent Council in partnership with Bargeddie Primary and The Safety Zone. The project received funding from the UK Government, North Lanarkshire Council, and SafeDeposit Scotland, and community benefits support in the form of materials and labour from local businesses including Tarmac, Viridor, Keir Construction, and Clarkson's Van Hire in Baillieston. Project partners ran a competition to name the garden, inviting children from both schools to draw a picture of a garden and suggest a name. Cara Creighton a P6 pupil at Bargeddie Primary came up with 'The Friendship Garden'. Cara's artwork was also used in the design of the new sign which was unveiled at the open day. Colin Sharp, Bargeddie Primary head teacher, said: 'We're thrilled with the development of the community garden and are amazed at the wonderful progress achieved... This partnership has helped to build a fantastic outdoor learning space for our pupils to work together in, learn and enjoy.' Michelle Toolan, St Kevin's Primary and Nursery head teacher, added: 'This project enhances the educational experiences we can offer our school and nursery children. There have been discussions for years about this project and it's been an amazing achievement to finally see it come together and ready for our children to access. A massive thank you to all involved.' The project was led by Gareth James, chair of St Kevin's Parent Council, and the garden will offer endless opportunities for outdoor learning and contributes wider social and economic benefits to the community in Bargeddie. 'I would like to thank everyone involved – especially our funders, local businesses, and everyone who volunteered their time to make this vision come to life,' said Gareth. 'I hope that the children of both schools and the wider community will continue to use the garden and enjoy its benefits for many years to come.' David Carrick, Tarmac regional operations manager (North and Central), said: 'It's important to develop and maintain partnerships in the communities where we work, so we were delighted to supply materials and time to this project. Our site is within walking distance of the campus where the two schools are located and our haulage vehicles regularly pass by, so we've got a clear presence in the area. 'We enjoy working with local community groups and schools to showcase what we do, and it also helps spark interest for future career opportunities. We want to continue giving back to the community and look forward to engaging with the two schools in the future.' Carol Bradburn, deputy head of SafeDeposit Scotland, said: 'We are pleased to have supported St Kevin's Primary School Parent Council with a grant from our SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund towards The Friendship Garden. I am delighted I was given the opportunity to see the garden first hand. It is a lovely space which is a credit to the hard work put in by the committee and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated by the local community in Bargeddie for years to come.' Morene Simpson, NLC Community Partnership officer for Coatbridge, said: 'The Community Partnership Team were delighted to support this project. The project volunteers have created a real community asset from an unused piece of ground that will have real and lasting impact for many years to come' There are plans for a second phase of the community garden, anyone who would like to get involved in supporting or funding the work can contact Gareth at the parent council.
The Herald Scotland
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Forbes urged to intervene to protect Scots industry after job losses
It is the second jobs blow in the construction supply chain in recent weeks and GMB Scotland say it "must raise red flags at Holyrood". It comes as the construction sector is grappling with labour shortages - as the Scottish Government seeks to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 aiming to address a homelessness crisis, combat child poverty, and support the economy. Analysis from the Scottish-based construction and property management consultant Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) revealed that a skills gap is a major challenge in Scotland. It said the nation requires 26,000 additional construction workers over the next five years to meet industry demands and sustain growth. According to official data, as of June 2024, 35.1% of businesses in the construction sector reported worker shortages, while 39.6% experienced recruitment difficulties. READ MORE by Martin Williams: The primary reasons cited include a lack of qualified applicants and financial constraints limiting the ability to offer competitive salaries. Meanwhile, official analysis show there has been a 17.5% slump in the number of affordable homes completed in Scotland just one year. There were 8,180 new affordable homes finished in 2024 which were funded by the Scottish Government - 1,736 fewer than in 2023. It comes seven years after the Scottish Government launched an action plan to build affordable homes which was meant to curb homelessness, cut the use of temporary accommodation and rapidly rehouse people. GMB Scotland has written to deputy first minister and economy secretary Kate Forbes warning the proposed closure of the Aggregate Industries site, near Glasgow, has come without warning or justification. Affordable homes (Image: Stock) It is urging politicians to intervene to encourage the company to review the decision and protect the country's manufacturing base. The job losses at the plant in Chryston, owned by Holcim UK, come only weeks after 41 redundancies were announced by Tarmac at a Scotland's only cement plant in Dunbar. Union officials said 41 jobs, around a third of the overall workforce, could be lost and will not only affect communities in East Lothian but undermine Scotland's manufacturing base as they describe the facility as 'critically important to the Scottish economy'. The plant, which makes some 700,000 tonnes of cement each year, is reportedly in talks with workers over the potential job cuts. Robert Deavy, GMB Scotland senior organiser in manufacturing, warned Scotland is losing skilled jobs and industrial capability of huge strategic importance. He said: 'The Aggregates site produces asphalt and concrete and it is difficult to think of two materials more important for a country serious about construction and growth. Robert Deavy (Image: Andrew Cawley) 'This threatened closure comes weeks after job losses announced at Tarmac and ministers must understand what is going on and take action. 'Job losses at this pace in a sector of such industrial and economic importance cannot be ignored. 'How can Scotland build for the future when we are losing the capability to supply the roads and construction industry? 'Why are skilled jobs like this at risk in Scotland at the same our governments are talking about building our manufacturing capabilities? It makes no sense.' In September, last year, another construction firm appointed administrators with 66 jobs lost. Hadden Construction announced it appointed Alvarez & Marsal as administrators with its 66 members of staff being made redundant. It cited inflation in materials prices, rising labour costs and supply chain interruptions as the main reasons for its closure. The building contractor worked on projects ranging from residential developments to commercial and public sector buildings, including schools and healthcare facilities. And in January, two Scottish affordable house builders entered administration resulting in the loss of almost 50 jobs and putting several council developments at risk. Connect Modular and its sister company Hope South West both appointed administrators, citing rising costs and losses from historic contracts. The firms, based in Cumnock, Ayrshire, worked on award-winning modular housing schemes for councils, housing associations and community trusts across the UK. In July, last year Connect Modular completed a £17m project in Kilmarnock to build 101 low-rise, modular affordable homes. The project was delivered to Cunninghame Housing Association with Scottish government funding and garnered two prizes at the Chartered Institute of Housing's Scotland Housing Awards in November. Mr Deavy said the closure of the Aggregate Industries plant, in North Lanarkshire, came out of the blue just weeks after talks changes to shift patterns to allow improvement works at the site. He said: 'The closure of the site would be another brutal blow to an area already hammered by the economic damage of deindustrialisation. 'It cannot be allowed to go ahead and our politicians must do everything possible to encourage the company to find a new forward and secure the future of this plant.' GMB Scotland has asked the deputy first minister for an urgent meeting to discuss the threatened job losses as the consultation process at Aggregate Industries continues. Business minister Richard Lochhead said: 'I am deeply concerned about the recruitment challenges faced by the construction sector and appreciate its close engagement with the Scottish Government on these issues. 'Construction apprenticeships continue to be one of the highest taken up, with figures showing that construction occupations accounted for 25.3% of Modern Apprenticeship starts in 2023-24. 'But more must be done and this week's Programme for Government commits to measures to boost training, including support for colleges to deliver a pipeline of skills and a new Scottish Government-led approach to skills planning. It also commits to unlocking investment opportunities for more affordable housing.' Holcim was approached for comment.
Edinburgh Reporter
03-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Liaison group to monitor blasting at Lothians quarry
Concerned residents will form part of a liaison group which is being set-up to monitor blasting at a busy quarry on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This follows decisions by the City of Edinburgh Council to approve an extension to Ravelrig Quarry near Balerno. City councillors also voted to allow the operators to increase the blasting level, despite objections from local residents who are worried about the long-term impact, and an agreement of by the quarrying company, Tarmac, that no increase in blasting levels is necessary for continued operation. Tarmac plan to start mining quarrying rock under a parcel of land to the south of the current site and Edinburgh councillors argued that material from the quarry was vital to help solve the city's current housing crisis. Tarmac say that the quarry, which was opened in 1984, has almost exhausted the rock in its current location, and they told the city council's Development Management Committee that mining would have to stop 'within a couple of years' if permission was not granted. Balerno Community Council (BCC) will also be represented on the liaison group and Richard Henderson, chair of BCC, said that the group would aim to establish a shared understanding of key planning conditions, protect the well-being of the local community and ensure that any development proceeds in a fair, transparent and accountable manner. He also said that BCC recognise the importance of Ravelrig Quarry both locally and nationally and confirmed that they have been working closely with Tarmac and local residents over the past three years. Henderson added: 'We know that Tarmac have made a big investment in developing the monitoring processes which are helping minimise the impact of the quarry activities. 'We are very grateful for that, and we are also now working with Tarmac to develop a Good Neighbour Agreement in relation to future operation of the site.' As part of that process, a web-based system is to be developed to provide more public information on each blast. Henderson added that the city council will attend any liaison group meetings if asked to do so and said: 'The liaison group will be able to assist in the continuing work directed at further minimising any remaining nuisance.' Last month, Tarmac advised the city council that blasting operations, including in the extension, could continue to operate within the levels which applied until 30 April. QUARRY SITE: general view of Ravelrig near Balerno. Picture by Nigel Duncan CLOSE UP VIEW: Ravelrig Quarry taken from the main gate. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
