Building & Construction Review Issue 406

ISSUE 406 APRIL 2024 0121 824 4743 | buildings@bestpracticeuk.co.uk www.bcruk.co.uk Search for us on LinkedIn

Pandor Page 3

Service Sealing Solutions Page 14

Sustainable timber cladding Contemporary construction demands sustainable, functional and aesthetic building materials.

Our premium timbers meet these specifications and add a timeless quality to interiors and exteriors.

Shou Sugi Ban® Inspired by Japanese Yakisugi timber preservation, Exterior Solutions Ltd created Shou Sugi Ban®. In addition to the traditional blackened, crackled finish, our finish options bring the technique up to date.

Inspiring range of finish options If blackened wood is too dark for your project, our collection includes a selection of mid to light-grey tones.

The smooth, subtle finish of Kebony Radiata and Yũkari Numachi are popular options.

Alternatively, for a natural wood finish, Accoya® Tenki and Larch Shiberiatora showcase the beauty of timber grain. These add a warm, tactile quality to garden buildings and rustic-style retail stores.

For a splash of colour, the peacock tones of Accoya® Tobu, the deep red of Yũkari Kõsui or our vibrant range of Douglas Fir finishes create unique and impactful hotel and restaurant interiors.

All finishes enhance the durability of the timber by drawing out natural

resins. These provide a moisture, rot and insect-resilient barrier to minimise maintenance. It’s a practical and visually desirable way to elevate modern builds and heritage renovations.

Timber cladding options In addition to Oak, Larch and Douglas Fir, the Shou Sugi Ban® range includes Kebony and Accoya®.

These modified timbers are exposed to a chemical treatment to enhance stability and durability.

We supply Shou Sugi Ban® with installation instructions, matching tipped screws and a tin of finish treatment for cut lengths. These ensure a professional finish can be achieved on every project.

Click here to download the Shou Sugi Ban® brochure.

Contact Exterior Solutions Ltd on 01494 711800 for samples and quotes.

Astutis Page 15

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Wardell Long Lengths

Page 24

Tree surveys for development: BS5837:2012 and tree risk assessors Barnes Associates Ltd – Providing tree surveying to Architects, Town planners and developers, throughout the UK. Trees are our speciality from Tree Constraint Plans, Arboricultural Impact Assessments and Tree Protection plans.

Arboricultural Method Statements are often a conditional item these need to be practical and involve the whole team to be successful, we act as retained arboricultural consultant for site inspections.

Our associate ecologists provide Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) appraisals and associated reports, landscape plans and management plans are also provided.

We problem solve when building near trees. Protected trees even with TPO (Tree Preservation Orders) can often be built near with the right approach and techniques.

We work with your design teams to ensure a smooth process for our clients.

Tree plans are provided in CAD 2D and 3D along with drone imagery if required.

Our tree surveyors are experienced and qualified to high standards.

Our Tree Diagnostic team provide Tree Root Radar scans providing root mapping services, along with Tree stability testing of trees throughout the UK. Contact Ian Barnes, Director and Lead consultant, with your project needs, in total confidence.

T 01423 322371 Whatsapp: 07483 116044 Email your project to: info@barnesassociates.co.uk www.barnesassociates.co.uk

CONTENTS Hello & welcome to Issue 406 of BCR…

On the cover

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Exterior Solutions

In this issue of Building & Construction Review, we bring you the latest and most up-to-date engineering and construction news, to help keep your building business ahead of the curve.

Following a challenging post-COVID period, there are now positive signs that the construction industry is set to expand this year, with growth expected in the social housing sector and refurbishment across the education sector. In this issue, we explore all the latest news from across the building & construction sector.

With the annual Fire Safety Event on the horizon, many in the industry are getting ready to share fire safety best practice.

SWIFIX

Lendon Containers

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Cibes

Pandor is the recipient of our Commitment to Excellence, as a renowned industry-leading manufacturer of customised doors and panelling across the UK to sectors such as commercial buildings, offices, hospitals, flats and many more.

The company even has a laboratory furnace on-site to carry out fire integrity testing. Read more on page 3 inside.

The circular economy is big business, with all eyes on the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. We have featured multi-award-winning EWI expert: SWIFIX many times in our publications as we have charted the rapid growth of this company. On page 4, owner Paul Brown chats to us about his involvement with the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP) – an exciting venture to bring sustainable training to the housing and construction sector. Read more about the upskilling for the Green Sector.

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17

Gromtec

Commitment To Excellence

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Building Products & Services Innovation Award 4-5 Commitment To Excellence

6-9

Building Products & Services 10-11 Landscaping & Outdoor Building 12-13 Building Products & Services 14-24

Multi-award-winning BONA AB continues our green thread with BONA Traffic GO: free from isocyanate and PFAs. This next-level 2K lacquer provides the latest advancements in curing technology and available to order from UK distributors. Read more on page 6.

Don’t forget to send us your latest construction updates and news.

Liz Dickinson BCR Editor

Email us at: buildings@bestpracticeuk.co.uk

Contacts Publication Management

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Sam Morton Sales Manager T 0121 824 4743 buildings@bestpracticeuk.co.uk

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Paul Whitaker Accounts Manager T 0121 824 4742 accounts@bestpracticeuk.co.uk Liz Dickinson Editor liz@freshmedia-uk.co.uk

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The entire content of this publication is advertorial based. To place an advertorial or an advert, please call 0121 725 1587.

Commitment To Excellence

Bespoke doors and panelling with quick delivery times Sittingbourne, Kent and offices in London.

The state-of-the-art production workshop benefits from the latest advancements in modern machinery such as their 5 Axis CNC Twin Bed Router, CNC Moulder, heavy-duty sanding machine, veneer flow line press and first-class lipping and edge banding. This ensures the highest-quality manufacturing and finishing on all products.

“We supply mainly to London and the Home Counties (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey), due to the transportation proximity to our manufacturing facility but we can supply to all over the UK.

companies can take much, much longer to deliver orders.

“We offer made-to-order client requirements for fire doors, decorative doors, frames and other associated items such as screens and windows, with a speciality in certified fire doors and door sets. We supply fire doors with ratings from FD30, 60, 90 to 120, with FD30 being the most common choice.

FD120 fire door test at 140 minutes!

In this issue of Building & Construction Review, we are delighted to select Pandor with our Commitment to Excellence.

Pandor is an industry-leading manufacturer of customised doors and panelling across the UK to sectors such as commercial buildings, offices, hospitals, flats and many more.

Established in 2014 by Mike Hill, the company has grown exponentially over the last ten years, priding itself on supplying exceptional customer service and high-spec products.

Owner Mike has considerable expertise in the fire door industry spanning over forty years and has taken the time to focus on customer-centric best practice as he explains further, “What stands us apart from our competitors is our approachable, personalised mannerwe listen carefully to our customers’ needs and adjust our manufacturing orders accordingly. We have many loyal customers, and they appreciate our quick delivery lead times, especially when larger manufacturing

“Pandor fire doors can be laminated, painted or decoratively veneered and our acoustic doors can also be fire-rated.

“Veneered panelling is not as popular as it used to be, the current trend moving towards laminate and paint finishing. Our finishing shop has been upgraded to achieve the latest requirements.

“With regards to sustainability best practice, we can use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified softwoods and hardwoods from sustainable sources, with full traceability for our customers wherever required.”

Here at Building & Construction Review, we would like to wish Pandor a Happy 10th Anniversary this year and look forward to seeing how the company evolves over the next ten years.

To find out more about Pandor’s full range, see the website below: T 0208 279 7611 M 07909 530007 mike@pandor.ltd www.pandor.ltd

“We offer full traceability on all our fire doors by fitting a fire plug – this allows surveyors later down the line to ascertain the supplier origin and come back to us for prior measurements and details as required. We always archive all our completed projects in our Cloud storage for future reference.

“We take great pride in all our certified fire-safety ratings. We recently tested a glazed timber door set for two hours in a laboratory furnace, for fire integrity. It went beyond the required 120 minutes to over 140 minutes, which is a huge achievement for fire safety and gives all our customers added reassurance.”

Pandor has production facilities in

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Building Products & Services Innovation Award

Exciting new launch of accredited tra We are delighted to announce that SWIFIX is the recipient of our Building Products & Services Innovation Award Here at Building & Construction Review, we have been following the accelerated growth of EWI expert and multi-industry award winner: SWIFIX, which saw a 200% growth last year and is already on course to more than double that this year. The reason for the exponential growth is the ingenuity and business savviness of Director, Paul Brown.

With expert knowledge of the EWI sector at large, specifically within the housing sector, the company has sized on a gap in the market and designed and produced a range of fittings, laser-focused for refitting and installing lightweight and heavyweight items through EWI systems. These innovative fixings are approved and specified by many EWI system designs and clients across the UK and can be used during or after system installation.

With numerous prestigious awards now under its belt, SWIFIX has most recently partnered with fibre-only operator, CityFibre to roll out countrywide broadband with five of its leading installation products, from fibre broadband cables, catenary wires to utility boxes.

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“The devil is in the detail and we now have other operators lining up to use our industry-specified products, which come highly recommended by systems designers, architects through to the Ministry of Defence.

“Beyond that, we are working with European companies that require specific applications across the Netherlands, Poland and Germany, such as external flagpoles. Business is booming as our products are unique on the EWI market,” explained Paul.

Established in 2016, SWIFIX came up with a timber pattress alternative, which have been rendered poor practice by many in the industry, including the Chief Construction Adviser (CCA): Peter Hansford in his report to the UK Government. The traditional method of fixing items, such as satellite dishes, fence/ gate posts, external pipe work, lights/ alarms, canopies, utility boxes, through to washing lines and hanging baskets has been through timber pattresses, spreading the load over a larger area of surface wall. This however contributed to cold spots, thermal bridging and even impacted on insultation qualities,

alongside the natural wear and tear of the timber itself.

With the passing of PAS 2030 in 2017 and PAS 2035 subsequently in 2019, the industry has drastically reconsidered the traditional usage of timber pattresses, with SWIFIX fixings now being routinely used instead as Product of Choice by many EWI Systems Designers.

The entire SWIFIX range is PAS 2035-compliant for retrofitting, modular housing sector and futureproofed for maintenance provision, meeting robust requirements to mitigate against insulation compression, with its watertight seal, as outlined below: S SWIFIX single universal fitting: Secures, downpipes, vent pipes, canopies, lights, alarms, and more S SWIFIX satellite fitting kit: Designed for refitting a standardised satellite dish through EWI. S SWIFIX Pipe

Building Products & Services Innovation Award

aining course for housing sector connector: Securing small to large pipes and cables, giving a robust, watertight seal.

S SWIFIX connection point fitting: Ideal for attaching cables, hanging baskets, trellis utility cables and washing lines.

S SWIFIX tap fitting: Fits an external tap through EWI, ensuring a watertight seal.

S Introducing new additions to the SWIFIX family: A range designed for fixture to render for small lightweight cables, through to thermally effective solutions for air source heat pumps and air conditioning currently being developed.

“Our solutions robustly secure external furniture through EWI, from satellite dishes, canopies, signage to cables, protecting guarantees and warranties and with full-PAS 2035 qualitycompliance for added assurance.

“We routinely work with Architects, Local Authorities (LAs) to major contractors and system designers providing innovative, industrial solutions for securing external wall furniture, through insulation and cladding, across a range of properties, including retrofit, new build, and the off-site modular sectors,” explained Paul.

The last time we interviewed Paul, he was working with Exeter College as a consultant on the curriculum design and delivery of retrofit bootcamps and upskilling courses for the insulation sector.

This work has continued as a key member of GCAP (Green Construction Advisory Panel): a group of individuals set up in the South West from across industry; including installers, suppliers, landlords and merchants. The mission of GCAP is to bring sustainable training and education opportunities to the housing and construction sectors.

A range of courses has been designed and accredited from identifying the skills required for upskilling in the Green Sector, such as retrofit.

These courses have now been approved for delivery at multiple training centres across the UK and received funding to support their delivery. GCAP was awarded the School/Educational Winner in the Exeter Sustainability Awards 2022 and is helping meet net-zero targets in construction, and now has a growing national presence with GCAPs popping up all over the UK. The courses developed for GCAP are aimed at existing installers demonstrating competence in their craft, and are now available nationally through a network of training providers and provides a hybrid content of theory and practical learning, covering insulation measures PAS2030/PAS2035 regulations and much more.

Paul says, “Working in the education sector for the last two years has been extremely rewarding, and to be part of GCAP on a national scale and to influence government on the best way to develop, upskill and train the green skills required to improve the energy efficiency of our homes is very exciting.

“As SWIFIX seems to now be on a journey to achieve our mission “to redefine best practice” I now see the next opportunity in this arena by

combining my knowledge and experience on to my next venture supporting this sector I am passionate about. I look forward to continuing fruitful work in these areas as a trained teacher and assessor.”

We are delighted that SWIFIX has cornered the EWI market and the GCAP courses are the cherry on top of what has been a very successful couple of years for SWIFIX. With the current focus on the circular economy and meeting the UK Government’s 2050 net-zero targets, it is an added bonus that the SWIFIX fixing range are made from partially-recycled plastics, with all parts and packaging fully recyclable, reducing the need for landfill.

The multi-award-winning SWIFIX external wall fixings are available via wholesale merchants and come highly recommended by the UK’s leading systems manufacturers.

T 01884 560477 info@swifix.co.uk www.swifix.co.uk

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Commitment To Excellence

Providing passionate, innovative flooring for over a century wide range of services/products tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients We have a global presence and provide products and systems for installing, renovating and maintaining floors. Our passion is delivering solutions that keep floors beautiful and functional year after year, throughout the life of the floor. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality solutions that exceed customer expectations. We are keep asking ourselves the question, “How can we further help bring out the beauty in floors?” – which acts as a daily motivating push towards even greater innovation.

Through the three tenets of: inspiration, devotion and pride, we are driving premium quality with the latest technology, and always with a promise of sustainability.”

Bona is synonymous with premium quality, providing game-changer products across the flooring industry. Professional craftsmen, industrial customers and floor owners always know what that they are getting with industry-leading Bona products, with every trusted application. From installation to renovation, to maintenance and care, Bona are leading advocates for expert, premium, sustainable solutions that empower customers to safely achieve the best performance and results for floors.

In the issue of Building & Construction Review, we are delighted to select Bona with our end of year commitment to excellence, for providing premium flooring services and products and high-quality training courses for professionals.

Multi-Award-winning Bona AB provides globally-leading, premium products for installing, renovating, maintaining and restoring premium floors including: wood, tile, stone, vinyl, resilient, rubber, parquet and laminate.

Wilhelm Edner first established Bona back in 1919 in Malmö, Sweden and over a hundred years’ later, the company is still pushing boundaries in the hardwood floor sector. The fourth generation of the Edner family continues Wilhelm’s proud legacy today, from the original Malmö headquarters.

Bona works across 17 subsidiaries, 70 distributors,

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five factories and 600 employees and is highly renowned for high-quality products and exceptional customer service. The UK Milton Keynes distributor base, has doubled capacity over recent years and a new, state-of-the-art warehouse facility has helped further with growing capability.

We spoke to Bona’s UK Marketing Manager, Leanne Garvie, to find out more, “The main role of our company is to provide innovative solutions in the flooring sector. Our values of passion, performance and pioneering are present in everything we do. For over a century, Bona has been at the forefront of innovation, engineering, pioneering, and perfecting a complete system to create and maintain long-lasting floors that stand the test of time. Our company offers a

“For the past 100 years and into the next 100 years, Bona is committed to innovation. When we’re met with a challenge, our talented team gets curious and creative to find a fix that remains true to our commitment to sustainability, and is aligned with our promise to deliver the best products, solutions and systems in the industry. We believe that these qualities set us apart from others in the industry and contribute to our success,” added Leanne.

Since 1919, Bona has had a creative, fresh evergreen focus embedded in its company

best practice. What 100 years of committing to sustainability has shown is that it is an everevolving paradigm. Rather than a destination, it's a multifaceted journey that changes as our world changes. Developments in technology, new innovations, and cultural shifts are all part of how Bona continues to create a better world.

Bona’s historical credentials on sustainability are impressive and heartfelt: from pioneering 1970s practices such as removing toxic and hazardous chemicals from hardwood floor finishes and alternatively providing water-based finishes through to dust containment systems. The systems removed cancerous carcinogenic wood dust from the air during the hardwood floor-sanding process, protecting both workers’ health and the local environment.

Germany. The truck is fuelled by green electricity, powered from the facility's solar panels. Elsewhere, Bona has ploughed SEK 4.5 million into a Geothermal energy system for the production unit in Malmö, Sweden. Geothermal energy has been hailed by many industry insiders as an infinitely, renewable resource and going forward offers a robust alternative to damaging fossil fuels.

flooring craftsmen through Bona’s training centre.

The new training centre was opened in early 2023 and provides three levels of training: Bona Certified Contractor scheme, Bona Sand and Seal Training, and Bona Resilient Floor System Training. The courses are aimed at flooring professionals but also Bona Distributor staff, to help give them a greater understanding of the Bona range.

Sustainability is also the thread running through the innovative product range and Bona is delighted to introduce its latest offering: Bona Traffic GO, free from isocyanate and PFAs. The next-level 2K lacquer provides the latest advancements in curing technology and is now available to order from UK distributors. Available in 1 Litre or 5 Litre containers, the lacquer requires no prior mixing, simply a handy ‘shake & go’ formula. The built-in hardener is activated when applied, perfect for heavy foot traffic areas in commercial and domestic flooring areas.

Since the first quarter of the 20th century, Bona has been a ground breaker across the flooring industry, with unwavering dedication to sustainability and innovation. We asked Leanne how it felt to be selected for our 2023 end of year commitment to excellence,

With a EC1 Plus certification, the GEN-EMICODE ® offers very low emissions and is another welcome product from the global trailblazers.

There are multiple reasons why we selected Bona for our 2023 end of year commitment to excellence: these include an outstanding commitment to sustainability best practice and products over one hundred years, premium quality, trusted products in the flooring industry and a wide range of training and development opportunities to

“Commitment to excellence is at the core of everything we do as a company. It means consistently striving for the highest standards of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We achieve this through a combination of rigorous quality control processes, ongoing training and development programs for our team, and a genuine dedication to exceeding customer expectations.”

For more information on Bona’s sustainability track record, product range and training centre dates, see the website below: T 01908 525150 / 07940 554467 info.uk@bona.com www.bona.com/en-gb/professional/

It comes as no surprise then, that Bona received the prestigious the US EPA’s Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award this year, for the third consecutive year running. This award honours the contributions of Safer Choice Partners and Stakeholders who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, selection and use of products with safer chemicals. That’s not all: Bona Germany was awarded the BSFZSeal for innovative companies by the German Ministry for Education and Research for three of its innovative and groundbreaking R&D adhesive projects.

With sustainability on the agenda for many companies across Europe and further afield internationally, Bona has invested in its first electric, Scania truck (E-truck) for the Limburg facility in

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Commitment To Excellence

Innovative Scandinavian lift m never been done before ‘Blac In this issue, we are pleased to feature Cibes Lift UK for its Commitment to Excellence in providing the highest-quality, bespoke lift solutions for every building For those unaware: S A platform lift is a ‘hold to run’ lift. This means that the user needs to hold the up or down button the entire time they want the lift to move.

S A cabin lift is a ‘one touch’ lift, a good example of this would be similar to a passenger lift you will find in a shopping centre. The user only needs to press the button once for the lift to move between stops, however it runs slower than a traditional passenger lift.

Cibes Lift UK is a subsidiary of the global giant Cibes Lift Group, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of platform and cabin lifts.

Designed and manufactured in Cibes’ home country of Sweden, high quality Scandinavian engineering and beautiful design are the secrets behind its ever-growing success. Yet what has set them apart in the market has resulted in over 70 years of continuous business development and growth, is its passion for quality service. Its products include home lifts, platform lifts, cabin lifts and goods lifts.

With its factory located in Gavle, Sweden and with UK offices in Hartlepool, Loughborough and Bexleyheath, the company made the conscious decision to keep all of its core activities in Sweden to ensure that the product quality, company values and brand all stay true to its roots. Over the years, Cibes Lift Group has manufactured and sold 70,000 lifts in over 70 countries via its worldwide distribution network and local Cibes Lift Group offices.

Cibes provide lifts to people’s homes, offices, schools or other public spaces either directly to the end user or via specifications from architects and requests from builders and contractors.

Offering an end-to-end service, Cibes design, manufacture, install and service Platform Lifts, Cabin Lifts and Goods Lifts.

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Cibes is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality, performance and customer satisfaction. We spoke to Brad Edwards, Head of Sales at Cibes Lift UK, who explained what sets the company’s products apart from the rest.

“There is a number of reasons why Cibes are such a game-changing company. Firstly, a number of competitors sell other people’s lifts. We are the manufacturer of our own lifts making us more flexible when it comes to design. We can usually be more comprehensive when it comes to providing our customers and clients with information, while clients also only pay one set of overheads.

“Secondly, our most popular lifts come in ‘black as standard’. This is something NEW that we have introduced this year putting us ahead of the rest of the market. Usually, when you get a quote from any platform lift company their basic quote would be for a white lift. Should you want your lift in any other colour, then your lift will be more expensive and usually take longer to be manufactured and delivered.

However, we have listened when our customers told us that the white lifts are often too industrial looking, particularly for high end offices or in homes. As a result, we can offer a black lift at the exact same price then if we were to manufacture, deliver and install a white lift.

“Thirdly, our lifts are more attractive than the vast majority of lifts on the

market and are more adaptable to the building’s look and feel. We also have a Bespoke Brochure.

This means when customers come in for a lift quote, we create a bespoke brochure featuring their exact lift design – all other manufacturers share generic brochures and pictures. And lastly, when compared to a passenger lift, there is very little building work to be completed, no shaft or deep pit required.”

Cibes set ambitious benchmarks for quality and performance through its leading team of innovative, aspirational and design-led experts.

Commitment To Excellence

manufacturer Cibes develops ck as Standard’ lift a load of 4-5 people (400500kg).

The Cibes A4000 internal home lift features a compact design making it easier to fit within projects without compromising on space. It features a ‘readymade lift concept’ which speeds up the installation and minimises impact on the building.

The launch of the ‘Black as Standard’ lift boasts a sophisticated graphite black with a semi-matte finish that has enabled Cibes to remain flexible and adaptable to the market conditions, technological advancements, and customer requirements. The launch met demand from architects, contractors and customers alike for a more attractive offering without additional cost or extended delivery times.

Some notable products to mention are the Cibes A5000, Cibes Lift UK’s top-selling platform lift that is suitable for both private and commercial projects. It features a space-saving lift footprint and quality construction paired with innovative Scandinavian design. Available in eight different platform sizes, it has the capability of withholding

Brad commented, “We've observed a growing demand for unconventional colour choices in lifts, particularly the preference for black lifts from both the market and our customers. In a departure from the usual, and in contrast to other manufacturers, we're delighted to announce that you can now opt for a standard black lift with no additional cost or impact on lead time. This empowers our customers to showcase their platform lift rather than concealing it in a corner of their project or building. Offering this as a standard option truly revolutionises platform lift design, and we take pride in pushing the boundaries with this game changing feature.”

The new standard black and all other Cibes lifts are available on NBS Source.

Moving forward, it is essential that Cibes remains focused on prioritising customer satisfaction across all markets. We asked Brad, what’s in store for the rest of 2024.

“In 2024 and beyond, we are looking to extend our reach in the domestic residential market, providing lifts directly to homeowners. To do so, our challenge is to raise awareness of lifts as an option to homeowners, tackling the perceptions that: Lifts are expensive; That they are large – our lifts are roughly the size of a wardrobe; That they are not attractive – our lifts are modern and look great; and that lifts are only for old or disabled people whereas, in fact, a lift can be a centrepiece to a modern home and can add great value.

technologies and in real life, expanding the lifts we have on show in our head office. We find that when people see our lifts in real life they are impressed and it instantly challenges their perception of the product offering.

“We never rest on our laurels and regularly update the design, look and feel of our lifts. We will continue to react to changes in fashion, regularly responding to our market’s needs – for example our previously mentioned black as standard launch. We also take environmental issues very seriously, and strive to be as sustainable as possible whilst reducing our carbon emissions.”

T 0800 085 0269 info@cibeslift.co.uk https://cibeslift.com/en-gb

“We also want to showcase our lifts more effectively through bringing in new

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Building Products & Services

Find your perfect platform

NeutraliZer™ CO2 Concrete Washout Solution

their after-sales manner and unmatched customer service, it is no wonder Independent access Sales are reaching new heights within the industry.

As well as Socage Machines, Independent access sales offer a wide range of EasyLift Powered Access.

Throughout the power access industry, there must be a machine that suits all jobs, big or small; with such a wide range of machines, Independent Access Sales ensures you find the perfect machine.

With 35 years of experience in the access industry, Independent Access Sales will find the platform most suited to your needs. I​ n addition to providing expert experience and bespoke consultancy, they also manage the servicing of the supplied platform through our contract servicing department.

In 2023, Independent Access Sales partnered with Powered Acess Giants, Socage, in a collaboration that led to them being the sole provider of Socage machines in the United Kingdom. Not only Do Independent Access Sales sell Scoage machines, but they are also the sole providers of spaces and servicing, making them your one-stop shop for anything Socage. Due to

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Finding the perfect machine can often feel like a daunting task, which is why Independent Access Sales supports you throughout the process with an easy-to-navigate search function on their site, continuous support from their staff and over 35 years' worth of invaluable experience.

In addition to providing an array of machines, Independent Access Sales also offers servicing of any machine across the UK. With engineers based in Aberdeenshire, Liverpool, Norwich, Bristol and London, find comfort in knowing the Independent Access Sales are there to support you in servicing your machine.

Let Independent Access Sales assist you in finding your perfect machine by visiting the website: https://iasales.co.uk/

■ Continuous processing system – advanced in-line mixer ■ Skid-mounted – highly mobile – small footprint ■ No hazardous chemicals or batch treatment ■ Fully automated – user-friendly – Plug and Go! ■ Rugged construction ■ Integral flowmeter – alarm beacons (pH/out of gas) ■ Remote Cloud-based monitoring ■ Up to 25m3/h flow rate Contact Smart Storm 01422 363462 www.smartstormgroup.com

Building Products & Services

Matterport: AI-powered tools for digital twins In their latest release, Matterport has given us a taste of what’s to come in Reality Capture technology.

They’re rolled out an update that’s free for all their subscribers where users can scan a space and then automatically generate a property report featuring a layout plan where each room has been identified

by AI and categorised. As well as the floorplan, each floor area and ceiling height is listed in the report and can be exported as a CSV for onward data processing, thereby going from scan to actionable data in no time at all.

Aside from this property report, there have been further developments in how digital twins can be used on their platform.

Large spaces can be navigated more easily with an inset map, fantastic for facilities management and estate agents can put themselves front and centre with a new inset business card feature. This alongside the tags and notes that allow you to offer even more than the real world (you can put anything as a tag – pdf, video, link to another site), mean that the uses of a Matterport digital twin are endless.

Finally, they have added a scan to CAD function whereby Matterport will create a full CAD file of your scan area for you, a deliverable

that joins scan-to-BIM, e57 pointcloud and schematic floorplans in streamlining processes in architecture, engineering and construction.

With this latest update, Matterport have not only shown what can be done by leveraging their Coretex machine learning processing power and AI, but have enhanced their ecosystem not just in creating virtual tours, but genuinely useful digital twins of the built environment. And we’ve seen from the trailer that it’s not going to stop there. Their ‘Project Genesis’ promises the ability to remove all the furniture from a space with the click of a button so you can really visualise

how a building can be used differently. It’s going to be hugely useful, not just for residential and commercial spaces, but industrial, with managers able to reconfigure their operations and ensure greater efficiency and safety.

Matterport equipment is available from their UK representatives, Surveytech, along with expert advice.

Click here to watch the YouTube video.

Or click here for more information on our website: https://survey-tech.co.uk

Could marine containers be your solution for extra storage capacity or used as secure on site stores?

Lendon Containers is based in the Clapham Common area of London, the company was founded over 20 years ago by the company’s namesake Lendon Meaby.

Lendon Containers sell and rent marine shipping containers and has built a strong reputation for its containers and boasts an impressive portfolio of satisfied customers throughout a variety of different sectors including: The Army, Local Authorities, Leisure Facilities, Construction, Parks and Garden Centres, Hospitals, Static Storage Centres, Schools, and Utility Companies.

Shipping containers are an extremely cost- effective and flexible storage solution as they are easily transported, opposed to other storage facilities such as warehouse storage.

The company’s containers are not solely hired or purchased for their storage capabilities and have been converted by many clients for a whole host of different applications and purposes, including generator units, laboratories, clubhouses, secure site offices, chemical stores, pop-up bars and food stalls.

In terms of the range, Lendon Containers provides containers for hire and for

purchase. The containers are extremely competitively priced and can be rented from as little as £12 a week, plus VAT. Containers available for rent are either 20ft or 40ft x 8ft x 8ft 6ins. Hiring a 20ft container offers nearly 14 square metres – 32 cubic metres – of space.

Maintaining an experienced team, Lendon Containers can help customers with the entire conversion process; from the design of the container right the way through to fitting it out and transporting it to the customer’s location. Regardless how big or small the project is, the team at Lendon Containers is always on hand and will guide its customers through every step of the way. There are many examples of previous conversions available for customers, with sample materials and styles available.

A great solution for cost-effective, simple and transportable storage or a unique conversion facility – Lendon Containers provides a plethora of options for customers.

T +44 (0)20 7350 1940 info@lendoncontainers.co.uk www.lendoncontainers.co.uk

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Landscaping & Outdoor Building

BespokeCrete BespokeCrete creates custom and bespoke furniture, outdoor kitchens, kitchen worktops, waterfall islands, patio sets, indoor table & bench sets, coffee tables, baths, sinks and so much more. Every item is custom built, by hand – using local materials and trades, in our Norfolk workshop. BespokeCrete crafts furniture from wood or steel – that is coated in our full Microcement system, over several days – creating a strong and fully waterproof surface that is heat, stain and scratch resist.

With our team of in-house steel fabricators and master carpenters – we can bring our customers design concepts to reality. At BespokeCrete – we have a range of stunning furniture or we can create a completely bespoke design of your choosing.

Microcement is a thin 2-3mm cement and resin hybrid coating that can be applied to a multitude of surfaces. It is great for inside or outside use, creating stunning furniture from wood and coating

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it in Microcement – creating a personal and unique piece of art/ furniture.

Bespokecrete work with designers, architects, contractors and the general public with a large proportion of our work being completely bespoke.

Microcement is available in a multitude of colours – now with the option to colour match to RAL, Farrow & Ball, Dulux, Little Green, Fired Earth and Pantone colours.

Contact T 0800 061 4157 info@bespokecrete.com www.bespokecrete.com

RYNO presents noncombustible decking that actually looks like wood

RYNO® proudly launched its visually stunning, Vitrified Composite decking board. Boasting a sensationally realistic wood-effect finish, it provides architects, designers and specifiers with outstanding Class A1 performance while replicating a classic timber aesthetic, indistinguishable from its natural counterpart.

Available in a selection of striking woodeffect finishes, ranging from Brazilian Walnut to Himalayan Birch, RYNO states that, “All finishes achieve a stunningly authentic hard-wood feel, and the various hues and tones ensure our boards can seamlessly integrate into a wide range of projects.”

Vitrified composite decking boards are extruded from a composition of clays and feldspar and fired (or vitrified) in the same way as porcelain. They are stain

and fire resistant, and resistant to moisture, fading and weathering, require very little maintenance, are well-suited to remediation projects and represent an effective alternative to conventional decking solutions, where there can be no compromise between aesthetics and performance.

All Vitrified Composite™ finishes received the ‘low slip risk’ classification, making this material an excellent choice for all hightraffic terrace applications.

RYNO’s Class A1 fire-rated wood finish was inspired by nature and designed for life: take a closer look at the RYNO TerraSmart® Vitrified Composite decking system.

T 0203 9673500 sales@rynogroup.co.uk www.rynogroup.co.uk

Landscaping & Outdoor Building

ESP Panels extends the Warwick Buildings Ltd life of panel products wins Award of Excellence for 2024 There has, up until now, not been a product that solves the problem of water penetration to the inner veneers of plywood which when wet cause the glue-line to fail.

Following successful testing by BM TRADA we now have that product.

Specifiers and architects can now once again have confidence in softwood plywood and panel products. No longer do you need to specify the more expensive hardwood marine grade ply. Simply apply ESP Panels and confidence can now be restored.

ESP Panels extends the life of panel products by creating a watertight seal around the edge of the boards, stopping moisture penetration to protect against delamination.

Ideal for external use and highhumidity areas. ESP is proven to make plywood last longer. The Plywood Sealant is applied to the bare edges (including freshly cut edges) of the plywood boards. A thick layer is painted down the edge with a 5mm overlap onto the flat surface. Ensure that any holes or air

pockets are completely covered.

This can be done by working the sealant along the edge, back and forth with a paintbrush.

Available in all good Timber Merchants or contact us today if you too would like to become a stockist.

Contact sales@esp-timbertreatments. com www.esp-timbertreatments.com

Warwick Buildings Ltd is a leading local supplier of high quality timber buildings, specialising in garden offices, modern garden rooms, and wooden garages.

With a focus on quality craftsmanship and a commitment to using sustainable materials, Warwick Buildings is a trusted name in the industry, providing customers with versatile, aesthetically pleasing structures enhancing their outdoor spaces. Founded in 1988, at the heart of Warwick Buildings’ success is its customer-centric approach. The company prides itself on delivering a personalised service, assisting customers from the initial design phase to the final installation.

E2 Media have recently unveiled their highly anticipated 2024 Awards of Excellence. Warwick Buildings Ltd, have secured the prestigious award for the second consecutive year. Their exceptional dedication to providing unparalleled customer service has set them apart.

Warwick Buildings’ outdoor buildings are designed to meet the growing demand for functional workspaces within the tranquillity of your home.

These structures are crafted with precision and attention to detail, utilising high-quality timber. Whether for remote professionals or those looking for traditional office spaces, these garden offices are a perfect solution.

Warwick Buildings offers a wide range of customisation options, allowing customers to create a building that matches their specific requirements.

Warwick Buildings incorporates advanced insulation techniques and double-glazed windows into their garden rooms and offices, making them energy-efficient, suitable for year-round use.

So, if you're looking for a suitable outdoor office space or want to increase your living space then Warwick Buildings is the go-to choice for all your needs.

For more information, visit: www.warwickbuildings.co.uk

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Building Products & Services

SIMON says...

The SIMON Simonbox IP66 floor outlet was the first mini floor box to address the design challenge of making a waterproof floor outlet which is easy to access and easy to use. There are no lids to unscrew or additional parts to assemble. Just pop open the lid using the standard slide or the Allen key security mechanism. Internally the outlet is available with either a UK 13amp or 5amp socket. When in use, the outlet meets the IP20 standard and when closed IP66. The floor-box is available with either a stainless steel or brass surface finish. There are 2 back boxes to choose from depending on floor type – screed or raised/suspended floor. When installed in a concrete floor, the floor-box is designed to sit flush with the surrounding floor surface.

The raised floor version is typically used in decking projects and sits slightly elevated, which prevents water pooling around the floor-box. Internally, the back box has a self-drain opening.

Strategically positioned floor boxes significantly improve the functionality of a space and help prevent unsightly and dangerous trailing cables. The

SIMONBOX is often used in projects that require an occasional floor outlet, such as pop-up display areas. The SIMON floor box has proven popular in a wide range of commercial applications such as airports, car showrooms, shop fitouts and concourse areas. Over 10 years ago, one of the first UK retail chains to specify the SIMONBOX was NEXT HOME. To this day the SIMONBOX has remained a part of NEXT’s commercial fitout specification.

Over those years we have also seen the increasing popularity of installing the SIMONBOX in private domestic projects, as well as in larger commercial applications.

The SIMONBOX is CE and UKCA certified. It is available through your local electrical wholesaler or online. For further product information or if you have a particular specification requirement, we would be delighted to receive your enquiry at: info@gromtec.com – for standard product information, see: www.simonbox.co.uk

Case study

C40 Curaflex Doyma Gaskets One of the UK leading installers of pre-insulated district heating systems, Vital Energi Utilities Ltd, use Doyma Curaflex C40 Gaskets to provide a water and air tight seal for all below ground building entries.

The specialist installations can be subject to slight movement through expansion and contraction as the system heats and cools.

The Curaflex C40 Gasket is designed to accept the axial movement that may occur during the operation allowing Vital Energi to seal both the opening of the building

façade as well as the HDPE outercasing.

Vital Energi's Managing Director, Ashley Walsh, noted, “This provides our installation with an excellent termination. It provides confidence both to ourselves and our clientele that we'll leave the fully installed works sealed from any moisture ingress while providing a product that has the flexibility and capability to work alongside our very complex pre-insulated products.”

For more information visit: www. servicesealingsolutions.co.uk

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Building Products & Services

Water treatment solutions track record is a result of providing the kit you need, in the manner you want, at a price you’re happy with. Match this with their eager to please attitudes and above and beyond aftercare and it’s easy to see why their customers keep returning.

Increasing environmental responsibilities and sustainability targets are driving the construction industries ongoing needs for cost effective, easy to use solutions for dealing with wastewater onsite.

Sites also need quick replies, concise information, simple transactions, and deliveries without hassle.

Mark Stubbs, Director of Kelly Tanks, has been involved in Water Treatment for over 30 years, leading him to establish Kelly Tanks, alongside Kelly Bryant, over a decade ago. Mark and Kelly have been guided by customer demand to provide the UK’s largest, most diverse fleet of Concrete Washouts and have further developed their range of Water Treatment Solutions to include pH Control, Remote Monitoring, Flow Proportional Dosing and Renewable Energy.

Kelly Tanks product range and customer support is designed to ensure sites are equipped to: SComply with regulations SMinimise waste and environmental impact

SPrevent contamination/pollution SPromote responsible waste management Kelly Tanks offer a selection of Water Treatment and Concrete Washout Solutions for hire or purchase and onsite set up and familiarisation training if required. Their popularity and proven

Key benefits you can expect from Kelly Tanks equipment: SDesigned to meet the rigours of the construction industry SFast and Simple to Set up SSmall Footprint equipment available SUnits can be linked to handle range of flows, pumps sizes & particle characteristics SEasy to Maintain and Monitor equipment SReduce off-site disposal costs SReduce risk of pollution SEasy to use equipment Kelly Tanks take pride in the quality of their products and to customer service making them a real pleasure to deal with. For further info, give them a call on 01889 508944, email: info@ kellytanks.co.uk or check out the website at: www.kellytanks.co.uk

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Building Products & Services

A new FPM-FTS collaboration

Air conditioning and heating solutions Clima-Tech was founded in 2015 by Ashley Shemmings, a selfemployed specialist in heating engineering with over 18 years’ experience in the engineering industry.

Clima-Tech is a family run business and alongside Ashley, wife Franki Shemmings works in the office. What started off as a maintenance and servicing company, soon evolved into a specialist multifaceted service with a proven track record in the electrical, refrigeration, domestic, and commercial sectors.

We are proud to announce that as of January 2024, Farm Tech Supplies (FTS) is the exclusive UK supplier of FPM Agromehanika machinery.

FPM Agromehanika is a Serbian manufacturer of agricultural machinery with an impressive 60-year history in the industry. The company makes a wide variety of machines, using cuttingedge technology for every stage of the production process. Everything bears the CE marking, guaranteeing safe use. FPM continues to develop its range through their in-house research department.

FTS has begun by focusing on FPM’s compact rotovators and mowers. The

rotovators, verge flail mower and compact flail mowers complement our own Winton range, with new sizes. The FPM verge flail mower has an impressive safety mechanism in its displacement system, which protects the tractor in case of a collision. It also has the perfect offset for UK roads. For the first time, FTS can offer a disc mower, which is ideal for turning a field of long grass into hay. Thanks to FPM, FTS now also caters for larger tractors with the SPF model side-shift rotovators!

Clima-Tech is well trusted and well established in the renewable energy field. Clima-Tech is hands on and works closely with its clients to ensure that the best service is delivered. Clima-Tech is an approved contractor by the following certified bodies: Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), IWA, and REFCOM. Furthermore, Ashley has trained to the highest level, holding qualifications such as City & guilds 2360 NICEIC certified, City and guilds F-GAS, B-PEC G3 unvented, B-PEC Heat pump design, and B-PEC water regulation.

Contact T 01420 520510 www.farmtechsupplies.com www.wintonmachinery.co.uk

Clima-Tech has been the receiver of many awards over the years receiving first, second and third place in the following: 2019 National Energy Efficiency Awards,

Energy Efficiency Champion and Commend Renewable Heat Installer & Contractor 2020/21 and the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2020/21. Another milestone for the company was in 2021 when Clima-Tech employed its first member of staff.

Clima-Tech specialise in a range of core services in the renewable energy field for MCS/RHI registration systems, Heat pumps, Heating systems, Electrical system design and installation, System commissioning, Air conditioning, Solar panel specification, design, installation, repair and maintenance, and Underfloor Heating and Plumbing works.

We now have a showroom open in Martlesham. We want to help more households experience the benefits that heat pumps can bring – and to encourage early adopters to make the move. Our showroom will share information about all the advantages of heat pumps, while busting myths about barriers to adoption.

Our showroom has a working heat pump in place to demonstrate the technology in action, alongside everything that goes with them, including cylinders & controls.

T 01473 798321 ashley@clima-techservices.co.uk www.clima-techservices.co.uk

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Building Products & Services

Reliable and safe access INTEGRASPEC® is your best choice of ICF to equipment deliver Atlantic Access Ltd are scaffolding erectors and hirers based in Liverpool and the North West. Providing safe, access equipment for a multitude of different jobs including roofing, bricklaying and much more, for industrial, domestic and commercial projects.

Maintaining a committed, skilled and loyal team, Atlantic Access Ltd offers a highly professional service and utilises its experienced and expert team of long serving employees, of 10 years plus. This has positioned the company with the industry knowledge to assist with varying sized projects and Atlantic Access Ltd has built a strong reputation for its high quality service, personable approach and competitive prices.

The company offers its services for all residential work, new build properties, demolition work and commercial.

Some of its recent commercial projects include: Vinci IHP on Preston Royal Hospital, the Boohoo main office in Manchester for Hightown Construction, Grahams Liverpool flyovers demolition, Parkinson Construction on Oldham Royal Hospital and Salford Hospital, John Turners on Whiston Hospital, ongoing

The Ballantine Building Solutions team has over 20 years experience as ICF Builders suppliers, Installers & Builders using ICF and have worked on many successful ICF projects.

Maintenance package for Daresbury Science Technology Park and ongoing works for the National Trust on Speke Hall and Chambre House in Liverpool.

If you would like to find out more, please see the details below: Steve Long, Director T 0151 549 1551 M 07917 193357 ste@atlanticnw.co.uk info@atlanticnw.co.uk

Please quote code BCR 1479

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ICF is based on hollow lightweight block components that lock together to provide a formwork system into which concrete is poured. The blocks are made from expanded polystyrene panels fixed together with plastic webs (reducing thermal bridging) to create a formwork to which horizontal and vertical steel reinforcements can be easily added for extra strength. Once braced, concrete can be poured into the

forms enabling fast construction one storey at a time.

The ICF walls as soon as built are waterproof even before the external finishes are applied, allowing internal work to commence sooner.

This ensures for an incredibly fast & efficient construction that isn’t impacted by adverse weather in the same way traditional masonry is. Cold temperatures do not affect progress.

With an average saving of between 25% to 30% in both cost & building time and low ‘U’ Values from 0.23W/ m2degk down to 0.11W/m2degk – When all factors & benefits are taken into consideration, ICF becomes extremely competitive compared to both traditional building methods and lightweight framing.

T 028 9590 6508 admin@integraspec.co.uk www.integraspec.co.uk

Building Products & Services

Business is heating up Renewable energy heat pumps take natural thermal energy from the air, ground, or water and turn it into heat that can be used for hot water and heating systems.

is based near a large area of water, a water source heat pump can be used to extract energy from it.

What are the benefits of switching to heat pumps?

S They will reduce your carbon footprint S They will lower your energy bills S They cost a lot less to maintain than gas boilers and have a longer life span S They can be used as a cooling system in warmer weather

They are an alternative to the traditional heating methods, such as gas, that are currently used to heat business properties up and down the country, but which are being phased out as part of the 2050 Government net zero targets.

There are three main types of heat pumps available to businesses: S Air source heat pumps – These work by transferring heat from the air into a fluid.

This fluid passes through a heat exchanger to warm up hot water cylinders for taps and showers, as well radiators and other heating systems.

S Ground source heat pumps – These circulate a mixture of water and antifreeze through a loop of piping buried outside your business premises. The heat from the ground

is then absorbed into the fluid before being passed through a heat exchanger into the heat pump.

S Water source heat pumps – If your business

If you combine a heat pump with other renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, you can make your business premises almost completely self-sufficient through self-generated energy.

If you would like to find out more about options available for your business, please get in touch with Go Geothermal today on 01388 720228, email: sales@gogeothermal. co.uk or visit: www.gogeothermal.co.uk

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