Articles by Claire Symes

The European Parliament's plans to amend the Working Time Directive include removing the 48 hour working week opt-out clause. Supporters claim that the changes would improve health and safety, as well as enhance work-life balance, but the construction industry claims that it will have serious implications for the sector. Claire Symes reports.

Modern high rise buildings are often viewed as iconic statements of a city's wealth and status. The rivalry between nations to have the tallest building is ongoing but a new trend is emerging – the challenge to build the greenest skyscraper. Claire Symes reports.

Germany's construction market has managed to maintain its position as the largest in Europe despite more than a decade of recession following the re-unification boom. The country's building sector now appears to have reached a turning point and some expect the industry to show signs of recovery in 2006. Claire Symes reports.

Innovation in the crushing and screening sector means that the performance and efficiency of mobile equipment now rivals that of larger stationary units. These developments, along with the growth in the crushed stone market, are helping to drive demand for mobile machines. Claire Symes looks at the sector and the latest equipment launches.

Caterpillar has been looking to the automotive industry to improve its design processes and the first machine to benefit is the new D6K dozer. Claire Symes reports on the new approach as well as the other latest machines to be launched by Cat