Construction Update January/February 2021

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE January / February 2021

www.construction-update.co.uk

The NEW FlexiWork Neon Jackets and Fleeces

February 2021

New Year …. A new dawn.

As the sun rises in 2021, we can reflect on some of the positive changes that the previous year has brought to our lives, one of which is an appreciation of the local independent business, within our community, that has always been there, but we haven’t always supported. However, we have now realised that they are competitively priced, friendly, and informative and often more flexible than their larger competitors willing to adopt new ways to transact and communicate with existing and new customers.

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any local independent shops whether it is the butcher in your village, greengrocer or the local pub have embraced additional business channels allowing customers to order, click and collect or have a home delivery.

Thus, ensuring they continue to operate and are profitable during a challenging business year.

Restrictions have brought a new audience to online shopping and ecommerce, an audience who have previously not adopted to the digital age. On a practical level, this has meant that organisations have had to make sure their website

content is simple and easy to use.

In these changing and uncertain times, it has never been more important to understand your customers and your market.

Here at the IPG, we have been impressed with how several of our members have responded to the changing competitive landscape and have adopted the new modern selling channels, making their businesses available 24/7 which will help them in their determination to continue to grow their business in 2021 and beyond.

Our experienced IT Team have supported members throughout

the last 12 months with website development and ecommerce solutions. But don’t take our word for it, here’s what Mike at one of our members, Croxley Plumbing Supplies said: “From my initial consultation with The IPG to my weekly emails and phone calls, getting onboard with e-commerce has been a big success. Sales have increased since going live, but what is also improved is my profile in the local area. The number of visitors to my website has grown significantly.

Never as much as now has our relationship with The IPG felt so much like a team.”

Unlike 12 months ago some of our IPG members are now offering a click and collect service and their businesses are open 24/7 with their new effective online platforms. This has meant they have reached brand new customers online and have experienced increased footfall to their locations. After so much negative news about retail in the last month it is reassuring that the independent merchants are adapting and expanding their service and delivery channels making sure they remain in our community for the foreseeable future. www.the-ipg.co.uk

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Construction Update January/ February 2021

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The NEW FlexiWork Neon Jackets and Fleeces

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Covid Impact

January / February 2021

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Titon’s Ultimate dMEV Fan

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Eurocell

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EDITORIAL LUCY HARRIS LUCY@CONSTRUCTION-UPDATE.CO.UK

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR JODIE LITTLE JODIE@JETDIGITALMEDIA.CO.UK 01843 595818

PUBLICATION MANAGER JAKE PAGE JAKE@CONSTRUCTION-UPDATE.CO.UK 01843 595818

February 2021

EUROBRICK FOR MODULAR SCHOOLS INNOVATION Leading brick slip cladding specialist, Eurobrick, has been supplying its systems to the education sector for 30 years and, more recently, with offsite construction specialist Reds10 to supply two new school projects in Reading; Green Park Village Primary Academy and Addington School.

Green Park Village Primary Academy is a new two-storey primary school that is situated within a new housing development of 1400 homes. Designed and built using a steel framed volumetric modular design, the 2,400m2 school project also benefits from SMART building technology to create an energy efficient space.

Eurobrick’s P-Clad system was chosen as part of a number of finishes for the exterior, with around 1200m2 installed with specially cut 22mm thick Vandersanden Corum brick slips and corners and Eurobrick’s specially formulated Europoint mortar in Light Sandstone.

The development was shortlisted for two categories at the Offsite Awards and one at the Building Awards 2020.

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Addington School is for young people with special educational

needs and disabilities. They needed to expand capacity due to an increase in applications, so Wokingham Borough Council embarked on a project to create a new space for Sixth Form pupils which would allow an additional 50 places at the school.

This 1000m2 steel framed volumetric modular design was created by HLM Architects and delivered by Reds10. Around 512m2 of P-Clad was installed with specially cut 22mm Olivier Karma White Grey stock brick slips and finished with Light Grey Europoint mortar. Whole bricks were also supplied for landscaping works.

The school won the School Procurement Awards and the Education Business Awards 2020.

P-Clad has proved very popular in the education sector with schools and universities alike. It is specially designed so that it can

be fixed directly to steel frame structures as well as other batten or bracket systems, and is ideal for providing a brick finish rainscreen on prefabricated structures. As well as being extensively tested to achieve BBA certification, P-Clad is LABC registered and comes with Eurobrick’s own 25 year product guarantee.

These eye-catching buildings provide essential spaces for education that are sustainable and innovative in their design and delivery and show the quality and versatility that modular construction can offer.

You can find out more about Eurobrick’s systems and products at www.eurobrick.co.uk.

February 2021

Aggregate Industries, part of LafargeHolcim, expands operational footprint in the North East via acquisition of Northumbrian Roads Ltd

Construction materials supplier Aggregate Industries, a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, has acquired Northumbrian Roads Limited, a leading independent road surfacing and highway maintenance contractor with a very strong presence in the North East market, due to their two large asphalt plants in the Port of Tyne and the Port of Sunderland.

The acquisition is in line with Aggregate Industries’ Strategy 2022 - “Building for Growth” and will allow the company to strengthen its market position in order to support the much needed major infrastructure schemes which will lead the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Guy Edwards, CEO of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “We have been very impressed with the Northumbrian Roads Limited business. They share the same values; including a strong health and safety culture and their expertise and approach to customer service, so I believe that they will be a great addition to our portfolio.

“The unprecedented challenges of this year have highlighted that now, more than ever, the importance of

infrastructure projects which will be the backbone of our economic recovery. Throughout the pandemic we have been proud to help keep Britain running and this acquisition will allow us to play an important part in the North East infrastructure schemes. I am delighted to welcome Northumbrian Roads Limited into the Aggregate Industries family.”

Sean Lynch, Managing Director of Northumbrian Roads Limited, added: “Ever since the company was founded by my father John Lynch and business partner George Barton over 31 years ago, we have progressively grown the company, focusing on strong relations with our customers, teamwork and innovation, complemented by the highest quality materials and a first class service. We are now excited to continue our journey under the

ownership of Aggregate Industries, as this partnership will allow us to further develop our business, while maintaining our ambition to be the preferred surfacing partner for all our customers.”

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February 2021

OZ Lifting Launches Wireless Builder’s Hoist OZ Lifting Products LLC has launched a 600-lb. capacity wireless builder’s (wire rope) hoist, designed for use beyond the construction and building industries.

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he 115V single-phase powered hoist offers lifting speeds of 52 ft. per minute and 90 ft. height of lift as standard, but custom options are available. Easily portable, it weighs in with a gross weight of just 49 lbs., suiting the product to short-term use at different sites or multiple points within a facility.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, explained that the “builder’s hoist” name derives from the fact that the hoist is often used in the construction and building industries. However, over the years, similar products have found their way into a variety of applications outside of the construction sphere. It is now a popular lifting concept among end users in manufacturing, warehousing, and even elevator applications, for example. Similar solutions continue to gain popularity anywhere the user needs to move a load quickly and safely.

Napieralski said: “Actually, it is [often] called a wire rope hoist but, as dealers and end users recognize, it mounts a little bit differently than a traditional hoist with a top bracket assembly that goes over a pipe or another mounting solution that we have developed: that could be a wall-mounting bracket, beam clamp, trolley or geared beam trolley.”

Fast and powerful

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He added: “The height of lift and operating speed combine to make it a very fast and powerful hoist.

Add to that the wireless operation and its many uses and applications can be visualized. Since we just

released this wireless model it will be interesting to see what other applications it will be used in; we must process and react to that usage behavior as we leverage the new hoist’s benefits for wider use.”

To that end, the Winona, Minnesota-based manufacturer has highlighted key features, including upper and lower limit switches that prevent damage to the hoist and won’t allow the cable to run out of the drum. Remote control allows the user to operate the hoist in a variety of areas and avoid any potential obstructions or visibility issues they may encounter; they must keep the hoist in clear line of sight when operating at all times, however.

The emergency up / down control switch, meanwhile, is a physical switch on the side of the hoist that allows the user to raise or lower their load in the event that they lose their wireless pendant.

Napieralski also pointed to the 360-degree hook, which allows the load to rotate, thus, reducing the chance of kinking or fraying of the wire rope. It also helps to keep the wire rope spooled correctly on the drum. The hook gives the user the added ability of better positioning the load when lowering. Finally, 15-minute continuous use means the hoist can be utilized in permanent and short-term applications.

OZ Lifting’s 600-lb. capacity wireless builder’s (wire rope) hoist.

End users should note that the hoist can be rigged outdoors, but it is not rated to be operated in the rain or wet environments. Typically, users will cover the hoist and remove the power and pendant control cables when not in use.

For more information on OZ Lifting Products visit

www.OZLiftingProducts.com

February 2021

GROUND-BREAKING ‘THOR HAMMER’ TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT UK ELECTRICITY NETWORK DURING STORMS SP Energy Networks has invested £386,000 to carry out extensive UK trials of exciting new THOR Hammer resilience technology.

As part of ongoing work to prepare the electricity network for stormy weather, the new THOR Hammer device will be used to test the strength, secureness and remaining life of overhead line poles. The THOR Hammer will help linesmen safely assess timber poles simply by striking them with the hammer.

The technology is being trialled across SP Energy Networks’ two distribution licence areas in parts of Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders and Wales. If successful, the THOR Hammer device could generate annual savings of £600,000 for the company, which currently spends around £15m every year on replacing overhead line poles.

The THOR Hammer technology was developed by New Zealandbased global engineering firm Groundline. Using cutting-edge seismic technology, vibrations are sent through the timber poles, allowing SP Energy Networks’ engineers to gather crucial data.

This offers a huge improvement on current methods, facilitating a more accurate measurement of remaining pole strength and ensuring that pole life is maximised.

SP Energy Networks will continue extensive testing and trialling of the

technology across its network in 2021.

Greg Shirley, Innovation Engineer at SP Energy Networks, said: “We have a few Marvel fans in the team so it was fun seeing the THOR hammer project come to life. Our engineers are real life superheroes working through extreme weather to protect the network – so it’s a fitting name for a really innovative piece of technology.

“Having a robust network of resilient overhead powerlines allows us to keep the power flowing and the lights on whatever the weather. We know from experience that the worst winter storms can result in some power loss – particularly when major lines are hit by trees and other debris brought down by high winds. By identifying potential risks in advance, we can take action now to reduce the impact when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

“THOR Hammer will provide valuable data – allowing us to power our customers’ homes every day and protect our network.”

The vital data these devices collate includes detecting the presence of any internal decay, including below ground level without excavation, GPS-tagged measurement results, predicted end of life to accelerate refurbishment and investment

planning, and accurate pole condition assessments, making pole climbing much safer for engineers.

Previously, SP Energy Networks carried out all pole maintenance using its team on the ground and excavation work often took weeks to complete. Although the network provider will always require people on the ground, the THOR Hammer device provides extremely accurate data collection capability on the spot.

Ian Flatley, Director at Groundline Engineering, said: “THOR Hammer is an important tool to inform and provide valuable insights to timber pole network providers. This current project, which includes learnings and development on United Kingdom poles, is set to be transformational for Distribution Network Operators like SP Energy Networks.”

As it announces this major investment, the network operator is also urging customers to follow essential safety advice such as keeping the national 105 emergency number close to hand, storing a battery powered torch at home, being extremely careful to avoid fallen power lines and keeping their mobile phones charged to help them should a power cut occur.

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February 2021

Maynards Europe will oversee the initial stages in one of the most important regeneration projects in the UK from 2021 onwards.

Work is set to begin in January following the acquisition of the 100-acre Avlon Works pharmaceutical processing site in the heart of Avonmouth Severnside by the Vancouver-based Epta Development Corporation (EDC) in December.

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aynards, a global leader in industrial auctions and liquidations, is to manage the asset recovery and demolition of the former pharmaceutical plant. The project is so vast that the asset list runs to 144 pages and Maynards expects to put together a sales catalogue of more than 5,000 lots, to include “everything above ground”.

Once the site has been cleared, EDC propose creating a modern, master-planned warehousing and logistics park comprising c.1,850,000 square, a project that is set to be a major contributor to economic development, job creation and regeneration for the region centred on South Gloucestershire.

The Avlon Works were operational for 50 years from 1969 to 2019. In 2016 AstraZeneca sold the site to Avara Pharmaceutical in the hope of securing the operation’s future, but Avara fell into administration and the entire site was put up for sale.

“With the complete contents of the 100-acre facility for sale, Maynards is offering a unique opportunity to purchase complete pharmaceutical production lines or individual assets,” says UK Managing Director Daniel Gray. “The spares inventory alone is valued at more than £2.5 million, but add to that site support equipment, site infrastructure, offices, labs, warehouse equipment, workshops, data centres, building structures and much more, and it is easy to see just how substantial and significant this offer is.”

All the equipment has been professionally cleaned and purged, and Avara staff have been retained to assist in answering technical questions, providing data and assisting with sales and equipment removal from site. Full data sheets of the complete inventory are available to interested parties.

Among the equipment and facilities to be disposed of are: • five Large-Scale cGMP API Plants, with 6-10m3 reactors, pressure filter, conical and centrifuge drying • two Large-Scale Milling Facilities with Hosakawa mills

• cGMP Kilo Scale facility with 20-100L reactors • four quality, two environmental, six chemistry and one analytical laboratories • IMS Solvent Recovery Unit (Koch Modular Process) • a biological wastewater treatment facility • a combined heat and power plant • extensive warehousing including cold storage • offices, workshops, site services, facilities and internal transport throughout “The Avonmouth site has long been a major national distribution hub for its products, and so is perfectly situated for effective asset disposal, with additional nearby port connections,” said Mr Gray.

Maynards Europe is part of the Maynards group of companies, a global enterprise launched in 1902 which pioneered the Industrial and Retail auction industry from the early 1950s. A formidable track record in asset disposal includes numerous bluechip partnerships in the automotive, pharmaceutical, energy supply and other industries that have enabled the repurposing of highly specialised machinery and equipment.

One of the company’s main focuses has been the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently that has included the dispersal of the complete contents of Recipharm’s Ashton-under-Lyne pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. As with that project, Maynards Europe will work with logistics partners offering turnkey solutions to relocate and recommission equipment from the Avlon Works site globally.

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EVO®VISTAshield™

EVO VISTA ®

EVO®VISTAlens™

™

High performance safety eyewear always on hand

EVO®VISTA™ is a next generation feature-rich safety helmet based on JSP’s proven Evolution® head protection technology. The helmet incorporates a fully retractable optical class 1 faceshield or overspec.

Easy to deploy, adjust and maintain, ensuring protection is on hand whenever it is required.

Individual wearers prescription eyewear compatible Safety cell protects wearer from ricocheting debris SAFETY CELL

The safety cell concept prevents ricocheting debris travelling up the eyewear and impacting the scalp.

Conforms to EN397 & EN166

A OPTICAL CLASS 1

N - ANTI-MIST

K - ANTI-SCRATCH

UV 2C-1.2

IMPACT (EVO®VISTAshield™ ONLY)

MM - MOLTEN METAL

LD - LATERAL DEFORMATION

-40°C TESTED

EN50365 ELECTRICAL INSULATION AC 1000V or DC 1500V

www.jspsafety.com sales@jspsafety.com Tel: +44 (0)1993 826050

KM 579403 BS EN 397

February 2021

Ultimate protection, fully compatible – JSP’s EVO®VISTA® Helmet and Force™8 half mask Compatibility in PPE is not only about products fitting correctly, but also working correctly when worn together.

Some products that fit together are not necessarily compatible in terms of performance.

To ensure products are suitable for use in combination, it is best to buy all PPE from the same manufacturer, who have developed the products to work together. JSP PPE is designed to be compatible across the range, offering complete above-the-neck solutions.

The popular EVO®VISTA® helmet is fully compatible with other JSP PPE, such as the award-winning Force™8 PressToCheck™ respirator and Sonis® helmet mounted ear defender range.

JSP’s Research and Development team were inspired by feedback received from users who regularly wear head and eye protection together. In addition to problems with compatibility, a common theme in the feedback was the amount of eyewear lost or damaged on site after being issued.

EVO®VISTA® is an innovative, feature-rich helmet incorporating optical class 1 faceshield or overspectacle.

The eyewear is fully integrated, allowing users to retract and deploy as needed, which helps to prevent traditional safety

eyewear being lost or damaged, saving companies money, time, and worry, whilst also allowing prescription spectacles to be worn safely.

EVO®VISTAlens® functions like a spectacle, offering protection to EN166 2C-1.2 FT, and the EVO®VISTAshield® conforms to EN166 2C-1.2 with impact rating of grade AT. Both products feature optical class 1 lenses, anti-mist and anti-scratch coatings, plus protection against impact at extremes of temperature, and UV radiation.

The EVO®VISTA® helmet is designed to be fully compatible with the Force™8 half mask and PressToCheck™ filters.

The award-winning PressToCheck™ filters allow you to check your

face fit by pressing the cartridge casing together to stop air from entering the filters and check the seal of the mask. This offers daily face fit reassurance, each time you put on your mask.

Additionally, Sonis® helmet mounted ear defender range has been tested and certified in combination with the EVO®VISTA® helmet.

The helmet shell plays a critical role in determining the levels of hearing protection offered. Using tested and certified compatible products ensures that hearing protection is offered at the correct level when worn with a safety helmet.

The EVO®VISTA® helmet is manufactured in the UK for immediate delivery with option to brand.

When combined with the Force™8 half mask you can rest assured you are getting the ultimate in head, eye, and respiratory protection with complete compatibility, plus the option to add Sonis® ear defenders for a 4-in-1 solution.

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Exhibits thoughtful, well-executed design and luxury

1ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS • 26 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, UB6 7JZ | 141 Hook Road, KT6 5AR • marcus@1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk • T: 0208 997 2448 | F: 0208 997 0611

February 2021

UltraCrete Supports National Pothole Day 2021 UltraCrete and passionate campaigner Mark Morrell, otherwise known as Mr Pothole, will once again join forces on National Pothole Day to raise awareness of the state of the nation’s roads and the need for additional funding from central government to tackle the growing pothole crisis.

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stablished in 2015 by StreetRepairs.co.uk, National Pothole Day was created to provide a place for road users to report road damage to their local council. Over the last 5 years, this movement has gained in momentum and is now a key platform for road safety awareness and education.

As a result of the publicity surrounding National Pothole Day 2020, when a bright orange tank drove through London, UltraCrete and Mr Pothole helped to secure an additional £2.5bn of funding from central government to fix potholes and resurface roads.

National Pothole Day has surveyed over a thousand road users, including motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists, to understand how potholes impact the everyday road user and to truly understand what changes need to be made to make a real difference to the nation’s crumbling road network.

The campaign also extends to questioning local authorities and highway contractor firms up and down the country on their opinion on the pothole crisis, the use of quality and approved repair materials and, ultimately, how to generate much needed further funding from central government.

The results of each survey will be shared in January 2021.

With over 40 years of experience of working alongside local authorities and highway contractors to develop a suite of first time permanent road repair materials, UltraCrete have plenty of expertise to ideally place them as sponsor and champion of National Pothole Day 2021.

National Pothole Day will take place on 15th January 2021. Be the first to find out the results of their survey by following #NoMorePotholesUK on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

UltraCrete will also host a Pothole Awareness Day on 8th January 2021. To take part in the Awareness Day, or for further information on this exciting event, please email lynnef@instarmac.co.uk.

Building on that success, in 2021 National Pothole Day will take the pothole crisis to the people by giving them the opportunity to express their opinions on the state of UK roads by completing the National Pothole Day 2021 road user survey.

For further information on UltraCrete and their range of approved first time permanent pothole repair materials, please email ultracrete@instarmac.co.uk or visit ultracrete.co.uk.

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February 2021

The NEW FlexiWork Neon Jackets and Fleeces NEW Neon Jackets and Fleeces from Snickers Workwear for the flexible working environment delivering visibly superior comfort and freedom of movement.

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hile Fabric, Functionality and Fit are hallmarks of Snickers Workwear, it’s the innovation and fabric technology in the design of the new FlexiWork Neon Fleece Hoodie, Jacket and Gilet that really set these new garments apart.

They’re great for working outdoors in the colder months. Delivering superior flexibility and comfort, these lightweight 4-way stretch garments come in a body-mapping design and are made from an Elastane/Polyester fabric with a water-and wind-repellent finish for comfort and durability when you need it most.

As well as being street-smart and visibly striking with Neon panels and reflective details for enhanced visibility they’re designed for the fast-paced professional who’s always on the go and delivering top class work on site.

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For professionals who rely on their gear in demanding environments, they’re a must for those who want to be visibly ahead of the rest on site this winter.

For more information on Snickers Workwear call the Hultafors Group UK Helpline on 01484 854788, email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk, or checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

February 2021

NEW Jackets, Work Trousers & Topwear in the 2021 Snickers Workwear Catalogue With verifiably sustainable fabric technology innovations.

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ith a focus on comfort, performance and sustainability in its new products, the 2021 digital catalogue has all you need to know about Snickers Workwear, including new products that now use REPREVE, the world’s number one brand of recycled performance fibre.

There’s also new AllroundWork Topwear with the cooling 37.5® moisture transportation fabric, as well as upgraded FLEXIWork Stretch Trousers with extra functionality and durability. By popular demand, there’s also a stretchy hi-vis Work Jacket with great comfort and flexibility for high-performance work and high visibility in low-light conditions.

Added to which, there’s the most innovative streetsmart stretch fabrics in the ALLROUNDWork clothing range for mobile comfort and a Layered Clothing System that ensures you can choose clothes to suit the weather on site – rain or shine, wind or snow - plus an extensive range of EN-certified ProtecWork and PPE products.

Complimented by Snickers Workwear’s Profiling and Embroidery services and the most extensive range of garment sizes, this clothing system delivers the ultimate solution to make every man and woman’s workday easier and safer.

Getting more information on the Snickers Workwear range is easy. You can call the Helpline on 01484 854788; check out https://www.snickersworkwear.com/page/product_guide_media and download a digital catalogue or email sales@hultaforsgroup.co.uk

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February 2021

Turning Waste into Workwear Peter Dumigan is managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, which owns Snickers Workwear, Hultafors Tools, EMMA, Solid Gear and Toe Guard safety footwear as well as Hellberg Safety PPE.

Developing sustainable alternatives to traditional workwear fabrics Just as the effects of plastic waste on the environment has been brought to the centre of consumer consciousness in recent years, so the problems caused by the disposal of clothing and shoes are coming to the fore.

Images of ‘ragpickers’ on our waste clothing mountains in Africa are an increasing cause for concern as landfill sites in the UK become overwhelmed and we dispose of our waste on someone else’s doorstep. That’s why the sourcing of sustainable and environmentally responsible workwear and safety footwear is becoming key parts of our environmental consciousness.

Fabric technology has always been a key driver in the design and development Snickers Workwear garments. Fabrics that deliver comfort and functionality, flexibility and durability are key components of every single product in the range. Now, as consumers and corporates strive to reduce their impact on the planet, the Hultafors Group is implementing a policy of replacing conventional fabrics in its workwear products with sustainable fabrics – Preferred Fibres.

Given increasing levels of awareness about the impact of waste on our environment, this will surely have an impact on the clothes people choose for work in years to come.

For Snickers Workwear, this product development and design philosophy is being be applied to every new product in the Snickers Workwear collection with the additional assurance that the Snickers Hallmarks of design, comfort, functionality and durability will not be compromised in any way.

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Snickers Workwear’s objective is to ensure that by 2030, 70% of the fabrics used are Preferred Fibres – those with sustainable properties and a lower environmental footprint.

As early as 2023, the company will be at 40% - a significant achievement by any measure.

For those that haven’t come across the term, Preferred Fibres are those that have

February 2021

more sustainable properties compared to conventional man-made alternatives.

Given that almost any fabric and garment can be developed with recycled polyester yarn, Snickers Workwear’s aim is to replace conventional fibres such as polyester with Preferred Fibres which have full manufacturing transparency, traceability and thus reduce our climate impact and prevent waste from going into landfill.

Man-made materials, such as nylon and polyester fabrics, can easily be recycled to create new, Preferred Fibres that have the same performance levels in comfort, flexibility and durability as the originals. Take Snickers Workwear’s new Fleece Jackets and Gilets for example.

The Environmentally Friendly Fleece Jackets For Winter Snickers Workwear’s new Fleece Jackets for men and women are made from 100% recycled POLARTEC® polyester which increases the breathability of the fabric and makes them very comfortable and warm.

They’re lightweight with great insulation properties and, with designs for both men and women - and a fit that ensures mobility and flexibility on site - these soft and versatile garments are great for both work and leisure. Either as an everyday outer jacket in dry, cold weather or as an insulating mid-layer on cold and wet workdays.

Wearing sustainable garments such as these is an easy but very urgent step in developing you and your company’s sustainability roadmap, so you will be able to make a conscious contribution to the environment and save valuable resources such as energy and water with your buying decisions.

And…..Safety Footwear That’s Creating A Positive Footprint We’ve all seen how quickly clothing and footwear containers at waste disposal centres fill up almost as quickly as any other, which is why we all have to ensure that footwear and garments are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.

The Hultafors Group’s latest brand addition to its market-leading PPE portfolio – EMMA Safety Footwear - has the solution. It’s a policy of ‘100% Circularity’ in all its products. Every shoe and boot the EMMA range is made entirely from recycled or recyclable materials. It’s a 100% ‘circular’ manufacturing, usage and recycling process for every shoe and boot it produces. So check out the EMMA Safety Footwear range to make a positive footprint in your workday.

www.emmasafetyfootwear.com

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It’s good to stand out from the rest

Introducing the new

Titon Ultimate™ dMEV The new high performing Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is an ultra quiet low profile fan, which is specifically designed for new build or refurbishment projects. One fan fits all and is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and utility room applications.

With adjustable continuous and boost speed settings available, the Titon Ultimate™ dMEV utilises an efficient DC motor and incorporates a uniquely designed impeller/guide vane combination to produce high flow rates and pressure.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

The best dMEV performing fan on the market Low specific fan power down to 0.11 W/l/s 3 configurable speed options (Trickle, Boost and High Boost) Constant flow to guarantee ventilation performance Meets stringent 20 Pa back pressure requirement Quiet running, only 10 dB(A) at 3m, low speed Low profile aesthetic circular design 4 button and LED display to allow for simple control Quick and easy commissioning and set up Extremely low running costs High performance brushless DC motor Unique high performance impeller and guide vane design PCDB listed for inclusion within SAP

www.titon.com/ultimate

The Ultimate choice

February 2021

Titon develops the Ultimate dMEV Fan Titon are pleased to announce the release of a new revolutionary dMEV that ticks all the right boxes.

The new Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is a constant flow fan that has been specifically designed to exceed ventilation demands, but meets current and proposed legislation.

The high performing Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is an ultra quiet low profile fan, which is suitable for new build or refurbishment

projects. It has a one fan fits all solution and is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and utility room applications.

With adjustable continuous and boost speed settings available, the Titon Ultimate™ dMEV utilises an efficient DC motor and incorporates a uniquely designed impeller/guide

vane combination to produce high flow rates and pressure.

The humidity version is the perfect solution for homeowners who want to make sure that mould and condensation are not a constant problem. The Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is easy to maintain, simple to monitor using its unique relative humidity data logging facility and can be commissioned in minutes.

Lee Caulfield – UK Ventilation Systems Sales Director commented; “The development of the Titon Ultimate™ dMEV was a result of listening to our customers’ requirements and needs, whilst looking at current and proposed legislation. With ventilation at the forefront more than ever, it was important to make sure that Titon could offer a high quality product that is reliable and efficient going forward.”

The Titon Ultimate™ dMEV has exceptionally low specific fan power down to 0.11 W/l/s and offers outstanding sounds levels of 10 dB(A), whilst meeting stringent newly proposed 20 Pa back pressure requirements.

Available in three versions; standard, humidity and humidity control with data logging, the Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is perfect at fighting condensation and mould issues within a home.

Available in the UK and Europe, the new Titon Ultimate™ dMEV is effective at reducing pollutants in the home and improving indoor air quality (IAQ), helping to combat the risk of Toxic Home Syndrome.

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February 2021

At UltraCrete, our priority is to ensure that you always have the information and support you need to help make the best use of our quality road maintenance materials. With the cold weather upon us again, UltraCrete are on hand to help you choose the right products for each application to guarantee an uninterrupted workflow through the next few months.

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All cementitious products are affected by temperature. The cooler it is, the slower the setting time. So in the winter months, why not upgrade to a high performance mortar? UltraCrete provide a number of different grades and their

team of industry specialists are on hand to advise you on the best product to suit your project and to maintain speed of application.

For perfect workability, it is important to protect all cement-based products from wind, rain and moisture by storing them in dry, frost-free conditions. Cover your products with a waterproof sheet and stack any bags or tubs above ground, preferably on a pallet, to prevent contact with a cold and damp floor.

For wet weather conditions, when resinous products cannot be applied, why not try UltraCrete’s high performance

February 2021

This will restore material to its normal consistency, allowing you to continue with your repair without delay.

What’s more, many of UltraCrete’s world leading maintenance materials can be used in temperatures lower than 5°C, allowing work to be completed all year round.

Don’t be left out in the cold. Book a free consultation with one of UltraCrete’s highway experts for a review of your winter maintenance needs and to find the perfect solution for you. Contact the team today by calling +44 (0) 1827 254402 or email ultracrete@instarmac.co.uk.

For advice on storing, handling and preparing UltraCrete materials throughout the winter, please visit ultracrete.co.uk to download a free copy of their Cold Weather Working Guide.

bedding mortar – Envirobed HA104®.

This superior bedding mortar has been specially formulated for bedding ductile ironwork, covers and frames, boasts exceptional tensile, compressive and bond strengths and has been HAPAS approved by the BBA as part of the UltraCrete Manhole Reinstatement System.

All UltraCrete asphalts are manufactured using the latest technology available to ensure easy working and application even in colder temperatures. However, if you experience a slight firming this can be very easily remedied by applying light pressure to the side of the bag.

UltraCrete are proud to be sponsoring National Pothole Day 2021. Keep up-toupdate with the latest National Pothole Day news by following them on Twitter @NPDay2021, liking them on Facebook, connecting with them on LinkedIn and following them on Instagram.

Are you ready for Winter?

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February 2021

VENTILATION DESIGN STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEW AND THE OLD A range of diffusers and grilles from leading manufacturer of air management solutions, Waterloo Air Products, has helped Peterborough City Council create a modern workplace in a development that has combined the restoration and change of use of a redundant rail shed with a new build extension.

Offering high air volume capacity, Waterloo’s Vane Swirl Diffusers were also specified within the new-build office building and required a tegular drop face to match the ceiling tiles.

These products are designed for rapid mixing of air in rooms where heights range from 2.6m to 4m. The company also supplied fixed blade grilles, adjustable blade grilles and exhaust valves to satisfy exhaust requirements in offices and washrooms. The diffusers and grills, fitted throughout the two buildings, were finished in RAL 9010 matt with 20% gloss white to meet the client’s specific aesthetic requirement.

In doing so, the company has demonstrated how its innovative products can blend into both new and old environments, whilst ensuring optimum performance.

industrial look. This necessitated a ventilation system that would complement the period styling and saw the integration of Waterloo’s MC Small Format Circular Diffusers.

Set to transform the riverfront south of Peterborough city centre, the Fletton Quay development features commercial offices, residential, hotel, leisure and retail offerings, a gin distillery, and restaurants. An unused site for more than 30 years, the development’s anchor tenant is the city council which is occupying a transformed Grade-II listed Victorian rail shed and an adjacent three-storey new building.

Commenting on the specification, Andy Wardle, Sales Director of Waterloo Air Products said: “Within the remodelled and converted rail shed, our MC Small Format Circular Diffusers were left exposed and fitted at the end of the twin-wall pre-insulated galvanised ductwork, level with the old beams.

They are a fundamental part of this listed building’s new interior and chosen to provide both long term performance as well as complementing the impressive interior.”

As part of the building services fit out, Waterloo worked with Derry Building Services on the ventilation design to ensure the specification met both buildings’ aesthetic requirements whilst ensuring efficient airflow and a comfortable environment throughout the interiors.

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A distinctive feature of the old rail shed is the exposed beams and brickwork which were retained in the remodelled design to create a stripped-down

Waterloo also supplied Airline Linear Grilles and Linear Slot Diffusers to satisfy both the air diffusion requirements and architectural aesthetics of the new-build office.

Integrated within the acoustic tile ceiling system, Waterloo’s aluminium linear slot diffusers are highly suited to variable volume applications due to the excellent low flow rate, air diffusion characteristics and high air handling capacity.

“This was a complex project requiring specific attention to detail to ensure the finished products met the requirements of the two contrasting buildings,” added Andy Wardle. “Our team were able to deliver a comprehensive range of air terminal devices which met the client’s ventilation and architectural requirements and demonstrate our ability to meet even the most challenging of brief.”

With the remainder of this major city centre development on track for completion in 2022, Waterloo Air Products are delighted to have worked with the city council on a project which repurposes existing listed buildings alongside new-builds and help create part of a new future for Peterborough.

Waterloo was founded in 1961 and employs 130 people. Its head office is in Aylesford, Kent and revenue in 2019 was £12m. It became part of the Swegon Group in March this year.

Swegon is part of the Swedish Latour group and is a market leader in energy efficient ventilation and indoor climate products and systems. It employs 2,400 staff and has a turnover of approximately EURO500 million worldwide – over £54m of which is in the UK. For more information please contact: Rachel Roots Rachel.roots@waterloo.co.uk www.waterloo.co.uk

February 2021

Schöck Combar improves sonar test tank performance Schöck Combar glass fibre reinforcement is fast becoming the preferred choice over traditional steel rebar for a variety of new projects in unusual and demanding environments.

Combar (composite rebar) is a ribbed reinforcing bar made of corrosion resistant glass fibres that are bound by a vinyl ester resin. The high quality components and the unique manufacturing process result in an outstanding mate rial. One of the latest applications is for a sonar test tank facility for assessing detection apparatus performance. There were two main considerations in the selection process. Primarily Combar was chosen for its nonmagnetic properties, as the product offers no risk of any electromagnetic interference with the test results. Hydroacoustic devices are measured over a range of frequencies and tests are highly diverse, ranging from the acoustic characteristics of a transducer, to the reflective characteristics of acoustic materials. So electromagnetic sensitivity is a critical issue and normal steel rebar would interfere with the results due to its magnetic properties – and even stainless steel would also compromise the test results.

The secondary issue involved the ability to overcome loading issues within the structure itself. The tensile strength of Schöck Combar is far better than that of reinforcing steel and there is also the ability to design the product to different shaped bar types. The ‘Z’ bar within

the wall structure on this project is a very unusual bar shape and also radiused.

A special two-part manufacturing process It is the two-part manufacturing process that enables the ribbed GRP bars to meet the reinforcement requirements.

First, in the pultrusion process, densely bundled high-strength glass fibres are pulled through a closed chamber and impregnated with a synthetic resin. The parallel alignment of the fibres results in optimum strength of the material.

The ribs are then cut into hardened bars and given a final coating. As the vinyl ester resin is diffusion tight and every glass fibre is embedded in resin, the result is a durability of up to 100 years in concrete.

reactors, inductive currents are generated within the reinforcing steel. The heat will affect the rebar strength if too close to the coils, but Combar remains unaffected. And its corrosion resistance – even from salt – is unrivalled when building bridge, marine and harbour constructions.

For Combar enquiries, in the first instance visit www.schoeck.co.uk; contact: design@schoeck.co.uk or tel: 01865 290 890

Exceptional versatility Schöck Combar application examples include taking advantage of its easy machinability in tunnel construction, whereby boring machines used in shaft walls of tunnels, cannot drill through steel reinforced walls. With Combar the machine can cut directly through the head wall. In high voltage transformers and power plant

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February 2021

Keeping pace with home improvement demands Ian Kemp, sales director at Eurocell plc - leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline systems – explores how fabricators can ensure they have the solutions they need during the current home improvement boom

W

hile winter is typically a slower time for home improvements, with the cold weather and festive slowdown causing people to put projects on hold, this year is likely to be different. This is because there are many unique reasons for homeowners to keep pushing through housing upgrades, such as the stamp duty holiday, Green Homes Grant scheme, more time spent indoors and a growing awareness around the sustainability and cost-saving benefits of efficient homes.

Indeed, the Construction Products Association anticipates that the continuing boom of the home improvement sector will last well into next year. The British Home Enhancement Trade Association also sees this trend continuing, highlighting research which states that 18% of consumers will start home improvement projects sooner rather than later.

Our customers supplying the home renovation and improvement market can back up these stats, as they’ve been handling significantly more orders compared to last winter and are seeing strong demand for their products extending through early 2021.

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This trend means fabricators are going to be under pressure to source the solutions demanded by homeowners eager to upgrade their properties. At Eurocell, our extensive product range ensures that we not only supply the products the market wants, but that we’re also providing the practical benefits and added value advantages fabricators need.

Locally made, locally recycled Top of the agenda for many people is the issue of sustainability, and as we move towards a zero-carbon society this is only going to become more important.

To play our part, approximately one third of the 60,000 tonnes of product we make is recycled. We achieve this by creating the engineered central core, which typically makes up 50% of a product, from recycled material while any products not exposed to direct sunlight are 100% recycled. In fact, we’re so committed to sustainability that we’ve invested over £10m in developing our PVC-U recycling plant.

Not only do we do all our recycling in the UK, but all our manufactured products are produced in a number of production sites in the UK, with the main extrusion being in our purpose-built facilities in Derbyshire. This ability to both manufacture and recycle all Eurocell products within the country means that they have the smallest carbon footprint possible. The home-grown self-sufficiency we’ve built up also means that we don’t depend on long supply chains and can ensure a continuity of supply to our customers.

From a homeowner perspective, improving energy efficiency is going to be central to reducing emissions and lowering energy bills. We’re able to provide windows and doors, such as the PVC-U Logik profile system, which have a u-value as low as 0.8, making them highly effective at reducing heat loss and minimising energy use.

February 2021

Closer collaborations

Amazing aesthetics Windows, doors and conservatories have a significant impact on a home’s appearance, so we’ve developed our systems in a wide variety of colours and styles to ensure that we’re always ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest design trends. A great example of this is our anthracite grey colour option, which has become a popular choice thanks to its high-end visual impact. We’ve even created frames that extend this colour throughout the whole profile, rather than just on the surface foil, so there’s no sign of a white PVC-U core.

This creates a premium all-grey appearance without incurring the cost of an expensive aluminium frame.

To make it even easier for fabricators to offer the full range of Eurocell products, we’ve launched the Fabricator Network Portal. This online platform allows fabricators to easily identify and trade with other fabricators in their area that have products they may not. This means that fabricators don’t have to worry about restricting their offering to a reduced selection of Eurocell solutions, as they’ll be able to access the whole range, enabling them to easily provide their customers with a wider variety of products.

The winter season is likely to be a busy time for fabricators and the whole home improvement industry.

By making it easier to collaborate and source the right products at the right time, it will help everyone to work faster and smarter so that we can we start the new year on a strong and successful footing. As we’re always innovating and coming up with new ideas, products and services at Eurocell, you can rest assured that we’ll be there to make sure you can keep this growth going all throughout 2021.

If grey isn’t the right shade, we’re able to provide frames in an almost unlimited array of colours and styles. This includes the PVC-U Modus system, which is available in colours to fit any design scheme and which can even be supplied with metallic and woodgrain finishes.

Creating bright and open homes As the nights draw in many people will want to make the most of what light there is. The ultra slim frames of our Aspect range of PVC-U bi-fold doors ensures that as much light can enter as possible. For an aluminium option, we also manufacture the StudioGlide range of bi-fold doors which are available in both double and triple glazing options and with a number of colour and threshold choices.

Perhaps the space where maximising light is the most important is the conservatory.

Available in a wide variety of visual options, from classic Edwardian and Victorian styles to bespoke designs, our conservatory collection has the solution for any project. For even more versatility, homes with flat roofs can use our Skypod roof lantern range, while homeowners with conservatories that want to make them more thermally comfortable spaces can utilise our Equinox tiled conservatory roof system.

www.eurocell.co.uk

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High Rise, High Performance Door from Aluprof High rise apartment living is on the increase in our cities and one of the fastest growing cities to live in is Manchester where the population has increased to 2.9 million. The city is widely recognised as being the capital of the northern powerhouse. Always at the forefront of innovation, Manchester was the world’s first industrial city and more recently where the BBC now calls home, located at Media City. With lower costs of living compared to London, it is no wonder that recent developments in Manchester offer a very good investment value.

Designed by 5 Plus Architects and built

by Russell Construction, the £85m Oxygen Tower comprises three individual towers of 32, 16 and 10 storeys offering a ‘neighbourhood’ or ‘vertical village’ which houses a wide range of amenities for residents. Located in Manchester’s popular ‘New Islington’ district and just a short walk from the Northern Quarter, the city’s main rail station at Manchester Piccadilly and city centre employment zones. The project epitomises affordable quality with 372 apartments coupled with 12 street level luxury townhouses.

As you would expect with high rise projects, 5 Plus Architects have chosen to use aluminium framed fenestration on the project and have specified Aluprof UK as the system provider.

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The sliding door specified is a ‘lift and slide’ arrangement which offers a low threshold with high levels of air and watertightness due to that fact that the sliding door lowers down onto, and compresses weather seals once in the closed position. The MB-77HS system offers an impressive maximum Class 4 air tightness when tested to BS EN 12207 and a Class 9A (600Pa) for watertightness when tested to BS EN 12208. Possibly just important today is the importance of thermal insulation and the MB-77HS system can offer a very high insulation capability of up to 0.84 W/(m2K).

Whilst these standards are well accepted performance levels for doors and windows in normal use, balcony doors at 32 storeys high could be subject to much harsher weather conditions common to the North West. It was decided that the specific door configuration on the project should be tested to meet the much more onerous testing that curtain walling is often tested to by testing to CWCT standards. The main difference is that the normal window and door tests take place within a cabinet, whereas weather testing to CWCT is applied externally.

February 2021 Tested at Wintech in the Midlands, now UL, testing was independently overseen by Fenestration Consultants, Cladtech Associates. The CWCT Sequence B test is far more intrusive than the traditional cabinet testing and is summarised as follows: Air permeability in a cabinet test will have an overall figure of 3m³/(h:m²) and an opening joint would be 0.75m³/(h:m²), for the CWCT sequence this is reduced 1.5m³/(h:m²) for overall area and 0.5m³/(h:m²) for a fixed joint which is a significant tighter specification.

Typically, when testing a curtain wall facade to the CWCT sequence, it is normal to tape off any opening products such as doors windows and vents, however,, for the MB-77HS test the sliding door was left untaped to test the product in a real world scenario.

For a standard water resistance cabinet test you would have 2l/m per nozzle at the head and 1l/m per nozzle for the second row for a sample up to 2500mm in height. Spray nozzles would be set at 400mm centres and 250mm from the face of the sample. With the

CWCT the sequence requires that nozzles no more than 700mm apart horizontally and vertically and then 400mm from the face, the rate of flow is increased to 3.4l/m per nozzle. This is a significant increase in the level of water, over three times the normal amount in a cabinet test and it is unlikely that many opening products would achieve a rating, but the MB-77HS system passed the CWCT Sequence B. Aluprof systems have been installed on the scheme by Leeds based specialists Casu Consulto and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 following a nine month fit out.

With the company’s Project Office at the Business Design Centre in London, Aluprof has rapidly grown their specification influence in the UK with their high performance architectural aluminium systems. With overseas growth across Europe spreading into the Middle East and firm roots already in the East of the USA, the company is becoming a global player in facade supply.

Further information is available on the company’s website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK office in Altrincham on 0161 941 4005.

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February 2021

“Agile” screening makes specification easy as a,b,c The choice of screening and ventilation louvres is now as easy as ABC, claims Gilberts Blackpool.

T

he company’s new Series WK Kitform Screening Louvre represents a completely new approach to screening systems, that pulls together in one all the best features and benefits currently available on the market. Thus, one core system can form the basis of all screening design and specification.

“The system has been thoroughly thought about. It’s been developed completely from scratch rather than being an evolution of an existing system,” explains Ian Rogers, Gilberts Sales Director. “We have purposedesigned it to be as agile as possible in its scope to combine performance and aesthetics, whilst delivering best value for the installation contractor.”

Central to the system is a unique design of mullion, which enables screen sections up to 3m high to be created without the need for intermediate support.

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A range of 50,75 and 100mm blade profiles brings an infinite choice of solidity, transparency, weather protection and ventilation to the screen as required, as blades can be set at variable points within the common mullion. This means different performance or aesthetic requirements can be catered for within one screen.

A range of accessories- eliminator blades, insect screens, bird guards, non-combustible insulation and acoustic blanking panels- enables each screen section to be tailored to specific weather and performance requirements, future-proofing the building interior for subsequent alteration of layout and/or usage.

Panel depths are optimised- the 50mm blade can form a panel as slim as 46mm- to allow maximum flexibility in screen integration with façade systems and structures.

A new design of access panel provides a continuous, seamless appearance.

Utilising Gilberts advanced in-house powder coating plant means the louvre components can be finished in whatever colour is desired.

Gilberts has designed and engineered the Series WK system in-house, and fully tested the system’s performance to ensure it meets, or surpasses,

current Regulatory requirements in its state-of-the-art facility.

“The Series WK Kitform Screening Louvre System is a bold step in the advancement of building design,” adds Ian Rogers. “It means specifiers have a ‘go to’, site assembled solution that they know performs, and can accommodate almost any variation they need.”

The louvre system is the latest innovation from Gilberts, which has a heritage of pioneering commercial ventilation solutions that stretches back 60 years. Family owned, the company is the UK’s leading independent air movement specialist, operating from a 95,000 sq ft facility in the Northern Powerhouse of Lancashire.

Contact information for publication: Gilberts tel 01253 766911 E: info@gilbertsblackpool.com

February 2021

How many millions of pounds is social value worth to a business?

With the majority of public sector contracts having 25% of their tenders weighted towards social value, is your business securing top marks? Imagine if a contract was worth £4 million pounds to your business, then it really could be a £1 million question.

B

usiness today has to be extremely clear about what they do, why they do it and the impact they have on their stakeholders and the planet. These elements play a large part in achieving the highest marks posisble when tendering for new contracts.

Be Ethical Training exists to help a business clearly define all of the responsible activities taking place across their organisation and understanding their impact.

When a business defines and takes ownership of their ethical activities they can begin to see sustainability and growth. They retain their clients and employees, attract new business and achieve a wider reach through contributing and supporting their communities

Co-founder and director Heather de Groot comments – ‘We understand how important impact reporting is when submitting bids and tenders. It can be the difference between winning a multi-millionpound contract and spending a lot of time and resources completing the document and achieving absolutely nothing in the end. A business might be acting responsibly but aren’t absolutely clear how. They might need guidance in unpicking and defining their activities, communicating them in a way that helps them to achieve the highest mark possible.‘ Be Ethical Training began trading in September 2020.

Without being able to visit clients, due to the pandemic restrictions, the founder’s Caroline Swailes and Heather de Groot needed to qualify their leads without visiting business

owners face to face, so took their services online. With decades of experience in CSR they have created a suite of resources to support organisations to get clear about their social value and CSR, in the aim of supporting their client’s growth strategies, engagement and philanthropic activities.

Director Caroline Swailes comments - ‘We have been supporting businesses to understand their contributions for many years and have witnessed some unbelievable outcomes because of people’s commitment to that business, the planet and their communities. We want to be part of the change for a business, giving them the skill set to propel their activities forward for good. The pandemic has been tough for many businesses and we appreciate that they might see what we offer as a ‘nice to have’. We believe that being clear and acting responsibly is the only way to do business today, especially when bidding for new contracts.

CSR is a differentiator and can be a USP and this isn’t likely to change’.

Be Ethical Training is delivering a social value workshop on the 26th January 2021 to support an organisation to get really clear about how to answer their social value questions in bids and tenders. You can download a free resource on their website in preparation for the workshop together with submitting your own questions, for them to answer and use in the session.

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ECO FRIENDLY HARDWEARING BEAUTIFUL

MADE IN BRITAIN

RECYCLED GL ASS SURFACES DIAMIK have spent many years developing a practical, design led, sustainable surface.

Demonstrating excellent scratch resistance this non porous surface will offer years of practical use.

RECYCLED GL ASS SURFA CES OFFER A GREAT SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO MARBLE, GRANITE, QUARTZ AND PL ASTICS

DOMESTIC IMPORTED WORKSURFACE MATERIAL ENTERS THE UK EVERY DAY

COMMERCIAL

BESPOKE

IT’S TIME TO STOP THINKING AND START TAKING ACTION Our hard work and dedication towards using recycled materials, now presents a wide range of product options to prospective clients.

If you wish to embrace green manufacturing today there is no excuse not to.

We are ready and able to fulfil your demands with a wide range of standard or bespoke designs.

CONTACT US TODAY · T: 0113 249 7001 · E: INFO@DIAMIKGLASS.CO.UK

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.DIAMIKGLASS.CO.UK

Ravatherm XPS X from Ravago Building Solutions, Europe’s largest extruded polystyrene insulation manufacturer, offers architects and building specifiers market-leading XPS insulation for roofs and floors.

www.ravagobuildingsolutions.co.uk

For technical support and to learn more about our products please contact: technical.uk.rbs@ravago.com

February 2021

Have you considered XPS as an affordable and effective alternative for residential floor insulation as opposed to traditional PIR products?

Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) offers a cost-effective alternative to PIR products where escalating raw material prices and potential availability issues are beginning to impact the market.

R

avago Building Solutions, Europe’s

choice of product for residential flooring

largest manufacturer of XPS

applications.

insulation, launched Ravatherm XPS X 200 SB earlier this year. Ravatherm

XPS X 200 SB is a high-performance thermal insulation board specifically designed for the residential market. The product is robust and durable meaning it can endure foot traffic on site. Capable of withstanding 200 kPa, the boards meet all requirements regarding compressive loads in the domestic/residential market.

Ravatherm XPS X 200 SB products offer exceptional thermal performance. The 50mm boards have a declared lambda of 0.030 W/ mK, and the 75mm, 100mm, and 125mm thicknesses achieve 0.031 W/mK.

Steel grey in colour and with a butt edge finish, Ravatherm XPS X 200 SB boards can be cut easily and accurately using hand tools, offering simple and quick installation with minimal waste. These lightweight boards can easily be positioned on-site for installation below the slab or below the floor screed, as well as in beam and block floors.

Manufactured at Ravago’s UK plant in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, Ravatherm XPS X 200 SB has a lead-time of just three to four days from order to delivery. Ravatherm XPS X 200 SB can be supplied in individual packs or a 15m3 bulk unit (2.5×2.5×2.4m) on foam bearers. Bulk units can be broken down on-site into 4 pre-

With low water absorption Ravatherm XPS X

wrapped units or split into individual packs,

200 SB has a natural resistance to rain, frost,

offering a variety of easy ways to transport

snow, and water vapour making it an ideal

material around a busy construction site.

For further information please visit our web site at www.ravagobuildingsolutions.co.uk or contact Natalie Sutton on Natalie.sutton@ravago.com for enquiries in the South of England and Adam.hilmi@ravago.com for enquiries in the North.

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100% Stainless Steel Towel Rails 25 Year Guarantee 01825 722988 www.sussexrange.co.uk info@jiseurope.co.uk

February 2021

Managing Director, JIS Europe, Richard Thelwell, discusses their policy of stockholding and how it is even more relevant today “Currently, we are answering calls from customers on a daily basis, asking if we have stock to fulfill their orders, the simple answer is ‘yes, we do’ ” ‘We are able to maintain the chain of supply quite simply due to our longstanding policy of stockholding providing further financial stability to ourselves but as importantly to our customers whose projects do not need to see any further delays” The Sussex Range is manufactured from 100% stainless steel including our recently introduced Black Edition of powder coated rails “We have recently seen an increase in demand for our powder coated black rails, and also our satin finish rails. More and more people are coming round to the durability and sustainability of stainless steel” “My customers don’t want to go to the expense and disruption of fitting out their bathroom to then 2 years down

the line find an inferior mild steel rail rusts, leaks and they then need a complete re-tile when the replacement isn’t dimensionally identical to the original” Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, and manufactured from over 90% recyclable material. It does not rust, flake or corrode. It is the sustainable, durable choice.

We have a large selection of gallery shots, showing the visual diversity of our rails, on our website www.sussexrange.co.uk do have a look and should you wish any further details, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01825 722988 or info@jiseurope.co.uk

We source our rails ethically and take our social responsibility seriously, from our sourcing to our manufacture to our charity initiatives.

We offer 3 formats of rail throughout the range: Electric, dual fuel and central heating only and we offer both a polished and satin finish as well as the Black Edition Range.

“The cornerstones of our business are quite simply quality, stock holding and ultimately customer service. The three work hand in hand”

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Roman has been designing and manufacturing showering solutions for over 35 years, and is home to the UK’s largest manufacturing plant. All Roman products are designed and created in Britain, offering the ultimate in quality, precision and craftsmanship ▪ UK Manufacturer

▪ Solid Surface Fabrication

▪ Dedicated In-House Design Team

▪ Products Exceed all Compliance Standards

▪ Supplier to Major International Hotel Groups

▪ Global Manufacturer to over 60 International Markets

▪ Bespoke Product Capability

▪ Promotes Sustainability and Circular Economy

▪ Experienced in Large Project Work

INTRODUCING ROMAN’S MONDRIAN INSPIRED DESIGN Roman’s stunning black Mondrian inspired design consists of a shower enclosure with clear glass and a toilet enclosure with frosted glass; a black and white wall unit with drawers; a solid surface basin with industrial style black steel frame and black chrome fittings throughout; and features Roman’s large square black grid mirror. The shower enclosure doors are suitable for inward and outward opening to suit every style and shape bathroom.

The printed black grid style is bathroom design led and encapsulates industrial chic with an elegant twist. It features a silicone free matt black wall profile and the ceramic printed glass leads the current industrial look trend in bathroom design, making it an infinitely flexible product for any project with a clean and durable finish.

For more information please visit our website:

www.roman-showers.com

February 2021

CT1

- The Snag List Eliminator, voted many times and regarded as the UK’s Number 1 Sealant and Adhesive, have again secured their position in the industry as the leader of technology in the building industry.

CT1 who were the first to introduce the Hybrid Polymer 20 years ago, listened to the industry and realised that Hybrid technology was becoming dated. CT1 were the first to introduce a product that replaced several products in one and could work in wet. CT1 can actually seal and bond under water, with competitor sealants trying to imitate and match the technology.

Realising the need to maintain the number 1 position, and keep introducing the latest technology into the building industry, CT1 has again blown the industry away with TRIBRID® Technology. A revolutionary formula that can’t be imitated or even be regarded as similar. TRIBRID® now surpassing Hybrid technology, is 3 times stronger, has much longer colour retention, elongation and other super enhanced properties.

Architects, Specifiers and Developers rely on products that can guarantee its worth and that will work on a project and stand the test of time. CT1 with over 25 accreditations fits that bill, and is widely specified on jobs as the only sealant that will perform on almost every possible application.

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CT1 the only sealant and adhesive that could stand up and deliver on jobs such as The Wave in Bristol, Diana’s Memorial Fountain, the construction of the

London Olympic Village, and so on. Made in Britain, CT1 with British Design and British Technology, guarantees a local technical service.

CT1 is the only sealant globally to be awarded The NAAF accreditation. The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association are the most stringent body in the world for testing products that either reduce or increase the chances of Asthma attack in the home. CT1 sailed through the test. Using CT1 in your home, school, hospital will reduce the chance of asthma or allergy attacks.

A product that is so technically advanced with over 25 accreditations and certificates, fits the bill for Wickes, and their architect teams also. Wickes with a strong team of architects and in-house designers, tailor make and design bespoke kitchens and bathrooms across the UK. Using only the highest standard of products, clearly CT1 was a choice for Wickes. Wickes who supply the industry both trade and DIY have formed a fruitful partnership with CT1.

Wickes providing bathroom design and installation services across the UK, were really impressed with CT1’s performance and accreditations, even more so with The NAAF certificate. They can safely say they are using the most eco compliant and heathiest product in the installation of their design. Use Wickes for Architectural accredited products, such as CT1.

Buy CT1 on the Wickes Online Store https://youtu.be/VhCE9E7krao

February 2021

Hydroblast Goggle – Reliable, comfortable sealed eye protection...

As experts in the field of protective eyewear we pride ourselves on our range of safety glasses, goggles and face visors, available to all within a competitive price range.

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February 2021

The Hydrobast goggle is the latest addition to our goggle range. Designed and manufactured

by MCR Safety, this is a premium product without the premium price tag.

It’s a sealed unit eye protector, a form of eye protection which is becoming increasingly popular throughout the industrial sector. The onset of COVID19 has also played its part in highlighting a need for more fortified face coverings.

Functionality and Comfort The Hydroblast® HB3 goggle fits perfectly to your face to give you supreme comfort along with secure and reliable protection. It’s able to do so because of it’s unique, super-soft TPR seal. We use TPR where the safety goggle meets your skin because its soft, supple and extremely resistant to every-day wear and tear.

The Goggle features a 7-point ratchet action on the strap fastening so you can adjust it to the optimum fit for you.

The indirect vented air flow allows air to circulate reducing clamminess, but still protecting you from splash hazards and larger dust particles.

The lens is optically clear and coated with our premium MAX6 Anti-Fog (N) coating to withstand extreme stresses in your working environment, free from unwanted distraction.

And if you’re a prescription wearer, a prescription insert can simply be added to the goggle.

These carefully considered features teamed with refined ergonomic design ensure that the safety goggle is perfect to wear all-day.

Protection Assurance Hydroblast® HB3 has been tested in accordance with CE EN166, with grade F impact protection.

The dielectric construction means there are no metal components and therefore the goggle is a non-conductor, ideal in hot or electrical environments. It’s ability to withstand liquid splash and dust penetration is particularly useful in these times of COVID19 when face covering as a barrier is of utmost importance.

Summary of key CE standards ‘3’ Withstands liquid splash ‘4’ Prevents the penetration of dust over 5 microns ‘9’ Resistant to penetration by hot solids ‘F’ Withstands impact from an object travelling at 45 metres per second ‘1’ Optical Class 1 indicates a high-quality lens for all day use ‘N’ Anti-fog, will not become clouded by condensation

Find out more The Hydroblast goggle is a great piece of safeguarding eye protection for industrial environments spanning a wide cross-section of industry.

You can find out more about the Hydroblast® HB3 Goggle by visiting the Product Profile page on our website or you can make enquiries by phone or via email at: +44 (0) 1922 457 421 sales@mcrsafetyeurope.com

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Built on hard work since 1960 Celebrating 60 years in business we are proud to supply Safety Footwear, Workwear & PPE to our valued customers from our Sheffield Distribution Centre. Ever since John Topham established the business in 1960 we have remained a Family owned business with third generation family members in the team.

We continue to sucessfully hold the JCB Workwear License after 11 years. The Safety Footwear & Workwear range has evolved over the years to encapsulate a hardwearing, style conscious collection.

Area Sales Representatives We have a team of 7 Area Sales Representitives and 1 Telephone Account Manager who cover the UK & Ireland.

Bespoke Branding Service

We have the design capabilities in house to create artwork for bespoke branded clothing, helmet stickers and safety signage. We can brand clothing using our in-house heat seal department or our embroidery service.

Wearer Pack Service Our Wearer Pack service is available to all customers who need to issue clothing and footwear to their employees.

We pack the required items for each employee in individual packs.

Mobile Sales Unit Our dedicated mobile sales unit can come to your premises wih a selection of products which is ideal for footwear or uniform issues.

Next Day Delivery From our 45,000 sq ft warehouse in Sheffield we can ship any product anywhere in the UK and guarentee it will be with you the very next day.

Omnichannel Experience Purchases can be made through our excellent customer service team, area sales representitives, online and instore.

Retail Store: Our Sheffield Store is open to the trade and public. We stock a vast amount of Snickers Workwear making us a Snickers Centre of Excellence. Other brands in store include JCB, Dickies, Helly Hansen, Worktough, Dr Martens & more.

Our staff in store are on hand to offer help and advice on your workwear needs!

Progressive Safety Ltd 101 Worthing Road Sheffield S9 3JN Call us: 0114 273 8349

www.psf.co.uk

February 2021

The Impact Of COVID-19 for Carpet Suppliers in 2020 Manufacturing industries have been affected significantly by the public and health safety measures that were put in place during the early stages of COVID-19. What started as a promising and innovative year for the carpet business came to a halt. It plummeted by 6% this past first quarter and 30% at the second.

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owever, the carpet industry eventually saw the light and started picking up around the third quarter.

Analysts expect the carpet and rugs industry to rise at a considerable 4% CAGR from 2020 to 2025.

From DIYs to professional services, homeowners are seeking to update floorings with new carpets.

Whether it is only to brighten the rooms or to amp the home’s value—or both—carpets and rugs are getting consumers’ attention.

Overall, it’s good news for the carpet and rug suppliers that have been continuously developing more colors and innovations all through 2020—and they’re just getting started.

The increasingly dry and cold weather in specific locations has also influenced the growth of the carpet and rug economy since they provide insulation for floors.

Consumer Demand Soars With various safety measures put in place by governments worldwide and people have to spend more time at home, more and more residents are starting to look into improving their homes.

The timing is right as well, with long-time manufacturers Rawson Carpet Solutions producing promising, cutting-edge carpet tiles that homeowners can get their hands on. Some companies are even developing stain-resistant features. Now you can greet 2021 in style, save with moderate carpeting prices, and enjoy easy installation.

The carpet industry also owes its rising potential to the growing construction industry due to urbanization and consumer interest in interior decoration.

These factors are just some of the reasons why you could be looking at a healthy economy for the carpet industry for the next couple of years. As research reveals, consumers also believe that the normalcy they once knew won’t be back anytime soon, which encourages them to make their homes a place where they can destress and be comfortable.

COVID-19 has also influenced homeowners’ behavior in other ways. Everyone—homeowners, business owners, building managers—are trying to keep their surfaces clean, including their flooring. As such, many people are removing old and outdated carpets in order to improve the cleanliness of their spaces and replacing them with updated, easier-to-clean carpeting.

Global Competitiveness

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As rugs are still one of the most common types of flooring, the demand on carpeting manufacturers is not just to keep producing what works. The focus is to utilize technological innovations by integrating them with existing products and using them to new ones as well.

February 2021 North America is currently the leading producer in the carpets and rugs industry. Here are some of the major players in the carpet industry: • • • • • • • • • •

Dixie Group Incorporation Ikea Group Oriental Weavers Mohawk Industries Inc. Interface Inc. Tai Ping Carpets International Limited Victoria PLC Milliken and Company Tarkett SA Home Depot Inc.

Small and medium carpet companies are also playing the field of advanced product development.

Acquisitions and merging companies are likely to proceed as part of the vital strategies in meeting global demand.

•

Engineered Floors is coming up with ColorBurst, a variable color technology that uses layers to create natural visuals.

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Anderson Tuftex successfully created the Colorpoint Platinum Technology in tailored loop styles of carpeting to produce intense colors and natural textural effects.

Price Hikes and Backlogs COVID-19 hit everyone hard.

Due to safety implementations, many businesses, including the manufacturing industry, had to cease operations. Plants would shut down for long periods, causing a significant amount of pending production. Aside from the lockdown, social distancing within the production line and workers not being able to come in to work slowed the process. Consequently, prices were raised from 3–8% as the result of the holdup.

Carpet Solutions by the Best Carpets are an all-time favorite flooring choice because of their numerous benefits. They’re versatile and can be mixed and matched with the looks or rooms.

They are shock absorptive, warm, and quiet to walk on. Today, consumers have a vast selection available to them, depending on their needs.

However, that’s not the end of carpet functionality. Suppliers create more color choices and add innovative features on carpets that you may soon see at retail shops.

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Envision66 by the Dixie Group brought durability and affordability with its nylon program in expansion.

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Nature’s Carpet brought in 100% pure New Zealand wool to incorporate with broadlooms for a natural, more sustainable, and health-friendly variety.

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MOHAWK’s ColorMax has brought clarity and definition to carpeting that can be compared to the color quality of what you see on television.

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Primus PET-SuraSoft Fibre is the combination of durability and softness into carpets. If you like flecked tweed, seeing it will remind you of stones and their natural color.

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SOUTHWIND gives birth to the ColorSurgeSD for color separation that won’t overwhelm the room.

Increasing Shares Carpets have been gradually replacing hard floorings over the last decade. Some studies say

that close to 35% of households are making the switch. Carpets are making their way into family bedrooms and recreation rooms because of their relaxing feel under the feet.

Homeowners in UK are spending so much time building their homes that renovation is taking five years on average. It’s crucial that homeowners feel relaxed in their own homes. They are willing to buy premium carpet products for at least two rooms, aside from spending on other finishing touches. Because homeowners are now willing to spend so much on what they want, conversions are looking solid.

In Conclusion COVID-19 may have brought the world to its knees, but not everyone has to stay down. The carpet and rug industry shows so much promise and still rising because of how the pandemic influenced this retail market. Consumers now have the time to replace the flooring with carpets, and they’re asking for a wide array of selections.

Suppliers continue to dazzle and inspire with innovative designs for various needs in offices, schools, and even outdoors. Prices may have risen, but there’s no stopping homeowners from doing home renovations.

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Building Materials December 2020

Sustainable sealants – lock and Re-load

For most of us involved in the building industry, reducing our environmental impact is an increasingly important priority. One small step that can make a big difference is taking a fresh look at your use of sealants.

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very year, it’s estimated that a staggering one hundred million used sealant cartridges are sent to landfill in the UK. That equates to around 6,000 tonnes of non-degradable waste - with at least some of it being produced by the glazing industry. One company which has found an innovative way of addressing this problem is British-based, Bond It. As David Moore, Managing Director at the manufacturer of sealants, adhesives, grouts and other building chemicals, explains: “For all businesses - including those in the sealant applicator sector - the case for adopting more sustainable products and working practices has never been stronger. Aside from protecting the environment for future generations, going greener can deliver major benefits in other areas such as potentially reduced costs and increased marketing opportunities.

“It’s for this reason that Bond It remains committed to enhancing our range with environmentally friendly products that still offer all the performance of their more traditional, less green counterparts.

A prime example of this can be found in our Reload range.”

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Better by design Bond It’s Reload range of silicones employs a unique reusable design that helps to minimise waste to landfill offering a solution around sustainable packaging. The system is designed for use with special sausage refills. Currently being offered, three of Bond It’s most popular silicones and sealants, WP100, Frame-Mate and Multi-Mate, with a view to rolling out the concept to other products in the range at a later date.

How the Reload refillable system works is simple. The silicone is supplied in the form of EU3 aluminium foil sausages that can be replaced as needed. The end of this refill is removed with scissors before the nozzle is attached as normal. The sealant can then be dispensed using an ordinary skeleton gun and once the refill is used up, the aluminium slug can be simply and cleanly removed and disposed of before another refill is reloaded.

Going green As well as being incredibly easy to use, the Reload system also offers significant environmental benefits. In particular, both the cartridge and the nozzle are completely recyclable while Reload’s refillable nature also means that any excess silicone in the nozzle doesn’t go to waste.

But the green benefits don’t stop there. The reusable nature of Reload also results in a considerable reduction in the amount of waste generated and subsequently requiring disposal.

“Aside from helping to reduce the enormous number of sealant cartridges currently being sent to landfill, the Reload system also delivers a significant reduction in packaging use and subsequent waste,” explains David. “In fact, compared to traditional spent sealant cartridges, a used Reload refill is up to 60% lighter and 80% smaller in volume.

“This offers major benefits against a backdrop where site waste disposal costs are now determined by waste type and weight. It’s also particularly pertinent when we take into consideration the legal requirement for Site Waste Management Plans (SWMP) on all building projects over £300,000 which seek to increase waste reduction, recovery and recycling.” Coupled with landfill shortages around the corner and increasing site costs imposed by the Government, this will lead to increased transportation costs as waste will need to travel further.

As a further benefit, the aluminium foil packaging employed on the refills ensures that the silicone boasts twice the product shelf life of traditional cartridges. This helps to significantly reduce spoilage.

Plus, the reduction in packaging also helps to make the refills lighter and more space effective than traditional alternatives.

Building Materials December 2020

As David concludes: “As a business, Bond It has always had a firm focus on product development and on pioneering new solutions that meet the evolving needs of the industries we serve. As a result, we continue to enhance our range with products that not only set new standards in terms of performance and technical innovation, but also environmental credentials.

“Reload is a prime example of this commitment. Its greener, more sustainable nature makes it an ideal choice for any organisation or individual that uses silicones and sealants and that wants to reduce their environmental impact.”

Potentially it will also be a more cost effective option to consider if the Government pass legislation in 2022 to tax imported plastic packaging that does not contain at least 30% recycled content. With current cartridges being produced from 100% virgin plastic there will

be a cost increase that inevitably will be passed on to end users of these products.

Switching to greener systems, like the Reload concept, will reap commercial benefits as well as tackling the increasing issue of single use plastic and its devastating affect on the planet.

www.bonditgroup.com

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February 2021

Time to look at renewable heating Will the combination of the Green Homes Grant and the RHI herald a heating revolution?

By Max Halliwell - Communications Manager for Heating and Ventilation, Mitsubishi Electric.

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ith the announcement of the £2bn Green Homes Grant, which opened for applications at the start of October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has enabled homeowners and both social and private landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their home or housing stock.

Landlords, including local authorities and housing associations in England, can apply for vouchers worth up to £5,000 to make their properties more energy efficient. The vouchers cover up to two-thirds of the cost of the improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 a property and can be spent on insulation, new windows, renewable heating, solar power and other measures that improve the overall efficiency of the property.

However, the work must be completed by the end of March next year, which must surely limit the number of properties that can be tackled over the coldest part of the year.

It is also not possible to get the Green Homes Grant for newly built homes which haven’t yet been occupied, so social housing landlords will need to focus on empty properties or find temporary accommodation for any tenants that won’t be able to stay in the home whilst the work is underway.

Look at the fabric As a representative of a heat pump manufacturer, you might expect me to focus on the significant benefits to both tenants and landlords of renewable heating and in particular, air source heat pumps.

However, we would always advocate making sure that the fabric of the building is as energy efficient as possible first, so that the heating technology can work as efficiently as possible.

It’s what we call a ‘Lean, Mean, Green’ approach and by this, we mean be ‘Lean’ and reduce the need for overall energy consumption first. Look at the fabric of the building by stopping heat loss and leaks, and improving the overall insulation.

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Next we propose a ‘Mean’ approach, where any energy used in the property is used as efficiently as possible.

Low energy lightbulbs are an easy example but any electrical appliance should be looked at to ensure that it is as efficient as possible.

The same applies to the heating system but this is where the ‘Green’ approach kicks in. It is still easy to just replace an existing oil or gas boiler and a modern boiler will increase the efficiency of the heating system over an antiquated boiler.

However, this is simply not sustainable into the future and does nothing to decrease the carbon footprint of either the home, or the housing association.

UK investment And this is where air source heat pumps really come into their own as they are now a reliable, proven technology and, in the case of our own Ecodan for example, are built in the UK and designed specifically for UK conditions.

Over the last decade and more, we’ve fitted tens of thousands of heat pumps from the Isle of Wight to the Isle of Skye. In modern, upgraded homes and in ancient, listed buildings, and in both single properties and whole apartment blocks.

At our Scottish factory, we have invested heavily in R&D actually going as far as building two comparable houses in the car park. One has a modern gas boiler and the other has an Ecodan heat pump and both homes are tested and tested on their performance.

Whichever renewable heating system you choose, it is worth looking at performance, reliability and operating noise levels as these will have a real impact on acceptance with tenants, keeping them warm and happy throughout the winter.

February 2021 The system is available in 8.5kW and 11.2kW sizes with market-leading sound levels that are three times quieter than previous models making passing permitted development requirements much easier.

Listen at your leisure Ecodan Ambassador, architect and TV Presenter, George Clarke At Mitsubishi Electric, we always stress the need to look at Seasonal Efficiency rather than the standard performance levels written in the sales blurb.

For us, this is a bit like miles per gallon (mpg) with a car. We all know that the car manufactures show off the highest mpg possible, but this is always from a laboratory test, in optimum conditions. Once you get your car on the road, at all speeds and in all weathers, that is where you really see what the performance is.

The same is true of any heating system so always ask about the seasonal efficiency won’t you?

Shh, people are sleeping Another key area that will affect adoption of renewable, energy-saving air source heat pumps is noise, to ensure tenants and their neighbours aren’t disturbed, which is why permitted development exists.

In the residential environment, sound is important because low sound increases the flexibility of where a heat pump can be positioned.

As heat pumps are adopted in more homes, noise will become an increasingly important factor and many are sited close to windows, where the unit’s apparent low noise during the day, can become a different matter in the quiet of the night.

Permitted development requires sound levels to meet certain limitations, with the sound pressure level not exceeding 42 decibels, dB(A) when measured at a point one metre away from the neighbour’s nearest door or window.

That is exactly why we as a manufacturer have looked beyond performance and focused heavily on developing some of the quietest units ever available, which we have appropriately named ‘Ultra Quiet’.

These provide reliable, renewable heating and hot water production for a wide range of installations.

Rob Hicks, Innovation Manager at Sovereign Housing Association

To help people understand the full benefits of air source heat pumps, we’ve created a series of podcasts all about renewable heating with our Ecodan Ambassador, architect and TV Presenter, George Clarke and in one of the latest, we look specifically at the social housing sector.

George and I talk about social housing in the UK, ‘affordable warmth’, and the need to educate the entire sector, from government, developers, housing associations, and residents about heat pump technology.

We also consider the case for new-build developments versus retrofitting the UK’s existing social housing stock to be more sustainable and energy-efficient.

In another, more recent podcast, I talk with Rob Hicks, Innovation Manager at Sovereign Housing Association and we discussed Sovereign’s decision to invest in sustainable heating technology to meet their long-term, ‘affordable warmth’ objectives for residents.

In the podcast, Rob reflects on the housing association’s ten-year relationship with Ecodan, and the educational challenges they overcame when introducing new technology.

With the government recognising how important air source heat pumps will be for the future of low carbon heating in the UK and forecasting one million sales a year by 2030, the time could not be better to look at improving the heating future for tenants.

Not only could you benefit from £5,000 per property, if the work is completed before the end of March, the property could also be eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive, earning quarterly payments for the next seven years.

But there’s no time to lose as both the Renewable Heat Incentive and the Green Homes Grant end on the 31st March 2021.

To listen to any of the podcasts, visit podcast.ecodan.uk If you want further information, give us a call or visit www.ecodan.co.uk.

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CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Recommended Suppliers

We are the UK’s trusted Japanese knotweed treatment and remediation company with a proven track record in working successfully for local authorities, developers, construction companies and private landowners. www.japaneseknotweed.co.uk contact@knotweed.co.uk T: 0333 2414 413

Pool lock safety pool cover you will no longer have to worry about your loved ones. www.poollock.com +44 1293 77 44 14 +44 1293 77 44 33 PoolLock UK Ltd, Gatwick Business Park, Unit 2B, Kennel Lane, Hookwood, RH6 0AH, Horley, United Kingdom

We design and supply bags and cradles globally that secure nonstandard loads ready for lifting to height using winches and cranes. www.lifting-bags.co.uk 0114 3241224 PafBag Limited, Unit C14, Alison Business Centre, Alison Crescent, Sheffield, S2 1AS, United Kingdom

SAiGE Longlife Decking Ltd are proud of the high quality composite products that we supply to the UK, Irish and European Markets. www.compositedecking.co.uk +44 (0) 1789 721 576 SAiGE Longlife Decking Ltd, Vicarage Barns, Lower Quinton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom, CV37 8SG