The Decorator – June-July 2021

THE

DECORATOR

The official journal of the Painting and Decorating Association • June-July 2021

Fine Lines Decorating Services Private Residence, Lytham St Annes – See The Gallery for more!

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Find us online...

Dear Members, Since my last letter, you may well have had your first Covid-19 vaccination, or possibly both of them.

@TheDecoratorMag

Now that the lockdown restrictions are easing, I hope that aspects of all things work-related are returning back to normal. Speaking to Members around the country, work seems to be in plentiful supply with postponed work from 2020 taking precedence in your busywork diaries. Let’s hope that the dreadful

/DecoratorMag

weather which has been evident for the past few weeks will improve for your external painting contracts.

/TheDecoratorMag

It is several months now since the UK left the EU, and the coatings industry has reported a raw materials crisis with supply issues and price increases rise on a phenomenal scale. This started towards the end of 2020 and a combination of factors has combined to create a very difficult situation. This has coincided with increased demand in both the industrial coatings and decorative sector and is likely to have an impact on the cost of paint. In addition, there are real fears that the sector will not be able to meet the demand from UK manufacturing and construction, meaning we may also start to see paint shortages on the shelves which could potentially impact post-covid recovery. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been made aware of the situation.

elsewhere in this issue...

4 Association News

How long will this situation last? The more optimistic companies say that they expect the situation to ease in Q3 of 2021, others fear that problems will continue into next year, at least for certain products.

We will, of course keep members informed as further information becomes available.

I spoke in my last letter about the long-term work the Association is doing in terms of sustainability and environmental issues within our sector. Since then, this initiative has gathered pace with our strategy being set out for the coming years. The primary objective is to encourage decorators to use recycling schemes more frequently and to create an environment against which our Associate Partners can highlight their individual recycling programmes.

Our longer-term objective is to show the PDA’s key stakeholders, such as Build UK, government departments, the general public, that PDA Members take environmental issues seriously and are proactive in recycling. To this end, I have been in talks with many of our Associate Partners and paint manufacturers who are also very keen to work alongside us on this. We recently held a mutually supportive meeting on the topic with colleagues at the British Coatings Federation (BCF).

16 Members News 20 Training and Education 24 Industry News 26 Environmental News

There is some good news on this year’s Trophy Awards event... The Clerks of Works Judges have now re-commenced the remaining site visits, postponed back in March last year, which we anticipate will be concluded by the middle of July. To date, everything is to hand for the awards ceremony to take

28 The Gallery

place in September as planned.

By the time you receive this publication I will be out on the road hosting our apprentice competitions in Poole, Doncaster, Coventry and Accrington. We have over 50 entrants this year, exceeding the number in 2019. The winners will attend either the London event or the National Networking Event held this year at the Liverpool Waterfront Hilton. More details can be found within this publication.

For now, enjoy the summer months, keep safe and I hope to speak to you all again very soon.

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

30 FAQ

with Charlie Budd

32 Case studies 42 Tooltalk

with Wayne de Wet

44 Products and services

THE

DECORATOR

Painting & Decorating Association 32 Coton Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5TW Telephone: 024 7635 3776 e-mail: info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk web: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk Chief Executive Officer Neil Ogilvie neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

June-July 2021 — Volume 90 No 3 The Decorator is published by Catherine Saint Publicity on behalf of the Painting & Decorating Association

Advertising and Editorial Catherine Saint Publicity Telephone: 07941 590183 e-mail: catherine.saint@yahoo.co.uk

PDA Editorial Neil Ogilvie Telephone: 07796 942474 e-mail: neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Artworking and Design empathicVisions Telephone: 07789 725074 e-mail: info@empathicvisions.co.uk

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by the Association. Editorial items in this publication and the statements and opinions expressed thereon are published on the understanding that the author of the contribution is solely responsible for the opinions so expressed. Although every care is taken with advertising, no responsibility can be accepted by the published for their products, services and other matters advertised. The publisher will not be liable for any loss or damage consequential or otherwise occasioned by error, late publication or the failure of an advertisement to appear in any cause whatsoever.

3

ASSOCIATION NEWS

takeNOTICE

@thePDA facebook.com/thePDA

The latest news and updates about the PDA and wider issues across our industry.

If you have something to contrubite email info@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

EVENTS SEE A SUMMER RETURN This year the PDA is hoping to see the return of in-person events over the next few months with plans in the pipeline for the competitions, awards and events that the PDA hosts each year, but dates are being kept flexible as COVID-19 restrictions alter.

On 15 June, the Apprentice Paperhanger of the Year competition will see trainees tackle a six-hour wallpapering challenge in a test of nerve and skill at Doncaster Hub. The PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards Apprentice competition is also set to go ahead, after close liaison with the colleges that will host the competition heats. If COVID-19 restrictions allow, competitors will meet at Bournemouth and Poole College on 11 June, Coventry College on 18 June and Accrington and Rossendale College on 25 June.

Provisional bookings have also been made for an Activity Day on 2 September at the Abbey Hotel and Golf Club in Redditch, and for the National Networking Event at the Hilton Liverpool on 19-21 November.

The flagship Premier Trophy Awards ceremony is currently scheduled to take place at Plaisterer’s Hall, London, on 16 September. With applications for the 2022 Premier Trophy Awards available soon for projects completed between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021.

If you are interested in attending our Activity Day, please email our Events Manager, Yvonne at yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk to register your interest.

THE BIG ONE IS BACK! The decorating trade’s only national exhibition returns this November. The National Painting and Decorating Show is the industry’s biggest annual event and the PDA will be taking an Exhibition Stand at the event and we would love to meet and greet (in a safe way!) PDA Member firms from around the country.

The trade show is one you can’t afford to miss, held over two days at the centrally located Ricoh Stadium, it’s a celebration of all that is best in this vibrant industry, both at home and abroad.

The National Painting and Decorating Show opens its doors on 23 and 24 November this year at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, register now for your FREE tickets at www.paintshow.co.uk

NEW CSCS CARD FOR STUDENTS Following the consultation undertaken by CSCS earlier this year, the CLC has endorsed the introduction of an Industry Placement Card for students registered onto qualifications or training courses which require a work placement of 30 days or more, such as T Levels. The new card is expected to be available ahead of the 2021/22 academic year, and applicants must be aged 16 or above and pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test (or equivalent offered by CSCS partner schemes). The Industry Placement Card will not be required for short work experience initiatives such as those organised by schools.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION Purdy has launched a new campaign in conjunction with the PDA that looks to champion the professional decorator and inspire the next generation to take up a role in the industry.

Purdy understands that to be a professional decorator it takes a unique set of skills and craftsmanship, and appreciation of quality tools. In its new campaign, the company has spoken PDA Members to find out what it really means to be a professional decorator, and is looking to impart this knowledge to the next generation.

Purdy has also spoken with apprentices to find out what inspired them to take up professional decorating, what their training has taught them and the advice they would give to anyone considering joining the trade.

From the start of June, Purdy will be sharing its interviews with decorating professionals and apprentices across its YouTube, Facebook and Instagram accounts. It is also giving others the chance to impart their knowledge, advice and top tips with Purdy followers by sharing videos of their own.

/PurdyBrand

@purdypainttools

Member Discounts and Offers Don’t forget to check out the Discounts and Offers tab in the Member Resources area at www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk for exclusive benefits from all these companies and more!

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

10 YEARS ON AND STILL GOING STRONG Neil Ogilvie had been ‘on the tools’ for 33 years before becoming Chief Executive of the PDA in 2011.

After one of the most challenging years of his career, we spoke to Neil about his decade at the helm...

“WE’VE CERTAINLY HAD some rollercoaster moments, but never a dull one! It’s always interesting and I’m lucky to work with a small but dedicated team with the interests of our members, the Association and the industry at heart”, said Neil who started his career in his family decorating business in Wakefield, which he would go on to run.

A Member of the PDA since 1987, following acquisition of the family business which had been a Member of the Association since the 1960s, Neil became actively involved in the Association as Wakefield Branch President, North-East Regional President and finally taking the role of National President in October 2009.

He was also heavily involved in both Regional and National Council and Executive committees throughout the years.

It was in December of 2009 that he also stepped in as Acting Chief Executive, and after steering the Association through some turbulent waters he was formally appointed to the role in July 2011.

“There have been a lot of changes over the last 10 years, I can’t believe how fast it’s gone. We’ve seen the rise of social media and the influence that has had on our industry and our lives.

“There have been great strides environmentally as we strive to address the issues of climate change, and throughout there have been concerns over the credit crisis, swiftly followed by Brexit and, in the last 18 months, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“But through it all, we’ve done everything we can to support our Members, build stronger links across the industry in the UK and abroad and promote the Association as the first port of call for consumers looking for a trusted route to a professional painter and decorator.”

Taking the PDA forward Since then, the Association has kept pace with rapid change and innovation in the sector, with new emphasis on apprenticeships, training and sustainability as well as navigating the digital revolution and embracing new technologies, techniques, and products.

Links to the decorating industry are also stronger than ever, with more than 50 manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and industry bodies having PDA Associate Partner status, and with many offering discounted products or services for PDA Members.

Over the years, the Association itself has changed its organisational structure with Council and Executive Committees being replaced by a single Management Board.

Neil said, “I’ve overseen the launch of three new websites for the PDA, ensuring our worldwide platform is engaging and informative for Members, consumers and the wider industry, as well as working to retain the ‘family’ feel of the PDA by being accessible to Members when they need me.

“My experience in the trade has been invaluable in this role, and while I had to give up the family business to commit to the PDA fulltime, I’ve never regretted it.

Neil treasures, “The Duke stayed for the entire ceremony and met so many of our Members, it was fantastic. He sent us an incredible letter of thanks afterwards and it was truly a proud moment not just for me, but for the PDA as a whole.

“Another proud moment was watching one of our apprentice competition winners, Sandie Webster, take to the stage at the awards and give a speech about her career journey. I’ll never forget it.”

The Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Wallpaper Hanger of the Year competitions have also evolved, with more locations allowing more young people to compete, and offering further opportunities such as travel to Europe with UNIEP.

Always on hand

On becoming PDA National President in 2009.

Celebrating success As well as expanding the wealth of services, discounts, and information available to PDA Members, Neil has been instrumental in shaping the Association’s Premier Trophy Awards and other competitions into the large-scale events they are today.

A move to Plaisterer’s Hall allowed the Premier Trophy Awards to expand, encompassing more guests and creating a glitzy celebration of the skilled and talented members who enter each year.

In 2017, the 125th year of the PDA, HRH The Duke of Gloucester was Guest of Honour at the event, a moment

While the last 10 years have seen some major changes in the Association and the industry, Neil remains, at heart, the same enthusiastic painter and decorator who first joined the PDA in 1987.

He added, “When our Members ring up and speak to the team, I like to be on hand if I’m needed. We’re all 100% dedicated to the PDA and will roll our sleeves up and get stuck in when the call comes.

“We always like to go above and beyond for our Members, it can be a lonely business and it’s good to know there are people on hand with information or support with issues like tax, insurance or mediation with a client.

“We’ve achieved incredible things over the past decade and there is more that we’ve got planned going forward.

“I’m proud of the status the PDA has in the industry, I’m now a board member of UNIEP and that gives us a voice on an international stage, but I’m equally proud knowing that I’m able to be there and get involved if one of our Members rings up in need of help or advice.”

Offering advice during the 2017 Apprentice Paperhanger competition.

6

Neil with the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in his role as North-East Regional President.

Neil joins the board of UNIEP, representing the PDA internationally.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

&Gala

19-21 November 2021

NETWORKING EVENT

Dinner

It’s been a while since we got together!

We’d love you to join us in the vibrant city of Liverpool to meet and relax with fellow PDA Members from across the country.

The riverside Hilton Liverpool City Centre is the setting for our event, centrally located within a ten-minute walk of Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story and Liverpool ONE. For those arriving on Friday there is a friendly relaxed evening to meet and experience the night life of Liverpool.

Saturday evening will be our formal Gala Dinner with a relaxed atmosphere, followed by celebrating the winners of the Paperhanger Awards, kindly sponsored by Brewers.

Hilton Liverpool Then enjoy the rest of the night with live music from the very talented tre City Cen Daniel Morgan Hayes and friends.

The night provides a great opportunity for PDA Members and their guests to network, celebrate achievements and enjoy a five-star evening.

PAPERHANGER 2 0 2 1

APPRENTICE

Sponsored by

Tickets and prices will be announced soon!

Contact Yvonne Dominey-Tay, PDA Events Manager, for more details

yvonne@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk 8

®

FORMULATED TO FILL YOU WITH CONFIDENCE

The BEST MATES for the job Geocel has relaunched its iconic Painters Mate range.

One of Geocel’s original and most popular products, synonymous with the filler category for decades, Painters Mate now has its own visual identity and logo, making it even easier to recognise on the shelf.

While maintaining its core colour scheme of black, red and white, the Painters Mate packaging has been redesigned to incorporate the range’s fresh new logo on both the Flexible Filler and Ultra Fine Filler. geocel.co.uk/painters-mate/

ASSOCIATION NEWS

ADVICE for

our Members

HOW TO HANDLE LATE PAYMENT Unfortunately, it’s inevitable that at some stage you’re going to encounter customers who are slow payers, late payers and those that simply won’t pay at all. It goes without saying that cash-flow is an integral part of any business, so it’s vital that you do what you can to keep these types of customers to a minimum, and also know how to tackle them when they don’t pay on time...

The only way to be sure that a client will pay you would be to get payment up front, but customers understandably wont won’t do this, nor will your competitors be asking.

A good compromise can be to seek some money up front to cover materials and staged payments, to minimise the risk of doing a substantial amount and not being paid.

The time to agree any staged-payments is at the outset, ideally in your early discussions and certainly in any written quotes or estimates. It goes without saying that the bigger the job, the more important this is, it’s unlikely you’d need staged payments if you are painting one room!

You should also make it clear, in writing, that if a staged payment is not made you reserve the right to suspend your service. This avoids any arguments if the customer falls behind with the payment schedule.

Horses for courses It’s also vital to know your customer and their financial position as much as is possible. This is particularly important if you ever need to take legal action as different types of customers have different rights, and there are also different procedures when chasing debts.

If your client is a private individual, acting for purposes outside of a business, they are classified as a Consumer and have certain legal rights.

If the client is a business, you should consider how long have they been going and have you done business with

them before? You could request a bank reference, a trade reference, a credit reference, or do a company search at Companies House to check their identity.

Remember, a limited company is treated as a separate legal entity, so it will be the company that owes you not the individual you are dealing with. If the company fails, you may not get paid, despite the fact that the person you were dealing with still has a lovely house and a posh car!

To avoid this, especially when dealing with a newly-formed limited company, you could seek a personal guarantee from the director(s), allowing you to pursue them personally as well as the company.

Terms and conditions apply You should always have T&Cs in place so you have evidence if you need to pursue the debt. These must be brought to the customer’s attention on or before any contract being entered into.

Once you’ve completed the work, or reached a payment stage, invoice your client promptly and have systems in place that remind you when to chase payment. If payment is late, you don’t usually want to send an unpleasant threatening legal letter straightaway, after all, it’s generally advisable to try to maintain decent customer relations.

The perceived wisdom would be that you should send a polite reminder first, followed by a more forceful letter if that is not successful.

Find practical DIY templates and guidance, around topics such as employment and health and safety law, on the Law Hub. PDA Members can get a token code from PDA Head Office and sign up for free on www.markellaw.co.uk/registration Having said this, if they are a long-standing and trusted customer who has put a lot of work your way over the years, you may want to cut them more slack than a first-time customer with a job that has not gone well.

When you’re dealing with a business customer who is a late payer, the fallback position is that interest can be charged under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. This allows you to charge 8% above the Bank of England base rate on any late payments.

Furthermore, on each job you can claim a one-off amount as compensation. With individuals you can only charge what is in your T&Cs, and this needs to be fair and proportionate.

It’s good to talk When a customer won’t pay up because there’s a problem with the job then of course you need to deal with this, your PDA Membership includes free group commercial legal expenses insurance. If you’re having an issue, contact PDA Head Office who can arrange free mediation, a process by which an independent party helps resolve a conflict by talking to those involved and attempting to reach a solution.

The PDA can also talk to you about arbitration, whereby the parties agree to be bound by the decision of an independent adjudicator.

GET A BETTER DEAL ON BUSINESS PROTECTION We all love saving money where we can, but cutting costs on your business insurance could lead to not having the cover you need. However, there are a few things you can do which might help lower the price...

Speak to a professional By speaking to an insurance professional, you will be able to discuss your insurance needs and get advice on how to protect different aspects of your business. An insurance broker such as Premierline can provide this kind of advice, but they will also hunt for a competitive price for the cover you need amongst a multitude of insurers.

Tell them about additional security measures you have, safety training your staff have passed or additional driving qualifications to show how low risk you are as a business.

Explore additional covers It is estimated that 40% of businesses in the UK are underinsured, meaning that their business insurance won’t cover the total cost if a claim is made.

Part of the reason for this, is that they aren’t aware of some of the specialist covers, such as cyber insurance, business emergency cover or tool insurance. So speak to a broker to see what specialist insurance is available to cover your business.

Ensure that calculations are accurate Be prepared When speaking to a broker, inputting your details into a quote system or using a price comparison site, you will need to give accurate information. It’s important to have the correct information to hand as it’s your responsibility to make a fair presentation of the risk to the insurer before you take out a policy.

Answer all questions accurately and take reasonable care not to misrepresent any information, in most cases you may find more comprehensive cover at a lower price.

0330 1026155

Conversely, calculating more cover than necessary is likely to raise your insurance premium, make sure that any figures you enter regarding sums insured or the level of public liability insurance required are accurate to ensure that your premium is a fair reflection of the cover you need.

Premierline can also provide you advice and recommendations regarding your insurance coverage.

pdaenquiry@premierline.co.uk

Premierline are passionate about helping you protect the business you have built. They offer a bespoke service to assess your needs and make sure you are covered should the worst happen.

Their advisors work with some of the UK’s most well-known insurance providers to find a quote that provides the right cover for your business needs.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH GRANTS AND SELF ASSESSMENT THE SELF-EMPLOYED Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has been a lifeline to many sole traders during the COVID pandemic. Provided they’ve met the necessary criteria, these individuals have been supplemented with up to 80% of their average trading profits. However, these grants are taxable, meaning that they’re subject to Income Tax and National Insurance in the tax year in which they’re received. As a result, they need to be included in your Self Assessment tax return.

Technical Director of GoSimpleTax, Mike Parkes, sets the record straight on SEISS grants and how to record them for HMRC. IF YOU HAD reason to believe that you’ve suffered a significant reduction in trading profits between 1 February and 30 April 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, this fourth instalment of SEISS closed on 1 June 2021.

The eligibility criteria for the fifth grant will be different.

As it stands, the amount you receive will be dependent on your turnover between April 2020 and April 2021.

In effect, this means you may receive support if your sales have fallen by: • 30% or more – In which case, the fifth grant will be 80% of three months’ average profits (up to a maximum claim of £7,500) • Less than 30% – In which case, the fifth grant will be 30% of three months’ average profits (up to a maximum claim of £2,850)

This fifth and final instalment of self-employed support is expected to cover the period from May 2021 to September 2021.

Declaring grants on your tax return You won’t need to repay your SEISS grant, but they are subject to Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance contributions. This means that, if you claimed grants one, two or three, they will need to be reported, in full, in your 2020/21 Self Assessment tax return.

HMRC is making this easier for users by including a box on the 2020/21 and 2021/22 tax return forms. You’ll need to include a fourth or fifth grant on the latter tax return should you claim them in 2021.

Alternatively, you can easily declare that you’ve received support through tax return software. Platforms like

GoSimpleTax include this as a simple drop-down field, it will also provide you with tips that could save you money on allowances and expenses you might have missed.

The software submits directly to HMRC and is the solution for the self-employed painter and decorator, sole traders and anyone with income outside of PAYE to file their self-assessment. GoSimpleTax does all the calculations for you so there is no need for an accountant.

If you discover that you received a SEISS grant that you were not entitled to, or were paid more than you should have been, notify HMRC within 90 days to arrange repayment. Fail to do so, and you may be charged a penalty.

Provided you have claimed the correct amount and include all grants within your Self Assessment tax return, you should stay on the right side of the taxman.

All PDA Members get 30% discount on GoSimpleTax – log into the Member’s area of the PDA website and navigate to Tax Advice, for a special link to GoSimpleTax!

CAPTAIN CHUNK #designedbydecorators

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11

ASSOCIATION NEWS

e m o c l e WTO THE ASSOCIATION...

SOCIAL MEDIA AND DECORATING

Engaging Generation Z

AS PART OF the Erasmus+ project, PaintingSkillsAcademy conducted a survey to analyse the role of social media in promotioning the decorating profession, and especially on how to reach and inform new generations and attract them to the trade. The questionnaire was distributed in seven different languages to reach a wide audience.

It emerged that the most used platform by respondents overall is Facebook, immediately followed by Instagram. The survey also pointed out a significant use of platforms such as YouTube, Pinterest, Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp. It was interesting to see that among the younger groups (under 30) Instagram was more popular, while the use of Facebook increases in the over 30s.

The survey also collected opinions on which could be the best social media platform for promoting the trade at its best, and in this situation the majority identify Instagram as the social media with the best potential in the promotion of the sector.

Several interesting suggestions came from the participants of the survey on how social media can contribute to attracting young people to the decorating profession.

Most of them focused on the visual representation of the trade through video and images of painters at work. A significant role is also played by the link between schools and labour market, and the organisation of events such as young championships.

Discover more and download the full factsheet at https://tinyurl.com/UNIEPsurvey

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The Painting and Decorating Association are thrilled to be able to introduce our newest Associate Partner, HSS Training. Many people have heard of their parent company, HSS Hire Group, but may not know a lot about HSS Training – so here’s some quick stats.

HSS Training offers over 260 industry-recognised training courses, all delivered by a team of 60 qualified trainers. They have the largest open schedule of technical training courses in the UK and are the market leader in IPAF, PASMA and Ladder training. With 54 specialist training centres nationwide, you won’t have to go far to get the training you need.

Short on time or struggling to travel? HSS Training can deliver training almost anywhere – on your premises or on site at a location of your choice.

The HSS Training website has live event schedules and availability up to a year in advance, so whether you’re an individual or representing a company with multiple employees, booking couldn’t be simpler. Just

/Packexe

choose your course, pick your venue and date, and leave the rest up to them.

With many course categories from Working at Height, including Scissor Lifts and Ladder Safety, to Electrical and Tools & Equipment training, HSS Training are sure to be able to provide you with the skills you need for the job at hand.

Can’t quite find what you’re looking for? HSS Training also offer bespoke training solutions, tailoring a course to your specific needs.

PDA Members that open an account with HSS Training will get access to fantastic discounts, along with other great account benefits like instant booking confirmation, training renewal notifications and attendance records (great for proving compliance!).

Give HSS Training a call on 0345 766 7799 today to find out what they can do for you, or arrange for a member of their team to visit you onsite for a chat.

@packexe.ltd

NOT ALL FILMS are made equal, at Packexe they have perfected their formula to provide a surface protector that is both waterproof and certified low-slip. Designed for the trades, Packexe protection products are colour coded to make choosing the right protection easy.

Available for Carpet, Hardfloor, Interior Surface, Glass & Glazing and the unique Fleece, which is cushioned and ideal for helping to reduce impact damage on tile and stone surfaces, it’s reusable up to 10 times.

Each product has a uniquely formulated adhesive to work perfectly with the matching surface for the duration of your project and can be removed without leaving any residue, meaning you can use Packexe products with confidence.

All products can be left in place for up to six weeks, can we swept or mopped in situ, and are fully recyclable.

For quick protection of floors and surfaces against spillages, debris and heavy foot traffic during building, renovation or decoration use a Packexe easy-to-apply dispenser. All products are available in an extra wide width for those lager areas, down to 100mm for delicate edges and harder to reach areas.

Call them to discuss which product is best suited to your project on 01392 438191 or find them online.

www.packexe.co.uk

NEW

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

t fi ’s ck en sto om in W w No

Look like the l a n o i s s e f pro you are ROUND NECK T-SHIRT Navy or White A top quality 100% cotton t-shirt, washable up to 60º

£7.99

POLO SHIRTS Mens or Womens fit 50/50 Polycotton 220gsm quality garment with ribbed collar and cuffs. Available in sizes S to XXL

£10.99

A whole line of affordable work wear and sundries such as quotation pads and van stickers are available to purchase through the PDA Website – Most clothing items are available in a choice of mens or womens fit.

Login to the Members area of the PDA website and click on ‘PDA Mechandise’ tab

NEW IN STOCK! BASEBALL CAP

PDA branded with adjustable strap

FACE MASK Non-PPE washable face mask, 100% breathable.

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SOFT SHELL JACKETS Available in Navy and Black Water Repellent, wind resistant, easy drying fabric, ideal casual or with collar & tie. Available in sizes M, L, XL and XXL

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w w w. p a i n t i n g d e c o r a t i n g a s s o c i a t i o n . c o . u k Alternatively call Head Office on 0247635 3776 or email sam@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk 14

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

WOMEN IN DECORATING

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE ALTHOUGH 60,972 MORE women joined the construction industry between 2009 and 2019, CareerSmart data shows that women make up just 4.8% of painters and decorators. Despite the industry being traditionally male-dominated, progress is coming to the sector slowly but surely. National painting and decorating contractor Bagnalls recently sat down with five of their female employees, ranging from managerial roles to trainees, to discuss their experiences and insights in the sector. We have a preview of the series which will be running on the Bagnalls’ website over the coming weeks...

Becky Slater

Katie at the completed Resorts World, Birmingham project.

Katie Booth

What’s your role with Bagnalls?

I’m Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) at Bagnalls. I joined in January 2020, coming from a background in quarry management and the manufacturing sector, and currently oversee Bagnalls’ standards of quality, safety and environmental responsibility.

What’s your role with Bagnalls?

I’m a Contracts Manager at our Wolverhampton branch, heading into my third year of the Management Trainee programme. I quickly got stuck into managing contracts and have been doing so ever since.

What are your career highlights so far?

The past year has been particularly challenging, but also rewarding in its own way. I formed part of the team at Bagnalls responsible for reacting to the changing coronavirus situation, which carried a lot of pressure but was also rewarding to implement successfully.

The impact of my work was that our staff and customers remained safe throughout and Bagnalls carried on its legacy of responsible work despite the challenges the past year has brought.

What are your career highlights so far?

I’m proud to have been to university and completed my Master’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing. My involvement in the renovation of Resorts World in Birmingham was a definite highlight as the project was different, ambitious and creative, and went on to win the Retail category of the Johnstone’s Trade Painter of the Year Award 2020.

What’s your next career step from here?

I’m currently gearing up for the final stages of my training programme, which forms the immediate step into my chosen career.

Longer-term, I would love to become the main Contracts Manager at my branch.

What’s your next career step from here?

I want to remain within the health and safety side of the company as I love my work. My main ambitions are to develop the department and ensure it continually evolves over the years and take the opportunities that present themselves.

Abi Johnson What’s your role with Bagnalls?

I’ve been a painter and decorator at Bagnalls for the past year, having previously worked as an apprentice.

What are your career highlights so far?

For me, a definite highlight of my career was being invited to Slovenia in 2019, to take part in a charity event with the Painting and Decorating Association. We travelled there to decorate a school as part of a community support project and were allocated a portion of the project to complete.

Being introduced to everyone and getting to contribute to improving the school for local school children and teachers was amazing. Whilst in Slovenia, we also got to do some wine tasting and tour the capital city, visiting the market there and getting to see the local crafts and foods. All experiences I never would have got outside of my apprenticeship.

What’s your next career step from here?

Abi working on the school community project in Slovenia in 2019.

16

I’d like to run our work on heritage sites in the future, as the more technical elements involved will give me the scope to show what I’ve achieved within the industry. I know that I want to move up within the company, with the goal of eventually becoming a manager.

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Jane Potter

Jane at an event in Belfast prior to the WorldSkills Olympics.

What’s your role with Bagnalls?

I’m Branch Manager for Leeds and York. I joined Bagnalls over 30 years ago as an apprentice, since then I’ve come full circle and now help to manage the development of our current apprentices.

What are your career highlights so far?

A definite career highlight for me was competing in the WorldSkills Olympics in Amsterdam as an apprentice in 1990. As the only woman in my category, I came up against some backlash from other competitors who complained that I would be named the winner because I was the ‘token’ female.

After a couple of comments like these, I suggested that all names be removed from our work when the judges were scoring them, meaning that gender couldn’t

play a role in our performance. That quickly put an end to those complaints, I was there to win on the basis of my skill and didn’t want to give my critics grounds to find fault should I win.

In the end I got a bronze medal, at the time I was disappointed as I had pinned my hopes on gold, but looking back now, I realise the achievement that this was and the role it played in my career.

What’s your next career step from here?

I’d love to keep rising through the ranks, possibly reaching director level. I’ve been supported so well during my time here that I truly feel that I’ll be encouraged whatever my career ambitions are.

Joanne Gualda

What are your career highlights so far?

What’s your role with Bagnalls?

I’m Group Marketing Director for Bagnalls and Director of our Special Projects division.

I joined the company 21 years ago, starting as a Group Marketing Manager. I was also the first female director on Bagnalls’ board of directors in its 145-year history.

I have so many career highlights, but for me, the standout was becoming the first female Director appointed to the Main Board in 2006. I am also hugely proud of the success of our Community Paintbrush scheme, which I established in 2012, the scheme has helped numerous organisations over the years through paint donations, volunteer painters and charitable support.

More recently, I have been trained in being a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), a subject I feel passionate about and have been involved in more throughout the past year, as we have expanded our mental health support systems to help employees deal with the impact of COVID. In addition to my personal achievements, many of my career highlights so far have also been due to the success and dedication of my colleagues, our project wins at the annual PDA Trophy Awards, our apprentice success across the UK, and our specialist awards such as RoSPA Gold for investment in safety to name but a few.

What’s your next career step from here?

Joanne with Stephen Bagnall and Gemma Tillotson after collecting the Large Company – Environment award at Raising the Bar 2019.

My key role moving forward will be to support the growth of our business and its staff, and secure the future of the company for the next generation of Bagnalls’ employees.

I am committed to making sure that when I retire, I have created a legacy to ensure that our company not only remains successful from a commercial perspective but also continues to build upon our investment in sustainable improvements.

You can find the full series of complete interviews on the Bagnalls website over the coming weeks...

www.bagnalls.co.uk 17

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

BELL GROUP COMPLETES MANAGEMENT BUY-OUT PDA MEMBER FIRM Bell Group, who employ over 1200 decorators in the UK, has successfully completed a management buy-out. Under its new stewardship, Bell Group management have made the following three commitments as part of their organic growth strategy which will ultimately double the size of the business over the next five years: • To continue to develop its service offering in redecorating, roofing, fire upgrades and capital investment projects nationally across all 31 of their branches.

• To Launch Phase 2 of their systemisation project, which will allow residents to track the progress of their work through a fully integrated customer service experience like that offered by high end postal companies such as DHL and DPD. • To launch a further four Training Centres in the UK over the next two years which will provide Apprenticeships in areas of the country most in need of jobs.

Craig Bell, CEO of Bell Group and major shareholder said, “Recently we have seen a real step change in the work we’ve completed and contracts we are securing, we’re very excited about the future and the commitments that long term contracts allow us to make.

“The pandemic understandably slowed our growth over the last year, but our forecasts for this year are very strong. As new owners we’re excited to continue to build on the legacy of our predecessors over the past 37 years.”

Bell Group has 31 locations across the UK and employs over 1,600 people. The company forecasts turnover of £150 million for 2021, building on its average year on year growth of 15 per cent. Its customers include NHS Trusts, Ministry of Defence, Housing Associations and Local Councils across the UK as well as working in many Historic Buildings, Palaces and now offering a service to decorate private homes. www.bellgroup.co.uk www.paintmyhome.co.uk

CAKE SAFETY! Reading the Steps for Painting Safely article on page eight of the April-May Decorator magazine triggered thoughts of how the construction industry and the finishing sector have changed since I first entered the industry in 1946.

I was a multi-employed trainee for a small village contractor who also owned a garden nursery with extensive timber-framed greenhouses with white lead paint coatings used throughout! It’s hard to believe, but I was mixing paints from raw materials under the direction of the painting foreman 75 years ago.

Fifteen years later, I qualified as a general foreman, agent, project manager, and Clerk of Works. I was appointed maintenance manager and client's representative on new works in a biscuit and cake manufacturing factory with production processing 24/7, and a maintenance staff of 30 including seven painters employed directly and overseeing buildings carried out by main contractors.

The Steps for Painting Safely article identifies the need to ‘stop harmful fumes polluting the air and avoiding illness’, something I was aware of during my working life in the food manufacturing industry.

As the conveyor-driven belts with raw ingredients were going to dispatch, the white overalled painters continued decorating. The oil paint fumes filled the airtight production area just as the sponge cakes were sliced to receive the cream and jam filling, minutes later replacing the top of the sponge cake with the wrapping completed. The paint odour nicely sealed within the cake, which led to numerous complaints from buyers!

In conjunction with the quality control department, I was tasked with solving the issue. We realised that on removing the lid from the new paint can, the concentrated paint odour was the source of the problem.

After several meetings with the paint manufacturer, an odourless oil paint was produced specifically for our factory, with a unique identifying colour.

The cost was an agreed increase in price to produce this paint, with testing for suitability done on-site in the food production area to satisfy the durability paint standard.

Help from the manufacturers and suppliers’ paint technical staff took place regularly.

Bob Hewitt PDA Life Member

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GETTING FIT FOR A HUNGER-FREE FUTURE MEMBER OF THE PDA Management Board and Managing Director of leading property services company Ian Williams, Andy Havard, tells The Decorator why the organisation is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a company-wide mission to raise £75,000 for the More Than Homes Campaign on behalf of foodbank charity The Trussell Trust.

“We knew we wanted to do something exceptional to celebrate our 75th anniversary and as usual for Ian Williams, that means giving something back to the communities and individuals we work with. Exacerbated by COVID, we’re all acutely aware of the challenges around poverty, but for many, this has meant going without even the most basic things like having food on the table. We have seen a monumental rise in levels of serious hardship, record levels of need for food banks and a vast number of people coming to food banks for the first time in their lives. Statistics like 20% of children aged 8-17 in the UK have reported some form of food insecurity since Christmas, made our mind up to work with The Trussell Trust. as part of the More Than Homes campaign.

“The More Than Homes campaign, led by one of our customers Accent Housing and with backing from the National Housing Federation, Chartered Institute of Housing and the Northern Housing Consortium, is looking to raise £1million to support food banks as they come under increasing pressure to feed more and more people. Our birthday celebrations will see Ian Williams playing our part as we embark on a virtual mission around the globe to raise a fitting target of £75,000 for this fantastic cause, which will be the single biggest commitment to More Than Homes do date.

“But we need your support. However large or small, please sponsor us to help hit our fundraising target and help end the need for the UK’s foodbanks.” www.justgiving.com/team/IW75

Introducing the new Heritage range Experience a touch of luxury

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TRAINING AND EDUCATION

BLAZING A TRAIL FOR APPRENTICESHIPS A GROUP OF seven Jack Tighe Apprentices have recently passed their Level 2 Industrial Coatings Applicator appreniceships through the Trailblazer scheme. Taking place over 18 months, with five days at North Lindsey College every six weeks, remaining time was utilised for onsite experience. This was either within the Jack Tighe factory facilities in Doncaster and Scunthorpe, or around at project sites throughout the UK, including Portsmouth Naval Base, Network Rail Infrastructure, Highways, and Hydro Energy projects.

From the start of the apprenticeship, the apprentices took part in many extra training courses to help them contribute on Jack Tighe projects. This involved their internal training including manual handling, slips, trips and falls, abrasive wheels, working at height, harness inspection, fire awareness, noise and face fit certification for the relevant RPE required.

They were also involved in a number of external courses and competencies required for working in the different sectors which include Personal Track Safety for Network Rail, Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (IPAF), mobile aluminium towers (Pasma),

Confined Space Entry and Rescue, Fork Truck, First Aid and CCNSG Safety Passport.

The apprentices now have the opportunity to forge a career in the painting industry, with the chance to progress within Jack Tighe to supervisory and management level.

They will have the opportunity to train and gain qualifications in various aspects of the industry including confined spaces, MEWP, mobile towers and even the possibility of gaining Icorr or Nace Inspection certification.

All of the apprentices will now attend the ICATS Specialised Modules courses for Blasting and Spraying activities within their one year mentoring period.

After the first successful completion of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship programme, Jack Tighe gave a special mention to North Lindsey College for their hard work and providing the platform to undertake the course, The Institute of Corrosion and The Marine Paint Forum for their continued help and assistance along the way to complete the End Point Assessment, and HMG Paints for supplying two of the candidates for the apprenticeship and supporting the programme with a site tour of their facilities.

PAPERHANGER 2 0 2 1

2021

Good luck to everyone taking part ns! in the PDA Apprentice Competitio APPRENTICE

APPRENTICE COMPETITION

NEW MANUAL TO SUPPORT FLEXIBLE APPRENTICESHIPS A NEW MANUAL has been published to set out how flexibilities in apprenticeships can be used and delivered in construction to meet the needs of employers and apprentices.

Apprenticeships have been on a transformational journey since 2012, with reforms such as the introduction of employer led standards to ensure apprenticeships are relevant, high quality, and meet the skills needs of employers. The Flexible Apprenticeships in Construction manual sets out: • how the delivery of apprenticeship training can be flexed to meet employer needs; and • how the length of an apprenticeship can be reduced where an individual has existing relevant knowledge or skills.

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Some employers are already making use of apprenticeship flexibilities and are seeing the benefits of this in workforce satisfaction, productivity, and improved value for money. This includes employers who co-authored the manual alongside Government, and Industry bodies.

The Painting and Decorating Association want all employers to think creatively about how they can tailor apprenticeship training to meet their needs. Be it through a flexible delivery model, such as front loading which can support apprentices new to the sector to hit the ground running, to delivering accelerated apprenticeships for more experienced individuals who are able to build on their existing skills and complete more quickly.

If you are interested in finding out more about front loading, accelerated apprenticeships or the wider range of delivery models, a PDF of the manual can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/FACManual Employer incentives payments in place until September 2021 mean there is £3000 available for every apprentice hired.

You may also be interested in contributing to the consultation launched on 20 April to deliver new flexi-job apprenticeships in industries where employment is often project-based and short-term, such as the creative industries.

Visit www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice for more.

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SECTOR NEWS

P&Dnews CONSTRUCTION-STARTS RISE AS CONFIDENCE RETURNS BREWERS BRING BEATRICE TO LIFE BREWERS BEDFORD DONATED Albany paint to support 20 local children with special educational needs and disabilities to create the Mural of Joy. This project is part of a collaboration between the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum and Creating Memories, a local charity that works with local hospices to make the wishes of life limiting children come true.

The children created 20 images, which have been replicated by local illustrator Sarah Harrison, to create this bold mural. Beatrice the elephant was positioned as a central feature designed to celebrate individuality and remembering moments to treasure, a key part of Creating Memories.

“This project has just grown since its inception earlier this year and I can’t quite believe the finished result!”, says Pritti Saggi, founder of Creating Memories, “Thanks to all the children for their masterpieces and to Kerri and Sarah for their desire to make this happen.”

Together Pretti, Sarah and the branch manager of Bedford Brewers, Rebecca, chose a variety of colours that would help the memorable moments created by the children come to life on the mural.

Brewers Decorators Centre provided a variety of 500ml tins in a variety of different RAL colours in Albany Smooth Masonry. These paints were used

by Sarah and the other artists involved and can be seen in the finished Mural of Joy.

THE VALUE OF construction work starting on-site during the three months to April 2021 was 30% higher than a year ago, unsurprising considering that part of the latest figures are being compared the first national lockdown.

However, underlying project-starts during the three months to April were 18% higher than the preceding three months (seasonally adjusted), with most sectors and regions experiencing growth.

Confidence in the construction industry is also particularly high, with many contractors announcing strong order books for 2021 and 2022 Private housing project-starts performed very strongly and climbed 61% against the previous year and 21% compared to the preceding three months. In contrast,

social housing project-starts performed poorly and declined 11% against the previous year and 5% compared to the preceding three months.

Hotel & leisure project-starts were 51% lower than they were two years ago, the greatest decline of any sector.

Industrial-starts achieved the greatest growth of any sector, with project-starts having increased 85% against the previous year and 68% compared to the preceding three months. Industrial-starts were 16% higher than they were two years ago. www.glenigan.com/glenigan-index-to-end-april-2021/

HOME ADVANTAGE JOHNSTONE’S TRADE HAS announced it will be continuing its partnership with Leeds Rhinos rugby club for a third consecutive year.

The Yorkshire-based paint manufacturer will continue to be the club’s official paint partner and has also announced that it will be sponsoring one of the Rhinos’ young players for the 2021 season.

Jack Broadbent, who is local to the PPG head offices in Batley, signed a two-year deal with the Leeds Rhinos in February 2021 after making his Super League debut last season. As the league has returned and games have started to take place behind closed doors over the past few months, Jack has already contributed to the team’s achievements.

Matt Baines at PPG said, “It’s fantastic to continue our partnership with the club, it’s an integral part of the local community and we’re pleased that we can support the work it does through our partnership.

“We’re also really proud to be the official sponsor of Jack, whose mum actually works at PPG. He’s already making a big name for himself and we’re looking forward to celebrating his achievements as he lives out his dream of playing for his local team.” www.johnstonestrade.com

DDC HELP TO TRANSFORM LIVES

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DULUX DECORATOR CENTRE is helping Good Guys Decorating support more of the most vulnerable members of their community through a new partnership.

Established by Cyle Carth from Wandsworth, South London, Good Guys Decorating has transformed the lives of countless families facing hardship by decorating their homes for free.

These ‘Give Back’ jobs are part of his commitment to help those struggling with poverty or mental illness and now, as part of a new partnership DDC is helping reach even more deserving families, through a range of measures. These include providing free of charge paint from Cyle’s local DDC in Hammersmith, plus providing Good Guys with accessory packs to give away to the families after the work has been carried out to help maintain their newly decorated home.

Gerry Sheehan at DDC said, “Cyle ’s commitment to helping the community really stood out to us and

prompted us to think about how we could help him reach even more people. By supplying him with the products they need, he no longer needs to worry about costs for materials on the charity jobs and his account terms allow him to get the best value for the products he requires for his commercial work.

Cyle comments, “We’re incredibly excited to partner with Dulux Decorator Centre. Their support will really turbo-charge our work in the community, enabling us to reach and help more people than ever before. There remains far too many families who are facing financial hardship and challenges with their mental health. That’s why we’re committed to giving back and helping others.”

Chart-topping rapper Stormzy was so impressed by his efforts that he joined Cyle when he transformed a teenager’s bedroom in Croydon. www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk

A couple of really Good Guys.

SECTOR NEWS

FURLOUGH FUNDING RETURNED IN FULL

HERITAGE CENTRE REVAMPED RYE HERITAGE CENTRE, a much-loved attraction exploring the history and heritage of Rye is currently undergoing a revamp with a new area being built and decorated using Albany paint by master craftsman Richard Langley.

The centre uses a variety of formats to engage visitors in Rye’s long and interesting history including a model town, various walks and audio guides and now a trompe l’oeil of a pier scene. The immersive space in which the mural has been painted will house a collection of vintage penny slot machines, giving a feeling of being on a pier.

The mural has been exclusively painted in Albany paints, in carefully selected RAL colours which have enabled Richard to mix the shades required for the incredible detail shown. Richard has many years of

experience creating engaging murals and in trompe l’oeil to bring an idea to life and give an illusion of something that’s not there.

Richard said, “Brewers were quick to support me with this project and have always been really helpful in both my mural painting and my restoration work, with special finishes and colour matching a key to some projects. Thank you.”

Brewers Decorator Centre in Eastbourne has supported the project with donation of Albany Vinyl Matt.

Steve West, Store Manager at Brewers Eastbourne commented, “Richard has been a Brewers customer for many years and we’re always impressed by his level of skill and interesting designs. We’re really pleased to be able to support a local company and look forward to visiting Rye Heritage Centre to see the mural in person!”

AKZONOBEL HAS VOLUNTARILY decided to return the full £2.8 million received through the UK government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS), also known as furlough.

The emergency employment support scheme was set up by the UK government in 2020 to help businesses retain employees and avoid having to make redundancies due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme covered 80% of a person’s salary up to a monthly capped amount.

AkzoNobel primarily used these funds to protect jobs at its Dulux Decorator Centre stores, which the company opted to close for a short period in April 2020. The money was also used to help to furlough colleagues across its Vehicle Refinishes and other coatings businesses. This enabled AkzoNobel to react quickly to serve end market demand when it returned.

The final JRS claims were made last summer.

Following the strong performance of the company’s UK Decorative Paints business over the last 12 months the company has decided to repay all furlough money received.

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

REACH RULES FOR POST BREXIT UK BATTLE BUS TO HELP BUSINESS MEET NET ZERO PLANET MARK WILL be hitting the road this month for a tour of live events in the UK's first fully electric Carbon Battle Bus, that will culminate at COP26 in Glasgow in November.

Planet Mark aim to help companies to make year-on-year carbon reductions, and unlocking huge business benefits in the process, from increased efficiencies and reduced costs.

The eight-month tour aims to address this by taking the net zero carbon message to communities across the UK in support of the UN-backed initiative Race to Zero.

It will highlight how businesses can set their own credible net zero carbon targets in line with Race to Zero’s rigorous minimum criteria and implement plans to achieve them.

The physical stop-offs during the tour will provide everything a business needs to know to go net zero through free-to-attend carbon clinics as well as paid-for Net Zero Essentials workshops, which will give participants the tools and knowledge to join Race to Zero with a robust net zero target and an action plan to support it.

The tour will also include press events and networking opportunities to help support businesses to get started on their sustainability journeys.

The final leg of the tour will visit farms, schools and trading estates on the road north to COP26 in Glasgow, where Planet Mark will highlight and celebrate the steps taken by the business community in tackling carbon.

Steve Malkin of Planet Mark says, “This is a key moment and we aim to give energy to the urgency of tackling the climate crisis. We want to enable businesses to set zero carbon targets and implement achievable steps to deliver them. In doing so, they publicly demonstrate their commitment to support society and our transition to net zero. It's an exciting time of innovation and action with the goal of a cleaner, healthier planet within our reach.”

The partner organisations and associations for the tour include Institute of Directors (IoD), CHAS, Eden Project, The Royal Warrant Holders Association, Octopus Energy, Heart of the City, Meaningful Business and COBIS. www.planetmark.com

AS THE UK has now left the EU, there is an independent UK REACH regime that started from 1 January 2021.

All relevant substances accessing the UK market need to be re-registered in a new UK REACH database, with the added complexity and cost to industry that implies.

This will be done through basic notifications of substances within 180 or 300 days of 1 January 2021, and full registration of substances, including data dossiers, by between two and six years of 28 October 2021, depending on the quantity and/or hazardous nature of the substance.

UK REACH maintain EU REACH’s aims and principles.

These include: • the ‘no data, no market’ principle • the ‘last resort’ principle on animal testing • access to information for workers • the precautionary principle UK REACH is part of the UK’s chemicals regulatory regime. If you sell or distribute chemicals in the UK and the EU, you’ll need to follow both UK REACH and EU REACH rules.

Manage your chemicals on UK REACH If you’re based in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), you’ll need to follow UK REACH regulations to manufacture, import, sell or distribute chemical substances or mixtures.

Use the ‘Comply with UK REACH’ service to: • transfer your EU REACH registration into UK REACH (also known as ‘grandfathering’) to continue having access to the GB market • submit a new registration for a substance • notify that you’re going to continue importing substances from the EU or European Economic Area (EEA) by submitting a Downstream User Import Notification (DUIN) • transfer your assets, such as registrations, to another legal entity • the precautionary principle The ‘Comply with UK REACH’ IT system can be accessed via the Government website at https://tinyurl.com/REACHUK

HALF WAY TO A MILLION DULUX DECORATOR CENTRE has successfully diverted more than half a million cans of paint away from landfill through its in-store recycling scheme. The initiative allows professional decorators to safely and simply dispose of cans of both solvent and water-based paint, helping them to protect the environment in the process.

To-date the end of 2020, 670,000 cans have been recycled through the initiative, with uptake increasing between 10% and 15% year-on-year since it was established in 2015. The scheme’s growth has been driven by the rise in painting and decorating professionals who are committed to building and maintaining a sustainable business.

Simply take a can to a DDC, or have them collected on site if they are already receiving a delivery from the store.

The Dulux scheme is unique in that each can is attributed to the individual who returned it, which enables customers to receive an annual certificate showing what, and how much, they have recycled over the year. It also complies with the requirements and robust standards set by the environmental regulators, including the Environment Agency in England.

The scheme is part of DDC’s commitment to setting the highest standards in sustainability and helping the trade do the same. It is also testament to the increasing amounts of painters and decorators who are reflecting on their own environmental impact and actively thinking about ways to reduce it, as well as the benefit these green credentials can have on their businesses.

The scheme is one of the many ways Dulux Decorator Centre is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, as well as the industry’s as a whole. The decorating merchant is the biggest contributor of paint to the Community RePaint scheme, which enables people to donate usable leftover paint, which is then redistributed to benefit individuals, families, communities and charities in need at an affordable cost.

DDC also stocks a range of sustainable products including Dulux Trade Evolve Matt, which uses 35% reclaimed paint, otherwise destined for landfill or incineration, as well as the new low VOC Dulux Trade Airsure Diamond Matt and Airsure Vinyl Matt that offer the great quality, performance and coverage that decorators need, but with a lower or equal carbon footprint compared to the standard formulations.

For more information on how to use the scheme and the cans that can be recycled visit www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/can-recycling

26

gallery

The

Lister Decorators The main hallway of this grade II listed building was completely redecorated with new panelling added.

An interior designer specified products from Farrow and Ball and Benjamin Moore.

Adam W Ford Painting Services Cracks and knocks were repaired before feature walls were painted with specific colours from Little Greene.

Ceilings finished with Dulux Supermatt to help light travel across the room. Woodwork finished in Dulux Satinwood.

Different Strokes (Kendal) The exterior of this business was truly transformed with Dulux Trade paints in Galaxy Blue, Grafica Grey and Wishing Well.

DMC Decorators Whitaker Decorators

Neutral tones gives this home a clean and contemporary look.

Work at Eden Bar and Nightclub in Manchester for Whitaker Decorators was most definitely diverse!

You too can enter The Gallery for free!

For your chance to win £100 of vouchers from Brewers and feature on our front cover, send in your pictures to thegallery@the-decorator.co.uk For use in the magazine and to be considered for the cover, we need high resolution, clear images.

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On the Cover Fine Lines Decorating Services /finelinesdecor

A S Nix Decorator This Cole & Son Mediterranea wallpaper makes for a welcome entrance, woodwork is simply finished in Tikkurila Everal 40.

LSB Decorative Painting Dark wooden units were given a modern uplift using Caparol Haftprimer and PU-Satin, sprayed and hand painted all in situ.

Situated just off the promenade in Lytham, this property gets heavily weather beaten. Previous poor workmanship made the job more challenging and scaffolding was erected around the entire building. Broken guttering was replaced and the rotten mock Tudor timbers, where unstable brickwork needed rebuilding, were filled with render. Johnson's Trade undercoat and gloss were used for frames, with Pliolite masonry paint on

Parkinson Decorators

the stone surrounds, cills and heads.

Working to a colour scheme

by Philip Martyn Design, this pool table room was all finished in Johnstone Trade Acrylic Durable Eggshell mixed to Farrow and Ball Studio Green.

£100 of vouchers from Brewers are on the way to Fine Lines Decorating Services for their winning Gallery entry!

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ADVICE AND TIPS Summer is often the busiest time for decorators with everyone

A

s I’m writing this a few weeks before the magazine is published I can’t predict what the weather will be when you read it.

Although as it’s summer time... It’ll probably be raining.

asking for exterior quotes, frequently with the phrase ‘can you start next week?’ If I had a pound… and all that.

Of course some decorators will have already filled their order books for exterior work this year. Some will be playing it safe, booking just a couple of months in case of a wet summer,

It never rains but it pours

some will have booked June to October and crossing fingers.

Whether you’re a sole trader working on your own, or manage a team of decorators, there’ll be times when you’re really busy and still get asked to do more and more work.

How do you handle that?

Here are a few things that worked for me over the years...

Be so good they’ll wait If you get a reputation for being one of the most reliable and skilled decorators in your area, and a pleasure to deal with, many clients will be happy to wait. It’s difficult to find reliable tradespeople, so when someone does they often can’t be bothered to play the tradesperson lottery again to find someone else they can rely on.

The better you are at your job, and at client relations, the longer people will be prepared to wait, and they’ll know to plan ahead too which makes your life easier.

Referrals Hopefully you’ll know some other good decorators in your area. Maybe you’ve worked with them on a few jobs and you like them as people and know they’re skilled. You can operate a referral system where you pass on jobs for a percentage or one-off fee. This can work especially well if they do work you can’t or don’t want to do, whether that’s spraying, exteriors, or something very specific like paint effects.

with Charlie Budd Want to know more?

Find me on social media!

Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn 30

Charlie Budd @thetallphotographer @charliebudd Charles Budd

ADVICE AND TIPS

Just say no It can be tempting to take on too much work just in case a client drops out, but it can lead to stress on your part by trying to please too many people, and can lead to disappointment on clients’ part as they might end up having to wait longer than you thought you’d be. So begin turning down the jobs you don’t want, or, even better...

Take on more people Taking on some extra help can be a game-changer, but it can also be stressful. Managing people is a real skill, it’s something I’ve certainly struggled with in the past. They might not do things as well as you do, or as fast, they may not be as reliable, they might not relate to clients as well as you do. If you can get the management right and take on the right people, it can mean taking on more jobs, bigger jobs, and you can end up with a more profitable business. Unless you’re already skilled at managing people, I’d do this slowly. Maybe take on someone for the odd job, or an apprentice, and build from there.

When it really does rain Given the title of this article, one thing I have to mention is the strategy I used for all my exterior work, and that’s to ask all exterior clients for some interior work to drop onto if it rained.

I’d explain to them that in the past, if it rained for a few days, I’d often have to go and do an interior job for another client and I’d only be able to come back once it was done. Nearly all my exterior clients found some interior work for me to do, which meant I’d never get rained off the job, they’d keep me on site, and I got more business.

Everybody won.

Whatever strategy you decide on, it’s good to plan it in advance.

Always have a plan B, and a plan C if you can. Get a few people you can call on to help out, get a list of people you can refer work to, be happy to turn certain jobs down, and keep refining your strategy to manage your workflow. Oh, and always carry a brolly.

Bigger jobs, fewer customers One of the strategies I ended up using a lot, was to specialise in things few other decorators were doing at the time, such as stripping-back and repairing iron lattice windows, and exterior timber repairs using resin.

Doing jobs like this can take a very long time, and some in the decoratoring trade find them too fiddly or just don’t have the patience, but I loved them. Because I got known for doing these specific jobs, I got recommended, and because each project would take many weeks, or even months, I needed fewer customers.

That took the strain off having to do so many quotes, and meant I could just refer more work to other decorators, meaning I could still get a small referral fee.

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CASE STUDY

A

fter hosting weddings, meetings and events for many years, Stratford Town Hall was looking dated and tired.

Stratford Town Council were looking for a high quality redecoration, so called upon LP Painting & Decorating to bring the building back to life. Leigh Pears runs us through the extensive work required...

Steady hands at Stratford Town Hall When we were approached by Stratford Town Council the work was to be completed on a tight time scale, but due to Covid restrictions being in place the facility was no longer in use so we had greater flexibility with regards to our time frames.

We were given the brief of bringing the Town Hall on Sheep Street ‘back to life’ and restore its character. The decor had not been done for many years and was dated, and as the venue is used for many weddings, meetings and events, it was vital that it was finished to an exceptionally high standard.

We began by running through all of the risk assessments and methods Lots of polythene was needed as many decorative

32

items were left in place.

with our employees on how to proceed safely with the work, before

Lots of patience and steady hands were required for the extensive detailing work around the decorative wall and ceiling mouldings.

CASE STUDY

sheeting all floors with Correx sheeting to protect the hard wood flooring, and covering chandeliers with polythene as we did not want to bubble wrap them due to concerns regarding excessive weight.

Preparation working began by raking out all cracks, and removing flaking materials from walls and joinery, which were then filled and sanded with our dustless sanding equipment.

The ceilings were mostly very high, so use of two scaffold towers was essential, which was erected by our PASMA trained employees.

Working from the top floor down, we used two coats of Johnstone’s The Ante Room, applied with a 10-inch brush for an authentic finish.

I V

Trade Durable Matt on the walls, and in the case of The Ballroom and

33

CASE STUDY

Nearly every ceiling has a different feature or pattern, such as this octagonal design in one of the smaller rooms.

Similarly, some large curtains had to be covered with polythene and painted around as they were unbelievably heavy and the client was

precise intricate detail. Some ceilings had four different colours and

worried the removal company wouldn’t get them back up.

I V

The very large ceilings featured decorative plaster roses with details

which needed to be picked out in various colours and finished with very cornices with gold in-between requiring considerable patience and accuracy to complete.

This extended to wall cartouches with decorative plaster, picked out

The vast majority of the project was completed with Johnstone’s Trade products, Vinyl Matt for the ceilings, Durable Matt for the walls, Water Based Undercoat and Satin Finish for the joinery work.

in white and the wall colour with gold strings. This intricate work was

We completed the work within eight weeks without a snag list,

very time consuming and mostly completed with a 1-inch sash tool or

the client was very happy and we have even been back to

cutting in brush, plus most importantly, a very steady hand!

do more areas we didn’t previously quote for.

Another obstacle to overcome was that some paintings couldn’t be removed from the walls.

These had to be bubble wrapped and very carefully worked around to avoid any damage.

34

LP Painting & Decorating Ltd are based near Rugby and Members of the PDA. Get in touch with them on 07932 005148 or visit www.lppaintingdecorating.co.uk

In your hands for over 250 years

“The best roller sleeves out there!”

CJ Brown Decorating & Plastering, Hillingdon

“Hamilton. Quality that never lets you down.”

The Geordie Painter, Shropshire

“Absolutely outstanding quality.

Definitely best on the market.”

SMR Refurbishments, Devon

Find us on social media: hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk

Wonderful wardrobes

CASE STUDY

S

pray painting has really taken off over the past few years, and for Dowsett’s Decorating it’s become a steady order book filler after striking up a good relationship with bespoke joinery company Thames West Interiors. Darryn Dowsett runs through his process of achieving a flawless finish...

The subtle sheen of Teknos Futura 40 is a great match for spray application.

At the end of 2018 I took the decision to ‘move with the times’

From bare MDF (top) to finished furniture.

by taking a spray painting course at Dulux Academy, and it’s

Using my Graco 9.5 HVLP with pressure pot, both wardrobes and doors

really paid off. By building a good relationship with Thames West

were then given two coats of Teknos Futura 3, with a light sanding

Interiors Ltd, I’m regularly called in to provide a flawless finish to their

between, before finishing with two coats of Teknos Futura 40.

bespoke fitted furniture, just like the work featured here which all took place on site at the property in Sutton, Greater London.

Firstly, the MDF doors had to be removed, along with all furniture, and internals taped off and masked, as these were not painted.

The edges of each door were sanded back before applying one coat of Zinsser BIN primer.

With the wardrobes being in loft rooms, there wasn’t a great deal of space to work in, so we used an Erecta-Rack and Stak Rack to allow the doors to dry between coats.

Job was delivered with the agreed two week time frame and all parties were happy. The homeowner’s exact words were, “OMG! I cannot believe how good they look... I am made up.”

Dowsett’s Decorating are Members of the PDA based in Caterham. Call on 07958 587662 or visit their website www.dowsettsdecorating.com

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ROLL AND GO BUCKET 18 and 25 PAINT TOOLS 2.0

Integrated rolling surface.

Bucket 18 for rollers up to 7”/18 cm.

Bucket 25 for rollers up to 10”/25 cm Use with disposable liners.

$_-mhv |o |_; 1o ;u o 1-m 0ub;Y store the paint and roller in the bucket.

mad e from 1 0 0 % re c ycl e d

CASE STUDY

F

ollowing a few years of renovation, the owners of this house in Hackney had just a few areas left to complete. London Decorating Company were called in to create a bright and welcoming entrance, David Pyke talks to us about what was involved...

Fresh feel for aging Hackney hallway Before starting we covered the timber floor in the hallway with plastic floor protection, as the carpets were getting replaced we didn’t need to cover them.

intensive as the old paint finish was lumpy with brush marks and paint runs. Cracks and holes were raked out, filled and made good, before sanding down with our Festool dustless sanding system.

The first job was to deal with all the repair work. The original lath and

Zinsser B-I-N shellac primer was applied to knots on the bare timber

horsehair plaster is around 80 to 90 years old and had blown in quiet a

to stop any resins bleeding through into the finished paint, and one

few areas. We cut out any damage on the ceilings and walls, and repaired

coat of Zinsser Cover Stain to all the woodwork gave us a good solid

them using Gyproc Easi-Fill 45.

base to work from. Once dry, we lightly sanded the woodwork smooth

Moving on to the woodwork, we had to refinish all the door frames, skirting boards, staircase, spindles and hand rail. This was quite labour

and applied a single coat of Tikkurila Helmi Primer with our Q-Tech P019 airless spray machine. Again, once dry everything was given another light sanding before the final two coats of Tikkurila Helmi 30 were sprayed on, leaving the woodwork with a smooth factory finish.

Next were the ceilings, which we once again spray finished, this time with Tikkurila Anti Reflex.

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The previous colour scheme was not drastically different, but scraping away the years of old paint and repairs took lots of effort from the LDC team.

CASE STUDY

Products used Ceilings Walls Woodwork

Tikkurila Anti Reflex in white.

Tikkurila Optivia 3 in decorators white Zinsser B-I-N for knots, Zinsser Cover Stain as first undercoat, Tikkurila Helmi Primer, Tikkurila Helmi 30 top coats.

Walls were given two coats of Tikkurila Optiva 3 Ceramic to all the walls in decorators white. With it being a hallway, we recommended the client use a durable matt to hold up to a serious amount of wear and tear, as it a high traffic area.

The final piece of work was installation of a lovely feature wall going up one wall on the staircase, using wallpaper provided by the client.

We allowed two weeks to complete the work but went over by a couple of days, as I would much prefer to complete the job to a high standard than hit the deadline with a poor finish. We didn’t charge any extra for this, so the client was still on budget.

The clients were over the moon with the work. They were aware of what a good finish looks like and allowed us the time to complete it... Our ideal client really!

As well as having to remove years of poor quality painting from skirtings and door frames, the plasterwork required considerable repairs carrying out before regular preparation could go ahead.

London Decorating Company are Members of the PDA with branches nationwide. You can get in touch with them on 07415 533662 or find them on www.facebook.com/londondecoratingcompany

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CASE STUDY

Untidy terrace gets tip-top treatment

W

hen a home owner in Canterbury asked Paintworks along to freshen up their property, they knew it required more than a lick of paint. After an initial inspection though, it was evident that this was more of a restoration than a redecoration, as Lee Crick explains...

You wouldn’t think a mid-terrace house would throw up so many problems. When I first quoted for the job, I highlighted all the issues and

The property is located on a narrow road, so access is very tight and we

explained to the client that each had to be repaired correctly, allowing

had to organise things with the neighbours such as, allowing us to put

drying times in order to achieve the best finish.

up the ladders at the front of the property, and asking permission to cover

Good planning and organisation are the key to completing projects on

their cars with dust sheets. Also, being a mid-terrace house, our only

time and in budget... Unfortunately, somethings are out of your control.

access to the back was down an ally and through three gardens with gates!

Having completed a thorough risk assessment we recommended the use

We began by first raking out and rubbing back the cracked render and

of scaffolding, but I was let down by two companies. We weren’t going to

woodwork, which included the entrance doors and a couple of windows

let this stand in our way, so it meant more work had to be done off the

at the rear.

ladders and tall steps.

All the masonry was treated with Dulux Trade Weathershield Stabilising Primer, we repaired the damaged areas with Prestonett Masonry Filler, and finally applyied a top coat of Weathershield in Magnolia.

Dulux Trade Fungicidal Wash was applied to all the woodwork before conducting extensive filling with Repair Care Dry Flex, which was then finished with two top coats of Zinsser AllCoat in bright red. The guttering at the front of the house was finished with matching red Rust-Oleum CombiColor.

The job took two weeks overall, and was completed on time and in budget. We did have to replace an extra downpipe at an additional cost, but following the issues with getting scaffolding I was able to replace the roof on the rear porch with the money saved... As you can imagine, the client was very pleased!

These ‘before’ photographs show just how poor the exterior of this property had become.

Paintworks are Members of the PDA based in North Kent. You can get in touch with them on 07575 662873 or visit www.paintworkskent.co.uk

40

Rustic Brick Red from the Albany Industrial Textures Wallpaper Collection

Your choice for outdoor jobs

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Over 180 stores nationwide

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

tool TALK

Products independently tested and reviewed

by Award Winning Decorator, Wayne de Wet

Bessey

STE300 Telescopic Drywall Support @besseytool_uk www.rowland-tools.co.uk It’s good to have tools and equipment that give you a ‘third hand’, or even an additional pair of hands! Bessey is known and trusted around the world for making the best clamps.

Features & Benefits ‘ Load up to 350kg

‘ Single-handed adjustment

‘ +/- 45º swivel for sloping surfaces ‘ Quick slide button

‘ Anti-slip grip system

STE300 Telescopic Drywall Supports are manufactured from stable steel pipe and are incredibly strong. Offering a telescoping range from 1.7–3m and a load limit of 130kg when fully extended, upto 350kg when retracted, the 9cm x 7cm base plates can swivel from -45° to +45°.

An integrated anti-slip system is present in the grip, plus rubber PVC surfaces at both the top and bottom provide excellent non-slip surface contact. A quick slide button enables fast extending and retraction of the telescoping bar where you can also control the holding force by turning the support on the grip.

Bessy Supports are adjustable with one hand via the two-section plastic handle that features a pump mechanism. Multiple uses, including fitting plasterboard, timbers and much more!

There’s even a couple of accessories available, a Drywall Extender Plate (pictured below) is a lightweight aluminium plate with non-slip rubber surface which increases the surface contact area, plus the Laser Holder (bottom) with a 1/4” threaded connection suitable for a laser, camera and/or construction light.

Extender Plate

Laser Holder

Win it all!

ion of Tooltalk One of each item reviewed in this edit ber! are available to one lucky PDA Mem

il to tooltalk@the-decorator.co.uk For your chance to win, send an ema & Decorators.

Grant Steel of Grant Steel Painters Well done to our most recent winner,

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

LINK @isotunesaudio

ISOtunes Bluetooth earmuffs www.isotunes.co.uk

Working on my own can be a lonely and noisy place at times!

However, that soon changes when I put my music on. The day passes quickly and it’s much more productive, but I find different job sites require different ways to listen to my music.

The ISOtunes LINK is the latest offering from this fantastic brand, modelled on old school earmuff headphones they have a funky retro look, however, the sound quality and features are right up to date. These comfortable earmuffs provide 30 SNR certified noise reduction, which is a bonus, especially when machine sanding all day or pressure washing.

A factory-fitted rechargeable Lithium-ion battery gives you up to 14 hours, and this can be doubled to 28 hours by replacing with 3 x AAA Batteries. The IPX4 rating means they can be used in light rain, and if your job is demanding and you are sweating, they can handle that too!

Bluetooth pulls my music from my smartphone, and they even feature a noise isolating microphone which allows me to take calls in incredibly noisy job sites. SafeMax™ technology limits the volume to 79dB, thus protecting my ears. Built-in controls on the right ear allow volume changes, playing and pausing of music, and answering or ending phone calls. Siri and Google Voice compatible, and all with

Features & Benefits

‘ Noise isolating microphone for calls ‘ Lightweight and comfortable

‘ Rechargeable battery for 14 hours use ‘ 25 dB noise reduction

‘ Siri and Google Voice compatible

a 12-month warranty.

Soudal

Soudabond Easy @soudal_uk

@soudal_group_

www.soudal.co.uk/pro

I find that keeping up with innovation does pay dividends... On a recent renovation project in Fleggburgh, Norfolk, I was asked to thermal dry-line two solid brick walls that were facing the exterior of the 130 year old cottage. Usually I would have mechanically fixed the 22mm, polystyrene backed, feather edged plasterboards. However, after some research I discovered Soudal Soudabond Easy, and I am so impressed with the product.

Soudabond Easy PU Adhesive, with a Genius Gun, is a fantastic way to bond insulation panels, plasterboard, AAC Blocks, and general bonding applications. Shake the can, and it is ready to use in 30 seconds. The reuseable built-in Genius Gun allows accurate control of the foam from the 750ml canister, the more you pull, the more foam comes out.

Apply the foam with the can upside down, wait about 4 to 5 mins for the foam to stop expanding and it goes stringy to the touch, apply firm pressure to the plasterboard for about 30 to 60 seconds, and that's it! The thermal plasterboard was ready to apply the Gyproc Drylining jointing system within the hour, and the project was completed the following day, with a very happy client.

I also used Soudabond to fill the large gaps from an old sash window box void, and fix the new skirting and window architrave, this is a massive time-saving system. Free gloves are supplied in the lid, and I recommend wearing goggles. It can be used time and time again for up to four weeks after your first use, no separate gun or cleaner required!

Features & Benefits

‘ Bonds thermal panels and more

‘ Fast curing and no mixing required ‘ Reuseable for up to four weeks

‘ No separate gun or cleaner required

‘ 750ml can is equivalent to 25kg of powder adhesive

You can find Wayne on...

@ToolTalk1

@ToolTalk1 43

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Bag it up @coraltools

www.coral-tools.com

Coral Tools have introduced the Paintwiz range of Scuttle and Kettle Liners, designed to offer faster clean-up, reduced waste and extended equipment life. The use of liners means that paint scuttles and kettles do not have to be washed. They also aid quicker colour changes: liners can be changed easily when working with multiple colours. When not in use during work breaks the incorporated tie-tapes can be tighten to keep paint and tools fresh. Paintwiz liners are available in packs of eight for 5, 15 and 25 litre scuttles, and 2.5 litre kettles.

Paint for sensitive skin @nordfarg

www.nordfarg.com

Nordfärg paints are proud to be the only UK wall paint to have been given the prestigious Seal of Approval by Allergy UK, following scientific testing by an independent laboratory.

Nordfarg’s VAGG wall finish was found to have significantly reduced allergen content when clinically/dermatologically tested and therefore proven suitable for sensitive skin.

Nordfärg was launched in 2019 and has also been awarded the Nordic Swan for its commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing methods. They offer three paint finishes, VAGG, TRA and GRUND in a choice of 30 soft neutral colours.

UP

tool

Keep up to date with what’s available for the modern decorator

Handy on a ladder @ladderhandy www.ladder-handy.com Simple, Ladder Handy allows users to keep three points of contact to the ladder when working on a ladder. Hold buckets, paint pots, and tools when working at height, keeping you safer and reducing the risk of any accidents.

Its unique V Grip system prevents movement or twisting and remains rigid while attached to ‘D’ shaped and square rung extension ladders.

44

Wipes go viral @bigwipes

www.bigwipes.com

The market-leading Big Wipes brand is known for its cleaning power, packing a punch to grease, grime and bacteria on the go. Now Big Wipes are the first industrial-grade cleaning wipes in the world to gain EN14476, the stringent European Antiviral Standard for chemical disinfectants. Brilliantly, the certification is retrospective, which means that every Big Wipes tub with a BW in the batch number is antiviral!

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Choose wisely @toupretuk

wwwtoupret.co.uk

Toupret has launched a major refresh of its packaging with the goal of making choosing the best filling product simpler and quicker for professionals. This reorganisation has been built around results from started with research talking to professionals through surveys and focus groups. Colour-coded categories for interior, exterior, wood and problem surfaces, plus two quality levels make it easy to find the best product for a job. Drying times and filling depths are also highlighted boldly on the front of every product, and premium products feature icons regarding additional quality benefits. For the last 80 years, Toupret has been on a mission to supply better quality fillers to professionals by striving to be a reliable, expert, and supportive brand that produces

Spring into summer @coovar

practical and innovative product.

www.coo-var.co.uk

Decking is renowned for being slippery when wet, Coo-Var Suredeck® can eliminate this problem with just two coats.

Suredeck® offers a high-quality, clear, water-based, UV resistant coating, for outside decking areas, tanalised wood, soft woods, oaks and pine where an anti-slip finish is required. Suredeck® also brings out the natural wood effect and leaves a low sheen. Coo-Var products are recognised for their quality and Suredeck® will be a perfect addition to spruce up the garden this year in time for summer.

Deeper wider faster @HB42_Allinone www.hb42.co.uk HB42 Ultimate Pro-finish Decorators Caulk fills deeper and wider than most other caulks. The easily applied, white, solvent-free, acrylic sealant for external and internal use forms a durable, flexible seal and contains a fungicide to discourage mould growth. It can be overpainted within one hour, depending on temperature and humidity.

HB42 Ultimate Pro-Finish Decorators Caulk is made to the highest specification and can be used in joints up to 25mm wide and 20mm deep, withstanding movement of up to 12.5%.

Floor Board for floorboards @q1_refinishing_solutions www.q1tapes.com Working with paint is never easy, drips and spills happen, yet customers want their floors cleaner than when you found them. That’s why Q1 has developed its Floor Pro Board, designed specifically to keep floors and surfaces in pristine condition, no matter how big the mess and even in wet conditions. Made from reusable paper, the Q1 Floor Pro Board is longer in length and lighter in weight than traditional floor protection boards, it’s extremely easy to use and reposition even on rainy days, biodegradable and 100% recyclable. So say good bye to heavy plastic sheeting, or soggy cardboard flooring that simply doesn’t work!

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Go beyond the Pail with new product launches Purdy have launched the Pail, a one litre paint bucket designed for convenience and efficiency. With different grip options, a brush magnet, and a mini roller ramp, the Purdy Pail is an ideal addition to a decorator’s tool set.

The new Pail has been designed to reduce hand fatigue, with an adjustable hand grip for pouring and holding, and a flexible bail handle for general carrying which fits securely onto a ladder hook for hanging, keeping both hands free to work safely.

The Pail also features a mini roller rest to keep rollers out of the paint, preventing them from becoming saturated. The mini roller grid, moulded into the Pail, will ensure excess paint is removed and distributed evenly for a flawless application.

For those using brushes for cutting in and adding detail, the Pail has an integrated brush magnet which can fit brushes up to 3” to prevent them from falling and aid a quicker, tidier, and more efficient job.

To reduce time on-site, the Purdy Pail is available with liners which maintain the roll-off grid pattern of the pail and allow for quick colour changes and clean up once work is completed.

Purdy Backpack Purdy have also launched the new and highly anticipated Painter’s Backpack into the UK market. Designed as an organisational storage system for professional painting tools, the Backpack is comfortable to carry and increases efficiency.

Manufactured from a durable, weather resistant fabric, the Purdy Painter’s Backpack has been designed with the professional in mind, hosting several dedicated pockets for a variety of tools.

There’s a pocket for roller frames and sleeves up to 18”, an external extension pole compartment, as well as slots for prep tools and a multitude of brushes. There’s also external compartments and clips for personal items, water bottles and an external USB connector to keep devices charged.

The backpack been designed with convenience in mind too. The backpack’s two foldout pockets in the front open fully and lay flat for ease of access to tools and brushes. The backpack also features a detachable pouch specifically for transporting wet brushes and rollers – containing the paint within the compartment and saving clean up time on site or risking leakage to other tools.

/PurdyBrand 46

@purdypainttools

www.purdy.co.uk

LIVE

Discover our interactive workshops today We know you have had to adapt your working practices during this difficult time and we at Dulux Academy have been no different. That’s why we’ve created Dulux Academy Live, a series of interactive and engaging online workshops delivered by our team of leading industry experts. These workshops are limited in numbers to ensure you have the best possible learning experience from the Dulux Academy and from your peers.

Over 2000 people have already benefited from our FREE workshops – here’s what some had to say.

“The Airless v HVLP workshop helped me learn about the pros and cons of each machine and I really valued being able to ask questions and learn from others in the workshop. Well worth doing and has given me more confidence. ” – Martin Cole “I’ve been wanting to learn more about colour but never found the time. These short workshops have been great for picking up tips and tricks which I’ve been able to use with my customers and have left me wanting to learn and do more in the future. ” – Les Copestake

Sign up today at:

duluxacademy.co.uk

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Northern exposure /JohnstonesDecoratingCentre

www.johnstonesdc.com

Trusted in Scandinavia for more than 100 years, the GORI range of premium woodcare products is now available across the UK and Ireland. GORI has been developed by woodcare experts to ensure exterior wooden surfaces are protected for longer, with up to 15 years’ life. The range also comes in countless colours to help decorators make any customer’s vision a reality and features six products: • GORI 99 Extreme Opaque Wood Finish

• GORI 44+ Quick Dry Translucent Wood Stain

Penetrates deep into the wood for robust and

Semi-transparent wood protection that enhances

durable protection against mould and fungus

the natural structure of the wood and protects

growth for up to 15 years.

against UV-rays, fungi and mould

• GORI 88 Compact Opaque Wood Finish

• GORI 11 Wood Preservative

Opaque wood protection ideal for use on

Water-based wood coating that penetrates deep

windows, doors and cladding, with Slow Release

into the wood and offers extreme protection as a

technology providing up to eight years’ life.

base coat for all wood finishes.

• GORI 88 Compact Translucent Wood Stain

• GORI 05 Express Decking Oil

Semi-transparent wood protection for windows,

Prevents cracks, drying and decay, and protects

doors and cladding – again, with Slow Release

against mould and fungi, while being suitable for

technology and up to eight years’ life.

use just one hour after application.

Giallo 337

196 shades of Greene @littlegreenepaintcompany

www.littlegreene.com

Designed to make choosing colours a pleasure and intuitive for the user, Little Greene’s two new colour cards showcase 196 colours in a new format. The new cards span over 300 years of historic interior design and include many authentic 18th, 19th and 20th century shades, presented alongside a carefully adjusted palette of contemporary shades.

The new Colours of England card has been updated to meet the growing desire for classic, timeless colours that are simple to choose and a joy to live with, and includes many significant shades that have contributed to the internationally renowned style of ‘English Interior Design’.

Vulcan 324

The extended Colour Scales colour card offers a further eight families of diluted iconic Little Greene colours, and is a response to the increasing desire for easy and simple-to-scheme colours that create harmonious and monochromatic backdrops to decoration.

The card has been designed for ease of use, each colour is one of a graduated family, grouped in columns according to undertone.

Shades within the same column can be used together for tonal coordination, or across columns to create a balanced contrast.

Livid 263

Garden 86

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Get emotional over paint /Brewerspaints

www.brewers.co.uk

Brewers have launched of an exclusive new paint colour collection, Emotions of Colour, from Ideal Home and Albany. This new partnership combines Ideal Home’s passion for interiors and Albany’s expertise and rich history of producing professional quality paint. The Emotions of Colour collection has been carefully curated by the team at Ideal Home to bring together five colour palettes, each based on an emotion and chosen for the feeling they evoke.

EMPOWERING Seize the moment with colours that wow. Strong, highly pigmented shades to add impact and drama.

GROUNDING Earthy shades to help you find your centre. A contemporary palette of natural colours that signify strength and stability.

COCOONING Wrap yourself in these comforting colours. Warm neutrals and earthy hues that envelop and nourish.

RELAXING Restful shades for a mindful moment. A harmonious blend of muted neutrals and chalky pastels to soothe and calm.

UPLIFTING (pictured) Colours that bring a hit of happiness. Clean, fresh shades for a mood-boosting indoor-outdoor feel.

Smooth operators @mirkauk

www.mirka.com

A new accessory from Mirka aims to provide an ergonomical and easy way to smooth plastered surfaces before sanding the final finish. The new high-quality stainless steel Skimming Blade works especially well on spray plastered or rolled plastered surfaces to provide effective surface preparation.

Available in a wide range of sizes from 15cm to 100cm together with an extension pole to suit any application, the blade’s shape delivers excellent control of the tool. Its design reduces wrist strain and its lightweight construction enables comfortable all-day usage.

PREP, COVER, SPRAY REPEAT Setting up to spray has never been easier!

Our Easy Cover® 2-in-1 masking tape and film with either, paper or statically charged film, speed up preparation time by making it easier to cover larger areas that you wish to protect. Coupled with industry leading masking tapes, your spray game is about to reach new levels.

DEDICATED RANGE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PRECISION MASK INDUSTRY LEADING

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‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ 49 tesaUK_tape tesa.co.uk/spraywithtesa

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Hamilton’s best-selling Perfection roller sleeves continue to offer that perfect finish on smooth and rough surfaces in the hands of painters and decorators everywhere. Why are these sleeves so popular?

Rolling with

Perfection A sleeve for the job Always looking to deliver on the needs of their users, Hamilton conducts regular insight to gauge what the professional needs from their decorating tools. Recent research has unsurprisingly shown that ‘it’s all about the finish!’

A roller sleeve that produces the best finish, by delivering great coverage, even release and takes less trips to the tray is what every busy decorator needs.

For all surfaces “The ‘Hammy Green’ Sleeve as it’s known, is our medium pile sleeve, and certainly a much-loved part of every decorator’s tool box”, says Sarah.

A sleeve is a sleeve?

Why is the Hamilton Perfection range of sleeves different to others on

Hamilton also offer a short pile, long pile and extra-long pile for smooth surfaces, and rough or extra rough surfaces alike, dependent

the market? Isn’t the choice of sleeve down to personal preference?

on the finish required. These are available in 4” midi (bearing system)

Not according to today’s users, say Hamilton.

and 9” with a 1.75” core for optimum coverage.

Sarah Coussens, Hamilton Brand Manager, says, “Aside from always delivering the best finish, our Perfection rollers are designed for minimal

Both the medium pile and long pile sleeves are also available in 12” and 15”, with the extra long pile also available in 12”.

spatter and no lint loss. Our fabric is heat fused to the roller core to ensure that it won’t unwind, even when soaked in water or solvent.

“There is a lot of innovation and science behind each roller we develop, and this extra detail that adds to the requirement for a perfect finish.”

/hamiltondecoratingtools @hamilton_decorating_tools www.hamiltondecoratingtools.co.uk 50

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Pocket size paint picker /LeylandTrade

www.leylandtrade.com

Leyland Trade has launched a Colour Reader to make it quicker and easier to match customer’s paint colours. Simply position the pocket-sized scanner on a sample of a colour and, with the click of a button, it will instantly provide the closest match across four different colour palettes, plus the next two closest colours. Customers can then simply purchase a Leyland Trade tester pot to provide them reassurance of their choice. The Colour Reader comprises a simple and compact scanning device which links up to a free-to-download app, a Pro version

Lay a good foundation /hmgpaints

www.hmgpaint.com

maintains the sleek design but includes an in-built screen to remove the requirement of the app.

HMG Paints’ Contract Matt Emulsion has been brightening up decorating jobs up and down the country. With fantastic results achievable in just one coat, over-coated with HMG Vinyl Matt Emulsion, a professional and tough finish will be achieved with exceptional coverage and depth of colour. HMG Contract Matt has great opacity that improves as the paint dries and leaves a flawless finish. The water-based emulsion is designed for easy application on interior plaster walls and ceilings and is breathable, therefore will allow moisture to continue to leave the plaster. All of HMG’s decorative products, including colourants, are made in Manchester.

The products are low VOC & odour, kind to the environment, and EN71-3 certified meaning they are safe for use around children.

PURE BRILLIANT WHITE

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES .co.uk www.brewers

off the shelf Johnstone’s Stormshield Render System As the weather improves, focus often turns to protecting exterior surfaces. If your client requires a render solution consider the Johnstone’s Stormshield Render System, now available to buy from Brewers Decorator Centres.

There are three different options depending on the level of performance required including the One Coat Render System (OCR), Stormshield Scratch Render System and Stormshield High Performance Render System.

OCR is an entry level, cement-based render that offers weather resistance once it has been coated with an appropriate decorative finish. OCR’s ability for wet-on-wet application and simple preparation increases the speed of application, a great entry level option when time is of the essence!

Stormshield Scratch Render System is a cement-based render that has been modified with polymer to create a durable all-weather system. It is through coloured for lower maintenance, has excellent long-term fade protection and has been BBA approved.

Stormshield High Performance System is a highly flexible and crack resistant high technology polymer modified render. This vapour permeable system has BBA approval and offers simple application and easy maintenance.

Non-stop sanding

@axusdecor

/axusdecor

www.axusdecor.com

The development team at Axus Decor has worked extensively to develop and expand their range of abrasive products. Launching this month are the Arystox Ceramic Oxide Abrasive Flexi-Pads and Blocks, following the introduction of Arystox Ceramic Oxide Abrasive Paper earlier this year.

The most commonly used grit used to make professional-grade abrasives is Aluminium oxide, but as you sand, its structure breaks down and the paper becomes increasingly ineffective.

The Arystox range features Axus Decor's new advanced ceramic grit with has a unique microcrystalline structure. Tiny fragments break off as you sand revealing new razor-sharp edges, so each stroke cuts the surface as efficiently as the last and it takes an extremely long time to wear the grits right down. The sharp edges are also more uniform in size, resulting in a more even scratch pattern.

All Arystox abrasives feature a non-stick coating that prevents clogging by slowly shedding during sanding, taking residue along with it. The coating also reduces the build-up of heat that's generated during sanding.

The entire range is suitable for wet or dry sanding, including the paper, thanks to its flexible latex backing that provides tear, crease and water resistance.

The Blocks and Flexi-Pads make for effortless sanding of almost any surface, but each has its speciality. The Blocks are ideal for internal corners whilst Flexi-Pads easily adapt to contours of skirting and frames.

Whichever you choose, the high-density foam core is long-lasting, crumble resistant and easy to rinse and re-use.

The Arystox Ceramic Oxide Abrasive Paper, Blocks and Flexi-Pads are all available in grits from 60 to 180, and can be used for sanding wood, metal, paint, varnish, between coats, filler, plaster, drywall, metal, rust, plastic and glass.

52

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

A new Gold standard /JohnstonesDecoratingCentre www.johnstonesdc.com Johnstone’s Decorating Centre has launched ProGold, a range of professional-quality painting and decorating tools and accessories, which is now exclusively available in stores across the UK. The range features everything a professional painter and decorator could need to get the perfect finish on a job, including brushes, rollers, adhesives, abrasives, masking tape, caulk, dust sheets, paint kettles and much more.

ProGold has been developed to ensure that customers have access to the best combination of paint and tools. With a comprehensive range of paints, coatings and tools available every Johnstone’s Decorating Centre across the country, professional painters and decorators can get everything they need in just one trip.

Three’s a charm www.ob1original.com Siroflex and OB1 have put togther a handy trio of products to deal with common issues whilst on the job. OB1 Multi-Surface Construction Sealant & Adhesive offers unique sealing and adhesion for numerous surfaces, even when wet. Paintable with water based paints, the formulation has been tried and tested by the trade for 15 years. OB1 Multi-Layer Paint & Varnish Remover aerosol removes multiple layers of paint and varnish, it’s free from methylene chloride, and saves the need for harsh chemicals or heat guns. Finally, Siroflex SX Instant Paintable Caulk can be painted immediately, simply apply to the gap, tool the joint and paint away!

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Dust free sanding has come a long way, and it's no longer the preserve of the few.

Everyone benefits from the cleaner air, so we caught up with Mirka to get the latest...

What's the feedback been on the tools?

Feedback from the market is very positive. Both the DEROS and LEROS are ergonomically designed to make the sanding process as easy and as comfortable as possible. Add to this the dust free capabilities and it makes using these tools a preparation game changer.

Have you seen the painting and decorating sector changing in attitude to dust extraction sanding?

The benefits of dust free sanding to both the user and the customer are far too big to ignore. Decorators are now able to work in a much cleaner What are the key things decorators are looking

environment whilst given their customer piece of mind that the room is

for in the tools they get from you?

not going to be covered in layers of dust. Most decorators would say

Decorators are looking for performance to improve the

their dust free sander is the one bit of kit they could not live without.

sanding process from a tool that is lightweight and easy to use. We know the key to a great finish is the preparation so making improvements in this area can help improve the final finish of the job.

Where is the market heading in the future?

In the future the market will want a completely dust free sanding process for all applications. This will include wall sanding but also woodwork and more detailed areas such as mouldings and curved surfaces.

Without giving any secrets away what can we expect from Mirka in 2021 and beyond?

We are always investing in R&D to continually develop new tools and abrasives. During 2021 we will see the new LEROS-S, a shorter version of our popular wall and ceiling sander which will open a 225mm sander to new applications. Beyond 2021... You will have to wait and see!

/mirkaukltd 54

@mirkauk

www.mirka.com

NEW MATT FINISH

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@Braditepaints

YOU’LL BE HOOKED ON HANDS FREE. IT HANGS,YOU CLIMB

The Purdy Pail Multi-grip options reduce hand fatigue DQG SHUIHFW ÀW OLQHUV PHDQ D TXLFN FOHDQ XS It does more so pros can too.

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