Team building

Joining existing member Chris Gray, Oli Thurlow (pictured) has been appointed to Wilo’s Business Development Team with the pair set to travel the UK to support merchants and young installers as the company continues its commitment to heighten awareness on how heating and hot water circulator products can reduce energy bills.

With Oli covering the north, and Chris covering the south, the pair bring over 19 years of experience between them with Chris now approaching his fifth year in the sector and Oli having worked his way up from a plumbing apprenticeship to his new business development role. Each will be arranging trade mornings at merchant branches, using their Wilo vans to showcase the latest innovations in heating and hot water circulator pumps, sump pumps, macerators and more.

On the outlook for the rest of the year, Chris said: “We’re seeing a steep increase of new customers, and that means there’s always a need to continue developing the presence of Wilo to provide the industry with high quality products that continue to push the boundaries of what’s gone before.

“The opportunity of meeting new people behind the counter or on the tools is always exciting, and I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the future of our industry.”

Indeed, alongside merchant visits, Wilo is committed to inspiring and developing future industry talent. Oli and Chris will also be visiting colleges throughout the year to deliver talks and lectures to young installers, helping them understand more about how residential pump systems work and their critical role in reducing energy bills.

Andy Thompson, Wilo’s National Sales Manager for Plumbing and Heating, said: “We are facing some of the most challenging times we have seen within the industry with lots of different information about energy-saving and pump efficiency, which isn’t always accurate. That’s why we feel even more strongly about having Chris and Oli going out to engage with merchants and installers, ensuring that those behind the counter and coming through the ranks are equipped with the right knowledge and products to tackle these issues.” n Wilo is among the pump industry leaders calling on the government to clamp down on the ‘swarm’ of non-compliant central heating pumps being imported into the UK, potentially costing consumers hundreds of pounds every year.

The appeal is being driven by increasing concerns that Far Eastern exporters have penetrated the traditional merchant distribution channels to target the UK, with more than 100,000 non-compliant pumps being sold in the UK every year.

Steve Schofield, Chief Executive of the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), said: “We estimate that circa 10% of the one million central heating pumps, technically known as circulators, being brought into the UK are non-compliant. It is a swarm; it is blatant and it is now over-the-counter.

“Once fitted, they are costing consumers hundreds of pounds every year on their heating bills, and it is seriously impacting the UK’s ability to meet its net zero obligations.” n For the full story, visit the PBM website via www.rdr.link/mas026 n To arrange a branch trade morning, contact Wilo via www.rdr.link/mas027

Polypipe Building Products Building Regs Promo

Running throughout 2023, Polypipe has launched a new campaign to support heating installers and merchants through the updates to the Building Regulations as the grace period draws to a close on 15th June this year.

Created in partnership with three heating installers — Stanley Tabersham, Fiona Evans and Robert Clarke — the campaign kicked off with the launch of the new game show ‘a Question of Regs’ and will include a number of regional events and educational activities to offer installers support through this transition period.

For more on the campaign, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mas028

Knipex Cobra Counter Display

The renowned Knipex Cobra pliers are described as a “must have” for any toolkit, and a new Counter Display is designed to show off the tools in style, carrying 10 pliers, and measuring 250mm x 350mm. Crafted from high-quality cardboard and featuring a high gloss print, the small size of the unit requires minimum space, making it perfect for stores with limited counter space but looking to promote spontaneous purchases.

Carhartt Isaac Lord Display Area

High Wycombe-based Isaac Lord has recently opened an in-store point of sale area designed to show off Carhartt’s “tough, rugged and authentic” workwear collection.

an example of the US brand’s increased focus on the UK and support for a growing number of merchant partners, UK Country Manager Nick Poulson said: “We are delighted that Isaac Lord has created this space in store, as it generates real excitement around the clothing. The in-store display lets customers feel the quality of the clothing and make that purchase.”

Wavin Environmental Product Declarations

Driven by a commitment to improve transparency and insight into the environmental impact of its construction projects, and in response to an increasing number of requests from customers, Wavin has now launched environmental product declarations (EPDs) for its suite of products sold in the UK and Irish markets. Based on third-party verified life cycle assessments (LCas), EPDs provide details on the environmental impact across the entire product life cycle, enabling construction professionals to choose more sustainable products and solutions.

Worcester Bosch New Promotions

Worcester Bosch has launched two new promotions as part of its ongoing commitment to installers.

Running until the end of June, the manufacturer is offering a 7-year guarantee with every Greenstar 2000 to all installers.

In addition and until 30th September, the ‘Fit More’ promotion will exclusively offer Excelerate members the chance to receive up to £500 worth in amazon Vouchers by installing and registering one, three or six more additional boilers compared to the same period in 2022.

Forgefix Videos

ForgeFix has released a series of informative and tip-filled videos designed to help merchant counter staff understand its product ranges and their capabilities out on site. The videos cover its three core merchant brands of Fasteners & Fixings, Spectre and ForgeFast, each representing a ‘good, better and best’ product range to offer merchant customers “great quality at several different price points.”

Rebecca Fortescue-Halliwell, ForgeFix’s Head of Marketing, said: “The videos help our customers to appreciate the differences between individual screw types, their performance, and what each brings to the table in terms of time savings and reducing hassle when out on a job. They really will benefit counter staff who need to talk with and sell fasteners and fixings to their customers.”

Wrekin Gully Chute Connector

Maximising its ductile iron manufacturing capabilities, Wrekin Products has released a new gully chute connector which is said to prioritise ease of installation and weighs less than 25kg for better handling and reduced lifting risk for contractors.

Designed to install below a BS EN 124 480mm x 320mm clear opening gully grate or combined kerb and drainage unit to act as a primary catchment chamber, the new gully chute connector requires only a concrete bed with an intermediate adjustment layer of mortar, before the backfill material and final road surface is applied. The stepped spigot outlet is also suitable for dual pipe sizes and types for a highly adaptable solution.

Stuart Turner Pulse Residential Circulator

A further expansion to the range, the STUART PULSE 25/60-130 joins Stuart Turner’s range of UK manufactured high efficiency cast iron heating circulators, further supporting the company’s ambition to become a major player in the HVAC market following its acquisition of the pressurisation and hot water generation specialists Mikrofill.

Offering a series of digital operating modes and with a high-efficiency EEI rating of 0.20 thanks to ECM permanent magnet technology, the device can deliver flow rates of up to 3.6m3/hr and up to 6m head.

Fire And Acoustic Seals Fd60 Fire Door Silicone Sealant

Unprotected cavities around fire door frames and partitions can be easily exploited by fire which can undermine the fire performance of the door if not sealed correctly. Accordingly, the new FAS Fire Door Silicone Sealant from Fire and Acoustic Seals has been specifically tested to seal gaps around external and internal 60-minute fire-rated doors, flat entrance doors and external timber screens to meet BS 476: Part 22 1987 & BS EN 1634-1: 2014, and for smoke and air leakage to BS EN 1634-3: 2004.

Stelrad 900mm High Radiators

As part of its programme of providing radiators to operate well with renewable heating systems — powered by air source and ground source heat pumps — Stelrad has announced that it is launching a range of 900mm high radiators in a variety of widths.

Head of Marketing Chris Harvey said: “There is a clear need for larger size radiators to cope with the lower circulating system temperatures generated by renewable heating systems.

“The arrival of the new upgrade to Building Regulations with effect from 15th June in England and from November this year in Wales brings with it a realisation that the key figure to bear in mind is 55°C – the maximum flow temperature for all new wet heating systems from this date. The regulations also say that heating appliances and radiators should not be oversized (and) TRVs need to be fitted to every radiator except where there is a room thermostat fitted.”

Snickers Workwear Hoodies

Along with the Work Trousers range, these Hoodies and Sweatshirts are “probably the most popular products among Snickers Workwear users.” Designed specifically for professional craftsmen and women, they’re built for durability and comfort.

The ‘full zip’ or ‘overhead’ styles are ideal as mid-Layer working clothes and will fit well with a jacket on chilly days, whilst can be worn as an outer layer in the spring and summer months. Available in over 40 styles and a host of colours, a selection of fabric options that include Polartec® micro fleece and cosy polycotton can also be chosen.

It has been tested to successfully seal cavities of up to 30mm wide by applying a 10mm deep silicone cap over either mineral fibre wool or FAS’s own-label Fire Door Foam. It also has 240 minutes of fire test evidence for other applications such as joints in walls, roofing, and bead glazing, with the added benefit of resisting general weather elements.

SEE ALL THE VERY LATEST TRADE PRODUCTS ● TALK DIRECTLY TO MANUFACTURERS ABOUT MERCHANT SUPPORT ● FREE CPD SEMINARS ● FREE ENTRY ● FREE PARKING